Atletico are the closest example of a team the plays like a Mourinho Chelsea team, just a better version at the moment, main difference is having the guys who can punish mistakes and score goals.
Chelsea 2013-2014: Insufferable & Unsuccessful but Better than Arsenal
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Snakebauer007 said:
Give it a rest. Luiz had never played midfield as a professional until 9 months ago. He'll be playing central defense in Brazil this summer. He's a defender playing as a defensive midfielder. Jose also played Torres as a second right back for a while on Sunday--that doesn't make him a right back. I can understand the Luiz move, considering his positioning weaknesses, but let's not pretend he's really a midfielder just so we can meet our @ChelseaPRbot requirements.
You seem to think I look for any chance to slam Jose and Chelsea. Look back for something from me complaining about Jose's tactics on Sunday. You won't find any--because I don't go after Chelsea every chance I get. Jose set out his tactics, and it was Liverpool's responsibility to counter them. They failed.
If you can't have a sense of humor about Jose or John Terry or Roman or anything else about your club, you're missing out. Mocking one's own club's mistakes are some of the best parts of this.
Snakebauer007 said:
Cech's deal runs through 2016, (as I'm sure you know and others do not, and while we all know contracts are disposable, I'm not seeing an obvious place to send him for his golden years, especially with Valdes on the free market (albeit off an injury) at the same time.
Who knows if he'll be happy playing in London after the sun and success of Madrid? Bringing him back after he ousted the parent club and played in a CL final would show him he's wanted. Sending him back out on loan might not be so easy or might sour the relationship.
So what is the point about the 6 defenders it was a shitty headline on Soccernet(typical lazy Mourinho criticism)? This is the third(maybe 4th) manager who deployed Luiz as a midfielder and he has seen more success there this season than he has in defense(and in some big games), and it was the only choice to make with the suspensions/injuries. Azpilicueta on the wing was the direct cause of the first goal scored for Chelsea so if anything the reason for putting him there(pressing) worked. We aren't losing the tie because of the decision to start those 6 guys together, it was sloppy defending and lazy tracking back. And then honestly, Mourinho changing the strategy too soon when Atletico leveled.DLew On Roids said:
Speaking of Azpilicueta, he's probably the most important guy on the team this season, and in my mind, future captain material, what a warrior.
Courtois' Dad already said Chelsea told him he is at The Bridge next season so we shall see. Thibault himself said he doesn't want to comeback and be a #2 nor go out on loan again. Tough decision with Cech still be a top Keeper and with him being a Blue for 10 years, but you can't risk losing someone this good this young, in my opinion.soxfan121 said:
Snakebauer007 said:
I tend to agree but Cech might have five more prime years in him and Courtois having growing pains is not on Jose's preferred agenda. Plus, there might never be a better time to profit on a sale, both given Courtois performance this year and potential to increase his profile over the summer. Selling him would good for FFP reasons.
It just never seems to me like goalies are sold for huge money(Buffon maybe being the exception many years ago). Courtois is not only young, but after this season he will have all the big game experience you could ask for, and straight up right now, might very well already be better than Cech.soxfan121 said:
The grass is always greener.
Cech is proven as world class and isn't old for a goalie. Fluke injuries aside, he's as reliable as there is in the world.
I have a hard time saying Courtois is better; he might be better; he also might be worse, especially if the pressure of replacing a club legend is a problem, or he has a hard time settling in London or if Jose just doesn't want to go with potential over a known quantity.
Then again, better a year too early than a year too late.
Cech is proven as world class and isn't old for a goalie. Fluke injuries aside, he's as reliable as there is in the world.
I have a hard time saying Courtois is better; he might be better; he also might be worse, especially if the pressure of replacing a club legend is a problem, or he has a hard time settling in London or if Jose just doesn't want to go with potential over a known quantity.
Then again, better a year too early than a year too late.
It should be an interesting summer regarding the Keeper position, the holding mid position next to Matic, and of course at Striker and whether or not that includes a big signing and/or Lukakusoxfan121 said:
Ramires, Luiz, and Azpilicueta - along with the back 4 and Schwarzer - is 8/11 almost entirely defensive players on the pitch. At home. In the second leg of a 0-0.
I've made no secret of my love for Mourinho as a WWE heel in the football world, but he outsmarted himself today.
I've made no secret of my love for Mourinho as a WWE heel in the football world, but he outsmarted himself today.
I always forget Cech is still only 31. Hell, he may have 10 years left in him if he's like van der Sar.soxfan121 said:
Speaking of 41-YOs, the RTE commentator said today that Schwartzer has had his shin guards longer than Courtois has been alive.
"And then honestly, Mourinho changing the strategy too soon when Atletico leveled"blueline said:
He rushed into changing the initial strategy and it fell apart from there.
We were luck to use the Schwartz with Cech out, in the past it would have been Hilario or Turnbull and we would have stood no chanceDLew On Roids said:
Snakebauer007 said:
Was Matić not fit? I admittedly was unable to watch with sound on so I may have missed that. I know he played Sunday but others in the starting 11 (Ivanovic, Cole, Azpilicueta, etc) did as well.
Also seemed insane to me to not field Oscar unless he was carrying a knock. IMO the ideal lineup would have included Willian on the right wing, Hazard on the left wing, Azpilicueta in Cole's role with Matić Luiz holding while providing support down the left, Oscar at the 10 dropping deep to fill Matić's Luiz's void, and Ramires as the right holding mid.
And again, if Matić wasn't fit that's my bad, but Luiz could have done the same - all this to say that playing three fullbacks with one out of position seems a bit mad.
edit: this is what happens when you're drunk, watching hockey, and decide it's a good time to discuss this
Not that this is particularly ground breaking about Chelsea, but I found these comments interesting as far as a player actually saying it:
https://twitter.com/laurensjulien/status/461801263597113344
https://twitter.com/laurensjulien/status/461801385697488896
https://twitter.com/laurensjulien/status/461801263597113344
https://twitter.com/laurensjulien/status/461801385697488896
Snakebauer007 said:
You guys had interest in Ruddy not too long ago; with Norwich almost surely being relegated this year I think it's at least possible they explore that possibility once again.
But Cech IMO is still going to be the main guy; at 31 and still playing at a world-class level, with a defensive mastermind as his manager, I suspect Jose prefers the sure thing in Cech then in breaking in another young player.
https://twitter.com/laurensjulien/status/461801263597113344[URL="https://twitter.com/laurensjulien/status/461801263597113344sachmoney said:
https://twitter.com/laurensjulien/status/461801263597113344"]mabrowndog
mabrowndog is a dingus is a dingus[/url]
https://twitter.com/laurensjulien/status/461801385697488896https://twitter.com/laurensjulien/status/461801385697488896"]mabrowndog is a dingus[/url]
He actually said we play more like Real, on the counter, which is true, and not at all as damning as people would like it to be. The part of him having to do too much on his own, well that's been true a lot this season, mainly because we have no striker worth his boots, and too many injury concerns like:
http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/5/1/5671220/oscar-chelsea-fc-hip-injury
soxfan121 said:
I believe it was Terry who said he didn't mind spending his retirement "counting his medals in a wheelchair." I may not like him, but he's a tough s.o.b.
I remember the comeback so early from back surgery, I was amazed then and continue to be.soxfan121 said:
Billy R Ford said:
I'm adding Mr Terry to my list of living things that will survive the apocalypse. So far i have Cockroaches; Ozzie Osbourne; Lemmy; Keith Richards; Joan Rivers, ma mate Gibby and now John Terry.
Nick Kaufman said:
I know this is snark, but it actually does make me ask: is there testing in the EPL for this stuff?
NOTE WELL: I am not saying I think Terry or any particular player is on something. I'm asking because I honestly don't know if the league has policies in place.
Smiling Joe Hesketh said:
There is a testing program but its incredibly weak.
Doping in European football is an issue that a lot of powerful people within the game are decidedly set on not exploring very far, at all costs.
For example, look up the case of Eufemiano Fuentes. The Spanish authorities managed to prosecute this guy while simultaneously going out of their way to make sure that he never named names regarding who he doped among non-cyclists.
I was being serious though. If a recovery looks superhuman, well... IMO, chances are that some less than natural substances were in play.
fletcherpost said:
Interestingly, all of these people, except Joan Rivers (and perhaps Gibby) have birthdays close to one another. Not sure why I looked that up. But I did. Gibby does not appear to have a wikipedia page (yet).
Lemmy was born on Christmas eve. John Terry on Pearl Harbor day. Make of this what you will.
sachmoney said:
Didn't take long for the Empire to strike back. Seems it's the only creative player in the team that's getting the blame for the Atletico defeat, notwithstanding the numerous defensive players that were on the pitch at the time. Two players allowed the ball to go straight across the 6-yard box and yes, he should have tracked the player but even so, I'm not sure he would have had any effect on the ability for the player to cross the ball.
Call for Hazard...PSG are on the phone. Wouldn't mind seeing a cheeky bid from LFC, actually, just to see what would happen
Will we see a 10-0-0 formation before the end of the season?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27253738
Edit for forgetting the link.
Why would Hazard consider Liverpool? I mean I wouldn't mind Chelsea putting in a bid for Messi, but it seems pointless.
Mourinho calling out Hazard(because Hazard had to whine about the loss) leads me to worry that we may encounter another Mourinho-Robben situation and lose someone we cannot replace. Or maybe Hazard is the type of player to use it as motivation, we shall see.
Bringing in Costa should def help take away some of his worries about having to play with the likes of Torres and Ba anymore.
Mourinho calling out Hazard(because Hazard had to whine about the loss) leads me to worry that we may encounter another Mourinho-Robben situation and lose someone we cannot replace. Or maybe Hazard is the type of player to use it as motivation, we shall see.
Bringing in Costa should def help take away some of his worries about having to play with the likes of Torres and Ba anymore.
WAGNH with the case for Costa:
http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/5/2/5673942/the-case-of-diego-costa
http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/5/2/5673942/the-case-of-diego-costa
Snakebauer007 said:
I don't think Liverpool would pay for him, and even if they did, I don't think Chelsea would sell him to Liverpool.
That said, if an offer came, why wouldn't he consider Liverpool? They will be in the Champions League, and he might feel the style of play would better fit his skills.
They qualified for the CL next season, but he could go to any team in Europe that offered a much more consistent opportunity to play CL football(its been 4 or 5 seasons?) and win trophies.SoxFanInCali said:
The journalist Mina Rzouki has said on BBC's World Football Phone-In that Liverpool has legendary status with many continental players, and that the chance to play in the Liverpool shirt itself is a huge attraction. She focuses mostly on Italy, so her perspective may apply more to Italian players, but it's worth noting that four or five years is a short time in creating or ruining a team's iconic status.
None of this means that Eden Hazard is moving to Liverpool, of course. As I read it, the suggestion was simply that Liverpool put in a bid to fuck around with Chelsea. It's a policy that I'd endorse, but Rodgers seems the type to focus on his own team.
None of this means that Eden Hazard is moving to Liverpool, of course. As I read it, the suggestion was simply that Liverpool put in a bid to fuck around with Chelsea. It's a policy that I'd endorse, but Rodgers seems the type to focus on his own team.
I cannot see John Henry authorizing the $100M it would take to pry Hazard loose.
I mean, we are talking about one of the five best attacking/creative players in the world right now.
Unless Real Madrid turns Suarez's head with a similar offer. And frankly, Liverpool would be better off investing any money they have - Suarez sale or not - in some guys who could actually play defense.
I mean, we are talking about one of the five best attacking/creative players in the world right now.
Unless Real Madrid turns Suarez's head with a similar offer. And frankly, Liverpool would be better off investing any money they have - Suarez sale or not - in some guys who could actually play defense.
Liverpool have played some of the most exciting attacking football in the Premiership this year. From a pure fit perspective, I think that it would make sense. I doubt Liverpool bids on him and I doubt that Hazard would consider Anfield. Hazard gives off a new money type vibe to me, and I'd think a place like Real or PSG would be more desirable to him. He did say he dreamed of playing at Real at one point, I believe.
If he wants to stay in London, there's an old man with a dusty war chest up across town...
If he wants to stay in London, there's an old man with a dusty war chest up across town...
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