OhForAGreavsie

His agent would certainly have investigated if there was any interest from other clubs. If, say, Bayern had been interested and they offered him a realistic prospect of being in the regular rotation, Hakim wouldn't be here.

On Hakim, did that stop clubs in Germany, Italy and Spain wanting to take him? Stories like these are publicised but I do not believe them. If there was a player a top club genuinely wanted they would have thrown their hats into the ring.

I'm really surprised by this because that is not what I found. Anyway, I'm on record as saying that I do not think Ethan will make it as a Chelsea player. Hopefully for the lad I will be wrong.

This is not what everyone was saying when we signed him It's a buyer beware warning. Anytime a supposedly top level player is available to Chelsea it is because none of the more immediately attractive clubs is interested. One 'big' club might misjudge a player and pass because they fail to recognise his level or perhaps because they don't have a need. When every club ahead of Chelsea pass however, there is always a reason for that. This brings us back to Sancho. I'm not saying you refuse to buy a player because the clubs players generally prefer to join don't want him. I am saying though that you accurately calibrate the footballer you are chasing and avoid being suckered into overpaying. Havertz is a good example. I'm glad we have him but as soon as it became clear that we might actually get Kai I realised that I had been overrating him and toned down my expectations. This may also bring us back to Sancho.

By who? I don't think the club regard him as such.

It's desperately depressing. The lunatics feel they are running the asylum now so it's party time for the morons. This particular glimpse into the minds of the crazies is just a slice of the mania which is abroad in the world currently. There will be an upturn again but for now it feels like the world is headed into a long, steep and deep decline. And I thought that the football itself was depressing enough.

Turn the chat off. 🙂

With that kind of contribution from a mod, that's somewhere not worth being. Wherever it is.

You know the answer. We all do. 🙁

I am a complete non believer when it comes to Melanie. If she came through the ranks then maybe give her a squad place but to sign her on a big contract is a poor decision. She does not have the quality to justify that kind of move. Win or loose, I would have had many criticisms at the end of the season. Criticisms of Emma Hayes, not of the players. Melanie Leupolz is not to blame for the fact that she was signed, or that she is selected. Criticisms which apply to where we are as a whole, not just tonight.

Until the rise of Barca Atleti, who we beat in the last sixteen, were the top Spanish outfit. Real have just started their side and are claiming they will build a side to compete at the very top but they are not there yet. As the stats suggest, Barca are very much the best in La Liga Femenina. There's no doubt that Spain's top league is not as strong as the WSL but there is also a very good chance that Barca would have won the WSL title this season if they had been in it. They are great in possession and have some outstanding individuals. Watch out for Putellas & Graham-Hansen in particular for them.

Great news! Barca are favourites but let's see.

Important to add that it is FREE to view in the UK on BT's YouTube channel and app. Also free to view outside the UK on the Chelsea website and app. Geo blocked in the UK.

Kane would be a fool to join Chelsea. He would certainly have the option of several equally attractive clubs so does not need all of the crap Spurs fans would drop on his head if he came here. He would take dogs abuse from them and pick up death threats by the sack load. Probably for the rest of his life. I'd love Kane to be our CF but I would not advise him to do this to himself and his family.

I'm afraid I want the club to go shopping for a left back once again this summer. Leicester fans' assessment of Chilwell had me worried when he was linked. It is now clear that they were right and that it was right to take their opinions seriously. After Ben's first game I commented that, unlike Marcos, he was prepared to use his right foot so that at least was an improvement. I spoke too soon however. I am totally fed up watching professional footballers having to turn down easy forward passes, and opt for momentum destroying backwards ones instead, because all they can do with their weaker foot is stand on it. From now, we must only sign two footed full backs. With the modern method, one-footed full backs are even more of a hindrance than they have always been. Ben is not the solution for us. By the way, the women play their Champions League Final tonight. The regular left back is, in my opinion, a weak link when we have the ball because she's not great with it at her feet and is also hopelessly one-footed. We are always better in possession when either Blundell or Charles deputise for her. Those too are among the best ball players, and passers, in the squad. Barcelona are favourites tonight but, in my opinion, our chances improve a lot if Blundell or particularly Charles start. Indeed I'd play 3-4-3 with both of those in the side as wingbacks. Easily doable since both of them are fully two footed.

His form wasn't great, he was fed up and wanted out, Jose was fed up and wasn't fussed if he stayed, then Real made a good offer.

Well, you could certainly be right so I won't take that bet but I don't think Cancelo has been that good over the last couple of months. Of the two I'd say he's most at risk of not starting.

Spot on.

I think Stones & Zinchenko will start in Istanbul so not really their first choice defence.

After a poor touch that killed any chance he would get a strike on goal.

Seems like a quiet sit down is in order.

Absolutely delighted that Tino Livramento is on the bench. Great young player. The opportunity may not come for him to get on today but I hope it does before the end of the season.

I think we have needed defensive reinforcements for several seasons and they are now imperative. One CB and one LB at a minimum. Starting quality players, not backups.

The tream that plays at home in the second leg has 120 minutes, i.e. 30 extra minutes of home advantage, to score the winning goal if necessary. Swings & roundabouts.

Maybe seeing 36 year old Silva at all shows that their minds have already changed?