LDN Blue

Fyi.. We drew that game

No it doesn't. Donations aren't obligations, they're voluntary. Like Kalou handing in a transfer request.

Does it matter?

True, and therein lies the problem. It's a shame Tevez is such a disruption to have.. He would've been a brilliant Drogba type-player. Because his first touch is exquisite & he does create something out of nothing.

André did back him. Torres started for a whole month or so this season, while Drogba bided his time on the bench. Torres continued to follow a trend of "1 step forward, 2 steps backwards". We've heard all the excuses, 'poor service', 'lack of faith', etc. Well those are all void now. Look at Drogba's final goal last night, how he held the line and waited for Mata to thread that ball in for him. When has Torres demonstrated this desire on the pitch? I've had enough of him. I backed him all year & understood his frustrations. But there's no interest or passion from him at Chelsea. I personally feel, if he went back to Spain (to Leti) he'd find his happiness again & passion for the game.. Thus, doing well. But it won't happen here, at Chelsea.

We didn't forgive Torres though, most have given up on him. The one thing we do have a right to criticise is lack of development. Which defines Kalou. Sturridge has come in, in his first season as a main squad player and scored more goals than Drogba, Anelka, Torres & Kalou put together. I will cheer Kalou scoring a goal for Chelsea, but I won't make out like all is forgiven, because again he shows 0% development. The last 5 years, 21-26 is when a player should be peaking in a development aspect. Like Sturridge is, like Torres did. Torres is declining, and we're all blasting him for it.

I'm sorry but I disagree with everyone saying he should get a contract extension. He put in a great shift last night. But it's time to go. He already said he'll honour his contract, maybe that's why he's bothering now.. His final hurrah. Only replacement I see as adequate, Edison Cavani. Yet I don't see him leaving Napoli any time soon. Gonna be real hard to find someone like Drogba. I don't think we should either. Villas-Boas' clearly wants to play a possession game, with the ball doing the work. We can't do that if we're playing with a target man too. It's why, an in-form, Torres would've been a delight for André. It's a shame Torres is long-gone figure now though. But it's that type of striker Chelsea should be looking for now.

Luiz didn't get booked

I don't see us winning this I'm afraid. We should play defensive against their attack, with a counter-attack to match. Real shame about Luiz.

Press conference was a thing of beauty. I love how Gulit criticised it (as usual). Bravo André, bravo.

If we had a pacey left-winger, we'd have a very good strike force. The way Mata feeds Sturridge, through the latter's pace, has been demonstrated superbly in the last 2 games. Mata must play as a no.10 after January, provided we do buy a proper left-winger.

Going from an English perspective, I'd give an honorary mention to Sol Campbell of older days. When he was in his prime he had very good assets, pace & strength. Ledley King would've been fantastic, had he not had all those injury problems he has.

Where's this Drogba been in the last few weeks? Good to see this drive for him. I do hope they maintain this momentum into the second half. Luiz has been as solid as I've ever seen him, another good shift from Romeu.

Read an interesting comment about defenders being snubbed from any real credit in the modern game. A view I agree with. So let's discuss some. Some of my personal favourites: Baresi, Nesta, Cafu, Carvalho, Vidic, Adams. Greatest of all time (in my opinion): Beckenbaur

I, too, have noticed his improvements since joining AC Milan. Though I don't see him taking over from Mikel, because he's got too many attacking instincts to be held back at DMF. He'd be a decent signing, a good extra body in midfield. Buying him from Milan will be no easy feat though.. *waits for inevitable Ballack-pro boo-boys*

Yeah same. Before it used to be very accurate when you did a search, but lately it's been very off.

It's an analogy, I don't mean to say he is one - Insulting him on a personal level. Just describes the type of player.

Yea, the title was a bit extreme, don't think you need to apologise though. What you said was true, people are blinded by his 'loyalty'. While that's respectful and everything, he's still a leach in the club. Knows he won't play & is happy to accept that while collecting an enormous wage. How stupid Chelsea's board is for allowing this

KieranVogel.

...You can't be serious.

Explains a few things..

Mm, I do mean in the terms of 'double standards'. We seem to have Ferreira slip through our minds while Kalou was more noticeable. Again, not their fault. Our stupid board's fault. At least Kalou (supposedly) has brought it upon himself to leave. Paulo will have to be released. Please tell him his contract expires next summer?

Crap. I had a suspicion

It's a good point. Are Kalou & Paulo so different now?