DYC.

His clause has been reduced by 15 mil, not reduced to 15 mil.

Probably the strongest man in the league. He's better than Cahill imo. Would be a great buy in terms of squad depth. Bruma could join them in the process (on loan of course) too.

3 PL starts Horrible numbers.

http://www.skysports...6634887,00.html Realistic view.

The question now is, how much is more?

Exactly.

Does Chelsea still need Mikel? My answer: yes. (Posted this before the Tottenham game) I still think this should be Mikel's role. A player like Mikel should help out in defense but not be one of the main men dealing with threatning attacks. Like I said before the Spurs game, Mikel lacks the discipline in defensive duties (for a topside), much like the man CA tried/tries to transform him into (Pirlo). It's a underappreciated role but a very effective one, especially in teams that play possession football. Ballack had that role last season but because of his age, he no longer had the consistency to reach the needed level week in, week out. With Frank back in the team, I really think it could work. For years Frank combined two roles, the playmaker role/dictating play and being one of the main goal-scorers. And for years he managed to combine the two roles (still amazed about how underrated he is as a player). But last season it became clear that he can no longer combine the two roles. It simply became too much for him and it's fully understandable. He is 32 years old and like it or not but he is starting to decline, nowhere near finished though. Words can't describe his 08/09 season, he was a football-god for me that season. Even though he broke his goal-scoring records last season, his overall play was (a lot) weaker compared to his 08/09 season. That's why i think someone should take over one his duties in this team, like Ballack did last season. Obi's my pick, neither Ramires or Essien posses a true goal-scoring threat or the ability to dictate play. Let Frank focus on the attacking and let Essien focus on the defending (Essien seriously needs to find his form again though). Ball retention, passing, off-the-ball movement in team moves/build-up, reading the game, helping out in defense, these things are Mikel's main strengths. The things he needs to improve is to pass the ball quicker, playing more incisive passes, joining the attack more and of course his shooting. Working on his weak foot would also help his game a lot and also make him that much harder to disposses. Funny you posted that article LDN since i was about to the post the same thing, well the Carrick video in that article. This is Mikel for me.

Incredibly creepy .

I like it. Although i would start either Kakuta or McEachran in midfield and Sturridge up front. Sturridge really needs games, he is not in a good mood at all and lacks confidence (a attacker is nothing without confidence). And from what i've seen so far, Kakuta is a (pure) midfielder. Every time he played up front, he dropped deep (trying) to get involved in build-up play. Staying up front or poaching goes against his nature.

I agree with you on that, suggested the same thing a few months ago.

Exactly. Makes the noises of him not being the one making the decisions a lot more believable. Our squad is really small (something which many are finally starting to realise after the being blind to see it at the start of the season) but you make it a lot smaller when you use 12, 13 players all the time. Good article btw.

Of course we'd be happy but we didn't win. And we're still cheering for the blues but we have nothing to be happy about at the moment. The goal wasn't unlucky. The players assumed we won the match and decided to take a nap. Villa took advantage of the situation and scored. We only have ourselves to blame for not ending up winning.

So unneccisary. But he's still the most brilliant footballer out there .

Sigh. No one is complaining about the way the players celebrated but about the way they gave it away so easily because they thought they'd already won.

Also the fact that Arsenal/Man Utd/Liverpool/City and Chelsea-haters got a good laugh because of that made it so much worse .

You'd think we won the Champions League judging by those pictures .

Fixed it for ya. And btw, how many times have we said ''as long as play like we did in the ...'' by now .

The truth. How i was fooled.

This picture says a lot.

Hope?

Exactly. And that's partly CA's fault since he keeps playing them. The likes of Sturridge and Kakuta could not have done worse but at least they would grow as players and get experience.

The latest:

When was the last time Anelka performed? September. He was in great form that month but since then...

So sad but so true.

I thought he was solid. Good in build-up play and got into some good positions. Used his pace well too on a few occasions. Got dominated in the air though by Heskey but that's nothing to be ashamed off vs The Incredible Hesk.