LDN Blue

Probably why we'd then hire Simeone. He's had his fair share of battles with heavyweights and they're already billing him as the next world class manager.

so they sack him, but apparently still implement his ideas? Actually, that sounds perfectly like Chelsea.

I like that Drogba support he speaks of, hopefully the club will get him back to mentor Hazard once again. If Real have the lure of Zidane for Hazard, we've got the Big Man himself!

It's safe to assume now we know where Hiddink's objectives lie with youth, the FA Cup. So I have no realistic expectation of any different line up than to what we've seen of late. Matic, Mikel and Fabregas with Oscar, Hazard, Willian and Costa. Fact is we don't have anyone else lol. Pato and Remy weeks away and probably wouldn't even get into this team.

I've made my peace with Mourinho's legacy being dead and buried now in the history books. He won't ever walk into Chelsea again as a manager and so at least we're safe from media speculation when we seek a new manager once the newly appointed departs. So if Mourinho now chooses to go to United, best of luck, hope he doesn't win shit. At least you know he'll come back with respect and dignity with opposition, even if he does play his inevitable mind games. Hope we beat him whenever we play him.

Can't wait until we sell him and then regret it instantly.

Says who? A lot of praise was thrown at our now much loathed board. 'Astute', 'Clever', etc were thrown around to describe them. Roman personally was adored for his continued investment and will to bring back Mou. Plenty of praise was shared, as much as blame is now being shared. Mourinho's not magically abstained from criticism either.

Shame if he does want to, we've supported him through a lot of drama and spent a lot of time and money getting him here. But as @Essien19 just said, we'll find a solution as we always do. Implications of not having CL could be downplayed by hiring the right manager that top player will want to play for (accompanied by a few more 0's on the end of the pay check)

To be fair, who could we have possibly got? Anyone that would command such fees wouldn't come in January. Sales like that will always come back around in July.

'Ruin' is a strong term. Is he 'ruining' football but going to league that's far more unknown than any other by adding his own quality? The Chinese Super League is a long way before it's ever taken seriously and so they're going to sign the players they think they can brand as a marquee right now. Ramires, Teixeria, Guarin etc are the 'giant' names they're attracting so you see their problem already. The player in question here has made it no question he wanted to leave Shakhtar. Unfortunately despite his constant media flirting with Chelsea and Liverpool, he was priced out by his own club. A club feeling the sense of being 'ripped off' on the Douglas Costa transfer now trying to make sure they don't make the same mistakes on their own income. So yeah, while he might have his eyes on money so what lol? In China he has the potential to be a small fish in a big pond and who wouldn't enjoy playing in such a situation where you are idolised. Anyway, most players who do go China often end up coming back. See Anelka and Drogba for example.

you always hope you won't be at the one quoted in these insights..

Don't worry Chou, he seldom sticks around long enough to catch up on content

It's funny that we've actually got this banner dedicated to getting Emenalo out. The problems of this club run much deeper than Mike Emenalo - The fact we're even back to this 5 years after the issue of ME first came about should say a lot about what's the root of our problems. If we're going to have Emenalo out banners, we should probably take that Roman Abramovich one we've got hanging up at the Bridge huh?

What system? Lol. We just have a sort of organised chaos where it's a case of 'go out there and just do it'. Pedro's used to a more tactically open approach, where everyone sort of know what they're doing. For some reason our player have to be retaught how to walk now before they can run. Pedro's a consequence of this stagnation we've gone through. I'm sure we'll have no problem cutting him lose, he was a panic buy anyway.. Lack of foresight Wasting time, money, effort Bought on name over logic No real surprises in this one then. Joins Salah, Cuadrado, Moses and Schurrle as the 'could have been' clan.

Like how he's being eased back in. As I said before, need him in his prime for for PSG. Still got games two games before and the one coming is another heavyweight. Go on Eden!

Oh man, though he was going to set the world alight. Simeone has short patience with the big names huh? Mandzukic didn't last that much longer than Martinez.

Well, said in Terry thread. His impending departure leaves the question.. What next? Ivanovic is looking like he's signing on and is VC. Cahill is also signed on and could see more games now..

Haha you've got to feel sorry for him. From the sounds of it though, Valencia is a rocking ship as it was. The new money hasn't really been invested correctly and the competition after the top 3 is a lot tighter. Getting late to turn things around, needs to get some wins in now otherwise it's bye-bye and back to Sky!

Think he'll get the contract to be honest, but he's got to accept it as bit-part and perhaps leading into a coaching role. No doubt club needs to rebuild and build a new guard, but we can't forsake our experience for it. Does open up the whole 'captaincy' debate now though!

Yeah but at least he's not nursing an injury or anything like that. Shouldn't take long.. Not that I think it'll make any difference but hey a nice surprise would do

Oh, well that was a nice story while it lasted

Yeah I don't get it either lol. Mikel, love him or hate him, is doing fine with that back 6 so Matic isn't really essential any more. With Cesc managing to find his rhythm now, somewhat, he's easily replaceable by that Ruben guy I've heard so much about. Hiddink's a cautious guy, can't be surprised by that too much. He's clearly taking that approach with the younger guys too, not that its justification or anything.

Well, we're closer away from relegation.. 8 points

The challenge of the PL will be a curious one for Pep. No establishment in the PL any more. With the current money clubs are in line to receive, you can already see how up to 7 teams can claim a good stake in their running to the league. That being said, if anyone needs any further proof of the brilliance of the individual then I guess let's strap up for the ride huh? Of course there's going to be an adjustment period, which is the best chance for clubs to take points and deal damaging blows to Pep's debut season. So we better hire appropriately! After that, I've no doubt Guardiola's City will probably be among the cream of the crop in England and Europe at some point but that's usually when Chelsea decide to shake up the status quo and do some heavy investment. If Roman was 'willing' to give Pep and empty cheque book, he better be filling those cheques for some truly outstanding, world class. players.

Call me a pessimist, but I won't believe he won't go to a PL rival until he doesn't