ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - Chelsea- Strong Enough Squad?

Posted by on 04/19/2009

With Chelsea's squad set to be tested badly over the next few weeks, I'll take now as an opportunity to detail where I think our squad is good, and where it needs strengthening. Love to hear your thoughts.

Obviously the goalkeepers are looking reasonable - Petr Cech is World Class, and Hilario seems capable when he has been called into action. Our youth team keeper Rhys Taylor has yet to be given his chance, but from what I hear he is a dependable third-choice.

Our defence has gone from strength-to-strength recently with Ivanovic finally putting in performances that made him a worthy member of Serbia's Fantastic Four. With Bosingwa, Belletti, Ferreira and Cole we have at least two top-class players fighting for each position on the flanks. Alex and Carvalho fight it out for the spot alongside Terry in the middle, with the adept but young Jack Cork on stand-by.

The central midfield is jam-packed with talent - Mikel, Essien, Ballack, Lamps and Deco fight for two or three spots (depending on the formation) and every one of them would get into the majority of the first-teams in the Premier League. Down teh wings is where we could perhaps do with strenthening - though not with on-loan Quaresma, who has yet to impress. Cole, Kalou and Malouda don't have enough pace between them, which is crucial when we don't really have it up-front.

Droggers and Anelka are proven quality, but when one of them is injured or suspended we struggle to have that cutting edge. We need a replacement for Shevchenko, and someone to really compete for a place in the team with those two. No disrespect to Franco Di Santo, but we need proven quality.

Overall its a sound squad, but if I could bring one player in it would be a jinking Arjen Robben (when he was on form) as he has the pace and skill to make it all that much more exciting.

Who do you think is our weakest link?

Comments

Posted by Jonathan on 04/21/2009

Ashley Cole is one of the weak links - on the day on the left at the back, he can make some great tackles, as well as run down the left wing to set up an attack. But he's not reliable, he's often caught napping, just plain off-guard and distracted. Every time he touches the ball, you can hear a collective sigh of relief if it turns out OK. Drogba and Anelka are two very emotional players, not exactly a weak link but definitely high maintenance.

Posted by Austine Asogwa on 04/21/2009

I want to thank you first for your role in keeping us informed of our club's progress. I think the needed coach has arrived.We need to work very hard on our defence.I also went Invanovic to play at the left full back when we meet Barca and then Essien on the right full back. Ballack can play central Midfield. I prefer pairing Terry and Carvalho.Please tell our coach not to underate Everton as Man Uted did.

Posted by Nick Verlaney on 04/21/2009

Our weakest link has got to be Carvalho. He is obviously not 100% yet and has shown poorly the few games he has played in my opinion. Alex needs to play a bigger role on defense.

Posted by Brad gordon on 04/21/2009

Deco should be sold as sson as possible, in fact lets pay a team to take him off our hands. Without the width that the nou camp provided him, his cutting passes and deft touches are no where to be seen. He has no forward drive, and his speed and vision are lacking miserably. When he was substituted on for frank, it was obvious we would conceed a goal, i couldn't believe we let in three! Sit him on the side line with a huge for sale sign around his neck, and make sure the 90% discount is clearly visable.
On a better note, Frank is playing great, although much of his recent success should be credited to Essien (the rock the holds this team of ego's together)

Posted by Chandler on 04/21/2009

A few things i disagree on, drogba is known for his speed and strength as anelka is known for his touch and speed, so there is speed up top. Agree with you on the need to replace Shevchenko. And agree with you on the outside mids, however joe cole is out for the season, and ashley cole is missing the first leg due to suspension. Deco needs to play in this game, players always do extraordinary against their old club. But overall, good article!

Posted by Chandler on 04/21/2009

As for our weakest link, it will be who is marking messi, and ivanovic if he gets the call.

Posted by Phil on 04/21/2009

Cech has been shaky in the past few games. I'm a bit worried about him. I've never liked Malouda but last game with that nice goal vs Arsenal, he has begun to change my mind. Kalou also is not great. Anelka and Drogba on the pitch at the same time is lethal most of the time though.

Posted by eric on 04/21/2009

chelsea is very strong to beat any team.
with drobga we will make it.

Posted by Michel Zaiter on 04/21/2009

i think our weekest link is the crucial mistakes made by recardo carvalho i think the best squad for chelsea now is ivanovic.terry.alex.cole up in the middfield lamps.essien.ballack and anelka.drogba.malouda in front if we played with this squad we have a pretty good chance of winning a treble which i think is dependable on the man u and liverpool dropping points and i think we have a pretty good chance to win the champions league and the FA cup barcalona have a weak point which is the middfield and if chelsea worked on that we could beat them and get this trophy in our hands for the first time

Posted by Michel Zaiter on 04/21/2009

i think our weakest link is the crucial mistakes made by recardo carvalho i think the best squad for chelsea now is: ivanovic.terry.alex.a.cole up in the middfield lamps.essien.ballack and anelka.drogba.malouda in front if we played with this squad we have a pretty good chance of winning a treble which i think is dependable on the man u and liverpool dropping points and i think we have a pretty good chance to win the champions league and the FA cup barcalona have a weak point which is the middfield linking the defence and if chelsea worked on that we could beat them and get this trophy in our hands for the first time

Posted by Derek on 04/21/2009

Weakest link would by far be Ballack, I can't stand our midfield and it really bothers me. I dont like Ballack or Deco at all and think they have nothing to do this season. I agree we need front men but we need midfield more than anything. I hope to see some good buying going on this summer for our midfield because we need to get rid of some people who don't seem to want to win

Posted by no_1_chelsea_fan on 04/21/2009

at the moment? Petr Cech! I think his confidence has taken a slight knock, and it doesn't help that teams are intentionally playing the long ball and deep crosses now to take advantage of this. Having said that, we all know that form is temporary and class is permanent, so my money's on Cech to bounce back into form :)

I'm Chelsea 'till I die!!! ^___^

Posted by John on 04/21/2009

I agree with the need for pace on the wings, definitely another striker, but someone young & strong enough to bully defenses like Drogba does...maybe Inter's Balotelli???

Posted by Didier Guerin on 04/22/2009

Goalkeepers: Petr Cech certainly hasn't been World Class recently and Hilario was VERY nervous against Hull. Definitely not a SAFE position.

Defence: Yes RB and CB are fine but we badly need a backup leftback

Midfield: Spot on.

Strikers: Seems like we only ever play 1 at a time so it's reasonably safe.

You're pretty much on the money, we lack pace and it's not bad luck that we've struggled since Robben decided to leave.

Ribery in the summer please!

Posted by Sunday Bala Gyet on 04/22/2009

I think our weakest link is in the flanks as you've rightly pointed out. Though Malouda is showing some flashes in recent times (against Liverpool and Asernal).

I also agree with u that a third striker of proven quality should be procured to give Drogba and Anelka a fight for the killer-man's job!

Overall, I believe we have the best team in the premiership presently and with Good luck and God's grace, our pursuit of a treble in this season is firmly on Course! GOD BLESS THE BLUES!!!

Posted by Ahmed Al-Halyan on 04/22/2009

First of all, The above breakdown of the team was quite appropriate. But the question should be, What do you think is our weakest link. The current players on the team are doing a wonderful job, and are worthy of a major silverware this season.

Guus always prefers 4-4-2, but even 4-3-3 would require chelsea to add two exciting wingers. I agree that we shouldn't have let Robben leave. Having them both alongside with Malouda would secure our left side winger requirements.The concern now is on the right flank. With Joe Cole injured, Quaresma not securing a start with the team, Chelsea need to make sure to upgrade the right side.

Posted by Romeo on 04/22/2009

So far i'm very impressed by our quality of play, especially in the middle of the park and infront of goals but i'm very diappontent by our defence, how can we go from 4-0 to 4-3 in 9 minutes the coach needs to work on our defence.

Posted by Diavee Hossain on 04/22/2009

I agree, we really need anothe left winger. Hopefully we'll get Zhirkov in the summer. Good post mate!

Posted by teejay on 04/22/2009

Nice article,i think our weakest link is the right flank,we need pacy and strong wingers as you rightly pointed out.We need a player in the mould of fabulous Messi.Our match against Barca,i think this formation will work;Cech,Ivanovic on the right,Essien on the left to mark out messi,Carvalho,Mikel,ballack,Anelka,Drogba,Lampard,malouda,

Posted by kabelo Pusoentsi on 04/22/2009

our weakst link is our mistakes, that has to stop ,our coach should work very hard on that. We have been winning games coming from behind and thats not a safe practice, it has to stop. I remember whn we played Cluj at Stamford Bridge and Drogba said after the game that Cluj's goal made the job easier for Chelsea to win the game, thats not good.
Anyway i cant wait to see Chelsea beat Arsenal 3-1 in Rome,

Posted by Adiele Rosemary Nneoma on 04/22/2009

i love Chelsea,and i will love than to give me the best in fopthball

Posted by WeedDoctor on 04/22/2009

I believe that Drogba, Anelka and Lampard are our three best players they never let me down. Alex in my opinion is an excellent defender because he does all the little things that go unnoticed but his presence makes a big difference in our defence. I think Carvalho at 100% is better for us over Ashley he has let me down numerous times. Also Kalou and Quaresma has yet to impress me as well. Ballack Essien and Mikel are solid players and i have no complaints about them. GO Chelsea!!!

Posted by Michael McCants on 04/22/2009

I would agree the squad is very strong throughout. If anyone, Ballack could be sacrificed for Mikel. I know it sounds crazy but it would allow Essien a freer role. He & Lamps are already ALL over the pitch! Which is great. Plus Ballack is no spring chicken and Mikel is still young enough to improve greatly. Kalou and Carvalho could be sold to make a move on an attacking player, I love Carvalho but unfortunately this is a business to some people. We need a young winger, Ashley Young would be great.

Posted by darren on 04/22/2009

On the subject of the Chelsea squad, have found some great profiles for the Chelsea boys:

Alex
Ashley Cole

Posted by Jeff Williams on 04/22/2009

Midfield. The only really effective midfielders right now seem to be Lampard and Essien. Ballack gets a few shots every game, but they are rarely on target. Alex seems to have had a better season than Carvalho. The best thing Chelsea could do in the off season is hire Hiddink somehow. Didn't really think that I would be missing Avram Grant this season, but he did an outstanding job overall; just had some misfortune when the finals came. Terry hits his penalty shot(not blaming him at all) Grant would still be coach(although boring in interviews). Never heard of a coach having the success he did and getting fired at the end of the season.

Posted by ChelseaFan on 04/23/2009

Personally Chelsea has a lot of strength in all parts of the field. What they really need is the defense they had when they were unstoppable at home. Alex and Terry really need to step up their game. Drogba has been in great goal scoring form and so has Lampard. With Essien back, the midfield has been more solid. Malouda is a great player on the left flank but is unconsistent at times. Quaresma should be playing on either wings to get his form back when he was at Lisbon. I think our weakest link is Kalou. He is good at times, but not really impressive when we need him. Overall, Chelsea has all the players to win anything! When they play their A game, i dont think any team will beat them.

Posted by Robinson on 04/26/2009

I think kalou is very childish in front and is a big problem for us. he tend to grow very slowly and i believe quaresma should be give more space to act from the wing and he will certainly show put some light up front. Deco and ballack should be sent out of that team for young and fresh legs to come in. We really missed out in buying Robinho which should have made a great differnce in the team as we look very very slow each time we attack . we need players that have the pace to move forward. Deco and Ballack should leave as they will bring in good cash to buy strong and talented players with pace .

Posted by Yas Matte on 05/01/2009

Excellent article mate!

Overall like it or lump it......

WE NEED SPEED ON THE WINGS!

EXTRA SPEED ON THE LEFT WING!

As for the rest of the posistions we have more than enough.

Posted by Swaroop on 05/28/2009

first of all the GKs Cech is great with Hilario to support. It would insensible to judge Hilario on one game against Hull. The central defense is awesome. Carvalho, terry and Alex they are really unbreakable. I think A Cole is fine at his position. He is considered to be one of the best LBs in PL compared with Evra of MU and Sagna of ARS also Arbeloa of LIV. The concern is Bosingwa. I am not at all happy with him. now in the midfield, I think Ballack is fine although he is not scoring goals he is still one of the best for us in the central midfield position look at his passing during the first leg champions league game against LIV. No questions against Lamps and Essien. Mikel is too young and amateur for PL should spend some more time. GET DECO OUT. He is useless and old to adopt the english the play now. in the strike J cole is fine also Malouda needs very sharp management like guus. I think Anelka/Drogba is surplus and kalou should be given a chance as FW. signings VanderVaart,diego

Post your comment

Name:

Email Address:

Comments:

characters left