DYC.

Exactly. I was about to post something similar.Barca's options in midfield: Busquets/Song/Xavi/Thiago/Iniesta/Fabregas Real's options for the '3': C. Ronaldo/Ozil/Di Maria/Kaka/Modric/Callejon Bayern's options for the '3' mentioned above These were our options: Hazard/Mata/Oscar/Moses/Marin (and Benayoun for half a season) That's a huge gap in quality, Marin and Benayoun weren't even good enough to offer anything last season. If we want to up there with the big boys again, we need more quality. The quality of the team decreased dramatically as soon as Mata or Hazard didn't start. We were lucky they both managed to play as much as they did, that might not be the case coming season. With Schurrle and the return of Kevin we're already so much stronger. Schurrle might not be a worldbeater but he's good enough to start every now and then. And he offers us different qualities while the coach can also shuffle things a lot more tactically. His presence will also make sure his competition will have to perform to keep their place in the first XI. And not to forget, this also means our players will be better rested resulting in more consistency throughout the season. Now we only need to add a quality striker, I'm sorry but Lukaku iw not good enough (yet), and central midfielder to the team. If we do that, I don't see why we can't win the league.

I personally was against the signings of Sheva and Torres but with this guy I couldn't care less about the monsterous fee. He's perfect for us and there's no doubt in my mind that he would succeed. It's not just his ability but also his confidence and mental strength which makes him such a great player. He has that same kind of aura Drogba has, a great belief in his own ability. I'd sign him within a heartbeat so a club like Real won't beat us to it. Add Cavani, Schurrle and my fantasy buy Gundogan (add the return of De Bruyne to that) to the team and we'll win the league.

There's a truth in what your saying but we all know Pellegrini is joining them, just like we knew Moruinho was coming here before he was officialy appointed (and I think he had a say in their signings, wouldn't be the first time something like that happened).But back to Mourinho, I'm mostly wondering how he'll make the team play. Pre-season matches, especially against inferior opponents, won't say much so I guess the signings he'll make will 'reveal the most' until the season actually starts.

They're good signings though. They're actually bringing in players that were needed, didn't expect that at all tbh.And come on, we all know it's gonna be Pellegrini in charge. I hope we don't take too long to strengthen our squad. Appointing Mourinho and all is fine but signing a few quality players is what we truly need to compete.

I think it's because he's building something beautiful at Dortmund, a European powerhouse in a league that could soon be the very best.It doesn't really matter who we appoint but I'm with Seb on Martinez.

He was in the box.

Mata was very poor? He created and played a key part in plenty of chances but they simply weren't converted.We were slow all game, bar the last 5 min of the first half, but we managed to score twice. We concede and instead of going for the kill, we continue play in the same slow tempo. But the manager doesn't decide to make any changes until very late in the game, not for the first time too. The changes weren't even adventurous. I can't stand cautios managers. (I don't blame the manager entirely for the loss but he did play a big part in it imo.)

Demba is turning out to be a real Bargain.

Commentator confirmed it was the Southampton fans booing him. There actually a light cheer for Torres from the Chelsea fans.

Someone needs to tell Eden he's left-footed.

The club loves high profile managers so we might as well appoint Sven Goran Eriksson. He probably wouldn't last long but it would be a fun and interesting ride for sure.

That's because they're different players. Neymar's a forward, Hazard's a midfielder. Neymar focuses on scoring goals as it's one of his jobs as a player, that's not the case with Hazard. It's the same as saying Lampard scores more than Xavi so Lampard's better for example.As for the question, I can't say. Great talents but Neymar would have to play in a top European league for me to know.

I smell incest.

Think TalkChelsea has hit a new low.

A Stoke player was sent through on goal and Azpi took him down. It would've been a penalty but he was offside so no penalty.

I've never been impressed with Bertrand in midfield. He's always been awful in that role tbh. The only thing he does is provide cover for Ash but that can't be enough reason to play him there.

It's a hit and miss season Shevchenko. Don't think it will change.

I hope we extend his contract.

- Great win. - Can't say I felt sorry for Walters, sh*t happens. I thought it was quite funny actually. - David 'The Liability' Luiz put in a great performance, how about that? He's a CB, period. - Lampard put in a fine performance. - When I grow up, I want to be just like Paulo Ferreira.

Paulo Ferreira did that with his mind control powers.

Same here. He can be like Nani in 10/11 on the right, but even better.

Who's the girl?

It's weird how Villas-Boas and Di Matteo didn't consider him a liability. Benitez preferred David Luiz too before he had to cover for our issues in midfield. That's three different managers.

I think I missed this back then http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okskkgLj3qA Amazing pass. Hazard should've scored.

That's what I always say. Sneijder is definitely a good player but he's only enjoyed one world-class season in his entire career. Wes Brown looked like a world-class player in 07/08 but that didn't last either. Somehow almost every player outdid themself that season. Cèsar, Maicon, Zanetti, Samuel, Maicon, Cambiasso, Motta, Sneijder, Milito were all outstanding, while Eto'o sacrificed personal glory by playing a incredibly selfless role (looked more like a wing-back than a forward). Same with Pandev. Mourinho deserves a lot of credit for that season but they were never gonna keep that up and Mourinho knew that and so left on a high. If Sneijder wants to move to Turkey, who are we to say no. Not a competition of a high level but being the big fish in a small pond also has it's allures. Good luck to him.