DYC.

Alonso benefitted greatly from Hazard's presence. Hazard draws so much attention and creates so much space on the left with his movement and dribbling. And he's always been an average defender so he's exposed on both ends now. I would like to see how he does in midfield. Problem is Chels don't have an alternative on the left, which is disgraceful.

Doesn't make a difference for me. He was praised for his performance against Arsenal (I think) in pre-season, talk about his ability on the ball. It flew over my head. I just don't see it. And it was the same for Roma. He gets the ball and looks akward as hell. Neither the skill or creativity level of his passing and dribbling impress me. Luiz is a different story. He's a natural on the ball. Overly ambitious but a natural. Would never have him as my RB as well. Pretty decent crosser though, I'll admit that. This game is done. Maybe if Chels were at full strength. Question is how the team reacts in the next game.

I have to be the only one not impressed with Rudiger. Especially his so-called ball-playing ability. But whatever. This is no fun at all. I wouldn't take a single Burnley player to don the Chelsea blue yet they're leading by three goals. Awful game.

Burnley at home.

Dead ting.

Conte doesn't have faith in a flat back four against Burnley? At home as well. Strange. Boga is done for the season I think, haha.

Courtois Rudiger - Luiz - Cahill Azpilicueta - Kanté - Fabregas - Alonso Pedro - Batshuayi - Willian Caballero; Christensen, Player X; Kenedy, Boga; Musonda, Morata Something like this I think. This is so sad. Premier League champions, mind you. Last year's squad wasn't much to write home about, and now the squad's even weaker. Chels seems to be stuck in this strange space I find hard to define. Therefore I don't have any expectations. We'll see what happens.

The man has failed to keep his squad over the course of the season for ten years as well. I still don't understand how that's possible. Yeah, I've always looked at their squad and thought about how Chels could do with many of their players. I don't understand why they let the Polish GK go though. He's been on an upward trajectory since his loan to Roma and Cech has visibly been on the decline. Stupid decision. Smart move from him though as he will most likely take over Buffon's spot when he retires after the World Cup.

I've been saying this since 2014/2015 and I'll keep saying it. Arsenal possess one of the best squads (top three) in the league and Wenger should be ashamed he never won the league. He has such a wide variety of options in terms of personnel and tactical set-ups. Even if they were to lose Sanchez, they'd be strong enough to win the league. But I don't see it happening with Wenger at the helm. He did extremely well to keep Arsenal in the top 4 when they were penny pinching but winning the league (or CL) is a different beast. He's lost his niche in that regard.

When people laud and applaud the level of defending in the PL, I just cringe from head to toe. It's physical, and certain types of players might not be able to adapt, but it's definitely not better than the defending in other top leagues.

If only this money could be passed on to Spurs for Dembele... Don't care about the money. Chels have been making a lot of money lately but it's not like it's being spent on securing top class additions. But those are just my views as a fan who only cares about the happenings on the pitch. Maybe the club actually needs this money.

Mehh, I have my doubts about Kanté's impact outside of the PL. I'll have to see how he does next year in the CL and the World Cup after that.

Forget this game. Did anyone actually think this Chelsea team was on the same level as Bayern? That squad is packed with top and genuinely world-class players. Hazard is the only player who walks into that team (even at 34, an in form Ribery would breathe down his neck). And possibly Azpilicueta because of Lahm's retirement. Defend in numbers and counter-attack, and you might be able to beat them 3 out of 10 times, but Chels isn't on that level. Can't blame the players or the coach for that.

This transfer would be ideal. Think about it. Mbappe is 18. He's not at an age to play 50+ games in a season. Mbappe would be replacing Morata. Mbappe played 1501 min in the league last season (17 starts + 12 subs). Morata played 1334 min (14 starts + 12 subs). He'll at least get the same amount of game time Morata got. Most likely more because of his immense talent and the fact that he can fill in both Ronaldo's and Benzema's role in the team. The pressure would be huge but he wouldn't be joining as the new saviour, but rather as the future star. He won't be expected to immediately replicate the form he's shown in 2017 thus far. I'd still stay with Monaco if I were him though. But then again, I don't know what it feels like to be wanted by the biggest club in the world, offering you immense riches and on field succes. Worst comes to worst, and you flop, the Chelsea's and City's of this world will still want you. The move makes sense.

Actually, Chelsea do need numbers. HG numbers. Cahill, Moses, Fabregas and possibly Christensen won't suffice. A move for Bertrand would make sense. I don't rate him highly either but as a back-up he would be useful.

That's not how football works. All kinds of factors play a role in deciding a transfer fee (contract, agent, importance, marketability, status, club your dealing with, nationality, international caps, willingness to sell, willingness to buy etc.) Walker cost 50 so Mendy has to cost more is so ridiculously simplistic, I'm sorry.

This is what football news has come to. That kind of reasoning comes straight from the playground in primary school. Absolute rubbish. And they get away with stories like that because most people will actually believe it's true.

I agree with your overall point. But I have to ask about that final part, in which areas does Ozil lack intelligence?

I'm with Greavsie. Ricardo Pereira is impressive and easily the superior player. I can only hope the club will surprise by purchasing him.

This is so true. And he'd be more effective than Costa when it comes to receiving long balls into space (Cesc) and converting those opportunities

Athletic and strong but lacking tactically and in terms of finesse. That's the impression he's always left on me. Not my type of defender but it is what it is. Could prove to be useful. Or even better, you never know.

With Baka coming in, selling Matic for £40m and replacing him with a player like Badelj (a player Chelsea was linked with in the winter window) for close to half that price would be a smart move. Even better would be bringing in a player like Naby Keita, Rabiot or Nainggolan as Matic departs for the north. But I agree with those saying selling him without bringing in a replacement would be a case self-inflicted damage. Man Utd signing Matic instead of Fabinho would cause me to breathe a huge sigh of relief and laugh my bum off afterwards. Lindelof and possibly Matic and Morata aren't signings that will change the landscape. Especially if Chels manage to land Bakayoko, Lukaku, Sandro and Van Dijk (and a Matic replacement). Only City could go on to top a summer like that but Chelsea possess the superior foundation.

Courtois Azpilicueta - Cahill - Luiz - Sandro Willian - Kanté - Bakayoko - Hazard Lukaku - Lacazette Caballero/Eduardo Moses - Christensen - Aké - Alonso Mahrez - Fabregas/Chalobah - Matic - Baker Batshuayi - Pedro Now that's a well-balanced team. Manageable as well outside of the tough Sandro deal. Even with Alonso in that LB spot (Bertrand in for competition?), that's still a good team. (Hazard up top and Lemar on the flank would be brilliant as well.)

I like Aubameyang. He's evolved into a ruthless goal-scorer for club and country in the past few years. And that's against any kind of opponent. Rarely goes three games without scoring. He's one of the elite goal-scorers in European football. From 41 goals in 94 games in his first two seasons for Dortmund (and those are figures that would be praised by Chelsea fans) to 79 goals in 95 games in his last two seasons Great age, great fitness record. The man is in his prime. Likeable and popular as well. Get him, Chelsea.

City aren't nearly as crazy as some make them out to be. It would actually make sense. Sané, Sterling, Bernardo Silva and Jesus are talented young players (don't think Iheanacho has a future there) but they won't win you the war. There's no guarantee they will perform at the required level and they could even harm City if they were to suffer a dip in form, which is natural at their stage of development. And waiting for them to become star players could take years. Sanchez is established so you can expect him to deal with the pressure and produce the goods. He would add a high level of firepower the current options on the flanks can't provide. If City sign Sanchez, it's simply because they want to join the elite. I can't fault them for such ambitions at all. Aguero/Jesus Sanchez - Silva/Bernardo - De Bruyne/Gundogan - Sané/Sterling They need to strengthen their defence of course. Most likely a new holding midfielder as well. They've been linked with Van Dijk, Walker, Mendy and Fabinho. It looks like they mean business.