Daniel1980

I know, and Matic is one of my favourite players in the team, but truth be told, he's been very far from his best since the start of the season. But as I said, I'm not that worried yet.

To be honest, if Matic's name was Mikel, he would have gotten a lot of criticism for his performance since the start of the season. But the team is in transition and I don't really expect a faultless performance from anyone. Probably only Costa was close to flawless since the start of the season, but even he wasted a few good chances and was poor in the air. The team needs time to become a true team. The important thing is, we have 3 wins and didn't drop the points we would have dropped last year.

Hope it's not true and Jose just told Hazard to exaggerate it in order to have him fresh for our upcoming games. Belgium's qualifier against Israel has been postponed, so it's not like he'll miss any important matches. If he has a minor injury that's been bothering him, he should rest. He can miss one friendly.

This is beyond desperate.

Yeah, feel sorry for him, especially considering that he wasn't called up for Spain NT either.

^^ lol I only now realized that he was thanking Chelsea's medical team.

Not happy that our Spainish lads(Costa, Fabregas, Azpi) play France on 4 September and Macedonia(UEFA Euro 2016) on 8 September; our Brazilian lads (Oscar, Willian, Ramires and Luis) have friendlies on 6th and 10th, and then we have Swansea on 13th, and Schalke and City within a week. Most of our key players would be tired after two matches for their NTs within a week. Swansea will have that advantage over us.

Now that Falcao will play in the PL, Costa vs Falcao comparisons will be inevitable, considering that Costa played second fiddle to Falcao at Altletico. Some of my mates (United fans) already use this as a "proof" that Falcao would do even better than Costa. Major logic fail. Hope Diego outscores him.

So bizarre. With the money they spent United could have strengthened positions they actually need strengthening. Even if RVP is getting an operation, it's not like it was necessary to replace him: RVP, Rooney and Mata couldn't coexist as it is. What happens when RVP is back? Many people with high wages are going to be very unhappy. It's not like RVP and Falcao will have a great resale value at their age. I thought Wenger was an idiot for refusing to strengthen the positions he needs, but LVG and United are just as bad.

Contradictory reports on the terms of the loan:

But being a CM, Cesc always had a better workrate than the likes of Ozil and Mata, who are pure AMs that don't get involved much. Ozil has been very lethargic and anonymous for Arsenal. Many Arsenal fans are starting to resent him for preventing Arsenal from buying Cesc back. Just a few Arsenal fans' opinion on Ozil and Fabregas (arsenal mania): I'm even starting to feel sorry for Ozil, though 1 assist in 10 games is really poor. Arsenal fans' reaction makes Cesc's assists for us so much sweeter.

Yep, still injured. It might really help MVG get a lot of playing time right away.

----------------Lopez--------- Abate----Alex------Zapata----De Sciglio -----De Jong------MVG Menez--------Honda-------El Shaarawy ----------------Torres It's not a bad team. Even with Torres.

Good luck, Marco.

Not a chance. In all seriousness, Milan's squad isn't as bad as people make it out to be. No European football should help. Good start should give them some confidence too. MVG would definitely improve midfield.

Flawless possession game.

It's true that Hazard isn't the best at tracking back, much worse than our other wingers, but he isn't that bad. Yesterday he just had a meh game overall. Azpi could have used help, but he wasn't flawless himself. Both should shoulder some of the blame.

Yep, but personally, the best thing about having Cesc is how butthurt Arsenal fans get over him. Especially considering how poor and lethargic Ozil has been -- he plays for them like he doesn't give a fuck. Compared to him Cesc has a tremendous workrate and productivity.

Hmm, Ramsey was very poor. He was pretty poor in previous games too yet still managed to score, but today he didn't. Not a very impressive start of the season.

Do you know where I can find the stats on distance run for all players? Can't find it anywhere.

Now let's not get ahead of ourselves. Premier League title is never a piece of cake. There's a long way to go.

FFS. There's a reason I dislike reading Oscar's thread. Fine: 1) Whatever the reason for Cesc's not interfering immediately ( a) he was uncomfortable with Costa's behavior; b.) he didn't see the altercation coming; c) he thought Howard went to get the ball from Costa to restart the game quickly, that's why he turned around to give Howard the ball), whatever the reason is, he did end up being involved in the altercation. He was the one who pulled Costa away and tried to calm him down. Yet you keep ignoring it. 2) He stood up for his teammates plenty of times this season, but you keep ignoring it too because it doesn't suit your argument. Watch Chelsea-Burnley highlights . 6:50. Cesc is the first to run to the referee and try to defend Costa when the referee wanted to give Costa a yellow. JT had to actually push him back. You seriously think that guy would shy away from the altercation? Seriously? Fabregas is many things but shy, quiet and indifferent isn't one of them. He's the guy who wasn't scared to fight with the big-name players like Lampard when he was a teen. Hell, he's the kid who threw a pizza at Sir Alex Ferguson and caused the infamous pizzagate when he was 17. Fabregas is the last guy I'd suspect of shying away from an altercation.

Gotta be realistic, mate.

Welcome. Hope he does the job well when Costa needs rest/is suspended

I'm not sure anymore what the hell was going on there, but the mere concept of Fabregas being scared of an altercation is hilarious. That kid wasn't scared of altercations with big boys when he was 16-17. Kevin Mirallas stamps on Cesc Fabregas’ arm, Chelsea man hits back with cheeky response. Now that's hilarious.