Chelsea

[Irishnev]

I wouldn't be too surprised to see Tuchel sacked (especially if they limp out of the champions league)

I also wouldn't be surprised to see him rock up at old Trafford next year

[Irishnev]

Lukaku needs balls played in front of him or between the lines, he also needs to play in a two imo. When he's on form he's unplayable. Chelsea are not giving him that and are so slow to release the ball but it does look like that things have spiralled since that interview and he doesn't look bothered. I've never liked Tuchel either, zero personality and a whinger, with the money spent in that Chelsea side he will be coming under some pressure soon.

That’s why he excelled at Inter with Martinez a little deeper

[badpiggy]

Might say a lot about the quality of Serie A. But for 100m you'd expect someone that can make things happen, not someone that needs very specific service in specific areas.

[Doc_Piptorious]

That’s why he excelled at Inter with Martinez a little deeper

Yep Martinez did his running for him and did the tracking back.

And now this season we are seeing just how good Martinez can be playing as part of a front two and also being used on his own up front. Think a lot of clubs, us included, missed a trick last summer by not going in for Martinez before Inter sold Lukaku. Guy is like a more physical quicker Firmino at times in terms of his workrate and willingness to drop back but with better finishing.

[spud_gun]

Jaco, You've never spoke much about this Martinez fella. Do you think we should try and sign him?

[frank the tank]

Might say a lot about the quality of Serie A. But for 100m you'd expect someone that can make things happen, not someone that needs very specific service in specific areas.

I couldn't believe it when I saw that Chelsea were spending close to £100m on Lukaku in the summer. I've seen him live a few times when he played for Everton and Man United and always thought he was terrible. He has the first touch of a prostitute and although he has a half decent shot on him but I think he needs time on the ball.

He isn't a bad player but for 100m you want a player that can win you the game on his own. Like we had with Suarez, Salah and Gerrard. KDB falls into this category. Messi used to. Ronaldo used to.

In reality, I think he might be a little bit burned out too. He has been playing professional football since 16 years old.


What was also crackers was during the summer the collective session by the likes of Shearer thinking Chelsea would win the league and that Lukaku would be the difference

[Fivex]

Was it Bob who called it straight away?

[labourRed]

Was it Bob who called it straight away?

Yup, and i argued that he's become brilliant in Italy.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Jaco, You've never spoke much about this Martinez fella. Do you think we should try and sign him?

Never heard of him. Think he plays in goal for some **** midlands club.

[Irishnev]

I couldn't believe it when I saw that Chelsea were spending close to £100m on Lukaku in the summer. I've seen him live a few times when he played for Everton and Man United and always thought he was terrible. He has the first touch of a prostitute and although he has a half decent shot on him but I think he needs time on the ball.

He isn't a bad player but for 100m you want a player that can win you the game on his own. Like we had with Suarez, Salah and Gerrard. KDB falls into this category. Messi used to. Ronaldo used to.

In reality, I think he might be a little bit burned out too. He has been playing professional football since 16 years old.


What was also crackers was during the summer the collective session by the likes of Shearer thinking Chelsea would win the league and that Lukaku would be the difference

Set Lukaku up to succeed and he can be a 100m player, he thrived in Conte’s set up and was the main reason gif then winning the league. He had Martinez doing the work and great service from Hakimi….. Chelsea aren’t playing to his strengths right now.

I know what he was like at United but he was brill with Inter

[danperkins]

I can't believe how little coverage Lukaku is getting this season. He's having such an easy ride in the press. He's absolutely **** and I knew this before he rocked again for nearly 100m! ****ing hell, never has a bigger lump been so expensive. Makes Grealish look like value, at least he has the potential to get better.

He's clearly not ****, that's just not true. A quick look at his stats and you'll see that, they are very impressive. He is being played in a system that does not suit him. 100m is a lot of money but they are really not playing to his strengths. He is not good with his back to goal and needs balls played behind the CB's or in the channels to use his pace and power. The delivery he has got hasn't been great in fairness. They are not playing well as a team and have been stuttering since the start of November. Lukaku who to be fair has missed nearly half of their league games does seem to be a bit of a scape goat imo since the Italian interview he's been in the spotlight and I disagree he is getting an easy ride.

There's definitely stuff going on behind the scenes and he does not look happy. I never liked Tuchel either, real spikey personality so wouldn't surprise me one bit if he is throwing Lukaku under the bus.

[danperkins]

Set Lukaku up to succeed and he can be a 100m player, he thrived in Conte’s set up and was the main reason gif then winning the league. He had Martinez doing the work and great service from Hakimi….. Chelsea aren’t playing to his strengths right now.

I know what he was like at United but he was brill with Inter

[wiw]

He's clearly not ****, that's just not true. A quick look at his stats and you'll see that, they are very impressive. He is being played in a system that does not suit him. 100m is a lot of money but they are really not playing to his strengths. He is not good with his back to goal and needs balls played behind the CB's or in the channels to use his pace and power. The delivery he has got hasn't been great in fairness. They are not playing well as a team and have been stuttering since the start of November. Lukaku who to be fair has missed nearly half of their league games does seem to be a bit of a scape goat imo since the Italian interview he's been in the spotlight and I disagree he is getting an easy ride.

There's definitely stuff going on behind the scenes and he does not look happy. I never liked Tuchel either, real spikey personality so wouldn't surprise me one bit if he is throwing Lukaku under the bus.

To be fair, not sure Lukaku needing throwing That interview he did was fairly horrendous

[danperkins]

It certainly wasn't great timing and I suppose footballers aren't exactly known for their smarts. But what did he really say, "I'm not that happy with the situation and the manager wants to play a different formation but I have to stick with it and be professional". Then he says "I'm not happy but I must get on with my job and not give up". "I hope to play for Inter but hopefully not at the end of my career". Blown out of proportion imo.

He talking to Sky Italia and they are clearly asking him questions about his time there, love for the club etc etc. For me something clearly went on with his transfer from Inter and he cannot say (he says that himself) but I got the impression he was using the interview to apologise /appease Inter fans who were pissed off at him for leaving in the manner he did.

Play him right and he will score a **** load of goals.

[badpiggy]

He's a kind of best of the rest after Ronaldo and Messi (probably Salah too?) then Zlatan and Lewandowski. Even that sounds like a stretch. Lower tier 3?