Ossie the King

Everyone has always said that his workrate is exceptional, but that he needed to add assists and goals and he's done that tremendously. Fair play to him for stepping up when others have faltered and for becoming a better player in the last 12 months.

I think our unwillingness to spend was more to see what this whole FFP was all about.
Would it be taken serious or buckled under pressure?'
And we saw how they had to change the rules, so I do suspect we will start spending again without placing too much of an emphasis on selling first.

Pep is going to sign for City, that's for sure. He will find there a lot of people that he knows and that club just suits him better. Why would he come here? 

Pep will take the easier job. He will go to City for sure. Why wouldn't he? Better more cohesive squad, great job security, less pressure...etc. 

Which is why we must do whatever it takes to lure Simeone. We likely won't ever play the type of "beautiful," fluid football on an every match basis like Barca, Bayern, City, or Arsenal do. But what is the exact type of football that bullies those sides? Mourinho (at his best) and Simeone football.
Physical, hardworking, highly intense play. You punch those sides in the mouth and they falter. Like we've done to Arsenal.

Precisely.
For some bizarre reason people think we can become Barcelona. For some even more bizarre reason, they want us to become something like Barcelona and we won't. We're torn between two identities at the moment, the Chelsea Jose built in 2005, a strong, powerful, intense, fast, resilient team and a plastic Barcelona-lite that Roman is trying to establish and apparently some fans want us to be because it's 'entertaining'. The thing is there's already a Barcelona and they didn't exist overnight. If that's too far for people to travel then there's a slightly snootier, less successful verson of them in North London.
We're the anti-Barca though. We're the team who used to bully Wenger's boys off the pitch and then when they were down we'd dance around them. We're the team that blew Barca away in 2005 and then stood toe-to-toe with them in 2012 (in the most Jose of performances) yet people now want us to become them?
We're Chelsea. We're built on being a tough team, always have been right back to the days of Ossie and Cooke we'd have that tough underbelly. In the 90s we maybe forgot that a bit and that's why we were a great cup team, but we still had the likes of Wisey who knew how to stick their boot in. Why can't we build on those principles rather than trying to be something we're not? 

We're allowed to question his professionalism though aren't we? It's inevitable if you turn up for the start of season looking a bit podgy isn't it?

Precisely.
For some bizarre reason people think we can become Barcelona. For some even more bizarre reason, they want us to become something like Barcelona and we won't. We're torn between two identities at the moment, the Chelsea Jose built in 2005, a strong, powerful, intense, fast, resilient team and a plastic Barcelona-lite that Roman is trying to establish and apparently some fans want us to be because it's 'entertaining'. The thing is there's already a Barcelona and they didn't exist overnight. If that's too far for people to travel then there's a slightly snootier, less successful verson of them in North London.
We're the anti-Barca though. We're the team who used to bully Wenger's boys off the pitch and then when they were down we'd dance around them. We're the team that blew Barca away in 2005 and then stood toe-to-toe with them in 2012 (in the most Jose of performances) yet people now want us to become them?
We're Chelsea. We're built on being a tough team, always have been right back to the days of Ossie and Cooke we'd have that tough underbelly. In the 90s we maybe forgot that a bit and that's why we were a great cup team, but we still had the likes of Wisey who knew how to stick their boot in. Why can't we build on those principles rather than trying to be something we're not? 

None of the fullbacks we have would suit Pep. None of the CB's we have would suit Pep. None of the central midfielders either.
This wouldn't be a situation that he could come into and turn into Barca or Bayern in 1 year. He goes to City, United, or even Arsenal and he needs only a couple of additions and he's set more or less.

He has one of the best jobs in the world. If things are good he gets credit. Someone even praised for finding Hazard lol When things are bad they say it is stupid to blame him as he is just an assistant.

No need to use words like stupid now is there? 
I brought it up when perhaps I shouldn't but I have a massive issue with twats like him, Johnny Come Lately's to this club who seem to get responsibility and power handed to them when they're not qualified and whenever there's a changing of the guard and another fuck-up, they get away scot-free. It actually sickens me to see people like that associated with this club, but you have to laugh at the people that blindly defend them. 
But that's just me. I may be wrong but when Roman came along in 2003 we attracted a new breed of fan in many ways and not always for the betterment of this club.
And just to add, once again we need something between Roman and the coach. Despite what the job description might say on the Chelsea website, 'Mike' is it. He's also become Roman's spokesperson apparently now as well so he's going to attract a lot more attention. Personally I'd prefer proper Chelsea in that role or at least someone with a proven track record because what's established there at the moment isn't working and any discussion of new coach is pointless until we actually look at the whole organisation of this club.

No need to use words like stupid now is there? 
I brought it up when perhaps I shouldn't but I have a massive issue with twats like him, Johnny Come Lately's to this club who seem to get responsibility and power handed to them when they're not qualified and whenever there's a changing of the guard and another fuck-up, they get away scot-free. It actually sickens me to see people like that associated with this club, but you have to laugh at the people that blindly defend them. 
But that's just me. I may be wrong but when Roman came along in 2003 we attracted a new breed of fan in many ways and not always for the betterment of this club.
And just to add, once again we need something between Roman and the coach. Despite what the job description might say on the Chelsea website, 'Mike' is it. He's also become Roman's spokesperson apparently now as well so he's going to attract a lot more attention. Personally I'd prefer proper Chelsea in that role or at least someone with a proven track record because what's established there at the moment isn't working and any discussion of new coach is pointless until we actually look at the whole organisation of this club.

I was 95% certain that he was going to City. I'm still hovering around that mark except he said one thing that made me question it.
"I want to experience a new city and I want to work in England"
Nobody says they want to 'experience' Manchester. London on the other hand fits in with the mentality of a guy who took a year off to live in New York. I'd like to think money isn't that big a factor (anyone will give him a big contract) but he did play in the Middle East at the end of his career. But who wouldn't.
I just think the culture of our club doesn't fit with what he wants. On the other hand I don't think anyone else gets us out of this repeating cycle that we'd be in. He's the only coach Roman would back totally and he'd have a blank cheque to build a new squad. Then again City has been purpose-built for him, but would he feel comfortable displacing Pellegrino? 
What's clear is that he's Roman's 'white whale' and I don't see us being outbid for his services, and it might spark Roman to make some changes at this club. I'm 5% less certain than I was 30 minutes ago.

Steve Holland or Paul Clement. The latter could do well with Derby this season.

You forgot Mikelele.

Money
London
Money
Challenge
Money
The chance to work with Mike Emenalo (alright Mike!)
Money
A talented squad of loyal, hungry.....actually have some more money Pep.

I was 95% certain that he was going to City. I'm still hovering around that mark except he said one thing that made me question it.
"I want to experience a new city and I want to work in England"
Nobody says they want to 'experience' Manchester. London on the other hand fits in with the mentality of a guy who took a year off to live in New York. I'd like to think money isn't that big a factor (anyone will give him a big contract) but he did play in the Middle East at the end of his career. But who wouldn't.
I just think the culture of our club doesn't fit with what he wants. On the other hand I don't think anyone else gets us out of this repeating cycle that we'd be in. He's the only coach Roman would back totally and he'd have a blank cheque to build a new squad. Then again City has been purpose-built for him, but would he feel comfortable displacing Pellegrino? 
What's clear is that he's Roman's 'white whale' and I don't see us being outbid for his services, and it might spark Roman to make some changes at this club. I'm 5% less certain than I was 30 minutes ago.

I was 95% certain that he was going to City. I'm still hovering around that mark except he said one thing that made me question it.
"I want to experience a new city and I want to work in England"
Nobody says they want to 'experience' Manchester. London on the other hand fits in with the mentality of a guy who took a year off to live in New York. I'd like to think money isn't that big a factor (anyone will give him a big contract) but he did play in the Middle East at the end of his career. But who wouldn't.
I just think the culture of our club doesn't fit with what he wants. On the other hand I don't think anyone else gets us out of this repeating cycle that we'd be in. He's the only coach Roman would back totally and he'd have a blank cheque to build a new squad. Then again City has been purpose-built for him, but would he feel comfortable displacing Pellegrino? 
What's clear is that he's Roman's 'white whale' and I don't see us being outbid for his services, and it might spark Roman to make some changes at this club. I'm 5% less certain than I was 30 minutes ago.

Money
London
Money
Challenge
Money
The chance to work with Mike Emenalo (alright Mike!)
Money
A talented squad of loyal, hungry.....actually have some more money Pep.

I was 95% certain that he was going to City. I'm still hovering around that mark except he said one thing that made me question it.
"I want to experience a new city and I want to work in England"
Nobody says they want to 'experience' Manchester. London on the other hand fits in with the mentality of a guy who took a year off to live in New York. I'd like to think money isn't that big a factor (anyone will give him a big contract) but he did play in the Middle East at the end of his career. But who wouldn't.
I just think the culture of our club doesn't fit with what he wants. On the other hand I don't think anyone else gets us out of this repeating cycle that we'd be in. He's the only coach Roman would back totally and he'd have a blank cheque to build a new squad. Then again City has been purpose-built for him, but would he feel comfortable displacing Pellegrino? 
What's clear is that he's Roman's 'white whale' and I don't see us being outbid for his services, and it might spark Roman to make some changes at this club. I'm 5% less certain than I was 30 minutes ago.

I was 95% certain that he was going to City. I'm still hovering around that mark except he said one thing that made me question it.
"I want to experience a new city and I want to work in England"
Nobody says they want to 'experience' Manchester. London on the other hand fits in with the mentality of a guy who took a year off to live in New York. I'd like to think money isn't that big a factor (anyone will give him a big contract) but he did play in the Middle East at the end of his career. But who wouldn't.
I just think the culture of our club doesn't fit with what he wants. On the other hand I don't think anyone else gets us out of this repeating cycle that we'd be in. He's the only coach Roman would back totally and he'd have a blank cheque to build a new squad. Then again City has been purpose-built for him, but would he feel comfortable displacing Pellegrino? 
What's clear is that he's Roman's 'white whale' and I don't see us being outbid for his services, and it might spark Roman to make some changes at this club. I'm 5% less certain than I was 30 minutes ago.

Money
London
Money
Challenge
Money
The chance to work with Mike Emenalo (alright Mike!)
Money
A talented squad of loyal, hungry.....actually have some more money Pep.

I love this wee man

Money
London
Money
Challenge
Money
The chance to work with Mike Emenalo (alright Mike!)
Money
A talented squad of loyal, hungry.....actually have some more money Pep.

So Pep has said he's coming to England to manage in the PL, but hasn't decided to which club he wants to go yet.
Looks like one of us, United or City is getting him in the summer then.
As much as I dislike the bloke and think he's overrated, if Simeone isn't available then he'd probably be the 2nd best choice for me and he's evidently the 1st choice for a lot of Chelsea fans.
However I doubt very much he'll come here, it'll be too much hard work rebuilding the team and i'm sure he'd much rather go to an ageing team like City who have the best squad in the league with  top players at their peaks (Aguero, Silva, Toure etc) where he can win a few domestic trophies and one or two league titles before jumping ship in 3 years time when the team is past it's peak and need rejuvenating. Seems like a ready made job for him.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35234602