The Chelsea Thread

[Mike.]

It's got nothing to do with how attacking he is. I think its more to the fact of how versatile and positionally aware he is already.

Except he really isnt that aware for the role he will play deeper for Chelsea, as Alcaraz and I discussed. He has been very lacking in defensive concentration and defensive positioning, mainly since he hasnt had to do it at club level, but even as AM you need to show defensive awareness to the threat, (Rooney for United is a very good example of this) this is a weakness of his.

And again Lucas and Ramires, two very positionally aware players, especially Lucas, both still found it tough adapting.

 

[CJACKO11]

Except he really isnt that aware for the role he will play deeper for Chelsea, as Alcaraz and I discussed. He has been very lacking in defensive concentration and defensive positioning, mainly since he hasnt had to do it at club level, but even as AM you need to show defensive awareness to the threat, (Rooney for United is a very good example of this) this is a weakness of his.

And again Lucas and Ramires, two very positionally aware players, especially Lucas, both still found it tough adapting.

Lucas was a whole different thing, Oscar has played this role before and yes he may not be the best in that role or anywhere near it but he is aware of it. Lucas was a fully fledged attacking midfielder when he first joined Liverpool, had to learn a completely new role in a very tough league. It was the same with Mikel in that sense and Anderson too.

 

[Mike.]

Lucas was a whole different thing, Oscar has played this role before and yes he may not be the best in that role or anywhere near it but he is aware of it. Lucas was a fully fledged attacking midfielder when he first joined Liverpool, had to learn a completely new role in a very tough league. It was the same with Mikel in that sense and Anderson too.

Oscar hasnt played as part of a pivot for 4 years. Playing at junior level is entirely different to playing fast paced in the Premiership, Spain or anywhere else like that. He is going to need time to learn basically a new role, in a new team, in a new league, and a new style of play. Its crazy to think he will stroll into it. Hence the saying is totally apt.

 

[Frank]

I think Oscar can play a part into a pivot over time, but it's quite naive to suggest any 19-year-old, bar Jack Wilshere (hehe) can just stroll into it, especially considering he won't have grown up in the English game.

 

[Mike.]

I think Oscar can play a part into a pivot over time, but it's quite naive to suggest any 19-year-old, bar Jack Wilshere (hehe) can just stroll into it, especially considering he won't have grown up in the English game.

I'm not saying he cant do it. I'm saying its mental to think that he will just walk into it. Even Wilshere started high, and then dropped back as his game improved.

 

[CJACKO11]

Oscar hasnt played as part of a pivot for 4 years. Playing at junior level is entirely different to playing fast paced in the Premiership, Spain or anywhere else like that. He is going to need time to learn basically a new role, in a new team, in a new league, and a new style of play. Its crazy to think he will stroll into it. Hence the saying is totally apt.

I am not saying he will be sensational straight away etc. I am suggesting i believe he will be better than some people think he will be in his first year. From what i have seen/heard about him and the way Chelsea go about helping these players settle into a new country i believe he will very impressive. My prediction is it will take him 6 months minimum.

 

[Mike.]

I am not saying he will be sensational straight away etc. I am suggesting i believe he will be better than some people think he will be in his first year. From what i have seen/heard about him and the way Chelsea go about helping these players settle into a new country i believe he will very impressive. My prediction is it will take him 6 months minimum.

I think he will start to show results this season, but you wont see his very best for some time, simply because of the manner of the role. It's not suprise the very best are about 25/26 when they first hit their peak in this area.

 

[CJACKO11]

I think he will start to show results this season, but you wont see his very best for some time, simply because of the manner of the role. It's not suprise the very best are about 25/26 when they first hit their peak in this area.

Oh i agree with that, the role gets better with maturity and that comes with age. Like Cazorla i think his versatility could be key though.

 

[Alcaraz]

Except he really isnt that aware for the role he will play deeper for Chelsea, as Alcaraz and I discussed. He has been very lacking in defensive concentration and defensive positioning, mainly since he hasnt had to do it at club level, but even as AM you need to show defensive awareness to the threat, (Rooney for United is a very good example of this) this is a weakness of his.

And again Lucas and Ramires, two very positionally aware players, especially Lucas, both still found it tough adapting.

He definitely needs to develop the defensive side of his game. Even against South Korea, while he put in the effort to pressurize the opposing players... He was rarely successfull in any of his attempted challenges and was ineffective at best when defending. Even though he was an absolute delight to watch when Brazil were on the attack

Also its important to consider that he would not be given the same sort of freedom he is given right now with the Brazil Olympic team at Chelsea and would likely have to adopt a more disciplined role making it all the more important for him to get to work on his defensive skills as soon as he arrives

In my opinion, with his versatility he will likely get many games next season in the band of 3 behind the striker with Lampard used as a stopgap measure for that role in the double pivot. Slowly the club will and help him make the transition deeper.

Right now though, its important we do not add a major positional overhaul on top of all the other difficulties Oscar will face when he comes to Chelsea. We have seen that Brazilian players (Lucas, Ramires) take time to adapt to the EPL and the same will probably be true for Oscar.

 

[Mike.]

He definitely needs to develop the defensive side of his game. Even against South Korea, while he put in the effort to pressurize the opposing players... He was rarely successfull in any of his attempted challenges and was ineffective at best when defending. Even though he was an absolute delight to watch when Brazil were on the attack

Also its important to consider that he would not be given the same sort of freedom he is given right now with the Brazil Olympic team at Chelsea and would likely have to adopt a more disciplined role making it all the more important for him to get to work on his defensive skills as soon as he arrives

In my opinion, with his versatility he will likely get many games next season in the band of 3 behind the striker with Lampard used as a stopgap measure for that role in the double pivot. Slowly the club will and help him make the transition deeper.

Right now though, its important we do not add a major positional overhaul on top of all the other difficulties Oscar will face when he comes to Chelsea. We have seen that Brazilian players (Lucas, Ramires) take time to adapt to the EPL and the same will probably be true for Oscar.

Indeed, i dont think there is much debate about the attacking side game, although obviously there will be things he has to pick up. But defensively, still very much all over the place. When you consider he was the alternative choice to Modric, comparing the two its very clear just how much he has to improve defensively just to be as defensively proficient.

As i said before I very much expect his development path to be similar to Modric, ie attacking band this season, possibly next one as well before gradually moving deeper.

 

[oja20]

I'm really excited by Oscar, I was unsure when we were linked and his price but he's really grown on me in the Olympics. Regarding him (and Chelsea as a team) defensively, this season will be hard to watch in my opinion. We are going to have a front 4 and 1 of the 2 CM's will attack if its Lamps or Rambo when playing a 4231.

Roll on Sunday

 

[Alcaraz]

Lukaku's agent confirmed that he is attempting to broker a loan deal for Lukaku to an EPL club although its not Fulham. Its a good thing this as Lukaku still needs to develop his touch for which he needs games at the top level which he will not get at Chelsea behind Torres and Sturridge in the pecking order for the Centre Forward role.

Also reports now coming out that Chelsea are preparing to blow Leverkusen out of the water with a 20m pound bid for Schurrle. We definitely made a bid for Schurrle in teh region of 15m pounds which was rejected because Leverkusen felt they could not get an adequate replacement for that sort of money. Perhaps they will reconsider if we do make another bid. Apparently Ambramovich is going to meet the Leverkusen bosses himself in order to get the deal done.

If it was a choice between Schurrle and Moses- I would take Schurrle. Has much more potential from what I have heard and seen.

Also with Schurrle/Moses and Azpilicueta we will be having one of the youngest or possibly the youngest squad in the EPL. So really hope people stop going on about how old our squad is based on 2-3 players

 

[Alcaraz]

Chad De Clos, the lad who beat Michael Phelps in the 100m butterfly I think is a Chelsea fan and visited Cobham today. He raced 4 Chelsea Youth players one after the other and obviously beat them comfortably. Video is on the Chelsea website with some pretty hilarious commentary as well

Also judging by the video, I don't think Piazon ever took swimming lessons. Nearly injured Le Clos at the end

 

[ChrisBird]

Chad De Clos, the lad who beat Michael Phelps in the 100m butterfly I think is a Chelsea fan and visited Cobham today. He raced 4 Chelsea Youth players one after the other and obviously beat them comfortably. Video is on the Chelsea website with some pretty hilarious commentary as well

Also judging by the video, I don't think Piazon ever took swimming lessons. Nearly injured Le Clos at the end

Le Clos is an MUFC fan, unfortunately!

As for Piazón, I think he just did that to try and stop Le Clos from winning, but obviously failed.

 

[Alcaraz]

Le Clos is an MUFC fan, unfortunately!

As for Piazón, I think he just did that to try and stop Le Clos from winning, but obviously failed.

What! Then what was he doing at Cobham. Well his dad is a Chelsea fan for sure

 

[Quasit]

Lukaku's agent confirmed that he is attempting to broker a loan deal for Lukaku to an EPL club although its not Fulham. Its a good thing this as Lukaku still needs to develop his touch for which he needs games at the top level which he will not get at Chelsea behind Torres and Sturridge in the pecking order for the Centre Forward role.

Hope he goes to Everton. Could have a really good season there with Moyes.

 

[ChrisBird]

What! Then what was he doing at Cobham. Well his dad is a Chelsea fan for sure

He was probably just invited by the club, and thought 'why not?' Not everyday you get invited to a PL club's training ground! Not sure about Bert! I'd guess he's an MUFC, but who knows?! I know Chad said his dad would be jealous, but might not necessarily mean he supports us.

 

[CJACKO11]

Hearing the Azpilicueta deal will be done either tomorrow if not then Saturday. Moses deal could be completed on Saturday too.

 

[CJACKO11]

Tickets for Sunday's community shield are not on general sale for Chelsea fans, priced at just £35 each.

 

[Alcaraz]

Apparently Middlesbrough are looking to take McEachran on loan. Would not mind it if he plays in the Championship as long as he gets games

Also it seems as if West Brom will be the ones taking Lukaku on loan