the only way to read that table listing injuries is the top of the list for each squad to the bottom is in order of most recent "injuries" ... both Son and Vardy had good games (Vardy outstanding) and yet both have slight injuries - hence they are at the top of the list for Spurs and Leicester respectively. Pulisic is farther down the list on Chelsea's tab and so the information there (1 month) may be dated. Guess we will just have to see.
“There’s always a concern about a player’s fitness when the history says there’s been some injuries. Last season we did have them with Christian, I was questioned many times on him, when he did and didn’t play,” Lampard said. “Of course, when you look at a player with his recent record, you’re trying to find the right balance of getting the best out of him, which we saw in big periods last year, and making sure you don’t overcook him and leave him susceptible to injury. “Particularly with a player of his explosive pace and balance. It’s a fine line. We’re working on that and Christian’s also very open to that. He wants to play, he’s so hungry to play and he’s very nearly fit now, but it’s certainly something we have to manage with him this season. We’ve all seen the talent and it’s something we want to get right. I’m not saying it’s a fundamental, chronic issue because it’s not, but we want to get as many minutes out of Christian – the really great Christian that we saw lots of last season – on the pitch.” https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2020/09/28/pulisic-injury-update-chelsea-latest-news/?partner=Yahoo
This is a great and straight-forward set of comments by Frank. It really should put to bed some of the conspiracy theories around here... but it probably won't.
When Ziyech & CP are both back and if Frank is still putting Mount at winger... I personally am fine with renewing the conspiratorial questioning of his thinking. But from where we stand now, this makes a lot of sense. It's logic that has been assumed by multiple people in this thread, already... ie, not a huge stretch.
Frank recently described Ziyech as the BEST passer he’d EVER seen !! That suggests that Ziyech will be starting as soon as he’s ready
I think the major point to be taken from the comment is that we might still see Mount at Winger occasionally even when CP and Ziyech are healthy to decrease their load... at least until they prove they can hold up even closely to the level Mount does. The kid is a friggin tank. Last year there were two times where it looked like the kid would be injured for a significant period of time and he was right back on the pitch the following game. Imagine if CP could hold up like that? He might score 30 goals across all comps if he played every game.
Yeah, I think that's built into the logic expressed here -- he's not getting minutes there because Frank hates him there, obviously, but with all first choice wingers healthy I wouldn't expect him there much.
just hope cp is healthy enough to play soon. you guys are right - being available is a skill that unfortunately pulisic hasn't proven he has.
Yea frankly the whole training plan thing just cements that. I'm glad they have a plan for him of course but it's not exactly great he needs one in the first place.
Hudson-Odoi looked like a completely different player on Saturday. A few more performances like that and Pulisic will be fighting for his spot AGAIN or relegated to a role of second-half sub to preserve his fitness. Such a letdown.
Oh FFS, he was decently good against a team who is favored to be relegated. Earlier in the week he was the worst Chelsea player against Barnsley. He singlehandedly killed a number of promising attacks, dribbling ludicrously backwards and / or getting dispossessed. Let me know when he, or Mount for that matter, command attention from / put fear in a top 6-7 Premier League opponent.
EFL/Carabao Cup game today @ Tottenham (2:45 PM eastern) - no CP, but another chance to read the tea leaves and make thoughtful inferences.
I honestly keep forgetting they have Ziyech too. Insane how much young attacking talent this team has. If everyone can get healthy (that's a big if) there are some talented players who are not going to be happy wtih their playing time. If I were CHO i'd probably be looking for a loan somewhere, he can't improve if he's not playing regularly and at his age that's important.
Well hopefully Chilwell comes good. tomori, james are talented players. I think there's something wrong tactically or with what they are told to do in training. None of these more senior players looked this bad under prior managers. Nor did Kepa for that matter.
This ^^^^ It's not the players, it's the coaching. They have at least mid table or top 5-10 defender talents, yet their defense plays like a relegation team.