DavidEU

Zhirkov or Ramires?

Frank out, apparently.

Hildebrand doesn't want to be a number two. That's why he fell out at Valencia and why his contract was cancelled. LOL @ suggesting Marchetti, Neuer, Mandanda, Adler, and Lloris. They are all excellent goalkeepers. They all play first team football every week. They don't want to sit on our bench. They shant be coming here. Back up goalkeepers are the likes of Carlo, Pleitikosa, Begovic, or of course, younger goalkeepers. They're the sort of targets we'd be having. Asenjo is an interesting one. Very talented, and has fallen to number two at Atletico because of De Gea.

I didn't think we were that bad in all honestly, just a bad 20 minutes before and 10 minutes after half time really cost us. I think whenever we've fielded a time in the cups before, we haven't really shown any good football, and often struggle to control games, but there was more of that last night. Positives have to mainly be van Aanholt and McEachran, who was brilliant. PvA may have been at fault for one of their goals, but young defenders do make mistakes, and unlike young midfielders or strikers will often get punished for them. Going forward he was very good and I know Ranger played narrowly, but PvA was rarely beaten defensively. As for McEachran, looked the best player on the pitch when he came on. Very calm, very composed. Almost ran the midfield completely for 40 good minutes. Negatives, Turnbull and Sturridge. If Carlo really did want a new GK in the summer, last night could have made up his mind completely. As for Sturridge, he's either trying skills that don't come off or shooting a mile wide from 30 yards out. He really needs to try and just do things simply and stop trying to over impress. He's definitely got some talent, we're just not seeing it.

Taylor is at Crewe on loan. Would be Sam Walker I'd imagine.

Chelsea TV seemed to be saying last night that van Aanholt would be playing, and like Esk said, I'm sure Sturridge, Kakuta and perhaps Bruma will join him. Turnbull Ferreira Bruma Alex van Aanholt Benayoun Ramires Lampard Kakuta Sturridge Zhirkov That would more than please me. Would imagine Carlo will give some big clues in the press conference.

Brought this Thursday and I'm already done. Its an excellent read. Fairly short at 250 pages, but every chapter has its point. It's not like other football books which details every season individually, and every story he remembers from being a kid. Most the stories are there to make you laugh, but at the same time have a proper meaning to them, and to his career. Some of his humour and wit is genuinely LOL material. Anyone with a spare fifteen quid, go and get this.

Think we'd have heard something by now to be honest, especially with it being a Friday, and the media being at Cobham for the press conference. I'm sure they'd have picked up on an ambulance leaving the training ground in a hurry. Fingers crossed that's right.

Top chance for Studge this. If he has a good game tomorrow and scores, could well start the next two.

OFFICIAL FULL TEAM NEWS, as announced in Carlo's press conference this evening: Cech Ivanovic Alex Terry Zhirkov Essien Mikel Benayoun Kalou Sturridge Malouda Also, PvA, McEachran, Borini, Kakuta and Sam Walker have travelled with the squad. Source: Blues News.

Drogba is suspended. Read above. Cech; Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, A.Cole; Essien/Mikel, Ramires, Benayoun; Kalou, Anelka, Malouda. Subs, Hilario, Ferreira, Essien/Mikel, Zhirkov, Sturridge, PvA, Kakuta.

I don't think he's much of a talker on the pitch though is he? I like my captains to be vocal. Which JT, Lamps and Didier always are.

Would like Sturridge to start wide right in place of Nico. Deserves a start in that position after his performance in the Community Shield. Malouda was rested v West Ham, Drogba will be v Zilina, so perhaps Blackpool will be Nico's break.

http://www.goal.com/en/match/49883/sparta-praha-vs-msk-zilina/lineup-stats According to this, they played 3-3-4 in their qualifier AWAY to Prague. Could be interesting to say the least. Anyone know anything about this lot?!

Seems like it hadn't been discussed before. JT probably just went to give it to Ash because Ash is next to JT on the pitch, they discussed it and realised Didier was the best option. I'd have no problems with Ashley wearing the armband. He's properly 'one of us' to me now.

http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~2151006,00.html Interesting to see if, after Carlo's comments this week, he gives JT a bit more time. Starts for Zhirkov and maybe even Benayoun. Be nice to be able to give Kakuta another 30 minutes and time for PvA.

Arsenal 1-1 Bolton Koscielny - Elmander Fulham 0-1 Wolves van Damme Man City 0-1 Blackburn Kalanic Newcastle 0-1 Blackpool Adam (PEN) West Brom 1-1 Tottenham Brunt - Modric Wigan 0-0 Sunderland Cattermole SENT OFF

Incredible stuff at Everton. Nearly won it at the end too!

Cech Ferreira Ivanovic Terry Cole Essien Mikel Ramires Anelka Drogba Kalou Turnbull, Alex, Zhirkov, Malouda, Benayoun, Kakuta, Sturridge. Green Jacobsen Ben-Haim Upson Ilunga Behrami Parker Noble Boa Morte Cole Obinna Stech, Tomkins, Dyer, Barrera, Kovac, Faubert, Piquionne.

At the same time Alex, I think it would be absurd for the club to even entertain serious contract talks with Bosingwa until hes played 10/15 games, and proves he's back. Whether thats before or after January, who knows. Hopefully he'll give the club the respect it deserves, and not listen to other offers (in January) until we make our decision on him.

Players come out in interviews and say there is a group of leaders in the dressing room, JT, Frank and Didi. And behind them, theres a second group of Cech, Essien, think Carvalho and Joe were in there too. Therefore, i'd imagine it'd be Didi. Good choice.

Because you enjoy looking stupid?

Does this really need pinning already Alex?

Mancienne is 22. I think if he was going to stay, he'd have been involved already. Bruma is quite clearly ahead of him in the pecking order and i'd imagine he'd be leaving quite soon.