DYC.

He's scored against Chelsea so he'll be joining next season. Not worried about them equalising. I'm confident about the boys winning today but no clean sheet, too bad. Maybe go 4-3-3 in the second half, taking off Moses for Willian in the middle? Who am I kidding haha. Anyway, Chels will win.

I remember how at the start of the season Hazard played in a very advanced position, some games his average position was the most advanced of all Chelsea players, and how he was testing GKs on the regular. Playing like a true forward. Didn't last long, did it? Hazard will always be an attacking midfielder. It's just his nature. He gets into certain positions and is presented with opportunities where a Neymar, Bale, Robben etc. would shoot without hesitation but Hazard will look for the pass. He's a feeder. And it's hard to imagine him changing at this point. Robben did change at a similar stage but he always had a selfish streak about him with his tunnel vision. It wouldn't be smart to purchase a player offering similar qualities for the opposite flank. It's even worse in a 3-4-3 with seven defensive outfielders. That's why Pedro is so vital. You'll end up trying to pass the ball into the goal. And unless you're Spain 2008-2012 you'll never achieve sustained success. Or any succes even. Look at Wenger's post-Invincibles team.

After passing on Fabregas in more than a few easy home games I didn't expect him to change the formula anymore. But I'm happy to see him start. Hope the boys are up for it. Should be capable of scoring three, four goals today.

You don't get rid of the manager who 'won' the league with bloody Leicester. Leicester. Last season he could do no wrong and now those same methods aren't good enough for Leicester. That terrible bunch of players didn't even fight for his stay. Leicester fighting against relegation or simply relegating is perfectly normal. What manager is going to come in and turn things around for them? As they relegate, I hope Chels snatch up Vardy if Conte is looking for a back-up striker. English, HG, quick, mobile, hard-working. Questionable reputation. He would fit right in.

Think you can count on more of the same. This XI has gotten him this far and he's not going make any unnecessary changes. One of the consequences of shuffling managers is that the man in the hotseat will always play it safe. Conte's done a incredible job this season but now that he's on top with an eight point lead he has to bring that big-eared trophy home.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/8/main/2017/02/25/33037612/chelseas-fabregas-100-per-cent-staying-at-stamford-bridge?ICID=HP_HN_HP_RI_0_3 Cesc saying he's staying for sure (17/18). Great news for Chelsea's squad depth. Even though he hasn't been a regular starter, Chelsea never would've been in this position without him. His contributions off the bench and whenever he's been given the chance to start have been stellar. He's also one of the few big personalities and well-spoken players Chelsea possess. I can't imagine him not being respected and held in high esteem by his peers. I think Conte would do well to promote him to vice-captain.

If he wasn't a Chelsea player Chelsea fans wouldn't be able to control themselves when thinking about the prospect of him joining. Think of Stones, who was supposed to be Chelsea's saviour or something. Same goes for that Romagnoli bloke. It would be a shame if he never got a real shot.

Exactly. You can't promote the PL as THE MOST COMPETITIVE LEAGUE IN THE UNIVERSE with the league leaders running away with the title (for the second time within three years as well). No one here would be talking about Chelsea winning the league if they were trailing by eight to twelve points, dropping points to any kind of opposition, home or away. The title isn't won but it would take a monumental capitulation to lose the league at this point. Chelsea have been the most impressive unit in the competition by far. Looking at the quality of the first XI, the strength of the squad and the fact that Chelsea came off an absolutely disastrous campaign, there is absolutely nothing to complain about. I'm not saying we all have to be content with a draw but you always have to focus on the big picture. Chelsea went on a 13 game winning streak so, yeah, points are going to be dropped in this final run. But there's no way this team will all of sudden forget how to win games and get the necessary results. And when this lot finally do win the league, everyone better be bloody grateful as we're receiving far more than we deserve this season.

Ridiculous FK. Hazard really pisses me off when he misses chances like that. 0 velocity in that shot.You need to bury that without even thinking about that. Get Frank to train hard in him the summer. Just positioning and finishing. I'm sure he'd add 10 goals to his season total.

They've become a talent factory, so yeah, that will definitely be the case.

Bored. Time to dream. Summer Window Operation: The Great Monaco Heist. I would welcome Fabinho, Bakayoko, Lemar, Silva and Mbappe with open arms. Fabinho, Silva and Mbappe in particular. GK: Courtois, Begovic (Replacement), Eduardo DF: Luiz, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill, Aké (Zouma) WB: Fabinho, Moses, Alonso, Lemar CM: Kanté, Bakayoko, Fabregas/Matic, Chalobah WF: Hazard, Pedro, Silva ST: Costa, Mbappe That's a fantastic squad if you ask me. For the present and for the future. It would enable Chelsea to compete on all fronts and that's something that hasn't been the case for a long while. 21 players is a tight squad, but not too small, so more game time to share. And the versatility of certain players (Aké at wingback, Fabinho in centre midfield, Lemar on the wing etc.) would ensure every position is covered at all times. With the likes of Zouma and Batshuayi out on loan in the PL hopefully impressing and coming back to strengthen the team even further. I'd throw Christensen (Cahill in the big and extra physical games at first), Fabinho and Bakayoko into the XI and gradually integrate Lemar and Silva. Kanté and Bakayoko would offer great physicality in midfield, both capable of covering a large amount of space. Which would allow the wide midfielders more room to get forward and attack the wide spaces. I think Lemar in particular would be great in offering a threat and an element of surprise from deep. And both Fabinho and Lemar would significantly improve, along with Christensen at the back, the team's ability to retain possession distribute the ball positively, which would (indirectly) improve Chelsea's defensive game Mbappe is the future. You can't predict these things but still. Incredible talent at 18. Give him a few years to develop physically and you could be looking at a top three striker. The natural talent is definitely there. If Chelsea truly were willing to go all out for Celtic's Moussa Dembele, I'd much rather have him. Something like that would be amazing in the summer. Mbappe is going to be a wanted man, sadly, so I can see Chelsea missing out there. I'd be happy with two or three out of five. Fabinho, Silva and possibly Bakayoko.

The fact that he starts the moves he ends up finishing says everything. He scores a lot of beauties as well so it's hard to remember all. Many will tell you he disappears in big games though. Not now of course but if he doesn't perform well in a big game in the future I'm sure that claim will pop up. The only one to regularly impact tough games along with Didier and Frankie in the Roman era. It's not even just games in which he scores or assists. He's produced plenty of performances in which he ran top opposition ragged and initiated most of Chelsea's attacks. I hope he stays for many more years and I can only hope he doesn't grow tired of getting hacked down on a weekly basis.

I used to feel a slight discomfort whenever the ball was at his feet. I'd think he might concede possession, put a team mate in trouble by passing the ball to a marked player or even give it straight to an opponent. Now I don't think about anything when he has the ball. Says it all really.

People even manage to criticise Messi. People just love to complain and criticise others. You have to perform at a high level every time you set foot on the pitch. If not, you'll be dubbed 'inconsistent'. It used to annoyme in the past but nowadays it just makes me laugh. Fully enjoyed Hazard's display. Chelsea were actually attacking as a team and it lifted him. Not only in his game but he seemed to truly enjoy himself. I'll never expect an offensive player to play at a high level in a very defensive set-up. Same goes for a defensive player in a highly attacking set-up.

Haven't seen Chelsea play so well against a top 6 team in a while. They're actually looking comfortable on the ball and stringing passes, causing Arse all kinds of problems. They look very hungry as well. There's no way they can allow this to go wrong. I just love having a world-class GK in goal. Thibaut raising a big middlefinger to all his doubters and everyone who dared to question his quality. He makes it look easy because of his supreme positioning. And he's also improved his game on the ball immensely. Brilliant GK. Hazard looking very good and fit. Costa is a mess though. Seriously need to wrap this up. I want a 3-0 win. Come on, Chelsea.

Horrible football from both sides. Goodness gracious.

An actual legend of the club. He played a key role in many of Chelsea's successes and he can be very proud of himself. Went from a complete nobody when he first arrived to one of the first names on the team sheet. I remember wondering if he was even going to play before eventually being shipped off to who knows where. An unorthodox fullback, definitely not my idea of a rightback, but he quickly grew on me and became one of my favourites. He was strangely effective in his unique way and he always gave his all. Of course he'll mostly be remembered for his big goals and rightly so. The man possessed ridiculous timing for the stuff of heroes. It's too bad he declined in such a dramatic fashion but he's not the first in his position to experience such a fall from grace. But I choose to remember him for the good times. One of the best rightbacks of his generation. The best in Chelsea colours in modern football.

Haven't seen Chelsea play such a poor side in quite a while. They're utterly and absolutely terrible. Can't believe this is Josh's level after all that hype and such high expectations. I definitely overhyped him as well. When's the last time Chelsea started a game with three acadamy graduates (+ old soldier JT)? Pedro is finally making good after defending him for a year. I knew he had this in him. Too bad Bats is broken. I guess Aké's going to be Alonso's backup, along with deputising at CB. Kenedy's playing so he's staying. The squad is pretty big squad now.

Never said they were but they aren't ready to perform at the required level at top level. You're right about Zouma but his competition wasn't strong (it also took Cahill performing quite disastrously to be dropped). With the arrival of Luiz and Azpilicueta's new role, his chances of playing (true game time) have decreased quite a bit. Michy's situation is just sad. From what I've read and what I remember from his time at Juve, Conte sticks to a small group of players for his first XI and loves experienced/developed players. Similar to Mourinho in 14/15. This is not a criticism btw. But it is a shame in a way as Chelsea do possess a good group of young players. But you can't go down the Wenger developing road and win throphies consistently at the same time.

Haha, it's always next season when it comes to 'integrating' young developing players. I've heard that for over five years. It's never happening. Chelsea is the home of the established.

He is scary similar to Costa from what I've seen. I'd prefer him over Lukaku, Morata (never been a fan of him) if Costa leaves. Him or Aubameyang. But Torino turned down a £56 mil offer for him so I don't know how much he is supposed to cost. Haha Destro. The Wolf if I remember correctly. I remember the discussions. Some people can make a case for even the most average of players.

DIIIEEEEGOOOOO

The thing is we're talking about Costa and not John Terry for example. Costa already wanted to leave Chelsea, more specifically England. He wanted to go back to Spain but the problem (for him) is that Atletico can't afford him and Real and Barca don't want him. It makes you wonder where he wants to go. The only Atletico can afford him is if they sell Griezmann. And Simeone is leaving in 2018 so how does that work out? Fair enough, he will be considerably cheaper this coming summer. He's 28 and he'll only have two years left on his contract in the summer. Either Chelsea cave into the 'high' wage demands or you end up with a player who's transfer value will continue drop. This guy is staying. For now. I think he'll end up signing a new contract. If you get him on a contract until 2021, you could sell him when he's most likely past his prime yet still fetch good money in 2018 or 2019 if it comes to that. Diego joining Simeone at Inter in 2018. I'm calling it.

Forget the old wages. PL clubs are making serious bank right now because of the new TV deal (and Rooney's deal was long before the TV deal). Not to mention the recent influx of China money. Agents are of course well aware of this. More money for the clubs means demanding more money for their clients (meaning they earn a lot more as well). Just look at the Pogba deal. Or even Ibrahimovic with his incredible wages at 35, even if he did join on a free transfer. Get used to the new scale. The ceiling has been raised yet again.

It's Drogba drama all over again. All attainable replacements are downgrades, and Chelsea are the worst when it comes to strikers anyway, so I hope he ends up staying like Didier did. He keeps scoring goals, carries the team on more than a few occassions, wins a few trophies and in the end we can all suffer from amnesia and forget the bad times.