ChelseasMessiah

I meant his preference for Lampard over Mikel.

He was lively, great movement and leadership, I saw him talking to a few players, giving them a few pointers. He is also much quicker than I expected. His final product was missing last night though. Great turns on the ball but either the shooting or passing were not on near the box.

From what I have seen, Lukaku isn't ready yet. His link up play, turn, and movement are not Chelsea quality yet, let him play and develop a little more so we can have a 21 year old beast next season. It's only gonna do him good.

While that's true, I'd factored in the apparent reluctance Mourinho has to playing Mikel (who would be my first choice for the role with Ramires). And I think we would dominate possession more against the smaller sides with a metronome player in there.

He was excellent yesterday. 6 goals in 7 Champions League matches from midfield is world-class form. The boy has a lot of bite on him as well, he takes shit from nobody. Boss little player.

Having said what I said about Terry, I have no doubt he still should play ahead of Cahill who does not cut the grade at this level.

I really feel sorry for the boy, our best player in the last two seasons, pushed onto the arena in a Gladiator battle without a shield and a sword. He does not seem to fit the pressing system Mourinho wants, which was a bit similar to what Spain tried agaiinst Brazil in the Confeds Cup. I can't help but think Mourinho is reluctant to play Mata in his best position because the team already has to cover for Lampard's lost legs in the pivot, therefore having to cover for Mata in the attacking position as well would leave us with a mountain to climb, especially versus top oppositions. We badly missed Ramires' unique change of pace and stamina yesterday.

Even Messi does not have a free role per se. The team needs to defend as a unit, so giving players a free role would leave even more gaps for the top sides to exploit. He's good enough to flourish as is, he just had a bad game.

I would play Kevin or Oscar in one of the pivot roles alongside Ramires in the next games. We can't dominate or even compete in any midfield battle with Lampard leaving gaps everywhere.

Luiz was one of our best players yesterday. Very assured. Cahill on the other hand, keeps on with the "back away like Satan runs from a cross" school of defending.

Leadership does not make up for the legs he lost. Playing Terry is unviable as he requires us to play with a deep defensive line to make up for his lack of pace and mobility, which would leave a massive gap for our pivots to cover, which would be impossible given that one of them is also physically inept in the shape of a 35 year old Lampard. By the way, are you not the one who always advocates Lampard being on the field at all times for his leadership?

The boy had a bad game. He's trying to do too much on his own. Still one of my favourite players and should start against Fulham.

I simply cannot get over the fact this guy never gets criticised! Have a look at the Dailymail's review he got after the match: "Looked every inch the first choice centre back for club and country before Basle's late purple patch". He (along with Oscar and Lampard) received a 7 out of 10, which was the highest mark in our side. Not a single mention of him losing his marker in the second goal, just like in the game against Bayern where he just let Ribery freely take his shot, and dozens of other matches in the Premier league last season and also Benteke's goal for Villa this season. It certainly does pay dividends having friends in the media with their perennial footballing nepotistic way of judging players.