Eberechi Eze (10)

[VCC]

Rather put up with a poor performance from Eze than 1st game back Ode is running back 30 meters to take the ball off the cb 3 meters away to then pass it sideways against 10 men

Sometimes he seems to run around a lot and seems to get nowhere and do nothing.

Ode has perfected the way to look busy


And that's his lot

[ag6789]

Eze and Ode are completely two different kind of players and serves two different purposes. Eze better at direct attacks but cannot control the midfield and we become vulnerable against hard pressing teams like Chelsea or CP or most likely Villa. The middle looks open and opposition is on our throats most of the game.
That's where holding ball players like Odegaard come handy.
Can the play together? Yes.
In that case Eze plays no 9 and Odegaard behind him as no 10. They would compliment each other as each can pick a pass and also score.
So we have several options and combinations that can be looked into depending on the opposition.
Key question is can all our forwards and attacking midfielders stay fit for the duration and be available?

[theHotHead]

Rather put up with a poor performance from Eze than 1st game back Ode is running back 30 meters to take the ball off the cb 3 meters away to then pass it sideways against 10 men

Sometimes he seems to run around a lot and seems to get nowhere and do nothing.

I dunno guys, I think Odegaard's game is what we needed yesterday because we didn't get a handle on the midfield at all, one thing you know you are going to get from Odegaard is a dose of possession, he keeps the ball well and keeps it moving. We gave up possession too often for my liking

[theHotHead]

Eze and Ode are completely two different kind of players and serves two different purposes. Eze better at direct attacks but cannot control the midfield and we become vulnerable against hard pressing teams like Chelsea or CP or most likely Villa. The middle looks open and opposition is on our throats most of the game.
That's where holding ball players like Odegaard come handy.
Can the play together? Yes.
In that case Eze plays no 9 and Odegaard behind him as no 10. They would compliment each other as each can pick a pass and also score.
So we have several options and combinations that can be looked into depending on the opposition.
Key question is can all our forwards and attacking midfielders stay fit for the duration and be available?

Oh snap, I just made my post then saw yours, you are 100% correct on this, I agree. What I would say though is Eze as a 9 and Odegaard as 10 I don't agree with your numbering. I would have Odegaard play deeper in our half (starting position) and push Eze further up, (support striker role). But that would mean a change in formation, not sure what formation would accommodate that and allow 2 wide players plus a CF.

[VCC]

Eze and Ode in the same midfield who is winning the ball

[swipe right]

Let Eze cook. Arteta Out.

[ag6789]

Eze, Odegaard can play as no 10 and no 8 with Rice as no 6 only against non- pressing attacking teams.
Against hard/ high pressing teams we will need more defensive cover and ball winners. So, one way to accommodate both would be to play Eze as no. 9 ( essentially as striker), Odegaard behind him as the attacking midfielder and Rice / Norgaard or Rice/ Zubi as two central midfielders acting as box- to-box and DM.
I think with our goal scoring wingers and attack minded full backs, this set up will be good enough to counter any opposition set ups.
Otherwise, play either as per requirements, judging the strength and intentions of the opposition.
Chelsea basically set themselves up to disrupt our play, at any cost, even at the expense of Red cards.
Rugby tackles and constant niggles set the tone of the match, which eventually petered into a chaotic semi violent encounter. An outlier of an event.
Most teams will plan play some amount of football, and there we will have a definite chance.

[theHotHead]

Terrible idea to play Eze as a 9.

[VCC]

Eze, Odegaard can play as no 10 and no 8 with Rice as no 6 only against non- pressing attacking teams.
Against hard/ high pressing teams we will need more defensive cover and ball winners. So, one way to accommodate both would be to play Eze as no. 9 ( essentially as striker), Odegaard behind him as the attacking midfielder and Rice / Norgaard or Rice/ Zubi as two central midfielders acting as box- to-box and DM.
I think with our goal scoring wingers and attack minded full backs, this set up will be good enough to counter any opposition set ups.
Otherwise, play either as per requirements, judging the strength and intentions of the opposition.
Chelsea basically set themselves up to disrupt our play, at any cost, even at the expense of Red cards.
Rugby tackles and constant niggles set the tone of the match, which eventually petered into a chaotic semi violent encounter. An outlier of an event.
Most teams will plan play some amount of football, and there we will have a definite chance.

Chelsea took notes on Sunderland and other clubs will also take that opportunity twice we have dropped points to teams being physical

[swipe right]

Eze - Gyokeres - Saka
Odegard

Odegard on the right side helping Saka be more productive.

Eze on the left dropping deep to pick up balls and drifting into the center to link up with Gyokeres.

And Gyokeres staying up top occupying defenders. Rice and Zubi picking him up with passes from deeper.

[theHotHead]

Eze - Gyokeres - Saka
Odegard

Odegard on the right side helping Saka be more productive.

Eze on the left dropping deep to pick up balls and drifting into the center to link up with Gyokeres.

And Gyokeres staying up top occupying defenders. Rice and Zubi picking him up with passes from deeper.

The problem with this is the balance won't be right. If Eze drops deep there will be nobody pushed up against their right side full back which will leave him free to harass our midfielders. We need a wide forward that stays wide to keep their defence honest.

[swipe right]

Eze - Gyokeres - Saka
Odegard

Odegard on the right side helping Saka be more productive.

Eze on the left dropping deep to pick up balls and drifting into the center to link up with Gyokeres.

And Gyokeres staying up top occupying defenders. Rice and Zubi picking him up with passes from deeper.

The problem with this is the balance won't be right. If Eze drops deep there will be nobody pushed up against their right side full back which will leave him free to harass our midfielders. We need a wide forward that stays wide to keep their defence honest.

Califiori will enter the space.

[theHotHead]

I think Calafiori has the balance spot on at the moment, his defending is so much better than it was last season and what he gives the team from an attacking sense is excellent, I wouldn't want to change his dynamic/focus by making him play further up more often.

[swipe right]

We’ve always had left wing forwards which cut in and done fine. Pires, Arshavin, Alexis etc. It works for us. We should do it with Eze.

[theHotHead]

All 3 players you mentioned were forwards though (Pires more wing/forward), first thought was to attack. Eze is more of a midfielder and has that mentality. Thats why he has looked like a wasteman when deployed wide left early on.

Eze cannot play that role.