LDN Blue

Lol I don't understand really why everyone talks about the goal scoring abilities of Arda & Sterling, that it goes against them. They're not strikers lol, we have Costa et al to score our goals. Players like Arda, Raheem and any other wide/attacking midfield based players are there to help the team score these goals. As with Willian, brings a tremendous work ethic and has a brilliant change of pace. All of those helped us win the title, not all XI have to score 20+ goals a season for them to be considered one of the greats. Hell even Chelsea ability.

Yeah I do agree with that, for his own career it was time to move on. We did hope well for him though, once Germany won the WC we believed Schurrle could force his way into the first 11. But like you said, the hot form of Willian was just too difficult for Andre to overcome. I think he'll always get respect though, the manner of his departure was respectable and he left us a WC winner.

It's a shame about Shaqiri though, I remember seeing him at Wembley for Switzerland vs England. Before his Bayern days he had bags of potential. He was young, pacey and effective.. Stagnation of development on the bench does that to a player, once that happens certain players are just content with getting paid.

Mm, precisely. The German is more of a substitute player, no disrespect intended but he's more in the Kalou category of players. Sterling isn't, if he develops correctly and under the right pupilage.

Statistics are always interpreted in different ways, that's why 9 times out of 10 (lol, the irony) statistics makes for a weak argument. Player debates should be on merits of ability, impact, what they bring to the team etc. Different players thrive in different formations, tactics & philosophies.

Actually, I think you're wrong mate. He's only started 5x from the bench and most of his substitutions happened between 80-90mins.. Also the frequency of these substitutions suggests rotation/rest because they're all over different periods of time.. In other words, he's not consistently substituted off.

Schurrle was a fan favourite of everyone, but even the most tinted glasses would show that Sterling (I haven't seen much of Griezzman) is far better than the German.

Well he only started on the bench 5x from what I'm seeing.

you're easily outraged, aren't you mate?

That's what I don't get. Here's a player with more promise and potential, with time on his side. I don't think any football fan can truly disagree that under Mourinho Sterling can become one of the greats. This is the problem with the perception of English players. Are they mostly over exaggerated and overpriced? Yeah, that's just a cultural problem in this country of thinking England is better than they are, so mediocrity gets more praise. But as I've said before, it's a double edged sword because it also holds back people from truly seeing a gifted, talented player when they see it.

People like to talk about Sterling like he's reached the prime of his career and is ready to compete with established world-beaters. Of course he's not top10 yet, but as someone said, he's knocking on the door at the age of 20! If he was Spanish or Brazilian..

Didn't you get the memo? He's not "good enough" compared to the 29yo who's almost gone 12 months after signing

Bare in mind though, players are still on vacation. When they're due back I'm sure we'll be seeing way more activity on the Sterling front.

Thus, the signing of Filipe Luis lacked logic entirely. Even if he intended to make Azpilicueta his undisputed left-back, at least buy an Atletico right-back ffs

Yea I do understand this factor, which is why for his own sake he should leave Chelsea by the way. But even then, I think his inconsistency and his nature that tends to see him disappear from games is telling. What's more telling is that Mourinho prefers Fabregas as a number 10 in big matches and benches Oscar. It's better for player and club if he was to move on. We can fetch a nice price for the young Brazilian and he wouldn't be short of suitors. I just hope we don't fucking sell him to another rival..

This. So much! "Sterling is overrated" smh. It seems the ones who say he's overrated are those that are guilty of the same. Kid's 20.. Of course he's not a world class Ronaldo-esq mould player yet. His value is inflated because teams are paying for the obvious potential he's shown over the last 2 seasons. If Sterling does reach that potential then he's going to become much better than Turan ever was/will be (and that's no disrespect to Arda). (Also for argument sake, I don't see why we can't have both. Arda can be a utility player for depth, since we're probably gonna part ways with Salah & Cuadrado.)

Damn, I really thought Oscar would step up when Mata was sold.. We just haven't seen the magic he showed in Juve consistently or, and even worse, in any frequency.

This signing lacked logic in its beginning and lacks even more so now. Shame, Luis is actually a talented full-back and should really be playing with Cesar at RB. I guess this means Ivanovic will continue as our #1 RB.

I had to pinch myself when I read that, people don't seriously believe this do they?

Oi @Kostas, come out of retirement

I hope Begovic will be allowed to play the domestic cup games, he really is a talented goalkeeper and shouldn't waste away.

After going through the Lampard affair, I think a lot more people than otherwise will also feel the same as you. End of the day Cech doesn't want to play for Arsenal because they're Arsenal.. It's simply because they're the only other club in London with the ambition & level he expects as a professional and legend.

To be honest, I see Cech being as humble towards us at Arsenal as he was here. He'll never has the same connection with Arsenal fans that he will with us, they'll know that he's one of us and no matter if he wins the FA Cup with Arsenal, he'll never replicate the vast amount of success he's had here. That will always be a bitter reminder for Arsenal fans. Full of players who've won European and domestic success with their former clubs but not with the current Arsenal. Big Pete, it's been a pleasure and an honour to watch you play week after week! Let's hope the relationship between Mourinho & Abramovich won't deteriorate as a result of this.

Yeah, I do agree about the issue at right-wing and there are players that can be recruited as winger specialists. But AOC wouldn't stop that happening, because of his versatility he can play with anyone and anywhere.. He gives an extra dimension to any team. I'm a massive fan of him, ever since his Southampton days, because I really do think his natural talent can make him a great player. After all, he is only 21.

Absolutely. What's shocking is one of the excuses was that Sterling & co weren't playing. But hell look at that Italy team, they didn't have a single 'senior' player who was part of Italy's XI in their u21s and still made easy work of England. They have to stop, imo, paying these kids so much!! There are 16-19 year olds making more money, in a week, than most people will ever make in a year! How exactly is that meant to keep them motivated? You see Sterling rejecting a £100,000/year contract and think how can anyone offer so much money to a kid?