DYC.

Messi's 8 goals away from breaking Gerd Muller's record of scoring 85 goals in a calendar year.

Mehh depends on your definition of good finisher. If you specialize in scoring tap-ins, you're shooting doesn't need to be special at all. But what are we talking about, doesn't really matter. We'll see how he'll manage if he gets a chance.

I remember Sturridge getting a lot of stick for messing up good opportunities last season. He mostly scored tap-ins last season if I remember well, a good finish here and there. His finishing has always been his weakest point for me as a natural striker. Better than not shooting at all though.

Another Player of the Year award on his way. He'll need to win the league for PL Player of the Year.

Mata was brilliant. Sturridge's movement was great, his passing and link-up play was good (but his finishing was very poor). Cech almost scored a scissor kick haha. Torres did what no man has ever done in the history of mankind. He disappeared into thin air, quite an achievement (but sadly I'll think he's back already). That's it.

Mata outperformed everyone in his 30 min or so cameo if you ask me.

I am in love with Mata and his velvet touch. That moment where he killed the ball out of the air on the move and then played that lovely pass for Sturridge was a stunning play from Juan. What a player.

I know Danny's messed up with his finishing, and I do fault him for missing good opportunities, but notice how with the same players behind him he's actually getting opportunities to score goals. He's taken more shot and has had more opportunities to score than Torres has in over a month or two. At least with him up front, the players behind the striker have someone to look for, just needs to work on his finishing. I've always criticized his shooting. He has enough power in his feet but the accuracy and technique he really needs to improve. But it's mostly the type of shots he tends to use. He's always going for power shots, even when it's obvious he should place it. Which is a pure case of decision making and has nothing to do with ability.

Take of Torres for Mata and play Hazard up front please.

We really needed that, very happy.

A cross, a goal. Hazard!

Exactly. We create far too little clear-cut chances. And it's mainly because we're still relying on individual abilty instead of playing as a collective. Not good at all.

We just keep dropping back when defending, 0 pressure. And when going forward, we only attack through the middle. No variety at all. Pathetic.

I've been waiting a while for this. And also something different in terms of style due to to the different players. I'm hoping this is some sort of 4-4-2, with Hazard in a free role. I've always wanted to see how a Sturridge - Torres partnership would work out. Though Mikel and Romeu is not the right central pairing for such a system actually. Probably just the same old system. Edit: just noticed Cahill & D. Luiz, oh dear..

The crowd went crazy when he came on haha. The man is an absolute hero. And he always looks 5 years younger when he plays for Ivory Coast, plays like he's still in his prime. Didier really loves playing for his country.

I understand what you're saying but remember that I didn't say he was poor in Europe and for the Belgian NT, I said he never shone. I saw a few games of him when playing for Belgium (we get Sporza here) and for Lille in Europe and sometimes he just failed to impress or was good but not great or anything, not like he did for Lille in the league. The expectations are indeed far too high in Belgium, they like to critcize him.

That's what you get for finalizing nominations for goal of the year when the year isn't over yet btw haha.

Yeah I think he's black belt in judo(?) and it definitely helps. He has complete control over his body, the way he moves his body is incredible for a man of his stature (compare it to the way Crouch moves haha). But still, his shooting technique is unique.

Wow. Ibra has always been the king of insane goals. His shooting technique is unmatched in world football.

There is a huge difference in being The star player of the team and being one of the better players of the team. It's something which most of the time is ignored. In the former, you are searched for constantly, the tactics are revolved around you and in most cases, the players work for you. But in the latter, you have to share the spotlight. It's why when I hear/read 'imagine if Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were in the same team, they'd be unstoppable!' I always think, as if they would both reach the same level they're playing at now. And of course Hazard is playing at a higher level, also a lot more to handle physically (high tempo matches, busy schedule). Ligue 1 can't be compared to PL football. Hazard ripped the league apart but never shone in Europe (or for his country). So him doing the same things for Chelsea as he did for Lille in the league was highly unlikely. Plus this Chelsea team is still in transition, getting used to new tactics, aren't really 'team' yet and still need a few additions before fully functioning. This is nothing yet, this new team that is being built can do so much better. He'll need time, not everyone can be like Messi and perform at a world-class level at a very young age. But Hazard's a fantastic talent, already a very good player at such a young age. The expectations seem to be extremely high but I for one think he's doing a great job already. He's put in some top performances and even when he's not great, he still adds plenty to the team. Such a danger every time he's on the ball, and the opposition knows it, as he's a pacey player who can beat a man or pick out a pass. And he draws so many fouls which is a huge asset to us as our team's a serious threat from set-pieces. I can only criticize his shooting, he'll have to work at it. But with his talent, it shouldn't be any problem. When he takes care of that, he'll have that triple threat (dribble, pass, shoot) on the ball only few in world football possess. Hazard will make it to the top, no doubt about it.

Van Bommel is PSV's captain. With Chelsea quality I mean a player who has what it takes to make it at the top of course. Leon Osman is a good player for Everton but not good enough for Chelsea = not Chelsea quality. Whoever said Oscar wasn't good enough for Chelsea was either ill, never saw him play before or didn't know what he was talking about. Special talents like Oscar don't come by often. I never get the argument of being linked with top clubs making you good enough. Big clubs have scouts everywhere and when a certain player puts in a good performance or two, the papers link him to the club even though the scouts were simply doing there job, looking for talented players. I guess we disagree on Strootman then. Again, he's a good prospect but he has a long way to go imo.

I don't know how often you've seen him play but don't get carried away. Strootman is a pretty good prospect but he's nowhere near Chelsea quality yet, not sure he'll ever get there tbh. He's third choice captain btw, Sneijder and Kuyt are the first choices.

Nothing can break John Terry .

We already have the most talented Belgians (Hazard, De Bruyne, Courtois, Lukaku) under contract, bar Witsel. We're good.

A different system? Emphasize on wing play? Emphasize on hitting the opponents on the break? Playing with a false 9? The point is we need a plan B. To do something different when the first approach isn't working. We can't just constantly hope one of the AMs will save the day when things aren't going well. Edit: And in case you didn't realize, I'm not saying we should fire RDM or our recent results are all his fault.