DYC.

Luis has said more than once that he wants to stay. But even if he would agree to go, do you really think he's worth 25-30 mil to Atletico? The article posted stated a 65 mil clause. You'd think his value has decreased after his €20 mil move (or something like that) to Chelsea. Or you're thinking they would agree for less than the clause.

No, not Vietto. He's only been at Villarreal for a year. Would be sad to see him go so quickly. Jorge Mendes is his agent. That does change things. I find it hard to believe the club would be willing to pay that much though, after just one great season. Just under Torres, and Torres' £50m transfer was the equivalent of €60 mil back in 2011. But who knows...

The Head and Shoulders bit was genuinely funny. I could imagine it immediately.

Silly, silly Jason. You realise we're not actually in charge of the transfers. Stupid.

Cristiano was poor in the final, big deal. He's not the first and he won't be the last. His contributions in the previous rounds and group stage, scoring 17 goals I think (a record) and a bunch of assists don't count? And what about his time at Utd? He annoys me with his constant whining, crying and selfish nature, but give the man his credit. He might be egotistical, but he's definitely a true winner. Real have done poorly in not being able to add a title after 11/12. Really poor. But Barca is some opponent. We all know how it is to simply be inferior. Fans always talk about how good Chelsea was in 2004-2006. Well they were just as good in 2006-2009, Man Utd was better.

With Chelsea's very own Jack Cork in midfield. Nice to see he's doing well.

Unbeaten run had to end. So sad for the Arsenal fans. They were so set on finishing second, for the first time in 10 years. It's gonna take a bit more work now.

You're right. I was thinking about it and that has to be it. For him to play at that level he reached in the first half for an entire season is the next step (evolution). I really wanted Oscar to become big, but he's been here for three seasons. I was thinking he just wasn't going to make it at Chelsea and that he might enjoy some personal succes somewhere else. But Mourinho is not willing to give up on him, and that's fair. He must really see something special in him.

I'm not quite sure if I understand what he means with the same evolution as Hazard this season. Oscar isn't even as good as Hazard in 12/13. It would take an evolution of epic proportions for him to reach Hazard's level of 14/15. So not only is Oscar staying, he's still very much a starter in his eyes. Well, I can only hope Mourinho is right

I posted this in a different thread. No one is paying 50 mil pounds for Sterling. If Liverpool won't accept less, strike a deal with Sterling to join when his contract runs out. http://bleacherrepor...on-anfield-star Of course, Chelsea would give him the money (indirectly) to do so. He'd be public enemy #1 in Liverpool though. I would love this

Of course it is. That's why Mourinho went for Drogba last season. If it was up to the manager, he would have a squad of 23 top quality players. But that's not possible. Even Real had to sell the likes of Ozil, Higuain, Di Maria etc. Drogba will need to be replaced, yes, but it will have to be a player understanding he won't play much. Quality players don't accept such a role. It's one position. Don't be surprised if Drogba stays or is replaced with a decent player at best. Either that or Solanke is good enough for third choice. 25-30 for a back up, with a 10 mil back up already here, is silly. Benteke almost costing you as much as Costa is absolutely ridiculous btw. He'd probably cost 15 mil more if he was English. That's why it's best to scout abroad. Edit: If someone like Benteke is joining, Remy will be leaving.

While I do not rate Remy's performance quite as high you, I do agree with your point. As for people wanting a new ST, they seem to think Costa and Remy could be out simultaneously again next season. But what are the chances of that happening again? Remy wasn't even injured that much this season. I think people forget that, for some strange reason, Drogba was 2nd choice before the turn of the year, with Remy sitting on the bench/stands and barely playing. Others think it's possible to keep three senior strikers happy (Costa, Benteke, Remy for example). Wishful thinking imo.

I think I rate Sterling a bit higher than you. I don't know many footballers playing at his level at 20. I understand your point. Ideally this ready made player would be available, but again, who is this player? €100+ mil Bale? Injury-prone Reus and play him out of position? Flopping Di Maria, who's also had to deal with his few shares of injuries? It's not like Robben or Sanchez will be joining... There's always Griezmann, and while I do rate him, he would be a risk for the RW position. I wouldn't mind him at all but he's possibly too expensive to take that risk. I still think a young talent is the way to go. Matching Bayern, Barca and Real is going to take a few years, regardless of who comes in for the RW position.

I don't think Utd are in. I find them playing with two young wingers hard to imagine. Abroad interest seems unlikely as well. Don't think Bayern, Barca, Real are interested. Well, Bayern's possible but they're usually not willing to pay extreme fees (Martinez for €40 mil is their most expensive transfer I think). But they could make an exception. Then there's PSG, but there's always the Ligue 1 factor. Not to mention their own restrictions on spending. I think he wants to stay in England though. You'd think Arsenal and City are interested, yeah. But Chelsea are in the best position to win trophies. Combined the prospect of playing alongside Cesc and Hazard, and Mourinho as a manager. And he's from London, right? £50m would be extreme, but looking at the market, I think he'd cost £25m at the very least. £25-35 mil is my guess, roughly €35-50 mil. A lot of money.

Like we don't see that now haha. He'll mess up, but he will also do good. At least he's a threat. He would not have to. If Sterling were to go through a rut, you could move Willian there. With either Oscar or Fabregas moving into the middle. Or you play Cuadrado (I know right now that sounds terrible). That's the thing about finding a right winger though. The great ones are tied to top sides. That's when you have to go for young players with potential, like with Hazard back in 2012, Neymar to Barca, Reus to Dortmund and countless other examples.

10 goals and 7 assists for Liverpool last season, 11 goals and 9 assists this season. I think that's good for a Liverpool player, aged 18-20 while doing so. More than good actually. Averaging 1.6 and 2.1 key passes per game in 13/14 and 14/15. And already one of the better dribblers in the league. Sterling would not significantly improve Chelsea immediately, but he should only get better, at least that's what you hope and expect with any young player. Better team mates here and Hazard, Cesc and Costa taking the attention away from him. I would love him here. Pace and dribbling, chance creation, goals.

Funny stuff. I agree with Mourinho, it's silly.

This really annoys me, and that's why I'm hoping for a quality injection in defence.

I remember the Can goal now. Moving forward with the ball, acres of space and no one closing in on him. Long range shot deflected off Cahill. That was terrible, yeah. Coutinho always causes problems with his dribbling, the centre of midfield and defence is sluggish. Mehh, at least they never won a game.

I don't remember the first game against Liverpool, but this did happen in the League Cup matches. Strange.

Chelsea better first half, Pool better second half. Final ball was lacking though. Nice day for RLC, but he was invisible. Eden has switched completely off. I did not think Willian was great today but he's been playing with some real swagger for weeks now. Trying all kinds of nice flicks, swerving passes with the outside of his boot, using his pace far more effectively. His crossing remains poor though. But he's been fun to watch. JT rocks.

So he's the type to pull of power rushes. Power midfielder. Interesting.

I'm very surprised Mourinho even played him in front of defence. Managers will usually play young midfielders further up the pitch, to get used to the level and less room for errors hurting the team. I don't watch youth football so I don't know his game. But you could immediately notice something was wrong. His positioning has been terrible. A bit nervous on the ball too, but that's understandable.

That was hilarious.

Agree. He looks completely uncomfortable in front of defence, and has done nothing tbh.