I Agree he plays out of position but as he decided that Maatsen can't handle that position he opted for Colwill. Everyone else is injured. 

Now that Chilly is back I think Colwill doesn't play for a while. At least until others are back or Chilly injures him again which is more than probable.

 

Edited January 15, 20242 yr by evissy

29 minutes ago, evissy said:

I think Ange is a good manager and a suitable manager for them at this point. The style they implement is optimistic but also carries risk element in that very thing. If they start losing with their gung-ho style the optimism and strength to carry on being exposed to counters and all-out attack mentality is really tested. That is when Ange is going to be really tested. Now their players have 100% bought the idea. 

It remains to be seen how they do when going gets tough. 

Anyway Spurs are 3-4 years ahead of us in terms of the squad age profile. 

I watched Liverpool against Fulham in the Carabao Cup. Fulham nearly scored a second goal on at least two occasions before Fool scored their first but that didn't stop Klopp relentless attacking with a highish line. No risk no reward. History is replete with slogans like "he who dares wins". Of course losers don't write history. 

27 minutes ago, evissy said:

Now that Chilly is back I think Colwill doesn't play for a while. At least until others are back or Chilly injures him again which is more than probable.

I think there's a chance we see one of Chilwell/Gusto play at fullback, with the other fullback role occupied by either Disasi or Colwill (or maybe Trev if he's fit soon).

I only think this because with both Gusto and Chilwell in the back 4 we're left with 2 capable headers of the ball in the side.

40 minutes ago, evissy said:

I Agree he plays out of position but as he decided that Maatsen can't handle that position he opted for Colwill. Everyone else is injured. 

Now that Chilly is back I think Colwill doesn't play for a while. At least until others are back or Chilly injures him again which is more than probable.

 

I'm not so sure ... they were both fit at the beginning of the season, and once the switch to back 4 was made, Pochettino preferred the better defensive solidity of Colwill vs the better attacking skillset of Chilwell. An overly cautious approach perhaps, but I can see why he's done it.

Most of Chilwell's good Chelsea games have been at LWB. Defensively, He's a fairly average LB in my opinion, and that's not good when you have one less defender on the pitch, in a flat back 4 instead of 3 CBs and 2 WBs ... 

You can see the attacking vs defensive qualities of Chilwell in his FBref scouting report. High 90s percentiles on a lot of the attacking stuff, but the bottom box with the defensive characteristics his percentiles are well down in the comparisons to other full backs. 

 

Let's see what happens as Chilwell builds his fitness levels anyway. Its good that we now have options with players coming back after injury. 

 

 

40 minutes ago, cfr95 said:

I think there's a chance we see one of Chilwell/Gusto play at fullback, with the other fullback role occupied by either Disasi or Colwill (or maybe Trev if he's fit soon).

I only think this because with both Gusto and Chilwell in the back 4 we're left with 2 capable headers of the ball in the side.

This is a good point I think,

With current availability, it boils down to Gusto/Colwill vs Disasi/Chilwell if you want to have at least one good header of the ball at full back in a flat back 4.

Colwill in the air is 99th percentile for Aerials Won vs other full backs, which is significantly better than Chilwell, and probably why he is preferred to Chilly at left back. 

3 minutes ago, Sexyfootball said:

This is a good point I think,

With current availability, it boils down to Gusto/Colwill vs Disasi/Chilwell if you want to have at least one good header of the ball at full back in a flat back 4.

Colwill in the air is 99th percentile for Aerials Won vs other full backs, which is significantly better than Chilwell, and probably why he is preferred to Chilly at left back. 

Completely agree, and additionally I've had a suspicion that Ben was used in LW earlier in the season as a way of trying to light a fire under Mudryk (a tactic that fell apart with Ben's injury). I think we saw a similar ploy when Maatsen started RW over Madueke, as though they're being told "he does everything I want off the ball, if you want to start then you need to track back/press/show for the ball just as well as he does".

Poch said that when Madueke was subbed on for Maatsen a few weeks ago that he showed how angry he was that he hadn't started (which was a good thing), and has also spoken about wanting Mudryk to come out of his shell and show more personality previously.

Maybe I'm overanalysing things though

I understand the idea of playing Colwill at left back because of his height and probably a better mentality to defend but my impeccable eye test has not seen him defend that well in that role. His best plays for me have all been attacking moves. 

If Chilly wants to be part of Team England he needs to play Left Back in Back 4. Otherwise Sterling or someone else goes to the Championships. Not that Chelsea's play revolves around England, that comes into play. 

I would love if Colwill was instilled to a CB role but Disasi is playing well enough to keep his place. He's been good. And it is much easier for him to partner with Silva. Both speak French. 

Colwill's this half of the season doesn't look that bright to me. Chilwell is amazing player and can give the support to goals as well.

 

If Poch remains here for a while and does not see Ben as a left back we should sell him, for his careers sake.

4 hours ago, evissy said:

I Agree he plays out of position but as he decided that Maatsen can't handle that position he opted for Colwill. Everyone else is injured. 

Now that Chilly is back I think Colwill doesn't play for a while. At least until others are back or Chilly injures him again which is more than probable.

 

You're forgetting that Chilly is Poch's favourite left winger. We'll be back in our 5 when defending, 4 when attacking hybrid before you know it

Bob already briefed that playing both Gusto and Chilwell is suicide when you have Thiago Silva in your back line. Especially in a high line. 

It's why I've continuously stressed over bringing in a top CB, but even then with the way things are going under Poch's management I don't anticipate him ever dropping Silva which is a concern. 

1 hour ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Bob already briefed that playing both Gusto and Chilwell is suicide when you have Thiago Silva in your back line. Especially in a high line. 

It's why I've continuously stressed over bringing in a top CB, but even then with the way things are going under Poch's management I don't anticipate him ever dropping Silva which is a concern. 

Reason why is most probably that Silva is still our best centre back, but there hasn't exactly been much competition for places this season due to injuries.

Thiago is also the most vocal, organising etc, during a game. Not seen much of that from any of the others. 

18 minutes ago, Sexyfootball said:

Reason why is most probably that Silva is still our best centre back, but there hasn't exactly been much competition for places this season due to injuries.

Thiago is also the most vocal, organising etc, during a game. Not seen much of that from any of the others. 

I'm saying for next summer it'll still likely be the New CB + Silva, which is a mistake imo. 

3 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

I'm saying for next summer it'll still likely be the New CB + Silva, which is a mistake imo. 

Yes ... I don't think he's going to get any quicker as he enters his 40s LOL. 

Huge opportunity for those already at the club to step up to the plate and force Poch's hand.

4 hours ago, Niall1905 said:

You're forgetting that Chilly is Poch's favourite left winger. We'll be back in our 5 when defending, 4 when attacking hybrid before you know it

 

5 hours ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Bob already briefed that playing both Gusto and Chilwell is suicide when you have Thiago Silva in your back line. Especially in a high line. 

It's why I've continuously stressed over bringing in a top CB, but even then with the way things are going under Poch's management I don't anticipate him ever dropping Silva which is a concern. 

There is an argument for playing 3 CB's in this case, with Chilwell and Gusto operating as wing backs. I think that would work well in some games, although it would likely mean no room for wingers like Mudryk.

1 hour ago, forbzy said:

There is an argument for playing 3 CB's in this case, with Chilwell and Gusto operating as wing backs. I think that would work well in some games, although it would likely mean no room for wingers like Mudryk.

Or Madueke. 

7 hours ago, Sexyfootball said:

Reason why is most probably that Silva is still our best centre back, but there hasn't exactly been much competition for places this season due to injuries.

Thiago is also the most vocal, organising etc, during a game. Not seen much of that from any of the others. 

I just don't agree with that. He may have the best technical skills and probably will have when he's 50 and read the game better but he is making regular mistakes and slowing the game down at the back. Colwill and Disasi are the partners at the moment that would work with Gusto and Chillwell. As Marcotti noted Maatsen did well at left back in his first game in Germany. Put players in their proper positions and let the players do what they are good at not what you think they should be good at.

16 hours ago, cfr95 said:

Completely agree, and additionally I've had a suspicion that Ben was used in LW earlier in the season as a way of trying to light a fire under Mudryk (a tactic that fell apart with Ben's injury). I 

I think it says more about Mudryk. I am pretty sure if Mudryk doesn't cost us 100 m, he will be on loan somewhere. 

Mudryk is clearly super talented but his understanding of the game is worse than academy grad. 

 

 

 

So do we think the press wait for our next bad result before they start circulating Mourinho rumours or will they just starting pumping them out later today?

I reckon next time Poch plays Chilwell at left wing we have security escort him out of the stadium mid game and replace him with Jose.

1 hour ago, timetowaste said:

I reckon next time Poch plays Chilwell at left wing we have security escort him out of the stadium mid game and replace him with Jose.

Hmm, what make you think Jose won't play Chilwell as lw. 😂😂😂

Honestly the only manager from our recent past who I can see dare to play mudryk is Lamps, even that I am not sure, because last year he didn't really fancy mudryk. 

Edited January 16, 20242 yr by Bob stark

1 hour ago, Bob stark said:

Hmm, what make you think Jose won't play Chilwell as lw. 😂😂😂

Jose might play Chilwell at striker.

Not a bad move given he has a better goal record for us than our actual striker.

20 minutes ago, Whats_The_Mata? said:

Jose might play Chilwell at striker.

Not a bad move given he has a better goal record for us than our actual striker.

I am still haunted by that West Ham chance where he decided to square the ball when 1v1 in front of the goal.. I’d play him between the sticks before trying as a striker.

José has become available.

 

39 minutes ago, The Rising Sun said:

José has become available.

 

No way! Jose?