La liga: vs Huesca

Looking forward to consolidating our first place in la liga with another win.

Hazard should play the full 90 here is possible to get back into match day fitness.

I would rest Ramos Fede and Mendy too

I saw a blog suggesting a diamond midfield.

Ala Ancelotti's system. I would like to see this for an entire game.

This season the team has been playing keep ball with little penetration against teams that sit back. Zidane might as well double down and just absolutely control the midfield and rely on the midfielders ability to create chances for Hazard and Benz

I think the most forward midfielder should be Odegaard or Isco. Given Odegaard is not yet available, that leaves Isco and the way he has been performing lately, I’m not sure that is a good idea. Another option is to play Jovic and Benz upfront with Hazard behind them.

Playing Jovic is an absolute waste.

I would pick Isco over him.

But yea, if Odegaard was available, he would play in that roaming number 10 role.

Isco has been hot garbage this season. Hard pass. Jovic needs consistency. We created tons of chances with him and Benz on the field

This team reminds me of the 2008/2009 year just before Florentino bought Ronaldo, Benzema, Xabi Alonso etc.

Those signing were costly, but were absolutely necessary.

The 08/09 team had decent players, but some were past their prime e.g. Raul and some weren't good enough e.g Gago.

This current squad has the same issues.

This team actually needs Mbappe. It's needs Haaland. It's needs a Camavinga or Fabian Ruiz.

The quality of players needs to be better.

Betting on potential and hoping it materializes is good, but it can't be to the detriment of titles. Winning is what matters.

Looking realistically at lineup, there are question marks no doubt, but I think most are giving up too soon on some players.

For example i wouldn’t be surprised if Hazard, Jovic and Asensio recover previous forms. And if they do, Mbappe, Haaland become huge improvements on what would be a good but not great front line. The Vinicius, Rodrygo dependency is reduced and as stated before by Nick, one or both of them become expendable with the Mbappe and/or Haaland acquisition. Plus the way Braham and Kubo are performing, they will soon be ready to replace them if necessary.

The midfield does need to consider replacing Modric, Isco and Kroos. But Odegaard and Valverde seem more than capable to step in. Hence the interest in Camavinga. I haven’t heard of any club interest in Fabian, but it would be welcome from my perspective. Mind you, there are critics here that will say it’s just another Spanish disappointment. As to backups, there are still the possibilities of Reiner and Ceballos, who has become a regular at Arsenal.

On defense, we still have a couple of years. Marcelo needs to be replaced soon, most likely with Reguilion. Jury still out on Militao and Odegaard Odriozola and they will need to replace both Ramos and Nacho in a couple of years, Ramos the most difficult. I would like to see them bring in a CB next summer.

Easy game so far, a bit laborious at first but that Hazard goal was money.