Madmax

Didn't they make him captain once?

Got to love Bally. Happy he'll be given a great reception, an overdue one.

The benefit of a first full, healthy pre-season in years is evident. He looked so jaded and low on confidence last season but it's been very different so far. Obviously still hasn't scored but you get a feeling that it's getting closer. The movement is sharper and more intelligent. Hopefully he gets some decent service soon and starts banging them in.

Alex is going through that time of the month.

I hear people go on an on about the quality and pedigree of our players. But like we already found out last season, a team takes the field, not 11 individual players. Fact remains there's no cohesion, no understanding, no communication and no fluidity. You look at Chelsea playing these days and you'll see eleven guys playing with no sense of purpose or direction. Posiitve, flowing football; breaking up player power; youth integration; a top 4 finish. We achieve this, and I'll be delighted.

He's right about the tempo. But fuck him, why should we be bothered about every nobody that gives his comments to the press.

No, it's from the Guardian. The rules are a little confusing, but from my understanding, it seems Bertrand couldn't have been included because out of the quota of 8 homegrown players, only 4 can be association trained and not club trained. Terry is the only one who comes under club trained. Lampard, Turnbull, Sturridge and Cole complete the 4 man association trained quota. Since Bertrand has been out on so many loans, his time at Chelsea isn't long or consecutive enough to fulfill home trained conditions. So essentially, if we had to register Bertrand, he would have to be registered as a non homegrown player. But AVB chose to pick Ferreira for that spot instead.

Joachim Loew = Coolest. Manager. Ever.

Does it work now? It's working for me.

So I stumbled upon this pretty old article from The Times. Fantastic read, absolute quality. :blue scalf:

Who's to blame for his selection though? The manager. Who's to blame for his contract extensions? The manager and the board. Don't see them being called 'pricks' for persisting with a fairly dire footballer.

Agreed, but both are Chelsea players at the end of the day. Criticism is accepted, expected, justified. Personal abuse shouldn't be.

How hypocritical to ask for respect for Lampard, and then to come on here and abuse another Chelsea player. Fuck's sake his limited abilities are well known and often spoken about, but no need to call him things like 'a fucking prick'.

:541: Netherlands 11 - 0 San Marino

What's OP?

Yeah I noticed lol. You should have seen the fanfare here surrounding Messi. National newspapers were carrying reports about what he ate for breakfast etc. The crowd cheered everytime he touched the ball. Ditto for Aguero. The linesmen and referees looked like star struck teenage fans rather than professional football officials. Messi was playing to the galleries as well, waving to the crowd before taking corners et al.

Iberian, more like it.

So that makes it two current Chelsea players to have a stadium named after them. Brilliant!

Feel for your daughter mate but so nice to hear about her coping well. I loved playing (still do of course) but got a dodgy right knee. Had it checked and the doc said to me I'd have to give up playing if I wanted to avoid spending my latter life on crutches. Some stuff about genetics. Was really gutted at the time. Now I hope to take on coaching once I get my academics sorted out.

Welcome!

From attempting to sign Perreira to talk of sending Bertrand out on loan to this, I fear Ryan's time at the club is coming to an end.

Haha, interesting first post. Welcome, always nice to have one of the old guard around :cfc:

Indeed, shame. Fully expect us to tear up his contract in the summer and let him go on a free.