DYC.

Actually having hope the club can sign top players because 'we're Chelsea' even though reality says something different. I feel like a Liverpool supporter. Verratti is never joining. But it's nice to fantasise at times.

Would only confirm the utter lack of vision of those in charge and the horrible management of the squad. Rarely seen such an obvious liability in a top team. Along with his sidekick Stimpy Cahill. Edit: Bellerin wasn't a better player than Debuchy when he started playing. But he surprised and started to develop rapidly after getting regular game time. We'll never see that at Chelsea because young, raw players never get that chance. It doesn't always work of course but that's part of the game.

On another note, Arsenal have a lot of quality in their side. They'd be a problem with a better manager or prime Wenger.

Eduardo Aina Luiz Alonso Azpilicueta Kante Moses Oscar Willian Hazard Costa Begovic; Mikel; Chalobah, Matic, Fabregas; Pedro, Batshuayi

This needs to be done going forward First XI GK Azpilicueta - Christensen - Luiz or new CB* - New LB or Alonso** CM - Kante - CM RW - Costa - Hazard Backup/Competition Begovic&Eduardo Aina - Zouma - Cahill or Luiz - new LB or Alonso** Oscar - Matic&Chalobah - Baker Moses - Batshuayi&Traore - Musonda *If Luiz plays well, keep him without adding to CB and make Cahill 4th choice. If he's not trustworthy, sign new CB and make David a very expensive back-up. Or just sell him if possible *Depends on performance level Alonso. If he's solid, buy a young LB to initially deputise and eventually compete.

Fair play. Finally got his chance and he was ghost. Shouldn't play in big games anymore. Should play against the lesser gods (outside top 10) this season. I'd sell him in the summer. I actually wanted him replaced last summer but no replacement came. Was calling for him to play because that other midfield is so painfully unimagintive.

We've entered the Liverpool realm.

Better than Cahill yes but his presence has not prevented Chelsea from looking like a defensive mess. He's been a tragedy at times himself.

I just don't get this. I see it so often. Chelsea leak goals with Terry in the team as well.

Dortmund producing fantasy football. Last season was amazing but this is.... what you dreamed of as a kid. Making me love football a bit more, like the old days.

Ruben Neves isn't even starter for Porto anymore and I'd take him in a heart beat. I'll take it even further. Verratti has average so far. He could play an entire season in this form and I'd still sign him for Pogba money. Anyway, a young player going through a tough spell is normal. I bet you they'd jump for joy if he signed right now. Bring him back. Don't let him get too comfortable in Gladbach.

Thanks for posting. If he isn't playing for Chels next season I'll give up.

Agree. He looks more of a player than Loftus-Cheek though (taken his pre-season performances into account as well).

Expecting the same team that played against Liverpool tbh. Chelsea haven't faced a midfield of Arsenal's quality all season and because of that I can see Conte fielding that same disruptive midfield to combat that quality. Backline stays the same because Alonso is still adjusting and Willian stays because of his experience in these high pressure games, work-rate and reliability (to at least put in a decent performance). At least one more chance for the regulars. Think the aim will be to keep things tight all game and use the likes of Fabregas and Moses to make an impact off the bench if necessary. If he does go with those players, he better not lose because he'll lose a bit of credit if he does.

Nope.

Surely, Alonso, Fabregas and Moses will start vs Arsenal? Cahill is so lucky. Starter by default. That turned out to be fun. Conte needed that, good for him.

Credit where it's due. Diego has been beastin since he's been on. Beautiful moment for Cesc. Happy for him.

Strange experiment. Great lack of athleticism in midfield. He'd be better off playing inferior players who do possess it.

Nope. I can tell he's nothing special though. Already thought so in his time at Fiorentina. And these purchases drive me crazy. It's too much.

I knew it. Chelsea have been robbed by Fiorentina. There's no way Alonso is a £23 mil fullback. No athleticism. No chance of being a quality fullback at this level without it. At least Ivanovic was powerful in his younger years. He gets the ball at his feet and it's basic stuff. Move him to CB. If he can't cut it there, he's a very expensive squad player at best. Those in charge of transfers possess a real gift for paying over the odds for average and decent players. So pissed off. As for being 2-0 behind, can't say I'm surprised. It's going to be a bumpy season but I already knew that.

Gary Cahill, Chelsea captain. Oh, boy. Please don't be crap, Alonso. Not a fan of that midfield but oh well. If Loftus-Cheek doesn't perform today, I will lose complete faith in him. Never been convinced by his performances. Leicester look weak. You'd think Chelsea would win this. You'd think. Come on, Chels, you have to win this.

Mikel admits he is considering leaving Chelsea http://www.goal.com/en/news/596/exclusive/2016/09/20/27700882/mikel-admits-he-is-considering-leaving-chelsea?ICID=HP_HN_HP_RI_0_1 Say whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaattttt I was convinced Obi would look like Morgan Freeman with dreads by the time he left Chelsea.

Oh, Thibaut. I like players who actually have something to say and aren't afraid to speak their mind but this is just being stupid. Saying something like that, especially with that mug, people no go likie. And who says that in this kind of form? But this is also on Chelsea. Keep the man away from the press. He'll loose the support of fans and that doesn't help the team at all. I can definitely understand his reasoning for wanting to go back to Spain. But he should be careful what he wishes for as there's a strong chance the top sides won't want him. Barca won't get him, wrong type of GK. Real has a fantastic GK in Navas and I can only imagine them replacing him with the Madrid-born Spaniard De Gea. I'd happily take Oblak if Atletico wanted Courtois back.

Despite all the records Rooney is never a great. Because you can argue Rooney has never led his team to (major) silverware. In his best ever individual season 09/10 he failed to win the title or CL (Drogba outperformed him but didn't win POTY, still one of the greatest robberies I've seen and I still get angry when I think about it). There was the title in 10/11 but I think Nani outperformed him that season. But maybe I'm being harsh because you could give him that. But he is without a doubt one of the best ever supporting cast players. Similar to Willian but then five times better. He was amazing as the so-called unsung hero in 05-09.(so unsung everyone kept praising him. Funny thing is, in 30 years from now, Rooney will probably be praised as England's best ever player. Because of the trophies he won and the records on his name.

I haven't been paying much attention to the rivals but Liverpool hot and cold? Bar losing to Burnley, they've booked excellent results. And they've already faced Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea away. 10 out 15 points with that squad and that fixture list is fantastic. You can't say that Everton. It's unlikely but far from impossible. We've seen plenty of teams punch well above their weight in the past years. And there's no denying anymore that 14/15 Chelsea is one of those teams. I agree with Greavsie on City and Arsenal (they always manage sadly). Utd should be in there based on quality but I hope they continue failing. The rest I don't know. It will be interesting.