Styles

I'm not condoning Ramires' lack of technical ability, far from it! I am equally as frustrated at how he just gives the ball away and makes some of the most ridiculous 'passes' you're ever likely to see. I just think Mourinho values what he brings to the table far more than accurate passes and playmaking ability,

Matic is brilliant at winning the ball back and making direct passes on the break which are essential for a counter-attacking team. The Man City away win is a perfect example of his game and why Mourinho bought him. If you're suggesting that he's been brought in to be part of a possession-team I disagree. Under Mourinho Madrid's identity was that they were a great counter-attacking team. Alonso was playing a far more direct game under Mourinho than he had ever done before in his career, in my opinion. We're not being built to keep the ball so Ramires fits this team. The manager wants to do the same thing he did at Madrid and develop a brilliant counter-attack game. Winning the ball back and breaking at speed are very important for that style of play and Ramires does those things at an elite level. He is an untouchable under Mourinho and will remain so until his legs go.

Well the tactics are that we concede possession, press the opponents hard all over the pitch and then counter-attack at the speed of light. Of course the players will be tired, you can't do that for a whole season.. We had 42% of the ball last night. Maybe if we tried to keep it a bit more they wouldn't be exhausted. But we can't counter-attack by keeping the ball so Mourinho won't change a thing.

But we're not a team that wants possession so Ramires is perfect for Mourinho. We had 42% of the ball last night which is what the manager wants. Mourinho’s main tactic essentially amounts to conceding possession, pressing the opponent and counter-attacking at the speed of light. I agree with the belief that Ramires wouldn’t make sense in a team that keeps the ball and plays an accurate possession game but we don’t do any of that. As silly as it sounds Mourinho’s tactics require a player(s) that is wasteful in possession. You can’t counter-attack if you have the lion’s share of possession.

We don't even create many clear cut chances let alone finish them.

42% possession. No wonder our players are always knackered, all they do is press and run after the ball.

He didn't have the armband but I truly believe Drogba was the leader of the team during his time at the club. That's not to take anything away from Terry but the way the other players talk about him he comes across as the one with the biggest influence on his teammates.

Coleman was really good too, such a tough and athletic player. Hazard won't face many players as good as that.

Fair points and I understand Courtois is good enough to lock up the position for 10-15 years. What irks me is the way people dismiss Cech as if he is past his prime and on his last legs. He's 31, he's bang in his prime for a goalkeeper. Every quality keeper makes a few mistakes (Courtois included) but I think Cech's are highlighted more than most because we have a shiny new keeper waiting in the wings. Some people seem to jump on any Cech mistake and use it as proof of why we should get rid.

Not really much competition is there? Barcelona are desperate, and have been for years, to replace Valdes. Casillas is one of the most overrated goalkeepers in the world and is playing second fiddle to an OK goalkeeper in Lopez. That's where we disagree, I don't think Courtois is better. I think Cech is the best goalkeeper in the world, and you can consider that bias on my parth (I don't blame you) but I truly believe he's the best all-round goalkeeper in world football. Personally that will soften the blow of losing a player who has never played for the club.

If Courtois plays as well as Cech has this season this forum will be full of comments saying what a wonderful goalkeeper he is and why it was such a smart decision to replace Cech. Forget Cech's truly great seasons, all Courtois has to do is show up to get the plaudits. I'll be honest, I don't really care about Courtois. He hasn't played a single minute for Chelsea. If Chelsea sell him and use the money to further imrpove the squad I'll consider that good business. And after that I'll continue to support the guy with 10 years at the club and who, at the age of 31, has many years ahead of him.

Well he has been a headline machine recently so it's wise to keep a low profile for a week or two.

Courtois makes one save. Forum goes crazy. Cech dependable as ever. No one cares.

So one of the best then

But there aren't only two good players in the world. The likes of Aguero, Suarez, Hazard, Ibrahimovic etc deserve more than just "yeah but they're not as good as Messi and Ronaldo innit".

He's already one of the best.

Don't say you haven't been warned.

I'd be surprised if Lukaku was sold for anything less than 25m.

Complete player.

Eto'o is a 3x Champions League winner and one of the best strikers of his generation. Hazard is a young guy so growing up he must have been watching Eto'o banging in goals for fun.

Mourinho: "He [Eto'o] links the game very, very well. I think Eden is very comfortable playing with Samuel because he's a very good football player." Couldn't have said it better.

The boss deserves a lot of credit, we're on a ridiculous run right now,

Another good game, in fact he's been in good form for weeks in my opinion. I have said for a long time Hazard needs a technical striker to play one-twos with and his second goal today was a perfect example. That's one reason why I don't rate Torres or think Lukaku is a good option for us, we need a technically brilliant striker to compliment our players.