So surprised to see Gilmour Benched, cannot ever do better than 2 games, 2 MoTM awards.

1 minute ago, Gol15 said:

Maybe he's starting because of his passing since Jorginho can't play? Though if that was a thing to fix it would be enough to put Gilmour instead of Kante but then we would really look soft and easy to pass by...

Then just play gilmour instead of kovacic

5 minutes ago, Argo said:

More teams have carried on where they've left off than not, in the PL and German leagues the only team who's performances are spectacularly differing from before the break are SHU and Hertha Berlin.

And regarding the defensive issues, Gilmour in the team went a very long way to fixing them and not only that his speed of thought meant we were catching teams on the attack quickly and with more space to operate, both the first two goals against Everton (and the chance Mount had prior that Pickford saved) came down to that. Also regards to the work since the restart, if his stats Vs QPR were anything to go by Gilmour isn't slowing down either.

I always try and think outside the box regarding decisions even one's that seem baffling on paper but Gilmour did not deserve to be dropped.

Literally every team around us was catching us up of late and since the restart all of them have dropped points. There’s no consistency from before the break.

Sorry mate but if you’re comparing Gilmour to Kante in terms of the defensive cover they provide I’m at a loss. I agree Gilmour was terrific before the break but Kante is world class and the first name on the team sheet if he’s fit. It’s like saying if Pedro had a couple of good games when Hazard was out last year, he shouldn’t have went back in to the team. If you have world class players, you play them. Frank will want to try and kill the game early and then we have 5 subs to make. Billy will get his chance in the second half. 

Maybe not playing Big Kurt is an indication he's on the transfer list?

Think Frank is looking to takes things slow for those coming back after injury...RLC was physically actually fit before Lockdown just not match fit...

8 minutes ago, Slojo said:

Interesting lineup, not a fan of that back 4 though, Alonso sure, better alternative than Emerson, but that CB pairing I'm not a fan of, not sure why Tomori has been completely kicked out, and imo Reece should always start. 

Tomori is injured...

Just now, doctorblue said:

Tomori is injured...

Fair enough, wasn't sure because he hasn't played in a long time anyway. I would still rather have Kurt in there than Christensen though if I'm being honest. 

6 minutes ago, EdinburghBlue said:

Literally every team around us was catching us up of late and since the restart all of them have dropped points. There’s no consistency from before the break.

Sorry mate but if you’re comparing Gilmour to Kante in terms of the defensive cover they provide I’m at a loss. I agree Gilmour was terrific before the break but Kante is world class and the first name on the team sheet if he’s fit. It’s like saying if Pedro had a couple of good games when Hazard was out last year, he shouldn’t have went back in to the team. If you have world class players, you play them. Frank will want to try and kill the game early and then we have 5 subs to make. Billy will get his chance in the second half. 

 

I'm talking about the fact we turned a corner and improved ten fold as a team which is what matters. Even taking Kante's inclusions out of the picture , Gilmour still should not have been dropped.

And I don't agree that Kante is world class in the present day (well not in Frank's system anyway),we went on our best run of the season early on without him, then produced three top class performances (Spurs, Everton and Liverpool) before the break without him. If we want to promote selecting on merit that has to apply to everyone, Kante shouldn't be excempt from that because of what he was/is at his absolute best. 

Surprised with Tammy and RJ but happy to see RLC getting a start after so long off he must be showing very well in training. Very excited to see him. 
 

I can imagine because of the extra subs we will see a near different team second half with gilmour, Pulisic, Tammy and James to come on. 

Sheffield getting hammered by Newcastle everyone round us bar wolves has lost points we need to make this one count 

Seeing RLC in the starting lineup made my day.

Let's win it, COME ON CHELS!!!

1 minute ago, Argo said:

I'm talking about the fact we turned a corner and improved ten fold as a team which is what matters. Even taking Kante's inclusions out of the picture , Gilmour still should not have been dropped.

And I don't agree that Kante is world class in the present day (well not in Frank's system anyway),we went on our best run of the season early on without him, then produced three top class performances (Spurs, Everton and Liverpool) before the break without him. If we want to promote selecting on merit that has to apply to everyone, Kante shouldn't be excempt from that because of what he was/is at his absolute best. 

So Ruben shouldn’t be playing then? Injured for a year and he gets to just walk back in to the team? If it applies to Kante, it applies to him as well. 
 

Re; Kante - we’ll need to agree to disagree because he is absolutely still world class, he’s 29 not 39. There’s a reason the teams he’s being linked to about leaving are teams that are better than us like Madrid.

O how I missed match day moans and neltdowns [emoji23][emoji23]

2 minutes ago, Brutos said:

O how I missed match day moans and neltdowns

Not I 

6 minutes ago, EdinburghBlue said:

Re; Kante - we’ll need to agree to disagree because he is absolutely still world class, he’s 29 not 39. There’s a reason the teams he’s being linked to about leaving are teams that are better than us like Madrid.

He hasn't been consistently performing at the very world class level (that we became use too with him) since Conte left. Two years is one hell of a long time in football, I'm not saying Kante has regressed this badly but look at the difference between Torres in 2009 and 2011, or De Gea in 2018 compared to now.

I'll always be grateful for what he gave us at his peak, but I feel with the direction we are taking Kova (who is his main competition) is a better fit, especially in these type of games.

JT !!

 

Come on you Blues!!

Edited June 21, 20206 yr by Scott

C'MON CHELSEA!

CMON CHELSEA !!

paul tierney, of course

The orange socks still confusing though

One of the pundits/commentator mentioned villa haven't beaten anyone in the top half so far...FFS why mention it

They’re putting RLC in as part of the front three but I reckon he’ll be in the midfield and Mason will play ahead of him. 

Feels good to have chelsea back on the tv

Haven’t heard the away support once, poor show!

Kanté playing the DM role

Are we playing with Giroud and Loftus-Cheek up front? It looks like RLC is in front of any midfielder when attacking.