No longer feeling Blue
Based on the 4 games (3 PL + 1 league cup), some surmised thoughts on Don Conte’s Chelsea:
– In my opinion, the biggest issue gripping us in the regrettable season of 15-16 was the team’s structure. More importantly, lack of midfield control was hurting our defense (yes, there’s only so much a 1000 year old JT and a not a great defender Cahill can do)
– Conte has certainly addressed it with his midfield choice of Kante-Matic-Oscar who have well defined roles (on that later)
– I dont care what the rest of the mailbox thinks, but Kante is to me the signing of the summer not just for Chelsea, as a single most awesome transfer (note, not saying we had the best transfer window, but single most best transfer). He is the difference between Chelsea being level with Arsenal than Manchester clubs. For 32m, it has to be an absolute steal!
– That means the role of Matic and Oscar are different now.. Matic no more needs to cover the mistakes of JT/Cahill, and is now a ball winner up the field, mopping up at times, while Kante takes care of sniffing dangers, leaving oscar to play the number 8 role of Lamps, though he can do way better in terms of creativity and goals
– This also means we have no space for Fabregas. As much as I love the Spaniard, the ruthless running and tracking back is not his game. I initially thought maybe he would be the pirlo here, with Kante and Matic upfield, as Kante was a box-to-box at Leicester, but Conte has other ideas (I’d still love this set up, but to do that, we need a big upgrade in our defense!)
– Eden Hazard is now free of defensive duties (partly due to the midfield structure and partly due to zonal structure), letting him free to cause havoc. He is also free of injuries after having a good summer in the Euros and pre-season. We have the best player in the division (arguably), and if he can produce moments each game, we’l be there abouts at the end of the season, provided we address our woes in transfermarket for defenders..
– Diego Costa is thinner than last summer, fitter, and hungrier… And his usual nasty self.. I only hope he doesnt get booked each game and can channelize the anger in the game than getting carded!
– Our wins so far – play good, condede scrappy goal, tactical switch and win it later through energy (west ham), play shite for most of the game and do what you did in previous game to win late (watford) and comprehensively outplay the opponent at home (Burnley).. Three different methods of getting 3 points, and I am already in love with Don Conte
– On another note, Jamie Redknapp is an absolute disgrace for saying Aguero is not that type of player. To me, what he did y’day means 3 game straight ban. Aguero always gets off the hook (that two foot stamp on David Luiz in FA cup was let go) ….. Stephen Quinn (A Chelsea fan)
By Mazi Emeka Abram Jaka (Senior European Correspondent/Guest Columnist)
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