Good analysis (as always). The first 60 minutes or so was the best I've seen Chelsea play against an elite team with the possible exception of the 2021 FA Cup final - too bad it's pre-season and not a UWCL semi-final! The Cuthbert-Fleming combo was excellent and allowed Chelsea to control the tempo of the game. Fleming's defensive nous is highly underrated - when she came off, OL was able to overrun the midfield ... and the rest is history!
DVD for Lyon had a field day after she went off! Lots of positives to take from that game though and hopefully when we met Lyon in the final we put them to bed.
Why is no one saying that James is overweight. In the game against Lyon, she was terrible. She is heavy, slow and does not participate in the selection of the ball and pressing. She's only on the team because of her brother, who they want to renew the contract with.
Very harsh. Certainly, fitness is a concern - she's struggled with injuries both at Man U and Chelsea, and this is often down to a lack of fitness. But you can't question her talent - she's very strong on the ball and deceptively fast. (Big players often look slow as their leg turnover is lower because they take longer strides.)
Good analysis (as always). The first 60 minutes or so was the best I've seen Chelsea play against an elite team with the possible exception of the 2021 FA Cup final - too bad it's pre-season and not a UWCL semi-final! The Cuthbert-Fleming combo was excellent and allowed Chelsea to control the tempo of the game. Fleming's defensive nous is highly underrated - when she came off, OL was able to overrun the midfield ... and the rest is history!
DVD for Lyon had a field day after she went off! Lots of positives to take from that game though and hopefully when we met Lyon in the final we put them to bed.
Why is no one saying that James is overweight. In the game against Lyon, she was terrible. She is heavy, slow and does not participate in the selection of the ball and pressing. She's only on the team because of her brother, who they want to renew the contract with.
I'm not sure Emma would pick her if she was.
Nobody has ever told Emma who to play in 10 years so she wouldn't let them start now.
Very harsh. Certainly, fitness is a concern - she's struggled with injuries both at Man U and Chelsea, and this is often down to a lack of fitness. But you can't question her talent - she's very strong on the ball and deceptively fast. (Big players often look slow as their leg turnover is lower because they take longer strides.)
Erin is my favorite player.
Future captain.