DYC.

Yeah, I don't understand it when managers do that. He's not crazy so he must have his reasons, but whatever.

Solanke was never going to play, and you can't blame Mourinho. No striker, an interesting but not surprising choice. Chels don't need a goal, don't need a win. Expecting defensive football, with plenty of containing. Will have to pounce one or two opportunities to score.

Did you just see Barca's goal? Oh man..... that goal almost brought tears to my eyes. I can't believe it. Magical, magnificent football. Barca is giving away a demonstration right now.

Fanboys. Hazard is enjoying an incredible season for me. His class would be more obvious if he were to play in a more dominant team, with better teammates (in offence). Whether he can keep it up and improve remains to be seen. Lionsden is right about the tendency of fans to overrate their own (the same can be said about overrating players of other teams btw). But fans also overrate past greats. Big moments on the big stage define careers. People talk about the likes of Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo, Carlos, Del Piero etc. as if they were these magical players, producing top performances on a weekly basis, every single season. And that's a lie. The good is remembered and the bad is forgotten. Zidane's CL final goal alone skyrocketed his stock to infinity and beyond. And we will do the same with the current generation. I can already imagine everybody reminiscing about Iniesta's goal vs Chelsea in 10-20 years. Or what about Messi, possibly the tiniest player on the pitch, leaping into the air, almost levitating, and heading that ball in like Batitusta in the 2009 CL final. Because that's we do. But then you hear Zidane talk about Hazard for example, or Romario about Neymar, and you see how these past greats recognise greatness in the new boys. But Hazard lacks big moments in his career. That one highlight that you will always remember, one brilliant piece of play with the whole world watching. Or something like a devastating performance in the semi-final of the CL. I think Hazard's biggest moment was his goal against Bayern. But that was just the Supercup, and the goal wasn't really special. He's only 24 though, so he still has time.

Hazard has played 46 games for Chelsea in all competition this season. 43 starts + 3 sub appearances, missing just two games of Chelsea's total of 48. Hazard has delivered a goal and/or assist in 25 different matches. Oscar has scored and/or assisted in 11 games (34 starts + 6 sub appearances), Willian has scored and/or assisted in 7 games (31 starts + 13 sub appearances).

Even at the start of the season, Hazard was Chelsea's best player for me. Strong performances on a weekly basis, but he was barely scoring or assisting. It was the strangest thing. And I completely agree with you on Suarez. He almost won Liverpool the league. Liverpool had no business competing for the title with that side. He wasn't just brilliant individually, he made his team mates look better. Suarez's 13/14 PL campaign beats Ronaldo's 07/08 PL campaign imo. And his performances in the big games were very underrated imo. He did not score a lot of goals, but he was a strong performer in most of the games. I don't think Suarez will ever enjoy a season like that again in his career.

Bayern destroying Porto at home was always a possibility. When they turn it up, they're almost impossible to stop. Great football from Bayern. High ball circulation, hitting them on the flanks, abudance of movement and direct running, great intensity to win the ball back and of course, clinical finishing. Feel sad for Porto, wanted them to go through. Not that I can complain about the show Bayern is putting up. PSG with Verratti and Zlatan back, still getting completely outplayed. Absolutely bossing the midfield, PSG can't get a touch. And they're so strong on the break. It has added a completely new dimension to their game. Iniesta and Dani showing brilliant individual skill to set up the goals, top quality goals. Neymar, the guy is such an amazing forward. Still only 23. That front three is so scary. I love Messi in his new role (playing as a midfielder basically), but on the other side, I miss Messi in an advanced position. It's a bit too early in his career for him to play in this role imo. EDIT: That Porto GK is terrible btw.

I think that's called talking bs. Mou is an expert in this. Roman knew what he was getting when appointing him. He's only serious when talking about himself and his achievements. I love this quote .

LVG at his finest. I dread the day that man wins the league. He'll make a complete spectacle of himself. Look at the faces of Ribery and Rummenigge, and others in the back...

I don't know what happened to make him react like that, but it's a very old clip. He was still managing AZ back then.

2013/2014: 50 starts + 2 sub apps - 36 goals + 4 assists 2014/2015: 31 starts + 4 sub apps - 20 goals + 3 assists

We'll have to see how he does next season. 40 starts + 2 sub apps for Cesc this season btw. Just for comparison, 2013/2014: 44 starts + 11 sub apps - 13 goals + 14 assists.

2013/2014: 35 starts + 10 sub apps - 4 goals + 7 assists 2014/2015: 31 starts + 13 sub apps - 4 goals + 5 assists

2012/2013: 43 starts + 21 sub apps - 12 goals + 9 assists 2013/2014: 38 starts + 12 sub apps - 13 goals + 6 assists 2014/2015: 34 starts + 6 sub apps - 7 goals + 9 assists

Pre Jan 1: 4 goals + 17 assists Post Jan 1: 1 goal + 4 assists Total: 5 goals + 21 assists Overall, Cesc is definitely not at the same level as in the first half of the season for me. Whether it's a physical or psychological issue, I have no idea but I hope it's not the case next season. We've been lucky Hazard has been performing at such a high level.

Shut up shop, try to sneak a win and focus at least one camera on Wenger's face.

2 more goals to hit the 20 goal mark. 6 games left. I expect him to make it. And for the goals+assists lovers: Not too shabby.

I'm not the type to tell people how they should feel, but complaining all the time doesn't help. It will not make Mourinho change his style, neither will it make him go away. It only makes you miserable. I didn't see the game, but judging by the reaction, I can imagine the game in my head because it's classic Mourinho. Mou does not care about football, he cares about results. As long as he's the winner at the end, that's all that matters. So as long as he is in charge, you can expect more of the same. Leading the league by 10 points + capturing the League Cup is not exactly torture, so try to find some 'solace' in that.

Mourinho san's master.

How did he today today, Skippy?

Didn't watch the game. Expected a draw, got a win. Apparently it wasn't pretty. What a surprise. 3 points. 10 point lead. 11 points over Utd (with a game in hand), 15 points over City. Only the PL can market a 10 point lead as a title race haha. Next up Arsenal. This could boost the team, so a win is in the cards. A draw will do though.

I disagree. 2-0? Why cancel Barca's goal? They should have scored in the first half, they created plenty of chances. But they were on the backfoot for the entire second half. It was a matter of waiting for a 2nd goal for Barca. Of course, if they scored in the first half, we would've seen a different match. Deserved win for Barca in the end, though 2-1 would've reflected the match better. I'm sure Valencia will finish in the top 4 though. They have a rich owner but they still have plenty of debts if I'm not mistaken. 50 mil is excessive. I think they'd sell for something in the region of 30-35 mil, they bought him for 12 mil. They can get a replacement. I'm not saying I'm sure of it but if Otamendi would want to join, I think it could happen.

Haha Oscar is going get murdered on here after the game.

I knew Zouma was going to play in midfield. Oscar, Fabregas and Hazard in the 3. I wonder what the plan is there. I still call a boring draw, the line up does not exactly suggest otherwise.

I really, really hope Chelsea scouts were present at the Barcelona - Valencia game to watch Gomes and Otamendi. Otamendi in particular producing a gargantuan performance. Oh man, he was so good. He's exactly the kind of defender this team needs. It was a wonderful game btw. 2-0 is a bit harsh on Valencia, it was a very tight game.