El P.

If Hazard cannot step up, Azpi is my new captain. Why not? That gesture will give him much more confidence and authority, he would take much more responsibility and leadership. Matić and Cahill as a third option.

Finally, some good times. 3 wins in a row. RLC got 2 starts in 3 games, and in both was immense. Rahman played two games, is developing and looking good to replace Ivanović in starting XI in near future. Kenedy - assist and goal, great energy. I think we are neglecting development of other young players, just 'cause they are "not ours". Kenedy and Rahman, we should really be happy for what is happening to those young lads. But yes, it's easier when we have "our" player in RLC, also playing and doing great. Also, Remy played this game and game before that, deserved it, but wasn't that great, but not bad either. As for Falcao, he should start one of next two games. I think it was not good idea to play him AND Remy in first XI. Play him with Hazard and Pedro. If he underperformes even then, drop him for good. Ramires and Mikel were crazy, great stuff. Substitutions were not that good, but all in all, gotta say... Great work, Jose! We were all really angry at him, but now is time to cut him some slack - three games, three good wins, young players and, most important - GREAT PERFORMANCES.

He will play last 15-20 minutes in some of upcoming games I think, which is also good. I hope he can start at least against Dynamo, if we beat Porto before that. Great game, he is really all-rounded player. Tackles, passes, defense, attack, some good speed. Lad has it all. Noticed at one time that he got out-muscled by Walsall player, maybe he should gain a bit more muscle to use that great height at full extent, like Ballack. Really happy to see him get minutes and play great!

If Mourinho wants to continue changing this team... Then go all in. No Pedro, no Willian. Ok. Oscar was good. RLC was good. But RLC can't play as a DMF in a big game, or ever if you ask me. So play him alongside Matić. What about Fabregas? Play him too. Yes, put Oscar on wing, we played with Willi on wing who isn't natural winger too, Oscar is fast enough. And provide width with Baba and Azpi on full-backs. One can dream.

It's time to integrate him in one of big, important games. Best option is to play him alongside Matić. But, what with others then? Ok, Pedro and Willian are out. I think it's worth trying to put Oscar on wing. He is not winger, but neither is Willian - not natural winger I mean, and he still played there. I would try with: Hazard - Fabregas - Oscar // Matić - RLC Here is for sure problem - lack of width. BUT, if we play Baba and Azpi, that width will be provided. Would kill to see this.

Brana, thanks for everything. It is not "natural" for a player to decline THIS much in a period of a one year. Feel sorry for him, tbh, he is actually not that old. We still love you very much, you'll be great addition from bench.

I think it will be shame not to give Oscar an opportunity to kick off where he left, he was great. We must believe in him, he and RLC are our only hope. And yes, if Oscar is not fit - Hazard on CAM, someone else on left. And about that first XI, Terry and Zouma would also be good pair.

Let's just hope those goals will give him needed confidence to kick start his season. Maybe not best of performances, but goals can always be a good thing for a player, especially for him who wants to "score more".

Agree, must watch. His passing is insane, he improved a lot. He is ready. EDIT: More I look at his abilities, more I think he is JUST the kind of player we need. He is fast, good in defense, solid in attack, good passer, tall and strong enough. He is worth of every risk, coach. Give him chance and freedom. Matić - RLC - Oscar/Fabregas in 4-3-3 would be a killer combination.

He is still incredible at playing with head, that goal was superb. There's data about him scoring more than 50% goals with his head in career. It's simple, give him good ball/cross - he will (probably) convert it. Don't give him good ball/cross - you will have man less on the pitch. Classic number 9.

No need to apology, that's just your opinion. It's not like he played in fourth France tier, he played in first, against the likes of PSG and Monaco. It's easy to discover enough information of Papy and "see him play", especially if you are Mourinho and practically have all sources of the world. EDIT: Yeah, sorry about Terry. He is my all time favourite, love him to bits, but he IS old and slow... And perfect in positioning, very strong on ground, strong in the air and the best at being captain. No way we will write him off.

Mourinho had enough time (2-3 days before UEFA squad deadline and yes, that's enough time) to analyze his new defender. It's not about how anyone "feels", it's about what squad needs. One of Kenedy/Traore will not play anyway, because their competition are Hazard, Pedro, Oscar, Willian, even Fabregas has chance of playing in #10 and take place from someone of above. On the other side - Cahill (don't need to mention his disadvantages), old'n'slow Terry who was already benched, young unexperienced Zouma. Team needs Papy. EDIT: Traore and Kenedy could still have their chances in CO/FA cupa games, so no need to feel bad about leaving them out. They are still very young.

Traore, Kenedy, doesn't matter. Don't know who is better from two, honestly, but yes, better should play.

Traore shoud be left out, no doubt. It's not like him AND Kenedy will be needed. We'll be lucky if we only see Kenedy in action. Papy is needed, whatever you think, especially if we want to play high block. Can easily be better than Cahill, time will tell. Who cares if Mourinho didn't want him, now you have him and do best with your squad, coach. When life gives you lemons, make a lemonade. EDIT: Notice that this is the squad ONLY for group stages. If he proves himself in EPL, he will have a chance for a knock-out.

Left out of squad for CL? Disgrace if true.

This.

Sell, but only for a good price. Selling Mikel is much better option, though. One of those two should leave. Then, use that money and add some extra for new, better midfielder, who can even compete with Fabregas if he is off form.

Why picking sides? Nothing is black and white, as usual. They both are guilty and should apologise to club and eachother. Eva for going in when it wasn't needed, and Jose for overreacting in public, making it much worse. Also, for not trying to understand that health of our players is more important than winning, even if it was maybe a minor injury. It's PURE LUCK Hazard wasn't injured last season at all. Pure luck and our medical stuff. Stay united, let's not be THAT club, with pro and anti manager fans. It's not the case here.

Always wanted player of his ability at the club, hope he will achieve something big with us and fall in love with our club so someday he could be bigger legend for us than Arsenal. :eyebrows:

He needs to be more focused when passing ball and shooting, his driblling is amazing, as well as his workrate.

Needs to improve, but is still young. Would take Willy over him anytime.

Drogba left after scoring THAT penalty. Lampard left after he broke our goal-scoring record. And yes, they were both old. Čech leaving will be much, much painful to me. Club legend, with only 33 years at his back (only, yes, he is keeper), still one of three best keepers on the world. How many of you actually think Courtois is better then Čech, and how much better? If you ask me, I would never do that to him in Mou's place, and this is first time I would say no to our boss (in his 2nd time at Chelsea). Either play him and Courtois in more balanced amount of games, or don't bring Courtois at all. We are Chelsea, we can buy Thibo from Atletico when Čech loses his ability or decides to retire for 30 mills, or any other quality keeper, why not? This is more important IMO, to keep someone like him. Mourinho is pragmatic, and he doesn't think in this way, but he must draw the line somewhere. Maybe I'm too emotionally attached to him, but well, it's Petr *uckin Čech.

We have no classic #10, so it's pointless to discuss about it - I prefer actually that Eden roams wherever he wants (starting from wing position), and other AMFs to adjust.

He kinda lost it at NT. Actually, we saw Costa in blue shirt behaving well, but ONLY when CFC was winning (or drawing). I think we are yet to see his behaviour when we start losing.