Read all those quotes several times before but they still give me goosebumps every time. People call us lucky but never mention the hard work that went into that final. Cech and the GK staff watching every Bayern penalty for the 4 previous years, Robbie and Eddie flying to the German Cup final a week before ours to scout Bayern and deciding to play Ryan in midfield on the evidence of that match, etc. The harder I work, the luckier I get.
No he's not fantastically clinical (Falcao) and nor is he fantastically pacy (Walcott) but what he does is he brings everyone else around him into play. He doesn't waste possession, holds the ball up well, links well with the midfield. BVB play 4-2-3-1 so he knows the system. He is perfect in a team of midfield runners like ours. Matter of opinion of course but I think Reus was the best player in Germany last year.
I think he's a good defender to have for last-ditch, covering duties. Strong in the air, good tackler and puts in some desperate blocks. A stereotypical old school English centre half.
Torres represents Abramovich's biggest individual investment in the club (transfer fees + wages = 100m over the contract). Hence the persistence with him. The club is clearly run like a business and no business gives up on its heavy investments without sweating it out. Lampard represents no value for money.