Not surprising at all, he's got what Floro Perez likes: big market presence, youthful looking, pretty boy. Floro knows that looks sell. Of course if that were to happen today, it'd be to be on the bench. I like him better trying to be the hero Chelsea needs...
Pulisic starts today's match against Leicester City: Here's how the Blues line up against Leicester today, our first home game of the season! 💪 #CHELEI pic.twitter.com/QOFh6DZfjA— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 18, 2019
Mount’s flying all over the field balls to the wall will win him lots of fans but lose Chelsea lots of games. The only game the midfield didn’t get overrun was the one he didn’t start. I like him a lot and think he can be a great player. But he needs to be put on a leash.
Today I realized I just cannot root for Chelsea to win, even if Pulisic is there. It'd be like rooting for Leeds or Lazio. I just cannot stomach Fascist/racist fans. My values are stronger than my love for soccer.
Hopefully he didn’t play as well cause he played midweek, but if he continues this form like he did for most of last year his leash is going to be a lot shorter. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s not starting next game.
Sky sports player ratings: Chelsea: Kepa (6), Azpilicueta (5), Christensen (6), Zouma (7), Emerson (5), Jorginho (6), Kante (5), Pedro (7), Mount (7), Pulisic (6), Giroud (5) Subs: Abraham (5), Willian (5), Kovacic (5)
CP was meh I did not see him take off once with the ball to go north at all - yes east west and backwards but never once. He was ok on D but he needs to be direct in the attack and carry the ball forward.
I agree with Frank that this morning performance probably had a lot to do with a midweek game. I expect them to bounce back next weekend, and hopefully CP starts.
Chelsea was all over the game when they frantic-pressed in the first 20 minutes, but once they couldn't keep that up, it was a different contest. If CP toe-pokes that ball in at 10 mins or whenever it was it's a different game. But the over Chelski performance was not inspiring, CP included.
Not that good, not that bad. I agree, meh’s the word. Leicester having such control in this match is not exactly a good omen, they deserved to win. Chelsea fortunate to be on 1 point right now.
He looked like a good player having good and average moments against a decent a premiership team. That’s why ESPNFC gave him a 6 (along with Pedro FWIW)
They need to play Mount at the 6 and bring on Barkley. Mostly I wish Christian went to Man Utd. Not only because that’s the team I root for, but because he’d enjoy playing for Utd, and he wouldn’t be seen as the sides top attacking talent at the age of 20, which he is right now with Chelsea until Willian gains some fitness/form. He’d fit in rather nicely with Rashford and Lingaard
I agree in regards to the legs for the entire team but CP only had 90 mins total on his legs between the ManU and Pool games. He should have been able to maintain the pace necessary for the whole game. I expected to see him more direct and attacking forward today. Disappointing. On the other hand he was defending and covering well. Overall meh.
There were racist remarks after Abraham missed the pen in the cup mid-week. I mean... it’s Chelsea, this isn’t shocking at this point.
Pulisic is going to struggle against big, physical defenses ie Leicester. His game is advancing the ball forward or receiving the ball in a "positive" position. Absent that, his effectiveness can be neutralized.
To effectively advance the ball, he is best played out wide. Today, he was much nearer the center when in the attacking third, at least much of the time. One of the reasons for that was that Mount's most frequent position was wide near the touch line even with entry to the attacking third. If that persists, CP will seldom be in a position to use his major strength. He does best when he can be accelerating toward a ball already moving toward or through the defense. Then, he's in the position to take anyone on with a high speed dribble. He's not great when starting from a static position. Today, he pretty much never was in a position to attack with his skills after the first few minutes of the game. And, nobody tried to play to his strength.
Against their own player? It's despicable even against an opposing player, but you would think their own player would have immunity!