The Skipper

I think Costa and Luis are pretty much already CFC players, bar the official announcement.

People on here that are calling for Mandzukic to be signed ahead of Costa, I hope you just saw his miss vs. Cameroon.

Don't rate the main guys at WAGNH tbh, they have some sort of agenda against anyone that doesn't agree with their opinion (i.e. go as far as actually deleting comments that aren't in form with their opinion). They've got some decent writers there but honestly don't rate that website too much. Opinions on here are a lot more diversified and aren't deleted.

The fixture list honestly isn't that bad... Sure, couple of tough periods but this is the PL.

Still wouldn't be fair to judge him off that in the context for our system. Even Iniesta looked average against these, Vidal and Medel fully marshalled that midfield tonight.

Legit worry but I can honestly tell you that back to goal, holding play is actually one of Costa's main strengths. You'll see that next season. I'm glad you're not writing him off though, that initial message was more to those that don't want him anymore after watching 2 WC games. I agree on the last bit, which is why I want us to keep Eto'o and shift Torres because we have Lukaku, but it won't happen. Ideally I'd go into the season with Costa, Lukaku & Eto'o.

I'm not saying he had a good game today but IMO he shouldn't even have started, he's obviously not fully fit and is lacking that sharpness after a tough long season with Atletico and a series of injuries towards the end of last season. Honestly wouldn't put much weight behind the two performances at all because Spain in general were awful and I've seen what a sharp DC can do on a regular basis for Atletico. I have no worries because I watched him a lot (and Atletico in general, at least 30 times all together over the last two seasons) so I know exactly how good he can be and knowing the player he is I'm very sure he'll translate himself to the PL well.

I wouldn't say his control or first touch is poor, it just looks unconventional/unorthodox. He's not like Torres at all in the sense that he's great at holding onto the ball/back to goal play, unlike Fernando who usually loses the ball when it's passed into his feet. He doesn't have Aguero/Suarez silky control but he isn't that bad. His dribbling and first touch in general is good enough, much better than Torres'.

........What's the La Liga then mate?

Can tell that a lot of these haven't even watched Costa for more than 4 games.

Guess Silva, Iniesta, Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Azpilicueta etc. are all average players as well. Lol.

In comparison to other teams that have blown the money, we've done very well actually. Wouldn't say we've underachieved at all.

Nothing wrong with what he said IMO.

His decision making was pretty bad but he was positive in trying to take on his man and crossing the ball. Pretty promising performance IMO.

Not sure about the fee but it's permanent. 3 year contract.

Buttner of United gone to Moscow. Probably clearing the way for Shaw to be signed.

Pepe did let his country down big time but to say "he's not even Portuguese" is harsh.

Great news.

I think he really had a good second half and turned his poor first half around... Only wish he had Robben's mentality sometimes.

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Oscar is a decent crosser of the ball but I wouldn't say the best in the squad, that clearly goes to Hazard. You're just saying that because he whipped some great balls in in the Brazil game but that's just short term memory...Regardless, I like Oscar in the middle and Willian out wide. Oscar always tends to drift out wide and Willian tends to drift in anyway, so it complements the team as a whole as it does themselves too.

Yeah, all I ask for is a top LB that can help unlock Eden's potential. Filipe Luis falls under that. I thought his fee went down to 19m€? Regardless, still a quality signing IMO even if the fee is slightly excessive.

I was actually one of the biggest advocates for the loan spell, as in I fully understood what you're trying to say... But still doesn't mean that he should keep talking and talking.To me he's coming across as a guy that thinks he deserves to be the undisputed number 1 striker at a top, top club like ours without any sort of competition... The delusion in that itself is outstanding. I'm honestly tired of him constantly talking. Just wish he'd shut up and play well at the WC, then after that just come back to Cobham for preseason and take things from there. How hard is that?

If anything, the experience of being shoved around in different positions at Barcelona would have improved his tactical acumen tenfold. Him coming back to the PL in a familiar environment whilst playing in his natural position with that added tactical acumen/experience could actually be a very good thing for us.

He's 21? That's all in the past... It doesn't matter anymore. Why is he still talking and whoring himself about when he has a great chance to come in next season as the 2nd choice striker? I really want Lukaku to do well here but why can't he just shut up and do his talking on the pitch?