Madmax

Last I checked, KTF didn't mean looking away while problems stare you in the face.

Marco Ambrosio.

Is there actually a point trying to argue with didierforever?

Classic Malouda. Trust him to pop up with goals during the beginning and end of seasons. Boosts his stats, makes him look useful and books his place as a starter. Then BOOM, as soon as 'bad moment' arrives, goes missing, does fuck all apart from changing his hairdo every week. Rinse and repeat for every new manager to walk through the Stamford Bridge revolving door. Hopefully AvB sees through this and asks him to sort his crap out.

Sorry but I can't see major differences. Only visible deviation from last year is the high backline and the emphasis on crossing from width. The play has quickened up to a degree, I'll give you that. It's only been 2 games so while trying to avoid sounding like a miserable bastard, I have to say I'm worried that we still seem to feel our way into games and rely on growing into them rather than take the matter by the neck and dominate from the off. On both occasions so far the second half has seen a marked improvement over the first, which makes you think why can't that happen from kickoff itself?

I'd much rather prefer a slow start to the season if it brings along gradual improvement and momentum. We started like a house on fire last season only to wither away. Hard-fought games at the start especially under a new manager paints a true picture of where we stand and what we need to do to get where we want to be. Whereas a smashing start lets everyone get carried away and ignore issues that affect the team.

I must admit the substitution after 30 mins today made me snigger.

Benayoun could just as easily switch to another number. That rumour proves nothing IMO. This transfer (if true) doesn't make sense in a technical terms. We need more creativity, not less. What's the point in getting one creative player and letting another go? Not that they're similar players, but variety is what you need. Squad rules about over-21 foreign players is the only situation that make me understand this news to some degree.

Who will sponsor Kalou? And Turnbull?

Fucking LOL @ l'Arse

I think there's Juan debate to be had about that Mata.

Jorge Valdano - Obviously Mourinho is not Valdano's favourite person in the world after what happened between them, but what he says here is true.

Hope we close this Mata soon. Juan more WC winner in the squad adds a nice touch.

This is no laughing Mata.

LOL^

Volleyball balancing chickens are also interested. Which surprises me, because Harry isn't usually interested in anyone that isn't available on a free or isn't on a transfer list or doesn't look like a worthy addition to his squad of circus acts like Crouch the robot impersonating man on stilts, Bale the cartwheeling monkey or Gomes the bumbling clown.

The 'weak physique for EPL' argument stopped being valid a long time ago.

The link mentions Mata, Pereira and Modric or Moutinho. That's 2 additional squad places which would have to be vacated by sales. If true, busy days ahead.

Riquelme?

You obviously haven't accounted for King Kalou netting a hattrick.

Porto got themselves a hell of a deal.

Kalou - £60000 a week Anelka - £100000 a week

They probably do and plan to interview him about it, but end up not doing so in the fear of not understanding anything he says in that twang of his.

Fair enough. Not defending those who say that, but it's no worse than people saying that fans who want Kalou to stay want Chelsea to fail.

Don't think Mikel should be played. His initiative in this regard is admirable, but I think it would be best if AvB gave him some time off to be with his family. Josh/Lampard Ramires --- Lampard/Benayoun/Josh should do fine against Brom.