GWT: PL Matchweek Catch-Up into (mostly) MW18 & MW19

[gary69]

N’Golo Kante misses the trip to his former club with a hamstring injury but the Frenchman is the only player unavailable

Lampard reveals his team selection thinking ahead of Leicester trip | Official Site | Chelsea Football Club

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

N’Golo Kante misses the trip to his former club with a hamstring injury but the Frenchman is the only player unavailable

Lampard reveals his team selection thinking ahead of Leicester trip | Official Site | Chelsea Football Club

Gotcha, missed this. Hope that Gilmour is in for him, then.

 

[Blender]

Gotcha, missed this. Hope that Gilmour is in for him, then.

With the high press Leicester usually uses, we needed someone who is going to play deep and can break the press. I'd certainly prefer that to be Gilmour, but chances are Lampard will start Jorginho there again.

 

[Evilo]

I am pretty sure to state that common sense dictates the most wealthiest clubs have resources and the aura to attract top end youth talent regardless of any area or region. Just look at Ajax, they're better at development than any club in Ligue 1 and they get all that youth talent is because they're known as the best team in the Netherlands. Citeh has some of the best youth players across Europe and that's because they can give high wages at a very early age. That's how Barca and Real Madrid always normally have either the best Spanish or Brasilian/South American prodigy in their youth ranks all the time (likewise with Bayern and German kids like Kimmich). Remember when that Korean kid was supposed to be the next Messi? Well, Barca bought him because he knew he would have a great chance to develop at Barcelona over any other club because kids know how big these clubs are. Lyon is just an exception to this rule, not the norm.

Again not true.
Le Havre has been in L2 for a long time and are doing great.
Youth scouting, infrastructure, youth coaching, those mean a lot.
I'd also say Lyon is now a better academy than Ajax. At least on par.

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

Really good instinctive finish from Bowen

When was the last time an expensive signing from the Championship worked as well as that one?

 

[AB13]

Really good instinctive finish from Bowen

When was the last time an expensive signing from the Championship worked as well as that one?

Ollie Watkins. Maybe not better than Bowen, but still worked well.

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

Ollie Watkins. Maybe not better than Bowen, but still worked well.

That's happened since Bowen, though. I feel like the Bowen signing in January 2020 was the first Championship --> Premier League transfer to succeed in a long while.

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

If they weren't in the same section of the table as us, I would want us to recall Gallagher and send him to Southampton. Feels unfair that he should have to endure Sam.

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

Get in Pereira!!!

Clever run from Gallagher to open up the space for him

 

[S E P H]

Youth scouting, infrastructure, youth coaching, those mean a lot.

Yes you're right and the wealthiest clubs can throw a lot of money in this than Strasbourg and Dijons' of the world.

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

Besides the absence of Gilmour, I'm into this Chelsea lineup. And honestly, the logic for playing Kovacic against Leicester is sound.

 

[Blender]

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

My only concern here is the lack of Giroud on the bench, tbh.

 

[AB13]

That's happened since Bowen, though. I feel like the Bowen signing in January 2020 was the first Championship --> Premier League transfer to succeed in a long while.

Yeah maybe, but there were three very good ones this last summer that I can think of. Cash and Watkins to Villa from Forest and Brentford, and Eze to Palace from QPR.

 

[robertmac43]

That's happened since Bowen, though. I feel like the Bowen signing in January 2020 was the first Championship --> Premier League transfer to succeed in a long while.

Webster and Maupay have both been pretty good for Brighton. Webster really consistent since making the step up!

 

[Blender]

Feeling less confident after seeing that Leicester is starting their top squad.

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

Dammit Conor

 

[Evilo]

Yes you're right and the wealthiest clubs can throw a lot of money in this than Strasbourg and Dijons' of the world.

And yet Le Havre is a better academy than Arsenal.

 

[AB13]

Will be an interesting game. I think Chelsea are playing their strongest possible front three tonight. Leicester will fancy their chances though, Chelsea lack natural passing in midfield and could be exposed in transition.

 

[Blender]

Will be an interesting game. I think Chelsea are playing their strongest possible front three tonight. Leicester will fancy their chances though, Chelsea lack natural passing in midfield and could be exposed in transition.

The logic of using Kovacic deep to drive the ball up the field, Mount as a box to box, and Havertz with more freedom to attack makes sense. We'll see how the three of them work though.

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

Don't think I'd fully processed that Rudiger is starting over Zouma again. Don't love that.

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

Don't think I'd fully processed that Rudiger is starting over Zouma again. Don't love that.

Admittedly, a pass like that is something Rudiger offers that Zouma doesn't

 

[AB13]

The logic of using Kovacic deep to drive the ball up the field, Mount as a box to box, and Havertz with more freedom to attack makes sense. We'll see how the three of them work though.

Does not make much sense to me. No one who can dictate from deep in that midfield, and little defensive balance.

 

[Blender]

Does not make much sense to me. No one who can dictate from deep in that midfield, and little defensive balance.

Kovacic can, that is what he is best at. He was one of the best midfielders in the league last season at progressive passing and runs.

 

[Blender]

f***ing hell.