Madmax

I agree with regards to Borini. This move is a way for the club to safely run down his contract, while also giving him a chance to impress interested clubs, because league football > reserves football. What I was talking about was why academy youngsters in general are difficult to bring through at a club like ours which is hungry for trophies.

Not if you bestiality is legalised

Cynical much? Wait and watch.

And I can understand why. At a club like ours where there is enormous pressure on the manager to give wins every game, giving academy players a chance is extremely difficult. Especially at Chelsea, because we have Roman here who like everybody knows doesn't ponder too much before firing managers. If I were to put myself in the manager's shoes, that's what I'd be doing as well. Because I know that a string of bad results would see me losing my job. Not that I don't care about youth development-managers crave to remembered as the guy that recognised a youngster's potential and gave him the chance to develop into a star-but, I have to remain in my job to be able to do that somewhere down the line. Know what I mean? Trophies are what matters to CFC right now, because trophies and titles will get us closer to a level pegging with the traditional 'big' European powerhouses-the likes of Bayern, Barca, Madrid, Milan, Juve, Ajax, United and Liverpool. Until that happens, whoever the manager is, the focus will be on silverware and not bringing in youngsters; unless we discover an absolute gem a la Josh. That's they way it will be, and we have to accept it, unless the fans and Roman are willing to make youth development their main aim at the cost of going a long period without success, a la Arsenal. You only have to look at the doomsday reactions from supporters a couple of months back when the results were not coming by, to know what kind of pressure Carlo is under to achieve success. Having said that, of course I'm sad to see Borini go, as I would be when any talented youngster doesn't make it here, but we have to understand that a majority of them won't. It's just the way life is at a major club.

Good to be back ZY! Have a bit of free time on hand currently

I understand that mate, it's a definite tactic by Carlo to tuck the 'wide' players inside, giving room to Cole and Bos while at the same time packing the centre of the pitch and giving support to both the strikers, as well as the defence. But I still don't want Yuri especially to be denied of his natural game. He's the closest we have to proper winger remember. Yeah I alluded to the fact that he was involved in some good plays early on. But I guess I feel disappointed because I was really expecting him to take the match by the scruff of it's neck and dominate down that left side. Massive expectations = greater chances of disappointment obviously. But remember, only a fruit laden tree is pelted with stones

Meaningless move. Bye bye Fabio

Nah mate I was trying to imitate TalkChelsea legend, Tommy10!

Quality report as usual, Alex! I was struck by how biased the dumb commentators were yesterday. They kept remarking how impressive Copenhagen are every time their centre backs passed the ball between themselves

Sing to the tune of the Kalou song - He likes to chew a bit of gum, Fergie Fergie He moans a lot but now he's mum, Fergie Fergie Got to love his nose so red, he ain't no more a thoroughbred Alex Ferguson-Webb's bit on the side!

He almost scored twice I know but that was largely down to other players laying those chances on a plate for him. The first was down to Drogba and Cole and the second was all Anelka's handiwork. Yuri did play a few nice passes early on but imo he wasn't much different from what Malouda is week in, week out. When I looked at the team sheets (Blackpool and yesterday), I was excited to find Yuri's name on there because I figured he would give us an extra spark in midfield...driving runs, mazy dribbles, a bit of creativity and pace...but I was disappointed to find him tucked inside far too much. The Zhirkov I saw at CSKA and last year while Ashley was injured didn't turn up.

Zdrasti!

Zhirkov making us all look like fools. We were asking for him to be given a chance and it's the second game in a row that he failed to turn up. I'm indifferent to the choice between Zhirkov and Malouda from now on.

Past records against teams/players/managers mean nothing when you're walking out the tunnel and onto the pitch. It's a tough competition, they're all tough teams in their own right, bring 'em on.

Attention grabbing antics from the annoying kid brothers across the road. Funny as fuck nevertheless. So will the statue be Black or White?

cool...I want all my African players at Chelsea FC London...must be a special feeling damn...My other favourite team Arsenal FC London, Tottenham Hotspurs FC London and South Portsmouth FC needs more my African players...is there any injury news?

Just LOL.

All the Brazilians in the house get a cookie!

Carlo before tonight's game :

What's to stop people signing up, playing the first round, getting reps, and never bothering again?

Terrible.

ffs stop bumping these useless fantasy football threads

Thank you Now if you excuse me, I have to get back to Farmville and follow it up with a 3 hour internet chat session. Care to join?

Re your question-he isn't world class now, and he never was. I remember the two of us debating about him on page after page You being pro-Joe and myself favouring the reverse. At the end of the day, no opinion is right or wrong per se. I understood and respected your points then, and do so now as well.

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