LDN Blue

To be fair, RVP didn't begin to get "world class" status until he was 27/28. Sturridge is still 23 and has the potential to be world-class.

Lmao! Tell that to everyone else

How about the midfield? You can still add Hazard, Mata & Oscar as part of our "strike force". When you compare that with most midfields in the world, we certainly come out on top. And with such an attacking force you don't need 3-4 big names operating as a striker, just one who can plant the chances they'll get.

Yeah, it's not that important in Europe certainly. The traditional ones like 9 and 7 might still be preferred, certainly the no7 shirt at Manchester United used to carry a certain level of weight but after Ronaldo they kind of disregarded it by giving it to Owen and then Valencia lmao. I mean we gave Bhoularouz the number 9, when we was a right-back I think now more players prefer unique numbers to be a bit more memorable or they're significant to them, like Terry with 26 for example.

We should, most did

Let's you know the kind of guy Oscar is to give it up without protest though!

His form wasn't terrific towards the end of the season to be honest. He's a good striker, but he's had one good half-season of good form with Watford. It's not enough to judge him, as to whether he'll be good enough for the Premier League. It's probably the last we've seen of him, because he won't go back to Watford next season.

It's just the internet, it doesn't mean anything

LMAO!

Captain Buzzkill -- As for those Twitter rumours.. So glad I'm not on Twitter these days that I have to filter this nonsense

Iker Casillas

As Alex said, you've backed up your opinions well and justified your ratings that may not be universal for everyone! Really like your style of writing, keeping it concise and descriptive. Not an easy thing to do. You could give our old Admin a run for his money if you attempted a match day report

But that's not the question in context. How would Mikel cause a rift between Mourinho and Emenalo?! Mourinho signed Mikel, he probably keeps in touch with Mikel. Does that mean any player we've signed/given a contract extension to is a problem? We gave Ramires a contract extension, if Mou doesn't want him, will that also cause a rift?

Lmao....... Who signed Mikel again? Mourinho or the guy who wasn't here when we bought him? How has Emenalo even come into this discussion, because he's Nigerian?!

The empathy is appreciated

There's always one -- But I'm slightly in agreement, I'm not sure if he's exactly capable of those 30-yard over-the-top long passes. But what I do think is that he's got the ability to drive on and play a fairly good weighted through-ball if the attacking players ahead of him make those runs. We'll only know when the tactics of the squad calls for that kind of play and that'll only be shown if that's the way Mou goes about his tactics.

Never thought I'd see the day this happens in the Mikel thread, that both sides can actually get along and agree on even a few things.. Maybe there is a god

Oh, it was you! I'd forgotten which one said it - Apologies!

On these two points, could we possibly make an argument that this has been a major stumbling block for Mikel to have evolved into the holding role? SeB eluded to the fact that Mikel has been mismanaged since Mourinho's departure which is certainly a plausible explanation because it was José who first changed Mikel from an attacking to defensive player.

TOPTB has always been an excellent debater in that regard. Always willing to listen to other's opinions.

LMAO

God I miss when CarefreeChris used to make season reviews. Kicked the arses of this shit.

Agreed, I think Oscar's potential would be wasted there. Give him a chance to play the no10.

It's fair play to Dortmund. If they can show that they can still challenge Bayern, might get him to commit.

No, no! Then we'd see the return/new version of his hideous mask. Gotta kick him where it can be easily concealed.