DYC.

Lewa joined Bayern for free. Could've gone anywhere and only wanted to join Bayern. Hummels enjoyed plenty of interest and chose Bayern. Gotze deal was a heist. But then again, why blame Bayern for the financial climate they created for themself? Those players joined Bayern because they would earn more money and because the chances of succes were higher. Powerhouses in England have done the same. Utd bought players like Berbatov, Carrick, Van Persie. City bought Adebayor, Nasri, Sagna. Chelsea bought Cole and Torres. Yes, Juve is the same. I find it annoying when people say one team league. They've simply done an amazing job in taking the club to the next level. I wish I could witness the same at Chelsea.

Can't stand kick the baby tactics. Very happy with the win. Hope the defeat burns.

The treatment of Michy is shocking. A Belgian international brought on like some 16-year-old with a peach fuzz. Don't like it one bit.

Hazard loves playing against Man Utd.

Pedro for Moses, please. Willian at RWB. Too early for Cesc. Game is too physical.

War tactics. Typical Mourinho. FOH.

I love how the big teams in England struggling with the smaller sides these past years is a testament of the PL's 'competitiveness' yet when it comes to Serie A and Bundesliga it's because of decline (of course the Serie A declined after 06 but they've been on strong upward spiral for years). No one say a thing about failings in Europe because English sides are weak in the continental competitions. Bayern will fall one day and that's when you pounce. Lyon won the league consecutively for seven years until '08 and haven't won it since. When I use that example I don't mean to insinuate the same will happen to Bayern, but they can't win the league forever. They're current run is already an all-time record. I disagree with Dortmund doing the best they can. They would be wise to invest more into that 25-30 age bracket. Matic, Alonso, Cahill level players are definitely attainable for a club of their size. And players like that are necessary. I disagree with you about Bartra and Castro. They're good players (Bartra could become very good). They need more players like that and, ideally, players of a (slightly) higher level. Football fans all over the world need to give Bayern more credit for their succes btw. Their achievements in the past seven, eight years are because of a board who have run the club extremely well. Not because of the so-called low level of the Bundesliga. English clubs could only dream of such an intricate operation. They mostly specialise in spending for the sake of spending.

I still remember Kalou getting fouled in the box by Samuel. Right before half-time if I remember correctly. I was livid. Would've changed the tie. I witnessed all the ties vs Barcelona but I don't hate them at all. Strong opposition, great games. Both good times and bad times. I thoroughly enjoyed the rivalry that was built in the mid 00s. Game at the Bridge in 09 hurt bad but for me it was more about Chelsea's own doings in the end. The players should've converted those glorious opportunities and advanced to the final but they failed. It happens but it's still a form of failure. Moscow hurt even more than that game for me. Drogba's red card, JT's slip, Anelka's pathetic attempt. Pff, I wanted to see my guys in blue win it so bad. From 04 to Moscow, Chelsea came so close to getting to the final, only to lose because of microscopic details in most knock-out matches. This walk down memory lane reminds me of how badly I want a proper CL win. I need to see it happen. Chelsea Football Club. Not just the winners of the Champions League, but the best team in world football. I believe.

He would be a good addition as BVB's centre midfield could certainly use a quality boost. Yet another youngster but Dortmund don't have the financial power to buy established players, so there's no other way in terms of top potential. Dortmund really need some clarity and structure at this point though. They've assembled a very big squad but they're still lacking in certain positions, overloaded in others, but mostly lacking in experiences. Dortmund can't go out and buy a player like Verratti, but you can target players in the 25-30 age bracket who might not be top players but are good enough to make a positive impact for Dortmund (and the youngsters surrounding them). Isak, Dembele, Pulisic, Mor, Guerreiro, Weigl, possibly Dahoud, and players like Merino and Passlack is a great amount of talent but they are developing players who will experience highs and lows and can't be expected to keep Dortmund competitive at all fronts. You can already see it in the current season as they're trailing Bayern by 16 points, producing schizophrenic performances throughout the season. Reus is constantly injured and Aubameyang will most likely leave in the summer so that leaves you with very little star power. If they're not careful they might slip the next few years. And while I wish Dortmund the best I sure do hope we steal Dembele. Show them the money, Chelsea.

To join the European elite within the next few years is a pipe dream. This team doesn't have that kind of quality. Doing a great job in the PL is fine and all but Europe is a different level and beast (especially when competing on multiple fronts). It would take world-class signings to get there. Chelsea's star forwards can't fire the team to succes. Hazard possesses the ability of a superstar but lacks the personality. Costa has the personality but lacks the ability. It would take a great addition up top to get that CL powerhouse offence. There isn't a Robben, Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar, Suarez, Bale in this team. Sanchez is quality but a bit overrated in England for me. He's not a player who can fire a team to UCL glory. He's not that good. But he does possess enough ability and personality to possibly form a great trio with Hazard and Costa. If they were to gel and form a strong understanding together, they could be a problem in Europe. But it's definitely not a given. But then you haven't even dealt with midfield and defence which is still lacking quality. For me, Alonso is good enough and doesn't need immediate strengthening. It's hard to find a player in that position who would be a straight upgrade. But Matic and Moses would need replacing. Moses is solid and Matic is good but you need very good players, not necessarily world-class, in those positions lacking any major flaws. Replacing Cahill would be ideal as well but not as crucial as upgrading midfield. I'd prefer intergrating Christensen in defence. And while Azpi has done a great job in the back this season, it remains to be seen how he'll perform in the coming seasons. It's not uncommon for a player to excel one season in a new position only to see his level drop in the next season. If that doesn't happen, we'll have to wait as a team is being built in the coming years.

I'm sure this is an unpopular opinion but Ballack was not world-class in a Chelsea jersey. He was fantastic in 09/10 but never world-class before. I find his time at Chelsea to be greatly overrated by most fans. Big personality though. It also has to be said that Drogba and Essien developed into genuine world-class players during the course of 06/07, Mourinho's final full season. But then again, Drogba's form dipped greatly from 07/08 until Hiddink took over. And Essien got injured and missed a lot of football. And Cole of course only joined in 06/07 and was pretty underwhelming that season (he wasn't bad but he wasn't the great Ashley Cole). It's hard to compare teams from different eras. Old Chelsea didn't have to face the current super teams. But I would agree with saying 04-07 trumps 14-17.

I don't think he's quite good enough to lead the line of a European powerhouse (or a club with such aspirations). His positional sense and timing isn't quite up to those standards. He also avoids direct confrontations with (higher level) CBs too much, lacking that fearlessness. Those attributes are crucial. Think he'd be fantastic in a two-striker system though. Fantastic footballer and target man. Brilliant goal he just scored btw. Thoroughly enjoyed that game. Oh, Chelsea, please pick up Corentin Tolisso. A real all-rounder, fantastic talent. He keeps getting better and better year after year. He'll become one of the top midfielders in Europe if he continues developing like this.

Hazard needs to start performing in the CL and/or international tournaments before he can be compared with the very best. That's where you prove your true worth. Eden is a domestic star after having conquered England, and France before that, but not an international star (he was very good in the EUROs but was lacking in genuine decisiveness and/or match impact). Until then he's just a big talent unproven on the biggest stage. Same goes for players like Aguero, Silva, Toure (too late now), Pogba, Kane, Kante, Costa (one good CL campaign isn't quite enough) etc. I wanted to add Sanchez to that list but he's done big things for Chile.

Alexis playing the Hazard role and he's doing a very poor job of it. People keep stroking their willies to goals and assists as if that defines the quality of a player. I'll never understand those who don't seem to comprehend how hard it is to do what Hazard does and fail to compare it's value to the players who finish off moves (with a final touch or pass). Anyway, that's where a manager should step in and tell Sanchez to stop playing creator and play close to goal. But then again, he's the one giving him the license to do so. But what do I know I guess.

Your post was clear.

I was joking. I understand what you mean with that last line but I wouldn't call Ancelotti the Pedro of managers. I don't think he'll be remembered in such a fashion either. But it's alright if that's your view.

Haha, I knew this was coming. Milan, Chelsea, Real and Bayern yet Tomo rates him as a midtable manager.

You are absolutely right. But the thing is, I only said the games aren't fun to watch anymore (added the fact three points were added to the total). As in something enjoyable like spending the day with friends or whatever. It's not even a criticism but rather a statement. The fact that many of the remaining games won't be much of a spectacle goes without saying, I'm not stupid. The team and the coaching staff have done a stellar job this season and I've said so countless times. But I won't mention it in every single post as some form of proof of the level of my support and gratitude.

One counter-attack? A football match lasts 90 min. Earlier in the season I enjoyed the games and expressed it. Now I don't enjoy them very much to put it politely. Not just in terms of excitement but also when it comes genuine quality. It's not the end of the world though. If you truly enjoyed it, I envy you. I don't know about a special team. I need to see more (and better) over a greater amount of time and see how this teams performs in Europe. We'll see.

Games aren't fun to watch anymore but three points. Lack of clean sheets are a bit of a concern. Moses can't cross yet continues crossing. Doesn't make sense to me. Cesc was a ghost. Diego is frustrating but still stealing a goal here and there. Kante with one of his better performances of the season. Hazard was fantastic. How I hope the summer additions will be technically sound and clever in their use of the ball.

Game flew by Cesc. That's the problem with him as that's always a pretty good possibility with him.

Is it too much to ask of Costa to perform at a high level throughout the entire season? I really hope this is just a bad run of form. He needs to bounce back soon. I've been saying this for years but how I long for a boost in technical boost in this team.

Manager does well -> Everbody is euphoric and fans imagine manager staying for 10+ years -> New upgraded and extended contract -> Manager eventually does not do well -> Everybody discovers all kinds of flaws (some smart asses already saw them during the good times) and fans want him out -> Manager sent away with a colossal sack of money. Rinse and repeat. I'll never understand this. I've never understood appointing a new manager with a three+ year deal either. Managers get sacked all the time. Most don't even last two years.

You just knew Kante wouldn't score. Bless his tiny technique-less soul. Three points. Made more difficult than it should've been but okay. Personally I don't have time for negativity because I can't forget my expectactions, which matched the general consensus, at the start of the season. March towards the title continues.

He's insurance in case Alonso and some defenders got injured. And he's another number for Chelsea's HG roster. That's why he was brought back. Horrible for him but that's football.