The Chels

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If it were a 1v1 duel then definitely but we'll be defending with a back 5 or 6 so probably not. Instead Ivanovic will be standing in between Cahill and one of Willian/Ramires (as they try to defend 1v1) with his hands behind his back, pretending to be making himself useful.

I think the QF of the COC against Derby was the only time in 50+ games. Even then Ivanovic came on (for the injured Zouma) and proceeded to give a goal away with that awful clearance

Jose's third season at Real? First game was a draw at home against Valencia. In fact they only got 4 out of 12 points in the first four games and ended the season trophyless. Hope this particular history doesn't repeat itself.

He's no longer reliable at defending set pieces either.

True, and it was only yesterday that PSG played away to Lille with 10 men for the majority of the game and ended up winning 1-0. There's also our disastrous 2-2 with them last season but they aren't even the crème de la crème of European football either as was shown by their games against Barcelona. We are a long way off the top and seem to be accepting it for some reason.

It now provides a convenient excuse but a truly great team should be comfortable playing with 10 men at home IMO. But just like against Burnley last year we were never going to win when we had one player less.

We've looked dangerous going forward but at the same time defensively very susceptible. Cesc and Ivanovic are big defensive liabilities but at least Cesc contributes to the attack. Ivanovic has been useless all round.

An interesting article by Michael Cox on the recent complacency of PL title winners: http://www.espnfc.co.uk/barclays-premier-league/23/blog/post/2550987/complacency-atop-premier-league-makes-it-so-exciting

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3187270/Roberto-Martinez-blasts-John-Terry-illegal-comments-John-Stones.html

Having two offensively challenged fullbacks is never a good recipe against a top side sitting deep.

According to Jose at least, 'loyalty'.

Is that an insult? La Liga has the best teams in the world.

Fabregas certainly has one of, if not the, best football brains in the team but like Terry he needs a lot of help because of his physical limitations. On the other hand we have those with good physical abilities but with poor technical and/or decision making abilities (most notably Ramires and Ivanovic but this also applies to much of the squad). Put either of these two groups of players under pressure and they will often fail to retain the ball, albeit for different reasons. It's disappointing that we have so few players who combine both skill sets.

Nothing new but Cesc is so immobile it's unreal.

We're looking for a back-up LB, not a starting one.

The funniest thing I've read on their forum is the suggestion that there will be a bidding war between the English teams as well as the major European powers, namely Barca, Bayern and Real, for Stones' signature after the Euros next year.

The Guardian: Everton reject Chelsea’s £26m bid as Manchester United target John Stones Says that Chelsea are still frontrunners and seems to suggest that Everton would sell at £30m.

Costa is our best striker but I would still trust Falcao and Remy over him in a penalty shootout

Spanish media meltdown incoming.

Thiago Motta would be a nice short-term option but he looks set to join Atletico.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/everton/11749964/Everton-had-already-told-Chelsea-John-Stones-was-off-limits-before-20m-bid.html http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/premierleague/article4500961.ece It's obviously not true though because every player has his price and if we bid, say, £50m then they'd be crazy not to accept. Having said that, I can't see us meeting Everton's valuation of Stones.