Madmax

We should learn how to attack the box when in wide possession. Look at United - minimum of 4 guys queing up in the middle and overloading the D, causing panic among defenders. Leads to own goals, defelections, penalties even.

Did anyone expect any different? They're doing it for years and years. Just hope Villa hang on for a point.

Benteke raped Smalling there.

LMAO

Mano Menezes - "Let's just say Oscar is Brazil's no.10 ... and we don't give that shirt to just anybody." Says it all.

Embarrassing that even Fulham have a better strikeforce than us.

Brazilians have the coolest fucking names.

Lewan's neither very clinical nor very quick but what he really excels at is bringing those around him into the game. Holds the ball up very, very well and is just the kind of guy upfront you want if you're looking to support him with midfield runners. He can convert rubbish defensive clearances into opportunities at the other end by making the ball stick to his feet till the cavalry arrives or flick it on to send someone clear on goal.

Those deals are not reflected in 2011-12 accounts.

When Roman bought the club, he channeled money to the club through a company called Chelsea Limited (name changed to Fordstam later). So the 'debt' people speak of as Chelsea being under is the money loaned by Roman to Fordstam who in turn loaned it to Chelsea PLC (ie company which owns Chelsea Football Club). These loans are interest-free and were converted into equity by Roman a couple of years back (ie he coverted the loan into 'capital'; the money transformed from being money owed to an outsider to money invested by a benefactor). Here's the catch - this happened at the level of Chelsea PLC, but not in the books of Fordstam. That is to say, Chelsea does not owe money to Roman any longer, Fordstam does. Roman still retains the right to ask for his money back from Fordstam any time he wants on giving 18 months' notice. Say tomorrow he wants to sell the club and calls back his money, then Fordstam ( not Chelsea FC) is bound by law to return it within 18 months. Roman Abramovich -> Fordstam (formerly Chelsea Limited) -> Chelsea plc -> Chelsea FC. We've got smart guys running this club. P.S - 'External debts' is a term I used to describe loans owed to 3rd parties like banks. I did so to avoid confusion with loans owed to Fordstam, who is the holding company of Chelsea plc and hence an 'internal' group undertaking.

Think RDM missed a trick by switching Ramires and Mikel from their usual RCM and LCM positions. Mikel covers for Ash's forward runs while Rami does his bit on the right, where Mata doesn't offer track back. Playing Ramires on the right just left Ryan more exposed and mitigates the blame that can be laid at his feet.

It is indeed in the club's interest to sign players on long term deals because then the transfer fee is amortized over a longer period. Similar is the situation with contract renewals. We'll be okay wage-wise too; iirc our wages-to-revenue ratio (one key compliance criteria under FFP) was close to being within the required limit of 70% as of last year, and since then high earners like Drogba, Anelka have been pushed off the books.

Chelsea's holding company (Fordstam, iirc) owes this debt to Roman. They are not in the club's books but exist in the parent company's books and while interest-free, can be called in by Roman if and when he wants, on giving the requisite period of notice of course. There are no external debts owed to 3rd parties (bank loans, financial institutions, etc).

2010-11's loss of 67m was largely down to what UFFP classifies as 'Exceptional items' - things like compensation to sacked staff (Carlo + buying out AVB from Porto), writing down player impairment costs etc. Also, not all costs reported in a club's financial statements have to be included in terms of FFP accounting, the biggest example being stadium acquisition costs, costs incurred on community and youth development, depreciation.

Pep and Mourinho are both welcome here anytime .. to shine Robbie's boots. Funny thing that 'luck' concept - isn't luck when preparation meets opportunity?

With no Best League In The World! referees around, we might be given a penalty or two when they're merited.

Yes. It's definitely that. Jesus.

What a finish!!!

Good game from Lamps.

This is ridiculous. If that's not a pen, why hasn't Hazard been booked for diving? The referees in this league get worse by the year.

Is it me or does Hazard seem to be playing a little bit within himself?

SUPER SUPER FRANK!

Why are we dropping so deep? This isn't Barcelona we're facing. push up, fuck's sake.

No time to think, in the onion sack.

That is a motherfucking goal. What a finish.