DYC.

Kudos to all the people for keeping this forum running. Great website. Keep up the good work !

What happened to the whole third party being involved thing ? I thought the PL would block this move because of that.

Me underrating Lamps ? I'm probably one his biggest fans but i know and don't overrate his qualities. First of all, Frank doesn't provide 20 assists a season. 2009/2010 was the first season he racked up 20 assists in all competitions. In 2008/2009 19 assists, 2007/2008 11 assists, 2006/2007 15 assists, 2005/2006 10 assists and in 2004/2005 16 assists. So please, only state facts. And why do people link a great amount of assists to being a great passer. Messi provides a lot of assists every season. Is he one the best passers in the world ? No. Drogba was only behind Lampard and Fabregas on the assist list in the PL last season (2009/2010). Is he one of the best passers in the world ? Nope, not by long shot. Assists say more about great link-up play and how important the player is in build-up play than the greatness of his passing. Frank isn't one best passers in the world. You have the absolute elite passers: Xavi Iniesta Fabregas Xabi Alonso Guti Valéron (still a fantastic passer) De La Pena (also still a fantastic passer) Pirlo Ronaldinho David Pizarro Totti Liverani Deco Scholes Carrick (some might disagree but his passing game is amazing) After them you have players like Sneijder, Lampard and many others in the second category. But getting back to what i was trying to say. I'll try to explain what i was trying to say with the creative player i think we're missing. I meant we dont have that absolute selfless player in our midfield, the ultimate teamplayer. Players who get greater satisfaction from setting up a attack and providing that incisive final ball. The glue that sticks the team together. Their importance to the team go unnoticed by many. RX8 said: ''I thing I´m understando what U are trying to say... but besides Inter.... The Crack player were the difference.... Kaka, Ronaldinho, CR, Messi...' All of them were vital to their team's succes, i fully agree with him. But the ultimate teamplayer in their teams i was talking about were just as important (if you ask me). I would like to edit the list i made a bit, about the creative force(s) of the last CL winners: 2010 Inter: Sneijder (spotlight Milito) 2009 Barcelona: Xavi, Iniesta (spotlight Messi) 2008 Man Utd (we were so close ): Carrick, Scholes (spotlight Ronaldo) 2007 Milan: Pirlo, Seedorf (spotlight Kaka) 2006: Deco, Ronaldinho (spotlight Ronaldinho) (Ronaldinho was very special case. He was the player who made difference but also a creative force together with Deco. He was that good). All those players were just as important to their CL and/or domestic succes as the players who (eventually) got all the spotlight. About Frank, i think he belongs in the list of players who get all the spotlights. Everyone (people who know what they're talking about) knows that he and Drogba are the key players to the succeses of Chelsea. Dont forget he was only behind Ronaldinho for the Ballon d'Or (European footballer of the year) award and the FIFA World Player of the Year back in 2005. Ronaldinho was out of this world back then so that was a huge achievement. When Frank put more focus on playmaking and made a lot less goals in the first half of the season (2009/2010), he was critisized by many. Claiming he was over the hill and losing his world-class abilities. When he put the focus on scoring goals (change of formation helped a lot) again, everyone was happy and convinced of his great quality again. Frank can't be one of our main goal scorers and The playmaker of the team. He would have to be at two places at the same time. Frank is like Ronaldinho. A creative force but more the player who makes the difference. He is unbelievably important for our side. But we depend on him too much in midfield play. Thats why a great playmaker (the selfless player, ultimate teamplayer) would really be a great addition to our midfield. Deco wasn't fit enough and a bit over the hill. But I always thought Frank played better with Deco in midfield. He took over a lot of work Frank had to do on his own. Hope i made my point clear .

Even the best managers make/made mistakes . For example, he let Zola leave .

You forgot about Benayoun. I agree with you about adding depth to our squad. But buying a player for 18-20 mil pounds is just too much for adding depth. You can get a player with experience (do not confuse with old) for a lower price if you want to add depth to the squad. And if you read my earlier posts you would see that i would like a midfielder to join us but just a Ramires type of player. A playmaker is what i think we need since we don't have one (Matic is a playmaker but isn't first XI material yet).

Don't let the ending of the season change your view on our 2009/2010 campaign. Yes we won the double in the end and thats a great achievement. But how many ups and downs did we have that season. Twice during the season PL title seemed out of reach. It was a very inconsistent season. Sometimes we looked like the best team in the world and other times we seemed hopeless. I'm not saying that's because of our midfield but it is one of the main reasons. Many times our midfield play was horrible. They just couldn't reach the attackers or supply them incisive passes. If a opponent really pressured our midfield, our midfielders just couldn't cope with it. They just need to much time on the ball to deliver the right pass. Think about the CL games versus Inter. We were awfull. Cambiasso almost destroyed our entire midfield on his own. By giving them very little time to make a desicion on what to do with the ball. Midfielders like Sneijder, Iniesta, Xavi, Kaka (Milan days), Van der Vaart, Xabi Alonso, Pirlo already know where they want to pass the ball before they receive the it. All very important players for their team and really make a difference when needed. If you take a look at the last five CL winners, you'll notice they all had a great creative force(s): Inter Milan (Sneijder) Barcelona (Xavi, Iniesta, Messi) Man Utd (Ronaldo, creative in a different way than the playmakers) Milan (Pirlo, Kaka, Seedorf) Barcelona (Deco, Ronaldinho) That's why i think a great creative player would a fantastic addition. I hope you get what i'm saying

That's what i said in my earlier post. This transfer would really limit his game time and ruin his progression. We got him for 1.5 mil pounds and he could grow out to be the best transfer ever (when you compare the price to his quality). Starting to hope Ramires doesn't join us more and more. Not because he isn't a good player but because he isn't needed.

That's what i've been saying the whole time. It seems people here really like a power midfield and forget that creativity is so f***ing important ! Especially if you want to win the CL.

Very happy for him. A great honour for him and the club. This will also boost his confidence and that's only good news for our team.

Sorry, double post. Computer's acting weird

You're talking about game time for youngsters in general. When it comes to other youngsters like Sturridge, Bruma, Van Aanholt and Matic it was understandable that they play that much. They have very fierce competition to deal with. Although they could have played a lot more if you ask me. Even in the League Cup and the early rounds of the FA Cup we played with very experienced teams. Those times would have been perfect for the youngsters i mentioned to play. But that's a diffrent discussion. This discussion is about the player Kakuta. He's a different case when it comes to giving youngsters a lot of game time. Kakuta is without a doubt one of most exciting talents in today's football. Easily up there with the likes of Pato (well Pato has outgrown the status of huge talent and has become a star player) Bojan, Balotelli, Wilshere, Neymar, Ganso and many more. Most people would probably disagree with that statement due to the fact of his very little game time. All those players have shown the world their great talent because they got the chance to show it. And they are all first XI players or very close to first XI football. Kakuta's competition isn't even that fierce. Our right attacker position could use some real quality. That's why i'm hoping Carlo will give him a fair chance for a lot of first XI football next season. So I'll just wait and see what Carlo has planned for him next season.

Yes he did say that, it was after the game versus APOEL. But the weird thing is, that he hardly played anymore (come to think of it, he didn't play at all after that game if i'm right). He will need a lot more game time if he is gonna be the future of Chelsea. They need to stop being so unbelievably carefull and take a look at the clubs I mentioned in my earlier post.

No you're getting me wrong, I'm talking about a diffrent midfield-three. I'm talking about a DM, CM and AM midfield, much like the midfield of our 2009/2010 FA Youth Cup team. Or think about our own mifield back when Makalele was still with us (Make DM, Ess CM, Lamps AM). That way you have Essien and Mikel for the DM role, Lamps and Matic for the CM role and no one for the AM role (well nobody who is good enough right now). About Kakuta & McEachran, Kakuta should play on the wings. He's a dribbler and putting a dribbler in a central role doesn't work in modern football. There's just no space for them and that's why a central role is suited for a player who'd rather go for a pass than try to beat a man. Coming from the wings he would be so much more effective. I know he has played a lot of games as a attacking midfielder in the youth and reserves but that only worked because he is well ahead of his years. He can play any attacking position on that level because he is just so much better than the rest. McEachran isn't first XI material for like 4, 5 years. And getting an experienced AM (25-28) would be perfect so McEachran could take his spot when he's ready. I probably should have mentioned my view about that in my post but i already mentioned it in many other posts.

I think what we can all conclude (well i came to this conclusion a long time ago) is that the diamond really isn't the formation for our team and Chelsea FC in general if you ask me. 4-3-3 is the perfect formation for us. Our youth teams also play in a 4-3-3 formation. The diamond doesn't work and we really suck when we play it and Ancelotti should really stop using it. Like Ajax and Barcelona, it's just ''our'' formation and we should just stick to it.

Wouldn't mind if the deal falls through (not even sure if Chelsea actually made a bid..) Ramires is a CM/DM and i think those positions are well stocked. For the DM role we have Essien and Mikel. For CM role we have Lamps and Matic. I would much rather see a great playmaker/midfield maestro join our team as i think that kind of player is the missing link to our midfield-three. Matic has great potential and Ramires joining our team would really limit his game time. That would be a real waste so i would much rather spend that money on a playmaker type of player.

I already said it and i will say it again, Gaël Kakuta for the right attacker position. This guy has unbelievable potential and can easily grow out to be one of the biggest stars in football. His pace, skill, technique and agility is absolutely fantastic. The fact that he stick the ball to his feet at a very high tempo makes him very rare in current times. Only Messi and Robben have that. And like Messi and Robben he has a great shot. Being left-footed and cutting in from the right, would make him almost impossible to defend. He would be forcing his direct opponents to try and stop him with their weak foot. That's one of the main reasons of Robben's and Messi's succes. Don't get me wrong, he is far from there level. But he can easily grow to their level in the (near) future. Would he have been a Arsenal, Man Utd, Milan or Barcelona player, he would have played a lot (and i mean a lot) more. Because those teams aren't so damn scared to give great talents game time. And also, take a look at his direct opponents for that position: Kalou: a player who just isn't Chelsea XI material. A great supersub though. Anelka: a striker who only plays in that role because the rest of the players just aren't good enough. I'm not saying Anelka sucks playing there, he does a decent job. He's like Dirk Kuyt in that matter. But he just isn't a right attacker. He misses the skill, technique, pace (he has great pace off the ball but not with the ball at his feet, he keeps slowing down) real right attackers do have. That's why i think Kakuta should get a real shot for that position. Coming on the last 10, 15 minutes like TX said just isn't enough and will only hamper his progress. I'd rather loan him out if that's the case for him next season.

Carlo should really consider buying a new 2nd choice goalkeeper. Our first goalie is injury-prone so we need a reliable 2nd goalkeeper.

Frankfurt scores

The players should involve Matic more in build up play. He is the one with the vision !

Lampssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy to see Matic playing CM. His great vision, passing and technique is perfect for that role. Absolutely love the guy and players like him in general. Players like him just ooze class in everything they do.

What happened to Sam Hutch ? Haven't seen him play once and the official website haven't mentioned anything about him ?

And why is Zhirkov playing centre midfield ? Malouda is much much better in that role while Yuri is a real winger. Really weird desicion

Missed the first half but read the comments and it seems we suck. Question I read something on here about us playing the diamond formation but the official website claims we're playing the 4-3-3 formation. So what formation are we playing ? If it is the diamond i know for sure thats the reason the boys are playing bad, as that formation sucks donkeyballs (well for our team).

Cant wait to see our boys back in action. Hopefully their disappointing World Cup campaign wont affect them. It was sad that not a single Chelsea player really performed in South Africa, well except Riccy. But then again, he wants to leave if Real are interested. My starting line up: ...................................Hilario.................................. Iva............Carvalho.................Terry.............Cole ...................................Mikel................................. .............Ess....................................Malouda........... Kalou.........................Anelka........................Zhirkov