2 hours ago, axman2526 said:

In all seriousness the comparison to Robben is a good one as he had injury issues with us often too. CP woild do well at Barca or some other Spanish side imo. They dont have refs like Dean who let sides like Brighton rough up our players without a care of a card in the world.

If you are talking about their injury record, sure.

Football impact wise, not even close. Robben was riddiculos, at time unplayable but he was made of glass. 

3 hours ago, General said:

There’s a big talent in there but looks like EPL is a bit too physical, Robben a far better player had glass ankles and Mour shipped him to RM, went on to have a brilliant la liga & bundesliga career, Unless he has an injury free barnstormer of a 2nd half of this season must be over for him at CFC. Which is a shame bc under SFL he looked like a real prospect. 

 

I am also beginning to think the EPL might be too physical for his fragile body. Those leagues you mentioned seem to fit better for technical, but less physical players. 

54 minutes ago, haviet1 said:

 

I am also beginning to think the EPL might be too physical for his fragile body. Those leagues you mentioned seem to fit better for technical, but less physical players. 

Sadly I think you are right.

57 minutes ago, Bob stark said:

If you are talking about their injury record, sure.

Football impact wise, not even close. Robben was riddiculos, at time unplayable but he was made of glass. 

Let's be fair about it. Not only Robben, but Duffer and Joe Cole were light-years ahead of every single creator/scorer we have now, Mount included, Just as Rom is not in Drogbas league. Mind you only players like Henry and Shearer were,not numpties like Zlatan.

Seeing that we will be forced to spend on defenders it would be really nice if he takes over next season and stops getting injured because otherwise he's just not good enough.

1 more season of inconsistencies with injures and he would end up being overpriced and the gamble we made when we signed him knowing that he is injury prone would be proven to be a losing bet. Then I would lean for us to sell him and to get a more stable player that the squad can count on to at least be ready to play for a full season.

With all this massive potential that we have it would be really sad if Pulisic ends up being a flop and CHO ends up short of his potential as well, basically the worst possible outcome for such a huge investment in both money and in time spent on believing that these 2 would end up being top wingers. That would be a huge blow despite hitting the jackpot with Mount and James because after all a top team needs a top winger and these days wingers are scoring more and more goals. Having Lukaku that can score against small teams is good for top 4 but for anything else we need something special on the sides.

We sold Hazard in what it feels a long time ago but so far none of the new players that came up that play on the left wing managed to come close to that impact, goes to show just how much it means to lose your best player. I'm afraid that it's going to be equally challenging to replace Kante in the future as well.

9 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Let's be fair about it. Not only Robben, but Duffer and Joe Cole were light-years ahead of every single creator/scorer we have now, Mount included, Just as Rom is not in Drogbas league. Mind you only players like Henry and Shearer were,not numpties like Zlatan.

I don’t like comparing eras but one thing I see seldom work is who horning players into a system. Trouble for us is we are not playing the system to take advantage of our attacking talent to cover for a weak defence. 
 

playing with a back 3 means our play is always laboured- it gives the opposition time to set-up.

A key star of the top 6 we have the highest number of touches in our own defensive 3rd and penalty area.. while city and pool have 30% higher touches in the penalty box.. 

This clearly shows how our build up play needs to change I can bet even the most creative players will struggle in a back 3.

I remember at the time we signed Pulisic he was one of a few young Bundesliga wingers with potential that were attracting attention from a number of clubs.  Leon Bailey was another player we were supposedly looking at who had promise. Pulisic has definitely shown more than Bailey so far, but he hasn't fulfilled his potential. We've seen a few signs. notably in his first season with us. Persistent injuries have hampered his progress but I not convinced he will be able to take the next step and become the class of player that we paid heavily for. At this point I can only see him of value as a squad player and I am not sure he would be happy with that. If there is any truth in rumours about Raphinha I could see us replacing him in the summer.

32 minutes ago, forbzy said:

I remember at the time we signed Pulisic he was one of a few young Bundesliga wingers with potential that were attracting attention from a number of clubs.  Leon Bailey was another player we were supposedly looking at who had promise. Pulisic has definitely shown more than Bailey so far, but he hasn't fulfilled his potential. We've seen a few signs. notably in his first season with us. Persistent injuries have hampered his progress but I not convinced he will be able to take the next step and become the class of player that we paid heavily for. At this point I can only see him of value as a squad player and I am not sure he would be happy with that. If there is any truth in rumours about Raphinha I could see us replacing him in the summer.

Nobody is happy with him being a squad player but he can't really help himself, much less now that he's needed as a full-back. Best is to sell him and find another winger, there are plenty out there that are talented.

On 30/12/2021 at 08:27, strider6004 said:

I don't think he has been terrible, has got us the odd goal or penalty. Take away the injuries and probably every other match he gets an assist or goal.

Although he is good a dribbling trying to do it against 2 or three defenders does not work and he often finds himself in a cul-de-sac and losing possession or gets fouled. 

6 league appearances, 2 goals and at least one assist or penalty won.

The issue we have is very few of our supporting forwards are playing well, with Mount probably edging it  yet even he is making the wrong decision at times.

 

Clearly that's what we paid for when we splashed the cash on him.

Captain America is an NCAA player on disguise. Not good enough & never will be. Simply can't perform.

On 31/12/2021 at 09:57, Gol15 said:

Nobody is happy with him being a squad player but he can't really help himself, much less now that he's needed as a full-back. Best is to sell him and find another winger, there are plenty out there that are talented.

Completely agree. We could probably get a sum close to what was paid for him.

The premier league is just too much for him 

he’s no where near strong enough 

Captain America!! Told you all he was quality!

 

He should have a hat trick - one goal ain’t changing many opinions. 

1 minute ago, Munkworth said:

He should have a hat trick - one goal ain’t changing many opinions. 

Well, at least he got 1, which is more than can be said about our other attacking players 😆

Edited January 2, 20224 yr by Scott Harris

It was a good finish.

 

2 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

Well, at least he got 1, which is more than can be said about our other attacking players 😆

Well we’ve got one who’s score 2 in 2 but he’s in the naughty corner with a tanned behind. 

Like I said a few days ago, it's left wing or nothing for the guy. False 9 or wing back, he can't play in either of those roles. 

Best center mid in the f**king world!

15 minutes ago, Amputechture said:

Best center mid in the f**king world!

Need to ask a mod to move this post to the Kante thread where it belongs. 

1 minute ago, Munkworth said:

Need to ask a mod to move this post to the Kante thread where it belongs. 

The absolute disrespect shown to the LeBron James of soccer. Mods,  please ban this lunatic.

13 minutes ago, Amputechture said:

The absolute disrespect shown to the LeBron James of soccer. Mods,  please ban this lunatic.

It’s Soccerball you idiot!

It's pretty simple. Play him in his correct spot, you will get his best game. If not, like most players, you won't.  Dude played in his correct spot and scored. 

On 31/12/2021 at 13:43, Evenflow20 said:

Clearly that's what we paid for when we splashed the cash on him.

Captain America is an NCAA player on disguise. Not good enough & never will be. Simply can't perform.

Stupid comment.

47 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

Like I said a few days ago, it's left wing or nothing for the guy. False 9 or wing back, he can't play in either of those roles. 

But he is the best left wing Chelsea has - by far. So, might want to play him there. Just sayin'.

5 minutes ago, USATim said:

It's pretty simple. Play him in his correct spot, you will get his best game. If not, like most players, you won't.  Dude played in his correct spot and scored. 

Players can now score while sitting on the bench?

Soccerball at it's very best amirite @Munkworth