***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

[Brahvocado]

I definitely think multiple players need to be benched to get a point across. Hell, right now I'd even be ok benching Hazard. Kenedy and RLC were the only ones playing with any kind of fire out there.

Kenedy actually looks like he might end up being a really good purchase. Also that is maybe the best I've seen RLC in the first team so far. He looked more confident and was playing closer to his natural position which is a pure box to box midfielder rather than the Matic successor non-Chelsea fans inexplicably seem to think he is.

I legitimately wouldn't mind those two seeing more minutes.

Also, I really hope Oscar is fit for the next game

[steelerfan]

RLC is definitely more Yaya than Matic. No question.

[Zac]

Quote: Originally Posted by KG

I wouldn't say "serious" changes need to be made yet Zo. More of players need to get over their summer hangover. The Matic-Cesc midfield partnership has been horrible so far, especially Cesc who is far away from match fitness and sharpness. Bran bear does need a match or 2 on the bench. He's been getting owned since the preseason. I don't think we need to panic and buy Pogba but a player of his caliber would never hurt. We're just so used to hitting the ground running that we can't let panic take over. We'll figure it out and be there on the long haul. EVERYONE except Citeh has looked suspect.

By serious I mean some of these guys need to be benched for a bit. To let it sink in that they need to get their form up. Everyone is playing like a zombie that doesn't really care too much. If Jose starts benching a few key players I think it will send the message to get their act together. Because some of these other guys who are hungry to play will start out performing them.

[Altimus]

It's hard to blame the back 4 when you have ZERO support from the midfield. That second goal, Palace just said F it, we're gonna go in the box and score and they did. It was like playing FIFA on Semi-Pro difficulty.

Biggest culprit as mentioned is Cesc\Matic; both are doing a horrendous job. What's funny is Loftus-Cheek did more and looked better than both combined in his short time on the field.

I think this international break will do us some good even though a number of players will have a busy week. Hope they find some good form and can bring it back.

[Keano16]

So two CBs signed that nobody saw coming, Djilobodji and Hector. I reckon Hector was signed after the Marquinhos deal didn't happen. Doubt theyll get much time although with the poor defence so far, maybe they will.

EDIT: Just seen that Hector will be staying with Reading until the end of the season on loan.

[Zac]

Quote: Originally Posted by Keano16

So two CBs signed that nobody saw coming, Djilobodji and Hector. I reckon Hector was signed after the Marquinhos deal didn't happen. Doubt theyll get much time although with the poor defence so far, maybe they will. EDIT: Just seen that Hector will be staying with Reading until the end of the season on loan.

I think Djilobodji will get some decent playing time as a sub. Coming in on the back line and in central defense in the mid. Hes a decent player.

[Keano16]

Quote: Originally Posted by ZO

I think Djilobodji will get some decent playing time as a sub. Coming in on the back line and in central defense in the mid. Hes a decent player.

Maybe he could play a Zouma type role in midfield? Is he a decent player? Never seen him play before and only briefly heard of him. Must be though if we got him.

[Zac]

Quote: Originally Posted by Keano16

Maybe he could play a Zouma type role in midfield? Is he a decent player? Never seen him play before and only briefly heard of him. Must be though if we got him.

I think Zouma has potential to be better than him honestly.

But here are some stats about him.

Quote:

Djilobodji ranked fourth in Ligue 1 for clearances in 2014/15 (8.3 per game) and in the top 10 for interceptions (3.3 per game). Only 16 players won more aerial duels per game than his 3.1 – in contrast, Chelsea's top players in this category last season were Gary Cahill with 3.3, followed by John Terry with 2.6. The 26-year-old was also the top Nantes player in 2014/15, according to WhoScored.com's statistical rankings, demonstrating his consistency across his 30 starts for the club.

Hes not going to come in and make a massive difference as a starter or anything. But he has potential. And I am excited to see him and Zouma get some playing time. I think they have a chance to be a great pair at center back together. But I doubt we see that happen this year very often, if at all.