1 minute ago, Amputechture said:

Players can now score while sitting on the bench?

Soccerball at it's very best amirite @Munkworth

Only during Golden Time Multi-ball at the end of the fourth quarter. 

His positioning in the box has improved, I don't think he gets any of these chances playing like he did in the last couple months. Let's hope he keeps doing it this way.

1 minute ago, USATim said:

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

I think out of all of our wingers, he is the most natually gifted, but you don't just get into the team for that reason alone. He's too stop start, he has to carry his momentum forward. He needs to show Tuchel that he can be relied on to play every game.

14 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. 

Oh you're back again because he scored. Haven't seen you for a while during the spell he did nothing. Wonder why.

Improved second half, first half before he scored had a bit of a mare. Again failed to close down and allowed TTA time to pick a pass into Salah for the second goal, similar to not making any attempt to close down Cucerella in the Brighton match. If the ball isn't delivered the chance doesn't materialise.

I really feel he should be brought on as a second half sub, seems too slow around the pitch at times.

Don't blame him with his chance in the first as was close to the keeper though was a good one.

The goal he did score was technically top drawer taking it down with his chest and then firing it past the keeper. 

4 minutes ago, strider6004 said:

I really feel he should be brought on as a second half sub, seems too slow around the pitch at times.

I've been trying to put my finger on it all season but this game confirmed it for me - he's just completely lost his acceleration and change of pace. It makes his dribbling ineffective for the most part, much the same as Hazard these days. Konate almost made him look like Jorginho in a sprint.

8 minutes ago, venom2011 said:

I've been trying to put my finger on it all season but this game confirmed it for me - he's just completely lost his acceleration and change of pace. It makes his dribbling ineffective for the most part, much the same as Hazard these days. Konate almost made him look like Jorginho in a sprint.

Certainly looks that way. He seems to have lost the ability to go past players, and has very little strength on the ball. His weaknesses look physical as much as mental.

He's now just 1 goal behind from having the same amount as last season in the PL. Which of course isn't nearly enough but let's see if he can build up on this. It would be amazing really if he manages to score more from now on.

2 hours ago, Zeta said:

Oh you're back again because he scored. Haven't seen you for a while during the spell he did nothing. Wonder why.

He has been played out of position. You know my feelings. If he is played in his proper place, does well or struggles, I will be here. The mere fact that Chelsea doesn't have an adequate replacement at wingback and Pulisic gets shifted there, totally kills his attacking skills, taking guys, face up to goal one on one or splitting the defense like he did tonight. Telling him to play defense first and giving him the ball on the sideline isn't his strength. Period.

Edited January 2, 20224 yr by USATim

18 minutes ago, USATim said:

He has been played out of position. You know my feelings. If he is played in his proper place, does well or struggles, I will be here. The mere fact that Chelsea doesn't have an adequate replacement at wingback and Pulisic gets shifted there, totally kills his attacking skills, taking guys, face up to goal one on one or splitting the defense like he did tonight. Telling him to play defense first and giving him the ball on the sideline isn't his strength. Period.

He has been in and out of position, playing LW, Wingback and false 9 and did nothing until now, let's have it right. I think Pulisic is a confidence player and can only play in his natural position as well, but he had confidence before and lost it. We can hope that he gets better in maintaining his form and belief as he gets older and more experienced.

8 hours ago, venom2011 said:

I've been trying to put my finger on it all season but this game confirmed it for me - he's just completely lost his acceleration and change of pace. It makes his dribbling ineffective for the most part, much the same as Hazard these days. Konate almost made him look like Jorginho in a sprint.

A bit like CHO in that regard too.

When you look at how well he struck his goal it is certainly frustrating that, one the same foot from closer distance, the other 2 lovely chances that came his way we're firstly dribbled to the keeper and secondly flicked to the keeper.

12 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

I think out of all of our wingers, he is the most natually gifted, but you don't just get into the team for that reason alone. He's too stop start, he has to carry his momentum forward. He needs to show Tuchel that he can be relied on to play every game.

Nahh,talent wise cho is far more gifted than puli.

Puli can only play one way and one role. LW narrower and high. He need to get the ball in space and just go. 

CHO on the other hand is far more complete. Other than finishing and attacking far post  cho is far better.

Glad to see he was able to help the team earn a point.

Hopefully his form will continue to improve, going forward. With so many players out, everyone needs to step up and do more/better.

 

17 hours ago, sonic90 said:

He has been in and out of position, playing LW, Wingback and false 9 and did nothing until now, let's have it right. I think Pulisic is a confidence player and can only play in his natural position as well, but he had confidence before and lost it. We can hope that he gets better in maintaining his form and belief as he gets older and more experienced.

Meh this was the first game in a long time where he was played in his proper position.

The 9 spot for him is just horrible, he's too small and the balls all get swung in and he's trying to compete with much larger men to head the ball.  Only way that works is if the defender completely misses it. 

He's a little better at the wing back role but he's not what you want defensively and can leave you a bit exposed there.  

 

Honestly without our top wing backs available for a while, we should really consider changing tactics, maybe go to a regular 4-3-3.  

James and Chilwell were the engine that drove the system that we're using.  With both of them out we need a system that doesn't rely as much on them.  

Edited January 3, 20224 yr by Valpo

First 20 goals, I thought he had a couple more but maybe not. You can see the passion when he scores for us especially in big games. Pulisic is a long term project I feel like some people forget this sometimes. Let's not make the same mistake with KDB and Salah I want to see Pulisic mature as a player with us.

 

6 hours ago, Valpo said:

Meh this was the first game in a long time where he was played in his proper position.

The 9 spot for him is just horrible, he's too small and the balls all get swung in and he's trying to compete with much larger men to head the ball.  Only way that works is if the defender completely misses it. 

He's a little better at the wing back role but he's not what you want defensively and can leave you a bit exposed there.  

 

Honestly without our top wing backs available for a while, we should really consider changing tactics, maybe go to a regular 4-3-3.  

James and Chilwell were the engine that drove the system that we're using.  With both of them out we need a system that doesn't rely as much on them.  

Spot on.

15 hours ago, Bob stark said:

CHO on the other hand is far more complete. Other than finishing and attacking far post  cho is far better.

I mean that's sort of the important bit

Nah, I think Pulisic is more of a natural talent than Hudson Odoi.

What Pulisic does, that’s natural talent, not years and years of training. The way he can dribble past players is easy on the eye.

Sometimes I wish he would be less selfish though, he likes trying to do it all on his own.

Since this is the best place to find you guys, @USATim, @haviet1 and @Valpo. What do you guys like of the Barca and USA Chelsea linked wingback/fullback Dest?

1 hour ago, SydneyChelsea said:

I mean that's sort of the important bit

Movement and finishing is easier to improve though, sterling is a good example. They usually come with more experience (movement)

Ability to protect the ball, find separation, passing in final 3rd, playing multiple angle are imo far more difficult to improve.

But right now it really does not matter  because both are not elite so their performance really depend our system and tempo of this team.

Under Lamp, we were a chaotic energetic team and Puli was clearly the star of that team. Under Tuchel, we are a controlled slower team and Pulisic has been awful

Edited January 4, 20224 yr by Bob stark

I think he is our best finisher alongside Lukaku.

He has been short of 20 appearances in his first two seasons suggesting injury concerns.

Not sure our high pressing game suits him nor the 3-4-3 though when he is scoring like now not sure how you can drop him. 

12 hours ago, SydneyChelsea said:

I mean that's sort of the important bit

Cho doesn't seem to be excellent at anything.

He has decent speed (not as good as pre injury), decent runs, decent dribbling, but isn't world class at any of them.  Rarely beats a man off the dribble.

I actually think his passing and finishing is below average for his position, and defensively he cannot play wingback.  He's got a long way to go.

Pulisic is probably worse in a lot of ways but is an elite dribbler and better finisher.

I wouldn't have either of them in the starting 11 right now to be honest, Werner or Mount brings more to the position than either of them.  Willian (defensively) and Pedro (finishing, runs) were both better too.

12 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Since this is the best place to find you guys, @USATim, @haviet1 and @Valpo. What do you guys like of the Barca and USA Chelsea linked wingback/fullback Dest?

 

You're asking the wrong guys. Lol

Being American and Dest plays for our National team, of course we're biased.

Dest certainly got skills and speed, and I think he'll fit nicely into TT's wingback style. Definitely nice to have two Americans on the team, remind me of the days of Fulham where we have 4-5 Americans on that team, it was quite a treat for us to watch that team back when Dempsey, McBride, etc. were on their roster.

However, much like Pulisic, Dest is still pretty much a project and not a final product so there's some risks. But he's still a very young talent, so with proper coaching and patience he could become very good player. 

55 minutes ago, haviet1 said:

 

You're asking the wrong guys. Lol

Being American and Dest plays for our National team, of course we're biased.

Dest certainly got skills and speed, and I think he'll fit nicely into TT's wingback style. Definitely nice to have two Americans on the team, remind me of the days of Fulham where we have 4-5 Americans on that team, it was quite a treat for us to watch that team back when Dempsey, McBride, etc. were on their roster.

However, much like Pulisic, Dest is still pretty much a project and not a final product so there's some risks. But he's still a very young talent, so with proper coaching and patience he could become very good player. 

So probably best to ask your opinions on someone you would not be biased about then. How about Lille and Canada forward Johnathan David?  😉