Football Soccer Football Soccer Football Soccer

[F l i c k e r]

Well THAT game was an abomination before God and man. The US is going to get its shlt pushed in in the Group Stage and they aren't even going to get an offer of lube and a courtesy reach around.

Nah, US could potentially get a relatively easy group this go around. I hope we do too. Berhalter doesn't always pick his best players though so who knows.

Not sure on Trent. Not even so much in that he isn't a great defender because he is okay just that Liverpool leave him exposed because they go for the throat.

But what he is, is extremely limited positionally and the positions he takes up can be fairly niche. He basically plays like David Beckham. He can put a cross in from that sort of wide position about 40 yards from goal. England tried playing him in midfield he wasnt used to receiving the ball in that position. They tried playing him as a wing back and he wasnt comfortable with his starting position being to high. He likes to be able to see the game and run onto things.

The only player more niche than him is Jorgi.

Reece James is either a right wing back, right back or defensive midfielder. He can play that right sided centre back in a 3 but it's a waste. Tuchel's system is strong and has shown actually that that position is a bit simpler to play. You are free, you can press the ball and be aggressive. Hence why Rudiger has flourished.

I am fairly sure if Rudi leaves and plays in a 2 again he wont be as good.

Declan Rice will be world class imo - I like how more often than not he finds a vertical pass. I love Mount but he needs to start adding to his game now like Lampard did at a similar age. He's great without the ball and is technical and tidy with it but he needs to produce consistent moments that effect the outcomes of tight games if he is gonna be a class player and go up the level that Chelsea are gonna need him to.

Often Mount has escaped any real questions because mostly all our attackers have been rubbish for 2 seasons now and Mount at the bare minimum always works hard and shows high tactical intelligence.

Gallagher for me is old school. Reminds me of Stevie Meeee. Great energy. But quite old fashioned. I suspect he has the capability of having a bad game but really affecting the rest of the team. On the flipside he seems a genuine match winner. He is a very English player - well of that Gerrard, Lampard, Beckham era.

I think he's great but I think he will have things to learn to play for a top team. They tend to be quite formulaic.

You know me by now Sparked, I'm a bit jaded, a bit cynical these days but Trent is THE player. It makes me sick to admit it but the man is one of the best players on the planet.

He's Conte's wet dream really and if Conte did that with Victor Moses, he'd have Trent short listed for Ballon. If Trent as French or German nationality, he'd really be shortlisted for Ballon next go around. He's that good but that anti-English bias won't get him any votes in reality.

I think Reece in the back 3 would be great. Because Azpilicueta hits how many free crosses? Imagine Reece hitting those instead? Essentially a spot kick each time he's just on the edge of the last 3rd whipping a cross at Kane's forehead. lol

Oh and no doubt Rudiger is gong back to being a walking disaster once he leaves Chelsea. He was bad for Germany, he was streaky for Lampard and Sarri. That's a big sample size. He's definitely going back to getting nutmegged by Villa players if he leaves the safety of a back 3.


Is the World Cup being held this winter then? Just cancel Nov-Dec club football?

[BigZ44]

Group B gonna be a lot of fun

[ShoulderRoll]

Which is considered the Group of Death this time around?

Group C?

[BigZ44]

Which is considered the Group of Death this time around?

Group C?

There isn't one this year, E or H probably the toughest top to bottom

[F l i c k e r]

Football is coming home.

[Sparked_26]

Fun group!

[siablo14]

at Chelsea.

[F l i c k e r]

Isn't it something that as soon as Tuchel switches to a back 4, they concede 4 goals with Rudiger starting?

can't make it up. Idk how that man thinks he is worth 300k/wk. Man is a niche player purely.

[Sparked_26]

Not a fun loss haha.

Not seen it because I was working. Just as well!

[StarshipTrooper]

Am hoping this is one of the final nails in Tuchel's grossly overrated coffin. Maybe they can make a
play and get Antonio Conte back from the Spurs. At this point I'm expecting Arsenal to leapfrog the Chels and grab 3rd place.