A Wacky Idea?

[Bruckner283]

From all reports JT should be back these week. My wacky idea concerns JTs return and what our backline should be once he returns. As I have zero faith in Ferreira and scare little more in Geremi our backline should be this:

Carvalho ----------- Essien & JT --------------- Bridge (or Cole)

I understand that Essien probably wants to get back to midfield but I think he has done an excellent job filling in for JT and sending Carvalho out right would sure help sure help our defense. Of course with the understanding that we obtain a real and trusted rightback during the offseason. Am I crazy? Your thoughts

[lobomojo]

From all reports JT should be back these week. My wacky idea concerns JTs return and what our backline should be once he returns. As I have zero faith in Ferreira and scare little more in Geremi our backline should be this:

Carvalho ----------- Essien & JT --------------- Bridge (or Cole)

I understand that Essien probably wants to get back to midfield but I think he has done an excellent job filling in for JT and sending Carvalho out right would sure help sure help our defense. Of course with the understanding that we obtain a real and trusted rightback during the offseason. Am I crazy? Your thoughts

Yes, you are crazy.:D Essein has filled in ok as he does everywhere but he is far more valuable and better in the midfield, and Carv Terry are far too valuable as a pairing. Geremi has not helped much going forward but he has been pretty solid defensivly when he plays with actual centerbacks. Would not mind seeing Bridge or even A. Cole get a go at rightback though. Even without a right foot I think we would get better crosses and defense out of either of them.

[sportinglisbon1]

I dont' know why Ferriera has lost his spot, he's certainly better then Geremi when playing regularly. It wasn't too long ago when Jose referred to him as the best RB in the world.

You also have to credit him for never complaining about playing time or playing a specific position like Gallas and Carvalho have, he's just a silent soldier does what he's asked without debate. He certainly doesn't deserve the grief he gets from some 'supporters'.

Just my .02

[yasik19]

I dont' know why Ferriera has lost his spot, he's certainly better then Geremi when playing regularly. It wasn't too long ago when Jose referred to him as the best RB in the world.

You also have to credit him for never complaining about playing time or playing a specific position like Gallas and Carvalho have, he's just a silent soldier does what he's asked without debate. He certainly doesn't deserve the grief he gets from some 'supporters'.

Just my .02

Paulo's 1st year in England, he was no doubt the best RB in the league. However, after suffering an injury last year and then having few setbacks, he has completely lost his confidence. I hope to see him get his form back, but with the amount of rotating we do, i can't see that happening.

[lobomojo]

Like Yasik I thought Paulo was the best RB in the league before his injury the first year, since then ha has certainly lost confidence and perhaps just a bit of quickness/speed as well.

Geremi is not the future at rb but he has been playing better and been less mistake prone than Paulo this year. Part of the problem is that neither really excells at attacking and in the 4-1-2-1-2 we have been playing a lot this year a better attacking back is needed.

If we were not so thin in the back because of injuries and "come here my precious" Keynon it might not be a bad move to loan him out for half a season to play every match and regain his old form hopefully.

That said Paulo is talented and a class act who always acts professionally.

Would hate to lose a player with those attributes but for his benifit not Chelsea's who needs professional squad players, not sure if his future lies here as we are likely to buy another this summer.

Not to say he would be just a squad player anyhere but Chelsea and perhaps 3 or 4 other teams as he could start near everywhere.

[Dear_Claudio]

Agree with all of the replies.


Ferreira------Carvalho------JT------Bridge/Cole


Get rid of Geremi in the summer and go from there with the defense. It's quite good if injuries weren't so prevalent.

[Clan]

I read in some football rag, a few weeks ago, that Geremi was concerned about his future with the club, as he had yet (and still hasn't been) offered a new contract.
It wouldn't surprise me at all if he's let go in the Summer.
I think Jose will look to reinforce that position.

I would like to think that young Johnson is going to be the man, but who knows.

I don't think Ferriera will be let go, he's still a very good 'squad' player at the very least.

I do think that Geremi and/or Johnson will not be at Chelsea next season.
Johnson will have enjoyed his regular starting spot at Pompey and will no doubt be looking for some assurance from the manager that he'll get decent playing time if he returns, if not, he may ask for an outright transfer.

Either way, we'll be in for a right full in the Summer.

Carvalho at right full :D

Cech would have his arms in ice after the game, from stretching so much to pull in all the crosses and free kicks that would pepper the box ;)

[sportinglisbon1]

After watching Pompey vs. Man Utd. I was actually shocked to see Johno make the same stupid errors he made when he was with chelsea. It doesn't look like he's progressed at all. The bulk of Man Utd's chances came when they were running right at Johnson. Time to cut bait IMO.

[Clan]

After watching Pompey vs. Man Utd. I was actually shocked to see Johno make the same stupid errors he made when he was with chelsea. It doesn't look like he's progressed at all. The bulk of Man Utd's chances came when they were running right at Johnson. Time to cut bait IMO.

Ah, funny ol' game though, innit?

He had a right stinker against United, to be sure.
However, he's had many games where he's been quite solid, leading to speculation that he had finally settled down, even 'matured', and could be on his way back to us in the Summer.

Sadly though, he was caught nicking in a shop and turned in that performance.

I think the overriding factor in his future at Chelsea will be playing time myself.If he can't secure a promise of 2 or 3 starts every month, he'll want out.

[razorman]

I've always felt that Johnson would make a fine right-sided midfield player/winger, but only an average right back.

[blackjack]

To the thread starter, if you're going to insist on Essien in the back, I think it's far better to have him at RB and Dicky and CB than the other way around.

[lobomojo]

To the thread starter, if you're going to insist on Essien in the back, I think it's far better to have him at RB and Dicky and CB than the other way around.

That is a good point, still way too valuable in the mf, especially if Ballack sits:D , but he is our best rb as well.

[fbinjamil]

keep the same back four, switch them round. Essien is quite effective at RB although he drives forward too much:

ESSIEN------RICKY & JT-------BRIDGE OR COLE

[Dr_Intoxicated]

keep the same back four, switch them round. Essien is quite effective at RB although he drives forward too much:

ESSIEN------RICKY & JT-------BRIDGE OR COLE

It is his driving forward from right back that I like, we need that with the narrow diamond formation.

When he is playing in the Makelele position he does not get the same freedom.

Of course when he is playing alongside Lamps he is at his best.

[lobomojo]

It is his driving forward from right back that I like, we need that with the narrow diamond formation.

When he is playing in the Makelele position he does not get the same freedom.

Of course when he is playing alongside Lamps he is at his best.

Yep, I think Mak, Lamps, ESS is by a long long way our best midfield. If Mak is out and he can find the tube schedule:rolleyes: I think I like Diarra best in that role.

At the time I was excited by the Ballack move, especially from the stand point of cover and rest rotation for and if one of the big 3 midfielders was hurt or suspended but now I think that may be one of our most recent harmeful transfers. It usually keeps our best midfield and system off the field, perhaps not good for team unity, and as the point was made it was only Forrest but I think Mikel now fits into our lineup with Lamp better.

Please no angry posts from my German friends, I am not saying he is not world class and he has long been one of my favorite players but he just does not fit right into Chelsea though I hate to agree with the loudmouths that run Bayern.