LDN Blue

But we can't have it both ways. We can't complain about player-power in the dressing room & then say those causing it shouldn't be sold? But that being said I do agree overall, especially at Chelsea. If a player signs for the manager, once that manager leaves they might not necessarily play for the next manager. That relationship should be severed before it's allowed to begin.

In fairness to Scolari, it's not as if Drogba was behaving himself was he? Scolari said he wouldn't play Drogba unless he was 100% fit, which is Ivorian seemed to not like.

Well it comes down to politics when we ask things like that, Isco can sign for £6million because an agent knows that Malaga, although they have financial backing, can't really be held to ransom much because they know they're still money-conscious. When Chelsea or Real come a-knocking they know that the club is known to pay over-the-limit and that if they are serious - they'll pay whatever.

Call me stupid, but who's RG3? O.o

Indeed. The club is too focused on hitting the big-stars and not considering depth. The club's transfer policy makers are too ignorant with not realizing the potential that exists in the 'little names'. Players like James McCarthy. A risk was taken on Victor Moses to be honest and that's paid off ten-fold. More signings like that need to occur.

I don't agree. Though I admire Benitez as a tactician, I believe the club should be looking at more long-term minded visions. By long-term I don't mean longevity in terms of how long they'd stick around but who they could take a risk on and get a good return on. Benitez is a safeguard.

Of course not, but the idea of that is very good. I would never back the club to do it though, because it's too simple & when's the last time we even got a player on loan - Quaresma?

Agree. PSG are a slight mess at the moment and could do with him. Plus he's conquered England, Spain & Italy. France or Germany would be logical, though Bayern's not a bad shout either. Also agree about 'other managers' and I hope that's not limited to Guardiola. There are many potential diamonds in the rough in terms of football management, how brilliant would it be if we found our own Guardiola or Mourinho - Someone no-one's really heard of to an extent, but has plenty of potential to be world class. AVB had that potential and it didn't work, doesn't mean the club should stop trying. What's your opinion on Luciano Spalletti?

Great shout! Especially because of the 'loan' factor. If he doesn't deliver then we can send him back, if he does then I'm sure there's an "option to buy" clause that would be inserted. David Villa along with 2 relatively cheap strikers for competition would be the best thing all-round. We have a chance to really put numbers in this position. We used to have the option of Anelka, Drogba, Kalou & Sturridge. 2/4 were off-the-bench players but were effective in that (something needed). The other 2 were happy playing together. Anelka was a fantastic signing when we bought him, he was an under-study to Drogba but he did superbly in 2008 and accepted his wing-position after. That's what we need, not the big-money name who we put all our hopes on.

Don't hold your breath.

Baines is 28 and Everton would charge probably near £20million. Is it really worth paying that much for a player that would give around 2-3 years of his best?

But it's not that different? When we all first heard the rumours of a Juve interest we all dismissed it saying he should stick around and all that. Not comparing their state of fitness or such, 'cos obviously Cole comes out a winner. It just seems as if it might be the right time, not to suggest he would be like Lampard but would he really accept a semi-regular place anyway if people still tout him the 'best LB in the world'?

Probably. We're probably just going to keep Torres till the end of June cos he'll score even more goals in training.

Any word on if he'll have to step down or not?

I have read that we're not actually going to let him go till we've lined up a replacement. Money's probably on André Schurrle.

Thank you! This is what I've been trying to say the whole time. Someone gets it!

Exactly. Bringing me back to the board having this ridiculous short-term transfer plan (most the time)

Okay fair point. But then there's factoring in pressure, adaptation, will our style even suit what Flacao is used to getting at Athletico. Just because he's on fire now, doesn't mean he will for us. If he doesn't get off to a burning start off the bat, his own confidence will shake, we'll have no plan B, and stuck in the mud again. This is true. However I don't consider this a good deal because it's a ridiculous amount of money and most are expecting he's the answer to getting us goals. We're going to pay a hideous amount because the board is short-sighted and they're going to continue to be short-sighted when we're losing talents like Sturridge, just like Borini just like Miroslav Stoch. Watch how we waste Islam Feruz too.

It's a disgrace. You look at Arsenal last night and they used Walcott down the middle flanked by Podolski & Chamberlain. Podolski wasn't even that expensive and he's been bloody good. Giroud isn't that great right now, but again he's cheap so Arsenal don't care about dropping him. We're ready to spend £45m on one player when we can easily do what Arsenal did and have a combination of 3-4 attacking options that in total still cost less than Falcao.

I hate to be "that guy" but this doesn't make sense. I mean Grant was always going to be a natural interim after Mourinho left, so it was logical. Scolari too wasn't that far-fetched, he was a very successful coach on the International scene, a World Cup winner. He was great a knock out competitions, which the Champions League was. Of course Rafa's the only one here that is actually absurd, but then you have to remember.. What other coach was actually available when Di Matteo was snaked?

All I'm saying is, we've gambled big on this position twice and been burnt twice. It makes more sense to find the Falcao's of tomorrow ourselves and pay a fraction less. The most logical thing is to buy several strikers and have them compete for this position. Instead we're selling the one who could've done that, keeping the waste of space who's a challenge to no-one and not having a plan B.

An absolute farce. Sturridge deserved his chance to have a run of games leading our attacking line. Cause call me crazy but the other English winger-who-wants-to-play-striker that certain fans want got his opportunity and is on fire right now. It's shameful how we're selling him for a reported £12 million and buying another for £33 million more when we might not even need to. Fuck sake.

Putting all our eggs in one basket again, while paying near £50million for a striker while letting another leave. He'll be a flop. Chelsea never, ever, learn..

Psychopath. Hopefully justice will be done.

God no. Dad supports Liverpool