johnnythefirst

Yeah, wouldn't really see him making it at Barca. Would be funny though.

He was always seen as a hard working player who couldn't stand slackers. So I don't think that was the problem...

Lukaku just came second behind Pogba in the Golden Boy Award, celebrating the best European talent under 21. Previous winners: Rooney, Messi, Van der Vaart, Fabregas, Aguero, Pato, Balotelli, Gotze, Isco...

Your calculations are a bit off: Ba: every 163 minutes Eto'o: 181 minutes. Torres: 162 minutes. ;-)

It's all well and good he's praising him, I would like praise myself as well. But the timing is kind of well... suspicious, right? He's not even on the bench in most matches, and suddenly this? If i was him, I'd try to get out of there as soon as possible, at least for the coming 6 months. He's gonna miss a starting spot in Brazil if he continues like this... He can always try again next year. It's not that they're missing him right now.

Torres, spent SO much time on the bench these past three years.

Haha, sure! They won't know what hit'em!

I think Mourinho is just afraid he might leave. It's not like he's going to play regular full matches as of now...

First line is true. Second line i don't know. There's a gap between them, yes, but there's still a good base of teams in Germany. All of them financially healthy, most of them playing for sold out stadiums. If it weren't for foreign investors and the free rides Barca and Madrid get from the Spanish government every year, it would be Europe's best league by far.

He doesn't have a bad mentality, boy just don't take no shit. 8-)

Don't forget Thorgan is playing in the Belgian League, If Eden was playing here in a decent team and in a free role, he'd probably score 2-3 goals each weekend (would be nice practice ). Thorgan is a very good player, but as of now nowhere near Eden's level or that of the starting eleven of the national team.

Forgot to react to this post, saw the notification. Of course he's technically very good, but the man can also run and keep running. That's why he did so great in Germany last year. If he has to leave, I'd rather see him there, because frankly, it's just a better league than Spain. Take away the top three teams there and all you get is mediocrity. Also, it won't be much easier to get a starting spot at Atletico if you ask me. He might as well just stay here then.

That's quite a childish remark from José. Out of nowhere really. Maybe he talks to much yes, but who should know more about when to speak and when to shut up? A 20 year old boy or a 50 year old manager? I don't know why a manager would publicly chastise his players after an annoying question from a journalist.

Destroying your own capital is never a good idea.

Klose does not fit that list at all. Just Saying. Similar build? :-s

Sure...

You're right. I don't see him benching Schurrle anytime soon. And rightly so, because he's also young and he's been very very good. Kevin is inconsistent right now. He needs matches to gain form, and he'll never get them with this opposition. I hope he'll go back to Germany. It's a perfect league for him, lot's of running and powerplay. Spain I would like less.

How does he look physically these days? Still boyish, or muscled already? We've been talking about his talent for years in Belgium, several coaches/scouts put him in the Hazard league... Didn't often see him play though. Lukaku was top scorer in the Belgian first division at his age, maybe he'll bloom a bit later...

Anyone saw the Daily Mail clip where he's trying to freestyle? Quite hilarious, poor Romelu.

Yeaaah, the perfect plan!

If you refuse to sell a player with two years left on his contract, you'll eventually have to let him go for free. Which is a double loss. Plus it's not exactly great publicity to bench a wanted player for two years out of spite. I seriously don't think we'll see both of them in London next year. Makes no sense.

I'm not using foul language and I'm not insulting anybody. It's a free world. I've been following the Premier league since I was a kid and I was obviously excited when a lot of Belgian players started playing in England. I'll support any team that plays them and any team that plays the football I like. This does not mean criticism is forbidden. To get back to the club, I was a huge fan of the Chelsea that won the Uefa Cup in '98, and later of the Hasselbaink Chelsea. The Abramovic Chelsea is somewhat harder to like for neutral, not London based fans (especially in the early years) but I have no negative feelings toward them since they had some of my favorite players in the past. Always been more of a player than a team fan outside of Belgium. But thanks for asking! ;-)

http://www.nieuwsblad.be/sportwereld/cnt/dmf20131018_035 The newspapers might be making things up. I'm just readin'. ,-) In the 'we are in control' article Mourinho also says: 'We could also make a good financial deal, because both goalies are very valuable'. Read between the lines.

As a Belgian I'd prefer him to be first keeper at Barca rather than struggle for a spot with Cech, who is equally great, yes. Is that a crime? The fact Chelsea put an actual price tag on his head (and 24 mil is not an impossible price) tells me they're at least considering his departure. This is what Courtois says in the same article: 'I feel great in Spain and I would like to stay here. I prefer the Primera Division to the Premier League. I'm not planning on warming the bench anywhere, even if it's at Chelsea. Becoming first choice for Barcelona is an opportunity no one would refuse.' Seems pretty clear to me. Chelsea and Mourinho are the ones deciding where he'll go next year, but tell me, how many clubs kept a player wanted by practically the entire world, while they couldn't even guarantee hem a spot in the team? Man Utd couldn't keep Ronaldo when he wanted to leave, Milan couldn't keep Kaka, Arsenal couldn't keep anyone. The options are either making a clear choice or destroying a lot of player value by keeping an unhappy talent.

Sure, he's still gone.