I dont mind Oscar starting if he plays like he plays for Brazil... i just dont want him to end up doing a Kakuta...

Am I the only one who thinks Mata shouldn't be playing in the middle? As shown in the Olympics, his decision making isn't good enough for a no.10. He doesn't take control of the game and is too ambitious at times when he shouldn't be, playing unnecessary long balls or speeds up the tempo of their attack too quickly.

But I'm sure I would say the same if Silva's played in Xavi's role with Spain because both are very attacking minded players. Hazard has the similar characteristics as well. The point is Oscar is better than Mata in the no.10 role IMO and he'll prove himself to be better than Mata in the no.10 role WE'LL SEE.

Waiting to be shot at.

Mata was clearly needed in the middle last season as he was our only creative player, as for this year he is still the best we have untill Oscar hits full pace of the EPl then I expect Oscar to take over.

Oscar is not better than Mata in the #10 role, that's way too knee jerk. The #10 should be the one playing the killer balls, according to that Oscar scout report profile ma bob from the Brazil world cup blog, a 'downside' is that he doesn't do enough of those. He is the heir to Lampard anyways, am willing to bet Michael plans on transititoning Oscar to a pure cm.

.............................Cech.........................
.....Ivanovic......Luiz.......Terry...................Cole...
...................Lampard...........Essien................
......Mata.................Oscar.................Hazard......
..................HALF WAY LINE..............................

..............................Torres...........................


: LUCAS :

Why are people including Essien in any type of line up ?

the guy is as bad as Denilson these days

We aren't...jibers is.

I agree Mata will still be the best 10 we have next season BUT as he is more versatile I can see him being moved wide.

tbf Essien has done well in preseason, if he stays healthy who knows.

Yes but we were awful in preseason, our team made Marin look like Messi...