LDN Blue

Well it was a shit comment by Mourinho to be honest, tongue in cheek or not. So can't really blame Eto'o for having a similar dig. He goes down in folklore for being a big-game player this season, so much respect and adios for the cameo :tophat:

Agreed, there was a mentality switch in him to go from carrying the ball out to hoofing. But I honestly believe that switch was imposed on him by someone. We know Luiz is a ball playing defender, kind of a sweeper of the old tactical days, but he's not as mature and is shy of the technical ability needed to do it consistently & successfully. So his natural instinct will be to do just that, we've seen that from 2011-13, that's why I believe he's been told to do it by Mourinho. As I said before, we've seen Cahill and Terry demonstrate it this season also. I agree about judgement which he hasn't been able to mature yet. £25-30million is an extraordinary fee for a 27-year old defender who's been displaced in the squad, so it wouldn't be the worst case scenario in the world, but I share the view others posted in this thread.. We can't go into next season with Cahill, Terry, Kalas and Zouma as our CBs, we need someone with experience and someone with big game mentality (it wouldn't be fair to say Luiz doesn't have that maturity in him, his immaturity is only displayed in the less important games). Unless Mourinho has such a replacement lined up, I'd think we'd regret the sale of Luiz.

Surely that's too premature of a judgement on Thorgan?

Afaik, that was Torres' decision. I seem to remember even further that he was told about such ramifications and continued anyway

..hoof ball specialist?! Where everyone says he's a 'better midfield player' because of his footwork, you've labelled him a hoof specialist? Cahill has 'hoofed' the ball away many times this season.. In fact everyone has when we've been pushed against it in the final 10 minutes. He still has to work on controlling when exactly he chooses to carry the ball out of possession but his ability on the ball surely can't be going against him?

but he's never been the best offensively.. Not in my opinion anyway. Defensively always sound and on the merits of a defender he was, but not as a modern full-back.

Brilliant, just brilliant FB For me the clubs that will always win on history, tradition and class are; Aston Villa, Bolton Wanderers, Everton, West Brom, Wolves and Stoke. The original founding members of the Football League. Clubs who have been in existence the longest in England and have never been so infatuated with themselves as much as Liverpool.

Give a couple of tattoos and he'll be the Serbian Raul Meireles:

Ridiculous mate. These prices aren't even limited to Chelsea, let's not even get into the cost of the England kit* *though it says something when even the PM questions that.

Well hopefully Costa is just the beginning of a an effective summer. As the long summer progresses perhaps such type of player will emerge in our dealings.

Hahaha United fans were so angry at it.. Loved it

Curious about exactly why he'd be an unhappy. He's given one of the most important positions on the pitch and he's been dubbed by Mourinho to be that world class at it. So if it's positional, that wouldn't make sense. If it's tactical then surely that would be a failure to adapt..?

I really have no idea what you're talking about

Are you drunk? What on earth are you going on about now

Lmao what's that got to do with anything?

I'm with you. Thought the whole point of 1-year extensions is you play for a lesser wage?! I hope that ridiculous, rumoured, clause that he gets to match the highest paid earner at Chelsea has been removed.

Thankfully, if stays injury free, we know he'll get a good rest. England won't progress beyond the group stages.. Works for us.

Haha never heard that one, but it certainly true for this season too. Though less so in his defense.

Still funny;

West Brom's stats are amazing, it's incredible they're still a PL team. 2013 they recorded 7 wins. 7 wins in 12 months. 2014 they recorded 4 wins. 4 wins in 4 months. 2013-14 season: 15 draws. In perspective, United and Southampton were 2nd to that with 11 draws. Not to mention the scandals upon scandals. Managerial change, Anelka's racism, match fixing, Berahino How on earth did they survive?!

Oh, we're back to this again

Until Big Sam and Nolan tried to push him to sign with their agent. I wouldn't trust Big Sam with any player, and I'm sure he'd be low on the list of guys who'd do us a favour after Mou criticised West Ham's football so avidly. Newcastle could be a shout too. Lost a lot creativity since Cabaye left.

Do you actually believe our board is capable of such secrecy?

..in your opinion?

Explains how media picked up on it, Roy's obviously made his phone calls and someone's leaked.