Jimmy-Jay Morgan’s finishing skill, Donnell McNeilly and footwork to cut
A quick round-up based on Chelsea’s weekly training video
Chelsea had 27 players called up for various age groups.
Chelsea promoted players to join “First Team Training”.
Same color for everyone, because you’re affiliated to a club (and not a team).
On the left: Frankie Runham (2007), second striker / winger. Whilst an eagle-eyed Badiashile calls the ball out, only to what Disasi reacts in french to tell him to stop saying “hey”
Zak Sturge (2004) in the middle, between LB and LCB.
I personally feel that his final pass / cross is below par when playing wide, hence why he played CB more the past year; where he can get turned by stronger strikers Good energy and gives you a decent floor of performance
Jimmy-Jay Morgan (2006) signed for a couple of million from Southampton. Pure poacher, good movement towards his left to absorb the contact. But the real truther when scaling your game up is to get shot offs. Top level defenders will squeeze in and get blocks more often
Blonde haired attacker with hair parted way in the middle connecting with a cross in the penalty spot? We will make no further addition to that tweet.
Jimmy Jay Morgan.
Finishing: YES Because his balance is spot on, left foot with toes pointing to far corner where he’s about to hit, arms for consistent balance (and repeatable motion), shoulders over the ball, little bounce 1yd before the goal line.
That’s finishing SKILL
Headband (red) is Richard Olise, outwitted by Jimmy Jay Morgan who makes sure to use his arms to get access to the ball (that both compete for – no foul) Teddy Sharman-Lowe in goal
Donnell McNeilly scoring against Thiago Silva here.
McNeilly belongs to the very valuable crop of attackers who can get powerful shots off without having to decelerate. Finishing criteria are still nailed on nevertheless. (left foot, balance, arms, shoulders)
Deivid Washington “staying alive” in the box.
Jermain Defoe (and any goal poacher really) was absurdly consistent at it too. Skip to land your planted leg with toes where you shoot, before the ball reaches you WHATSOEVER. Looks funny when you airshot. Looks nice when you score
JJ Morgan with another example of repeatable finishing criterion being met Shoulders lean forward to hit with power without shot lifting off. Both set of toes point towards bottom corner Richard Olise with large steps, hence why you prefer short skips to avoid being nutmegged
JJ Morgan with another piece of finishing know-how. Get the defender dancing, and add an extra shoulder drop / feint before shooting. Defender takes the bait the first time, realises it so skips weirdly. Shoot between the defenders’ leg, it’s a valuable finishing trick
Scoring here is Brodi Hughes, who’s a reliable defender able to play all accros the 4 or 5.
Good reading, good reaction over the first few yards, can play out, carry and cross/shoot/clear/head. What you want really from a backup defender And goals are a currency, he does score
The typical “where do we put ourselves” social anxiety when you get to the first team training session
Ato Ampah (with a new trim 💈), McNeilly, JJ Morgan, Richard Olise and Brodi Hughes
Disasi greeting everyone is nice, did he air JJ Morgan 😶
Teddy Sharman-Lowe (2003) and Ted Curd (2006) warming up with elastic bands with Marcus Bettinelli
Ato Ampah (wide player) who scored the goal vs Reading with the U18s a few days ago
Sterling, Chalobah and Richards joining after a day of rest
Something you can absolve Dujuan Richards to an extent, was playing high school football when Chelsea was trounced 5-2 by Brighton last year
(but not Marc Cucurella, the 62m Barcelona reject)
Decelerating with timberland 🥾, wider than shoulders
Can’t leap (he can!) properly
Same for cutting movement.
Ideally the R leg (stability) lands closer to the pole, with the L leg (drive leg) with toes pointing towards the left.
See on (3) the moment of vulnerability (a brush would make him fall over).
Cutting movement should be 2 lines but has 3 lines for Dujuan
Compare Dujuan’s footwork 🥾with Silva’s 🩰
🥾Wide base, pushing with the left (off balance), large steps
🩰Shorter steps on toes, always under his shoulders to get around the pole efficiently to return in straight line
Jimi Tauriainen (orange) and Dylan Williams (left, red) Seen recently already. Winger who plays as a CM (good stuff), and Williams who does what’s written on the tin from LCB / LWB / RWB (and has captained the PL2 team) with energy and a clipped cross
Moving across in the background is Zain Silcott-Duberry, who can play everywhere on both sides and upfront. Separation movement to get away from the carrier and create space for him (Badiashile) and himself. Just textbook attacking play to keep moves alive, really
Speaking of “cutting” movement⤴️ 🥾vs🩰
🩰Badiashile has done that loads too in his player curriculum:
(that’s what’s frightening to be 6ft4 and move like there’s no gravity).
Stability R leg about level with the pole, L drive leg about to land seamlessly where he wants to go (left).
With a narrow base
Emphasis on deceleration Difference at the top level isn’t who’s quick and can change pace. All can. The difference is how well do they decelerate in few steps.
More efficient to change direction and avoid injuries Silcott Duberry, whilst Ato Ampah is also cutting right well
Sébastien Chapuis 