That was a terrific chest pass 35 out just after a bs poster said Lampard was playing Kante too high (Lampard can't do anything right on b.s.). The chest pass was the key to the whole thing and I was never a Kante fan. Seems Lampard wasn't either so he moved him up with excellent results.
Good job by Lampard to sub Puli off there. I watched recording of the week end game Dortmund v. Fortuna (5-0) yesterday and was really impressed with how Julian Brandt was playing mid for Dortmund. I was thinking Pulisic should watch that game. Brandt's release is something else.
Chelsea trying to blow it now. 2-1 as Loic Remy scores the "miss you too" goal off the bottom of the crossbar off of some lazy defending.
And that's why Puli was vital for Chelsea: he terrorized their (LOSC's) defense. With him gone, they look much more confident.
they get way too ********ing casual up 2 goals from what I've seen this year. Willian especially has been wasteful.
CHO is ... not earning a starting spot today. Ugh. And Bats puts what would have been a highlight reel clincher over the bar.
Ajax finish looking interesting- Gabriel just got red carded and Ajax have a corner. If they can score, Chelsea would win the group.
FT. Chelsea go through to the knockout round. Ajax fail to score- they (and Dest) are eliminated. Chelsea finish second in the group.
Oh, he is in the stats, alright, just not always the goals or assists stats (even though he often is in that category). But coaches look at other things like chances created, or beating players with the dribble, etc. Goal scoring was never his main gig at BD either. He has always been a creator of opportunities in the final third. It's one of the reasons he starts over Mount and the other wingers.
With Rudi on this team I think changes needs to be made. I like Kante as an 8, he's very good, but he is without argue the best 6 in the business. If you can set Rudi to dominate the back line and Kante snuffing out the transition goals, It frees up as many as 7 attacking players at any one time. Against more talented teams in the EPL if he doesn't find more support for his defensive line they won't win those 50/50 matches against Liverpool, ManCity, ManU, Hotspud, Leicester, and Arsenal.
I've seen enough of him to know he is an excellent fullback. Probably more effective all around if he were moved to RB so dave can partner Rudi at CB.
Amazing how quickly things change in sports, they were sitting on top of the table and playing at home. No one would thought they failed to move to the 16, a tie is all they needed. Too bad, they were an exciting team. Would rather see them in the next round instead of the diving Valencia.
CHO has not made the most of his limited opportunities. CP surely needed the rest but the O went down the drain once he was subbed. Does CHO have any real experience at RB? Davies has always been a winger but is doing quite well for Bayern at LB. If we get another dynamic winger then CHO will probably not see the field all that much. IMO, we desperately need a stud LB and for Rudi to stay healthy.
For me any player in the midfield has to have 1. Good feet. That means nimbly move 360 degrees with ball at feet 2. Must have a one touch pass in his arsenal 3. Must be able to either cross with accuracy or cut in and have either 1. A good shot or 2. An attacking pass. CHO moves like a rook. He can move very quickly up or to the side. He is extremely fast and extremely direct. He can cross. In Lumpys set up those full backs are as important if not more important than the central midfield. He is not skilled enough on the ball for me to play midfield.
I have stated this several times before, but I never bought into the CHO hype. Haven't seen anything that indicate he's at the level of a say Sancho. Chelsea faithfuls got all excited because CHO showed some speeds and skills last season. To me he's far from being a complete footballer. He may get there some day, but so far he hasn't shown me any convincing evidence that he will. Pulisic got benched for a month, got a few sub appearances, and help contributed to a goal/assist in 3 straight sub appearances. That's how you earn a starting place. CHO haven't shown me anything worth giving him additional sub minutes, let alone a start. You have 30 min against a B side Lille team at your own home, should should be able to do some damage. He was nowhere to be seen. He was also rather average in his prior sub appearances. He got a long way to go. If Chelsea does go after a capable winger this January/Summer, that means CHO probably need to move on because Frankie no longer rate him.