Just now, Scott Harris said:

With the way Sarri set's us up, he may be the perfect fit for that position after all. Kovacic is often deep for an attacking midfielder, but he doesn't have the legs to drag him forward and in attacking positions he looks lost, Loftus-Cheek is great bringing the ball out from deep, and he's proving to be very useful in attacking areas.

There's no reason why Ruben can't be starting more games for us. 

Just now, Slojo said:

There's no reason why Ruben can't be starting more games for us. 

If it wasn't for his injury, he might've been ahead of Barkley in the pecking order recently.

Ironically it's Barkley's knock that's probably given him minutes today, and he's taken the opportunity.

2 minutes ago, CFCCAN said:

at least Diego's were worth it and entertaining sometimes

With Diego it was "right Diego, you've played your hand, try not to be too aggressive now", Diego used to rough defenders up an he got a few players sent off with his antics, dirty but effective. With Morata his yellows are completely pointless, it's always for dissent. 

Easy win.Our team not impressive, Kante needs to rotate with Jorginho at times where we are defending, Kovacic needs to be benched, Pedro needs to start the next game as well. 

5 minutes ago, Slojo said:

I've never known a player to get so many stupid yellow cards like Morata. 

But, hey, he's been on 20 minutes and hasn't been offside yet!

We're doing ok. Top 4, Europa qualification and League cup QF. Last week was bad and I think we need to change how we play against the better teams because we dont have all the right players yet.

Ruben is our second  best goal scorer so far this season .... says a lot !

1 minute ago, DP2 said:

We're doing ok. Top 4, Europa qualification and League cup QF. Last week was bad and I think we need to change how we play against the better teams because we dont have all the right players yet.

I think we should stick to the plan because that is the style we need to perfect instead of grinding out results. 

2 minutes ago, Beerqueen said:

But, hey, he's been on 20 minutes and hasn't been offside yet!

He’s been fitted with an electric shock dog collar In case he drifts offside

Edited December 2, 20187 yr by Kev56

3 points! 

Nice comfortable 2-0 please.

Thank you Chelsea. Now we can enjoy the derbies. [emoji4]

Can’t see us causing cites too many problems playing like this. 

job done ...need a result from Arsenal and Everton...

3 minutes ago, Slojo said:

With Diego it was "right Diego, you've played your hand, try not to be too aggressive now", Diego used to rough defenders up an he got a few players sent off with his antics, dirty but effective. With Morata his yellows are completely pointless, it's always for dissent. 

Exactly, Costa knew precisely what he was doing and how much he could get away with, there was a reason he very rarely saw a second yellow.

Morata's have only ever been for petulance. We have two of the most likeable, selfless strikers in the league, but neither are natural goalscorers in the slightest, and it'll keep costing us.

Very happy with the 3 points but there are glaring problems and we can't ignore it. 

Midfield too easily overrun, Kante isn't doing much in his position. And the striker issues again are a problem, I like Giroud but he's inconsistent, still a good squad player and often reliable, he was very sloppy today though. Morata is Morata and Alonso had probably his worst game. 

Easy win, far from our best. We lack intensity especially in the final third. Good to see Ruben get his goal...He has to be starting more. 

 

1 hour ago, enigma said:

How is alonso playing? 

This has probably been answered in the thread, but I’m reading through...

im an Alonso fan, and I think this was his worst game in a Chelsea shirt. He was OK on defense, as he wasn’t pressured too badly, but not good... and he was really dreadful going forward today. I wasn’t surprised in the least to see him go off. 

I thought Azpilacueta played much better on the other side... one of his better games. Jorginho was more aggressive and physical than we’ve seen him. 

Rudiger is a rock. 

Just now, spadefx said:

Exactly, Costa knew precisely what he was doing and how much he could get away with, there was a reason he very rarely saw a second yellow.

Morata's have only ever been for petulance. We have two of the most likeable, selfless strikers in the league, but neither are natural goalscorers in the slightest, and it'll keep costing us.

Spurs have been playing awful all season except for the big games, but they're winning by scraps due to Kane and Ali, we haven't really got any goal scorers in this team, not even Hazard has been a great goal scorer in my book. 

2 minutes ago, ozboy said:

Can’t see us causing cites too many problems playing like this. 

hate to say it but it could be a bloodbath unless we have some bite in the middle, City will just walk through the middle and score at will against our sieve of a defence. We were lucky today, against a better team we might have conceded one or two. 

Not a great performance, but it's a win so I'm happy enough. 

The first 11 needs a few tweaks from what I can see. Kovacic out, Loftus-Cheek in, Alonso out, Emerson in. I think just those small changes will make a hell of a lot of difference to our performances. It probably won't happen though and we will likely still see Kovacic struggle to do anything as an attacking midfielder and continue to see Alonso struggle defensively and keep our attacks moving fluidly.

Edited December 2, 20187 yr by Scott Harris

Bench Kovacic he clearly shows why he was always benched everywhere else.

 

i hate to be that guy who moans despite a win, but just gotta say that the team haven't redeemed themselves after last week's disaster (bar Kepa who made couple of important saves). the improvement was minimal, and that second half is definitely as worse as our performance last week. the difference being the quality of the opposition was much lesser, even our first goal was pretty much a gift. if the opposition were better, we might have been punished in this game

Think you're right. Id prefer Loftus Cheek v Wolves.

Long term we need a proper left back, Alonso has been excellent for the few seasons but we need to make a change.

Kepa, Rudiger, Azpillacueta, kante & Hazard are what we need to build around I think.

Tough game like I expected with Ranieri their new manager and the honeymoon period but we got the win. So pleased to see Kante doing what he does best. Still would give MOTM to Hazard. Was not brilliant but the main difference once again and made a fantastic assist to RLC. Now I can sit back, relax and enjoy the North London Derby. 

Pleased to get the win though as others have said we have issues, imbalances it's just not fluid.

Fulham caused us difficulties today and that was without the injured Schurrle.