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Just an incredible half of football from the Netherlands and Japan. Those two were NEVER going to disappoint in this matchup. The Dutch and their history against a Japan team who has completely restructured their footballing system over the last 15-20 years. 4 goals in one half and another late goal. That was FUN.
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You see? Beautiful. Kubo is your best attacking player. They’ve found him more here at the beginning of the second half and he’s just created a goal. Nakamura goal (maybe assist?). TOP from Japan.
Great start to the half from both sides.
Nakamura has really impressed me for Japan. Very direct when he gets the ball and seems to be the one receiving it on the counter. I do think Japan needs to find Kubo more. Boring half, but still a fascinating game. Second half can go either way.
Also, how about this stadium?
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He’s PERFECT for Xabi’s football. We need to back our gaffer this summer and signing Lewis Hall would do just that. As much as I love Cucu, if you replace him with Lewis, you improve the squad. Hato is ready to make the jump as well. PLEASE, Chelsea. Be serious.
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Nakamura has really impressed me for Japan. Very direct when he gets the ball and seems to be the one receiving it on the counter. I do think Japan needs to find Kubo more. Boring half, but still a fascinating game. Second half can go either way.
Also, how about this stadium?
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Boring half from the Netherlands and Japan. To be honest, I expected a lot more. Japan’s low-block is causing a lot of problems for the Dutch. They looked a bit lost at times. Japan look hungry on the counter, but have had very few chances to go forward. Also, van Hecke has been TOP.
The second half will be better.
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As much as he impressed me against Brazil, Chelsea shouldn’t sign Bouaddi. At 18, he needs consistent playing time to continue developing and that’s not something we can guarantee.
Caicedo, Lavia, Santos, Essugo, Enzo (?). That £60m needs to be invested elsewhere.
🚨 Chelsea and PSG are tracking Bouaddi. Arsenal are in talks whilst Liverpool have already held talks. Any deal is likely to cost at least £60m and could rise higher if he continues to impress at the World Cup. (@JacobsBen @talkSPORT)
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We bought Marc Cucurella for £55m, with potential add-ons taking this number to £62m.
Four years later, just sold Cucurella for £48m, with potential add-ons taking this number to £52m.
Not a loss on the books, which is a positive. This is good money that will help kickstart our summer. Please, back Xabi Alonso.
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Jorrel Hato is improving at a rapid rate and did MORE than enough this past season to warrant trust from Xabi Alonso and Chelsea fans. There’s a reason he’s with the Dutch National team this summer.
Cucurella’s sale hurts, but Hato is waiting in the wings and ready to step up.
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£48m guaranteed fee.
£52m with potential add-ons.
In my opinion, this is GREAT money for Cucurella. The sale hurts, but I do believe it was the right time for both parties to move on. Hopefully, we sign a replacement that Xabi Alonso wants.
Oh, and Hato is MORE than ready.
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The reality is: we don’t win these two trophies without Cucurella. An incredible redemption story, as he was completely written off after his first season at the Club.
For both parties, it’s probably the right time to move on. You will be missed, Hermano. Thank you for fighting for the Badge and bleeding Blue. One of the few who actually cared during some dark times.
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It can be dangerous to buy into hype, but Ayyoub Bouaddi is a safe bet. 18, making his World Cup debut against Brazil, and he was the best player on the pitch. Seriously, it looked like he was the most experienced player on the field.
Clapping his teammates passes before receiving the ball, eyes in the back of his head with the constant scanning, ability to find his way out of tight spaces, elite engine, ridiculous amount of ground covered…
That was my first time watching Bouaddi and I’m thoroughly impressed.
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