DYC.

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.

Cesc with the throughest of all balls for the 2nd goal. The whole stadium and everyone in it just froze. The guy is reminding me why I rated him so highly during his time at Arsenal. 2 assists and counting.

It was bound to happen but no Cech.. That's huge. 10 years. He'll go down as the greatest though. Best Premier League GK of the 00's as well for me.

Finally some real football. Friendlies suck. Hoping Oscar can put in a good performance. Expect Diego to score and think Fabregas will put in a strong performance along my guy Matic, who always scores a 7 at the least so no worries there.

Chelsea should buy Memphis Depay and let him stay at PSV for a year. Combines talent with power and he seems to have great drive to become a top player. He could already become a regular next year. Can't let Man Utd snap him up.

That's not what his post was about. He made Oscar sound like a Championship player. I agree with those who say what Oscar produced wasn't good enough but to suggest Willian did better is laughable. If this is all Willian has to offer than he's not good enough either.

Exaggerating much? For all the stick Oscar receives for last season, mostly deserved though some take it too far, he managed a total of 13 goals and 6 assists. That's a strong contribution to Chelsea's total goals scored. Of course he needs to improve, I've criticised him plenty last season. But these kind of overly critical posts annoy me. That's like me saying all Willian is good for is defensive contribution.

Diego missed 3 or 4 pens last season. Unacceptable when you have Hazard.

Ramsey is awesome.

Would you rather have (a fit) Walcott who adds goals and assists but isn't much of a 'footballer' or Willian, who is a 'footballer' but doesn't add much when it comes to goals and assists?

You mean the same kids who were looking for a Wifi connection on the day they were born? Come on now, Frank will always be Chelsea.

Not surprised but disappointed. Frank Lampard in a City shirt. Don't like this one bit.

I'm sure the move to City was discussed before he signed the contract with NYC.

They wet their pants when they see this though..

There's this striker at Lille. 30 goals and 9 assists in 61 league starts. Also capable of playing out wide. He might make a good option..