DYC.

What is it with English talent? Even though I did think the praise and hype was too much after last season, he did look like a good prospect. People give Rooney a lot of stick, probably because of their own ridiculous expectations, but he's a top player. Not the most consistent performer, but still a player that will probably go down in history as Utd's and England's highest goal-scorer. He was the last English talent to become a top player Rooney's breakthrough was 10 years ago and since then we've seen so many 'big talents' come and go. Makes you wonder how Sterling, Wilshere, Ox, Ward-Prowse, Stones, Jones, Flanagan, Chambers, and the slightly older Sturridge and Smalling will end up. How talented are they really?

It's not like the PL sides are in a position to buy Barca, Bayern or Real players (the regulars of course). They can't clean out Juve, Atletico or PSG either. Whoever they're buying, they won't be players that are better than Chelsea's. And then there's the issue of needing time to adapt. No, I'm not having it. It's not going to be an easy ride, but Chelsea is the best side in England by a good distance. And there's no need for a huge quality injection to win the league again, yeah, but it will be needed to improve in Europe. I hope the ambition to be the best is still very much alive.

Utd is not touching Chels next season even if they buy 5 new starters. They'll need at least another year to compete again. Arsenal... I don't think so. I'm sure they'll suffer plenty of injuries like they always do. So it all depends on a City resurgence. But I don't think that's happening either. I seriously disagree with Mourinho. Chelsea are in a pole position to retain the title next season. Yes, retain. Stop the delusion.

I like Lacazette. Moving to Chelsea would be a terrible choice for his career, and especially for his chances of playing at Euro 2016. I hope he's very careful in choosing his next club. The elite (Bayern, Barca, Real) doesn't need him. Chelsea, Man City, PSG all have proven strikers. I don't think he would want to go to the Serie A, so no Juve. You never know though. I wouldn't join Liverpool if I were him. Man Utd would be possible, but LVG might stick to Rooney up front. He would suit Arsenal, but I don't want him joining them.

Fair enough. What JT does in his personal life is no business of mine though. I only care about his behaviour on the pitch, bar the extreme of course, and he's the face of Chelsea for me. The club better make sure he's forever connected to the club. And I expect a monumental sending off when the time comes.

Does that matter? Let's say I beat you up. Acts of violence have been around forever. It doesn't make me less wrong though.

Hazard Terry Costa

Lazy bastard, ShpendZhubi already posted his performance above. https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=115&v=ugSaS7h6_gM 1:51 Fantastic pass, but not that good imo. Fab's pass for Schurrle's goal against Burnley for example was better imo. Incredible goal. Hazard with some typically brilliant play in the build up. Hazard needs to play more vertical passes like that btw. Over the ground or over the top. Should also work on his range of passing. He has it in him.

I agree. I said the same in the Summer Window thread. Take the risk. It could backfire, yes, but it could also turn out wonderfully. He's young, there is no telling how he'll adapt to playing at this level. A bit of trust can go a long way. If he turned out to be completely inadequate, the Jan transfer window offers the opportunity to buy a replacement. Diego's condition does play a role though, and this kind of information is unknown to us. If his condition means there's always a good possibility of a lengthy time out on the sidelines, and Mourinho simply doesn't rate Bamford, then I don't think he has a chance.

Hmm, I don't think I rate Milner as highly as you do (especially in the middle). I don't like the thought of Milner playing (fairly) regularly at Chelsea.

The last thing this team needs is less pace. Milner is pretty good, but I'd rather have Ramires for the utility man role. If Chels wants to add Englishmen to the team, put up the money and buy one or two young ones.

Invincibles not even up there. Not to discredit them in anyway, but I'd take that 1 L for more W's. It's a shame they didn't go unbeaten in 04/05. Can you imagine going unbeaten and not winning the league... Would be nice to reach 90+ again. It's definitely possible.

Netherlands World Cup '74 and '78, Brazil World Cup '82, Eusebio's Benfica (in Europe) come to mind. I'm not much of a football historian though. Personally, I will always remember Jorge Jesus' Benfica, even though they've been quite 'unfortunate' in Europe. Same for Villarreal CL 05/06, Bayern 11/12, Dortmund 12/13, Argentina & Ghana World Cup 2006, Netherlands Euro 2008, Chili World Cup 2010 just to quickly name a few losers.

James Rodriguez, what a player.

Leading the league by 13 points.

Gallas! Haha. How the heck did he get up there. Underrated defender btw.

I'm not disputing that. But a talent that has any chance of breaking through at Chelsea has to be absolutely incredible. I'm talking teen Fabregas level. Otherwise, I don't see Mourinho giving him the time he needs to develop. And you need to play to develop. A few 3 min cameos doesn't get you anywhere.

That is the dream. Burn the palace down.

The thought of Ramires being a better option out wide, even against a packed defence, is quite sad. Can only hope he makes a complete 180 next season.

JT rocks.

It does look that way.

Damn you, Hazard. Just 4 games left. 18 goals this season, just 2 for the 20. And 2 more assists for 10 in the league. Looking more and more unlikely.

That's the thing though. You have more space out wide. That's why dribblers play out wide. Only special players can dribble through the middle, where it's congestive. Of course, on the counter-attack, there's space to exploit if you're fast. (That run in the second half I think it was btw, when he tried to play Hazard through on the right, I've never Willian run so quick on the ball, that was some serious pace.) I'm sure he's better a dribbler on the left, cutting inside on the weaker side of a fullback, but I highly doubt he's capable of dribbling through the middle. Not that the centre is a place you want players to dribble.

You were right about the game. I wish you weren't. But whatever, just 3 more points.

It wasn't good, but it was effective. 3 points won, 3 more left to win. Willian was brilliant. Everyone else was either decent or okay. Time to burn down a palace.