quickpassnmove

worst rumours so far: Lavezzi and Filipe Luis.

Not sure about that; thinking Chelsea bought MvG

He has abilities in front of the centre backs that every player at CFC could only dream of having aside from Matic. If CFC DON'T get better quality in center midfield this summer, regardless of the striker position changes, Chelsea run the risk of falling out of the top four. The 2013/14 saw the stumbling Manchester United along with the oft-mentioned inability of Chelsea to kill-off lower and mid-table sides who pack it in defensively. You Chelsea fans can console yourselves with ideas that Liverpool will inevitably fall back down due to pressure and fixtures next season, but they're not the ones who've had difficulty passing, nor with attack speed, let alone the benefit of having Europe's top striker. The young players at Chelsea don't even need to enter into this conversation if we know that Luiz is gone, Essien left, vanGinkel is an entirely unknown quantity (compared to one who was NOT unknown in Strootman), Lampard has never been an all-around player for CM (as in a traditional 4-4-2, or even the popular 4231) in front of the CBs and is just slowing down, and Mikel is leaving. Sure, it's good to get someone like Chalobah match time, but the first question should be: "who are the pillars of our center midfield?" There's only ONE right now. Chelsea need more pillars in the spine of the team; quality and depth, experience and capability. Tiago is a good fit for the the need. The striker position's lack is only one dimension of the lack of confidence, speed of attack play, and frequent impotence of Chelsea's overall attack and I know Jose sees this. I feel he will be doing the right things with this squad. Hopefully the transfers go well this summer, both INS and OUTS.

I'm happy to see the Chelsea youth get a chance, but I have doubts on Chalobah while McEachran and Ake don't look like players who will make it in the top tier of football. I think Boga and RLC have a better chance than any of the other three. Tiago has better pass accuracy (or, he chooses the better ground passes from deeper areas) and better rhythm than anyone in CFC's squad aside from Matic in his role in front of the centre backs. And he's more experienced in this role than anyone CFC have.

Ready to return on a free transfer apparently. Makes me HAPPY!!! http://www.marca.com/2014/05/27/en/football/spanish_football/1401192876.html http://www.itv.com/sport/football/update/2014-05-27/mourinho-eyes-tiago-deal/

Luke Shaw is over-priced. Seems a sure thing that Chelsea will be buying: 1. striker, 2. CM, 3. CM, 4. LB, but I feel a little bit crazy checking the rumours and news every single day before the WC while discussing potential targets.

Seems to me Cahill, Terry, Ivanovic, and Kalas should be our CBs next season while Omeruo and Zouma continue playing elsewhere. Keep clutching at those Champions League spots while not having the guts or confidence to play at all tempos--including quick and incisive, then it's hard to see Chelsea evolving. If Chelsea get some more quality all-around centre midfielders to sit in front of the CBs along with a superb left back, then I think Chelsea will improve their overall play (and tempo) and be willing to use young players more readily throughout a season. Chelsea have been shaky going forward well before Drogba left and I see them still unable exhibit the kind of killer transition play and build-up play that scares opponents. If this lack of attacking confidence or rut is overcome in the next season, I think Mourinho should more readily give young defenders and center midfielders more time on the pitch. The question is whether Mourinho is the manager to take Chelsea beyond this rut, because IMO, it's not just about a damn striker; striker is only part of Chelsea's problems.

Great news! Getting rid of inconsistent player who isn't great in any position! Money for transfers in! Dump Torres, Moses, Marin, Mikel, Lampard, etc; BUY better quality in center midfield (at least TWO), left back, and striker.

Here's another example of the type of player Chelsea should consider (I'm NOT suggesting that he's DEFINITELY a good buy, nor the next big thing) before he goes to a big club or another PL club: Victor Ibarbo @ Cagliari Calcio and the Colombian national team. 188 cm with excellent touch, all kinds of skill. Ibarbo might be an excellent addition despite scoring few goals in Serie A. Cagliari have struggled terribly in Serie A. I don't see any reason why Chelsea always need to be the club that buys a big name striker from another big club for big money every year or two. Could have had Bony last summer and he would have helped greatly during the season wherein strikers did not do enough for Chelsea (of course, I blame the center midfield too).

Should we be encouraged? I would be so happy to see Bamford break into the 1st team at SB. http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/477454/Costa-Mandzukic-and-Bamford-Chelsea-s-striker-plans-spell-EXIT-for-Torres-Lukaku-and-Ba

Despite the explosion of Costa excitement in recent months/weeks, I wouldn't mind if CFC just got Mandzukic, brought Drogba back as a player+coach, Lukaku, then spent the money for two good center midfielders and maybe a left back (if one is desired and available for a good price). I guess Patrick vanAanholt and Ryan Bertrand get no chance then; I wonder if this is just 'the way it is at a big club' or there's something wrong with this picture.

the 2012-13 season of Bayern... yeah, it's a nice idea generally, which is also the reason I was laughing last year when they switched their manager. good job on that one, Bayern. lmao.

that's good news. I was sleeping when it happened. thanks

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.