DYC.

That pass to Ivanovic early in the game... wow. He has that in his game, he's done it before. But he has to execute it more. Messi was the same a few years back, until he transformed into the passing master he is now. Exciting times ahead for Eden and Chelsea.

Wanted Boga to come on for Cuadrado... Steven Gerrard with the worst final season ever.

He's not, but you made him sound like he was some WHU player. I think that's your problem. I've noticed that you seem to have this everyone is against me attitude and take posts too personal. I said the Sterling saga was hilarious, that has nothing to do with you. A young player doesn't want to extend his contract, big whoop. I'd understand the commotion if it was Messi. One club player, a footballing and Barca legend, hence the reference.

I hear what you're saying, though I think you're a bit harsh. There are a lot of runners in football but not many would've been capable of what he did for them. He's not a great individual, but he does possess a fantastic understanding of space, has a great first touch, he links up well and the man knows how to score goals. He understands the Barca game, works his socks off and is a real team player. But he definitely benifited from the greatness of his team mates, not the type of player to stand out on his own. And he's regressed a bit as well. Always thought he'd be great for Klopp's Dortmund when there was talk about him leaving these past summers.

Yeah, scoring goals in finals and numerous big games is child's play of course. Pedro was very important in their set up. Not as a star man, but as a player understanding his role and sacrificing himself for his team. I think he has over 50 caps for Spain as well. Quite an achievement for a player who's been on the bench for his entire career. I was talking about his agent's big mouth and everybody getting on his case for wanting to leave... so, so sensitive.

His entire career? He made the first team in 08/09, became a starter in 09/10 and lost his place in the first XI after Neymar's arrival. This Sterling saga is hilarious btw. You'd think Messi handed in a transfer request looking at all the attention, stories and drama.

Ox is good, yeah. But he has two major weaknesses, his fitness and his lack of end product. I like the idea but a swap is never happening. And Cech's a champion, he deserves better than Arsenal.

But I thought the only reason Chelsea won the league because of Utd's and Arsenal's poor start? Arsenal and Utd are just as good as the champions, just a bit unlucky... right? Do anti-delusion pills exist?

Willian's 'best position'. He's been here for two years and has only played in the middle a handful of games. He also plays on the right for Brazil. It's quite amazing how all these managers play him out of position. And it's not like their options in the middle are brilliant. In fact it's the heavily criticised Oscar that plays there both club and country. Completely disagree with the first part of your post. And I think the part about Leicester City is highly unlikely, unless their superior chance creation compared to the better sides in the league includes a buttload of set-piece chances and long shots. Any stats to back that up? The best sides in a league always create the most chances and clear-cut chances. I never said Sterling was a clinical finisher. I said he's better than Willian in the areas of finishing, goal threat and effectivity. Willian carries very little threat in the attacking third and he barely threatens goal because he rarely moves himself in to good attacking positions, a major ability in it's own right. Schurrle and even Ramires are/were a lot more threatening when playing there. And Chelsea play the majority of matches on the opposition half. Any defensive or cautious game plan is reserved for top sides, and that's just away (bar Utd and PSG). Again, even when playing for Shakhtar, the best team in Ukraine by far, he didn't score or assist much. I don't understand how you could even argue that. But this isn't going anywhere. We're obviously never going to agree.

Liverpool might be more attacking, but they possess less quality. Messi for example would not manage the same numbers playing for Liverpool, because of inferior service and the inferior quality around him, meaning less space and time to operate in and a lot of moves failing because of a lack of understanding and simple lack of quality. Willian played in Ukraine (!) and he still didn't manage to rack up the stats. Saying Willian would do better in these areas playing for Liverpool is pure speculation so there's no way you can argue that. Whether Willian is the better player overall is up for discussion, but his finishing and in terms of goal threat and effectivity, he is without a doubt inferior compared to Sterling. And at 20, I'd bank on him to only improve. Not to compare him to Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of quality, but I'm sure he didn't do much better at a similar age (18-20). The same goes for Giggs, Pires etc.

Worse than Willian? Sterling with 21 goals and 16 assists in the past two seasons, Willian managing 8 goals and 12 assists.

Baba plays for Augsburg, 20 years old. Fantastic prospect.

I'd take Van Persie. He's not the player he used to be, not the goal-scorer he used to be, but he remains an excellent target man. His first touch and ability to hold the ball is brilliant and his technique, link-up play and vision are areas most strikers can't touch. But he would have to accept lowered wages and the usual one-year contract for players over 30. Question is whether he'd accept such a deal and squad player status.

I think he's a fantastic talent. After a slow start at Gladbach, he's grown into a key player for them. Arguably their best player in a surprisingly succesful season for them. And already very experienced even though he's just 22. Though he remains unproven at the highest level of course. He combines technical and tactical prowess with physicality. Height, body, fit (in terms of durability and little injury troubles), good in the air, aggressive. Though he really needs to work on that last part and become more effective when challenging for the ball. He's been picking up far too many yellow cards. Very good passing range, good touch, comfortable on the ball and even capable of getting past a player. A dominant presence in midfield, he can really spray the ball around, and on a good day he's capable of bossing the centre of the pitch. He's also very good defensively, though he's not a true holding midfielder like Busquets or Matic. More in the Xabi Alonso mould if I had to pick a player to compare him with. He's the type of player that would not just improve the squad, but also provide some real competition in the middle. Possibly a hidden gem looking at the lack of hype and his potential to become a starter. I would love for him to join.

I was thinking £15-20 mil for a possible transfer. But for €12 mil he's easily worth a go. Even better, he could be sold for a higher fee in two, three years if it doesn't work out. This is the kind of player the team needs in the squad, replacing Mikel or Ramires. Big, strong, athletic physical presence in midfield. Mikel is big and strong but barely uses his body, is slow, lacks mobility and is the furthest thing from aggressive. Ramires is fast, aggressive and energetic, but is pretty lightweight and (seriously) lacking on a technical and tactical level. I'd prefer Xhaka or Casemiro, but Imbula would be good too. Especially at that price.

Twilight zone.

How?

I completely forgot about the match. Why is Costa playing? And Remy out wide? Why did Cesc get red carded?

I have a feeling Utd will think of Cech if De Gea leaves (which is highly likely). I would not want him to join Utd, but Cech does deserve a such a massive club. Don't like the thought of it, but I would not hold it against him since he was replaced. Here's hoping he moves to a side outside England.

And then there's his amazing first touch and overall ball control, his excellent link-up play, his ability to keep the ball under pressure, his comfort and ability to cause damage in the tightest of spaces, his ability to turn away from his marker with his first touch to create space and time for himself on the ball and move forward. And there's still plenty of room for improvement for Hazard. That last part might not sound very important to some but it is. Why? Because it allows him to receive the ball with his back to goal. Most players are forced to either control the ball and pass it back, or pass it back immediately, whenever they receive the ball with their back to goal with a marker close behind them. This makes you a lot easier to defend. A defender does not know whether to mark a player like Hazard tightly or loosely. And when he does turn away directly, they're often forced to foul him. His awareness of his surroundings and speed of thought is incredible. Compare this to Fabregas for example, who often has to drop very deep to receive the ball, so he's unmarked and can turn his face to goal. Willian can't do it either. It's a very special skill, and it's these kind of abilities that make the simple use of stats (not even stats, just goals and assists) to asses the quality of a player idiotic.

I remember Pep wanting Neymar, yeah. I love how Gotze was supposed to be the alternative. So often clubs make buys that don't make sense at all.

Sahin was disappointing. He's very talented. A real midfield playmaker, but also very good at doing the dirty work. But it's possible that he simply needed a while to recover his form after his injury. After taking a little time, he started playing better and better at Dortmund. But the injuries won't stop. Kagawa was not that good, in terms of individual ability, and it's possible he's already peaked. He remains a useful player though, but he's lightweight. Gotze's not a flop, but he's not living up to the expectations. But his purchase doesn't even make sense. I don't think Pep wanted him, he doesn't like playing with a #10. I think it was a case of Bayern showing off their strength, weakening the opposition and wanting Germany's biggest talent at their club.

I can already see it. Some journalist in a dark trenchcoat and hat, lurking around the premises, digging in the containers. Finds a draft list with those names, on top it says 'I sink with sese players i am we are number one, Roman'.

Remains a brilliant talent. One of the key players of Dortmund winning back-to-back titles, and he was only in his teens. Key in their CL ride to the final. Seeing a young player carry his team like that was fantastic. Magical ball control. Capable of plucking the ball right out of the air or perfectly control the ball in his stride with a single touch. Fantastic dribbler, has made a fool of countless defenders with his tight control and excellent timing. Very agile, excellent balance, quick feet, very good positional sense, links up well but more importantly, he scores goals. He was on his way to become a player to easily hit 15+ goals in all competitions. Not the same at Bayern. Lacking in fire, determination and drive imo. Can't shake the feeling he's been taking things too easy. I've heard some things about him enjoying life outside the pitch and that's a shame for his football. But to be fair to him, he's been moved around a lot. Up top, on the left, behind the striker and in midfield. And while he's not been great, he's not been awful. Far from it. He suits a team that plays direct football more though, like Chelsea. I've thought about this before. I'd take the risk. His kind of talent does not disappear. Different surroundings and Mourinho getting through to him could spark him. Not to mention lowered expectations (*cough, cough* 'Germany's answer to Messi' *cough, cough*, what a horrible lable to live with) and playing in his favourite position. 30 mil is too much though. I'd take him for £20 mil. He could be sold in two or three years for a similar price if it didn't work out. Would be worth it for me.