DYC.

Madrid's football this season is simply breathtaking. Both on and off the ball, they're just... don't know what to say.

Liverpool once again confirming their loser status. Throwing in the towel before the game has even begun. Pathetic.

That's what I said, no Gotze. Gotze is far too talented to be a back-up. So if Reus does join, interest should be high for Gotze. And I would love to see him become a Blue.

That's the thing though. There's no place for all of their attacking players. Currently, Ribery is the one missing out, which is understandable since he was out injured for a while. So if Reus joins, that's one more player on the bench. Muller and Robben are key so they won't be losing their spot, which means no Gotze. Bayern getting Reus doesn't really make sense. And I would be really disappointed if he joined Utd, Chelsea should be the more attractive option.

If it does happen, I wonder what that means for Gotze... I sure wouldn't mind him here.

Ahh who cares. Messi, the greatest player of this generation, probably still has nightmares about a certain unibrow.

I think Rooney was the last 'next English great' to actually become a top player. Guess there's still hope for Wilshere and Ox... It would be a shame if Sterling ended up being a joke. Or even a decent player at best. It's players like him that make football fun.

We could always bring back good ol' Bosingwa. I've missed his extraordinary crosses.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-Zks0MRVpI

Felt the same as Mou about the game. Once again, Mou telling what he's looking for in Oscar and what his role is. A David Silva like player will never be on the cards. And I forgot about the amount of matches he's played lately. Makes his performance today more impressive than I initially thought, since he was lacking in sharpness.

I've read some pretty embarassing stuff.

Haha. Replace Nemanja Vidic by John Terry and he remains an complete idiot. Hazard played what, 5 sec?

Now, I only saw a small part of the game so I can't say anything about his performance. Apparently, it was bad but what do people expect? He has 0 match rhythm. Terrible performances are to be expected, considering his limitations as a player. Don't be so harsh on the guy.

Let go of the fantasy of youth players getting any real game time. If it happens some time in the future, great. But I wouldn't get my hopes up. Chelsea/Mourinho has different priorities.

Kalou - For my own personal pleasure though. The ridiculous amount of stick he received and how he was blamed for every poor result was hilarious Eidur is probably the only player who's departure really hurt. Should've stayed for a further 3, 4 years.. Sturridge's treatment was shameful, indirectly because of Torres. Lampard should have retired here.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2247187-cristiano-ronaldo-wins-3-awards-as-real-madrid-dominate-2013-14-la-liga-gala Individual awards are so messed up right now. Atletico do the impossible and win the league yet Real, finishing 3rd, dominate the individual awards? The stupidity of these people (of course, this is mostly the result of politics). I usually don't care about these awards but this is ridiculous. Atletico's season was an historical achievement. Best GK should've been Courtois. Easy pick. Best defender was Godin. Ramos wasn't even Real's best defender last year. Best DM Modric? When did Modric become a DM? He should've been nominated for best AM. Best DM was Gabi. He was incredible. He'll probably never have a year like that again. Best AM Iniesta? That's hilarious and I'm a huge Iniesta fan. Koke, Di Maria and Modric should've been the top three. Di Maria was the best assist provider but Koke's contribution was crucial to winning the league. Modric was brilliant as well. This one's a bit harder but I would've gone Koke. His team mates are a lot less talented compared to star studded Real. Best Forward Ronaldo? Ronaldo scored the most goals, fine. That's why he got the Golden Boot. Costa's presence up front was immense for Atletico and his goals won games for Atletico. He should've won. Best Player should've gone to an Atletico player. Courtois, Godin or Costa would all have been good picks. Atletico Madrid should feel outraged really.

Watched the Clasico again and I could seriously watch that game over and over and over again. Incredible football. I recently said Real is the better the team, compared to Chels, but not by that much. Boy was I wrong. Our boys still have quite a bit growing to do before they get to that level.

Best post I've read in a long while.

True. Seeing pacey players not making use of their speed is always such a shame.

Kroos is a completely different footballer. Simply put, Kroos is a Xavi type of player. A real midfield meastro. Fabregas is not. I don't know why people get annoyed with that statement, it's all about style. It does not make Fabregas a lesser player, it just makes him different. (The thing that makes Kroos special is his versatality though, he has the ability to adjust the way he plays. He was a completely different player under Heynckes, more Fabregas-esque). But saying Kroos would have dominated is a 'bit too easy'. Real is so much better in possession than Chelsea, it's not even funny. The movement, the understanding between the players.. every touch is good, always turning into the right spaces, passing is precise, they remain calm under pressure. Their style is based on technique, possession and a high tempo/quick passing. Compare that with Chelsea's style. Powerful, disciplined, emphasis on counter-attacking. Chelsea dominate against lesser sides, of course, but that's because of the difference in quality. And Kroos plays with Modric (very important like stroey said, just like when Xavi had Iniesta), James and Isco in midfield. All players strong in possession, all highly gifted technically. With Bale they're not as strong in possession but stronger on the break. Except for Hazard, Fabregas plays with Willian/Schurrle, Oscar, Matic, who don't compare in those aspects. But even then, Fabregas' game is not the same as the likes of Xavi, Kroos, Scholes. He's like a classic #10 but he's not good in tight spaces. He's better when starting from deep positions, and then slowly moving up unmarked. This is true. But then again, Mourinho's Real had the right type of players yet they were never the most controlling side. A very counter-attacking side, pressing mostly in their own half or soaking up the pressure. I think it's safe to say Mourinho prefers it like this. But yes, a ball-playing CB would help. I don't think Mou wants one though. I can see him getting a pacey CB though. Either that or Zouma will play a more prominant role. I do wonder wether he'll change his mind on Oscar and buy a playmaking #10. Doubt it though.. We can't forget this team will still do a lot growing though.

Yeah, it's weird. He's a very decent player but he gets way too much credit. He's basically Utd's very own Arteta. I can't believe he's the guy that is supposed to protect the back four. People give Utd's backline a lot of stick but their midfield is too easily passed by.

Fabregas is slow and isn't the most agille haha. And unlike Fellaini, Fabregas isn't the most mobile of players. Add a poor day in the office and he'll struggle. You're right. I never said he was good. He was very poor in the first half. Better in the 2nd half but still not a good game overall. I've said this before but Fab is not the type to dominate the midfield. His style is not controlling. Which is not a bad thing, until you're looking for that kind of presence. But it's not like Mourinho's style suits those type of players.

Fellaini immobile? I know he's slow and unagile but his energy and work-rate are his biggest strengths, bar his aerial ability. Fellaini was surprisingly good yesterday. Didn't expect that at all.

Mehh.. They're not the same team they were last year. They overachieved last season. The likes of Juanfran, Gabi, Tiago, Garcia reached a level they won't ever hit again and they've lost Luis, Courtois and Costa. And they hardly had any injuries last season. Not saying they can't beat Chels but our boys are the better team. They're still a bitch to play against though.