The Skipper

Really like Chambers. Big signing by Arsenal.

Park never cost United £50m and £185k a week though. Also Park never had the pressure of being a 'star player' at United either. Park's marketability and brand was being used to penetrate the Asian market, and it did so very successfully. Torres' marketability is useful for what exactly? He was a global superstar when he arrived here but what is he useful for now? Some deluded fanboys/girls? Some Spanish fans? Like you said, it isn't anywhere near the marketability that Park offered for United. What I think it is - it's in Torres' contract. In his contract I think we agreed that he'll be one of the faces of the club (hence why the always mention him in interviews in big signings + how his face I plastered on all of our ad campaigns and around Stamford Bridge); so unfortunately we have to oblige the terms of the contract. I seriously can't wait for the day his contract runs out/we sell him. He's a leech.

I always think, Hazard would be even better if he had Robben's mentality. He certainly has the ability to but it's in the mind, it's how he prefers to play. Patient, ball at feet player Hazard is.

I agree with that, but that still doesn't mean you can say KDB was given every opportunity to succeed here. His opportunities were scarce, as it is at most big clubs to begin with anyway.

That hardly constitutes as "given every opportunity", especially considering he did well in the first game.

Just give Zouma time... People who have never seen him before (not you per se) are judging him off two pre season games which is ridiculous. There's a reason he was given the number 5 shirt IMO, if the club and Jose thought that he needed to go out on loan they wouldn't give him a number like. At least give the lad some time to settle in instead of making conclusions that he needs to go out on loan after two pre season games. Don't understand why people put so much stock into these dead end friendlies. If that were the case last season then Moses and Marin should've started over Hazard.

Vidic - Balanta. So solid.

It's refreshing having a LB that's so comfortable on the ball and one that is so intelligent at picking his runs going forward. Top player.

They were like a wall. I think it's a combo we might see in games where we won't have most of the possession. He's a pretty nice replacement for Luiz (powerful player) in midfield I think. I think we'll can see a midfield 3 of MVG - Matic - Ramires in bigger games, especially if MVG starts the season well and grows accordingly.

Is this the Salah thread or a God vs. evolution thread? Come on lads...

That has always been his strength. Zouma has never been, and will never be a technical defender that's comfortable on the ball. He'll improve as he settles in obviously but personally I know where his talents lie... Freak athleticism paired with big defending. Huge potential in my book, just give him time to settle in and learn from the likes of JT, Cahill and Ivanovic.

Re: MVG, pretty funny how the opinion on him has swung around after one pre season match... Before this game he wasn't ready, now 'we don't need Khedira after all'... (Not singling you out stroey, just an example to make my point clearer).

Boga is still only 16/17 I think so there's no rush with him at all. Would like to see him in some COC and FA Cup games though, huge talent, and he looks driven and focussed enough to actually turn his talent into genuine football quality.

He's not a ball playing CB, shouldn't expect him to move the ball well. It's not what I'm expecting from him anyway. He's okay enough with the ball though IMO.

Zouma had a solid first half but was a bit iffy in the second. Not as disappointing as Salah though, who messed up a lot of final balls and just looked very erratic. Not concerned about Zouma one bit, but Salah does need to step it up for his own sake. He's much better than what he's shown so far. Pre season is his chance to really put up an impression because the other guys are away but he's not done well so far.

What I like about Boga is that he isn't just a dribbler. He makes runs off the ball too. Special talent.

I love Boga.

Ivanovic going up front again.

Bit of flair from JT

We literally have no first team options in our front 4 (apart from Salah, and even then he's like what our 5th choice AM) and people are asking us to be threatening going forward?

He's the only guy that's not performing well.

He's looking very solid alongside JT atm but we have barely been threatened tbh.

Mostly from Salah as well. Everything seems to be falling for him but he really needs to up his final ball game right now.

Salah has been pretty frustrating so far... Getting into great positions but his final ball is just lacking. He's a lot better than this. He is fasting though however.

That challenge from MVG! Bloody hell. How's that for confidence? No holding back at all. He's been tidy so far.