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@Ibime. .

The game started out with a clear 4-1-3-2

                        -----Mikel-----
    -----Deco-------Lampard--------Essien

with Kalou and anelka up front. The 3 in midfield were given free roles to roam . . but I noticed how they all moved in a straight line sort of into the opposition attack until the final third where Lampard bombards the box and Essien and Deco stay back for defensive covers and rebounds. The attack was very fluid because Anelka and Kalou are great movers of the ball.

however what surpirsed me most of the style was the brazillian like input where width on the flanks is provided by the full backs. It was fabulous . . though I do not know how that might work with a big team. . it wasa delight to watch . . with Bosingwa and Cole pacing down the flanks. . at some point I thot Ashley was a left winger. .

Second half was were LFS surprised me a bit . . after taking Essien, Deco, Kalou and Anelka of he turened into a proper 4-2-3-1 this way

------------Mikel ----------  Ferreira--------

SWP-------------Lampard----------Malouda

--------------------Disanto-----------------

I mean I never imagined Ferriera playing this way. . guess what? it worked (consider strength of opposition). . with the usually width supplied by the full backs now bridge and Ivanovic. . I was really fascinated to see how our players could adapt to the changes. Mikel amd Ferreira were practically side by side till the end of the match and that produced two goals. . ferreira though was more of an advancing DM than mikel but only a few yards ahead at any given point in time. .

Overall it was very obvious to me that Malouda and SWp will not be a big part of our season. . as they slowed things down and diluted structured build-up play. . . Joe Cole will find it difficult as well to pin down a position if this formations are what LFS is looking. The mid 3 at anytime will always have to be from Ballack, Deco, Lampard and Essien. . with the width provided by the full back. I am sure the full back thing has come to stay and that is why LFS brought in Bosingwa and convinced bridge to stay.

Ivanovic, I didn't really see much of him for the duration he played. . bearing in mind that this is his first game for the senior team even though he's played with the likes of Sheva in the reserves.

Deco was sublime and a massive massive addition to the squad. He made things easy . . he can pass with his eyes closed.

The surprise of the day was Disanto IMO. . this guy has got the ability to be a world class poacher. . I watched his off-the-ball runs and positioning in the box and I was amazed at th 19 year old's ability. . RVN-like movements. .  His touch is world class and yes he's good and that is the only reason LFS will give him a place when Sheva is on the bench.

One more thing.  Do you know Disanto's goal ratio in a blue shirt is now 8 goals in 9 apeerances? now that's cool. .

You know I also think that deco made Lampard play well and opposed to the Ballack-Lamp relationship, Deco and lampard complemented one another. 

Intelligent play. . that is the word. . and SWP and Malouda have none of thatSheva no play at all. Joe Cole get slight injury. Me thinks Drogba, Pizzarro, Belletti and TBH will all be sold.

I did not actually mean Malouda is unintelligent as a player . . maybe I should have put it the way you said it. . He is definitely not in the class or SWP. .

I just finished watching a replay of the match and could not help but notice a left footed 40 yarder low but strong pass by ferreira from centre circle to find wayne bridge on the far end of the left flank that result in the goal that SWP scored on 88mins. . absolute class that pass was. .

Abeg am on d blue side of life

kalou was fantastic, deco was superb and lampard was just wonderful,  can't wait for the real season, 

all these because of a pre-season game against a chinese team?

na wa o!

You still get to buy palm wine in the UK abi? You are drunk . . . In this life time and the next, you can never win the league in April let alone december. .






Ehmmmmm!!!!!! Would it not be easy to find a chinese team and beat as well? Let you rest? In our own thread? Why are you taking panadol for another man headache? You guys are not blind to see that we have not even mentioned the scoreline but analysing game-play and player-positioning. Come saturday, we will be analysing the second match just like we did with the first. If you are not happy . . go and shit rotten egg. . and get to your thread fast fast!!!!

MEET CHELSEA WONDER KID

DI SANTO

THIS IS SOME ONE THAT WAS DEEMED NOT FIT TO WEAR THE BLUE JERSEY BY EX CFOACH GRANT.
NOW HE GO ON THE SCORE SHEET,AND HAS BEEN SO IMPRESIVE IN TRAINING SINCE THE ARRIVAL OF SCOLARI

Please give us the link that says that Di Santo has impressed Scolari in training so we can learn more about the kid and his qualities.

Chelsea was unlucky last season.
They still had a better season than Arsenal or Liverpool.
Not many clubs woulda survived what Chelsea went through in September last year.
Imagine Wenger walking away from Arsenal mid-season . . . . They woulda finished 10th.

I cannot believe u would diss Arsenal this way.
Debosky would blow his gasket when he sees it.

The quote had nothing to do with Mourinho. . . only the Mourinho-ites would relate it to Mourinho because that is the only thing on their mind. . . . . infact, they will never accept any other manager but Mourinho and until Mourinho returns to SB, they will not be satisfied. . . . . I posted the link there because me and Nateevs were disussing formations and tactics and the link highlights some of the formations and philosophies that Scolari may seek to employ this season.

Man, this is the fairest statement I have seen from you in a long while. . . good one !!!

@Ibime,

Did you catch the Times expressing common views with me on the style of our play on Tuesday? I am going to watch the display tomorrow and hopefully with Joe Cole around, we'l see what kind of variations we can expect this season.

About DiSanto. . . I have told you many times, I am not surprised to see Scolari think of fielding him. Scolari will give young guns the chance if they are decent. DiSanto is decent. I watched the reserve games live on ChelseaTV last season and I saw him many times to conclude that. The reserve team included the like of Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry at a point, Shevchenko, Belletti, Sidwell, Benhaim . . and he got 7 goals and lots of assists in 8 appearances. . I don't want to blow his trumpet too loud so we don't except too much from him but given the chance and playing time he will come good. Perhaps a £3m signing will one day become a £30m worth.

The approach is good as it also makes the wonder youths Kakuta, Tejera, Stoch, Woods, believe that someday they'll get their chance. I also want to see what can be done with Sinclair. I think he's on loan now.

@Debosky,

Actually DiSanto is 19 and this is about the age we should start to see the brilliance in him if he has any. (and I can tell you he has enough to make him a top player - complete striker with good use of both feet, head, can take shots from distance and a fox in the box)

Yep Scolari tried a few permutaions a few days ago and at some point in the game played with SWP and Malouda effectively making it a 4-5-1. . so his desired style of play is unconfirmed yet. Whichever he choses anyway, I know Chelsea will be a delight to watch next season and the players seem to be happy being able to express the skill in them (whilst still maintaining tactical discipline) as opposed to the rigid way they've been used to. I mean I actually saw Lampard do a back-heel a few times, he was trying to DECOrate his play and I was like umhhhhhh!!!!!

wateverrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!