Michael Essien

[Raed]

I'd sell him, since this is definitely the last year we could get 20m+ for him, if we could even get that. He's 29 this year so it's better to sell him now. Ramires is machine in the midfield.

No, I'd keep him. His experience is necessary. A few months by Ramires aren't good enough to hand him the torch just yet. Play them on either side of a diamond and this allows Lampard to stay close to Torres to feed him as many balls as he needs to score. Creativity is what you lack, Ramires and Essien is similar to Gattuso and Seedorf. Though your fullbacks aren't as good as Cafu and Serginho but I am sure a bid for Maicon will be welcomed by Inter for the right price. Will give you a solid year or two until you find replacement for both Maicon and Cashely Cole (Fábio Coentrão).

Since Lampard is not moving anywhere and still has a very good shot and box penetration, move the play making to the back with a deep lying play maker. Ancelloti knows it well, your players won't change much and you will have back ups to change the formation to 4 4 1 1. Work on it in the summer and you have the league next season.

Unless Chicharito decides to do something about it. Then you are fucked.

 

[antonnn]

Playing Lampard at the tip of a diamond doesn't work, it's been tried on more than 1 occasion. He's best on the left side of centre midfield. If we are to play somebody behind Torres it'll have to be a new creative player. Benayoun would even be better at the tip of the diamond. Ancelotti wanted to make Mikel a deep lying playmaker but it's seemingly too late to revive his creative side.

 

[AnfieldEd]

Sell him and get in Banega.

 

[dalitis8]

Has this season been Chelsea's swansong?

Oh, and Essien is past his prime. Having lost part of his strength and speed and stamina, he is now less than ordinary...

 

[Raed]

Playing Lampard at the tip of a diamond doesn't work, it's been tried on more than 1 occasion. He's best on the left side of centre midfield. If we are to play somebody behind Torres it'll have to be a new creative player. Benayoun would even be better at the tip of the diamond. Ancelotti wanted to make Mikel a deep lying playmaker but it's seemingly too late to revive his creative side.

Then have him on LCM, Ramires on RCM and Mikel as DM with a new attacking midfielder.

 

[antonnn]

Yeah we'll have to see who the club buys really, I don't want to speculate too much until then. I hate waiting for transfers, especially Chelsea, they love to dick around for weeks and weeks and weeks.

 

[antonnn]

Made his first appearance of the season against Sunderland. Looked pretty good too, it'll be good to have another midfielder though Josh has gone.

 

[El Gato]

Thread to be moved

 

[La Furia]

Mourinho's very own Emerson!

 

[AnfieldEd]

Will never be the beast he used to be from 05 - 08 when he was the best box to box midfielder in the world.

 

[El Gato]

Mourinho's very own Emerson!

The Vince Carter of football I would say.

 

[Meitux]

Will never be the beast he used to be from 05 - 08 when he was the best box to box midfielder in the world.

you never know

 

[Beast]

I see the same stuff we heard about Di Maria and co ... good good

 

[BarcaGirl]

So, Essien calls Mou 'Daddy'

 

[La Furia]

I see the same stuff we heard about Di Maria and co ... good good

? Most people thought Di Maria was an excellent signing, you still see it today where even bitter cules fault him more for his diving than his game...