Madmax

No I got your post; mine was directed at the notion that Luiz would be a liability in big games. He raises his game based on the opposition. A big game player is a mature one but you have to wonder why he rarely showed that level of application against the other teams.For 3 years we talked about his talent and 'potential' to be world class but now that he's 27 and not reached that level except for the odd run of games here and there, people are bringing up his conflict with the Chelsea system as an excuse. I don't disagree with that line of thinking, maybe he will indeed be better suited to PSG's style but fact remains we've sold an incompatible enigma of a player who's not fulfilled his promise for a world record fee which will hopefully be utilized to address the glaring need(s) identified by the manager.

It's amusing that you bring up the Atletico game because I can count on one hand the number of bad performances Luiz has had in a 'big' game. He nearly always stepped up to the occasion, as a defender AND a midfielder ; if anything he was often guilty of playing to the level of the opposition when we faced the lesser lights.

Favourite Luiz performances? Mine : 1. Munich 2. QPR away 11-12 Foygate 3. City away this season

Not gonna pretend I won't miss his 'personality' but this is incredible business by the club. World record transfer fee for a 27 y.o 3rd choice defender/3rd choice midfielder who doesn't fit the manager's plans (rightly or wrongly). Wish him well. Costa, Pogba/Koke and Shaw/Moreno/Rodriguez. No excuses now for 14-15. Exciting times.

Well said. At some point you just have to take that leap of faith that shows the youngster you actually believe in them. Unless this is just window dressing to counteract FFP, in which case, fair enough. Fucking depressing, but fair enough.I was delighted when Carlo gave those games to Josh in 10-11. It's all been downhill since. I mean I understand the reasons but I wish I wouldn't have to take a deep breath at the beginning of every season and murmur a 'maybe next year'.

But you don't believe what's written in papers

As expected. Guess we'll be seeing the same with Zouma and if Luiz doesn't go then Omeruo too.

Ah, MIND GAMES

Shit goals? You need a lie-down, bud.

Drogba was always spoken of as being the best in the world on his day, and not just by Chelsea fans. Ferdinand and Evra are to this day described as some sort of defensive lynchpins when in reality their performances have nosedived since a couple of years ago. Aguero IS the best striker in the league along with Suarez. Silva IS the best playmaker in the league. The Gerrard love-in is down to the number of scouse media pundits and their ability to consequently affect public opinion. If there's one thing the PL is good at, it is self praise. There's no racist undertone there.

I've said this before. You should stick to making videos.

Hey! Teacher! Leave them kids alone!

Nope, only those that aren't at Chelsea.

I'm looking forward to phrases like 'parting shot', 'blasted' and 'fired a salvo'.

Torres isn't a part of the promotions ... dare I hope?

Marc Albrighton released from Villa and available on a free. Call me crazy but if we wanted a HG winger as a squad option I'd take him over Moses every day of the week and twice on the Sunday.

Yeah it was hypocritical of him. He mentioned more than once at the season's start that he sees Luiz as a CB and isn't one to be so defensive that he would use a CB in midfield like previous managers did (obviously referring to Benitez). Chelsea fans should be the last ones to be surprised though, we should know more than anyone that he's a pragmatist and will do anything he considers necessary to win.

I don't profess to having watched him play for Vitesse or Holland u21 so I'm not going to comment about your evaluation of his playing abilities. I don't care how he performed for them and neither does Mourinho, going by the very fact that we bought him, a decision that had Mourinho's blessing. That tells you all you need to know about whether he sees something in him or not. You say Mourinho didn't play him when he was fit - how long was that period? Not more than a couple of months from the season's start, considering the cup game that ended his season is held around Sept-Oct. A big reason Lampard and Luis started the number of games they did is down to his injury. Seeing as how there are absolutely zero rumours of us signing a CM (apart from that Song swap) and with Luiz and Mikel likely gone I'd put my money on our 3 most used midfielders being Matic, Ramires and MVG.

We're not in and are never going to be in any FFP trouble. There's still some hope, rumours flying around that LVG wants Evra for another season.

Err he played 2 league games all season, both as a sub. 2 fucking games. Of course he 'showed nothing to be a starter'.

Also, people forget that professional athletes have a very short career compared to other professions, and even that is if they're lucky enough to avoid injuries. It is easy to moan about the wages of some of the players (and to be sure 220k or whatever is obscene) but that's not the average. It is on the extreme end of the scale in the most popular league in the world.

... Or maybe he's just in a better position to take a call seeing as he works with them 6 days a week?

You and me both. I remember those days. Good times, bro.