chrismada9

Definitely agree with you! I feel Essien and Ramires will work so well in midfield for us. Essien might have the edge in strength but they both have excelling speed. I have just one small nag about them being in the same team. They said a couple of years ago that Ballack and Lampard failed to gel as a midfield unit because they were both too similar. The same applies with Lampard and Gerrard as far as England is concerned. Hopefully Essien and Ramires, despite their similarity will prove us wrong, and be a mouthwatering partnership.

I agree! Plus a fact we have the likes of Kakuta and Sturridge here, which I reckon is plenty of "good" young talent. If Neymar decides to add his name to that list, Lukaku wouldn't be needed at this stage

fair point. I mean Pele does have a track record of getting things wrong, but even Robinho and Mano Menezes are persuading him not to go. Maybe I'm over-exaggerating a bit, I'm just saying.

I'm just worried that if he signs for us, and he indeed struggles for form, and even fails to make any starts, we are not going to be a popular club for the likes of Pele and co. They are going to hate us for ruining his career. I'd be over the moon if he signs, but I will be equally as happy if he stays at Santos, solely for the good of his development. Of course the only downside to that, is that he will attract every club in Europe as well as us, if he gets better with age. At the end of the day, it all comes down to one decision.

as far as I'm concerned, whatever they decide, it won't change the wishes of the player. Neymar says he wants to stay, so he'll stay... for the good of his development.

Yeah I agree, it's all about the youth development at the moment, Chelsea pundits, and people on the sunday supplement have been bragging for months that our squad is stale and old, and we need to freshen it up with some promising young talent, which, I have to say, we have been doing a good job. Once we have that sorted, then maybe invest in a new stadium.

yeah exactly, they just play for the money every week, which is why City ruin football by waving money in player's faces and they get attracted to it

After everything that has been said about Neymar staying at Santos, is this saying we still have a chance of signing him??

Are you kidding?? I think you were meant to say 35 million euros!

I suppose it's a good thing for us. He can solely concentrate on Chelsea now, and hopefully we can get the best out of him this season.

Something like that would be a good idea, but Vitesse aren't that much of a big club in Holland I don't think. I'd rather we keep Matic, I think he's a great prospect in our side, plus a fact it's silly to loan everyone out after it was said that we'd focus more on our youth development. Cork and Bertrand have already made pointless loan moves to the Championship, and Sinclair has moved permanently to Swansea.

Seems rather interesting this piece of news. I wonder if Abramovich is linking Vitesse Arnhem with us as a feeder club or something, just like we have with PSV. I assume PSV are still one of our feeder clubs, considering they held on to the likes of Alex and Alcides when they couldn't aquire work permits.

Josh McEachran = Chelsea's answer to Arsenal's Jack Wilshire, maybe even better than him I reckon. :blue scalf: I just hope he won't get loaned out!

My team would be this... Cech Ivanovic -- Alex -- Terry -- A.Cole Mikel Essien -- Lampard Anelka -- Drogba -- Malouda Subs: Turnbull (GK), Ferreira, Zhirkov, Benayoun, Ramires, Kakuta, Sturridge I feel that subs bench has a decent amount of talent, and should be brought on for at least the last 25 minutes of the game. Ramires should come on for Mikel, and give us a bit of speed in midfield should we need it. I don't recommend introducing him in the starting eleven. Maybe if we're a goal or two up, and 60 minutes comes up, then bring him on. Sturridge and/or Kakuta should come on as well. I think they deserve a run-out at the beginning of the season. Bayern are sniffing around Kakuta I've heard so it will be important to show everyone he deserves a place in the side. IF... Lampard isn't fit, then I'd like to see how Essien and Ramires can get on as a midfield unit, lots of speed and power between them. I really do hope they can gel together. Kalou should fill the void on the subs bench.

We just need to face facts. It's Neymar's decision at the end of the day, if he wants to stay at Santos, let him. It would be good for his development playing every week. The only problem would be, if he gets better, there will be other clubs wanting to sign him, and his price will go up.

I think Ozil will be used in a squad rotation system, but since Kaka is out with an injury, it's a wise move. They will endure the flair and confidence in him, and he will grow to be a great playmaker. He will learn a lot from Kaka too, once he returns from injury. Also, Mourinho works well with youngsters getting into their prime, so it's a good move all round for him.

Ballack is an amazing player, and an amazing personality, unlike Joe Cole, who fucked off to Liverpool without a trace, told media he had just joined the best club in the country and then got a red card on his debut. I'd love to see Ballack return to the club one day, maybe as a coach! He is always welcome back at Chelsea. Good luck at Bayer Ballack!

so Real now have two of Germany's promising stars. Does seem rather interesting for their part...

I knew we should have gone for Aguero. At least he was interested in going to England

:blink:

I reckon he was using an opportunity to tell it like it is. Good old Cech, he's always been loyal to Chelsea :blue scalf:

in a few years that strike force would be DEADLY!!

dude, CR took number 7 when Raul left Real Madrid. Karim Benzema has number 9

Oh for fuck sake not another one going out on loan!! please!!! :rant: :rant:

Lennon is more of a left/right sided midfielder/winger, not a striker. 7 is still a midfielder number. David Beckham is a midfielder and he used to have that number when he played for England. Also Rosicky at Arsenal.