The Skipper

Why would CFC demand that?

30M euros for Coentrao? Lol.

Isn't Ramires a destroyer?

Basically running into the wide areas of the pitch to open up spaces for the whole team. He did that very well today but was isolated in the middle so he was sort of forced to in order to create spaces for his team.

Big Vic just reminding everyone what an excellent squad player he is. Great performance.

Van Bommel esque performance today. Hoping he can translate this and his form last season to the PL.

Barbara, don't forget we didn't have KDB, Lampard and Schurrle today. These three will add so much to the squad depth. Personally I think our squad is near perfect. Like I've said before on plenty occasions, Rooney and De Rossi and we're pretty much done. The latter isn't needed as much I feel but Rooney is a must in my opinion simply because he offers exactly what all of the other three strikers lack: the link up play ability to control the ball closely and bring others in to play.

Number 1 thing for me. I've been raving about this since we completed the Schwarzer, Van Ginkel and Schurrle signings. I'm delighted with the squad we have - the fact that they're so young as well and that they can only grow as a group under a world class manager is fantastic. We add Rooney to this brilliant squad and we're laughing.

I think I agree with your statement that he's a good midfielder but an average DM. Like I said before, I just don't think he's used properly by Chelsea because he's restricted too much as the holding player. 1. Yes, even under different managers (apart from probably that first season under Carlo who wanted to make Mikel his Pirlo) I think he's been pretty much misused because he was always used as the player that kept possession rolling, as a holding midfielder. He was rarely given the freedom. You're right in saying it won't happen at Chelsea, fully agree, but I think he should been given more freedom. He would've done a lot better in his Chelsea career if he had. 2. Mediocre to me means poor - maybe we have a different vocabulary in that sense but like I said again I wouldn't call Nigeria mediocre. They aren't a top class team obviously but they definitely are an okay/decent team. 3. I don't think Khedira's a vast improvement on Mikel to be frankly honest, simply because we've got a player like him in Ramires, who's better than him already. Khedira offers nothing to our squad IMHO - but he's still a good DM. Personally I think if we are going to spend on a DM it should be on a world class one, not on a marginal improvement on Mikel. That's my personal opinion on the matter anyway. 4. I don't think Mikel's as bad at attacking as you make him out to be. It just comes down to the fact that he plays in a very restricted role here at CFC. However, I feel like we're just going around in circles here so let's just agree to disagree. It was a pleasure debating with you.

Definitely. Plus given the fact we lost Cahill and JT got sent off AND we were 2-0 down... All these factors make it that great. That goal just warms my heart every time I see it.

One of the greatest goals ever. Honestly.

Thought Essien did his knee again then... phew...

He was Napoli's coach last season, whom finished 2nd. He's a good manager.

We shall see as the season progresses

TORRES IS BACK

Well he's playing next to Essien - I think he'll get more freedom when he does play next to Michael.

Calm down mate, this is what pre season is for.

Mikel's getting forward! Brilliant, looks like Jose's giving him more freedom. This will be interesting.

The way we're controlling possession now Mata's on the pitch is very impressive. I really hope we sign Rooney, I think him and Mata would link up very, very well.

He's young Dutch footballer of the year for a reason!

Van Ginkel is just so combative. Love it. Seems like Jose's placing a lot of faith in him and I'm fine with that because he's a very mature player for his age.

LUUUUUUUUUIIIIIIZ!

That was amazing build up play. Unfortunately we lost the ball at Lukaku's feet. This is why Mourinho wants Rooney. Imagine the link up play between Rooney, Hazard, Mata. It would be fantastic,

Look at the number of posts I've made.

Possession play with Mata on is top notch right about now. Imagine KDB on the right instead of Ramires now as well...