DYC.

More of a tactical issue than a personnel issue imo. You have the front 6 that's trying to press and be proactive and there's the back four sitting deep and containing. Especially Cahill, man that guy needs to grow some balls and take more risks. That really needs to be fixed. You either soak up the pressure or you press (which means pushing the defensive line higher up). And it should be the latter imo, especially against inferior sides. Defenders should be able to defend with more space in their backs and defend proactively at this level. Don't know if you saw the Real-Atletico game, Ramos and Varane would often cross the halfway line. I'm not saying the same must happen at Chelsea but better than they're doing now.

I guess I'm crazy but I thought his second half perfomance was really strong. His passing was strong, he was setting up attacks, held on to the ball well, breaking up play. Was also unlucky for that ball not to go in. Absolutely no one was good in the first half but he gets picked out, hmm.. Anyway, that second half performance was his best in a long while for Chelsea. More of the same, please.

They do. You should check again. Torres will join the coaching staff after he retires here.

The chances of Torres getting an extension are bigger than him leaving, I'm telling you.

I said it in the summer and I'll keep saying it, Van Ginkel won't play much. At least Torres isn't on the bench.

I thought Liverpool were the ones with an American owner..

His name definitely plays a part. But this is a very understandable move though, from Liverpool's point of view. I personally don't think he'll be a force but it is possible as he does have potential. They can't attract top players so they have to take a gamble like this. And at this price, it's a gamble worth taking. And let's not forget the fact that he actually is a good player. Inconsistent though.

Sturridge is a pro and perfectly sane. Mario's a different story.

True. I used to follow Udinese and he did the same for them.

Fair enough. Hope you're right. Really want JT to lift the PL trophy this season.

I do agree with this. I've always liked Ivanovic as a CB and think he could make a very good CB when given the chance. But Mourinho doesn't seem to see Ivan as a CB at all so I've kind of given up on the idea of him playing in the centre.

It's not about writing players off Skippy. Terry is turning 34 this year. Vidic, Ferdinand and Carvalho have all fallen. He's done very well to keep it up this long, especially considering the things he's put his body through. His time is coming and Chelsea has to be prepared. You don't want to end up like Utd (talking about their CB issue). Evans looked good alongside Vidic/Ferdinand in 12-13. Doubt he'll look as good now.

Cahill doesn't compare to JT on the ball. Terry's not a reference point for ball-playing CBs but he's pretty strong in that department. Cahill really is poor on the ball. The slightest bit of pressure and I can feel his nerves. Matic would often drop very deep to pick up the ball against Burnley and I wouldn't be surprised if that's one of his main jobs this season.

This has maybe been my biggest worry. Terry is old and could decline (rapidly) at any point. I personally don't think Cahill has the capabilities to lead the defence, to be that top defender. That's why I would support the club buying Benatia. The CBs have one great advantage though. Ivan, Azpi and Luis are all strong defenders which is of great help to the CBs.

I've been hearing about Sakho's potential since he was a teen. He doesn't impress me. I'd have rather have Skrtel. Not spectacular but solid overall. But I guess we'll have to wait and see. Johnson is absolutely terrible. I'd rather have Flanagan. I wonder whether they can pull off a 4-4-2 again. I don't see it being as succesful without Suarez. Balotelli has all the potential in the world but he's the new Anelka for me. Never gonna happen. At least Anelka had a few good years at Arsenal and Chelsea. Gerrard is 34 and declining. English media will always drool over his long balls and set-piece delivery, his set-piece delivery is truly awesome though, but he can be exposed in high paced games.

Have they really improved their defence? Lovren's a good player but he seems more like Cahill level player to me. Solid but doesn't really make you stronger. And he doesn't compliment Skrtell all that well. And then they have those two young fullbacks. Experience is key in defence so I have serious doubts about those youngsters. Not to mention it's their first year at Pool and in the PL. Debut year for Lovren as well. Their team doesn't impress me. They have Sturridge and top talents in Coutinho and Sterling but that's pretty much it. They did a great job last year but they overachieved. Well, that's the way I see it. They would do extremely well to finish 4th.

Can't argue with you there. I honestly wanted Reus as well (greedy, I know). With him, Chelsea would be up there with Bayern and Real. I honestly don't know what to expect from Oscar this season. But if he can't play a starring role himself, there can only be so many star players in one team anyway, he could support the likes of Hazard and Cesc, making their jobs easier and and helping them achieve a higher level so the collective becomes stronger. Real have a team filled with stars but you have to realize, that's not normal. Chelsea can't pull that off because they don't have that allure.

Who was talking about the quality of his performance or his form? You are seriously underrating the importance of positioning for attacking players. You can't play a DM high up the pitch, they have no idea where to move. Ramires could have done that but there's a very good chance he'd never be standing in such a position. By your logic, centrebacks would make the best defensive midfielders. You don't have to tell me Oscar needs to better. I've said so plenty of times. Only thing is, I don't just focus on the negative.

The big problem for a large group when it comes to rating/analyzing Oscar is the difference between the expectations (what they want Oscar to do) and his actual role in the team. They are two completely different things. Something I noticed yesterday: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x240dq5_burnley-1-3-chelsea-premier-league-highlights_sport Forward to 1:40 Hazard passes the ball to Oscar and moves forward. Oscar tries to reach him but the Burnley player kicks the ball away. The ball doesn't get far away and another Burnley player is waiting for the ball to drop so he can clear it. A Silva or a Ozil or a Iniesta would stand still and watch him clear it 99 out of a 100 times, at the least. Oscar being Oscar, he sees an opportunity for his team to regain possesion and challenges for the ball and he does so succesfully. Which then leads to Chelsea scoring a goal. Oscar is not much of a 'direct' creator, but it's in these kind of situations where he definitely does play a part in the creation of chances and opportunities to score. His ability to win balls in the final third is a form of 'creativity'.

Yup. The funny thing is, he'd have games like last night in 13-14 and he would be criticised because he wasn't a goal threat himself. He didn't even end up with an assist. It was always Eden who had to produce on his own. Talking about 'inconsistency' when like today, he actually put in a fine performance.

Haha I'm being very serious when I say that was my exact reaction.

3 tackles, 3 interceptions and 1 clearance. Cesc can't defend!

I actually didn't like his performance. He kept it very safe and ruined a few dangerous looking attacks. Hardly took anyone on as well. Expect a lot more from him. Good goal though.

Thank you for this. As one of the members of the (small) Ivanovic fanclub, it always hurts me a bit when I see people giving him stick.