Peace.

His goal today reminds me the one that Drogba scored in Munich. The same assister (Mata), from the same side (right to left), the same jersey (n°11), the same kind of movement and header, etc... You're truly worthy to wear the n°11, Oscar !

I am agree with you. Today, during the game, I made the reflexion to myself that he was reminding me of Vidic. Strong/powerful defender with a dirty game who escapes a lot of referees' decisions.

Hum... I don't really know... First off, will we play, during the upcoming season, as many as we did this year ? We won't play in the Community Shield, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA World Cup. That's four game less, and it won't provoc congestion early in our schedule. Furthermore, we have been in three semi-final this year : FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League. Will we repeat that next year ? Especially if we are in Champions League, that will be hard to get three semi-finals. Plus, we had to play two replay in the FA Cup. One of them was unnecessary, the other one was a bad timing (the four games in nine days). I think we are bound to have a season less fraught than this year. Finally, we won't be dealing with the negative effects caused by the CAN. Then, he might end up with Schürrle. We can picture that it will have a significant positive effect on the situation (regarding the AM) - unless if he's a flop, but oh well... We can assume without geting carried away that Schürrle is a 25/30-starts-a-season kind of player ; that's more starts than Marin and Benayoun combined. In addition, I'm pretty sure that Schürrle can replace either Mata, Hazard or Oscar in a big game without dramatically damage the quality of our front-three ; just as Moses. On the paper, it's a big step compared to this year. This way, I believe that we can perform an efficient turn-over — probably not the best, but much better than this season — and thus keep our AMs healthy. And there's another angle from which to see things. For instance, against Manchester United in the League Cup, we had to to play our big guns because our bench couldn't defeat United's. I believe that we were in this case more than once. I think it's safe to assume that our bench will be improved significantly. Thus, more rest for our starting players against weak teams. Moreover, we have been over-reliant to Mata and Hazard, and to a lesser extent Oscar. Why ? Because aside them, we don't really have players to drive the team, to make things happen (especially regarding our strikers and our double-pivot players). That means that if we find a very very good midfielder, or even find a performing midfield (I refuse to think that the Club won't fix our midfield problems), then this over reliance upon them will be lessened ; they will be able to get more rest against weak and mid-table sides... We also have Bertrand we can provide cover for the left-wing spot... Granted he does not set the world alight when he's playing there ; though, if as I said we will improve our squad quality, he shouldn't be too much of an weight if the others around him are good. From this perspective, the situation in regards of the players' fatigue does not look that bad, (even if you considere that, as you pointed-out, Oscar and Mata won't have a proper rest during holidays). That's sure that having de Bryune as the sixth AM wouldn't be a luxury at all, but I still presume that we can live without that sixth player. Nonetheless, as I aforementioned, I do not really know. That's just assumptions. I believe that whether de Bruyne will be needed or not depend on how much we do strengthen our other areas. If we do good enough in that regards, then it will be the best for him as he would be able to play week-in week-out (-> he will have a better environment to develop as a player) ; and for us as well, on the long-term (we wouldn't slow up his development). P.S. Well, I hope you understand me, because it's late here and I am kinda blazted.

As some members have already stated, Oscar has been bought for 25 millions euros, not 25 millions pounds. I read on some brazilians site that his price was slightly over 60 millions reals. $R65m = €25m. So that makes sense (and £25m = $R77m...). On the other hand, Hazard price tag is truly £32m. He cost €40m. Though, his wage is “only” £110k a week, while they say £150+k.

I am agree with you Alex. Mikel is by no means as poor as one could read in the last few pages. Into my eyes, he is a good player. As I've stated in this thread last week (I think), Mikel has his flaws and his strengths. In football, just as in the life, your environment has direct repercussions upon your flaws and strengths. Some envirnoments will get the best out of your abilities ; some others will expose your flaws. Just a random example : you run faster on the ground than in the water — get the idea ? When we played a deep defenisve style and had a strong midfield, Mikel's lack of mobility and power was muted, and thus he was pretty good (for instance, against Barça x2 and Munich last year, and against Barça at Camp Nou under Hiddink). On the other hand, we do not have anymore a strong midfield and our defenisve block is much higher than before, and as a matter of fact, Mikel is found out of his depth because his flaws (lack of mobility, his passiveness, etc..) are exposed by those situations. So yeah, in my opinion, he isn't that poor — he remains a good player (not very good, but neither average). This year, he has an environment (players surrounding him, style of play, etc..) which exposes him and makes him look poorer thn he actually is. That being said, we seem to take a path where his flaws are bound to be exposed many many times. That's why we need to find another player to play as our regular DM for the futur (i.e. mid-term / long-term).

Hum, that wasn't what I was meant to say. I don't think that one excludes the other. I am pretty pessimistic regarding the outcomes of that goal-line technology. To my eyes, the FA didn't do that out of virtue. I mean, they certainly know that the refereeing system is archaic compared to the modern football. They know it, though, because of a X or a Y reason, they're not willing to change that. But, on the other hand, they are also aware that football fans aren't happy at all with the refereeing. Thus, they face three possibilities : change things (but they will lose their own interests) ; don't move (but they risk to go at clash with fans) ; do what every governments or instances do, i.e. papering over the cracks. Ever since the World-Cup in South-Africa, the trend has been the "goal line technology". That's what fans want. They are not dumb — they give us what we want. This way, we will be happy and the FA will look like a progressive organisation. And, in the meanwhile, their system won't change in the slightest. Know what I'm sayin' ? That's why I'm saying they're papering over the cracks. They do this to keep our attention away from the real problems. And why am I pessimistic ? Because that is not their belief. It's bound to end up like the FFP and the 5th/6th referees in the box, like there is in Champions League and Europa league. Do these two things have changed the game, since they're on ? No, at least into my eyes. The referees in the boxes are pretty useless, for instance. They seldom intervene, and when they do, half of the time it's a wrong call. On the paper, the goal-line technology is a good thing. But I believe that's a luxury, for the moment. Even if it works at the perfection, will it change a lot of things ? We have played about 70 games, this season... How many times that technology would have been useful ? At the top of my head, I don't recall any such situation. 11 or 12 times, for 20 teams and 300+ matchs played. How many times this season in the league, have we suffered a game-changing error ? Certainly more than ten times. Multiply this figure by 20... That technology wouldn't have had any effect regarding the Agüero and Kompany cases ; nor regarding Cuntarito off-side. It won't have a significant change upon the refereeing quality... Football never had such a thing, it could survive and keep its quality without ! But it cannot keep its quality without a decent refereeing. In my opinion, the FA should rather fix the problem with the referees, and then they can implant that luxury. But then again, we're agree, one doesn't exclude the other.

You cannot be more wrong, really. I hate to use this kind of argumentation, but... Have you ever played to football, or to another extend, have you practiced any sport at all ? If you had, then, you should know that fatigue has influence upon a lot of things, such as the accuracy of your passing and crossing game, your vision, and your decision taking. When you're tired, you lose your lucidity, concentration, calm and self-control, and, your speed of thought is slowed down. As a matter of facts, when tired, it takes you more time to take a decision, and to take the good one as well. Also, your movements become sloppy. Therefore, your finishing and accuracy, among other things, get worse. That's nature.

Instead of papering over the cracks with implanting the goal-line technology, the FA should higher up its standards regarding the refereeing and, ultimately, form better referees. That's not the first time we're fucked over by the referee during an important/big match in England, over the last two years. Last year against Manchester United at Old Trafford (on the second goal, Nani was off-side ; the first one was not valid as well (I don't recall if Smalling was off-side, or if it was the free-kick which was invalide). And this year, against United at home, and the game of today. And th it's not only against us. I've seen many, many refereeing error over the past two seasons — and I think you'll be agree with me on this. And, I mean, those are not "little" errors ; it's errors with consequence on the game. On the top of my head, I cannot recall many examples, but I can mention the game Coty-United, last year in the FA Cup, where Kompany had been sent-off. Also, this year, Chelsea Vs. Arsenal, where our first goal came from a Ramires foul which should have been whistled. The refereeing is getting worse, and the game suffers from that. At this level of competition, an "on point" refereeing is needed, we're not in a sunday league, for Chirst sake. Football is changing — these old armchair leaders must follow that evolution, or move on and retire.

I deeply believe that people should temper their expectations regarding our new players, especially regarding Oscar. I am convinced that we're kinda spoilt by the quick adaptation that Mata has shown last year, especially stats-wise (and to a lesser extent, by the form that Hazard has shown since the new year). Indeed, sometimes I get the feeling that anything sub-par Mata's first season is deemed as average. That's true, if you compare Mata and Oscar's first season here, stats-wise, the spaniard's is better : 12 goals and 28 assists Vs. 9 goals and 8 assists. But, we should not forget that Mata was older and had plenty experience in European football (many games in La Liga and in European competitions). Furthermore, their roles are pretty different. Mata came into a team which was desperatly in need of creativity and technic. To put it this way, he was the light into the darkness. This situation got the best out of him ; and it made him look better than he was. At the contrary, Oscar is not the cherry upon the cake, as Mata was. He is just the third choice, behind Juan and Hazard. As a matter of fact, his role is lessened — considering those facts, especially the latter one, his stats are rather good for a first season. And, moreover, he spend more time and energy on defensive duties than Mata and Hazard — which partly explain the difference in stats. I'm pretty sure that if we were to invert these three players' role, then Oscar's stats would be more flattering. Finally, before his season has exceeded 10 months (the length of a normal season), i.e. during the first part of our season, he was pretty good (and significantly better than Hazard, for instance). The bottom line is that he has a good first season here, maybe not excellent, but by no means average. Especially considering the facts I've aforementioned, plus the fact that he has played way more games than others players. He has been good, and been a valuable asset for the team and for our achievement thus far.

Right now, I am wondering how can one question Oscar attitude and how can someone could say that the young Brazilian doesn't care about Chelsea ? I am very curious. As for myself, I find Oscar's attitude quite ethic. He is doing a relentless and reliable work-rate, and his application and will while doing his defensive duties are faultless. On this very aspect, he gives more of himself than what Mata and Hazard do — to put things in perspective. Finally, I find it rich to criticize Oscar upon his attitude and to say he does not care about Chelsea... I can name an handful of players who look less disinterested toward the Club and give less passion — and these players aren't really bench warmers, if you know what I mean.

I don't understand what are the fuss all about. I mean, it seems that everybody wants our loanees called-back to player here next season... Sometimes, I got the feeling that it's just for the sake of having youth. Yeah, I know, having our youth playing in the first team is a nice story... But is this really the best option for these youngsters ? And ultimately, is this the best solution for Chelsea Football Club ? Moreover, people are criticizing the board for this... I have criticized thet board in many ways, but, for once, I think they are doing the good thing. They got it right regarding Courtois, for two years in a row. This season, they got it right for Lukaku, de Bruyne and Chalobah. So why not have faith in their judgment, concerning these very cases ? Undergoing a transition isn't as simple as throwing youngsters into the team — especially when you have to remain competitive, as us. Next year, our offensive department should be this one : Mata, Hazard, Oscar, Moses, Ba, ladyboy (at the light of what I said and his wages, don't think we'll be able to get rid of him) and maybe Marin. Now throw into the mixt Lukaku and de Bryune... Basically, nobody sees a problem with this ? Or am I the only one ? Whatever their potential, Hazard and Oscar are still inconsistent — just as Moses. That's normal, they are still young ; Messi and Ronaldo were also inconsistent at this age. Mata has also shown over the past two years that he was inconsistent, like it or not (even though, exhaustion has his part in it). The ladyboy is the ladyboy — we can't count upon him. And Ba cannot play every games. That's why I don't think it would be a good solution, for us, to have Lukaku and de Bryune in the team next season, and thus having this forward department : Ba, ladyboy, Lukaku, Mata, Hazard, Oscar, de Bryune, Moses. That's too young. And as I have aforementioned, it'll cost us a lack of consistency... And I am prety sure it'll penalize us in the league — let alone the Champions League. And the lack of consistency is not only con. Indeed, we might have serious concerns over their gullibility. So yeah, that's my opinion, having such an attacking department next season isn't the right thing to do, for Chelsea's sake. That's why, for our own sake (regardng next season, of course), it's better to have them on loan. To mine, when you're in transition, it means that you have young players along side old players and "mid-aged" players. That's how Ferguson does, that's how Barça does.. to mention a few. Wanting to implant a long-term vision into the club is a good thing. Though, we must not rush up and skip mid-way steps. We need to build a young team on a long-term perspective — but we also need to stay competitive and to fight for the biggest trophies. Therefore, we need to find a balance between inexperienced players and "less" inexperienced players. Thus, I am agree with the board, on this case.

We should establish a new rule. From now on, whoever mention this "he won the corner" thing should be banned on-the-spot. Seriously.

Mata : 107 games / 30 goals Ladyboy : 120 games / 31 goals They play in the same team, the same league and they play with the same "shit midfield"... Oh wait, Mata is actually playing in this "shit midfield" ! Is the comparison relevant now

You know what's really sad ? Messi, this season, in 29 games in the league, has scored more goals than the ladyboy has ever done under our colours... 43 goals / 29 games Vs 31 goals 120 games.

Exactly. When it comes to Carvalho and Luiz they paint(ed) them as rash players making silly fouls. However, when it comes to Vidic, for example, they claim high and loud that he is the best defender yada yada yada. That's just hypocrisy as well. Yes, he is a great defender. Nonetheless, he is just as rash as Ricardo or Luiz — if not more. I mean, he tends to go for the player instead of the ball... Though, no critics at all from the medias. Double standard, they can make players look good ; other look bad.

That's not even that. That's because in that game in March 2011, he fouled Mr. I-shag-grannies, scored the equalizer gainst them, and was out-standing that night. That's why medias have blown out of proportion the whole thing "he is a 10 years-old playstation player". Just bitter puppets.

Good, now they can "only" have 98 points comes the end of the season. Now, we need to beat them, we really do, not only because we need each and every point possible, but also because they won't have more than 95 points. This not so good side cannot break the record we set in 2005... Seriously. Hopefuly they can also lose a point here and there..

You know what ? I fear he'll do a "malouda". Id est, playing decently, nay good, toward the end of the season, in order to tell the board "hey, I'm here, and I can be good for next year". Moreover, the ladyboy told that he wanted to stay here next season, to repay us fans, to shut critics and yada yada. That's exactly the same thing as Malouda was doing : playing "well" and put "pressure" on the board by giving interviews. These two facts concur together : that's manipulation — just like he did after the night in Munich, by crying like a baby that he wasn't happy and shit, in order to be given the keys of our attack. That will just work, unfortunatly...

Yeah. Furthermore, we do need to realize that league seasons in Brazil start in May, if I got it right. According to wikipedia, he has played 5 games in the league, 9 in the league cup (I don't know to which competition it refers) and 6 in the continental competition (Copa Libertadores or Sudamerica ?) — which amounts to 20 games before joining us. I don't really know how works the Copa, nor the league cup there, so I can't tell whether all these games started after May, though... Maybe a brazilian member can help to work out this matter ? Under our colours, he has played 53 games, the same amount as Mata...! He also has played 5 games during the Olympics this summer, and we can assume than since the start of his football season in Brazil to right now, he has played more or less 10 games (?). That's a long and tiresome season, especially when you consider the difference in pace between his home country and the football here. No wonders he has some games off every now and then, especially late in the season !

I don't buy it when people say he should stay for is leadership. What Leadership ? The one he showed against QPR, Southampton twice, Bucarest, Reading ? Or against City where he was a passenger and missed his penalty ? Against Newcastle, where he managed to make it 1-2, and needed to calm down the pace of the game and defend for our lives, even though he was playing like we were chasing the score ? Over all, in this seven fixtures, the game passed him by. He failed to put his mark on the game ; he failed to motivate his partners ; he even showed errors that an inexperienced player would do (the fact that he didn't calm down the play against Newcastle, for instance). The fact is that this season, especially in 2013 (the seven fixtures I have mentioned are from 2013), he has shown little to back-up the theory "keep him for the leadership". Every time the opposite midfield put pressure, every time we were in trouble, he failed to show a leadership, both in the play and in the heads of his partners. And neither the theory as he chooses his games is valid. I mean, the final in Japon was not a big games ? The game against Manchester at Old Trafford was not a big game ? Neither was the one against City ? Nor the games against QPR, Newcastle and Southampton (where the three points where very important) ?

Oh Jésus Chirst. Once again he opens his big mouth. "Yada yada yada".... How many times did he talked bollocks like this ? And will he, just like the other times, do nothing to back it up ? He should learn to keep quiet. "I will try my heart out for this club. There are too many things I have to give back to these people and I want to show my thanks to them. Ladyboy, if you really want to thank us, then just fuck off the furthest away from Chelsea. We don't like you, we don't want you. So, pack your things this summer and go, then he will be happy.

This deal makes sense, if you ask me. As things stands now, André Schürrle looks like a better option than Kévin de Bryun, regarding our next season. Into my eyes, de Bryune is still just a talent (which implies a concern regarding the consistency). Schürrle seems to have more weapons to take an important role here than de Bryune. Despite the little difference in age, the outre-Rhin player has a lot more experience than the Belgian. In that sense : the first one has played 125 games in a top league, 8 games in Champions League and 21 international games ; while the latter one has only played 27 games in a top league, none game in CL and 11 international games. I know that the "experience" topic is more complex than a couple of figures, although it shows that the German is more used to the pressure and the need to deliver on a regular basis. I mean, if I were to choose between them two, because of X reason, for being a starter for a few weeks, during a hard serie of fixtures, I would probably have more faith in Schürrle than de Bryune. Now I don't question de Bryune competence, that's just seems to be the wisest option for, once again, next season. And wouldn't it be more appropriate for de Bryune to go on loan than to be here, in order to improve as a player ? It's likely that Bayer can grant him significantly more playing time than us. Here he's bound to be second choice behind Mata, Hazard and Oscar, and maybe even Moses. And I quite don't buy the whole story about him coming here and play in the double-pivot. Has he any genuine experience of playing at this position, or is this another of our chimeras — in the fashion of "Oscar in the double-pivot" ? I am not saying he cannot play there, just that it seems to early to make such assumption for next season. Playing one season at Bayer seems better for de Bryune's sake. £20m remains a lot of money, but it's nice to see the club trying to work out clever deals and trying to soften this one. Considering today's standards in the market, that's not that expensive.And that's not like Schürrle was a penguin. He may not be the classic winger that some are seeking for, but anyway, is there a lot of so called "classic wingers" out there anymore ? Not a lot of names springs to mind... Having the possibility of picking this guy instead of Marin and Benayoun is a genuine improvement regarding our squad quality and depth. I saw that a few people were saying that we should hire a manager first and then buy player. Our manager choice will depend on our position in the league. The top four is yet to be granted. And the manager probably won't be appointed befor early June. I believe that's better to work out things early. Furthermore, considering our history with managers, the next one might as well be there for a season-long ride and then be out. It's a good thing that the club is trying to shape continuity within the squad and have a so said continuity within our transfert policy. Then again, I know little of these two. Though, from a rational point of view, this sounds as a good deal.

Félicitations the Skipper !

Yeah, di Matteo only managed to make Juve looking like world beaters... I mean seriously, that's only Juve, for Chirst sake. Our current manager has managed to make teams of the likes of Bucarest, Southampton, QPR, West Ham, Brentford, looking like the real deals...! That's some kind of achievement, why didn't have we thought of hiring him before ?! And if the season started on the 13th week (table) and stopped on the 30th week, then the table would be : 1st — Manchester United : 47 pts P17 2nd — Tottenham : 37 pts P18 3rd — Manchester City : 34 pts P18 4th — Arsenal : 33 pts P17 5th — Chelsea : 31 pts P18 6th — Everton : 30 pts P17 // Liverpool : 30 pts P18. Yep, true that's true, we are fortunate to have made the change before it was too late...!

It looks like the ladyboy's gonna grab Mata and Terry's dicks (with passion...). Voilà voilà.