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The Footie Thread

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Stuart_C said:
Only bits to be honest, i've based my opinion from what i've seen from him in the PL over the years. Like i said maybe he's more suited to Italian football.

Comparison with Benteke wasnt a direct ability v ability, he's a better player than Benteke. I just think they're both similar in what they offer off the ball if their not scoring goals.
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was a far more rounded footballer in italy last year, had an assist every 3 games as well as the goals he scored, looks like chelsea bought the earlier model though for sure
 
Stuart_C said:
Again i'm not sure he'd fit at West ham unless they changed. Lukaku needs service and balls in front of him, not sure sure laying off with his back to goal is his forte. I could be wrong like.

If he's not scoring goals he's generally anonymous from the games i've seen him play. Him and Benteke are very similar in terms of what they offer.

It's not a shame he's wasted at Chelsea, i find it hilarious?
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He was really bad with his back to goal when he was at United. I was surprised, as I expected him to be ace due to his physical strength and size. I didn't watch him in Italy, but I think it was generally accepted he improved in this area. But then, how has he been at Chelsea with his back to goal? How was he at Everton?

It is sometimes hard to read much into a way a person plays in one league, and guess how they'll do in another.
 
Swango1980 said:
He was really bad with his back to goal when he was at United. I was surprised, as I expected him to be ace due to his physical strength and size. I didn't watch him in Italy, but I think it was generally accepted he improved in this area. But then, how has he been at Chelsea with his back to goal? How was he at Everton?

It is sometimes hard to read much into a way a person plays in one league, and guess how they'll do in another.
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I think it goes further than just the league. Usual caveat applies as to my limited football knowledge. I always get the feeling that with strikers, they strike gold once, they find a team and set up where everything just works and they slot goals in for fun. Not sure that there are a massive number of examples where strikers move on from having a few world class seasons and one club then go on to repeat that elsewhere. It works both ways with strikers who have had relatively ordinary careers find their perfect set up and suddenly they are up there with the best. More than expecting a list of examples from the more knowledgeable people on here shooting that theory down.
 
Lord Tyrion said:
Feed him and he will score. With Lukaku you need to set the team up accordingly, he doesn't just fit in. Yes, that is a weakness but you know before you buy so either set up to suit him or don't buy him.
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See Chelsea have a revolving manager policy so the next manager probably purchased him
 
GB72 said:
I think it goes further than just the league. Usual caveat applies as to my limited football knowledge. I always get the feeling that with strikers, they strike gold once, they find a team and set up where everything just works and they slot goals in for fun. Not sure that there are a massive number of examples where strikers move on from having a few world class seasons and one club then go on to repeat that elsewhere. It works both ways with strikers who have had relatively ordinary careers find their perfect set up and suddenly they are up there with the best. More than expecting a list of examples from the more knowledgeable people on here shooting that theory down.
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Examples, this might be a fun game. Ronaldo (Man Utd, Real Madrid, Juventus). Suarez (Ajax, Liverpool, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid). Ibrahimovic (Inter, Milan, PSG). Shearer (Blackburn, Newcastle)

True, I also get the fact there are plenty of examples of a striker who plays well at one club, and then struggles to reach those heights when they move on as well. Chelsea will desperately be hoping that Lukaku has got the ability to be a success (like the players I mentioned, although even Ibrahimovic didn't have the best of times at Barcelona), rather than being a hot and cold striker depending on the club he is at and how he fits in.
 
Swango1980 said:
Examples, this might be a fun game. Ronaldo (Man Utd, Real Madrid, Juventus). Suarez (Ajax, Liverpool, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid). Ibrahimovic (Inter, Milan, PSG). Shearer (Blackburn, Newcastle)

True, I also get the fact there are plenty of examples of a striker who plays well at one club, and then struggles to reach those heights when they move on as well. Chelsea will desperately be hoping that Lukaku has got the ability to be a success (like the players I mentioned, although even Ibrahimovic didn't have the best of times at Barcelona), rather than being a hot and cold striker depending on the club he is at and how he fits in.
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In those examples do the teams not adapt and build around those players? Not every time but more often than not. They would be daft not to, goals win games.
 
Lord Tyrion said:
In those examples do the teams not adapt and build around those players? Not every time but more often than not. They would be daft not to, goals win games.
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I think any team, when they buy a big player, need to adapt somehow to get the best out of them. Otherwise why buy them? That doesn't mean the team fully changes just to benefit one player. I'm pretty sure Barcelona did not fully focus to adapt to Suarez.

If Chelsea were willing to spend so much on Lukaku, you'd think they either thought he would fit in well with their existing style, or they could tweak somehow (as could he) to provide the perfect fit. Same goes to United when they bought him from Everton. Maybe they got it wrong, or they need more time to sort it out.
 
Swango1980 said:
I think any team, when they buy a big player, need to adapt somehow to get the best out of them. Otherwise why buy them? That doesn't mean the team fully changes just to benefit one player. I'm pretty sure Barcelona did not fully focus to adapt to Suarez.

If Chelsea were willing to spend so much on Lukaku, you'd think they either thought he would fit in well with their existing style, or they could tweak somehow (as could he) to provide the perfect fit. Same goes to United when they bought him from Everton. Maybe they got it wrong, or they need more time to sort it out.
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I guess then you have the problem if you have too many big names that they all start thinking that the tactics and formations should be such that it gets the most out of their game.
 
Swango1980 said:
I think any team, when they buy a big player, need to adapt somehow to get the best out of them. Otherwise why buy them? That doesn't mean the team fully changes just to benefit one player. I'm pretty sure Barcelona did not fully focus to adapt to Suarez.

If Chelsea were willing to spend so much on Lukaku, you'd think they either thought he would fit in well with their existing style, or they could tweak somehow (as could he) to provide the perfect fit. Same goes to United when they bought him from Everton. Maybe they got it wrong, or they need more time to sort it out.
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Suarez / Barcelona was the weakest link in my argument, can't argue with that :D. He was an out and out poacher though, he would pretty much fit into any team. The others mentioned all have pluses and minuses, the pluses clearly outweighing the minuses and so worth putting your efforts into maximising their strengths. Lukaku is excellent at what he does but limited elsewhere. That has been evident throughout his career. If Chelsea are not maximising his strengths, being aware of his weaknesses, then more fool them.
 
Swango1980 said:
He was really bad with his back to goal when he was at United. I was surprised, as I expected him to be ace due to his physical strength and size. I didn't watch him in Italy, but I think it was generally accepted he improved in this area. But then, how has he been at Chelsea with his back to goal? How was he at Everton?

It is sometimes hard to read much into a way a person plays in one league, and guess how they'll do in another.
Click to expand...

He was worse facing goal ?

He won the hide and seek title 2 seasons running ?

I seem to remember Martinez setting the Everton team up to supply him and he scored a good few goals but he never carried the team iirc. I'm sure @pauldj42 will correct me.

Strikers are generally rated by the amount of goals they score. Sometimes players like Firmino, who should score more goals imo, offers much more to the team than just his goals, so when he's not slotting, he's helping the team.

I know Lukaku has had an injury this season, maybe thats affecting him as well as the issues that were publicised recently.
 
Stuart_C said:
Statistics can make it look worse than his performance actually was. I've always said Lukaku is a flat track bully and ive seen nothing in the PL to convince me otherwise. You couldnt rely on him to win you a title like you could Origi?

Yes he'll score goals but he doesnt do enough off the ball if he's not scoring goals. He was often a ghost for Everton and Yernited. Maybe Italian football suits him.

Another expensive mistake that Chelsea have made.
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It depends on how you look at it, 5 years ago it look him 3 touches to control it. :D
 
Why does Liz Truss say English should boycott Champions League finals in St Petersburg.. I thought she told Footy players to keep out of politics if they take knee or feed kids!!

On the bright side Everton has already boycotted the CL finals..
 
Mudball said:
Why does Liz Truss say English should boycott Champions League finals in St Petersburg.. I thought she told Footy players to keep out of politics if they take knee or feed kids!!

On the bright side Everton has already boycotted the CL finals..
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Noticed she hasn't mentioned anything about a Russian Oligarch owning a PL football club
 
Re; Lukaku. Italy is a huge step down from the PL. Juve are a mess, Inter would struggle to finish Top 6 and the fact AC Milan are doing well with only a handful of top players says a lot.

Lukaku has been unlucky that Chelsea's system to supply him was mainly Chilwell and James, who have been out for ages. At the moment he looks lost. Unless he gets space to run into or crosses he's really nothing special. Hell bounce back although he does seem to be a player that needs confidence. What are the odds of a move to Spurs when Kane goes to City/Utd?
 
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