DYC.

Agree with this except for the part of him rarely losing the ball. His passing is pretty poor and it was very poor last night. But agree with the main point of your post. I haven't really understood the constant criticism he's received. Defensive he's been rock solid throughout the season. Yes his offensive game is poor but the man is a defender, he's being asked/forced to do things he simply can't do. I'll always have a soft spot for the big Serb. Great goal and great performance, rarely disappoints in the big games.

Gary was absolutely fantastic today. I have never rated him highly but there's no denying he's been doing a great job in recent months. His approach has been a lot more pro-active this season and he's become a better player because of it. Can only hope he keeps this up.

I was wrong and I absolutely love it. And what a match of football.

Eden the Emperor. To be Hazard the footballer for just one day.. Considering the playing circumstances, his performance was pretty much perfect. Looked like he was having fun too.

True but he never played in that role for a multiple years in a row. 1 season under Spaletti when they played the famous '4-6-0 formation' and in the current season. I'm a huge Totti fan but he does rely on his incredible technique and vision. And that's why I doubt he'd be able to perform to the required level, which would mean performing consistently himself without the team suffering in the process a whole, if Roma had to combine domestic and European football. Anyway back to Hazard. It will be hard in this particular match but it would be great if he could deliver a top performance on the biggest stage. He definitely has the ability so it's all up to him.

There's only one truly succesful false 9 in Europe and that's Messi. The only reason he makes it work is because he's an absolute phenomenon who excels in the most crucial attributes in football. It's an incredibly difficult role to pull off and it can work against you. Personally I find it a very overrated concept. Strikers are crucial.

I would love to be optimistic about this encounter but thinking we'll win at the Etihad is like losing at the Bridge back in '07. Can't see City losing at home this season so a draw would be a very good result.

Unlucky in the end but poor finishing has been a issue throughout the season. Why you would start Mikel and Ramires against a team of this calibre at home is a 'head scratcher' for me. The constant attacking through the middle played right into WHU's hands. A good offensive fullback would add a whole new dimension to the team. The lack of pretty much any offensive contribution from the fullbacks is unacceptable tbh.

My man Juan. Can't believe he's really gone.

The traitor claims are absolutely hilarious.

Entertaining as ever .

If he's better than Shaqiri than he has to be some player as Shaqiri is one of the brightest talents in Europe imo (only a mere squad player because of his ridiculous competition at Bayern). But I have to say that I didn't get the impression of him being better the times I've seen him play, although admittedly that's not much.

Would be very happy if he ended up staying at Chelsea even though it seems very unlikely. Still think he could get past this difficult period and get back to his old self. Pace and energy is fine and all but it can't be just about that, you need balance. I'm convinced this side needs a player like Mata, a player that offers clever positioning, precise passing, great vision and is always thinking ahead. Not to mention his set-piece delivery, a huge weapon at all times through a match. The likes of Hazard and Oscar are different players with their own qualities. And I refuse to believe Mata can't adapt. All this talk about him lacking the athleticism and him not willing to work hard is just nonsense imo, think he's just going through a tough spell. Other great players like him, greater even, have gone through the same.

This is absolutely shocking haha. So the guy does somehow know what he's is doing, extremely aggressive rather than reckless.

He's an absolute nuisance on the ball. Everytime I think he might loose the ball when facing two or three defenders, he somehow manages to maneuver the ball past their legs and eventually find a team mate most of the time. He makes those trying to stop him look like absolute fools when there's really not much they can do.

Pleeeaaase keep attacking them! Hazard has been brilliant, Luiz is not a midfielder, I love JT.

I'd prefer the term centre midfielder, i hear/read defensive midfielder and I think of guys like Mikel and Sven Bender etc. Anyway there are more examples btw, think of Verratti of PSG. Arteta was an attacking midfielder at Everton before Wenger moved him to a role in front of defense. Dembele was a striker (I always smile when thinking about it, he's a awful finisher), then moved to the wings and now he's a centre mid. Gerrard's best years were as an offensive player and we know where plays now, a role he fills in quite well I have to say. Pirlo's another example but you'd have to waaaay back.There's just something about KDB's game that makes me think of Schweini. It would take time yes though I think it's mostly a case of commitment from him and willingness to take a chance or to even see it at all (Schweinsteiger was 25 I think when Van Gaal played him there).

Technically you're right. But I can't help but think of Schweinsteiger, or even Scholes, when thinking of Kevin. He used to be an attacking midfielder too, playing on the right in a 4-4-2. Not a player known for defensive qualities at all back then but we all know who he is now in centre midfield. Slightly different case with Scholes, who played in advanced central role at first but he's a lot less like KDB in terms of playing style.With proper coaching, I have a strong feeling he could learn to play the position. But if those reports about him in training are true, he might not have the right attitude right now or he just doesn't click with Mourinho.

It's not that I think he'd be a starter but I read some posts talking about that midfield-three being a possibility.I personally don't see the similarity between him and Ramires tbh. Energetic yes but he's more like the Gerrard of old imo, only not nearly as good.

Utd had Scholes.And even if you do want go for power, Lampard and Essien in their prime were in a different class compared to Guarin. And I'm sorry but a midfield-three consisting of Ramires, Mikel and Guarin sounds awful.

Not too long ago, Fellaini was considered as a fantastic (possible) addition by the majority on here. Gotta love the football world haha.

Oh please let this not be true. Not another technically and tactically limited player..

That's the absolute most frustrating part of his game. He's been doing it since his Chelsea career started and has never stopped doing. I can't believe that the army of coaches/managers he's worked with haven't been able to get that out of his game.Obi in general is a decent player at this level but shouldn't be starting for a club of Chelsea's aspirations imo, a fine squad player though. I consider him a very lucky man, having played at Chelsea for so long and I wouldn't be surprised if he never left.

Like I said, some weak moments but he has saved us quite a few times. Arsenal's GK for example has had to deal with far less.

Cech has had his weak moments yeah but a Chelsea GK shouldn't have to deal with as much as he has this season. This team needs learn how to control games.The worst thing of all is that all these goals conceded aren't even a result of very offensive football...