The Skipper

Kondogbia is a DM, Ramires is a B2B midfielder.

So do people want Torres as our number one striker now because he popped 4 against Tahiti and 1 against Nigeria?

I agree that we can't build our team around him - that ship has sailed away a long, long time ago. Never said we should either, especially when we have talents like Oscar, Mata and Hazard to build around - what I do think though is that he needs to be given more offensive responsibility. He clearly has the passing range and intelligence to do so, even from deep. What would be interesting at CFC is if we do sign someone like Kondogbia we can easily play a midfield two of Mikel - Kondogbia, with Mikel allowed more freedom to express himself and link up effectively with the likes of Mata, Hazard, Oscar etc. in front of him. At the start of last season I was hoping to see that in his game because I do think he's capable of doing so but he was once again used as the holding player in the pivot. Next season could be very interesting, would like to see what Mourinho does with him in all fairness. And yes, I partially agree about the Nigerian team. They lack quality in the offensive third but we do have to remember they were missing their main men there in Emenike and Moses who are both very decent players.

He scored against Uruguay.

Come on... he played better against Spain and Uruguay who are both great national teams. He had great games. Don't know why it's so hard for you to at least give him a bit of recognition for that.

That bit isn't true - Jose only started Mikel as a DM in 12 out of 27 games. The conviction that Jose turned him into a DM is untrue; that's more down to all the other managers that decided to use him there permanently.

Well. That's that. 3 - 0 is flattering to Spain in my opinion, Nigeria played well - they just lacked that quality in the final 3rd. Mikel was brilliant in the first half, head and shoulders above almost everyone on the pitch including the Spanish players, but I didn't like his attitude in the 2nd half, it was almost nonchalant. He played without that same passion unfortunately. All in all, I'm happy that he used the tournament to remind everyone of his qualities. Great tournament overall.

Don't worry, he just seems hellbent that Mikel is definitely leaving because apparently Jose has told him personally that he doesn't rate Mikel.

Great composure by Gus on air tbh.

Mikel can only pass sideways and to back his centre backs. Absolutely bossing it against Spain at the moment. That flick over Xavi was delightful.

A new contract again?

He's not insulting anyone on here, don't know why you're getting so emotional about it. He's right to say that your tone has basically changed from "let's sign Cavani he's practically perfect" to "Cavani doesn't suit us" over a few pages.

It was just a prospective line up Choo, don't kill me .

I think everyone should own one, they go with almost anything!

So what, Ronaldo - Ozil - Isco?

Mikel was mostly injured or away under Benitez. It isn't the same. Sure he didn't start all games but he was hardly dropped. All the manager before Rafa used him explicitly. You talk as if Mikel is the worst player in the squad when he clearly isn't.

I think Napoli might have instigated the Chelsea rumours to try and get City to pay the release clause. Maybe they're desperate for the Cavani money but I don't think any club will pay more than £40m-£45m for him.

If you play counter attacking football it doesn't mean you disregard possession. Mourinho still won the league with a record amount of goals with his perceived "counter attacking" football at Madrid and United are very effective at it. Doesn't mean they don't think possession is vital. You need a variety, not just possession based players in your squad.

Good news IMO. The less suitors the lower his price will be if Napoli are intending to sell him. If Man City won't pay the €63m, no one will.

Well he is only 19. Consistency will come with age, and like Bir said, with better players around him too.

It's just a personal opinion of mine to be honest. Isco's a great talent, one of the best of his generation for sure, but I think in Spain for their generation Thiago is the most talented. Just love the way Thiago plays.

Similarly with Silva. Silva was just as hyped as Isco was at his age.

In a way, I agree with you. For Nigeria, you can see Mikel plays with a lot of heart, maybe because there he has the platform to express himself. At Chelsea though it isn't the same.

Because Mikel's stagnated whilst Luiz is improving. The only thing we can hope for is that Mikel will pick up next season under Jose.

If I actually remember correctly Mikel played around 12 games under Mourinho as our DM. In the other games he played whilst Mourinho was here Makelele played at DM whilst he was deployed a little further up the pitch. Mikel played a lot more adventurous under Ancelotti in his first season as Ancelotti encouraged him to do so and our tactical system allowed us to do so. They believed in the kid - him and Ray Wilkins: "John can basically become whatever he wants," Ray Wilkins, Chelsea's assistant manager, says. "He's got a lovely range of passing, is strong as an ox and reads the game exceptionally well. Myself and Carlo have just asked him to hit a few more progressive passes." Here are two assists just as a reminder that he was given that extra bit of freedom in the double winning season: At the start: At around 1m40: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xcpe90 What I do agree with is that he somewhat limits himself but then again, his current role in the team is not to be the playmaker like he is in Nigeria but to rather be the one who keeps the ball flowing whilst our more forward thinking players set themselves up which is why I say he's been misused as he can offer a lot more but again, it's naive to think that Mikel can't offer anything but 5m passes or slowing down the attack. I'm sorry to keep on harping about his national team performances but in my opinion he shows his true colours for Nigeria. Albeit usually being against poorer opposition, he looks a completely different player because he's got a different mentality and role that exploits his true talents. He's been Nigeria's playmaker during their recent run of success... His touch was superb yesterday, his passing range was great, his ability to escape pressure is excellent and he beat his man repeatedly. Uruguay haven't been at their best in the tournament but to simply dismiss his performance yesterday because of that and to simply think that their midfield is mediocre (a big, big hyperbole) when they are one of the better national teams around is laughable in my opinion. Yeah Uruguay's best players are up front but their midfield is not mediocre. Mikel played well yesterday against a good national team whether you like it or not. My point is that I believe under Mourinho who will motivate the lad and perhaps give him a more expansive licence - he'll offer a lot more in attack than he has for the last 2 seasons. I would keep him around - after all the lad is only 26, was initially Mourinho's project and isn't on monstrous wages. As I've said before, he can at the very least be a good squad player.