The Skipper

No true. I've heard plenty of our chants throughout the game.

Can anyone hear the JT chant?

It wasn't high press football against United though. We only really started high pressing when they came into our half.

Glad Luiz is playing. Knew Schurrle would start. Lampard and Ramires are starting AGAIN though? Hopefully he makes the right subs this time. Lukaku on for Torres later, maybe throw Mata on when the game opens up (who I think should've started especially because of Lahm). Decent XI though. We're not going to sit back too much.

I think we should start Mata at 10 if Lahm is the DM.

Confirmed?

Yeah but the quotes were out before that so I would still count Atsu as 1 of the potential 2. Re: MVG, Ajax made an offer but it's been rejected.

He's not officially signed till he passes his medicial. Gourlay's quotes were before his transfer so when he says 1 or 2 I'm pretty sure he's including Atsu in there.

It'll definitely be Atsu, and maybe, just maybe one more player.

Eto'o...

Schweinsteiger is not exactly like Pirlo and Carrick though as he's essentially like you said the link up player between defence and midfield. Pirlo and Carrick have a lot more freedom in the sense that they more oft than not switch from defence to attack straight away with a long direct ball. Of course Bastian has the capabilities to do such BUT he's not Bayern's main supply line IMO, he's the link to supply which is not exactly the same. Would make sense to start Oscar at 10 to harass that link a little bit but wouldn't be surprised if Mata started too, depending on the game plan Mourinho chooses. The former is more likely though knowing Jose. What would be interesting is if he started Oscar in the pivot to harass the two in midfield alongside someone like MVG or Ramires. I think that could be another tactical master stroke. Wouldn't be surprised to see Schurrle on the wings either to help disrupt Ribery/Alaba or Robben/Lahm. We will have to see though, plenty of options in the squad. Should be an interesting tactical game.

Hmm fair enough. We shall see tonight though!

Schweinsteiger and Martinez could make it.

Gonalons is such a player. Would love him. Don't see us signing a DM though.

He's not getting the hint.

Would really still rather sell Torres and keep Ba.

The future.

Fernando Torres.

Definitely. Over the shorter distance, Lukaku is definitely a bit more explosive than Drogba.

Wouldn't say surpassed but maybe matching yeah. It's great to see Chelsea turning into such a technical team. I hope Mourinho provides a platform for all of them to perform on whilst having a solid defensive structure (the latter which I'm sure he'll achieve). If we do that we'll definitely see something magical.

Does anyone know what shirt number he'll wear?

Also don't forget the likes of KDB and Lukaku coming back, basically two great new signings. The board have done very well this year.

We never bid for De Rossi.

Official website said he's #22 too.

Can a mod please move the irrelevant discussion out of this thread?