Chelsea Banter Mobile

13 Sep 2026 18:58:45
Which of our defenders really love to defend? And/or who really can right now?

Lacroix I think relishes a duel and perhaps Fofana. Both playing ok so far as generally has Josh. LC well below his best before his injury. Hato up and down. Our opponents to date have all had joy down our left side.

We miss Cucurella?

Then there is the matter of wanting a proper cover the ground shield in front of the...and Elliott Anderson type...we need to bring in on January if possible to help out Caicedo.

But think many also think we need to move to 4 at the back too?

13 Sep 2026 21:41:17
Or could we play James like the Gooners play Rice.

13 Sep 2026 22:39:48
Jbs, I'm not sure what is going wrong, our defenders look so lightweight and error prone at the present.
James can't play like Arsenal play Rice because Reece isn't a midfielder and shouldn't start as one. We have one of the weakest double pivots in the Premier League at the moment.

14 Sep 2026 07:07:00
I think James will eventually play in the centre of a three man midfield.

14 Sep 2026 11:18:29
Seems none of us is very sure of the answer, though Tom favours a three-man midfield. Yes, and I agree, Jimbo, that Caicedo's injury, plus not bringing in a replacement for EF, has not provided a DM pivot of sufficient strength to protect our, anyway, a bit lightweight and mistake-making defenders.

One problem might be that, perhaps understandably (given, yet again for us, he is a new manager wanting to look at the range of his players in competitive situations), Alonso has been changing his back 3 and sometimes wingbacks - only Neto on the right seems (rightly) pretty consistent first choice - and he needs more settled combinations there.



But then the problem has been that the likes of LC have fallen off so badly in form, and that, together with Cucurella leaving, has meant a relatively weak left side, easily exploited by opponents. Palestra, when fit, may be deployed there, you'd think, and perhaps Chiavarra is best fitted to play there until that happens.

But the benefit of not playing in Europe ought to mean Alonso is less in need of rotation - only changes forced by injury - and should be able to pick a first-choice 11 capable of starting every EPL game. But whether he still needs to tweak his formation is perhaps the question.

14 Sep 2026 12:36:41
JBS, so much depends on the shape Alonso eventually prefers.
I think Chiavarra looks useful, and I also think Palestra is going to surprise a lot of fans, but are they better as WBs or FBs?
As I have said before, if we play three at the back, I still think we need three in midfield, and that means one of the front three (Roger's or Palmer) can't play.
I prefer 433 because we can then have wide players, but does that also leave room for Palmer?
I think we have to play Palmer, even though he sometimes does my brain in, but he is a class player, and us fans love to see that bit of magic.

Maybe the choice is Roger's or Palmer.
Anyway, that's why Alonso gets paid the big bucks. In my opinion, he has tough choices to make, and some of those choices will not be popular.

14 Sep 2026 13:17:52
I have also been worried about Palmer's up and down-ness within games and between them. Neither he nor Rogers offer much by way of tackling to help us defensively, though they are trying to press when opposition have the ball. But dropping one of them when they click so well together, and often with Jaoa Pedro too, may damage our attack.

So it may be that we need to move to four at the back, with two really good up and down lb and rb, then three in the middle who can tackle.

Or get a far stronger defensive duo pivot, plus our CBs need to focus better, toughen up, and play more often together.

But I'm not sure, and this is why Alonso is paid big bucks to make tough decisions. Just hope he can get it right and that Caicedo and Palestra are back fit after the international break.

14 Sep 2026 20:57:43
That's a good question JBS, we so miss a JT, a hero for this club the way he put his body on the line. With what we currently have, I would say go a back 4 and keep it tight, with 2 holders, and bring in a 4th forward which gets Estevao on the pitch.


I would go something like this when all fit and ready.

Martinez

James
LaCroix
Levi
Palestra

Henderson
Caicedo

Estevao
Palmer
Rogers

Pedro.

12 Sep 2026 11:25:14
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new video entitled entitled, C U Next Time - The Seamus Runs The Show Edition}

12 Sep 2026 07:20:41
Interesting report from Matt Law on Fernandez's position in the squad being untenable, owing to a complete collapse in his relationship with the other players. Complete contrast to Pedro Neto, who was respected for remaining professional throughout the summer, whilst being linked with moves away. That, and a strong start to the season, have resulted in his new contract.

£125m looking like a better move than initially thought, with more news/context coming out. I think in a year or two, when inevitable links to Madrid start up again, City will find themselves in a similar position.

Fingers crossed the club can make a successful January move for Scott, who's started the season very well.

12 Sep 2026 08:17:54
Club did right thing J, paid £105 million and sold for £125 million, adding to the huge profits generated on almost all signings.
I like Scott, but would prefer Lamine Camara.

12 Sep 2026 09:22:04
Yes, J, that Matt Law report saying the EF put in 2 transfer requests, plus that EF said his relationships were broken with all others in the club (even Barco, his Argentinian teammate?!), banished any lasting doubts in my mind that we had no choice but to sell him.

And, yes, K, we did very well to get 125 million for him, i.e. a player who desperately wanted to leave.



I also think Camara may have a higher ceiling than Scott, but I probably have not watched either enough to be absolutely sure. Scott does have the advantage of EPL experience, but Camara looks like an excellent turf-gobbling (like Kante) defensive tackler, with goals in him, though playing in a weaker French league.

13 Sep 2026 07:43:13
JBS, take a look at Barco's stats last season, compared to Camara's.

14 Sep 2026 17:47:48
Will do, J.

11 Sep 2026 15:39:31
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Ipswich Town v Liverpool - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

10 Sep 2026 20:34:43
Very early days under the new gaffer but for me the starting 11 is starting to take shape with both Pedro Neto and Josh being the beneficiaries of this system. Both are 2 of the first names on the teamsheet along with Martinez, Moises (when fit), Palestra (when fit) and on the left and that front 3 of Palmer, the brilliant Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro.


That leaves 3 positions to fill and I would go with Barco in midfield over both Lavia and James.
I would also go with Hato at LCB over Levi and play Fofana over Lacroix at CCB.
All of this is on current form and sets a standard for those missing out to step up to.

10 Sep 2026 21:29:37
G8, on current form I can't see how Josh gets dropped.

11 Sep 2026 11:15:24
Largely agree with you, G8.

I have yet, though, to see Palestra in a competitive game, and he may need to be eased in a bit, first off the bench before starting. I am not sure.

I think Barco does provide a good option as starter with Lavia or James. If Caicedo is back, I would still think Xavi would start him with Lavia if both are fully fit, though Barco is making a strong claim for a starting role as well, and the case for him may be made stronger by the amount of turf he covers. But James made a big difference when on versus Leeds, and was not bad v Arsenal, except that glaring moment when he lost concentration before Overgaard's goal!

But RJ lent much-needed leadership and urgency to our counter-offensive v Leeds on Wednesday night. So I think Alonso might be right to start him v Hull, and, given Barco played the full 90 mins v Leeds, Barco could then come on for either Lavia or James at some stage. Caicedo may be given more time to get fully fit?

At the moment, I think our best three centre backs are Lacroix, Fofana and Josh, though the problem, I agree, is who plays LCB given the fact that all of these are predominantly right-footed.

So there is a case for Hato at LCB, though I am not sure that he and, eg, Chiavarra are a very good combo there defensively, and sides are targeting our left flank as the weaker one. Perhaps, when Palestra is fully fit, he will be used on that side by Xavi, and then Hato may be better aided/protected there?

Until then, and against Hull tomorrow, it may be safest that Fofana will play LCB again, as he did when taking over from LC on Wednesday night, with Lacroix in centre again and Josh on the right.

The front three pick themselves, though Danny W is proving to be v useful back up/assistant to JP up front.

I would have Neto as RWB and Chiavarra at LWB, assuming Palestra is not fit.

Then start with James and Lavia as D/CMs, with Barco to come on at some stage and Caicedo too perhaps, though Xavi may rightly want to ensure he doesn't aggravate injury yet again and wait until the Brentford game before using him.