Carney Chuka from the bench as a no. 8? Looks like a v gd player if he can stay fit. Could he also play wide at a pinch? One more question: does Gusto have any experience/potential for inversion? (Reece’s fitness still concerns me.)
Luke, I wonder if the a winner might end up being Nkunku. Because of the need for the 9 to be able to drop deep when needed to link play, I could see a scenario where he ends up being the preferred 9 and Jackson ends up playing an Anelka-like position on the left wing, though he'll be far more willing to work in the wide areas than Anelka ever did.
Potentially mate, personally I don't see Nkunku as an out and out 9, and still thoroughly believe we need a "traditional 9" but he could certainly do a job there when required
I agree that we need a more traditional 9, but I think you need the right one that can also do a bit of link play. If it's an Osimhen 9 who contributes very little to the build up besides getting in the box, I don't think he'll be quite as effective.
I don't either. I think he's a very specific type of striker who's good inside the penalty area, but he's not very good anywhere else on the pitch. And I don't see the potential for him to develop that side of his game in the same way that I saw, say, Haaland potentially be able to develop a more all-around center forward skill set.
Agree to disagree on the Chilly/Cucu debate, Luke. I'm firmly in the camp of keeping Ben and moving Cucu on. I understand the point about Ben not being a perfect stylistic fit, but he can adapt and he is one of the few guys around the club that's left from the UCL winning side and who gets what it means to be Chels.
Also, I don't think there's any way the midfield 3 isn't Lavia, Enzo, and Caicedo. Reports mentioned Enzo M. having a detailed plan for how to use Enzo F., he knows Lavia from their City days and will use him as the #6, and Caicedo speaks for himself. Nkunku goes out to the left (where he played for Leipzig) and Palmer goes out to the right (where he played for City under Maresca).
Only things to sort are a upgrades at ST, LB, and GK. Ben, Nico, and Djordje act as very good backups.
Hi Nathan, I am a massive Chilly fan, but I'm also a realist and can unfortunately accept that Chilly may need to move on this summer, I hope I am wrong and in pre-season he plays and shows Maresca what he can do, he is a good enough footballer to adapt but of their current styles it is Cucu that suits Maresca's style the best.
I disagree with what you say about Nkunku, looking at his stats he played for Leipzig 172 times and only played LW on 23 occasions, he was predominantly a 10 or a second striker, which is why I would use him as an advanced 8, that would change varying on the oppositions, he could be used well from the left but centrally is where he will flourish. That midfield looks great but with so many games there will be constant rotation, but when trying to use examples you can only use 11 players which is why I used the players I did, I love Lavia and if you recall back to last summer I was praising him to the high heavens constantly, he will be very important once he returns to full fitness.
Completely agree regarding upgrades, would add a CB to that list also, more of a squad player than a starter as the main two pick themselves when fit. Agree re Nico and Petro!
Is my recollection going mad? Which did we not have half a season where Chilly and James both played as attacking full backs that inverted our regular basis, all before they both picked up a series of injuries. It may be I’m just confused in my thinking but if my memory is right, it worked and they were very good at it
Reece generally inverted with Chilly bombing on, it did happen the other way around as well but Chilly is just a little bit to loose on the ball to play Maresca's way, although they both inverted it was style a direct and counter attacking system most of the time.
It also wasn't inverted quite like Maresca plays it.
Luke first of all great thread involvement when and if you have the time its make the thread much more alive and a discussion rather than a statement of fact.
I would add that for me Disasi the real problem is his positional play and concentration which both go missing at times in games. We have seen when his gets through 90 minutes without those issue's how good he can be but he is too unpredicatable as to which Disasi will turn up. Doesnt even make the bench for me.
Reece James has an unfortunate tendency to retailate by kicking out which got him sent off x2 this season just finished which creates 2 problems first of all his fitness and secondly his petulence.
If he can remove the retaliation from his game I say keep him and if he can stay fit then yes we have a world class Right Back on our hands. I remain to be convinced.
You pretty much nailed the rest of it and your comments on Chilwell whilst sad are accurate its not unknown for players to lose that sparkle and extra yard or two as a result of continual injuries and thats where we are with Ben I suspect.
Thanks for a great article.
I am much more positive if the Sporting DIrectors actually buy players to improve the squad and support our new manager Mr (Marscapone) lol
I think Mudryk could be a loser. He gives the ball away too often so teams may allow him to be the spare man as they know as soon as he gets the ball, he's going to give it to them. Maresca clearly favours technicians so Mudryk may get found out
Reece James would bang in those central and advanced positions - could see him scoring many from there.
Great article as always Luke, I'd also argue that Nico will be a big winner. I think his style fits Maresca's tactics to a tee
Agree mate, I was trying to not use people who were winners last season, but felt I had to include Cole through history with Maresca
Carney Chuka from the bench as a no. 8? Looks like a v gd player if he can stay fit. Could he also play wide at a pinch? One more question: does Gusto have any experience/potential for inversion? (Reece’s fitness still concerns me.)
Carney will be excellent if fit.
Gusto is incredible on the ball, in tight spaces and passing so I think he could play it really well.
Luke, I wonder if the a winner might end up being Nkunku. Because of the need for the 9 to be able to drop deep when needed to link play, I could see a scenario where he ends up being the preferred 9 and Jackson ends up playing an Anelka-like position on the left wing, though he'll be far more willing to work in the wide areas than Anelka ever did.
Potentially mate, personally I don't see Nkunku as an out and out 9, and still thoroughly believe we need a "traditional 9" but he could certainly do a job there when required
I agree that we need a more traditional 9, but I think you need the right one that can also do a bit of link play. If it's an Osimhen 9 who contributes very little to the build up besides getting in the box, I don't think he'll be quite as effective.
You probably know, but I dont rate Osimhen and really do not want him at the club
I don't either. I think he's a very specific type of striker who's good inside the penalty area, but he's not very good anywhere else on the pitch. And I don't see the potential for him to develop that side of his game in the same way that I saw, say, Haaland potentially be able to develop a more all-around center forward skill set.
Luke, what’s your thinking as to how Carney and Jackson can be used or will be used going forward?
Both will be vital to Maresca, with so many games everyone will get good minutes, Carney will be amazing in this sytem.
Agree to disagree on the Chilly/Cucu debate, Luke. I'm firmly in the camp of keeping Ben and moving Cucu on. I understand the point about Ben not being a perfect stylistic fit, but he can adapt and he is one of the few guys around the club that's left from the UCL winning side and who gets what it means to be Chels.
Also, I don't think there's any way the midfield 3 isn't Lavia, Enzo, and Caicedo. Reports mentioned Enzo M. having a detailed plan for how to use Enzo F., he knows Lavia from their City days and will use him as the #6, and Caicedo speaks for himself. Nkunku goes out to the left (where he played for Leipzig) and Palmer goes out to the right (where he played for City under Maresca).
Only things to sort are a upgrades at ST, LB, and GK. Ben, Nico, and Djordje act as very good backups.
Hi Nathan, I am a massive Chilly fan, but I'm also a realist and can unfortunately accept that Chilly may need to move on this summer, I hope I am wrong and in pre-season he plays and shows Maresca what he can do, he is a good enough footballer to adapt but of their current styles it is Cucu that suits Maresca's style the best.
I disagree with what you say about Nkunku, looking at his stats he played for Leipzig 172 times and only played LW on 23 occasions, he was predominantly a 10 or a second striker, which is why I would use him as an advanced 8, that would change varying on the oppositions, he could be used well from the left but centrally is where he will flourish. That midfield looks great but with so many games there will be constant rotation, but when trying to use examples you can only use 11 players which is why I used the players I did, I love Lavia and if you recall back to last summer I was praising him to the high heavens constantly, he will be very important once he returns to full fitness.
Completely agree regarding upgrades, would add a CB to that list also, more of a squad player than a starter as the main two pick themselves when fit. Agree re Nico and Petro!
Is my recollection going mad? Which did we not have half a season where Chilly and James both played as attacking full backs that inverted our regular basis, all before they both picked up a series of injuries. It may be I’m just confused in my thinking but if my memory is right, it worked and they were very good at it
Reece generally inverted with Chilly bombing on, it did happen the other way around as well but Chilly is just a little bit to loose on the ball to play Maresca's way, although they both inverted it was style a direct and counter attacking system most of the time.
It also wasn't inverted quite like Maresca plays it.
Great memory though Craige!!
Luke first of all great thread involvement when and if you have the time its make the thread much more alive and a discussion rather than a statement of fact.
I would add that for me Disasi the real problem is his positional play and concentration which both go missing at times in games. We have seen when his gets through 90 minutes without those issue's how good he can be but he is too unpredicatable as to which Disasi will turn up. Doesnt even make the bench for me.
Reece James has an unfortunate tendency to retailate by kicking out which got him sent off x2 this season just finished which creates 2 problems first of all his fitness and secondly his petulence.
If he can remove the retaliation from his game I say keep him and if he can stay fit then yes we have a world class Right Back on our hands. I remain to be convinced.
You pretty much nailed the rest of it and your comments on Chilwell whilst sad are accurate its not unknown for players to lose that sparkle and extra yard or two as a result of continual injuries and thats where we are with Ben I suspect.
Thanks for a great article.
I am much more positive if the Sporting DIrectors actually buy players to improve the squad and support our new manager Mr (Marscapone) lol
Reece James playing in the middle 🤪🤪🤪🤪🙌🙌🙌🙌
I think Mudryk could be a loser. He gives the ball away too often so teams may allow him to be the spare man as they know as soon as he gets the ball, he's going to give it to them. Maresca clearly favours technicians so Mudryk may get found out
On the wings he likes Pacey, direct wingers who can go both ways, it’s not just 11 technicians
True. But for coaches like Maresca, "possession is king"
Watch back some of their games/highlights from last season and watch his wingers
I did - saw them at Stamford Bridge
Then you’ll know how direct they are and how there first thought/instruction is to take players on or create, not just pass pass pass
I noticed that you put "new LW" down on your graphic, so...🤷♂️
He needs an end product