Originally Posted by
nawlinsjunkie
Originally Posted by
ChampCruThik
Please take a look at my in-depth analysis of Chelsea's current problems under Andre Villas-Boas.
http://realsoccertalk.wordpress.com/2012/02/22/chelsea-fcs-monumental-problems-roman-downfall/
I welcome any and all constructive feedback.
I agree with you on bringing in Falcao. I don't watch many Chelsea games but they could have benefited alot by signing him. Dude was a beast at Porto and is still doing work even on a mediocre squad like Atletico Madrid (tied for 3rd in goals with Higuain). It's also a shame that these Luiz has regressed so much...dude was pretty good when he played for Benfica and even for his first 2-3 matches for Chelsea
Honestly, I can tell that you don't watch many Chelsea matches because your evaluation isn't exactly accurate. Falcao is a poacher, which means he relies on supply and intelligent runs in the box to get his goals. In my estimation he may have scored two or three more goals than Torres at this juncture, because as much as the media would like to put it all on Torres, it's really not.
As for your David Luiz regression comment, really, he hasn't regressed, he is just a young player with TOO much confidence in his skill set, and where he could get away with it in the Premeira Liga, he is being punished at the top level. For some spells and stretches, he is not only the most important player at the back, but when AVB's designed attack is becoming stagnant there are times when Luiz is actually the most dangerous player going forward. He's a world-class talent, who is still learning that sometimes it's just better to put your foot through the ball and concede a corner, and that it's okay to play a back pass and not get caught with the ball trying to build in attack. I have no fear in the future with Luiz, and with Mata, I have no doubt he will be part of the back bone of the team going forward.
I will outline some of the issues that I have with AVB's system/selection that I feel have caused the most detriment to the team this season, thus far.
1) The Portuguese. I was excited with the acquisition of Meireles, as I thought that he would play the role that he did at Liverpool, which was frequently providing the killer ball in the final third that can open up a back line. Because they weren't able to sign Modric, I believed that his was a great addition for the price. I honestly can only recall two (possibly 3) times where he has been played in this role the entire season. He has frequently been played in the most defensive role in the midfield trio, and when the tactics switch, as one of the 2 DM's in the 4-2-3-1. As shown against Napoli for the first Lavezzi goal, saying he is an average tackler would be a bit of a stretch, and his positioning and understanding of that role are even worse. His skill set is ENTIRELY wasted playing him in that position, and with Mikel and Essien fit, along with the play of Romeu in the earlier stretches of the season, it honestly makes zero sense to play him in that role.
Then there is Bosingwa, whose positioning, tackling, and effort have been the biggest reason for most of the Chelsea defensive capitulations this season. Even when they had a fully fit back line, he was an automatic selection over Branislav, who may not provide as much going forward (which to be honest I am not even sure of, his crossing this season has been better than Jose's), but will not leave a swinging gate at the back. You hate to say this, but I was excited at the possibility of Bosingwa not being fit, and Meireles being suspended for the 2nd leg of the CL.
2) The 4-3-3 is limited because of his selection (for the past 3 years the supporters have been begging the brass to sign a creative mid and true wingers to no avail), but you have to ask at what point do you as a manager try to adapt to your team rather than have your team adapt to you. One of the biggest problems is on the left side of the pitch. In AVB's system, the outside backs are there to provide the width and hit in crosses, but Ashley Cole has never been a crosser, and has always thrived linking up passing with the players on the left. With Mata being the best attacking option for Chelsea, AVB has given him freedom to roam, and as he is seeing less of the ball on the left, he turns less of an 11, and more into a 10 role moving inside to get the ball, leaving no one on the left side of the attack outside of Cole, who isn't going to take on a defender, so he usually will pass back inside making the attack slow and predictable. AVB, obviously wanted to address this, and has not started to go to a 4-2-3-1 now, but unfortunately, he is still getting the selection wrong. The lack of wingers is really hurting the team, because as well as he has played, having Danny play on the right, I believe has him wasting away. He is always a CF, and there are situations in which he gets himself into a good position, but due to his lack of quality in passing and crossing or CF decision making he will go at it on his own, and not be able to capitalize on goal scoring opportunities that he has made by himself. No he does not have the players to play the system that he wants, so for me, it goes back to the question, isn't it the manager's job to adapt to get the best results for his club?
@ the first XI for Chelsea. Malouda, Bos, and Meireles in the team make it hard to trust AVB. I really want the sacking talk to cease, but really his selection continues to baffle.
