9 hours ago, All Barco no bite said:

He was never particularly quick off the mark.

I think that's why he was (jokingly) called Messinho because his dribbling style is very similar to Messi. Not the fastest off the mark but his close control is so good he doesn't lose speed when on the dribble, meaning if/when you fall for his fake you are left in the dust. It's the kind of playstyle that IMO ages very well, not just Messi but it makes me think of Zola, Iniesta, Busquets who still gave people twisted blood into their 30s.

Messi definitely developed an elite first-step speed later on, and still has it, hence why he was still able to sit Rice and Anderson on their arse in the WC semi-final at the age of 572. Definitely something for Estevao to keep working on.

Also, the idea that "bulking up" makes you slower is just...wrong. I don't know how anyone who has lived through the era of Usain Bolt or Cristiano Ronaldo can still come to that conclusion.

3 hours ago, just said:

Big difference in ability between Noni and Estevao.

Personally, I think there might some truth to this. Stevie, arrived with an absolutely massive reputation. And he strikes me as the kind of kid that just loves being on a pitch playing football. He knows he has the talent. He also has the confidence. I don't think he will be the sort that would hang around too long waiting for opportunities. Especially as there would be no shortage of top clubs wanting to get hold of him.

FWIW the original article was made up by ESPN Brazil, which is as reliable as Nicolas Jackson 12 yards out from goal. They tacked on some speculation to a short interview and called it "news".

For selfish reasons, I think he's in the perfect position. Like in 2005 where Mourinho could start Duff and Robben and bring on Joe Cole in the 60th minute, we lose no attacking momentum if one of Palmer/Rogers gets subbed off. Estevao can change a game off the bench.

Sort that midfield situation solidly and we could even see Estevao starting at his favoured no. 10 role which actually allows Rogers and Palmer to take up their favoured inside right/left spots.

We must filter out the noise. We’re two games into the season. His game time will come, be it thru substitutions or starting due to form, selection or dare I say injury.

5 hours ago, PhilH930 said:

We must filter out the noise. We’re two games into the season. His game time will come, be it thru substitutions or starting due to form, selection or dare I say injury.

I'd rather you didn't.

When these journalists flat-out fabricate a story, I wish the club would counter it by revealing its own story.

"Cameron Smith could very well have a small penis. Read more here."

Just now, Sconnie Blue said:

When these journalists flat-out fabricate a story, I wish the club would counter it by revealing its own story.

"Cameron Smith could very well have a small penis. Read more here."

I don't want to say it's a complete fabrication, but I would assume what this is, is someone talking to his agent.

The agent is literally paid to talk Estevao up and keep his name out there so there are options. I have no doubt he's got his head down and just working on getting opportunities. But if he goes through this season without forcing Palmer off the pitch, or forcing Alonso to start him regularly in some different set up, he's going to be thinking about moving on next Summer and we're probably going to see if we can exit him somewhere for a hefty fee.

But in the mean time, he needs to prove it on the pitch. He has a full season to do that and will get chances. PPR aren't going to be starting every single week.

1 minute ago, bisright1 said:

I don't want to say it's a complete fabrication, but I would assume what this is, is someone talking to his agent.

The agent is literally paid to talk Estevao up and keep his name out there so there are options. I have no doubt he's got his head down and just working on getting opportunities. But if he goes through this season without forcing Palmer off the pitch, or forcing Alonso to start him regularly in some different set up, he's going to be thinking about moving on next Summer and we're probably going to see if we can exit him somewhere for a hefty fee.

But in the mean time, he needs to prove it on the pitch. He has a full season to do that and will get chances. PPR aren't going to be starting every single week.

3rd game into the season is crazy work.

4 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

3rd game into the season is crazy work.

Rio Ngumoha has had the same nonsense floating about as well and he's actually started a game. Just the way the world works.

William Saliba is yet to start a game this season, rumours are he will push for a move to Chelsea in January if this continues. More news behind the pay wall on my blog page if interested.

2 minutes ago, All Barco no bite said:

William Saliba is yet to start a game this season, rumours are he will push for a move to Chelsea in January if this continues. More news behind the pay wall on my blog page if interested.

I thought Saliba was injured?

Just now, forbzy said:

I thought Saliba was injured?

r/whoosh

I d like to see Estevao get at least 30 minutes in every game, it should be enough time for him to affect the game positively.

One of Palmer Pedro or Rodgers can make way for him.

7mins v Fulham

0mins v Brighton

9mins v Arsenal

isnt enough.

Edited Monday at 10:325 days by OTL

1 hour ago, OTL said:

I d like to see Estevao get at least 30 minutes in every game, it should be enough time for him to affect the game positively.

One of Palmer Pedro or Rodgers can make way for him.

7mins v Fulham

0mins v Brighton

9mins v Arsenal

isnt enough.

I agree, it's not enough minutes, but I guess they are mindful of the injury and to be fair, the team has been performing pretty well. But he definitely should have come on earlier yesterday and it would be good to see him get at least 45 minutes v Leeds mid-week.

35 minutes ago, Nibs said:

I agree, it's not enough minutes, but I guess they are mindful of the injury and to be fair, the team has been performing pretty well. But he definitely should have come on earlier yesterday and it would be good to see him get at least 45 minutes v Leeds mid-week.

That is a Cup game though, and he will definitely start. I just don’t think he will hang around post Jan playing 10-15 in PL games. That also applies to Quenda & Gittens. If the manager insists on playing 3-4-3, he needs to be able to offer his options more than 15mins each game.

For now it is ok as Estevao builds back up from his injury.

However a player of his talent is too good to be getting so few minutes from the bench longer term.

It's a good problem to have but it is a problem for Alonso. He will have to find a way to fit in Palmer, Rogers and Estevao in to the same team regularly, and that does not mean one of them plays wingback, otherwise we do risk Estevao deciding to Leave us.

Estevao has to be giving a staring, central role to this team.

Does stevo start over Palmer/ Pedro/ Rogers? No.

Has he done enough to justify a starting spot other than being a big prospect. No I dont htink he has.

He has had to contend with Maresca, injury, and if he has patience, will get lots of opportunities to impress over the season. Its actually on him and his talent to force his way into the starting line up. needs to knuckle down, continue to influence games when on the pitch (like he did last season) and be fit when his chance comes.

We know he has the talent, but he has to apply it. Its what makes a good player a great player; see Frank Lampard.

I’m airing toward the approach of having all your best players on the pitch at the same time to give yourself the best chance of winning.

Probably means dropping a defender (Fofana for me) and adding an extra attacker, slotting Stevie in as a 10 between Rogers & Palmer and behind JP.

Don’t see why we couldn’t take this approach against every side that isn’t Arsenal or Liverpool really.

28 minutes ago, The Boehly Babes said:

I’m airing toward the approach of having all your best players on the pitch at the same time to give yourself the best chance of winning.

Probably means dropping a defender (Fofana for me) and adding an extra attacker, slotting Stevie in as a 10 between Rogers & Palmer and behind JP.

Don’t see why we couldn’t take this approach against every side that isn’t Arsenal or Liverpool really.

🔥 thats hotter than July.

8 hours ago, The Boehly Babes said:

I’m airing toward the approach of having all your best players on the pitch at the same time to give yourself the best chance of winning.

Probably means dropping a defender (Fofana for me) and adding an extra attacker, slotting Stevie in as a 10 between Rogers & Palmer and behind JP.

Don’t see why we couldn’t take this approach against every side that isn’t Arsenal or Liverpool really.

That would be a very attacking approach but we would need at least 2 those 4 to track back and help defensively, even against weaker teams.

9 hours ago, The Boehly Babes said:

I’m airing toward the approach of having all your best players on the pitch at the same time to give yourself the best chance of winning.

Probably means dropping a defender (Fofana for me) and adding an extra attacker, slotting Stevie in as a 10 between Rogers & Palmer and behind JP.

Don’t see why we couldn’t take this approach against every side that isn’t Arsenal or Liverpool really.

We're already conceding over 2 goals a game.

Stevie needs to knuckle down and be better than one of our front three. If he has the talent this will happen. He may also get into the team through injury.

If he wants to play more he would have to join a team with a weaker attack. Is that such a good career move for him? Where would he go? He just needs to work hard and force his way into the team. I think Alonso will play him at some point. He just needs to be patient.

I think having a front 4 is a good shout but it brings its own problems.

They would also have to defend which doesn’t suit any of them really. Essentially we’d have 3 mavericks on the pitch at once in Stevie, Palmer and JP and I’ve not been that impressed by Rogers when we are defending either.

It would probably allow Reece to play RB every week but Palestra (who I think will make us much better in the current system) isn’t a full back and might struggle for minutes. A solid double pivot would help but that’s not happening at the moment. Alex Scott had we got him would be perfect alongside Caicedo but them’s the breaks I’m afraid.

I really rated our transfer window but I can’t help wondering how close we might have pushed Arsenal this season had we got Scott or Wharton. Unless they implode the self entitled pricks will win the league. We definitely have more than enough to finish top 4 and you never know. One of the youngsters, Barco or a fit Lavia playing alongside Caicedo might just have a breakout season.

#Hendersonsindiansummer

4 hours ago, 19seventyone said:

I think having a front 4 is a good shout but it brings its own problems.

They would also have to defend which doesn’t suit any of them really. Essentially we’d have 3 mavericks on the pitch at once in Stevie, Palmer and JP and I’ve not been that impressed by Rogers when we are defending either.

It would probably allow Reece to play RB every week but Palestra (who I think will make us much better in the current system) isn’t a full back and might struggle for minutes. A solid double pivot would help but that’s not happening at the moment. Alex Scott had we got him would be perfect alongside Caicedo but them’s the breaks I’m afraid.

I really rated our transfer window but I can’t help wondering how close we might have pushed Arsenal this season had we got Scott or Wharton. Unless they implode the self entitled pricks will win the league. We definitely have more than enough to finish top 4 and you never know. One of the youngsters, Barco or a fit Lavia playing alongside Caicedo might just have a breakout season.

#Hendersonsindiansummer

All true, we did see a lot of the 4-2-3-1 in pre-season and vs Luton, but without Caicedo we would just get overrun in the PL imho. I'm sure we'll see it more once he is back though, and especially when/if we get a partner Xabi trusts alongside him. Even in the 3-4-3, I dont think its the idea to start with Rogers/Palmer every single time, but this early in his tenure you probably dont want to change too much from game to game. I'd expect Estevao to start more games after the international break, no matter what formation we play

I don’t know wether it’s a bit of a small club mentality creeping in or wether it’s just further degradation of the beautiful game by modern ‘tactics’ but this notion that our forwards must also be defenders does irk me somewhat.

I think we’d all be in agreement that two of the best Chels sides of ‘recent’ memory would be that early Jose side and the Carlo teams.

Now I could be misremembering but I don’t think any of Robben, Drogba, Joey Cole or Duff were particularly lauded for their defensive contributions. The same goes for a Drogba, Anelka, Malouda approach.

We took the game to other sides, made them game plan for us not the other way around.

Like I touched on our strength is in our attack, we should play to that and for me that involves getting all our best attackers on the pitch at once to give us the best chance.

Looking at it this way, would you trust JP, CP, Rogers and Stevie to score more than you would trust Hato, Fofana, Levi, Lacroix & Gusto not to concede?

1 hour ago, The Boehly Babes said:

I don’t know wether it’s a bit of a small club mentality creeping in or wether it’s just further degradation of the beautiful game by modern ‘tactics’ but this notion that our forwards must also be defenders does irk me somewhat.

I think we’d all be in agreement that two of the best Chels sides of ‘recent’ memory would be that early Jose side and the Carlo teams.

Now I could be misremembering but I don’t think any of Robben, Drogba, Joey Cole or Duff were particularly lauded for their defensive contributions. The same goes for a Drogba, Anelka, Malouda approach.

We took the game to other sides, made them game plan for us not the other way around.

Like I touched on our strength is in our attack, we should play to that and for me that involves getting all our best attackers on the pitch at once to give us the best chance.

Looking at it this way, would you trust JP, CP, Rogers and Stevie to score more than you would trust Hato, Fofana, Levi, Lacroix & Gusto not to concede?

Blimey. I can't believe you have never seen Drogba play.

And Jose kept subbing off Joe Cole until he started to get the defensive side of his role up to the level Mourinho required. And Duff always put in a big shift defensively whenever the opposition had the ball.

Robben? You have a valid point there though.

Edited Tuesday at 08:324 days by just

Drogba was absolutely crucial in defending corners. He got the first header half of the time.