LDN Blue

Yeah I get that. But remember, Ballack was a free transfer really and Carvalho was bought at his peak, straight from Porto with Mourinho so he knew exactly how to use him. With Arshavin he'll come into a new team with a new manager with a hefty price tag too. Arsenal paid something like £20million, I'm sure they'll ask for a similar figure, so I don't see it happening to be honest.

I wouldn't mind the Russian Meerkat coming to Chelsea He's a good playmaker and he can play on both wings too. The only problem is he's 29, but if he recaptures that form it could benefit us. I doubt Arsenal will let him go cheaply though and so we have the classic problem of paying too much for a player coming to the end stages of his career.

what did I do?

The quadruple is complete Rivaldo moves back to Brazil I'm sure this will be emotional for Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos & Rivaldo! If only Cafu would decide to come out of retirement

Good to see Tony Adams - A true legend of club and country - singing the praises of John Terry

LOL we love Benayoun here But yeah I heard he'd be making a return around April or so. Though a lot of football to be played till then!

I hope you're right lol

Agreed there. Desailly was a great mentor for Terry, on both being captain and a defender!

Well that goes hand in hand doesn't it If they perform well then the supporters will be encouraged too. Give us something to be optimistic about something, because lord knows they haven't provided it in recent times. But that's irrelevent, our away fans never stop singing, they do it more than our home ones sometimes. I have every confidence in them singing their hearts out, so let's hope the players reward that with their efforts.

Yeah that's what I was thinking was the plan when I heard about this (allowing myself to think hypothetically about it). They must've been playing hard-ball because they thought we were only after him, when they then heard of our "accepted bid of Kjaer" they must've panicked. The incentive for them to fly over it clear "take what Chelsea are offering, or we may not get anything after all". ChelseaDaft had the same idea, and I have to admit, it makes sense.

Because this is us. It means nothing to clubs who are going through a bad spell too because they know we're more vulnerable away from home. This season has been great for mid-table clubs, Sunderland, Birmingham, Newcastle & Wolves have all taken points from us and so clubs who play us at home instantly feel a massive boost.

That's because of a suspension.. 5 yellows and all.

Yeah they used to do it a few season ago too but I think they gave it up because they didn't get the big clubs to agree. This season they've done more and more often, which is a real shame.

But look at United. Their loanees (Welbeck, Cleverly & Diouf) are all first team players at their loan clubs. Clifford went into his loan and became a first starter, that shows he's actually as good as we all think. Kakuta must do the same a Fulham. Looking at their squad and the quality we believe he has, he must be a regular starter there. Even Mancienne has become important at Wolves.

That's a good point as well. I guess it comes down to a personal thing. After 3 failed bids, I find it hard to believe the Benfica president is in London to discuss the bid, I don't believe Roman is once to cave to the asking price. If he is here and a deal is being negotiated, then fair do's. But until that's properly confirmed, I find it hard to believe.

Yes, but even they've said "Reports in Portugal suggest" The reasons for my suspicions are when reports "suggested" City and Lukaku were to sign a pre-contract a few days ago. It was then revealed this was a rumour started by agents to get that very thing done when really, there'd been no contact at all.

Good point. But big clubs like ours are always suspected with meeting other clubs and being in contact with them. Only 1 media outlet is actually reporting Benfica officials are in London and all others are riding on that too.

Not at all. These rules are a great idea like I've said. But it will be apparent that the likes of Madrid will get away with it. I don't even think City can, or United. I do believe Platini does target these rules at English football more than any other though.

Yawn. There's nothing to suggest this, it's a rumour in the Portugese media. I bet it's their version of Goal that reported it

This morning

Ah ok. Well Platini did meet with the City owners in Dubai of the Christmas period, who knows what happened in those discussions hopefully you're right about the sponsorship rules and it means City will comply like we would have to.

The youth team was just demolished by Fulham 5-1

Yeah I get that haha It's funny, this season we need an attacking midfield player or a right winger. In a few season we'll be looking for those when we'd have already had an abundence of them

The details of the deal is irrelevant though, I believe. Since it's owned by the Manchester City's owner's brothers I'm sure he can easily "have a word" with Etihad to get more funds, and since it's from sponsorship it = revenue. Which they're allowed to use for transfers. It's true, but considering it's only really been 7 years since Roman brought the club, it's hardly surprising we're still making losses. By next year hopefully we'll see a significant decrease in this loss we're making. It's been well noted already how we've already reduced our wage bill from the staff cut backs and player renewals. We're taking all the right steps to eventually break even, it'll be a painful process though.