LDN Blue

What we got to remember is, even if he did find such players for us. We're still Chelsea. What I mean by this is, clubs see us coming for their players and we automatically pay x2, x3 or even x4 of what they would charge a club like Newcastle. They know we have a reputation for paying over the odds for players and they hold us to ransom. Like Newcastle paid £5m for Cabaye. We'd have been looking at something like £15-20million. You can argue that Cabaye is worth that, but then if all the other signings Newcastle made (like Cissé, Tiote, Debuchy, HBA, etc) were inflated for us. We'd be f*cked. I don't think it's about the scout, I think it's coming down to the people who are leading the negotiations for these players that's the issue.

SlamDunk

I swear he posted on various threads a couple of weeks ago? Though yes, I too would like to know his situation, if anyone knows!

They definitely are!

Crazy business, but that's what this club is about I guess. Butland isn't a bad keeper though, it's just a shame that we may not see the potential of Courtois (potentially)

Would be awful for Butland's career, as already mentioned. One hand you would have him and Courtois battling to be our next long term keeper - competition is good. On the other hand Courtois may be put off by this and if Barcelona call, then it wouldn't be hard to fathom the Belgian wanting to go there. £3m is a steal, because he is a good keeper, but utterly pointless from his point of view.

I wanted his last game in Europe to be with Chelsea

Such a valid point Kojo! Look I'm all for admiring potential we may have in the squad but there's simply too much talk about KDB at the moment like he'll instantly fix the problems we've got. Not that I'm against giving the kid a chance, but he's having a good season right now, interrupting that will do no-one good.

Fuck sake.

Aston Villa's going through a golden generation of youngsters at the moment. I see massive potential in their squad and it's tragic to see how much they're struggling right now. Ciaran Clark, Marc Albrighton, Fabian Delph, Barry Bannan, Andreas Weimann, Gary Gardner and even Joe Bennett. These guys are great talents and at an average age of 23 they've got real potential to go on to do bigger things!

Jim, you forgot to put the infamous Legend's banner somewhere there

okay fair comeback

Again, it's not the point. The point is Hazard's conduct.

Even if that's true - which I have major doubts over - it doesn't change the fact Hazard was in the wrong. The ball-boy was also, but Hazard must be prepared to accept the consequences. The FA will obviously make an example of Hazard, that's wrong, but it's logical.

Lol what? where did you hear all that? Even though his intention was to entice Hazard into that situation it doesn't change the fact that Hazard allowed himself to get into that. The assistant referee should've been left to deal with it, not Hazard.

They're under pressure from a lot of sources to make that decision. I don't agree, but it is logical. Because the boy isn't a professional footballer making ridiculous amount of money per week. He isn't part of the game, and even though he was wrong to be covering the ball, Hazard doesn't have the right to take matters into his own hands. He may have kicked the ball, but the nature of kicking it when the boy was on the ground equates to violent conduct.

Because the conduct was of a violent nature? -- I really don't see how anyone's surprised by this or not even accepting of this. Hazard made a stupid decision, imo the punishment will fit the crime.

Yea he made that after he went on loan, Chelsea released some presser dismissing those or somethin' like that.

You're missing the point.

But he still can't be kicking the boy! It doesn't matter what his intentions were. As soon as the kid decided to lie on the ball he should've called over to referee's assistant. Not take matters into his own hands.

Thank you, a bit of unbiased truth.

Oh man, I knew I'd find these type reactions. Hazard kicked THE BOY. You can all try and talk shit and say he "kicked the ball" but hello.. Ball boy is not a player. nor is he the ball. Hazard deserves whatever ban & fine come his way.

It's a red card for violent conduct, so that's automatically 3 games. The FA will then look at it and probably add more + a fine. The ban will be all domestic competitions. Premier League & FA Cup.

Yea, the first half literally flew past Lampard's head. This certainly wasn't a game he should've carried on past 45 minutes, Ramires is far too restricted in that central position role. David Luiz should've been placed there for Lampard or even Marin coming on to free up Oscar from the wing.

Anyway, that incident aside. Horrible performance today. This shows a difference in what Di Matteo could do with a squad who were pinned underdogs and what Rafa can do. I don't know if he's ever worked on crosses in training because they were horrendous today. I don't think he knows where Oscar's proper position is because we wasn't able to do anything on the left-wing today. I really do think Marin/Bertrand should've started the second half for Lampard so we could free Oscar a bit more centrally. Saw a great tweet about Abramovich firing managers for less. We need a change in appointment now!