The Skipper

Schurrle isn't even a pure striker. Why people want him as a Sturridge replacement is ridiculous. He isn't a natural striker like Sturridge is. For me, Schurrle's position in the squad is already filled out by Victor Moses. The club aren't stupid enough to sign him and let Sturridge go out on loan.

Mata has been superb. Just because he isn't scoring or assisting as frequently doesn't mean he's ineffective.

Disregard Marin and Moses?

Can't believe people are underrating Juventus that much. You'll be surprised. Juventus are the Italian champions, they didn't lose a game in the league last season. If you think we'd get a result from them easily then shame on you, just because Juve haven't been in the CL recently people forget that they are one of the most successful teams in Italy. Nothing but respect for Juve, we'll need to play our strongest team at top form to beat them. Juve XI I'm expecting is: Buffon Lucio - Barzagli - Chiellini Pirlo Lichtensteiner - Marchisio - Vidal - Asamoah Giovinco - Vucinic Something like that anyway. A very strong team. This should be a great match.

Just because we're buying players who aren't that tall it doesn't mean we're setting up to play like Barcelona. That's pretty ignorant to say.

The verified Oscar account was linked by the CFC twitter account if I remember correctly.

I would assume you have seen lots and lots of Schurrle then. Who do you rate higher personally? Would you get rid of Sturridge for Schurrle?

The underlying point though is that many would prefer Sturridge over Schurrle.

One of the few players I'd be happy with if Danny actually went.

Which is exactly why I mentioned a loan for a decent back up striker instead of purchasing one. Regardless, Remy wouldn't come to the team knowing he'd be back up to Torres, he's better than that. Signing him would stifle Sturridge's and Lukaku's development at the club potentially as well, which could force them out of the club. Something I wouldn't personally want. I can understand why people want him but I don't think he'll come personally, as it doesn't really make that much sense to me as it does to you guys.

Not really, but that's just my opinion. It'd be crucial if we had no back up whatsoever for Torres, but we do have that in Sturridge. With Lukaku coming back next season as well there's really no point in splashing the cash on another back up striker, that is my sincere opinion. I have a feeling the club feel the same as well. Think long term, not just short term. The best thing we could do is perhaps bring in a striker on loan or something, but buying another striker really isn't as essential as many are making it out to be, that's what I think anyway.

People just want Chelsea to be involved in the transfer window deadline fiasco. We don't really need anyone else anymore.

Pablo is a great replacement for Scott Sinclair. Better player IMO. Well done Swans.

We have Torres, Sturridge and Lukaku's on loan. When Romelu comes back next season we'd have 4 strikers for one position, all which are pretty young. No point in that IMO. Tottenham on the other hand only have Adebayor and Defoe. Defoe is at the end of his career so Remy would definitely be needed more over there. I can't see it happening personally. The club won't go for him because we don't really need him.

Don't need him as much as Tottenham do.

This is because he was playing in the same position, but not the same role. AVB started the season off giving Sturridge freedom to act as an inside forward, with not a lot of defensive responsibility; it's why he scored a hatful of goals - he's a natural goalscorer. As soon as we started leaking goals AVB wanted Sturridge to help out quite a lot defensively - something not in his nature. He is a striker after all. We saw the theme continue with RDM - it's why he didn't get picked a lot under him. RDM had to play with a defensive style as it was the best our players could manage. Playing Sturridge at the RW position would've only harmed the team more, we would've leaked so much more if he played Sturridge over Ramires for the majority of RDM's reign in the 2011/12 season. It just wouldn't have worked.

Lol, when has Sturridge been given a prolonged run in the CF role? If Sturridge had the amount of games Torres or Drogba had at CF last season then you could say he's been given a chance, but he hasn't.

Hmm. I dunno about Remy. He's decent but can't see him coming.

Az-pee-lee-cue-eta.

The article was obviously sarcastic. Not meant to be taken serious.

What's so hard about saying Azpilicueta?

No. No one said Hazard isn't a good finisher, he's decent at it. But he can work on it. Just because you take pens doesn't mean your finishing is absolutely fantastic. If his shooting improved to let's say Ronaldo or Messi level, he'd be even better, almost God-like. That's what I'm trying to get at anyway.

Great Modric replacement if they can wrap it up.

Dembele wouldn't be brought in the team to play the Xavi role though. In my opinion he'd be the perfect guy in midfield next to Mikel because he compliments him. He works so hard up and down the pitch, and because he's competent defensively and carries the ball very well, plus has a decent pass he could potentially be a great link man. He wouldn't be bought to rack up goals or assists, his role in the team would be to ensure better transitions from midfield to attack. Potentially Dembele has the right attributes to do that. Perhaps he could stay at Fulham this season and we'll see if he can consistently produce the form he's been showing. If that's the case I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up at a top club. Personally, I could see United going for him. He could be a revelation there, as long as they'd find a good partner for him at CM.

Atletico could hurt us. Excellent counter attacking side, they like to sit deep and hit on the counter. It'll be interesting to see how RdM approaches this game. Personally, as I think we'd have time on the ball due to how Atletico play, I'd go with a team that's good at keeping possession, but we'd have to stay compact and watch for the quick break away. I don't want to see our fullbacks bombing up as that'll leave too much space where Atletico can really hurt us. Due to Cahill and Luiz being quite pacey we have the luxury of playing a little higher up than how we do with JT. Regardless, my starting XI: Cech Ivanovic Luiz Cahill Cole Mikel Lampard Mata Hazard Bertrand Torres Play like we did against Newcastle and we'll win this. An effective performance needed once again.