LDN Blue

The difference between United & City are the fans for me. I've met many City fans and they're much more humble than United fans, much more appreciative too. I met a few after the final and all they could do was praise Wigan's approach to the game and gave them a lot of respect - while also questioning Mancini's tactics. But even in criticizing Mancini they're respectful of what he did last season. So I don't actually 'hate' City, but I'm not going to be praising the team etc.

I wouldn't label Crespo a flop!

CHOULO! IM WARNING YOU

Because he left in a more graceful manner. Plus rejecting City showed we went for ambition and not money. And... We have English media.

If the rumours are true about the Real Madrid clause, then why not go on take advantage of the tax-exemptions Monaco players can attain, then end up at Real

Don't go there Coulo

Fabulous post, absolutely brilliant. I disagree on whether RdM would've trusted Sturridge though - not because RdM didn't, but more like he couldn't

It's amazing how we have Zenden as a coach, but he doesn't have any badges yet & he's not allowed to sit in the dugout. Then we have Paulo who's a player, but not really because he's a translator instead...

Yea exactly. I'm not discrediting what Benteke's been able to do this season, but it does happen. It could even happen to Michu. They must stay at their clubs for another season!

I'm not saying he's a one-season wonder, but the true test of a player like this is consistency. He should stay another season at Villa.

I love forum awards time. Always sparks of the moral question of nominations, the point of it, etc

The TC Illuminati will rise again Term, don't you worry

I'm not saying he couldn't. I'm saying his instincts are now to play that role, because he's done it for 9 years at United & for England. It doesn't mean he's forgotten how to be a striker, but we're going to see from him what we used to see from Anelka. We'd see him in the midfield and shout 'why aren't you in the box?!' To be fair, he's a lot like Michu. He's not supposed to be an outright centre-forward but he's capable of playing the role. I'm just saying that if we want the proper Wayne Rooney then we have to buy another striker and play Rooney with freedom behind that number 9.

Lmao, I have having a great conversation with a friend yesterday. Imagine Moyes signs guys like Osman, Distin & Anichebe for Man Utd

Let's go at it again Leif! -- Na, I do agree with most your points regarding Rooney's quality. I don't dare to suggest that he's still not a good player, but there's a difference between signing a good player because you need him and signing a good player for the sake of having him. I think we're falling into the latter category because we simply don't need a player like Wayne. There are many teams that do require his versatility and his instincts to drop back into midfield to win the ball back. However we've got players doing that already, we've got central midfield players (albeit, not great ones) who do that role and give the ball to our more attacking players to kick start an attack. What we need is disciplined striker & a disciplined central midfield player - not a hybrid of both. We'd have more problems with a hybrid of that because there would just be too many gaps with the way our team's shaped up. The most probing would be the lack of striker upfront when Rooney drops into midfield. That then leaves us with the same problem as before.

Ffs Alex, here I was going to come and make some dench argument and you come out with that and throw me off :lol2:

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I think this is a good article, but yes Chou I think some stopped reading beyond the title It's not as if he's saying Rafa's been perfect, some his decisions have been infuriating at the best of times. That was highlighted last night by Benayoun's appearance for Oscar. However if we look at the bigger picture he's actually done well and deserves some respect from us. It was by no means easy jumping into the grave that he dug for himself by his Liverpool outbursts about us. He's done fantastic with getting Hazard to become a better player now. Last night we saw the little Belgian track back, he was doing a lot of defensive work! What's also important is the balance of matches that Benitez has rested all of Hazard, Oscar and Mata. Hazard would not be as fresh as he is now if Benitez hadn't done some rotation and he's got to receive credit for that. And let's be honest here. Europa League final + 3rd looks better than what could've been..

The Lampard comparisons are warranted and I've echoed them many times on the forum (and slated). However you can't then compare them to Lampard and still find justification for sanctioning signing Rooney. One type of that player is bad enough without actively spending another £30million on that type again lol. I agree regarding his role and Manchester United, however to ask him not to do that at Chelsea will be something he won't be able to do instinctively. His instincts (even for England) are to drop deep and help the midfield more. That would be fine if he had the speed to then join the attack at the end when someone needs to finish those chances - a quality he doesn't posses. He is an asset to most teams because of the qualities you mentioned in regards to versatility, but you have to look at what our squad needs ahead of what he'll offer to a potential rival. He does have a good work-rate and passion.. For Manchester United. You can't really replicate those qualities at another club after spending 10 years at your previous club - We simply won't see that same passion and work-rate to be frank.

Well boo-hoo lol. I mean he was injured, we should applaud that decision because we'll have him for Villa. 3 points there is more crucial than it would've been last night to be honest.

I disagree about him fitting in with the Mata, Hazard & Oscar trio. I believe his game has changed so much at Manchester United that he's simply not an outright striker any more. That would mean changing the system to something of a 4-1-3-1-1 to support him playing behind an actual striker. We then lose depth in centre-midfield. Or if he replaces any of the three then we lose flare in midfield and it'll just mess up the style we've taken on now. Signing Rooney means we have to still sign an outright centre-forward.

Please no. I have so many problems with Rooney the footballer it's shocking. The most profound point is, how can we sign a player who's held Manchester United to ransom twice in the same number of years. The only reason Ferguson caved in 2011 is because Rooney was their only 'danger' man who could change a game, so in typical Fergie fashion he found a better danger man in RvP. Now Wayne's no longer the center of attention - he wants out? Secondly, Rooney has long surpassed the period of time he had to reach his potential. The guy could've been world-class, simple as that. He shone in the first season post-Ronaldo but after that he let himself go. Not only did he put on a few pounds, he also became lazy on the pitch and his temperamental affected his play. Yes, he's a goal scorer - something we need. But that's not the full picture of Wayne Rooney. His tendency to drop deep is going to get us nowhere because we need a striker who's going to stay in the last third of the pitch making the runs to the near post and take defenders away - Something Rooney is not. He's also on a notable decline, which is shocking. He's 27 and should be in his prime by now or at least amounting to it. Instead he's become slower, less motivated and very arrogant. Even Mourinho won't be able to fix that.

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I don't think Ruud Gullit is a massive Chelsea fan you know. You still get the feeling he's still very angry at his dismissal from Chelsea when he was manager.

The thing is, Essien would be great to have around. He's naturally charismatic, he can be utilized to play anywhere we're short on numbers with. The problem lies with his contract, I'm sure he's one of our top earners and that was fine when he was in the 'rehabilitation' phase where he could have made 'that' comeback. Perhaps if he took a pay cut (which wouldn't happen) he would be a good squad player to have around. I don't think he has the same qualities to be an effective central midfield player anymore, his natural football ability has seen him continue to play for Madrid when they're short (especially at right-back) and that's the only reason the club shouldn't should keep him around.