quickpassnmove

Chelsea keep trying to buy strikers 1, 2, 3, and 4 years too late --except with Drogba or maybe a youngster, like Lukaku or Sturridge. waited too long on Falcao, could have bought Bony last summer, maybe Costa last summer, bought plenty of others too late in their careers. Hopefully Costa is O.K. (his hamstring). Maybe he will be just fine. Mandzukic is a good striker and my only concern with him is whether he maintains his own personal fitness well enough (doesn't look like a guy who stays in good shape aside from being on the pitch). I just wish Chelsea would spend the money to make sure they have quality and depth in center midfield and fullback this summer before they blow huge money on another striker 1, 2, or 3 years too late as striker has declined physically while value has increased.

been watching for 9 years. aside from the goals and a few passes here and there, I'm not too impressed. excellent player for a 4-3-3 where is expected to run into the box or to the edge of the 18, but never a choice player for me. 2004-2005 was his best season. I don't care if it's sacrilege; I'm not religious and football isn't a religion. just opinions.

one more year. good news.

setting aside the goals, I was far from impressed. much like the England national team who are inept in center midfield. if he were so good or underrated in CM, he would have been able to adapt to playing either alongside Gerrard or two other solid CMs sometime in the past 10 years for England. it's just not there.

Everton keep the ball moving, like Liverpool, ManUtd when they've played their typical way. Everton lack the striker they need but have some flair in Barkley and Deulofeu. Chelsea don't need flair, they need more solid CMs like Matic and a capable fullback on both sides. Matic is the first top CM since Ballack, Makelele, and (somewhat) a healthy Essien, or Tiago. when was the last time Chelsea had two solid CMs on the field simultaneously, like Barry and McCarthy? when we had Ballack and a slightly diminished Essien together? To answer your question, I believe that the players need to make it happen on the pitch by playing quicker, cohesive teamplay on the attack. I don't see players like Luiz, Lampard, Mikel, and Ramires being the kind of players we need in a two-man CM. Lampard has always been a passenger CM who poaches & puts in some good aerial balls sometimes but not an all-around CM who defends well, recovers and plays good ground passes from deep (and lost his ability to beat defenders years ago on the dribble if he ever truly had much to do that). MIkel never had it, full stop. Ramires lacks the tempo and brain for it, and Luiz either simply doesn't fit at Chelsea or isn't a top player in any position.

Thankfully, this guy is leaving, as expected since last summer during the tour in America.

exactly. chelsea can still be constipated as an old man with only Matic as the true center midfielder (unless Oscar and vanGinkel become good CMs). Chelsea still need a couple of top CMs who can pass and move quickly. no more slow chelsea build-up play, please. the never-ending plague of slow attacks better NOT continue with Diego Costa getting discouraged by the ineptitude of Chelsea's center midfield (and possibly fullbacks who can't cross).

Hard to call, but they really should have gotten a point more by now. people are so tired at the end of the season.

unlucky goal conceded and some nice play today. really hope Chelsea buy right & get some players off the books this summer.

I would gladly give Torres away and send Mikel to Milan, plus pay 7 million (or more) for Kovacic right now. getting rid of those two is great for CFC and getting a capable CM is a top priority this summer. such a deal would make the transfer work half done even though CFC would still need 3 more players.

Sign him up before the WC

I will watch this match if Tomas Kalas plays.

I didn't know about this kid. That's a special player for us, in the U.S. Finally some East African who lived in the U.S. is getting a chance.

Yes, I understand that. Drmic IMO will probably not become a Suarez in terms of creating something through his dribble (probably more with less touches and more passing in the case of Drmic), but could be a bit of both of these kinds of player (even if he has not yet scored those Inzaghi headers yet). From my point of view, even though Suarez will create more than the poacher Inzaghi, in terms of finishing, I have not seen so many forwards that have such ability and awareness. Raul was another. I'm speaking of finishing in the context of Inzaghi, Suarez, and Drmic.

You mean that one is slow and cannot finish with every part of his body and every part of his foot? I know why you would say 'they are polar opposites," but I don't think you know why I mention both of them just now.

anyone liked Pippo Inzaghi in his day? If Drmic becomes the player he could be, I think he is the next Inzaghi or Suarez. Arsenal ready to buy him apparently.

yep. too many skeptics on the other Chelsea online forum didn't like the Bony suggestion last summer either. He's not the greatest of strikers, for certain, but he offers more IMO than any of what we ended up with this season--which was the reason I was urging interest in him last summer. Strong and he used to be a central midfielder. has good control and vision. will play up against any center back. proved he's not afraid of any Premier League center back in his first season. This guy that Arsenal have been linked with, Drmic at Nuernburg is certainly an interesting one too. He has a good shot with both feet and scores with every part of his body. less than 6 feet tall, but looks like he could be the next big thing (after Suarez). Notice in this video that he scores using many different areas of his feet and notice his agility, his control. He can put a good shot on goal from any spot, with any part of his feet (reminding me of Suarez in that regard). He's only 21. Frankly, this guy should make a fan salivate with memories of Pippo Inzaghi.

Guingamp win the Coupe de France and a stereotypical Englishman writes a nice piece on it, admitting that he's never heard of Guingamp because, "[i've] never paid much attention to French domestic football..." He could have just written: "I've never paid much attention to any football outside of the U.K., Madrid, Barca, and MIlan (or just England, full stop)." http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/may/05/allez-guingamp-the-market-town-in-brittany-celebrates-more-cup-glory?commentpage=1

I would not and was not suggesting that Jose and CFC were ready to play more "expansive" football this season--and win enough. fullback and center midfield were inadequate from August last year--let alone the striker problem. But I will keep repeating the need for more quality in center midfield than just one new player this summer and the need to play quicker passes to pull and penetrate the opponent. Chelsea have LOST this ability and have shown it far too infrequently for years. It's going to be ugly if CFC go into the next season playing slow possession and get destroyed by a quick-passing, rejuvenated ManUtd squad. I don't want the Blues to be stuck for another 10 years with the label of billionaire club that cannot play above 3rd gear, unable to scare an opponent with attack speed and combination play.

I was admittedly 50-50 on Jose returning, but I have no problem with backing him right now. The squad has lacked quality in center midfield and still lacks quality in center midfield, striker, and in fullback. I am pleased that Chelsea have CL next season, but it appears that one big reason CFC HAVE CL next season is not because of talent and "just enough" from the squad and Jose; it's because some other clubs have stumbled through the entire season. I don't think Chelsea will have such a pass into the top four next season. It will only get harder next season (even if Liverpool fall in the table after hypothetically losing Suarez and playing more matches, etc.). Chelsea need better players (plural) in center midfield, striker and fullback(s) and need to play some effective, quick attacking football. We already know we can defend, so let's see some of the quick combination play up top that will take the tension and slow, distrustful habits away from this squad. vanGinkel could be a promising young player for the Prem, but he is an entirely unknown quantity -esp. after the knee injury. One center midfielder this summer is far from adequate. My feeling on Mourinho is that he needs some time, but I also don't feel like he will be the one who stays long either unless Chelsea begin to play quick, accurate passes in possession. CFC need to become a side that is confident in playing quick passes more often, taking a little risk and trusting one another despite any breakdowns in such quick attacks. To become a side that can score in any match, at any moment--not just park the bus and wait for the opponent slip-up nor play too much dribble-and-look or ponderous possession play. This is the play that gives Chelsea low confidence and a bad reputation around the world. To get beyond this poor possession play and break opponents down with accuracy, speed, and a little risk is the challenge for Chelsea Football Club's future and for Jose --and for any subsequent managers.

If Chelsea don't get this transfer window right and start playing football instead of dribble-n-look or -park two buses-, I don't see all young players really having the heart to stay. Sure, they will stay for money, but as soon as Chelsea fall out of the Champions League, what have CFC got other than the money? Chelsea did not have the squad (strikers, center midfielders) at the beginning of this season, so it's no surprise how they've played this season. Another season like this one and I don't see a reason for some of these big name young players to stay. Doesn't matter if that sounds like a lack of heart or dedication; it's just how it is. Sorry to say, but if you think players should WANT to wait around while Chelsea continue to play as poorly as they have for years since Duff and Robben were with us in 2005 (aside from some moments under Ancelotti, I suppose), you will be asking too much from a bunch of internationals who have more on their minds in life and their careers than just CFC --let alone that this generation of footballer is not mentally like the Golden Generation nor others before. It's up to CFC and Jose to get a balanced squad in this summer and get this club to start playing football again instead of being the 2 billion-pound club that is afraid to lose its CL spot and that cannot play some quick passes in transition and the final 3rd to cause problems for opponents. Stop being the slow club, the ponderous attack side.

Gianfranco should stay at SB as an assistant.

nothing to see here, move along.

mediocre player and not young; don't care to see him at SB.

I like him, but if it were one or the other, I would choose Diame. Get both if Barry is available for free. Barry, Diame, plus one big CM signing this summer. center midfield is fixed. Luiz, Mikel and Lampard out. If someone offers good money for Ramires, I might take that too.