DYC.

This season has not been enjoyable at all. Tedious football. When is Luiz going to feature regularly again

I only care about the beard, my guy. It's glorious and I'm envious.

I'm not gonna lie, man. I've always liked Giroud so I'm not mad at this transfer. And I've already accepted this new era, in terms of business, Chelsea have entered. The only thing that worries me is how little he's played this season (except for his spot in the EL B-team). It's not like Laca has been killing the game. But prior to this season, he's always been a good albeit highly streaky striker.

Chels signed a great beard.

The subtleties of the game aren't appreciated by the masses.

Would've been more moved by this signing had this been the summer of 2016. It was interesting to see how he went from a regular at Arsenal, and an important player overall, to squad filler status in the current season. Might be because he's getting up there in terms of age, meaning his fitness and sharpness might be waning rapidly. I doubt he'll be truly valuable as a starter. But hopefully he'll still be able to impact games as a sub.

Haha, this is what it felt like to be a non-Chelsea fan a little over a decade ago. City is flexing.

Didn't know him so I had nothing to say about him joining. But what a painfully average player he is. Not only does he lack ability but he's incredibly predictable. This is my problem with Chelsea. Spending good money on players who aren't good enough and players who don't offer anything the team needs. I'd rather spend 30 mil too much on a good player than sign a poor player on the 'cheap'. Every mil spent on a poor player is a mil too much. 25 mil. Poof. Gone.

He's just not a very good footballer but I credit him for not crumbling like a cookie tonight. Thought he'd be disgraceful alongside an out of form Kante.

He's Wenger's bitch, That's hilarious in a sad way.

Dead team. Only positive is City-Arsenal should make for a more than watchable final.

Why do I think of Rooney when I see Barkley? Is it the shape of his head?

Forgot Barkley was on the pitch. Chels been playing with 10 men since Willian went off. Arsenal is Conte's bogey team but he's not helping himself. 3-4-3 minus a striker (and genuine firepower in general) is a dead system. How has he not seen this? Pure stubbornness I guess.

Rudiger has a decent crosspass on him but that's it. Ball-playing defenders are composed with the ball and can comfortably dribble into midfield, possess a good range of passing and distribute the ball intelligently. Rudiger's passing is random. Plays the easiest and most obvious passes most of the time and only starts thinking about his next move when the ball is at his feet. He plays with a question mark above his head. And he loses all composure when opposition players are around him. I'm not saying he's terrible on the ball but he is not a ball-playing defender. At all.

I need to see Alonso at LCB (if he continues to persist with the three-CB system). I think of Vertonghen when I watch him. He was originally played at LB when Spurs signed him. He was a decent LB at best. His defending was questioned in that position as well. Too slow and cumbersome to keep up with wingers. But he was much better at CB.

I remember when I had to read people say Alonso is a 'fantastic crosser'. He's been a horrible crosser from day 1. His passing and comfort on the ball is underappreciated though. Next up is the debunking of the myth of Rudiger being a ball-playing defender.

Playing 3-4-3 without a striker makes no sense to me. The 'false 9' is only truly effective in a 4-3-3.

It won't take long before that happens.

I was hoping for better than Mahrez but that's probably out of Chelsea's reach. If it were to happen, the team would all of sudden look a lot different. Imagine a line-up like this. Courtois Azpilicueta - Christensen - Luiz - Emerson Kanté - Bakayoko/Drinkwater Mahrez - Hazard - Willian Morata + the likes of Dzeko, Pedro, Fabregas, Barkley offering competition

For years I've wondered why people bother watching them. Same goes for 99,6% of player interviews. Pointless TV.

In terms of pure defensive ability he's fantastic. But you don't think the team would suffer aerially? And Christensen-Azpilicueta is a combo that can be bullied by power and aggression. Alongside a Terry or Kompany, I'd always go for it. But alongside Christensen? I don't know. Then you have to make sure you win the ball much higher up the pitch than Chelsea currently do.

Rudiger doesn't impress me. Solid player but a back-up for me. I'd like to see Christensen-Luiz. I want to see how Christensen's calm presence affects him. You really think that could work? I've liked the idea of that CB duo for a while but I don't know if this Chelsea team can pull that off. (City could easily make that work because of their style.)

Good talent. Did not know him at all prior to 16/17 but he impressed me the few times I caught Roma last season. The only problem I have with this move is the fact that Chelsea is the last place you wanna go after a serious injury. Alonso is an established member of the team (I know, I know) so he'll most likely get a few chances here and there 'to prove himself'. Him not being big and strong, and not a natural work-horse, he'll be tossed out (meaning sent to Loanland) if he doesn't perform. But I'm happy Chels still seem capable of valuing technique and creativity. Even more so in this case, offensive qualities in a non-forward. I don't know if he's good enough but I like his skillset. More of the same, please. And please revert back to a back four. Though that's probably too much to ask for.

This is inspiring me though. If I were to purchase a donkey and give it a kit and boots, I could probably sell it to Chelsea and make silly money. Buy a house somewhere near the beach. Chilling and plotting with a fine female companion, playing Did You See in the background. Ahh...

Off to City! No, no, he's Utd bound!! Oh my days, Chelsea with a heist!!! Papers making a pretty buck. Women aren't the only ones who enjoy drama.