I think today’s performance helps him pip Crespo to become the greatest ever West Falklander to play for Chels.

15 minutes ago, The Boehly Babes said:

I think today’s performance helps him pip Crespo to become the greatest ever West Falklander to play for Chels.

Respect Franco Di Santo.

Overall this second half of the season he has been fantastic for us. Another good performance today, should have got a few assists too.

Turns out playing with an injury does affect your performance.

He’s slowly turning the ship around for us with his performances.

Edited May 4, 20251 yr by El regreso

Quietly impressive season. Behind Caicedo and Cucu for me in the POTY rankings. Regularly arrives late in the box, and is increasing his goal output.... good lad!

Can’t say he’s underrated because of his price tag , but I feel a lot of media and fans are maybe a bit over critical of him. Easily in our top 4/5 performers this season.

Took his goal very well today. Another really solid performance. He gets a lot of stick, largely due to price tag, but his output has been good this season. People go crazy for Odegaard, but Enzo has him covered in all round play and output.

Has been getting better, game by game.

Playing alongside Santos and/or Lavia along with Caicedo would likely see him at his best.

3 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Has been getting better, game by game.

Playing alongside Santos and/or Lavia along with Caicedo would likely see him at his best.

If Caicedo is in midfield though, as he should be ... who is missing out from the attackers ?A flexible manager might try the Xmas Tree 4-3-2-1 and bench all our average wingers, instead getting width from or full backs.

So something like :

James/Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella

Caicedo, Lavia, Fernandez

Palmer, Estevao

Delap/Sesko

Can't see Maresca doing this of course ...

20 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Has been getting better, game by game.

Playing alongside Santos and/or Lavia along with Caicedo would likely see him at his best.

If everyone stays fit then Santos will get limited playing time next season. A fully fit Lavia and Caciedo are nailed on regulars. I'm still to be convinced Enzo has been as good this season as some people seem to think however he clearly has the nod from Maresca. And with Jsmes seemingly being used as a part time midfielder I think Santos will struggle.

18 minutes ago, Sexyfootball said:

If Caicedo is in midfield though, as he should be ... who is missing out from the attackers ?A flexible manager might try the Xmas Tree 4-3-2-1 and bench all our average wingers, instead getting width from or full backs.

So something like :

James/Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella

Caicedo, Lavia, Fernandez

Palmer, Estevao

Delap/Sesko

Can't see Maresca doing this of course ...

What happens if teams pin our fullbacks 2 on 1?

33 minutes ago, Sexyfootball said:

If Caicedo is in midfield though, as he should be ... who is missing out from the attackers ?A flexible manager might try the Xmas Tree 4-3-2-1 and bench all our average wingers, instead getting width from or full backs.

So something like :

James/Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella

Caicedo, Lavia, Fernandez

Palmer, Estevao

Delap/Sesko

Can't see Maresca doing this of course ...

That is one option. Also the 352 or 343, or 433.

18 minutes ago, loz said:

If everyone stays fit then Santos will get limited playing time next season. A fully fit Lavia and Caciedo are nailed on regulars. I'm still to be convinced Enzo has been as good this season as some people seem to think however he clearly has the nod from Maresca. And with Jsmes seemingly being used as a part time midfielder I think Santos will struggle.

Disagree Loz.

If we make CL Santos should see plenty of minutes. Even if Lavia is fully fit we won't risk him breaking down by him playing 3 games a week.

Enzo and caicedo will also need some games off.

36 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

That is one option. Also the 352 or 343, or 433.

Disagree Loz.

If we make CL Santos should see plenty of minutes. Even if Lavia is fully fit we won't risk him breaking down by him playing 3 games a week.

Enzo and caicedo will also need some games off.

That's what i mean axman. At best he will be the guy that plays against weaker opposition (lower league in cups or off the bench if we are comfortable) or the occasional start to deal with injuries or rests. I don't see him being a regular starter the way some seem to. Probably similar game time as KDH this season.

I still think he's a 1 good game in 5 kind of player. Today was one of those 5.

25 minutes ago, loz said:

That's what i mean axman. At best he will be the guy that plays against weaker opposition (lower league in cups or off the bench if we are comfortable) or the occasional start to deal with injuries or rests. I don't see him being a regular starter the way some seem to. Probably similar game time as KDH this season.

Feel like we have this argument every season and every season we lack more bodies in midfield.

Santos will be fine. If anything, Essugo will be the one lacking minutes.

Edited May 4, 20251 yr by Sconnie Blue

18 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Feel like we have this argument every season and every season we lack more bodies in midfield.

Santos will be fine. If anything, Essugo will be the one lacking minutes.

I'll be surprised if Essugo ever sees a first team game. At least not a meaningful one. I've lost track of how many 'kids' we have arriving and when but I wouldn't be surprised if Demi Moore starts showing up at squad parties.

6 minutes ago, loz said:

I'll be surprised if Essugo ever sees a first team game. At least not a meaningful one. I've lost track of how many 'kids' we have arriving and when but I wouldn't be surprised if Demi Moore starts showing up at squad parties.

I’m going into next season with the mindset that Lavia is still made of glass, so it’s important we at least have 3 very fit midfielders + Lavia.

Edited May 4, 20251 yr by Sconnie Blue

55 minutes ago, loz said:

I'll be surprised if Essugo ever sees a first team game. At least not a meaningful one. I've lost track of how many 'kids' we have arriving and when but I wouldn't be surprised if Demi Moore starts showing up at squad parties.

Agreed. He’ll fall into the Ugochukwu signing category that might get a few charity minutes then head on multiple loans before being sold.

2 hours ago, loz said:

That's what i mean axman. At best he will be the guy that plays against weaker opposition (lower league in cups or off the bench if we are comfortable) or the occasional start to deal with injuries or rests. I don't see him being a regular starter the way some seem to. Probably similar game time as KDH this season.

For a first season with us it would still be a lot of minutes.

He is also not that sort of quality as a Lesley, an KDH or the like. He is a top, top player and he will be able to force his way to being picked often, imo.

Will be like when we had Lamps, Ballack and Essien to fit in to 2 spots alongside Maka, only will be 4 in to 2, or perhaps 3, spots if Santos stays. Maybe Caicedo becomes our permanent RB too...

4 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

I still think he's a 1 good game in 5 kind of player. Today was one of those 5.

He's been pretty consistently good for several games, given the context of the team's overall performance.

12 hours ago, axman2526 said:

That is one option. Also the 352 or 343, or 433.

Disagree Loz.

If we make CL Santos should see plenty of minutes. Even if Lavia is fully fit we won't risk him breaking down by him playing 3 games a week.

Enzo and caicedo will also need some games off.

Pedantry incoming.

It's two games per week not three 😁

7 hours ago, Upb78 said:

He's been pretty consistently good for several games, given the context of the team's overall performance.

I thought he was bang average against Everton, Fulham, Ipswich and Brentford.

5 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

I thought he was bang average against Everton, Fulham, Ipswich and Brentford.

The team's overall performance has been bang average, i don't think he was great or anything, but he still managed to contribute in creating many scoring chances.

Edited May 5, 20251 yr by Upb78

Think he's been infinitely better this season as opposed to last. He really is in the thick of everything we create.

On 04/05/2025 at 20:07, Sexyfootball said:

If Caicedo is in midfield though, as he should be ... who is missing out from the attackers ?A flexible manager might try the Xmas Tree 4-3-2-1 and bench all our average wingers, instead getting width from or full backs.

So something like :

James/Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella

Caicedo, Lavia, Fernandez

Palmer, Estevao

Delap/Sesko

Can't see Maresca doing this of course ...

When Santos arrives and, if he’s up to the hype he’s getting, who would be the one odd out? For me, it would be obvious to bench Enzo, if Lavia stays fit and Santos performs as everyone expects him to do.