LDN Blue

I'm glad the Chelsea PR department have finally realized that communication with fans needs some improvement. The Emenalo extracts have been insightful (more affirming what we already suspect though).

I'd still back Oscar for the no10.

The criticisms last season were warranted, I stand by them 100%.

That's not true, you can about football.. But this is about something else, which is why we've got a lot of baiting going on in here. Kojo, I understand what you're trying to achieve here, but if you continue this then the message is going to get lost among all the tension that's rising in this thread. Have your final piece and let the poll decide the rest.

Yeah I mean I can understand this view and I would be agreeing with you if it wasn't for the spell he had at West Brom. I mean he really did earn his stripes there and I'd hoped that this season he would be allowed a chance to showcase that development for Chelsea before this option was considered. From what I've heard it was his decision to go out on loan again and he actually wanted to go to West Brom (god knows how he ended up at Everton after..) What was also encouraging for me was to see that he featured in the Supercup at a stage where it was actually more of a risk to bring him on. Mourinho showed trust in Lukaku to come on in extra time and attempt to make himself a hero, he gave him further responsibility by allowing him to take that penalty.. I thought that was a message to Lukaku that "yes, you're going to get a chance here". You make a good point about the talents Everton have behind the striker and especially about Mirallas. However I'm not sold on Martinez. He plays good football, but often doesn't showcase that until the latter stages of a season and it really does cost him. He did that with Swansea and Wigan.. So my fear is that if Lukaku doesn't adapt to Martinez's tactics he'll find himself on the bench behind Koné I have a worry about sending him out again, which is a worry I have about Courtois as well. I feel that if we keep sending them away and if they keep seeking these moves, then they're going to start believing there actually isn't a future for them in the times they're in need of it. They're not getting assurances from the club and they're asking to go.

The forum is vulnerable TX, our plan is working.. Where's Kostas?

For the Supercup match, it's not that he was unused (though that's still an issue), it's the fact the player we claim is the vital player for us, isn't playing a cup final. If he's as important as we think, he should be starting such games. If the United match, the match vs the Champions & fellow title contenders, isn't his type of game.. What is?

I think he would've benefited more from the competition we have here, under the supervision of Mourinho, than he will have at Everton. While Everton are a competitive team and Martinez is a capable manager, I just think the best way to follow up to West Brom would've been getting more experience here. One look at Everton's strikeforce and you see guys like Koné & Jelavic who aren't exactly the best to bring the best out of Lukaku. At least at West Brom he had Shane Long, Peter Odemwingie (pre-transfer request) and Rosenburg. He went from 3rd choice there to joint-first with Long. He displaced Odemwingie (which led to that transfer window fiasco) and because of that Rosenburg didn't even get a look-in. Obviously I can understand Lukaku's reason for wanting the loan, with it being World Cup year and all. But as a Chelsea fan, I just think it would've been better for his development to try and force out Torres.

If indeed Eto'o and Hazard are out, it's not really the end of the world.. I mean we've still got a strong line-up Cech Ivanovic - Terry - Luiz - Cole Ramires - Lampard Schurrle - Oscar - Willian/Mata Ba/Torres I mean it's not like we're short of attacking midfield players now, are we?

Super Frankie Senior http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/8913158/england-midfielder-frank-lampard-admits-early-criticism-has-inspired-him

Of course, and hopefully it will be Mourinho. Though we must be wary, the January transfer window will approach us quicker than we think and if Mata's still in this predicament by then it will be a very grueling January.

I think that's the most important thing. With no disrespect intended to the Belgian NT, but their training regimes would only be centered around getting him back for a short-term basis (Belgium's next WCQ), whereas Chelsea will be looking a bit more long-term with his rehab and match fitness.

What about his style? Is he and out and out winger or does he have ambitions to play down the middle like most 'wingers'? I've been hugely impressed by Schurrle, so it'll be interesting to see the impact Willian can make ahead of him.

Yea, I understand where you're coming from, don't worry. The longer this goes on though, the more negative this forum is going to look... This poll needs to be decided asap.

Was Benteke always first choice for Belgium or did he force Lukaku out?

Couldn't agree more. With Martinez especially, I really don't see any progress for Romelu with Everton this term, this really isn't the best option for him. He should've stayed with Chelsea & we should've sold Ba.

Well I don't think this is too much of a surprise is it? It's been documented that Eto'o hasn't been happy with Cameroon's football association for a long-while now. It's always been a political battle between Eto'o and the federation, so I equally wouldn't be surprised if he didn't end this 'retirement' in the next 12-months (especially if they make the World Cup)

Yeah but he's still a football player with an ambition to play for Spain but also be playing regularly for a club with title ambitions, not just being a bit-part player for that kind of club.

Yea I'm not debating the issue of what happened, I'm just saying that this kind of issue will occur with any forms of extra recognition.

The thing is, we can keep saying this is made-up media b/s and whatnot but to what extent does that go to before you come to the conclusion 'there's no smoke without fire'? Mourinho can manipulate anyone in the way he wants. Media, players, fans. He's extremely good at it, but he's also been always known to be blunt and straight forward about some issues. The fact is, yes he's made statements about Mata being important to the team.. But he hasn't really shown it, has he? Yea, we can keep using this whole defense about how tired Mata is but I mean he was an unused sub against Bayern Munich in the Supercup Final & Manchester United. If it was to be believed that he's only being left out because of this supposed fatigue then you get why he missed the Villa and Hull games and most of pre-season. But if he's missing out on the big games NOW, when Mourinho is supposedly molding his team that is a big signal about what's to come.

If anyone here remembers, we had this same controversy with the Legends tag. It happens with any forms of 'recognition' on this forum. Even if we go rid of MOTM, people would start going on about their "reputation" count. If you get rid of that, people bang on about "Posts" count. Finally, once that goes, you get excited about "Joined" date.. Shit happens.

Can't believe this has become an issue.. In any case, I think how it is is fine to be honest. Why someone who's won it before shouldn't be eligible is beyond me, it shows they've continued to shine and that's nothing to be mad about. I mean it's not like they become President of TC Good luck with this one Mod team

I don't really know if Willian is compared to Moses.. We'll find out I guess!

I'm confused as to why they want him.. He's not a player they generally need and they don't play a system where his skills would be enhanced & exposed. But whatever, he won't get as many games here and they're gonna pay us for it too lmao.

I don't want Oscar sitting in the CM position. I strongly believe he's a much better number 10 than anyone else in our squad and I really wish he'd get a decent run of games to show that. His intellect, awareness and footwork is impressive for someone who looks so nervous every time I see him play He's shown with Brazil that he can operate behind the strikers and give MotM winning displays.