quickpassnmove

I saw him pass the ball quickly though, one or two touches, playing with his head up more than Obi Mikel. I think he's better than Mikel, but not seen him enough.

What is your opinion of Giannis Maniatis? Looks like a good midfielder/fullback to me.

Monaco situation depends on their sponsorship deals and whether FIFA will examine any shady sponsorship deals. Maybe in the coming 2 years we will know more clearly what is happening with Monaco. James looks like he could be one of the top 5 players in the world ITF, so maybe Chelsea would sell a few of their players just to get him. Can't say I've seen him play much but the young man looks exceptional at this moment.

You need to put a "back" button on that survey. Interesting idea.

Sell Mikel, Willian, Oscar and maybe one younger player, buy James. Time for Football Manager. There's another fellow in Marseille who might one day fit the same profile depending on his persistence and temperament.

you're right. I haven't seen him play enough to really know.

another LB to consider (maybe): Miguel Layun, Mexico. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miguel_Lay%C3%BAn

I believe a more mature Baltotelli is the only buyable striker I mentioned who can top Benteke. I'll disagree on Benteke not being an ace. If Tekkers had better support around him, he would do even more. As Benteke played for Aston Villa, he was both their catalyst/creator and a highly accurate scoring threat. Balotelli just has a better body for all physical challenges IMO.

The part of Costa that I think you might not be considering enough is his mental outlook and persistence. I also felt terrible about Chelsea's decision on the Torres transfer in January 2011 (I also felt bad about the club as a whole many months before and after that January) and not getting Suarez (yes, I used to watch him at Ajax too). I haven't watch Costa much to be honest, but Chelsea are in a position where they cannot find the perfect superstar to buy who is a good age and consistent. Mueller would be a great signing--as you said the other day, but I don't think Mueller will be sold by Bayern regardless of what Pep thinks. Benzema is inconsistent, as we've said, Mandzukic is a very good player, Balotelli a mixed bag, to be generous---but maybe he's reached a good maturity level at this point... and Suarez is not on the radar for CFC after Liverpool. Who else? oh, there's one guy: Benteke, who is a REAL CF but maybe Jose hasn't looked at him enough just yet. Balotelli could end up being the player that Arsenal need (along with Super Serge Aurier, a new, imposing CM, and maybe someone like Pedro or another winger). Balotelli could go on to be what he should be after this summer window, which would be frightening. Out of all the strikers that could realistically be bought (Suarez, Mueller, Cavani are not possible for CFC in my mind), I rate Benteke as high or higher than all of them. His only problem has been playing for Aston Villa and his injuries last season. Otherwise, he is a perfect CF. Benzema doesn't have the accuracy nor consistence/mental fortitude of Benteke, Balotelli hasn't demonstrated the fortitude or maturity of Benteke, Costa doesn't have the technique of Benteke.

not really. Switzerland as a group just not as good as France. What center back in this WC is bigger liability than former Arse defender Johann Djourou? Behrami got destroyed in the France match. their MF was inferior and the Swiss were already unable to create good chances in the previous match going forward. just outclassed. Ricardo was not at fault for the first 3 or 4 goals. I didn't watch the whole match, so maybe he got beat on the 5th France goal (Sissoko). Anyone can be lost on a match after going down 4-0. so, I don't think people changed their mind on RR after that.

I've no idea about the local politics, so I'm curious if anyone thinks Labour representatives could help CFC get permission to build another tier on the NE side of the stadium, over the train tracks and into the adjacent park (which wouldn't be too intrusive, it would seem).

Leverkusen and Wolfsburg, the two corporate-owned clubs in Germany prove they are dumb as shit all the time.

Jake Cohen is the only guy on WAGNH who is a confirmed non-Dbag for me. They collectively seek to warn and ban all people who bring negativity to their forum, but I think they've ended up with a crowd yesmen. It's all for the sake of creating a positive website and getting as much webtraffic they can.

I'm past being concerned about Costa; just need to think about who the backup with be for us next season. The only thing I was thinking on Costa today was that he might just become disinterested in Spain entirely for the future, which might work well for us.

At least 2 d-bags on WAGNH for sure. Don't really need to visit there with the Mirror, Express, BBC, Marca, Bild, twitter, and this forum anyway. After their doucheyness, I'd prefer not giving them any web traffic.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/chelseas-left-back-transfer-search-expands-3706553 Steaua Bucharesti LB, a backup plan. probably irrelevant now.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/chelseas-left-back-transfer-search-expands-3706553 Latovlevici, Steaua Bucharesti

I think this is the wrong move this summer, but I could be wrong. 25 million for the 28 y.o. backup fullback of Brazil? He will be 29 by the start of the season. I really hope Chelsea tried to get Rodriguez from Wolfsburg in January or later on and found that they could only buy Luis. on the bright side, it's 25 million Euros, not pounds sterling.

+No one can predict whether Shaw will develop a consistently good cross and timing on attacks. +Ricardo is already good for free kicks, SOMETHING CHELSEA LACK.

whooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rrrrrrrrrrrrrricardo!

I don't think this will happen. He made some nice passes at Arsenal but he's not solid as a defending CM IMO.

Right now, I think Colombia should change to 4-3-3, using Ibarbo and James as wingers. Their CM was not at all solid using the 4231 as they gave Greece far too much space and James didn't play defence for shit in the whole 1st half. Ibarbo gave up on playing forward in the 2nd half because James didn't do anything defensively. either that or Pekerman told Ibarbo to stay back. But the 4231 is stupid for Colombia. They got a free pass today from their individual talent and Greece not being able to score. Cuadrado can be a sub or Ibarbo gets sacrificed for the 3rd CM.

I suppose Chelsea could do a 2nd medical examination on him once he's done with the WC just to be sure (if it helps to see his condition before and after). Otherwise, I still have no problem with him being Chelsea's striker next season. Hopefully he stops the headbutts and various dirty stuff soon.

I need to watch him more to have an opinion. His passing was very nice yesterday, but those passes don't always come off like that, esp. that one-touch lob to Robben. Highly unlikely that vanGaal passes up Blind at United. He is Dutch Footballer of the Year 2014.

I highly rate this guy. A gem ready to shine at a higher level, one can hope. Definitely looked one of the most dangerous players in the Euro 2012 Ibarbo, Cuadrado and Yarmolenko are forwards on my shortlist.