While I agree with you in terms of Mount, I just don't see it with Werner. He just seems to be the biggest black hole in the team to me, as in when he gets on the ball things fall apart, there's a turnover, he takes a bad shot that he shouldn't have, or he misses a sitter. He has more speed than Havertz or Giroud, but I don't think that makes up for his shortcomings. My best guess is Tuchel saw the quality he had with Leizpig, and he's giving him a lot of minutes to get him comfortable with the team to try to get his past confidence back. With all that said, the amount of time Werner is getting is my only qualm with Tuchel. I think everything else he's done has been great.
Dude is gonna go studs up into Pulisic or Mount, promise you. That shit he did to Salah in CL was dirty af, and he’ll do it again. But now with VAR,he would get sent off, so we’ll see...
Ramos will always find a way to game the system to the absolute max. He probably knows the angles of every camera and referee and how to tug your jersey in such a way that not a single one of them will pick it up. I'd love to see the guy's taxes.
also, remember he is an excellent player. One of very best defenders in the last 20 years. And he scores big goals.
He is pretty smart, he won't put his team in a hole. He is also a step slower so he might get trouble from Pulisic if he plays on the outside. Doesn't he mainly play in the middle these days?
Wild prediction. If Havertz starts and plays most of the game at the 9, game ends in a 1-1 tie. If not, 2-1 Real.
Real is done. They can't break good defenses. Happened against Getafe and Betis, too. Chelsea 2-0, maybe 3-0 if Real gets desperate to score.
Some RM fans seem to think their midfield has been rested for this game so they be able to give Chelsea more trouble in the second leg.
Real’s obits have been written so often. They only care about games like this. They are a completely different side in the CL when it matters, and for that matter when Ramos plays. If Chelsea can win this tie, they should build a statue of Tuchel already.
yes. If Pulisic gets hot this game and next ....he could find himself in the "best player in the world" discussion in short order. and deservdly so. It's a huge opportunity....
Yes, HUGE opportunity. Question is: does he take the reins and runs with it in the 2nd leg - AND the Final (if Chelsea get there)? Or will the pressure get to him? Based on how CP has performed in other "big" games - FA Cup Final, DFB Pokal Cup, 1st leg of this semi final, results seem to say he rises to the occasion. I so hope that continues.
Tuchel likes his defense. He puts the opposing team under a lot of pressure with his running. The other forwards on the squad can’t really do this. That is why he plays over them.
Kirovski was a peripheral player on BVB’s CL win but didn’t play in the final. Beasley played in a semifinal with PSV off the bench. Given Pulisic’s central role on the team, I think you can argue it’s the biggest.
In the EPL Only Mount has played more than Timo as a field player. Timo is tied for lead in goals with 6 and no PKs and leads the team in assists with 7. He’s missed sitters but you can see it’s there. He does all the other things and keeps getting into dangerous places. Tuchel benched him for a run of games recently then Timo scored and he gave him another chance. In an open game you want Timo and Pulisic running on the counter.
Benzema is better than Haaland, and probably better than Ronaldo at this point. Only Lewandowski is better. Chelsea is a very good team, but Real is hugely talented and experienced. Real is also a bit old. It's going to be interesting. I am a Real fan, but I'm also a Pulisic fan. Benzema just needs 1 half chance to score, while Werner needs 5 and Havertz 3. Pulisic needs 2. I'd love to see Pulisic run at defenders. There is also no one like Toni Kroos on Chelsea. 2 yellows, a deflection, anything can happen. We shall see. Wouldn't you like to see Hazard come on for Real and have a late winner versus his old club Chelsea? I can see that happening. Chelsea 1 - 2 Real.
You play for the same club long enough, everything is routine. Give credit to Ronaldo joining a different club in a different league with a different style of play.
Pulisic seems to be wired for this kinda stuff. I would be surprised if he does not bring his A game.
Beasley actually started the first leg of the semifinals. Though it was maybe a bit of a surprise since he had come off the bench in all 4 knockout stage matches prior.
Will be interesting if CP gets the start, as we expect. He may play the role of facilitator more in this match. If I’m Real Madrid, part of my game plan would be to tell players that we will not let CP beat us, and take him out of the match. They will be physical, and could be like Porto on some of the challenges
Um, no, I wouldn't like to see that? I mean, I'd think it was pretty fun if it wasn't preventing Pulisic from playing in a Champions League final, but who knows how many chances he'll have to do that? Even the best players and clubs don't get many looks at it in a career.