ruggedknot

He's got to go straight into the team for me . The move for Begovic in Jan shows our faith in Hilario and Turnbull . Courtois has had a great season - helping Genk win the Belgian league , see no reason why he'd be be loaned out when we need one and he's dead cert to be ahead of Delac . Might just squeeze into the home-grown quota too , 19 now.

JT , Frank , Drogba , Josh , Yossi , Anelka all in .

Lukaku on his twitter :

Playing like dross has its advantages , gives AVB more reason to dip into the business a/c

http://www.krcgenk.b...at-krc-genk/546 5 year contract :blue scalf: He'll go straight to the bench behind Cech after Turnbull continues his rich vein of form .

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

First you'll have to figure if racism is a result of the habitat / the way a person is bought up or if its inherent . If its the latter , the human race really is biologically stooopid , the former - a good counselling session can change that outlook.

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 .