DYC.

It's what you make of it. No one can tell me Costa actually wanted/wants to go to China. You don't know that, I don't know that. He only admitted he desperately wanted to join Atletico in the summer. He didn't even have to say that publicly.

Anyone who says Torres wasn't that bad is obviously fiddling with that snow.

Not necessarily. City need to win and are already a very attacking side. This suits Conte's tactics because he can be patient and there will be space to exploit. Hazard and Pedro can score while Chels will also carry the set-piece threat. I'm more concerned about the form and mental state of the back three and Matic. Defend like they did in the first half today and hearts will be broken. Need Moses back as well.

That's because Eddie is my guy. Of course he's staying. People worry too much. Palace scored two fluke goals and were lucky not to concede five. City is vulnerable in midfield and in the back so there's no reason to fear them at all. I trust my guys.

Chelsea have a squad filled with players who have won titles in major leagues and competitions. Same goes for the manager in charge. Spurs can't say that at all. They ain't winning jack. They had their chance last season and bottled it. They should be happy with CL group stage football.

Fair enough. Lukaku has never been the answer for me and a Golden Boot won't change it. Torres was an abomination. One of the worst transfers in football ever. Easily. Cocaine is a hell of a drug.

It's annoying. So many people seem incapable of forming an opinion on what they see and have seen and rather just stare at results and remain negative by default.

What the hell? Weren't you one of the 'buy Lukaku' advocates?

Go back in time in your head, really think about it and be honest. Bar 09/10, have we ever seen a Chelsea striker perform at top level throughout the entire season in the Roman era? It is indeed frustrating though. I can only hope he somehow kicks on soon so Chels can wrap this title up and bring that FA Cup home as well.

Are you wearing a tin foil hat? It's in your head. It's 'Oscar is saving himself for the World Cup' and 'Hazard is purposely playing poorly so he can join Real' all over again. His form dropped in the second half of his debut season. And I'm not 100% sure about this but I think his form tailed off in the second half of his final season for Atleti as well. It's possible he goes full throttle from the moment a new season starts only to wear himself out as a result of it. Or maybe he doesn't possess the mental capacity to be sharp and focused throughout an entire season. It's very, very, very hard for a player to perform at their best from start to finish, year after year. And it's twice as hard for a forward. That's why those who do manage it are revered (and that's why Cristiano and Messi are gods). It's one of the reasons I've never considered Costa to be world-class.

Only plays at a high level for half a season. Shame.

Play this exact game 99 more times and you would win 99 times, smashing them at least 90 times. Unbelievable stuff. One of those days. I guess it was due. Chels will still win the league.

I'll focus on the positive. Plenty of people got the negative covered. Hazard... Don't know what else to say about him. Godly performance. He's playing at a different speed. The understanding between Cesc, who has been brilliant as well, and Eden is a beautiful thing. Hazard will attempt these same plays with others but they never come off. The only player in the entire squad on his wavelength, which is a shame. Unlucky in attack. They keep getting away with everything and the ref seems to be in the mood for a physical spectacle. Should've had a pen but Chelsea rarely get pens if I'm not mistaken. There's no way they can survive another wave like that so if the boys can keep this up for at least another 30 min, this game will be won. But they absolutely need to keep the speed of the ball circulation high. Alonso's elastico nutmeg was LIFE.

I'll call Trump right now.

Forget you people. Chels is gonna win this.

Morata, Lukaku, Icardi. Good players but pass. I'd much rather stick with Costa. And if Costa is adamant on leaving, my number 1 target would be Sanchez. Followed by Aubameyang and then Belotti. The first two have proven to function well at the highest level and there's just something about Belotti. I believe in his ability to make it at this level even though he's not the most gifted of players. The way he moves and anticipates. And he possesses this great hunger to score goals. Always in motion, fighting for every scrap and always ready to strike. He can finish with both feet and his head, and he puts in a shift defensively as well. Players like Suarez have shown how far a player can get with that kind of fire and drive. I would take the risk.

Why? Chelsea don't struggle against those teams with Matic so why would it be different with Baka?

A real talent. New age all-round midfielder. A move to Chelsea would be bad for his development though. But maybe Chelsea can scoop him up like they did with so many Belgians in the past and loan him out. Buy Fabinho and loan Tielemans to Monaco? I'll come back to earth now.

Agree. Yes, Baka can dribble but it's not like he can skip past challenges with great poise and skill, even in the tightest spaces a la Modric. He goes on straight rushes using his athleticism and size. If Conte signs Baka it's because he wants to shut down the centre of the pitch. Baka-Kante is a midfield duo that can cover a vast amount of space, recover possession and allow Chelsea to play with more space between the lines. Creativity and poise will have to come from the flanks so I hope in case Baka does join we'll see either Alonso and Moses, or even better both, replaced with superior players. With all due respect to PL sides like Tottenham and City but if you think facing them is difficult, Europe will be even harder. They got knocked out by Monaco and Gent (Genk?) and Arsenal were the recipients of a royal ass whooping. Look at the midfields of the top sides in Europe. Vidal, Thiago, Xabi Alonso, Modric, Kroos, Iniesta, Busquets, Rakitic, Verratti, Motta, Rabiot, Pjanic, Marchisio. It will be interesting to see how Chelsea perform against good sides in Europe. Maybe Chelsea will become a second Atletico. I was surprised by the level reached in the current season so why not face another surprise in 17/18.

I disagree. Types like Pastore aren't of this age. Pastore is all technique. Tactically, physically and mentally he's lacking for a top player in today's game. He could've been a big player in the 80s/90s though. Ganso is another type like that. Ozil has similar flaws but is much better tactically, which is why he can crush the minnows and function well in a strong unit.

Sanchez and Llorente in, Costa and Batshuayi out. I can see that happening. (What is it with Chelsea and strikers? Complete merry-go-round position.) Hazard-Sanchez-Pedro. That's two-thirds of Barca's former front three. But it's been a few years so, if it happens, let's hope they'll be more effective and succesful. http://www.hln.be/hln/nl/9091/Time-out/article/detail/3117096/2017/03/29/Met-deze-wonderbaarlijke-vrije-trap-plaveide-Alexis-Sanchez-de-weg-naar-de-overwinning-voor-Chili.dhtml (FK goal, play to set up the second goal and a bit of trickery for Chile recently in the above link)

Scottish farmers, haha. Bants. @Blue-in-me-Veins Van Dijk has always been getting forward btw. He used to get flack for his Beckenbauer impression as a youngster. He's actually become less attacking now.

Signing an expensive or fancy name CB effectively means the end of Zouma, Christensen and Ake at Chelsea (in the near future at the very least). They won't hang around to sit in the stands, which is the fate of 5th choice CB. There's only room for one rotational player at the back and with a manager like Conte, even fourth choice won't receive significant game time. So that would mean signing another CB for cover. Unless he's planning on using Chalobah at the back next season in a dual backup role. ^^ I find Van Dijk's ball-playing ability to be overrated but I guess that's just me. He's a good defender but a 60 mil CB? Never. He's not better than David Luiz and he was half the price. I personally don't see the point in investing such extreme amounts in CBs. Unless you're talking about the next Alessandro Nesta.

He'd rightly be considered the king of English football if he played for Utd, wore the #7 jersey and won the trophies he's won with Chelsea. What an addition he turned out to be. Sure, he was a huge talent when he arrived, but only a select few fulfill their promise. Absolutely in love with him and will probably end up as my absolute favourite Chelsea player. The uncanny awareness, the gentle touches, the dazzling turns, the incredible balance and body control, the superbly timed bursts, the elegant way in which he glides past players, the surprising way in which he rides challenges, the hilarious way in which he embarrasses anyone who tries to stop him and his innate knack for the spectacular in terms of tricks, flicks, feints, attempts, goals and assists. And when you kick or target him, he simply gets back up and continues to play his game. Off the pitch, he strikes me as my kind of guy as well. Positive, chill, enjoys a joke and a laugh and loves his people. Might buy his shirt next season (never buy shirts). Nice sentimental momento.

Of course, but all fans need to get used to the fact that a player who scored as many goals in finals as Drogba will never be seen in that beautiful shirt again. Imagine Barca fans comparing whoever ends up playing in Messi's position to Lionel himself.