ruggedknot

Just as well , Turnbull giving us plenty to worry about already . Good thing Courtois is confirmed , should go right in as back-up to Cech .

Day just got even better . Thibaut Courtois is coming to London .

DEAL DONE http://www.krcgenk.be/nl/nieuws/show/thibaut-courtois-verlaat-krc-genk/546 Best google translate could do , seems like Genk weren't too happy about the way he left . Could prove to be a hindrance with the De Bruyne deal

Didn't know Ben Haim was still on the payroll .

As it stands , I'd presume they're taking it day by day . He announced his retirement , so for him to come back and give it a shot with his dodgy knee ...even he has to be apprehensive about a complete comeback although this will give him and the people around him plenty of confidence . Great stuff .

Chelsea TV STREAM LIVE - great quality Hit Stream 3 http://www.norwaysport.co.uk/

STARTING XI: Turnbull; Ferreira, Kalas, Ivanovic, Cole; Mikel, Clifford, Malouda, Zhirkov; Torres, Sturridge.

Some utterly fantastic news , irrelevant to the Pompey game , however - brilliant . The reserves starting XI against Crawley : Taylor, Kane, Hutchinson, Nkumu, Deen-Conteh, Saville, Mellis, Mesca, Phillip, Nditi, Mitrovic

Now let's just hope the board and coaching staff t have a plan in mind when it comes to the development of the two . Bertrand is a potential left-back in the future for club and country while Josh is already being groomed carefully by the club as the next poster boy for the club , besides his brilliant technical abilities . Wouldn't be a surprise if he ends on a loan at Bolton , if we shore up on the midfield conveniently . Helps that Owen Coyle knows AVB rather well and Bolton need an advanced playmaker in their team if Stuart Holden gets crocked again . They play good football , strong mettle while they're at it and Coyles' a really good man manager as well - worked wonders with Strurridge and Wilshere . Remember Josh saying at the end of the previous season that if he isn't getting enough game-time , might decide upon leaving on loan in Jan , although I can see him being very useful in different parts of midfield when needed much like Ramires , both really good at having the ball at their feet . Helps that AVB is likely to have given his stamp of approval on the deals as well ,

Matt Law from the Daily Express on his twitter : http://twitter.com/#!/mattlawexpress If its true , This should fall in line with the policy of the 5 and a half year contracts we have been dishing lately , possibly even longer With Josh given his particular case of having been with us since basically forever . Curious that the deal was done after AVB has been around for a while as well , the offer must've certainly gone past his desk as an approval as well. Fantastic news .

Falcao signs renewed & improved contract with FC Porto until 2015. Release clause raised from 30m to 45 million euros. Confirmed by Portugoal.net and is also listed on the Portugese Stock Exchange as Porto normally do it . That's that then .

Looks like just about every player in the squad got a run-out . Probably proves that AVB was gauging the personnel , just as much as the fitness and is showing an open mind with giving every player of the extended squad a chance . Either way , good start for the AVB tenure . The highlight from the match report :

Chelsea first-half XI: Hilario, Bosingwa, Van Aanholt, Terry, Kalas, Mikel, Kaby, Benayoun, Malouda, Kakuta, Drogba. Chelsea second-half XI: Turnbull, Ferreira, Cole, Ivanovic, Rajkovic, B Clifford (Mellis), McEachran, Zhirkov, Anelka, Kalou, Torres. Goals: Benayoun (4), Torres (52), Rajkovic (56) http://www.wycombewa...2391412,00.html

3-0 against Wycombe , doing the rounds on twitter . @NikkilBull1 , Nikki Bull - a Wycombe player put a message out

He'd play perfect foil to the centre forward , of which as it stands , we have 3 ,including Sturridge . At 23 , he's been playing at high level for nearly 6 years now , doesn't shy away in the big games and is always looking to deliver . Take up the forward position on the right Great vision , a fantastic right food which he use for a sweet free-kick ( something we've been on the recieving end ) , dribbles well (remember our defence having a torrid time while away at Madrid - Lampard even got a yellow for clipping at Aguero's heels ) , outstanding on the counter-attack and isn't short of any technical ability as well . In many ways , with the lack of a free flowing right flank with our limited RB options , he'd be a seamless fit into the shape of the team and just as crucially , the position is all open for him , the RW/RF up for the taking . Would work on a 4-3-3 or and a 4-4-2 as well . A true roaming forward . The player we wished Kalou was in many ways .

2 goals within 10 minutes in a span of two halves . First one off a rebound into an open net and a second running along the right channel , good first touch after a pass from Messi to score .Been good all game as well , proper runs and been a handful. Shame we aren't making any noises with bidding on him . Plenty of variables in a move incl salary etc , but at 23 , with the experience he's got , he'll be a great signing for years to come , whoever gets him .

Great stuff , only makes for natural progression . Did really well with the youth team in all the cup runs including the FA Cup win . Good positive football as well , great to have that rubbing off on the youngsters . On a different note , kudos for capping all the youth games' highlights on youtube EskW . Subscriber and been watching for a long time . :cfc:

Haha love it . Shame Anelka couldn't finish from that cross . There was another instance where Arshavin bounced off Ivanovic with both going after the ball around the halfway line . 2nd half as well , remember cracking up both times hah

In retrospect should've cashed in , regardless of the injury or not . One of the very few who could've gone for big money adding to the income of the club . Daresay Ramires is an readymade upgrade , even to Essien , if not as versatile across positions physically .

Every team vying for the title will be saying exactly that . Things may be looking nice and glossy as they find themselves as one of the contenders for the title but its open season as far as the title goes .

If Jody Morris is to be believed ( who wouldn't take his word for it ? ) , Essien has ruptured his ligaments during training today . Unknown if its the same dodgy knee , but its the cruciate ligaments . http://twitter.com/#!/morriskid Jody Morris on his twitter If true , that's another 8 months atleast , not to mention the impact it has on prolonged fitness throughout one's career and the season hasn't even begun yet . Good times a'rollin.

If I remember correctly and I do remember these things usually , the club sent a scout to watch Coentraro over a period of time while he was at Benefica. Presumably the same scout/s that had the assignment on Ramires and Luiz as well . Sky Sports are one of the few news outlets that actually take pride in the credibility of their reports , by general opinion after looking at all the dross scattered through the rest of the media . Whatever they get from other sources they clearly quote..and its not naive to assume the biggest private media conglomerate in the UK don't have certain suits who know the inner whispers of clubs in the league . Not saying they always get it right of course .

What a load of bull . The news just broke barely half an hour ago and he along with everyone else found out just after . Complete speculation , he makes it sound like he had AVB on speed-dial to find out what his plans for Nasri and Modric were .