quickpassnmove

I would like to see more on Constantin Nica, RB for Cesena, on-loan from Atalanta. Interesting young player. Have any of you seen him much?

The leaders: Fab and Terry. I think it really shows while Fab is out of action how Chelsea backslide into a pattern of repeated slow and impotent attacks like yesteryears. Need to prevent this from happening and not be over-dependent upon Cesc. That's what needs to be addressed by the manager and in the summer. Faster build-up play, more depth in CM and better fullbacks.

I'm very happy for him right now. Keep your chin up no matter what, Kurt.

I hope that Cuadrado-Hazard-Costa/Remy-Fabregas-Matic make our passing quicker for the rest of the season. good win, Cech MotM, but I would have liked to see some more speed of attack at least during the first 25 minutes of the 2nd half.

I wasn't happy with the line-up and match, but the consequence of the result might mean playing time for RLC, Ake, etc. later on. 7 points above and hoping for something more in the coming league matches.

I don't think this will be like past games away to Villa. Chelsea win. Put in Hazard, Willian, and Cuadrado behind Remy, Oscar as a sub.

RLC should be a CM off the bench behind Ramires (as Fab recovers)... while Mikel only used sometimes to maintain a lead-- but I see that Mikel-use going wrong too. Can't wait 'til Mikel is gone.

Walcott, Chambermaid, Chambers, Welbeck... Walcott's good, Ox is becoming good, Gibbs is always injured. Question on England is: where's the next S. Gerrard or excellent CM? at Tottenham? there are a few guys out there I like, but IDK if they're coming to Chelsea anytime soon. I genuinely like RLC though; have high hopes for him.

speed and incision and a greater threat on the dribble have arrived. welcome Juan!

waiting to hear about Enner. happy about Cuadrado joining. Guess the summer will bring another CM and a fullback. Maybe Oscar OTW out. I'm waiting to see RLC play again. tick tick tick. let's see him.

good point. I don't mind Jose's overall strategy to win the title this season (not losing to the big sides), but I don't agree with any notion that today is an example of what Chelsea should be for the future--meaning, THE HIGH PRICED SIDE THAT PLAYS AGAINST TOP SIDES LIKE SOME MID-TABLE CLUB. I guess you can make the argument that Chelsea don't have the capability to adequately pressure ManCity with possession while top players are out of the lineup, but then I must ask why the squad isn't better prepared to attack a top side and why it wasn't better prepared to attack in other matches this season. After today's performance, people should ask whether Chelsea is an attractive place to play football in the future (as you suggest) and whether Jose's teams will play like this in the future, after this season. For now, we can accept this result, but for the future is this kind of approach going to be acceptable? Doing nothing with the ball and defending might have gotten Chelsea one CL title, but I don't think it's the way Chelsea Football Club want to play in the future and I'm still wondering about this trend continuing since Jose has come back here. If Jose gets a trophy this season, we'll see if anything changes.

Navas is too quick for him

well, it's an OK result, but the fact that Chelsea had no link-up play when in transition for all of the 2nd half stinks. I remember that Chelsea did nothing in possession earlier in the season at City, so I'm wondering when Chelsea will do something in possession against the big sides. Inviting all that pressure is not likely a way to win titles in the future even if Chelsea win the league this season. on this topic, I have to ask where the hell Oscar was in this match? and why when Drogba is ready to come on would you not try shoving it straight up their gut with Remy and Drogba up against the two CBs and Hazard behind them at CAM (4312 formation)?

...except that Kevin has high-velocity shots, better crosses, more curve, and most likely better long passes. Oscar might be a little better at some tippy-tappy play but that's debatable. Kevin is a good player, but he's gone now.

Live radio, not posted on the web.

Deal is done according to Talksport with Salah going to Italy.

seems like the player Chelsea need --even after getting a new winger, to win something this season. Jose, what do you say?

Dougy has dubious positioning and low aggression, but good dribbling. Bernard is one of the best dribblers in the game IMHO.

Should mesh well with Loic Remy. quick passes, direct. I like this business all-around because Schuerrle was never quite the guy for me even though he was supposed to be good for counter attacks. At least we're getting someone who can cause more problems for defenders 1v1 and keep momentum going while on the field with Costa, Hazard and Fab.

dump Mikel anywhere, sign him up.

Yes, Pasalic is a Chelsea player. Elche are just one of the worst La Liga sides. To be fair, Barca are now up due to an unusual strike from Pique off a free kick and a crap PK call on a counterattack. Neymar ran into the defender rather than the defender sticking his leg out at the last moment.

Elche have not scored A GOAL against Barca since 1978. Today they are looking dangerous and Pasalic is again a starter. Now in the 27th minute.

anyone watching Pasalic's Elche against Barca for the 3rd time this month?

so, if anyone was actually able to SEE this Chelsea match, I am curious how much of it is the fault of the CM.

yellow card Fernandinho. this looks like it could be a M'brough win.