I was bewildered that Emery changed the center back pairing after their very good performance against Newcastle at St.James' Park in the first game of the season.
Papastathopoulos & Chambers worked well together - Papastathopoulos was the leader and Chambers his 2nd in command and one knew what the other was doing and what their respective jobs were. By changing this pairing the following week against Burnley, Emery changed the whole dynamics at the heart of the defence and Sokratis was effectively demoted to 2IC and he progressively lost his confidence and assuredness 'till he's now become a nervous wreck.
I would like to see a return to the Sokratis/Chambers pairing and then reassess.
Papastathopoulos & Chambers worked well together - Papastathopoulos was the leader and Chambers his 2nd in command and one knew what the other was doing and what their respective jobs were. By changing this pairing the following week against Burnley, Emery changed the whole dynamics at the heart of the defence and Sokratis was effectively demoted to 2IC and he progressively lost his confidence and assuredness 'till he's now become a nervous wreck.
I would like to see a return to the Sokratis/Chambers pairing and then reassess.