I see Lampard's hesitation to start him, he's not strong enough and lack the work rate Willian offers, and it will take time to improve on those. He showed his good traits, I dare say his decision making and final ball are better than some of the senior players, but he has to be able to do the hard yard.

49 minutes ago, Argo said:

The right way to go for this season is Odoi and Pulisic competing for one wing and Pedro and Willian competing for the other.

Its great to see youth playing but there's a risk of it also going too far the other way. Willian skillset and more conservative approach actually compliments the young eager players well. A front four consistening of an 18 year old, 20 year old, 21 year old and 22 year old is (collectively) too young.

You can't win the big titles with just kids, no doubt someone will counter me and say Ajax, Monaco and the CO92 but all three had experienced players around them (Blind, Tadic, Tagliafico, Falcao, Mourinho, Bruce, Pallister etc) and if our lads are to develop and win things they will need the same.

I think the right way is to give kids as many minutes we can spare without tipping down the table. This team is not challenging for titles unless they can throw together a few good cup matches.

Don't throw them to the wolves every week but if we don't know what we have in every single young player in the squad by May we could have done better. If Pedro is taking minutes from Mount, CHO, or Pulisic it's a bad thing

Good assist. Needs time to adapt but the skill is there.

9 hours ago, Wearyourblue said:

Willian's playing well... but not well enough that he should be an automatic entry, he's a starting rotation guy IMO.

Haha! I’m not massive Willian fan I can assure you, but he most definitely is. His last three games I believe go: assist - goal - assist. How is that not an automatic start for a winger who’s main criticism from most of this board has been end product? Willian is in brilliant form so he definitely should be an automatic starter at the moment. The simple fact is Pulisic is too lightweight, he gets shrugged and bullied off the ball far too easily. He has bags of talent as his assist yesterday showed but he needs to toughen up and settle in to the league and appearances off the bench will help.

6 hours ago, GhostOfDembaBa said:

The thing is though, this isn't a side looking to win titles. For me, this season is about development more than anything (and hopefully a top 6 finish). Pulisic might be young but he has a decent amount of experience, but I realise there is a lot of value in the experienced heads being around the younger ones. For one thing, you know that the older players will know how to slow the play down a little and take the sting out of the opposition, whereas something we've seen in this young side (not so much today) is that as exciting as it is to watch, there's a lack of wanting to slow the pace down when needed.

Says who? We are no worse than the other usual top 6 suspects. United/spurs in turmoil. Arsenal - being arsenal. We’ve played the best side in Europe twice this season and had we been a bit more clinical could have beaten them twice. I can’t think of a game I’ve watched and thought ‘Jesus we have played horrendously’.

 

I am by no means expecting us to win anything and above top 6 will be a brilliant season for us, but that doesn’t mean I’d be surprised if we win a trophy or finish higher up the league. It’s early doors but we’re 2 points of second. It’s a bit early for waving the white flag on winning titles this year and I’m sure frank would love to win something alongside blooding the youngsters. Experience is key alongside the young boys we put it.

9 hours ago, Argo said:

The right way to go for this season is Odoi and Pulisic competing for one wing and Pedro and Willian competing for the other.

Surely you'd want a youngster competing on each side, so when the older players move on (maybe next season) the kids are already in place? Also then you can bring in the older heads for games when you need experience on a particular wing.

3 hours ago, EdinburghBlue said:

Haha! I’m not massive Willian fan I can assure you, but he most definitely is. His last three games I believe go: assist - goal - assist. How is that not an automatic start for a winger who’s main criticism from most of this board has been end product? Willian is in brilliant form so he definitely should be an automatic starter at the moment. The simple fact is Pulisic is too lightweight, he gets shrugged and bullied off the ball far too easily. He has bags of talent as his assist yesterday showed but he needs to toughen up and settle in to the league and appearances off the bench will help.

Says who? We are no worse than the other usual top 6 suspects. United/spurs in turmoil. Arsenal - being arsenal. We’ve played the best side in Europe twice this season and had we been a bit more clinical could have beaten them twice. I can’t think of a game I’ve watched and thought ‘Jesus we have played horrendously’.

 

I am by no means expecting us to win anything and above top 6 will be a brilliant season for us, but that doesn’t mean I’d be surprised if we win a trophy or finish higher up the league. It’s early doors but we’re 2 points of second. It’s a bit early for waving the white flag on winning titles this year and I’m sure frank would love to win something alongside blooding the youngsters. Experience is key alongside the young boys we put it.

Says yourself.

In your third paragraph.

There's no real expectation to win titles, no pressure. Sure, there's always the chance and every game should be played to win, but that isn't the priority right now for this side. Top 4 hopefully, at least top 6, with youth integrated and developed, a style of play being developed, a young team growing and a young manager likewise.

Edited October 7, 20196 yr by GhostOfDembaBa

2 hours ago, GhostOfDembaBa said:

Says yourself.

In your third paragraph.

There's no real expectation to win titles, no pressure. Sure, there's always the chance and every game should be played to win, but that isn't the priority right now for this side. Top 4 hopefully, at least top 6, with youth integrated and developed, a style of play being developed, a young team growing and a young manager likewise.

You’ve stated that this is a side not looking to win titles at no point have I agreed with that. If frank and the young players don’t have the hunger to win titles then they’re in the wrong game. I can pretty much guarantee frank will have look at our cup competitions and looking to win them.

Quote

 

Asked whether it was difficult to be left out of the Lille squad, Pulisic said: “Of course. You want to play, be on the field and be in the team as much as you can. It hurt not to be there, but I’m happy I got my opportunity against Southampton.

“I want to be starting, I want to be starting every game. I’m working hard in training, I want to be there, I hope everyone can see that, so with moments like this (the assist) I hope I can make a case for myself.

“I’m not just going to throw a fit and give up ever, so if I’m on the bench it doesn’t mean the gaffer doesn’t think I’m a part of the team. I’ve just got to keep pushing and earn my spot.

“Competition in the team can only make me better and I think that’s what makes teams. It’s guys who are maybe not the second or even the third man, but they are pushing each other in training every single day. That’s what a good team is all about.”

 

Given the club’s recent history of chewing up and spitting out new signings, it is not surprising that Chelsea fans have already questioned whether or not Pulisic will be the next man to head out of what has too often been a revolving door.

But Pulisic is trying not to focus on the noise from outside and also insists that he is not hamstrung by the size of his fee, even though Chelsea’s Academy graduates of the same age are being allowed to flourish without the pressure of having to live up to a valuation.

“You can’t completely ignore what people say,” said Pulisic. “I don’t live under a rock. I hear things, I see things, but I do my best to block it out. I’m just working hard for myself.

“The outside opinions don’t matter as much to me as those from inside the team and myself, and the people who care about me. So I’m just going to keep working and do my best, and not worry about it.”

On living up to his £58m fee, Pulisic added: “This number doesn’t mean anything to me. Obviously, I go out and try to give my best every time I’m on the pitch. I’m not sure what the price tag means to you, but I just have to keep trying to perform at my best for myself and for the team.”

 

7 minutes ago, Amputechture said:

 

fair play to him 

He'll be fine. He's obviously a good player but there's a lot of healthy competition for places. I expect we'll see a lot more of him in the 2nd half of the season, especially if the Willian contract situation goes the way I think it will.

16 hours ago, GhostOfDembaBa said:

The thing is though, this isn't a side looking to win titles. For me, this season is about development more than anything (and hopefully a top 6 finish). Pulisic might be young but he has a decent amount of experience, but I realise there is a lot of value in the experienced heads being around the younger ones. For one thing, you know that the older players will know how to slow the play down a little and take the sting out of the opposition, whereas something we've seen in this young side (not so much today) is that as exciting as it is to watch, there's a lack of wanting to slow the pace down when needed.

Even if we aren't looking to win titles immediately (which I don't think is strictly true, if Liverpool drop a few points before we drop our next set Lampard's eyes will light up and sense an opportunity) we still shouldn't to all U23 side on it. It's all when and good saying they'll grow together become formidable etc but Wenger tried that process and the end goal never came. I fear if we keep plummeting 

There's no rush anyway, there's more than enough minutes for both Callum and Christian in their formative years and then there's less chance of burn out once they hit their prime of there rotated well in the early days.

7 hours ago, Kentonio said:

Surely you'd want a youngster competing on each side, so when the older players move on (maybe next season) the kids are already in place? Also then you can bring in the older heads for games when you need experience on a particular wing.

I'm thinking more of an average age balance right now. As nice as it is seeing the young players promoted we have to be careful not to go too far the other way.

That's why I've been a big backer of Willians inclusion in recent weeks (and I've preferred Pedro over him for years), he adds some maturity to a young frontline and is good at the things the lads have room for improvement in while Mount and Tammy offer the end product Willian lacks, perfect balance.

8 hours ago, EdinburghBlue said:

You’ve stated that this is a side not looking to win titles at no point have I agreed with that. If frank and the young players don’t have the hunger to win titles then they’re in the wrong game. I can pretty much guarantee frank will have look at our cup competitions and looking to win them.

Every half decent side looks to win what they're in. Looking to win as a priority is obviously what I meant. 

Frank not playing him is hurting his game.  He looked rusty and off today in a very dominate USMNT.  His PK was cool and collected and he obviously learned from giving Sargent the PK previously. 

I can respect Frank seeing things in training that are "off" but let's be realistic, training is not game time and cannot be compared.  

Why does CHO get a free pass into the 11 and Pulisic who has played at a higher level doesn't.

Edited October 12, 20196 yr by TrueBlueSeaFC87

13 minutes ago, TrueBlueSeaFC87 said:

Frank not playing him is hurting his game.  He looked rusty and off today in a very dominate USMNT.  His PK was cool and collected and he obviously learned from giving Sargent the PK previously. 

I can respect Frank seeing things in training that are "off" but let's be realistic, training is not game time and cannot be compared.  

Why does CHO get a free pass into the 11 and Pulisic who has played at a higher level doesn't.

CHO should have been in the first team last year but was left out for most of it. When he did get his chance he got injured. His game time was restricted to Europa League, which we won. Hardly a 'free pass'?

Competition for places is only going to get tougher in the next 6-12 months. I hope Pulisic is ready for that.

13 minutes ago, DP2 said:

CHO should have been in the first team last year but was left out for most of it. When he did get his chance he got injured. His game time was restricted to Europa League, which we won. Hardly a 'free pass'?

Competition for places is only going to get tougher in the next 6-12 months. I hope Pulisic is ready for that.

WHY!!!  What did CHO do to deserve a first team spot?  Stop with your English bias!

Don't mistake our EL win because of CHOs play...

I'm only making a point that Pedro, Willian and Barkley are keeping young talented players out of the XI.  How many times last year did one of those keep CHO out of the first XI

I want to know what CHO has shown in match level that Pulisic hasn't. 

Edited October 12, 20196 yr by TrueBlueSeaFC87

Hudson odoi came on against Brighton and looked direct assisted willians goal which killed the game off, he then came on against Lille and set up the winner so justified his place in the starting eleven against Southampton where he assisted the first goal. 

 

Not to forget our assistant manager was Hudson odois manager at youth level so he knows his game inside out in training and on the pitch. 

 

Pulisic didn't impress me when he played against Sheffield United, Grimsby, Norwich or Leicester. So it's not like he hasn't been given an opportunity. If he keeps coming off the bench and impressing like Hudson odoi has done then he should be competing for a place but with both Willian and Hudson Odoi in good form it isn't a given that he will start

1 hour ago, TrueBlueSeaFC87 said:

I'm only making a point that Pedro, Willian and Barkley are keeping young talented players out of the XI.  How many times last year did one of those keep CHO out of the first XI.

Trust me pal, it's not English bias.

I never said we won the EL because of him, re-read my post.

I didn't get your point about younger players not getting a chance (which even then they clearly are), your post was about Odoi getting selected in front of Pulisic?

Pulisic hasn't taken his chance as forcefully as he could have. Hudson Odoi showed last season he has the quality to be in the first team. Even after coming back from a long injury he's already making key contributions (without pulling up trees, admittedly.) 

Pulisic has time to produce, he was bought for the long term. At the moment, he's not done enough to show he's ahead of Willian (playing fantastically according to Lampard) or Hudson Odoi (who the club see as a key player and a massive talent, and who's already shown he has goals and assists in him in English football.)

I know it's a universally-accepted fact that all Americans are hysterical morons with no taste, shame, or decency, but I really have no idea why Pulisic not starting is getting so much attention right now. Some of the coverage I have seen has made it sound like not starting for four games in a row is a personal slight against Pulisic, as if Super Frank's parents were murdered by Tito or something.

He's just turned 21, he's a brand new signing in a brand new league, it's only October, and there are other, better players in front of him in the pecking order. This is entirely normal.

4 hours ago, GhostOfDembaBa said:

Pulisic hasn't taken his chance as forcefully as he could have. Hudson Odoi showed last season he has the quality to be in the first team. Even after coming back from a long injury he's already making key contributions (without pulling up trees, admittedly.) 

Pulisic has time to produce, he was bought for the long term. At the moment, he's not done enough to show he's ahead of Willian (playing fantastically according to Lampard) or Hudson Odoi (who the club see as a key player and a massive talent, and who's already shown he has goals and assists in him in English football.)

I can argue that Hudson-Odoi had much more space in the games he played and he could have scored a few more goals, he missed 1v1 chances at aleast 3 times since he came back.
Pulisic at the very start played great vs Liverpool and then fell off, so far he made 4 assists in total counting that first game.

Somewhere in the attack there needs to be experience, and so far that's Willian so Pulisic is on the bench as he's still adapting. Hudson-Odoi already knows how things work and will be picked ahead of Pulisic but as soon as Willian gets in bad shape Pulisic will most likely take his place.

5 hours ago, PloKoon13 said:

I know it's a universally-accepted fact that all Americans are hysterical morons with no taste, shame, or decency, but I really have no idea why Pulisic not starting is getting so much attention right now. Some of the coverage I have seen has made it sound like not starting for four games in a row is a personal slight against Pulisic, as if Super Frank's parents were murdered by Tito or something.

He's just turned 21, he's a brand new signing in a brand new league, it's only October, and there are other, better players in front of him in the pecking order. This is entirely normal.

It seems to be ESPN that keeps harping on it, along with NBCSN, both American networks, so not surprising that they’ll go on and on about the most promising American player of our time while at one of the biggest clubs in England/the world.  

I’m not quite as in tune with what the English media has made of it - have they constantly harped on it as well?

12 hours ago, zolawannabe25 said:

Not to forget our assistant manager was Hudson odois manager at youth level so he knows his game inside out in training and on the pitch. 

And most of the other guys, I think Frank / Morris have an attachment to the academy boys that they don't have with Pulisic.  Just like Pulisic's transfer value was inflated due to the American market, his opportunity is a little suppressed due to not being an Academy guy.  To be fair though, I don't think it's bad in Frank's position to favor an Academy player over even a superior non academy player, the youth club needs to show the end product to keep being developed.

1 hour ago, Gol15 said:

I can argue that Hudson-Odoi had much more space in the games he played and he could have scored a few more goals, he missed 1v1 chances at aleast 3 times since he came back.
Pulisic at the very start played great vs Liverpool and then fell off, so far he made 4 assists in total counting that first game.

Somewhere in the attack there needs to be experience, and so far that's Willian so Pulisic is on the bench as he's still adapting. Hudson-Odoi already knows how things work and will be picked ahead of Pulisic but as soon as Willian gets in bad shape Pulisic will most likely take his place.

There was a poster above mentioning he didn't see what Hudson Odoi has done on the pitch to warrant being a starter over Pulisic. 

I'm saying he's shown what he has to offer (here in English football with Chelsea) last season as well as now, to a lesser extent, coming back from injury - whereas Pulisic had a run of games and didn't do enough to force Lampard's hand, whereas Willian has while also being a very experienced player with an insanely good engine. 

I think he's a talented kid. I'd like to see more of him myself, but I can see exactly why he's not getting in ahead of Willian and Pulisic at the moment.  

Edited October 12, 20196 yr by GhostOfDembaBa

13 hours ago, TrueBlueSeaFC87 said:

WHY!!!  What did CHO do to deserve a first team spot?  Stop with your English bias!

English bias 

CHO has managed more than in his limited minutes than Pulisic has managed, completely justifying his selection  

The guy is young, has bags of potential and from the sounds of it has the right attitude to getting himself back in the first team.
 

But when you’re being out performed by Willian you don’t deserve to be playing