FBS:
Jack what? You've asked for similar players and none have performed.
The situation is mental not ability.

mental?, you are right!!

Nihilist:


Matic and Fab won a double last season. The same Matic you are helping to look for a partner has been one of our worst players this season and can't even make the first team!

Does this not tell you, that this is not about midfield

Matic is off form because he is destabilised by not having a competent partner to share his workload.

Even if he IS off-form, why don't we have 2 other competent midfielders to rest him? Every big team has 3 or 4 defensive midfielders with a basic level of competence in every aspect of midfield play except Chelsea who only have Matic.

Matic and Fab pivot got disgraced severally last season. They were lucky teams were scared at the start of the season and sat back allowing them to breathe and build up points to top the table. As soon as Spurs disgraced our midfield, we had to beg Zouma to play midfield to see us through the season and park the bus to cross the finish line. Even against PSG 10 men, that midfield was overworked and couldn't cross halfway line for fear of counterattack.

There is no problem in midfield yet we are conceding 3 goals per game and every talk on here is of which midfield to pick before games to stabilise ourselves?

Na you sabi. Ride on.

FBS:

Actually thought he was going to score twice today, alas, he was the WORST player on the pitch.

He will be back to form though.

hidden hazard is a fraud!
pack his bags & send him to the after life. the moment he said he never feels like scoring more than a goal in a game & he will never score as many as messi/ronaldo was the day i knew hazard is a fraud.

FBS:
The best thing to do now for Jose is to keep shut. Let the football and managerial skills do the talking.

So we still have people who believe Mou still has something to offer?
Mou is finished, gone!
I don't see him recovering after this no matter d team he ends up with.

coogar:


hidden hazard is a fraud!
pack his bags & send him to the after life. the moment he said he never feels like scoring more than a goal in a game & he will never score as many as messi/ronaldo was the day i knew hazard is a fraud.

Shut up son.
Even you know Hazard is amongst the top ten ballers in the world.
The problem is the manager. You play to a good players strength. Hazard cannot be d player Mou wants him to be.

nateevs:
It is not so much the quality of the players in the middle but the balance. You look at Lucas and Can as unknowns but they execut the simple midfield tasks rightly.

So Ibime is not talking about WPOTY class in the middle to make a difference. Instead, he is saying even a Dembele and Mcarthy midfield will give us infinitely better chances of sustaining attacks that a Ramires Mikel one.

What are these simple midfield tasks that Can and Lucas performed better than Mikel and Ramires today?

Should we even be having a discussion about losing a match to the strength of Can and Lucas' midfield play?


When will you start holding Hazard accountable?

Ibime:
Can and Lucas bring the basic requirements of a standard midfielder, energy and physical strength plus can trap a ball. They are 6/10 in everything, not great but acceptable. They also had Milner with them who is 6/10 in everything.

Mikel and Ramires do not bring the basics.

Mikels ball retention is 10/10. His energy and tracking of runners is 1/10 and speed of passing is 1/10.

Ramires energy is 10/10. His strength on the ball is 1/10, his control and passing is 1/10.

You cannot put both of them together and expect them to compensate for each other. Mikel wants to slow the game, Ramires wants to speed it up. If Ramires runs forward, you just counterattack Mikel easily. If you catch Ramires 1 on 1 and shove him off the ball like Charlie Adam, Mikel will not make up the ground to cover him.

It is a HORRIBLE combination.

Any standard average midfield will better them all other things being equal.

There is a reason David Luiz and Kurt Zouma have been drafted substantially into midfield in the last 3 years.

Horrible combo? Maybe

Definitely not worse than Can and Lucas.

Aside the volume of passes attempted, Mikel and Ramires best the Liverpool duo in nearly every other measurable metric today. They even had a better pass completion rate! Did more defensively too.


We did not lose this match because of them.


Look at that Sakho pass for Coutinho's second. His passing ability is well known, innit? Our attackers should be pressing him there, deny him the freedom to comfortably spread that pass.

[size=18pt]Journalist: What do you have to say to the fans?

Mourinho: "They are not stu-pid."

In other words, if they blame him, they are ******...Smh... [/size]

Ibime:


Matic is off form because he is destabilised by not having a competent partner to share his workload.

Even if he IS off-form, why don't we have 2 other competent midfielders to rest him?

Matic and Fab pivot got disgraced severally last season. They were lucky teams were scared at the start of the season and sat back allowing them to breathe and build up points to top the table. As soon as Spurs disgraced our midfield, we had to beg Zouma to play midfield to see us through the season and park the bus to cross the finish line.

There is no problem in midfield yet we are conceding 3 goals per game and every talk on here is of which midfield to pick before games to stabilise ourselves?

Na you sabi. Ride on.

Oga you are talking unadulterated rubbish. The entire team stinks from Costa to Terry. Is it midfield that made Hazard miss the pen against Stoke or play nonsense today?

In case you forgot, Ivanovic was open like a wh0re till his injury and Courtois was not even positioning himself properly.

Be honest with yourself and see that there is no one single part of the team that is rubbish. It's every single aspect of our play...

And that surely goes beyond anything called 'midfield' right now.

"Chelsea's latest defeat means this is their worst
start to a league season since 1978/79 with Moanrinho losing 9 of his last 17 games in all
competitions compared to just 4 defeats in
54 games last season."

Solid form for title capitulation!

Cc: nihilist, airmark, kolade354 and mourinholic


No need for the expected abuse, I'm just the stats man in need of some analysis! Lol.....

Jose: 'What happens now? I will go home. I will find a sad family. I will try and watch some of the rugby and disconnect.' #CFC

Hmmmnnnnnn

Jose Mourinho dismisses the idea that he thinks this was his last game. #CFC

okay

nitlad:


What are these simple midfield tasks that Can and Lucas performed better that Mikel and Ramires today?

Should we even be having a discussion about losing a match to the strength of Can and Lucas midfield play?


When will you start holding Hazard accountable?

I'm the last ninja you would call a Hazard fan on here! However Hazard is the least of my problems in this Chelsea team.

Can and Lucas prevented Chelsea breaking through their midfield to the point the only shot on target was a speculative Oscar chip from halfway line aside the goal from a cross.

Meanwhile Ramires was showing Coutinho his number to allow Liverpool score while Mikel was trying to play give me I give you monkey post football in his own half cos he dare not cross the halfway line as snails are allergic to counterattack.

That's all.

Journalist: What do you think about your performance today?

Mikel: Great but the rest were just poo...

Journalist: What if I told you the fans feel otherwise?

Mikel: Wait oh! Are they Nairalanders?

Journalist: What's that?

Mikel: Never mind! Those that blame me for this defeat...You all are doing yourselves... Yes I repeat! You are doing yourself...

Ibime:


I'm the last ninja you would call a Hazard fan on here! However Hazard is the least of my problems in this Chelsea team.

Can and Lucas prevented Chelsea breaking through their midfield to the point the only shot on target was a speculative Oscar chip from halfway line aside the goal from a cross.

Meanwhile Ramires was showing Coutinho his number to allow Liverpool score.

That's all

Mikel was making tackle after tackle aside other defensive works because the Liverpool attackers were asking serious questions. Meanwhile Can barely had up to 5 defensive duties to do because our attackers can't be bothered!


Half full or half empty?

Nihilist:


Matic and Fab won a double last season. The same Matic you are helping to look for a partner has been one of our worst players this season and can't even make the first team!

Does this not tell you, that this is not about midfield but something different?

But how are able to say it is a mental problem yet join the pack of those who single out one player for blame?

Don't get me wrong, I agree with the mental disruption perpesctive. I just believe it is only one part of the many problems.

sephia:


So we still have people who believe Mou still has something to offer?
Mou is finished, gone!
I don't see him recovering after this no matter d team he ends up with.

Because he is having a rough start to the season?
So you think your Klopp is better? He suffered the same wahala with Dortmund. Got to UCL final but his team couldn't buy a win a few months after.

Sha.it happens.

Nihilist:


Oga you are talking unadulterated rubbish. The entire team stinks from Costa to Terry. Is it midfield that made Hazard miss the pen against Stoke or play nonsense today?

In case you forgot, Ivanovic was open like a wh0re till his injury and Courtois was not even positioning himself properly.

Be honest with yourself and see that there is no one single part of the team that is rubbish. It's every single aspect of our play...

And that surely goes beyond anything called 'midfield' right now.

Many parts of the team are rubbish. No one would argue with you. The major part of the team that has no solution to rubbishness is the midfield.

Even Ivanovic can be replaced by Azpi.

Hazard and co can be replaced by Willian, Oscar, Pedro, Traore, Kenedy etc.

What options are there in midfield?


There are many teams with rubbish players in certain positions but if the midfield is stable, half the war is won. A strong midfield can protect a shaky defence, a strong midfield can score for an off-form forward line, but no other position can compensate for a weak midfield.

What am I saying? You have poor memory! A midfield of Essien, Ballack and Lampard carried Phucking Malouda and Salomon Kalou for 5 years and never failed to compete in semifinals of Champions Leagues or chase the title down to the wire.

The midfield is the most important section of the team. That's why they say he who wins the midfield battle wins the game!!!

.

Its funny that Ivanovic suffered abuse from nearly everyone here yet, Hazard is above reproach.

If a player is off form , why not just say as it is. Some will blame everyone and everything except the player. Why worship a player blindly?

Ibime:


Many parts of the team are rubbish. No one would argue with you. The major part of the team that has no solution to rubbishness is the midfield.

Even Ivanovic can be replaced by Azpi.

Hazard and co can be replaced by Willian, Oscar, Pedro, Traore, Kenedy etc.

What options are there in midfield?


There are many teams with rubbish players in certain positions but if the midfield is stable, half the war is won. A strong midfield can protect a shaky defence, a strong midfield can score for an off-form forward line, but no other position can compensate for a weak midfield.

What am I saying? You have poor memory! A midfield of Essien, Ballack and Lampard carried Phucking Malouda and Salomon Kalou for 5 years and never failed to compete in semifinals of Champions Leagues or chase the title down to the wire.

The midfield is the most important section of the team. That's why they say he who wins the midfield battle wins the game!!!

Arsenal did not stand a chance in the MF battle against Bayern. They won the game!

nitlad:


What are these simple midfield tasks that Can and Lucas performed better that Mikel and Ramires today?

Should we even be having a discussion about losing a match to the strength of Can and Lucas' midfield play?


When will you start holding Hazard accountable?

It's the simple tasks of finding a 5 yard pass and moving into space. Receiving the ball with your back to goal, under pressure yet still finding a team mate with a good pass. It's knowing when to press, when to speed the game up and essentially when not to run.

Having the energy to track back and the intelligence for positional defending. They help the attack and the defence at the same time.

Contrast that to when we attack and there is neither Ramires nor Mikel within 5 yards of Hazard to receive the ball and run into forward space.

Then you wonder at the same why Can and Lucas had little to do. Do you think Continho how was trying to attack all by himself?

Things are bad and Jose head no dey dia but we can turn this around. If any player no ready to play ship them freaking out and I don't care who.

The best interview so far from Jose.
"What have you to say?"
Answer "NOTHING"

He is clearly disturbed and I want to see how he can coach his way out of this. Let him stay.

Chelsea's season in one pic...

CHELSEA FC

Champions
Champion
Champio
Champi
Champ
Cham
Cha
Cha
Ch
Cham
Champ
Champi
Champio
Champion
ChampionS
championshi
championship

Nihilist:


Oga you are talking unadulterated rubbish. The entire team stinks from Costa to Terry. Is it midfield that made Hazard miss the pen against Stoke or play nonsense today?

In case you forgot, Ivanovic was open like a wh0re till his injury and Courtois was not even positioning himself properly.

Be honest with yourself and see that there is no one single part of the team that is rubbish. It's every single aspect of our play...

And that surely goes beyond anything called 'midfield' right now.

ALL BLACKS VS THE WALLABIES MY G.

nateevs:



It's the simple tasks of finding a 5 yard pass and moving into space. Receiving the ball with your back to goal, under pressure yet still finding a team mate with a good pass. It's knowing when to press, when to speed the game up and essentially when not to run.

Having the energy to track back and the intelligence for positional defending. They help the attack and the defence at the same time.

Contrast that to when we attack and there is neither Ramires nor Mikel within 5 yards of Hazard to receive the ball and run into forward space.

Then you wonder at the same why Can and Lucas had little to do. Do you think Continho how was trying to attack all by himself?

Funny enough he was. He got the ball not at a very dangerous position, cleared the obstacles, moved himself to a better position and did his magic.
Hazard was fork.ing poor since the beginning of this season. A combo of busquets/Gattuzo/Pirlo/Davids and Iniesta for creativity cannot save him.
He is in poor form. Simple as ABC. Stop blaming the grass and the town council for this.

sephia:


Shut up son.
Even you know Hazard is amongst the top ten ballers in the world.
The problem is the manager. You play to a good players strength. Hazard cannot be d player Mou wants him to be.

Mama Bluediva. What has to happen for you to realize Hidden Ikedia is overhyped and overrated. This is the gospel myself and Woli agba raumdeuter has been preaching since 800 B.C. We have been vindicated

sephia:


Shut up son.
Even you know Hazard is amongst the top ten ballers in the world.
The problem is the manager. You play to a good players strength. Hazard cannot be d player Mou wants him to be.

top ten baller? where?
hazard isn't in the top 30 in the world currently? who is hazard better than? a forward that is yet to find the net in 16 games this season is in the top 10?

your standard must be very low to think hazard is a baller.

https://www.naij.com/623645-previewline-ups-chelsea-vs-liverpool.html

yeah

nitlad:



Arsenal did not stand a chance in the MF battle against Bayern. They won the game!

Exception rather than the norm. Infact they won the game after Bayern had brought on the youngsters, besides Cazorla and Coquelin are not messing about in that midfield these days and Bayern midfield is regressing over the last 2 years sef.

My perception of the game is simple. The goal is in the centre of the pitch and that makes the spine of the team the most important section. Wingers play in an ancilliary position, there to help you stretch the game and create space for the central players to attack the goal. The minute you expect your winger to carry the game, you are setting unfair expectations.

FBS:
Its funny that Ivanovic suffered abuse from nearly everyone here yet, Hazard is above reproach.

If a player is off form , why not just say as it is. Some will blame everyone and everything except the player. Why worship a player blindly?

Ivanovic suffered abuse because he is a shit right back and has always been. He's been that way for many seasons. Some have just been blinded by the goals he scores. This season, he has been found out.

In contrast, Hazard was last season's player of the year and made WPOTY short list. EOS.

When Hazard ONLY is off form, then we will come out and say yes he is. But when Hazard is 'off form' and Fab is and Costa is and Matic is and JT is, then Off-form starts to become a loosely applied excuse for a more fundamental problem left unsolved.

coogar:


top ten baller? where?
hazard isn't in the top 30 in the world currently? who is hazard better than? a forward that is yet to find the net in 16 games this season is in the top 10?

your standard must be very low to think hazard is a baller.

A40:

Mama Bluediva. What has to happen for you to realize Hidden Ikedia is overhyped and overrated. This is the gospel myself and Woli agba raumdeuter has been preaching since 800 B.C. We have been vindicated

Hazard was Chelsea's best player last year and even early this year. How can a player decline so fast? We have to look at the deeper issue. We are seeing an unhappy player who probably has issues with the manager and it's affecting his game.
Hazard is a fantastic player and the whole world knows it except a few nairaland haters. ..lol
Contender for best player in the world...lol. Make una leave Hazard jor.