LDN Blue

He might as well go back to La Mastia. We're ruining the boy's potential here..

I don't see why International Breaks are an issue, they're not for me. Listen the fact is, there's this massive international cup every 2 years. It's not like domestic cups/european ones where the manager gets to prepare his team week in-week out for these things. The international manager gets about 4 weeks (give or take) just before said tournament to prepare their squads. So I think it's only right they're allowed a few games in the middle of the season to test things out etc. England are particularly at a disadvantage. It's not like Spain where most the squad already play together (in either Real or Barca) or Italy where they play together anyway. In England only about 30% of the league is made up of English players playing for different squads. So they need time in their respective international teams to develop their play together. We're selfish as club fans to reject international breaks. But then we complain when our internationals don't perform (esp England fans). It only happens ever so often and to be honest I believe there should be more.. But that's just me.

Agreed. Lampard probably gets the accolade because of achievements he's helped us get & longevity maybe a factor too. Not taking anything away from Lampard but he doesn't touch Zola as the best Chelsea player of all time imo.

I sort of agree with you BadBoy, it's not about Chelsea. I still love this club retrospectively of any other feelings but for the game itself I've become distant. Though, this is mostly down to my busy life schedule to be able to watch as many games as I used to be able to. But I still attempt to catch all Chelsea highlights, and even download to full-games when possible. I can't imagine not following Chelsea's progress at all.

I wouldn't say Carzola either. But Silva is a definite for me. I've seen him play for Spain and I think he's quite adaptable at playing in that squad because he gives you a bit more adaptation than Mata. Like TorontoChelsea pointed out, the role Mata plays is the role you've got Xavi, Iniesta & Fabregas for. So it nullifies the need for Mata's type of player. True about the coach, but I feel this is a situation where wearing our blue-tinted shades are more blinding than ever?

Bad form? I wouldn't agree with that. He's not been as active in terms of the 'final assist' and goal scoring, but he's certainly been vital for City in terms of being a squad-creative player. He's playing a Kagawa-type role, where he's simply easing the passage of play on. The link between defence & attack. It goes unnoticed, but City are a completely different team without the little Spaniard. That's why Del Bosque includes him. He's go the assist & goal threat of Xavi, Iniesta & even Fabregas.

I wouldn't really agree with that to be honest. I personally think that Silva & Fabregas are a bit more adaptable in their play than Mata is, especially in the Spanish squad. Not that I'm doubting Mata's ability though.. Any other squad he'd walk into. But Spain have player who are more adaptable to their system in that position than Mata is. Who are we to argue with a coach who's won back-to-back European Championships & a World Cup.

Meh. Bertrand can fill in if he gets a games ban..

Getting it too lol, just ignore it I suppose.

Not the first time I've read that bit as well. Even Malouda didn't sign any character witnesses - and he's the Kick It Out club ambassador..

Don't worry guys, not leaving or anything. You've all probably seen my minimal activity in recent months anyway, that's all it is. Not a farewell or anything serious like that

I don't mean to the outcome of the verdict etc, which I have no complaints over tbh. Just generally, what if he just came out and gave an apology to Anton Ferdinand in the press. Certainly he would've saved himself & the club a lot more backlash than it's received so far. Not to mention, the process would've probably sped up as opposed to the 11-months it took. It's wrong to say 'black cunt' regardless of context. Thus, apologise and save some face.

What if... John Terry just apologised to Anton. Then this unnecessary drama wouldn't have been blown as out of proportion as it already has.

Going to watch this on ITV Player today, but my god..

True, but UEFA have habit for sticking their nose in when things like this happen. They prevented Conte from managing in Europe, they increased Luisao's ban for pushing a referee into European competitions etc.

I disagree. It's not as if we've looked shaky when Terry's been rested this season. In the long term, it's better for us anyway, he gets a 4-week break. Plus we have him in Europe etc, so he's not missing at the crucial point of the season.. Could've been a lot worse in retrospect.

We don't have to resort to that

Can he just accept the charge and put this all behind the club? All this is doing, by dragging it out, is taking the club's name through the mud. I think, tbh, even they're slightly sick of it cause I was surprised when there was no mention on the website about Terry's England retirement. I don't think Terry's a racist. In the eyes of the law he's not.. If the FA believe so, then let them. ..And really, what's 4 games? With the rotation Di Matteo's doing he probably wouldn't have played half of those anyway!

Congratulations!

This mean, literally, f*ck all.

Yes but that was a gamble. Lucky for Madrid it paid off, but Perez won't be thinking it financially anyway.. Madrid need Ronaldo more than Ronaldo needs Madrid, which is why they'll find a way to keep him happy.

There are actually some valid points about people not sold by RDM yet which should be acknowledged.. We're only not accepting them cause we're reading them after a defeat which makes it seem like they're 'crying after a loss.' Just sayin'.

Meh. They'll sort it out with him soon enough, perhaps by throwing a couple thousand more into his wages.. I don't see him leaving Madrid any time soon, Perez wouldn't let it happen after investing so much into him.

It's paramount we bring him back next season & allow him to get cup games etc. Otherwise Real Madrid will probably try to lure him!

It's not even strikers department I'm worried about, it's the lack of defensive options in midfield. Mikel, I'll defend him when needs be, isn't right for the "style" of football we're trying to play and Romeu isn't getting his chances/lacks match fitness even if he was thrown in. I think if we'd have pursued Modric again our squad would be near-perfect. I believe we're lacking severe depth in midfield. Yea we've got the attacking options of Hazard, Mata, Marin, Moses etc. But we've only got Mikel, Meireles & Romeu to give us some cover at the back. That cover is vital in attacking football cause as we saw yesterday, we're quite vulnerable on the counter attack. We lack that link between defensive & offense. QPR signed Granero from Real Madrid.. I can't believe a player like that is ending up at QPR because he'd have fitted perfectly into our system! Other than that, I'm satisfied.