Chelsea (A) - Verdict (by Treddman)

[sycophantia]

Think some credit to Chelsea for the way they closed us down when we nicked the ball, stopping us getting many clear cut chances

 

[Kenny]

Think some credit to Chelsea for the way they closed us down when we nicked the ball, stopping us getting many clear cut chances

The Chelsea press, especially the 1st half, was very impressive

 

[The Bion]

Kante nipped 2 or 3 counters in the bud just by himself as well

 

[t3ch]

was gonna say Kante was a real pain in the ass for a chunk of time. good overall obviously but there was a particular maybe 10 minutes where it seemed like he single handedly recovered the ball from us every other time we touched it

whole side did a good job though, forced a lot of turnovers.

 

[Deleted Cyber]

Kante nipped 2 or 3 counters in the bud just by himself as well

Kante is seriously good. So good in fact that the master tactician Sarri doesnt play him in the position in which he is probably the best in world football. Thats why you take his comments about our defensive mindset with a huge pinch of salt

 

[YoungWolf]

Kante isn't the best defensive midfielder in the world. He has very rarely ever played that position either.

 

[Deleted Cyber]

Kante isn't the best defensive midfielder in the world. He has very rarely ever played that position either.

der fuck?

He is listed as a midfielder. His best work is defensive. He won the league with the best record for a defensive midfielder with ;Leciester making 37 appearances and , IIRC winning one of the player of the year awards, with the mosts tackles etc etc and Sarri plays him higher up the pitch, yet on Sunday he did their best work , defensively. But whatever.

 

[YoungWolf]

He played centre midfield in a 442 for Leicester alongside Drinkwater. He played centre midfield in a 3-4-3 alongside Matic. He played in a 442 come 433 next to Pogba in the world cup.

Sarri plays 4-3-3 where the holding midfielder is the deepest player and is key to their possession. That doesn't suit Kante at all and it isn't a position he's played. In fact, Sunday was the first time this season he changed their shape where they played a 4-2-3-1 when he took Jorginho off.

His best work on Sunday was in his recovery runs and pressing to deny our counter attack.

And anyway, Busquets is the best in that position in the world anyway

 

[The Bear]

Neves/Donk/Saiss all play CM in a 4 man midfield. It doesn't make them any less defensive midfielders.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

And anyway, Busquets is the best in that position in the world anyway

Is he heck.

 

[YoungWolf]

Fair comment. I wouldn't call Donck a defensive midfielder at the moment anyway - in fact it's similar in the sense that it ignores Kante's all round game. Neves is playing as a holding player of the three, like Saiss did against Cardiff too, and they have both done that in the past in different team I believe.

My main gripe is when people say Kante should be playing the role Jorginho is in Chelsea's system as if he has played that role before and that he is the best in that role in the world. It isn't true.

Maybe change 'defensive' for 'holding' but I think people use that term interchangeably. And as Cyber insinuated that Kante should be playing in the deeper position in Chelsea's midfield that is why I took it as that way.

 

[YoungWolf]

Is he heck.

*shrugs shoulders*

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

You know my feelings on your mate Sergio. He's an absolute specimen. A proper piece of work.

Also has been going downhill for at least three years.

 

[YoungWolf]

You know my feelings on your mate Sergio. He's an absolute specimen. A proper piece of work.

I don't disagree with that but doesn't stop him being a fabulous footballer. The best in that position that I have seen in a long time.

Also has been going downhill for at least three years.

Can't agree with this at all.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

He ain't even Spain's best option any more let alone the best in the world. Rodri is better than him now.

 

[Sam-Wolf]

You know my feelings on your mate Sergio. He's an absolute specimen. A proper piece of work.

Also has been going downhill for at least three years.

Have to say I agree. I've always disliked him but at least a few years ago I could commend some of the amazing performances he put out there, those sort of performances are much less frequent now. Though I'll admit, I don't watch much Barca games away from the "bigger" games they are a part of.

 

[YoungWolf]

I wouldn't say Rodri is better than Busquets yet (he's a very good player of course). I don't think he will reach the levels Sergio did as good as he could be.

 

[Johnny75]

I'd class Kante as a box-to-box midfielder. As much as I like Donk I'd swap him for Kante.

 

[YoungWolf]

I'd class Kante as a box-to-box midfielder. As much as I like Donk I'd swap him for Kante.

This on both accounts (although I don't think anyone would disagree with your second point!!)

 

[Alan]

Tbf Donk's height has been a huge boon to us, especially to Ruí's kicking, as dinosaur-tastic as that sounds.