LDN Blue

Just to mention something on this point. We need such players.. We play a lot of matches, especially around winter, with cup and league games coming in thick and fast. Squad players give a club depth and depth is what allows a club to try and win more than one trophy a season. Neither are bad players, but yeah they're not exactly 'untouchables' so to speak but you've belittled Willian's contributions a slight bit. He helps out a lot defensively and that's why Ivanovic can get away with pushing up so much. To keep in on topic to Reus, if this were to ever happen (which fyi, I don't think it will) then there's no reason why both can't stay. Especially when they can alternate on either win and Schurrle can double up as an additional striker.

but that's hardly a fair judgement for him. to downplay his potential simply because of the failed predecessors is akin to almost underrating him. It's not true that only English fans are excited, rumours (albeit they are just rumours) continue to speak of Real Madrid's interest. There's no smoke without fire after all. I agree the premise of calling him the next Ronaldo is what would suggest an overrating, but people use that name because Ronaldo at an early age was talked about avidly as an exciting youngster. An exciting 19-year old who continues to break records. That's where Sterling's development is going and can continue to go under the right leadership and nurturing.

Could become a wage bidding war to be fair..

I did make this point a couple days back, it's tedious now..

Sterling will probably have a really good chance at winning this. He has deserved his nomination tbh

Well ain't hindsight a bitch

Not sure about Fabregas at the moment. Yeah, he's playing as an example, his stats are quite up there. However, he still seems to be finding his natural leadership role within this team.. If he is to be captain, he must stop with the constant flirting with Arsenal. Remarks like his "invincibles" ones are, understandable but, not what you really want to hear from your club captain. Instead of the "who's been here the longest" I cosign the calls to make someone like Hazard our captain. He may not have demonstrated leadership as yet, but I think it would act as positive reinforcement from Mourinho. It would be Mourinho saying "I understand you're still young, but you're the future of this club.. So lead them". There's no doubt Eden is our best player right now. Giving him the armband upon Terry's retirement will give him a lot of confidence. Ivanovic, Matic & Cahill will be there to guide him and they obviously respect him.

I always empathise with a referee during the weekdays, when they haven't made a mess. But there are serial offenders like Chris Foy who constantly seem to be in the spotlight for certain decisions. More or less, most of them are good for the majority tbh but when they screw up.. Well boy do they make a mess. Contentious decisions seem be going to way of the home side at most games, especially involving big clubs. Yeah I definitely co-sign this. He did take the mantel of being the best referee in England quite well.. Notable mistakes? Sure (WC Final comes to mind), but he certainly didn't get to referee that game + other finals (CL etc) without earning his stripes.

Okay maybe it's just me then - It's fun to sing it, but when you hear it on TV all you actually hear is "Steve Gerrard, Gerrard.."

To be fair, you can hear that almost every Chelsea match now.. It gets kind of tedious after a while

lmao, so far from the truth... we're not a stadium full of ultras ffs.

I think you can only have 'greatest of a generation' though. Football continues to involve, emphasis moves from attack to defence etc. Would Eusebio, Pele or Maradona have been as great today as they were in their generation? Someone older would say Maradona > Messi. Someone in maybe 10-15 years would begin saying Hazard > Messi. It's all relative to the generation you're taking about.

Doubt it. Mourinho has spoken of his alliance to FFP, so he'll take account of the money that would be offered. But I see him advising the board to reject & the last thing they would do is piss on Mourinho's transfer plans haha

Wouldn't mind to read that Mourinho's changed his mind and wants to sign him back

That's the main thing though mate, Mangala didn't shy away or make outlandish mistakes as you may expect from a newbie central defender in the league. Not saying he's world-class yet or anything, but he did look very comfortable and confident.. Hopefully Zouma has the same confidence & maturity.

If he's smart as he appears, I hope he'll reject City's advances.. I hope he looks at what happened with Rodwell, Sinclair, Johnson, Richards et al.

Lmao, extending his loan deal? I love how the excuses for his continuation at City are running dry. First it was so he could prolong his international career.. Oh but wait, he retired from England duty! So then came "well he still needs to train at the top level", train? Well he could 'train' with Chelsea could he not? Oh but that's right, he was made too because NYFC are affiliates of City... Yes, because clearly Frank had no free-will and was a slave to his contract wasn't he? So then we go back to the most basic argument used.. He was only there to keep fit until the end of Jan and then link up with his future team-mates. BUT WAIT, now he's going to stay until February, the month where we entertain City at Stamford Bridge? And a month prior to the MLS season starting? Give me strength

Criticism doesn't make you a bad 'fan'. The fact is, we see things differently because we're emotionally invested in the club. Criticism of something you love shows you're humble enough to see flaws in it and shows a rational approach..

Oh this whole fallacy about 'you wouldn't say this at the bridge' is crap. I was there a few weeks ago and spoke to fans who were equally uneasy about Lampard joining City. The fact that Stamford Bridge is being portrayed like some ultra stadium is amusing tbh

I think off the ball, Fabregas' positioning needs to improve a lot.

"distributed the ball very well, therefore helpful to set up quick attacks, something which is again becoming a trademark of Chelsea's playing style." Where are those bus memes now hey?

I can't wait till this thread gets moved to "Ex Blues"

No-one's really going to look to Remy like that. Much like Ba was, I'm sure the consensus will be that Loic is simply coming in to make the numbers in options for attack. However as to whether he could fill in for Costa, should the Spaniard face a long injury, I don't see why he couldn't. It's not like he's completely useless. He has the belief and the talent, the former which abandoned Torres for so long.

If we sign him, I hope he has a worldie v. Liverpool

Di Maria has just paid off James Rodriguez's fee