Apologies in advance but this is going to be a long one, Si.
It's been great to have well-evidenced and explained insights from the writers you've brought on SADTC. This article is not that.
The writer's description of a DM/CDM as a "mobile player" who is "athletic, strong, tall, combative, defensively sound" sounds like a defender to me. It doesn't describe some of the best DMs over the last 5 years: Verratti (short), Brozovic/Bellingham (slim build), not even our own Kanté fits the bill (for those who see him as a DM). The repeated references to Matic and how we played 5/10/15 years ago are false equivalents to 2022 as, to each their own opinion but, I'm of the view that the PL has changed a fair bit over the past decade and half.
Context matters. Always. The article gives this when discussing Kanté ("Constantly rushed back from injury layoffs, as he is always overly relied on"). Jorginho isn't offered the same grace despite playing through pain and on painkiller injections last season. Yet they draw on examples from 2021/22 to show why his role means "the team is shackled or caged, unable to explore the OPTION to be more free, due to having no real platform to spring from".
The view that "So many of our players are used out of position, or not within their correct roles" is made with no explanation for why this is bad - other than the "square peg in a round hole" analogy used. Players being used in positions other than their own is neither a new phenomenon nor bad necessarily.
There are countless "square peg in a round hole" examples in which the player has succeeded: Lahm/Kimmich (take your pick: CM, DM, RB, LB), Bale (LB to LW/RW), Mata (LW to CAM/RW), Kompany (DM to CB), Alaba (CM to CB/LB), Cancelo (from RB/RM to LWB/LB).
Playing in a new position can make some players more well-rounded or take their game to another level; Hazard's "played out of position" from RW to LW at Lille. For others, it's out of necessity, a stopgap given their attributes for a position that a manager may not have a suitable player; just yesterday we saw Pep use Kyle Walker as an inverted fullback and a holding CM.
Coaches watch and analyse these players day in, day out. They'll see things we simply won't as we aren't privy to all training data, case in point: RLC at RWB. Very few, outside of those who've analysed his abilities close up, would've thought that could work.
I haven't heard of the writer before. This sounds sarcastic but it's not my intention as I'm genuinely curious; what qualifies their opinions over other supporters or is a fan-segment something we'll be seeing more often? Their Twitter provides no further info. Nevertheless, hope they feel better after getting this off their chest - even though it looks like they do plenty of it on FT...and now on here too.
There's nothing wrong with criticism (whether it's constructive is subject) and I can respect work has gone into writing a piece of this length. However, this reads more like a very protracted, ill-evidenced rant about the "supremely limited Jorginho", with some fair and unfair shots at Tuchel, rather than a constructive, analytical explanation on why we need another DM (an opinion I agree with fwiw).
Well written great clips that help explain, we have never replaced the spin of the team simple as that. A Maka type player would let the others flourish, maybe even Timo would have flourished you could see the direction Frank was taking the team, the conundrum that TT knows what he wants continues, if its Rice we need then that should of been priority 1 bar none or anything similar. Take the 2005/6/7 teams and replace the players with what we have now, that's the game we play, Gallagher could be Frank Mk2 but he needs a Maka
Took a second read and I genuinely think that’s a laughable piece of writing. I commend the effort but Football is totally different to how it was almost a decade ago and so is Chelsea. It’s wrong to think we can set up how we did 8 years ago or to attibute our attack success due to Matic and not Hazard, Costa and Cesc is funny
Briliant Si - CDM should have been top of the list so we can play a back 4 and fit attackers into their more natural positions. The present structure is simply not working and I am bemused as to why TT has not addressed this issue.....because failure to do so could well cost him.
Great article!!!!!!, very detailed and clearly highlighting our biggest flaw at the moment. There are too many situations where our defenders are left one on one. Although it did feel a bit personal felt like an attack on Jorginho and Tuchel. Your right though, this level of play is unsustainable. It actually frightening we are going into anther season with this issue and Tuchel has declared only Rice as the solution is maddening. But looking at it from a different perspective even though this is the most important aspect to improve, I am super happy with our summer acquisitions. It might not be the most financial sensible decision, but clearly buying proven premier league quality is still the best. To me it feels like getting this kind of player(DM) would be the missing piece of the puzzle rather than just be part of the puzzle. I dont know if Tuchel will be the one to fit everything together at the end of day, but along as in the new era, we buying quality players, its a positive. Chelsea will not continue with this Midfield forever. Feel the article is a bit too downbeat and negative, you can feel the frustrations from reading it, dont get me wrong your right. But having this has the first article of season feels like a Dooms day season. Anyways thanks for the insight. Up the Chels!!!!!!
Jorginho only conceded 16 in 2300 prem when on the pitch meaning we conceded 17 in 1200 without him playing which shows how valuable he is. What he lacks defensively in his athleticism he makes up for with his incredible ball retention and they best way to stop the opponents from scoring is by not letting them have the ball. Also Jorginho being at partly at fault for not ‘unlocking others’ is laughable when we have dross on the pitch. Jorginho is far from perfect but blame is always shifted to him
Brilliant piece, literally highlights all my thoughts on the subject! I do like jorginho but for me his deficiencies out weigh his positives imo and he should be the one or make way for this DM. I like Frenkie De Jong but is he what we need? It seems more of a signing to pair next to a Rice or someone of Rice’s ilk. Like you said it’s the most glaring deficiency in our team and one of the reasons why our attack is so inconsistent. Look at Liverpool when they lost Van Dijk, the full backs were effected, the midfield was effected which then effected their attack! Everything is connected in football and some people forget that.
Morning Si, i was wondering most people know that Tuchel wants Rice but surely there is another player with a similar profile that we are interested in? De Jong is very good but hes not a 6, hes an 8 and we already have a few of them.
Apologies in advance but this is going to be a long one, Si.
It's been great to have well-evidenced and explained insights from the writers you've brought on SADTC. This article is not that.
The writer's description of a DM/CDM as a "mobile player" who is "athletic, strong, tall, combative, defensively sound" sounds like a defender to me. It doesn't describe some of the best DMs over the last 5 years: Verratti (short), Brozovic/Bellingham (slim build), not even our own Kanté fits the bill (for those who see him as a DM). The repeated references to Matic and how we played 5/10/15 years ago are false equivalents to 2022 as, to each their own opinion but, I'm of the view that the PL has changed a fair bit over the past decade and half.
Context matters. Always. The article gives this when discussing Kanté ("Constantly rushed back from injury layoffs, as he is always overly relied on"). Jorginho isn't offered the same grace despite playing through pain and on painkiller injections last season. Yet they draw on examples from 2021/22 to show why his role means "the team is shackled or caged, unable to explore the OPTION to be more free, due to having no real platform to spring from".
The view that "So many of our players are used out of position, or not within their correct roles" is made with no explanation for why this is bad - other than the "square peg in a round hole" analogy used. Players being used in positions other than their own is neither a new phenomenon nor bad necessarily.
There are countless "square peg in a round hole" examples in which the player has succeeded: Lahm/Kimmich (take your pick: CM, DM, RB, LB), Bale (LB to LW/RW), Mata (LW to CAM/RW), Kompany (DM to CB), Alaba (CM to CB/LB), Cancelo (from RB/RM to LWB/LB).
Playing in a new position can make some players more well-rounded or take their game to another level; Hazard's "played out of position" from RW to LW at Lille. For others, it's out of necessity, a stopgap given their attributes for a position that a manager may not have a suitable player; just yesterday we saw Pep use Kyle Walker as an inverted fullback and a holding CM.
Coaches watch and analyse these players day in, day out. They'll see things we simply won't as we aren't privy to all training data, case in point: RLC at RWB. Very few, outside of those who've analysed his abilities close up, would've thought that could work.
I haven't heard of the writer before. This sounds sarcastic but it's not my intention as I'm genuinely curious; what qualifies their opinions over other supporters or is a fan-segment something we'll be seeing more often? Their Twitter provides no further info. Nevertheless, hope they feel better after getting this off their chest - even though it looks like they do plenty of it on FT...and now on here too.
There's nothing wrong with criticism (whether it's constructive is subject) and I can respect work has gone into writing a piece of this length. However, this reads more like a very protracted, ill-evidenced rant about the "supremely limited Jorginho", with some fair and unfair shots at Tuchel, rather than a constructive, analytical explanation on why we need another DM (an opinion I agree with fwiw).
Well written great clips that help explain, we have never replaced the spin of the team simple as that. A Maka type player would let the others flourish, maybe even Timo would have flourished you could see the direction Frank was taking the team, the conundrum that TT knows what he wants continues, if its Rice we need then that should of been priority 1 bar none or anything similar. Take the 2005/6/7 teams and replace the players with what we have now, that's the game we play, Gallagher could be Frank Mk2 but he needs a Maka
This article is amazing. Great work, beautifully written.
This article is amazing. Great work, beautifully written.
Took a second read and I genuinely think that’s a laughable piece of writing. I commend the effort but Football is totally different to how it was almost a decade ago and so is Chelsea. It’s wrong to think we can set up how we did 8 years ago or to attibute our attack success due to Matic and not Hazard, Costa and Cesc is funny
Excellently thorough article. Hope TT reads it. Highlights how vital it is we get the right person/people for the CDM role
Briliant Si - CDM should have been top of the list so we can play a back 4 and fit attackers into their more natural positions. The present structure is simply not working and I am bemused as to why TT has not addressed this issue.....because failure to do so could well cost him.
Great article!!!!!!, very detailed and clearly highlighting our biggest flaw at the moment. There are too many situations where our defenders are left one on one. Although it did feel a bit personal felt like an attack on Jorginho and Tuchel. Your right though, this level of play is unsustainable. It actually frightening we are going into anther season with this issue and Tuchel has declared only Rice as the solution is maddening. But looking at it from a different perspective even though this is the most important aspect to improve, I am super happy with our summer acquisitions. It might not be the most financial sensible decision, but clearly buying proven premier league quality is still the best. To me it feels like getting this kind of player(DM) would be the missing piece of the puzzle rather than just be part of the puzzle. I dont know if Tuchel will be the one to fit everything together at the end of day, but along as in the new era, we buying quality players, its a positive. Chelsea will not continue with this Midfield forever. Feel the article is a bit too downbeat and negative, you can feel the frustrations from reading it, dont get me wrong your right. But having this has the first article of season feels like a Dooms day season. Anyways thanks for the insight. Up the Chels!!!!!!
Jorginho only conceded 16 in 2300 prem when on the pitch meaning we conceded 17 in 1200 without him playing which shows how valuable he is. What he lacks defensively in his athleticism he makes up for with his incredible ball retention and they best way to stop the opponents from scoring is by not letting them have the ball. Also Jorginho being at partly at fault for not ‘unlocking others’ is laughable when we have dross on the pitch. Jorginho is far from perfect but blame is always shifted to him
Brilliant piece, literally highlights all my thoughts on the subject! I do like jorginho but for me his deficiencies out weigh his positives imo and he should be the one or make way for this DM. I like Frenkie De Jong but is he what we need? It seems more of a signing to pair next to a Rice or someone of Rice’s ilk. Like you said it’s the most glaring deficiency in our team and one of the reasons why our attack is so inconsistent. Look at Liverpool when they lost Van Dijk, the full backs were effected, the midfield was effected which then effected their attack! Everything is connected in football and some people forget that.
Morning Si, i was wondering most people know that Tuchel wants Rice but surely there is another player with a similar profile that we are interested in? De Jong is very good but hes not a 6, hes an 8 and we already have a few of them.
Not heard of any. Only wants Dec apparently.