CFC888

Understand that, but my opinion wasn't based on the opponents - we should win comfortably with or without Cuadrado. I was referring more to him settling into the team and its processes through sustained training etc.

Can't see Cuadrado starting straight up. I expect him to come on late in this one and start at home to Everton. Result wise, we can't be dropping points in this one, simple as that.

Agree with this. The games where Cesc has played No.10 this season are a case in point. I'm not talking about Saturday, as he had played 300 minutes in 8 days, but in general, with regards to Oscar's poor output against the better teams: I think it puts him to shame when you see Kurt Zouma (20 y.o. making his 2nd EPL start) come out against the reigning champions Manchester City and be comfortably our best player on the pitch. Yes they play entirely different roles, but you get the point.

Likewise. Yet to watch the replay, but I wasn't expecting anything other than one or two nice-looking flicks and a lack of ball retention from Oscar in this game. We know his output against the better teams is significantly poorer than against the weaker teams, and I have no doubt that he wasn't supposed to play this game. If Cesc hadn't been injured, I'm sure Oscar would have found himself on the bench for this one. Jose would never play Oscar 300 minutes in 8 days unless he had no choice - like he did on this occasion. It's disappointing that he did nothing, but knowing his record against the good teams and the fact that he wasn't supposed to be playing, we should have been prepared for this. That said, as others have stated, the Cuadrado signing now places real pressure on Oscar to keep his spot, and it will no longer be excusable for him to not perform in the big games, regardless of how tired he is etc.

Fucking hell, not sure what to think about this.

Hamsik is said to be craving Champions League action, and is not confident of getting it any time soon at Napoli. It's believed that he wants a move to the Premier League, with Chelsea among those being urged to make bids. It sounds to me like he's happy to play out the season in the Serie A, before looking for a move away in the summer. His agent Mino Raiola said: "Marek is a great person, an amazing human. He has a great personality and as a player he is very close to Pavel Nedved. "If he leaves Napoli, he would be able to play for any team in the world. If I had to recommend a player, it would be Hamsik. "The problem is that [Napoli owner] Dino De Laurentiis does not want to sell him. I am convinced that Hamsik is not taking advantage of his full talents. He has the ability to be one of the best footballers in the world." http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/554980/Man-Utd-Chelsea-Arsenal-Marek-Hamsik-Napoli-Deal

Yes, I would. As you say would love to beat them, but for me the main thing is not to lose this one. A draw would be acceptable.

Yeah I think that's been the main source of people's anger, that it has been handled a bit different to normal. Oh well, it's done now and we have to accept it. Hopefully Jose can channel some sort of positive energy from it within the squad to spur us on towards beating City!

No mate I totally agree. I thought the same thing - "twice in one game? hmm..." I wasn't aware of a new fast track system, but if they didn't have one before, they do now! I was just saying that most people seem to be more angry about the charge's handling than it's actual verdict.

Fair points, Hutcho. However, I gather that most people on here are more incensed by the handling of the charge (bringing it forward so quickly, which is unprecedented for the FA), rather than the actual verdict itself.

Drogba or Remy is a tough one. I would have unconditionally said Drogba, until he put in what sounds like a concerning performance against Bradford. Remy's speed against Kompany is a nice prospect, but Didier is a main for the big occasion, and has more experience than you could poke a stick at. I'm happy to sit on the fence over this one! I do like the idea of Remy starting with The Drog waiting in the wings as a sub though.

Funny, saw something today on the internet about Zlatan being frustrated at Laurent Blanc’s emphasis on fitness, work-rate and discipline. His agent Mino Raiola said: “For now Zlatan remains at PSG, for sure. “He still has a year left on his contract, maybe we won’t extend it. With him, the decisions are made year by year, but he doesn’t intend to stop playing.” By then Zlatan will obviously be a shadow of his former self, and I can't see him coming to us, but Jose loves him, and you just never, ever know. http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/554958/Chelsea-PSG-Zlatan-Ibrahimovic-Move

Yeah, I suppose we'll never know, but maybe if in Courtois' case it was Man City instead of Newcastle and Swansea then he may have played...And agreed on Ramires. I think this could go either way with Cesc tomorrow. It's all very subjective, depending on what the exact level of risk is etc. Maybe with Diego out Jose will be more inclined to take a risk on Cesc (if there even is one to be taken). For all we know, Tuesday's substitution could have been mostly precaution, with a particular eye towards tomorrow. With the cancellation of today's press conference, we'll now have to wait the full 26 hours or so until the team sheet comes in to know the verdict!

I think that the cautious approach taken with Courtois when he had his injury earlier this month shows that if there's a decent replacement there (Cech in Courtois' case, Ramires in Cesc's case), then Jose will not risk any player aggravating an injury. If there's a risk, Cesc will not play.

After what's happened with Diego, if our boys aren't fired up for this game, they never will be. Let's shove this right up the FA's rectum and win! UP THE FUCKING CHELS!

Pellegrini can get absolutely fucked. It's not his place to be commenting on this, let alone saying rubbish like that.

Agree with this team and the points you make about the pivot and Oscar. I think we may see Dave instead of Filipe though. Does anyone know if Filipe is fit or not after his injury against Liverpool?

Not sure that this will happen, but really hope it does. Would be a great signing for us!

Bit of a shame really, in my opinion. I thought he had a lot to offer us still, especially coming off the bench as an impact player, but I guess that's not really an appealing role for a 24 year old. Wish him the best of luck for the future though.

So my opinion is invalid due to an image aligned with my profile and the fact that I enjoy watching Oscar at his best? Alright then. I'm not going to get involved in a personal tussle with you, but I would appreciate it if you could have the decency to respond to the points I and some others like Viper have made with a proper counter-opinion, rather than attempting to pick apart our supposed lack of credibility or responding with completely irrelevant GIFs... I asked myself this question a few days ago and came up with the same answer. It's a very good point and certainly an area where Oscar must improve.Tomorrow's game is a good example. Oscar may end up getting a start if Diego and Cesc in particular are both out, but if they were both available I highly doubt Jose would start Oscar. Why? Not because we need a more defensive minded option with Mikel/Ramires next to Matic and Cesc further forward, but because Oscar doesn't produce on the big stage for Chelsea, which is very frustrating, because it's certainly not due to a lack of ability.

Found myself nodding as I was reading this post, couldn't agree more. I've bolded one bit that I particularly like. I think Oscar's defensive/pressing efforts are outstanding, and really they don't get the credit that they deserve. The boy has quite a slight frame, but he is not afraid to throw what there is of him around to try and win the ball for his team, which is great for us. If he's not putting a tackle in, he's at least getting in towards the player on the ball to pressure them into a quick decision. This is something that he and Diego both do very well - I doubt there's a front two in the league that do it better. The point about him being the link between our midfield and attack is also a very good one, and when Mikel starts instead of Oscar with Cesc further forward, we seem to be missing that link that Oscar gives, which just shows his importance to our team. Fantastic post, Viper!

I wouldn't put it beyond them, that's for sure... I'm sorry, but that is an utterly ridiculous thing to say, absolute rubbish. As far as I'm concerned, taking 6 goals and 7 assists in this year's Premier League campaign out of our team would classify any player who has provided that as being sorely missed.

I've always liked Ramires, good to see him performing so well and impacting the game so profoundly on Tuesday.

That story about the bloodied foot is awesome, what a warrior! Makes me question why he feels the need to dive onto the floor all the time...

Filipe has been ranked behind two very solid performers in Iva and Dave since he arrived at the club, and personally I have no issue with that. I am really pleased, though, with how he is now starting to put in consistently good performances of his own when his chances do come.