In reply to: Champions League starts today posted by miamioh_irishfan
I'm willing to wait until this starting XI has had a few weeks of actually training together, which literally started this week
Werner*
Pulisic
Havertz*
Ziyech*
Kante
Jorginho
Chilwell*
Zouma
Silva*
Reece James (or Azpi)
Mendy*
The preseason was already shortened, throw in 6 of those 11 are new to the club (*) and need to settle in, he's getting a pretty long leash these days.
Like I said, when that team above is the main starting XI and has had a few weeks to train together, it won't be a clusterfuck. We've seen enough glimpses to know that now.
I think there are some issues, though, that he has to get settled for sure. Playing Pulisic in front of James probably isn't going to work long-term. James isn't the right guy to pair with him. If you're gonna put him on the left, great, but keep him there and stop moving him around.
I also don't like seeing Havertz wide so much. It's not where his skill set should be on the pitch.
I think he's been wide because Ziyech and Pulisic weren't healthy, and they were trying to mix and match with Mount and others.
I think Frank's ideal has always been Pulisic out left (and keep him there), Havertz more central, and Ziyech out to the right, with Werner up top (or Abraham, or Giroud).
With CHO and Mount providing relief at several spots (because their skills are better suited to the moving around, more than Havertz as you state).
I find the hand wringing fascinating.
Most Chelsea fans know the score, and are being patient. Roman and Chelsea get knocked all the time for constantly changing direction, and not building a program/stability. And the second they start doing that, articles start popping up, Lampard better show results soon, etc.
Thankfully, no one inside of Chelsea feels or is acting that way, we all know this is going to take time, despite the click bait that Lampard needs to start showing results immediately. He's got a long leash and time to actually build this out. No one is panicking. Moreover, no one looks clear cut favorites to win the league this year, so another top 4 is clearly within reach at the moment, which is the goal.
PS - Peter Cech being on our UCL squad is amazing to think about.