LDN Blue

Essien, Drogba & Malouda start.

Yeah exactly, I think Sturridge's movement would benefit Drogba is he could pick him out from a pass. Danny sometimes goes for goal when he has other options available - something he can easily improve on. If he can out run the defence and find that crucial ball to Drogba to finish they can make a great partnership.

I wouldn't. I'd play him ahead of Anelka instead.

Personally, IMO, I think you're wrong. CR7 has shown new signs of maturity this season under José Mourinho (and having a Son).. His record is impeccable - Once he demonstrates this on the international stage the comparisons between CR7 & R9 will be very difficult to differentiate. IMO.

I'll be surprised if the Drog is left out for a full 90minutes though.

Well I don't know why he'd choose Tottenham - Especially when they have the likes of Kranjcar occupying the bench I've read all the comments on this thread and I do understand both people for & against this transfer. All valid points, his age, his quality, his price ect all work for/against him. My personal view is also mixed. If we make the signing I'll be happy with it. It's like Blue Heart said; Carlo's reluctance to trust the youth (which he may disprove today) shows our weak bench - Is much weaker that we think. Pienaar, could be a game changer. Because of the creativity he's demonstrated for Everton he'd be an idea signing at the age of 28. At 28, he's definitely past his peak, but he's not (yet) on the decline. If Carlo is a good coach, he will be able to get 2-4 seasons out of him. This might have been a different view, say if Benayoun was not injured and we'd had him on the bench. But the fact is, when we're 1-0 down. There's no player we can call upon who we know will make a difference. Sturridge won't come on till the 80th minute, Kalou will offer us some pace and motive (but may not, necassarily find that crucial pass) & Kakuta has not shown his true potential yet. That being said - If the transfer does not happen, well I won't be gutted. This whole saga does show one thing though (which we can be happy about). That is that a) Abramovich is willing to sanction transfers & b ) Carlo is showing will to dip into the market

this will please a lot of the forum members! Don't think we'll actually end up going through with it, way too high profile for us plus it's the Daily Mail. He won't be moving till the summer as it is anyway.

Cut him some slack. He was referring to people saying Ramires was being "slagged off" when it was just criticisms. He's not saying Ramires is crap or anything.

Zinedine Zidane. The genius.

Don't get too happy - You know Carlo But if he does start McEachran then I'll be over the moon because a) Josh is only 17 and he's already being drafted in - whilst others are fit & It'll teach Essien he needs to improve

LMAO what was it.. 3-1 they beat us when we played them away?!

What about the Europa League UEFA Cup?

Yeah exactly, that's why when people called for Adam Johnson on the right (which he does for City) I didn't like the idea. The cut back system is very predictable.

So we won the bid. But Tottenham are in talks. Why the hell do they want him?!

LOL you don't seriously blame him for that do you?

LOL the way they were muted out

Don't believe him I think he's just saying that to stop other teams from poaching him from us

Sturridge is nowhere near Pato's level. But I don't think that's your main point (is it?)

LOL! Great line. That being said I don't mind seeing Kalou come on for the last 10minutes, just to throw some experience on and seeing if he can create something this "his heart"

If he scores we will all cheer.. As always. As Carlo says (in a complete different context & situation) Nothing has changed there

It is true a left-back we have an abundance of choice. The likes of Van Aanholt and Bertrand give us some good options when it comes time to choose a successor for Ashley Cole, it was encouraging to hear Chelsea had recalled Bertrand - Most of us feared Chelsea were done with him, but they show they're willing to give him a chance. Now we must do the same for the right-back position - Get 2 young guys competing for that position. So far we've only got Billy Clifford & perhaps Todd Kane.

Everton confirm they've accepted a bid from an unnamed club. SkySports say it's between Inter & Chelsea I think the window for loaning players goes beyond the normal transfer window. Could be wrong though..

Carlo's been praising Pienaar in his press conference today. Reporter: You have made a bid? Carlo: No, I don't think so.