Chelsea (H) | PL | Post Match Thread

FotMob's rating of Khusanov: 5.5

A bit harsh.

What was it after the yellow?

He came into the game, looked more composed, showing resilience needed, under A LOT of pressure. (Liked encouragement from Ed & Gundo)

Yes the error(s) poor, but thrown in

2 key defensive actions I recall that saved high Xg chances by my observation.

86% passing 40/47, 1 block, 1 clearance, 2 recoveries
He stood up perfectly. Big respect for him. If 20 year old me did something like that in the first 3 minutes in my new job I'd be crying like a baby. But he stuck it out, and some poor PL defender will feel the wrath of the Usbek mountain for his frustrations later on
i know we dont have a left back but my god if any of the back for can play in that dm role its josko
He is better ghosting into advanced positions and utilising his dribbling which is superb despite looking awkward. He hasn't really shown that he can dictate the game from deeper and lock down midfield with his positioning. We are currently maximising his attacking output and ability 1v1 defensively perfectly
 

Is that one of those draw by numbers pictures? I think someone got their numbers in the wrong order. Doesn’t look anything like one of our players. In fact it just looks like squiggly lines!

Sorry couldn’t resist. I’m euphoric. Is this what it feels like when someone takes drugs? (Not that I’m taking drugs I hasten to add. Apart from prescription ones. But I’m on a high. )

Oh my goodness stupid old woman alert. Ignore me. *pulls a face*
 
I actually thought we were better in the first half (after the first 15 mins) and our midfield 3 started to dominate the ball. Gvardiol could have had 3 himself, Foden hit the post and Bernardo would have had a great chance if Marmoush had left the ball for him.

2nd half Chelsea played a higher line and we found it difficult to play our passing game as it was just so congested and didn't really create much until we started trying to go over them instead of through them.

Kuusanov had a ropey start obviously but didn't do too much wrong after (needs to learn to time his headers better though). Marmoush showed some promising signs but needs to stay onside better.

Midfield 3 were good first half on the whole but Gundogan and Kovacic faded 2nd half. Should really have been subbed off at that stage IMO. Haaland was good, Foden too and I thought our defence was fine. Just need to get them all fully fit.

Some promising signs.
 
Well played boys, much better work rate and looked upbeat in spirits in the way we worked for each other.
 
Erling's goal is something I'm convinced that we'd see more often, if we only left him to amble along the halfway line whenever we concede a corner.
Anybody would fancy EH against any single defender (often against a pair) and if nothing else it would surely force at least one defender to stay back.
Every time the ball drops to us - assuming that there are 7/8 oppo players around our box as there are now - hoik it unceremoniously (and without recrimination should nothing come from it) towards him and see what he can do.
Far preferable to the 'open house' welcome we offer defenders at the moment.
It would change the dynamic at a stroke - and we could still play Pep's pretty but less direct way during open play. Just do this on corners and those free kicks when centre backs are sent up to threaten our box.
Try it for a couple of games and let's see - after all, Erling doesn't really get on the end of many corners anyway, does he?
 

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