DYC.

Please don't tell me you're reffering to La Liga. This PL is a far superior league compared to La Liga crap really has to stop. There's a reason why Costa was the first choice of Atletico, now Chelsea, and Remy played for the likes of QPR and Newcastle. Costa's the better striker. That said, Remy should play more. I really don't get why he's hardly played.

Yes, of course the club should strife to become better and definitely not settle. But it does take time (and a little bit of luck), even though that sucks. And proper planning. Again, coming back to Bayern, remember them in let's say 2003-2009? Not the most impressive teams. And Barca's legendary team was a side mostly made up out of former youth players. But I have to say, Tomo made a good point on the last page I think. Fergie's Utd teams weren't exactly superstar packed. And Mourinho has proven to be succesful in the past with teams that weren't as talented as Real and Bayern currently are. Same goes for Klopp and Simeone.

I hear what you're saying but it's not like top players are out there, waiting to be picked up. Top players are scarce, that's what makes them quality. Real and Barca have an appeal the rest of the top sides can't compete with. They're capable of buying just about anyone (though I don't think Barca are a force anymore and I don't see the Neymar-Messi-Suarez trio working out). Bayern got to the position where they are by buying talented players and developing youngsters at the club. Neuer and Ribery came in as a top talents, but were definitely not top players or household names in football. Gotze is a top talent, one of the very most talented young players for me, but he's not a top player yet imo. Too inconsistent. Robben was a Real reject. Though already a fantastic player, he was too inconsistent to be labled a top player. Top sides in Europe weren't exactly jumping to sign him back in '09. Javi Martinez was bought for a huge amount of money but it was a gamble. Hardly achieved anything before he joined Bayern. It worked out for them though, but Guardiola doesn't seem to be a fan (of course he's been unlucky with injuries) Lahm, Alaba, Badstuber, Boateng, Schweini, Muller were developed at the club. Lewandowski and Xabi were high profile signings (comparable to Cesc and Costa). Benatia was high profile-ish after his great season at Roma. It's not easy. Chels will have to do something similar to assemble a ridiculously talented squad. I doubt they have the pulling power and proper resources (FFP restrictions) to go out and buy those among the best in the game. Utd spent €200 mil (!) on the likes of Rojo, Shaw, Herrera, Blind... Di Maria being the top player. Look at the crap Liverpool ended up with.

They can't be relied on to constantly deliver in tough times but it's not like they are completely unable to produce from time to time. Bayern and Real are probably the only sides in football that can field a starting XI with class players in every position. It's so rare, even if you go back in time and look at old teams (including our own club). Going through a tough time right now but it's not like the season is ruined, far from it.

Not a fan of Khedira personally. And I highly doubt both Willian and Oscar will be dropped. No idea who you're talking about.

The flaming shirts would burn Merseyside to the ground.

Fair point. I agree, the balance is better.

He was a fantastic player. For a midtable side though. I can imagine Willian having a similar impact at that level. I dream of Isco, Koke, Gotze, Reus, looking at possible/realistic options. Or a new centre midfielder and push Fabregas up the pitch, though that's not exactly my favourite option. One of Oscar and Willian is acceptable, two is too much sadly. When the going gets tough, they can't be relied on.

That's not good enough for Willian to be considered technically gifted or possessing very good technique. I read that quite often and I've never understood it. (You know who Willian reminds me of? Steven Pienaar back in the day) This team needs more players with a high level of technique and tactical intelligence. I hope the club stays away from the likes of Sissoko and such.

That's what I said and that's key. Better peforming. I say it's because of the game time. Utd have suffered an incredible amount of injuries. They've had to change their line-up constantly. They don't even having that much quality overall to begin with. A lot of squad players, youngsters even, had to come in and play. They are 9 points behind a pratically fully fit Chelsea and City. Quite remarkable. Schurrle, Salah and Ramires were all better last season, Mikel is Mikel, Remy scored 14 PL goals last season and Luis was a starter for a La Liga winning side, also playing in the CL final. These aren't poor players. They look poor though, but they lack match rythm. And they seem to lack trust from their manager, that affects your game.

I agree on that. But when he keeps it safe, playing short passes and carrying the ball in midfield, he'll rarely loose the ball because of sloppy play. High % of completing passes, low amount of turn overs and all. But yes, in the tick of it, he seems to come up short, sadly. He's capable of producing some good stuff in the attacking third, just not nearly enough.

Yeah, I can see them win at Everton. Liverpool could surprise. Most likely not, but still. Tottenham are usually rubbish against Chelsea! Bastards.

Do they really have the better bench? They have better options at RB, more options at CB but the rest? Fernando/Fernandinho, Lampard, Milner, Navas/Nasri, Dzeko and Jovetic vs. Mikel, Ramires, Schurrle, Salah, Drogba, Remy? It's not that much better. I'd say they rotated better (also because of injuries). They seem more in tune when they play. Easier fixtures, yes. I didn't check the schedule. That definitely plays a part.

I just checked. Chelsea have played 11 away games, City 10. Chelsea 19 points, City 23 points. City do have the far tougher away game schedule though. West Ham and Arsenal are the most tricky for Chels. City have to go to Everton, Chelsea, Stoke, Liverpool, Man Utd and Tottenham. So that definitely makes things more difficult for them. Our team hasn't exactly been performing away from home though. Need to step it up. 6 W from the last 8 away games should be possible. 5 W at the least, with max 1 L. I wonder how long the perfect home run will continue.

What makes Willian's technique very good? He has a fantastic first touch and overall ball control. In every other area of technique he's either decent (decent passing, decent dribbler) or just poor (poor shooter, poor crosser, 0 finishing, poor at taking direct or indirect set-pieces). He keeps possession well but that's mostly a mental thing, and he takes too many touches for me to rate him highly in that area.

You know what's crazy? Courtois, Terry, Azpi, Matic, Fabregas, Hazard and Costa are all top candidates for a spot in the PL team of the year. Terry, Azpi, Matic, Fabregas and Hazard would even make most people's team of the year. The only top candidate and red hot favourite at City is Aguero. The likes of Hart, Kompany, Toure, Nasri aren't at their best and Silva has been in and out of games because of injury. Chelsea and City have the same amount of points. How is that possible?

I've noticed you saying/writing this a couple of times, like it's a stone cold fact. Please provide the quote from either the club or Mourinho stating Lampard was no longer wanted at Chelsea.

That's why I think he was never on the list of targets. I don't understand it but that seems to be the case. The only logical reason for that is Mourinho rating Cahill highly.

It's hard to imagine a player picking Chelsea over Bayern. So if Chelsea were interested, I can't blame the board for not being able to sign him.

Think you should watch a vid of Fabregas' assists this season WHS. Set-piece assists galore. Agree with the rest. 8 point lead; poof, vanished. Sigh...

Unbreakable, unmistakable, highly capable. I've said it before and I'll say it again. This guy is in the top 10. And he plays for Chelsea. When was the last time we saw that? Enjoy.

Outclassed by an average bunch. Embarrassing. Think it's time the squad players get more game time. I was giving Mou the benefit of the doubt on his lack of rotation, because he knows how to win trophies, but it's working against him. Zouma, Luis, Ramires, Salah, Remy, Schurrle (yes he's been awful, but he's better than this) could all use more game time. The likes of Cahill, Ivanovic, Willian and Oscar could use more time on the bench. And if the opportunity to buy Reus this transfer window is there, it should definitely be taken. He can only strengthen the squad.

Maybe this will prompt Mou to stop playing the same XI over and over? Leading to PL victory in the end?!? Straws...

Never mind.

Arsenal would be proud of what just happened. Proper meltdown. I still have hope though.