Want to see a younger squad. Don't much care for the cup here. Would rather focus on Europe and the League.
This has gone........a lot better than I feared it would! A few things: 1. Kovacic's tendency to reset after picking up rebounds close to the box is frustrating. 2. Emerson's passing in the final third is problematic. He doesn't feel comfortable attacking for some reason. 3. Cahill is appropriately done as a starter. 4. Barkley is quite useful at bringing the ball forward, which is very useful against the press (and especially against sides like Liverpool). Also decent at pressing. Now he just needs to work on everything else. 5. It's just not happening for Morata. The luck is just not there. 6. Christiansen really needs to get a bit stronger. It matters. Even Shaqiri can bully him a bit. 7. Would like to see what CHO can do in the second half in place of Moses. Moses is really a replacement level player for the Premier League. He's fine. But not better than that. Oh, and a nice dive by Keita. Great form. In that shirt, definitely looks like a salmon.
Unfortunately, I get the feeling we are far more likely to bring Zappacosta on than CHO. This game is screaming out for an injection of energy. Morata looks utterly lost, like he has forgotten how to play in a team. Very half hearted and makes the sort of moves a player makes when he doesn't want the ball (making sure he is not an outlet for his teammates). Also, some quick props to Willy. Some nice saves in the first half (just to add some positives in there).
I don't think Morata has been that bad, but you can tell he's frustrated with the wallowing on the ground only to see the ball coming back towards him. Sign of a player for whom things just aren't going well. You hope a couple of goals will go in off his ass and things will get better, but then - Benteke still can't hit the broad side of a barn. So who knows. Agree, Caballero has been surprisingly OK. *knock wood*
Fun match so far, both could have a goal or more at this point. While I think Mane and Keita should be upset not getting something from running at Cahill, likewise Chelsea should be upset by having nothing when coming up against Moreno's unique form of defending. Willy C has been good on the ball and made at least 1 good save. Wasn't necessarily expecting that.
He's been pretty good today, despite the miss... but I think you can see the impact made on the 11 by Danny's inability to approximate Firmino's workrate.
Passing getting ragged right now. Lol Barkley losing the ball there. Just shoot! It's too bad we went down a goal; would have loved to see CHO in this game.
The wonder isn't the set piece goal, but a decent free kick from Hazard. He's usually atrocious at them.