Chelsea Roster: What Needs To Change?
by Dlewis on Nov 8, 2011 3:18 AM GMT
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It's time for round two of my forecast into the future of Chelsea's squad. Format stays the same as the last time, I'll give my take on what needs to be done and then what I think AVB will do. Now let's take a look into the future of the Chelsea Midfield.
The holding midfield position could be argued as Chelsea's strongest. Mikel is a efficient and defensively superb option at a mere 24 years old while Romeu is a amazingly gifted youth option. So what needs changing here? Not much. With Ramires and Meireles both capable of playing holding the position has great depth. The only event that would spark a move would probably be Barcelona's realizing Romeu potential and taking him back to compete with Sergio Busquets. That being said, one would have to figure Chelsea worked a stipulation in to buy him permanently for a figure higher than Barcelona's buyback price. If Romeu does go, the top prospect is Yann M'Vila. The young destroyer plays for Rennes in France and would probably cost around 20-25 million. However, all things considered, we shouldn't expect more acquisitions in the holding midfield position.
Now we move on to the Midfielders that sit in front of the holding mid. This position is far more tricky to predict going foreword. To be honest, It is largely pinned down on how long Frank Lampard will continue to perform at a high level. He's proved so far this year to still have the unbelievable scoring touch that we all know and love. But how long will he have that touch? That's why I think we need another midfielder. Ramires is a lock for the future but he needs a play maker by his side for him to truly play his game. Potential targets are scattered throughout Europe and England of players who will fill this role. One appealing would be a purchase of Ross Barkley from Everton. The thought of having England's future midfield (Josh and Barkley) is downright scrumptious. However Barkley would come at a premium for a player who's made a couple a impressive appearances for Everton. A more complete prospect that would sell for the same would be Christian Eriksen. He currently provides the creative spark in the Ajax midfield. For me, he provides the most value. Josh Mceachran has tremendous talent but I feel we need another young midfielder to compliment him. Does AVB see it the same way? That's where it gets tough. He just splashed 12 million on Raul Meireles, and with Essien coming back in january, it seems unlikely will see a new midfielder in the winter transfer window. That could change of course with Abramovich deciding to pull some strings from up in his Russian mansion. Overall, A move in the summer is the best bet.
The creativity need in the Chelsea midfield has been well documented, this requires a player who can unlock a defense with a single pass like David Silva. The Chelsea hierarchy recognizes this too, which explains why Javier Pastore nearly became a Chelsea player this summer. Hopefully we can find a player to fit this need through the transfer market. if it means spending over 25 million, so be it.
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I don't think we need another destroyer even if romeu leaves
essien can play in that role so can ramires and meireles. I think that’s enough cover….I think its way better if we spend it on two wingers or on an AM….m’vila is class though
Where is the meatloaf?
Ramires can't and wouldn't play holder
Not the best at tackling, not physically imposing, and ball distribution is not his strong point. Also, his first touch is lacking which is crucial in general for holding midfielders as to not lose the ball in critical positions, and also because AvB has hinted several times as that being the key component when he selects one – see his comments on Romeu after we beat Genk 5-0.
I think he played Holding at Benfica
And I know he’s done so for Brazil. Maybe he doesn’t fit AVB’s requirements, but I do think he better at it than you say.
He might be ok at it
but it’s not that he doesn’t fit AVB’s requirements, it’s that he doesn’t really fit a hlding midfielder’s requirements. Single holding mids all do pretty much the same job no matter what team or system they are in: break up attacks and the counter and make sure to cover at the back for players going forward. Also they must be very aware players positionally, they constantly need to be in the right spot.
Ramires is a great player, but none of those things are really his strong suits. His biggest assest, imo, is his engine. He can run all day, and while he isn’t the fastest guy , he can outrun just about anybody because he has such great stamina. Him in a holding mid role essentially takes away what he is best at, holding mids don’t really run that much especially compared to the box-to-box role he plays now.
Imo him in a holding mid position is a waste of his talents.
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#JesusisLord
by Noleforever9399 on Nov 9, 2011 3:00 AM GMT up reply actions
I agree
I was just saying that the only option I could see in the market is M’vila. I would rather see us spend that money through Youth and the attack.
There are many options
De Rossi might leave Roma and we can even go for Javi Martinez. I am not saying we should sign one of them but just stating there are options in the market
Shift to a 4231 and the kind of CDM we need changes
meaning that Mikel would have extra cover and may stop being over cautious, freeing the range and speed of passing he had when we bought him, Ramires becomes a non-waste as part of a holding midfield as as one of two there’s still room to wander, Raul becomes PERFECT for one of the slots as would Romeu with Lamps and Josh (naturally Essien when fit)also capable of doing the job-having just one CDM when you have no Makelele actually frustrates our attacking movement and our personnel. Being really honest the ONLY player at the club capable of doing the single holding role is Romeu and AVB hasn’t got the balls to play him-though clearly our best bet in a 433 by about three billion miles.
Also, for anyone saying Luiz be considered for a midfield berth:STOP IT. It’s silly, pointless, won’t work for anyone and has no place in serious, or semi serious conversations about football. He’s a massive weapon as a free roaming, forward thinking defender but in a midfield where those attributes are common, space is tighter and expression not a surprise you’d lode EVERYTHING about him that’s any good whatsoever. So, the 2 holding players also means leaving Dave , every game, at the back gives more cover and sees more of him while he gets his defending up to scratch.
My primary desires are for a creative, pass first loads of assists midfielder this summer (IF Josh gets out and IF he doesn’t look ready for a full time starting position next year, otherwise just give the job to McEachran next season and we’re golden.) A midfield of Romeu/Mikel and Ramires/Essien, McEachran if Romeu and McEachran keep developing, and Ramires starts putting away a few more of his chances is mouthwatering to me.
A right back that doesn’t have a gaping void in his game, or a man-meld lab to give us Brose Bosingovic. Gigantic scary-faced unibrowed attacking fullback with aerial prowess and the ability to defend.
After that I’d just like to see Malouda hit the road, I don’t necessarily care who or what we get in, be it a winger, supporting striker, CF, AM…etc. Malouda isn’t challenging for a starting spot, his wages are high, and he’s pulled multiple, 6-15 match disappearing acts. I’ll always love him for how he played under Hiddink, but he isn’t doing enough, for me, to justify him staying on.
I've Been Waiting
For Malouda to go for a couple of seasons. I guess he scores just enough goals and assists to stay in the roatation and in the sqaud.
He was, arguably, our most creative player last season
Of course, whether that says more about our overall creativity or his individual skills/abilities is up for debate…
I also want him to go now but
If he would have went earlier we would be in trouble. I think he is given less credit then he deserves. He was one of the major reasons Chelsea were able to come back last season and fight for the title.
Definitely agree about Malouda
He hasn’t been Chelsea material for a while now. He holds the ball up too much, doesn’t make quick passes, and is generally pretty selfish to be honest. I’m ready for him to go and bring in a young team-player wing
by AmericanChelseaFans on Nov 8, 2011 5:29 PM GMT up reply actions
Josh should be PLAYING
not going on loan as I’m yet to understand exactly when he’s let Chelsea down on the are chances he’s been given. Kalou had a billion, and counting, chances while Josh who seems as talented and reliable as any midfielder at the club never gets a go. Romeu is almost as ignored and the biggest let down of the AVB era is his refusal to play the younger members in anything other than dead games.
When will the chance come for Josh? Malouda Kalou, Anelka, Bos, Raul, Mikel must be AMAZING in effin training.
None of those players (Raul excepting) play Josh's position.
Josh competes for one spot with Lampard and Miereles. Malouda, Anelka and Kalou can come on for three-four different positions each, Josh can come in for one.
Essien is injured and Romeu isn’t, I’d surmise, pushing Mikel out of the holding role with his performances in training.
We don’t have many options at RB, so if Ivan is at CB, or needs a rest, or match-up depending, Bossy starts.
Josh is trying to break into the starting 11, and if he plays it means our goals and assists leader doesn’t.
That being said, I’ve been extremely frustrated that he hasn’t seen a lot more time, or been loaned out, but you can’t compare his situation to the rest of the players you named.
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