The Chels

I reckon that was because he wanted a friend/someone he could trust given the dressing room split during his era there. Ramires though he didn't know and so would've wanted to bring for his footballing qualities (LOL) rather than personal ones in my opinion. I guess we shall see this summer though: if we do sign a top-class CM they would probably displace Ramires from the starting 11; if not then it's another season (or more) of his atrociousness unfortunately.

Hmm he may well be, but I don't have high hopes for his departure/sitting on the bench next season given that Mourinho wanted him at Inter and Real, so clearly very highly rates him.

If he isn't a starter then I don't think many people would really care if he stayed or not. But under Mourinho he always seems to be first-choice despite being an absolute liability, which is why I guess selling him would mean be the only choice (but that's not going to happen without Jose's permission).

Sounds like it is happening today:

Other fans moan about Abramovich's ruthlessness but I'm grateful -- Moyes wouldn't have lasted very long at all; imagine having to put up with him for the entire season! Also maybe Klopp won't leave for Barca: http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/04/20/tipped-manchester-united-option-jurgen-klopp-comments-on-exit-ru/

Sadly it's definitely true. All the respected football journos are talking about it on Twitter too. The Guardian is pretty much always spot on when breaking United news; if it was just the Daily Mail or the Sun, for example, then it would likely be regarded as BS. It's happening though. Some good news though:

Pretty much every newspaper is running with it at the same time. Clearly they've all been briefed by United, who refuse to deny the claims.

Yep definitely seems like it's happening. Shame!

http://www.redcafe.net/threads/moyes-to-be-sacked.389098/

Could be too late!

Damn it was fun while it lasted! If they get Klopp and spend £150m, they'll probably be favourites for the league! Crazy.

Useful? When you want someone to sprint back to the dressing room to collect something then yes. On the pitch? In 1-v-1 situations, probably yes. But that's about it... He's never going to learn how to pass, or how to even spot one, or how to control the ball, or how to not fall over when shoulder barged or how to not get himself sent off: he's not just a passenger in the team -- he's a nuisance. Meanwhile Luiz, for all his flaws, is more than just an athlete and I'm sure most Chelsea fans would rather see him play out-of-position in the midfield than to see Ramires play in his 'natural' position.

How can the World Cup be to blame for Oscar's recent inability to generate any lift on the ball when making a cross-field pass, or his choosing to shoot when a pass is much the better option or his completely wayward shots, etc.? It has to be more than just the forthcoming WC.

Those full stops sure do look a lot like commas.

Once again I apologise - this time for not looking through every single post of mine to satisfy your demands. Instead I shall please you by adding your customary three commas to this post ,,,

http://forum.talkchelsea.net/topic/14305-the-mourinho-thread/page-690#entry885550 http://forum.talkchelsea.net/topic/16711-22-willian/page-53#entry883946 ...Apologies for not making every post of mine a positive one. God forbid anyone express an honest opinion should it be negative!

Thinking positively is one thing... Saying 'Who the fuck is Simeone?' as to suggest that he is a rubbish manager whose side we will pass with ease is a very different thing.

Just because you think Mourinho is the much better manager that doesn't mean Simeone won't get the better of him: in fact Tony Pulis did so very convincingly in my opinion.

Well he took over an Atletico Madrid side 4 points above the relegation zone and since then he's won the Europe League, subsequently beating us 4-1 in the Super Cup; he also beat Mourinho's Madrid in the final of the Copa del Rey at the Bernabeu; he is currently leading La Liga - 85 points with 4 games to go(!) - and is in the semi-finals of the Champions League with a side assembled at a fraction of the cost of all its rivals (including us). I don't think you should underestimate him or his team particularly given that they seem like a better, equally-as-spirited (if not more) version of us.

Will they even want to attack us though lol? Like us they seem to have difficulties in breaking teams down from open play; perhaps both teams will be content with giving the ball away and retreating! Hah! I think it will be quite likely that both teams lump the ball upfield from a GK just to allow the opposition defenders the ball (even though we pretty much always do that anyway). Edit: just seen this on Twitter which seems quite apt:

Fabricated quote...

Both teams want to play in the same way: defend and counter attack. So it will be interesting to see which team, if either, takes the initiative at the start. If one of the sides does concede they will probably be forced to go out and attack, allowing the opponent the opportunity to play their preferred system; overall though I reckon it will be a very cagey and tugid affair perhaps decided by a set-piece or a mistake.

The lack of width/offensive threat from the fullbacks, and the lack of a true ball-playing CM (exacerbated by Ramires' dire passing abilities) are two of the biggest reasons for that in my opinion. I doubt either issue will be remedied next season though sadly, mostly due to Mourinho's preferences and tactics.

Missing chances doesn't justify the poor refereeing decisions!

As well as all the red-card suspensions he receives, he also gets far too many through accumulation of yellow cards, both in the CL and PL.... It's not like most of his yellow cards are ones that he 'takes for the team' - they're just borne out of stupidity and you'd think that would be more than enough evidence for the management to realise that Ramires is a liability!