1 hour ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Bakayoko actually had some good games. Can't even remember Cuadrado doing a good touch.

What like 2? Compare the minutes to what Cuadrado got to Bakayoko, Bakayoko had some absolutely horrendous games, more than he had average games, he didn't even know how to play in his position properly he kept walking on the left-hand side trying to avoid getting a pass. 

Yeah but Cuadrado was so sh*t we were happy to loan him out for the entirety of the of contract after only six months at the club. 

That deal with Juventus was basically us saying “f**k off and don’t come back”. 

He was absolute pony. 

The more I think about it, the more I"m worried about Pulisic.

He's a RW, that likes to play the Hazard/Willian way. Which is receive the ball in front of the opposing back line, dribble at players and make something happen. He also seems to be more of a creator than a scorer. 

Sarri's RW needs to be more of a runner into space. A "Raumdeuter" winger. Quick, Intelligent, Good first touch and finish.  Someone who can run in behind backlines, but also be a "fox in the box" when we get to the bylines and cutback. 

Can Pulisic be coached to play in this way? I think he can, but it will take time. But....60 million for a player that needs to be coached to play in another way? Massive gamble for me

Unless the club see him as another LW? But that doesn't make sense either as we have a logjam at that position too. 

Hargreaves is right. Is Pulisic better than CHO at this point? Both on current ability and future potential, maybe it's my blue tinted glasses, but CHO wins on both 

Edited March 8, 20197 yr by dustbin719

If this season has taught us anything it’s that the attack needs freshening up.

My ideal scenario is that CHO and Hazard sign new contracts and that both Pedro and Willian are sold in the summer.

Unlikely I know but would be nice going into next season with a refreshed looking attack.

33 minutes ago, ForeverCarefree said:

If this season has taught us anything it’s that the attack needs freshening up.

My ideal scenario is that CHO and Hazard sign new contracts and that both Pedro and Willian are sold in the summer.

Unlikely I know but would be nice going into next season with a refreshed looking attack.

Basically this with the addition of a top striker.

8 hours ago, dustbin719 said:

The more I think about it, the more I"m worried about Pulisic.

He's a RW, that likes to play the Hazard/Willian way. Which is receive the ball in front of the opposing back line, dribble at players and make something happen. He also seems to be more of a creator than a scorer. 

Sarri's RW needs to be more of a runner into space. A "Raumdeuter" winger. Quick, Intelligent, Good first touch and finish.  Someone who can run in behind backlines, but also be a "fox in the box" when we get to the bylines and cutback. 

Can Pulisic be coached to play in this way? I think he can, but it will take time. But....60 million for a player that needs to be coached to play in another way? Massive gamble for me

Unless the club see him as another LW? But that doesn't make sense either as we have a logjam at that position too. 

Hargreaves is right. Is Pulisic better than CHO at this point? Both on current ability and future potential, maybe it's my blue tinted glasses, but CHO wins on both 

One of the top talents and a projected future star player - that is Pulisic. So there is no gamble anymore, he comes for the next season and is going to be in the partnership with CHO in case Hazard leaves. The way he plays as a 20 year old is impressive and he can only improve that's why Sarri is here he has the reputation of knowing how to train players.

7 hours ago, Gol15 said:

One of the top talents and a projected future star player - that is Pulisic. So there is no gamble anymore, he comes for the next season and is going to be in the partnership with CHO in case Hazard leaves. The way he plays as a 20 year old is impressive and he can only improve that's why Sarri is here he has the reputation of knowing how to train players.

that last part of your post is telling - Young Pulisic has even said that coming to under Sarri was a big selling point coming to play CFC 

 

Got a goal and assist today. Was only on the pitch for 11 mins apparently. 

Here's the goal: 

https://streamja.com/3ZkP

Edited March 9, 20197 yr by enigma

On 08/03/2019 at 13:23, ForeverCarefree said:

If this season has taught us anything it’s that the attack needs freshening up.

My ideal scenario is that CHO and Hazard sign new contracts and that both Pedro and Willian are sold in the summer.

Unlikely I know but would be nice going into next season with a refreshed looking attack.

Absolutely spot on. 

Dont get me wrong, Pedro and Willian have had their uses this season and pop up every now and then, but as for consistent top level performers they are way past it. Wingers being made up of Hazard, Pulisic and CHO is great. Though i do feel if we sell both Pedro and Willian that we should probably sign one more winger in case of injuries, or just bring back a loanee/promote a youth player. 

If we still decide to have both Willian and Pedro next season, then I really do feel for CHO because hes just not going to get the minutes he deserves

On 16/02/2019 at 09:37, ForeverCarefree said:

Yeah but Cuadrado was so sh*t we were happy to loan him out for the entirety of the of contract after only six months at the club. 

That deal with Juventus was basically us saying “f**k off and don’t come back”. 

He was absolute pony. 

Amen brother. Cuadrado often looked like he was playing on roller skates which had had a wheel fall off. Arguably the most lightweight player ever to play in the EPL. Struggled very badly if it was windy.

Another top signing from Serie A!!

15 hours ago, enigma said:

Got a goal and assist today. Was only on the pitch for 11 mins apparently. 

Here's the goal: 

https://streamja.com/3ZkP

Good, he's not off the radar then.

Not sure what to expect from Pulisic but I wouldn't sell Pedro, think his experience and commitment will help in the coming years. Maybe Willian should be let go.

Could we go 4-2-3-1 next season with Pulisic, Hazard and Adoi as the 3 with either Jorginho or Loftus Cheek playing beside Kante? A world class defender, bring Abraham back and I'd be happy.

1 hour ago, DP2 said:

Not sure what to expect from Pulisic but I wouldn't sell Pedro, think his experience and commitment will help in the coming years. Maybe Willian should be let go.

Could we go 4-2-3-1 next season with Pulisic, Hazard and Adoi as the 3 with either Jorginho or Loftus Cheek playing beside Kante? A world class defender, bring Abraham back and I'd be happy.

I would prefer not to let both Pedro and Willian leave in the same season, both have different skills and also both have big game experience. 

Poor performance today but good to see us try 4-2-3-1 with Loftus Cheek, Kante & Adoi when we were chasing the game, hopefully see it a bit more in future.

He has been scarily awful v Hertha Berlin, worse than shift Pedro/Willian have put in all season. 

0 touches in the final third, to be fair to him he keeps going.

4 hours ago, ducavis said:

He has been scarily awful v Hertha Berlin, worse than shift Pedro/Willian have put in all season. 

0 touches in the final third, to be fair to him he keeps going.

That miss was Kalouesque too (irony being Kalou scored for Hertha!)

I've said all along this deal is the biggest waste of money. From what I've seen, and certainly on today's showing we've essentially paid 60m for a guy who wouldn't make Dortmunds full strength team and who is likely to be behind CHO in our theoretical depth chart.

He's the 2018 Marko Marin for 50m more. 

9 hours ago, Spiller86 said:

That miss was Kalouesque too (irony being Kalou scored for Hertha!)

I've said all along this deal is the biggest waste of money. From what I've seen, and certainly on today's showing we've essentially paid 60m for a guy who wouldn't make Dortmunds full strength team and who is likely to be behind CHO in our theoretical depth chart.

He's the 2018 Marko Marin for 50m more. 

Great news ?

10 hours ago, Spiller86 said:

That miss was Kalouesque too (irony being Kalou scored for Hertha!)

I've said all along this deal is the biggest waste of money. From what I've seen, and certainly on today's showing we've essentially paid 60m for a guy who wouldn't make Dortmunds full strength team and who is likely to be behind CHO in our theoretical depth chart.

He's the 2018 Marko Marin for 50m more. 

The opposite has happened: we've had players who were fantastic in another team, but crap for us. I wouldn't use the way Pulisic is playing now as a predictor how well or how awful he will be for us. A bit early to write him off.

Edited March 17, 20197 yr by Valerie

6 hours ago, Valerie said:

The opposite has happened: we've had players who were fantastic in another team, but crap for us. I wouldn't use the way Pulisic is playing now as a predictor how well or how awful he will be for us. A bit early to write him off.

I’ve not been extremely excited about the signing, but this is absolutely the correct take on the situation Valerie.

9 hours ago, Valerie said:

The opposite has happened: we've had players who were fantastic in another team, but crap for us. I wouldn't use the way Pulisic is playing now as a predictor how well or how awful he will be for us. A bit early to write him off.

I take your point Val.  I may well be jumping the gun. 

What I would challenge anyone to do though is watch this match, watch him give the ball away on the dribble, watch the poor decision making and watch the missed chances and tell me first that this is a player who will add value to Chelsea and secondly that this is a player worth 60m. 

I'm not sure that anyone can answer yes to both those deals. We spend an absolute fortune on recruitment and most of it in recent times has been appalling. 

Weve found another scapegoat it seems...

He's fifth choice on the wing for Dortmund currently and most Dortmund-fans seem to be perfectly happy that he's leaving them.

Not expecting a lot, paying 60 million for him when his contract was running out is a shambolic descision.

Great signing, seriously guys he’ll be the clubs saviour next season. With

- No champions league football money

- Transfer ban 

- Hazard leaving

- He’s American 

Hell be our cash cow, He’ll be the only reason we make money next season 

Seriously though, I hope he doesn’t turn out to be a dud

 

I'm just looking forward to seeing someone new in attack. 

If Hazard does go, which is increasingly looking an inevitability, I hope we can convince CHO to stay and we'll have a bit of youth and pace in the wide areas next year. 

47 minutes ago, ForeverCarefree said:

I'm just looking forward to seeing someone new in attack. 

If Hazard does go, which is increasingly looking an inevitability, I hope we can convince CHO to stay and we'll have a bit of youth and pace in the wide areas next year. 

Feel exactly the same. Sick of the sight of Willian and Pedro. 

Knowing Sarri though, if he’s here next season, he’ll bench him and start them two.