Shakez

There was a World Cup for christ sake. When do you suggest he has his holiday then?

Im doubting between Cesc and Willian. Decisions, decisions... 1 more week guy's and he'll join pre-season action

No, every player has gone through these perception changes except for Hazard. Schürrle was God when he scored 2 times against Stoke and subsequently panned for his dreadful performance against Southampton away. He was severly criticised in the first half against fulham away before he did a complete change-around in the second half and scored a Hattrick. He ended the season fairly without any standout performances (except against Atletico). People just have short memories, and to most people players are just as good as their last match. Look at Willian, he carried us against Stoke at home, and created the first goal against Atletico Madrid in our second CL semi-leg. He did his job, but we we're out because of an unfit (and uncaring?) Hazard. As a follow up he has a bad game against Sunderland i believe, and he was getting panned again. People also forgot that he was vital in our win against Liverpool away. Hazard is the only player that get's sugar coated, aside from Oscar he also had a fairly bad end of the season (and WC). He does get criticism from time to time, but most people ignore it. My only hope with Hazard is that he changes his mentality because to me he still acts like a kid without a care in the world. Schürrle played his heart out in this WC and rightly so get's the praise that he deserves, but he'll get panned again by the same people that praise him when he has a bad month. Ill judge our players again when i've seen em play this season, instead of giving them a starting spot before they played a single minute in our pre-season.

Perfect, im not gonna miss our opening match then

Had a superb WC , happy for the lad. When do you guys think he will join up with the team?

Pre-season isn't that important when he already played a full year at the club. This time though he is fairly established and has to defend his spot (against Schürrle and Salah) instead of fighting himself into the team like he had to do last year.

I think he's some sort of training God, regarding the praise he get's from Lampard, Luiz, Mourinho etc. the guy never has been a prolific goalscorer though (neither has Hazard), but that didn't stop him from beïng picked as a regular at Corinthians, Shakthar and now Chelsea. He was the only AM that received some sort of praise from Mourinho at the end of the season. Anyway i also agree with Mourinho "that a player with his ability should score more goals". Fuck it, Schürrle and Willian should just fusion-dance

I followed this thread with half an eye, and im a bit sad at all the negativity around here. I guess it is just a side-effect of not having anything to discuss aside the WC. But still, here are my thoughts: The kid certainly has the talent, but he will never be as creative as Mata. But it's his ability to track back, tackle, press etc.that will more than make up for his lack of creativity in the purest sense. The signing of Cesc will relieve alot of pressure from the kid, with both of them in the game they will most likely share creative and defensive roles. I don't think there is a better midfield in the PL when Cesc, Oscar and Matic are all playing. Anyway, i still got some reservations. Imo José needs to tinker with the team at the beginning of the season, seeïng that our first few fixtures are quite easy we can easily give Oscar some added rest and slowly easy him into the team like we did with Willian last season. The lad needs it (because of bad form, and average WC). In the meantime Willian and Cesc can easily step into his role at the beginning, wich allows us also to give André a run into the team. This way we can get Oscar back into top form at around october/november, whilst also giving other players a chance to grow and be valuable when we will need them the most (as a backup or starting role).

July 21.

Tbh, only Oscar should fear a burnout. The others (and im including Hazard) had a prettty light WC.

Our first preseason game today (u21's). In particular im gonna keep an eye on Musonda the following season. GOGO CHELSEA

They are the same age lol... Let's see how well he adapts first.

He'll join the team when we start our Europe tour.

Not going to happen, he's Germany's supersub (and a damn perfect one). Let's see how he develop's next season, i can see him getting a run in the team at the beginning of the season, though i doubt he will ever become a regular starter. Not that we need him to be, not every player in the squad has to be a regular starter. We need player's we can throw in the mix late in the game to be a genuine goalthreat (Schürrle, Salah) or other players who can secure us a win through defensive play (Mikel). Hope he carries his confidence over to the start of the season, our regular three (Oscar, Hazard, Willian) had average WC performances and will all be kinda down.

Friday i think.

Don't think we'll loan him next season. 1 more year and Musonda is homegrown.

If winning the FA Youth cup and the PL regular season + Playoffs isn't a statement of having the talent in our youth system, i dunno what is.... As much as i like Mourinho, he is a hinderance in our youth development. Probably his mentality in winning at all costs. Unless we fly the league come january, i don't see him bringing in a youngster.

Our most exciting transfer since Eden Hazard imo

Welcome Costa

Beïng able to win the midfield battle with Matic+Fabregas will improve us a ton. Imo more than a incoming striker will ever do...

Fuck it, don't want him here... biggest cunt in football.

Atleast he'll have a good rest , tbh i think only Hazard and Willian rival him in technical ability.

Not really. Aside from Hazard, Willian is the attacking player that played most of our top matches. Aside from the West-Ham game Mourinho always preferred Willian in the 4-3-3 setup. He was the player Mourinho raved about in having improved since the Shakthar days. He's also a player that would give his life for the team (not literally) A fact Mourinho touched up upon after Hazard's critical mistake when he didn't not cover his fullback against Atletico. Mourinho values defensive stability above almost anything, seeïng he never criticised any of the defending 4. Willian is also seen as a winger, and both Oscar and Fabregas are not. Schürrle will always be the main threat for Willian's starting spot (and Salah too a lesser extent). Oscar will be our Number 10 next season, but Mourinho won't think twice about replacing him with Fabregas if he performs the way he did in the last part of our season. I don't think Mourinho was up in joy when he saw Oscar performing like he did in Brazil. Mainly because he expected it, and it validates most people concerns that he was holding himself back for the World Cup.

I still can't believe it... Someone pinch me...

Calling it now, BEST SIGNING OF THE SUMMER. Welcome Cesc