I think he's more creative now than what he was last season, the stats might contradict that very statement. But he seems to want to drive the ball forward more rather than primarily focusing on ball retention. 

Regardles, I think he'll have a much better season, but it would certainly help if Kante came back, as it would help just about everyone. 

17 hours ago, Vagabond said:

Ok, even though you pivoted from your original argument, I'll indulge you.. but is probably my last reply to you; Kovacic actually has a decent percentage of forward passes, if my memory doesn't betray me. If you read the last page in this topic you could read that he provided the game winning assist against Sheffield and if you watched the last CL game you would've seen a crazy pass that Willian sadly couldn't capitalize on and a few nice attacks that he created as well.

But there is really no point in finding stats for people that only care for arguments fitting their own confirmation bias.

Game winning assist? So we won the game because of him?

What's the Valencia game has to do with the original topic? While you are at it, are you going to bring up the other 40+ games, or you are just being selective?

 

Fantastic tonight. Think he's been really good this season.

 

Deserves a mention IMO.

Excellent today, and looks better going forward this season.

He’s a really classy footballer. I think many were too impatient and didn’t cut him enough slack last season. After all, he was quite young, in a new league, and I think most importantly - had spent way too much time on the bench and was lacking match experience. No wonder confidence was an issue. Coming into his own this season - just needs that goal to win everyone over fully. 

Unlike last season I am happy he is in the squad, but if I am honest, still little to choose between Kova and Barkley. Kova is a better defensive screen in midfield but still doesn't provide enough in the final third. Barkley gives more aerial presence in midfield and offers more threat around the opposition box.

It's gonna be a long season. Both of them will have an important part play. 

His combination with Jorginho was exceptional today. He is playing very well this season. 

shows good understanding, good engine and positional sense is also better than Barkley  - who in all fairness for the majority of his career hasnt played in a deeper midfield role..i think with him in the team there is a better balance than barkley who also ends up occupying similar positions to mount..

Such a fantastic player, no idea how Dross Barkley manages to start over him. Kovacic is levels ahead of him.

31 minutes ago, PlayDaYouf said:

Such a fantastic player, no idea how Dross Barkley manages to start over him. Kovacic is levels ahead of him.

Ah, there you are again with the ridiculing our own players. How mature.

12 hours ago, Dean said:

He’s a really classy footballer. I think many were too impatient and didn’t cut him enough slack last season. After all, he was quite young, in a new league, and I think most importantly - had spent way too much time on the bench and was lacking match experience. No wonder confidence was an issue. Coming into his own this season - just needs that goal to win everyone over fully. 

I am starting to think the same of Pulisic lately

Did someone say Jorginho has no creativity?

We rely on his creativity every single game. Yes his short passes look simple but it requires creativity to find a player in space every time, doesn’t matter if it’s an attacker or defender.

Hes not going to do long balls like Fab did, but he is absolutely crucial to keeping the ball! Without Jorginho we’d struggle to play out from the back.

Kovacic probably will do a decent job but his passing skills is nowhere near Jorginho’s level.

Kovacic was great. He oozes class. He made 1 or 2 big errors in the game but we made through them with great team play.

Talking about Ross is he gives another dimension. He can put you through and score goals. In easier games than Ajax he really can shine and we need him also.

1 hour ago, Valerie said:

Ah, there you are again with the ridiculing our own players. How mature.

Get Dross and Stanny out this club! 

We already have better options, they're deadwood

31 minutes ago, PlayDaYouf said:

Get Dross and Stanny out this club! 

We already have better options, they're deadwood

You really can’t help yourself can you. These players you refer to have been bought in by Chelsea to do a job. As far as I can see they put in the effort for the club and although they may not reach your high standards they do not deserve your ridicule. 

9 minutes ago, goose said:

You really can’t help yourself can you. These players you refer to have been bought in by Chelsea to do a job. As far as I can see they put in the effort for the club and although they may not reach your high standards they do not deserve your ridicule. 

I want to see this club succeed, if the players aren't upto task they don't belong there. 

1 minute ago, PlayDaYouf said:

I want to see this club succeed, if the players aren't upto task they don't belong there. 

Fair enough if that’s your opinion then express it. I just don’t like the term ‘dross Barkley’. We’re Chelsea, try and stay classy.

19 minutes ago, goose said:

Fair enough if that’s your opinion then express it. I just don’t like the term ‘dross Barkley’. We’re Chelsea, try and stay classy.

Fair enough, but lets be honest he has been dire since he joined us. Only playing well against piss poor opposition, by no means should he be ahead of Kovacic

Wouldn’t be in my starting 11 for sure but if it’s piss poor opposition he plays well against he’s still an asset, because strangely some people don’t preform well against those. Still think he has value in the squad.

42 minutes ago, goose said:

Wouldn’t be in my starting 11 for sure but if it’s piss poor opposition he plays well against he’s still an asset, because strangely some people don’t preform well against those. Still think he has value in the squad.

I agree and while he is putting in a good performance against lower opposition he gives others a rest for the harder matches.

6 hours ago, Valerie said:

Ah, there you are again with the ridiculing our own players. How mature.

I was trying to work out which repeat offender it was. How to give yourself away with one sentence. 

 

This tickled me

6 hours ago, goose said:

Wouldn’t be in my starting 11 for sure but if it’s piss poor opposition he plays well against he’s still an asset, because strangely some people don’t preform well against those. Still think he has value in the squad.

Agree, he plays a lot different for England though I've noticed. 

Edited October 24, 20196 yr by Slojo

17 minutes ago, Slojo said:

This tickled me