OhForAGreavsie

So he played CB not RB? All of this makes Kenneth pretty much a squad player currently. Any new information regarding how he feels about this?

Back more rigidly on topic: It's great to see Boga on the bench for tonight's 19s game with Zenit but I'm disappointed that RLC is not involved. In one way it's good news because it suggests that he'll be on the bench at Wembley and that Jose is not willing to risk him tonight. On the other hand, I'd have thought he could do with some game time since I don't believe he has played at any level for several weeks. Also, I really want to progress at least one more round in the EYL so I'd have been happier if we selected our top side available.

I think either I have not explained myself well enough or you have not quite grasped my point. Almost certainly the former I'm sure. I'm not arguing that Zouma is similar to other members except in one way way. I'm trying to describe my point of view that Kurt gets games for one reason, and one reason, only. This is simply that sometimes Jose feels the young man is the best player available to occupy one of the centre back roles. Kurt doesn't get the shirt because he is old, or young; because he's a record signing, or a free transfer. When he gets the nod it's because, in TSO's opinion, he is the best man available for that job, on that day. The same has been true for Nathan Ake on one occasion. That, I think you and I would agree, is Jose's modus operandi. Selection on merit only and, in judging that merit, his is the only opinion that counts. Calling for young players to get special treatment is always going to be a vain pursuit with our boss. Youngsters may get dead minutes at the end of a game, or the end of the season, but when it comes to getting live minutes they simply have to make Jose believe they are the best. Zouma has done that, Christiansen, for example, has not. Some people consider Jose's M.O. to be a fault but we've all seen Zouma and we've all seen Christiansen. Do any of us seriously doubt that one player looks ready and the other does not? I say again, with Jose, it's not about how old you are, it's about how convinced he is that you can help the team. If you want minutes don't just hold out your birth certificate and hope, make the boss believe.

Thanks Supporter. I have not seen enough of Koke so, while I feel justified to say that what I have seen has not particularly impressed me, I will bow to your greater knowledge.

It sounds like you've seen more of Koke than I have so I'm happy to accept that you are in a better position to judge him. Something I do feel qualified to hold an opinion about is that the Oscar fades idea is a myth. He's poor before Christmas too. It just seems to take till then for people to stop making excuses and face the truth. That truth is that he's a good player but good does not get it done for Chelsea's number ten.

As I said above, I don't believe that KDB will return. As for Koke, I've seen too little of him to be absolutely definitive but, from what I have seen, he looks no better than Oscar. Since I don't believe Oscar is good enough to serve as Chelsea's number 10, I am in no hurry to sign Koke.

And Thibaut

I see nothing wrong with what KDB is quoted as saying but in any case there is no news here. We can all read the runes and realise that KDB would not put returning to Chelsea at the top of his wish list. The only thing likely to persuade him to rejoin is a monster contract offer. Problem is I don't believe for one minute that Jose will want him back because those same runes tell us that the boss was even less happy about Kevin's off field approach than he was with the young man's efforts on match day. If it was only about performance levels that would be one thing, but when it's about attitude then it's hard to imagine Jose ever changing his mind. I would therefore say that the first step on the road to KDB's return would be Jose's departure. Even speaking as KDB's biggest fan around here, which I think I probably am, any choice between KDB and TSO is an absolute no contest. Ten more years please Jose.

Doubt there will be many, if any, there.

It's a bit of fun. I enjoyed it Alex. Good work.

No, I think it's great. Well played Alex. Mind you I did know about Thorgan's move before reading the headline so I was never in danger. We'd all be surprised though, wouldn't we, if anyone here actually thought the worst? Is anyone willing to admit they saw the headline and thought we really had sold Eden?

We have 10 days between Sunday and the return with PSG. For that matter we'll have a full week to prepare the Paris game after the trip to West Ham. Even if the Paris game did follow straight after Wembley there is, in my opinion, no way Jose should opt to use a shadow squad in the CapOne. After all it's a final and there has been more than enough evidence to suggest that, if used, our squad team would be clear second favourites against Spurs.

It looks great. If they also improve transport access to the stadium, which I believe is a part of the plan, it will be a terrific venue for Spurs. In my opinion, it will boost more than just their financial situation.

Lol. @CurlyHairLikeLuiz, looks like this is gonna be with you for a while.

The concept, was arguably invented by Baird so in that sense a case can be made. TV as broadcast from launch up until the digital revolution however was invented by an American kid. (Still don't have a firm opinion on Pogba mind. )

OK, I know someone is going to jump out from behind the monitor and shout, "Gotcha", but I'll bite... Calculators at the ready, 13 x 3 = ? :)

Chelsea won of course We all knew that they would And the star of that great team was... Forever in our hearts. Long live The King.

Now I'm not sure if you're not sure or if you're messing with me. Either way it's a good one because it made me smile.

Agree with your overall view but, just to dot the is and cross the ts, I'd say it actually is a personnel issue in the sense that Jose does not have the personnel he needs to solve the problem. I think this is a circle that can't squared which is why I believe our boss deserves a lot of praise for finding solutions that win points, even if not plaudits.

Oops?! We take your point though.

I'm strongly in the pro Jose camp but I have to say that I think this criticism is unfair. Critical posts do happen after a win but they are met by various versions of the, "We won, just enjoy it can't you?", comment. People who post negatively get complaints about their timing whichever way they go. In that sense, they can't win. At this point I should admit that I'm one of them. I frequently post negative comments. It's just that, Bradford apart, my complaints are about the players, not the manager; and about what I see as the lack of sufficient quality in the squad, not about an individual's form. I make such comments just as often after a good result, as after a bad one. For example, despite his positive stats, I was unhappy with Oscar in the 5-0 at Swansea and said so. Often.

And missed 5 great chances, at least 2 of them sitters.

I can't vouch for Pogba, don't watch him, but I agree to a large degree with your general idea. Only the best will do. Outstanding must become entry level for Chelsea transfer targets. I say that I go along to a degree because I think we need to recruit at least three more outstanding players. I'm not convinced that we can pay as much as €70m for any one of them.

The right question I think. It doesn't seem to me that he'd be prepared to return or that Jose would want him for that matter. I don't think his links to the club, through his mother, would make any difference. On the other hand, if we did want him then I suppose the new TV deal might.

It is the point to me. Chelsea being better is what I care about, City getting better is their problem.