In games like this, our left and right ‘8’ being quiet (specifically Odegaard) is a systemic issue, not a personal performance one. It’s why Rice was quiet in the first but much more pivotal in the second. Chelsea setting up with a box of 6 meant they were essentially relying on their fullbacks to have the big responsibility of keeping our wingers quiet. It worked for the most part until Saka did what Saka does.

Obviously within the system I don’t think Odegaard is playing as well as he did last season but it’s a natural progression of other teams vs. us. It’s our responsibility to change it up to find a solution to the mitigation of our best creator.

Sad to hear what has happened to soccercatch.com, gone as one with the matrix.

How im reading this team right now is we have a central zone access issue. Last season our midfield with xhaka was absolutely clicking, so a jesus type striker who floats around the pitch worked. Right now the midfield isnt working, so that’s why whenever havertz plays striker, we look alot better, because hes a focal point who brings people into the middle of the pitch.

Are we prime atletico Madrid except with a worse keeper and non lethal attackers?

One of the things I was really confused by during the Chelsea game was Jesus’ instructions. Every time the Chelsea backline had the ball, the 3 pressing were Martinelli, Ode, Saka, while Jesus was nowhere to be seen. He must have been instructed to fight for the ball in the air when Sanchez inevitably went long, but it was markedly different to last season where I always felt like Jesus was the furthest forward, leading the press.

Thoughts?

How much more pt does ESR need for people to stop acting like he’s the player they think he is. How tf does someone do genuinely nothing off ball as a midfielder

We definitely shouldn’t sleep on this Sheffield team

I can’t take positives out of that performance tbh. Sums up our season. Our chance creation is utterly dire.

Just clocked we gotta play Sergio Ramos on Tuesday

I feel that we were flat and sluggish but that should have been enough to destroy this Chelsea team, our depth from the bench brought us back. They had a red card challenge, one debatable penalty and a fluke goal from a bad cross made things complicated.

Idk how some of you see how good Rice is at the 6 and still want Partey there

This McAtee guy looks Arsenal bound.

I don’t know what’s next and or how we improve, but for the love of god can we stop playing Jorginho when we have 2 better 6s.

Odegaard needs Partey, him and Rice aren’t connecting

https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/s/SYWudQdIUW