stroey

http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2015/8/7/9115975/chelsea-fc-transfer-rumor-koke-atletico-madrid-offer Chelsea offered €65 million for midfield target

Don't expect any surprises in the line up: Courtois Iva Gary JT Azpi Matic Cesc Willian Oscar Hazard Falcao/Remy Expect a win here with the real test coming next week vs City.

Wanted to post the same. 0 wins in 90 minutes in preseason. 3 defeats, 2 draws, 0 wins.

Jose confirmed in the interview with ESPN that he actually wants to improve his squad but ''loyalty'' is holding him back from doing it. (video 1) He said he waits for the unhappy players to go but doesn't want to go to a player and tell him to get out. (1 out 1 in policy from the board). The only player who's getting a silent treatment is Cuadrado, didn't play vs Barca and Arsenal while we could sub more than 3 players. Normally Jose's strengthens/fine tunes his squads after a title win, even with not so expensive players, so what he's doing is not typical Jose. Examples: (Only important signings included) 2004-05 title win: next summer bought Essien, SWP2005-06 title win: next summer got Ballack, Sheva, A.Cole2008-09 title win: next summer Sneijder, Eto'o, Lucio, Milito, Pandev, Motta etc. 2011-12 title win: next summer Modric, Diego Lopez2014-15 title win: next summer ???And I actually believe that our squad will be weaker than last season. Let's compare both squads: Luis - Baba?? = a top 5 CL left back for a talentSchurrle - Moses = a clinical proven goal scoring winger for a decent EPL squad player, I prefer Schurrle. Salah - Cuadrado = 4th winger for 4th winger, both are not trusted by Jose. Cech - Begovic = lost a top 5 GK, but we got the best thinkable replacementDrogba - Falcao = a plan B in pinch-hitter Drogba for Falcao, a 50-50 situation currently, Falcao could be an improvement. Cech and Didier out = two leaders in dressing room, could only be replaced if you compensate it with other qualities.Other questions: - Diego Costa fit - unfit Diego = fired 9 goals in his first 5 matches, currently his fitness is uncertain, will he be out for 1-2 months over and over again? - JT, Ivanovic are 1 year older, can we expect them to be better or even be as a good as last season? Remains a big question mark. - Eden reached an unreal level, carried the team and was injury free, can we expect that to happen again?If the 1 out 1 in policy is true, I hope Mikel somehow leaves this window (for Witsel). I like his behavior a lot and see him as a true blue but we should remove him if we want to improve.

He scored against us!

Take out Cesc and we lose 80% of our creativity. He only needs 1 or 2 moments in any game and he can make the difference with his fast thinking/vision, like that ball to Hazard, ball to Falcao and many other examples of last season where he put Diego 1v1 the keeper. That's why he's a must in our line up. Besides the final killer pass, he's also important for our build up and overall play. He's not that type of player you describe, he's not a midfield commander like Modric and Mourinho understands this. That's why we have Matic and Ramires (B2B) or Mikel (DM) to compensate his weaknesses in the tougher games. I actually think we need someone better to dominate the midfield again. Prime Essien-Matic-Cesc would make a very good balanced midfield for example: Defensively solid, strong, creative, plus fire power from midfield. I think we'd win the CL with that kind of midfield. Yes Cesc is not perfect but he's vital for us, and he's too important to let him out.

Cech clearly moved on and so should our players, his presence has affected our players I think. Same like what happened when Lampard came on in the first match we faced him. I've seldom seen Hazard shoot like that. I think he was intimitaded by Cech and wanted to beat him in a different way. Next time we face Arsenal the players should just treat him like a gooner, a real enemy. Think Costa is the first one who can do that.

He played very well yesterday and continued his form of the 2nd part of last season. But I think Willian has it in him to reach the next level in his game: to carry the team and be decisive. He has a lot of confidence currently, you can see it back in his dribbles and long passes. He should now take more responsibility to be more aggressive in the final third of the field, for example dribbling into the box like Hazard and shoot more. He also has a good long shot, most of his goals are great long distance goals (Stoke, Norwich, Soton, Everton, Watford?) He should do it more often, we need another player who can carry the team and I think Willian can be the person this season.

http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2015/08/final-whistle-verdict-post-arsenal.html Final whistle verdict: Putting it in perspective

Zouma played LB last game.

Chelsea FC ‏@ChelseaFC Our first team of the season. Fabregas & Matic holding in midfield, Ramires likely to be wide right with Willian central behind Remy. #CFCAh you're right, just saw this tweet.

happy with Remy up front though, really deserved it.

At least it's Ramires in a 4-3-3 and not on the wing or pivot, did well in the COC final for example.

Chelsea FC ‏@ChelseaFC Chelsea subs: Begovic, Zouma, Mikel, Oscar, Cuadrado, Moses, Falcao. #CFC #CommunityShield No Costa

Don't want to see this going down to penalties, don't think our players will find it comfortable facing Cech in a shoot out.

After Sami Khedira’s serious injury, #Juventus consider bids for #Zenit star Axel Witsel and #Inter ’s Fredy Guarin http://www.football-italia.net/70442/juve-eye-witsel-and-guarin Corriere dello Sport: Silvio Berlusconi has given Galliani permission to increase the offer for Axel Witsel to €25m + €5m in bonuses.

Happy birthday!

what about you?

In 13 games it's: Mourinho wins: 7 games Draw: 6 games Wenger wins: 0 games Does anyone think Wenger will finally beat Mou?

odds from 16/1 to 4/1 for us to sign him. (free) http://www.skybet.com/football/transfer-specials/event/18076041?btag=a_7753b_243c_

2 defenders are a must, we only have 5. Anything else would be a suprise.

CL 2015-16: Real Madrid vs Chelsea confirmed.

What a shame, perfect player to play next to a faster cb like Zouma. I'm sure we would not have let him go if he was 25-28 years old. JT needs much protection and Azpi is perfect for that. Too bad when JT declines in 2 years, the same would go for Luis (32). So this is the best decision for him and for the club, GL to him!

As a starter he can give u 10-15 goals, as a impact sub 5-10 goals. Moses, Cuadrado and Willian are not killers. Traore scored many goals but played as striker last season and is still young. If one of Traore(loan)/Moses/Cuadrado moves out, I'd like him here if we can't get Pedro. (Or another big signing)

According to Galatsaray fans, he is: - very good in attack - weak at defending - average crosser - great technique and stamina - physically not super weak or super strong