22 minutes ago, True Blue23 said:

Christensen was/is pretty frail, both physically and mentally, which led to him missing many games, and not performing too well when his confidence was down. But he is a very talented defender, when he's on. The level he showed under Conte for half a season, until said Barca game, and ever since Tuchel came in until the climax of the contract dispute around novembre 2021 if my memory serves me right, was very high. A level above what Chalobah has shown so far.

When he wasn't there mentally though, for confidence reasons or because of stuff outside the pitch, he was pretty bad, I'll give you that. He was bad under Conte ever since that Barca game, pretty average under Sarri and pretty bad under Lamps (as were all our CB's in the 2019/20 season). Also he was pretty injury prone, so I get some of the stick he gets amongst supporters. But when everything was clicking for him, he was a top defender. And it wasn't just for single games, every professional footballer can peak in single games, no, he showed his class over periods of many months.

Mentally and physically frail is a nice way of describing Christensen. I have a feeling he was told by one too many coaches or hangers on over the years how good and special he was. Could never be trusted in the tough moments without 2 other actual defenders next to him.

26 starts for Chelsea - 17 wins and 9 draws. 
 

Obviously a team sport but this isn't coincidental. How much would he cost if we tried to sign him from another PL side? Hope he keeps playing/starting! 

His critics are unusually silent. You can bet the next time he makes a mistake that costs us they will be back on here like Tim and Haz in the Pulisic thread.

9 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

His critics are unusually silent. You can bet the next time he makes a mistake that costs us they will be back on here like Tim and Haz in the Pulisic thread.

True. All players make mistakes, and what’s nice to Potter has them playing with less fear of making a mistake. We’ll make ‘em, and regroup as a team. 
 

Hope Trev keeps learning from Silva - he could be the new Rudiger over for years to come. 

He's been excellent since coming in. Not missed Fofana at all. 

1 minute ago, Scott Harris said:

He's been excellent since coming in. Not missed Fofana at all. 

Will always be a mystery why Tuchel suddenly forgot about him, he's cleary a decent young defend that can only get better.

1 minute ago, Scott Harris said:

He's been excellent since coming in. Not missed Fofana at all. 

Be nice to be able to say that for anyone coming in for James. I get their being a drop off but is like going from World class to Pub team.

5 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

He's been excellent since coming in. Not missed Fofana at all. 

Agreed but we need them both Scott and Fofana looked like he was settling in nicely when he got the injury. I hope they can make a great centre-back pairing for years to come.

I don't think he'll ever be a bonafide starter but you can't get better as a squad player.

Edited October 19, 20223 yr by Argo

4 hours ago, Argo said:

I don't think he'll ever be a bonafide starter but you can't get better as a squad player.

That's what you call damning with faint praise lol.

Still better than the stick he had last season from some who made out he was a useless bombscare and should be shipped off.

5 hours ago, Argo said:

I don't think he'll ever be a bonafide starter but you can't get better as a squad player.

That's interesting to read - what makes you think that?  Not contradicting, but is it a Chelsea thing that creates that perception?  Purely curious.

A 23 year old CB, 6'4", strong in the air, pace to burn, technically solid, adept at CB, RCB, RB, back 3 or 4.  In his first 28 senior team appearances, a record of W18 D10.

I say the above as tell me another CB in the PL that is delivering so consistently at such a high level across competitions?  If he played for another club, I'm starting to think City, Liverpool, Utd, Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea would all be interested.

Nothing but full praise for the lad.  Sure he has room to improve, but on that note is his trait that I most believe in that will help him get there - his attitude. 

Should go to the World Cup instead of maguire and mings 

 

9 hours ago, PhilH930 said:

That's interesting to read - what makes you think that?  Not contradicting, but is it a Chelsea thing that creates that perception?  Purely curious.

A 23 year old CB, 6'4", strong in the air, pace to burn, technically solid, adept at CB, RCB, RB, back 3 or 4.  In his first 28 senior team appearances, a record of W18 D10.

I say the above as tell me another CB in the PL that is delivering so consistently at such a high level across competitions?  If he played for another club, I'm starting to think City, Liverpool, Utd, Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea would all be interested.

Nothing but full praise for the lad.  Sure he has room to improve, but on that note is his trait that I most believe in that will help him get there - his attitude. 

No. And if I'm honest I don't see why the notion is so insulting. Squad depth is needed for every team fighting on all fronts. 

Regarding his win% the player with the best in PL history is Zinchenko, who's far from a guaranteed starter in either side he's played for. 

If we had a player at his level to cover James we probably wouldn't have dreaded his injury as much. Having a player like Trevoh come in is why we're not ruing Forfana to the same extent.

In my opinion one of the mistakes we made in the last decade (roughly Carlo to Conte time) was putting a load of excellent squad players in the starting Xl then not investing in depth or bolstering in that area for many years (Cahill, Alonso Ramires and Willian four major examples) and it effected our ability to fight in multiple competitions.

6 hours ago, azpi28 said:

Should go to the World Cup instead of maguire and mings 

 

And Dire.

I know I have complained about players being pushed in to not natural positions for them. However if Wes was back from his injury and ready to go tomorrow I reckon Trev would do a very good job as a wingback to cover Reece.

As good as Reece? Of course not!

As good as Cucurella on the other side? Perhaps better. He has better attacking quality.

Edited October 20, 20223 yr by axman2526

7 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

I know I have complained about players being pushed in to not natural positions for them. However if Wes was back from his injury and ready to go tomorrow I reckon Trev would do a very good job as a wingback to cover Reece.

As good as Reece? Of course not!

As good as Cucurella on the other side? Perhaps better. He has better attacking quality.

Sorry I need to check, Did you say Trev has better attacking qualities than Cucerella? 

15 minutes ago, turnyitb said:

Sorry I need to check, Did you say Trev has better attacking qualities than Cucerella? 

Imo yes. Better shot, better attacking in the air. Good passer, only thing I need to see more of is his crossing ability as we have not seen much of it.

https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2022/10/20/23414638/trevoh-chalobah-more-than-just-a-lucky-charm

 

5 hours ago, just said:

And Dire.

he was terrible against United yes

23 hours ago, Argo said:

No. And if I'm honest I don't see why the notion is so insulting. Squad depth is needed for every team fighting on all fronts. 

Regarding his win% the player with the best in PL history is Zinchenko, who's far from a guaranteed starter in either side he's played for. 

If we had a player at his level to cover James we probably wouldn't have dreaded his injury as much. Having a player like Trevoh come in is why we're not ruing Forfana to the same extent.

In my opinion one of the mistakes we made in the last decade (roughly Carlo to Conte time) was putting a load of excellent squad players in the starting Xl then not investing in depth or bolstering in that area for many years (Cahill, Alonso Ramires and Willian four major examples) and it effected our ability to fight in multiple competitions.

For me he's similar to what Liverpool have in Joe Gomez, a steady player who you don't worry about coming into the first team when he's needed but realistically isn't and probably won't be regarded as world class.

14 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said:

For me he's similar to what Liverpool have in Joe Gomez, a steady player who you don't worry about coming into the first team when he's needed but realistically isn't and probably won't be regarded as world class.

Thats a very good comparison actually, couldn't have put it better myself.

19 hours ago, axman2526 said:

I know I have complained about players being pushed in to not natural positions for them. However if Wes was back from his injury and ready to go tomorrow I reckon Trev would do a very good job as a wingback to cover Reece.

As good as Reece? Of course not!

As good as Cucurella on the other side? Perhaps better. He has better attacking quality.

I agree. If we persist of playing with wingbacks even when James is injured than Chalobah would do much better than loftus cheek, mount, sterling or whoever else we tried there. Chalobah has pace, good at passing, strength and most importantly he doesn't stay stagnant watching the ball. 

Problem is though who do you play as your 3 CD since fofana is injured and Silva cant play every match! Hence why it baffles me that we still persist in playing with 3 at the back, often becoming 5! That is a small team mentality in my opinion and terrible to watch. 

I wasn't his biggest fan, still think he can be a bit too much of a liability, virtually every game he does something that almost costs us a goal. However, I like having him as a squad player, he's a true pro and does an overall solid job, hopefully as he develops the mistakes become less frequent.

16 minutes ago, timetowaste said:

I wasn't his biggest fan, 

@Mod biggest understatement of the year category?

17 minutes ago, timetowaste said:

Think he can be a bit too much of a liability, virtually every game he does something that almost costs us a goal. 

On 20/10/2022 at 08:16, Argo said:

No. And if I'm honest I don't see why the notion is so insulting. Squad depth is needed for every team fighting on all fronts. 

Regarding his win% the player with the best in PL history is Zinchenko, who's far from a guaranteed starter in either side he's played for. 

If we had a player at his level to cover James we probably wouldn't have dreaded his injury as much. Having a player like Trevoh come in is why we're not ruing Forfana to the same extent.

In my opinion one of the mistakes we made in the last decade (roughly Carlo to Conte time) was putting a load of excellent squad players in the starting Xl then not investing in depth or bolstering in that area for many years (Cahill, Alonso Ramires and Willian four major examples) and it effected our ability to fight in multiple competitions.

Fair points and totally agree on squad depth