Elliott

I can only say we might feel he is in the way of Mancienne.

I think we've played well, created plenty of chances, but unfortunately James has done pretty well and when the slick ball has gotten the best of him, Johnson has been there to help him out. If we keep plugging away we should be able to find a goal or two but we'll have to be careful at the back because Portsmouth have looked capable of grabbing a goal. Malouda has looked like he's interested which is good to see.

A load of bollocks from Buck. Ranieri. Different directions. What does that mean? Do you mean to say that Ranieri didn't want to win things? Just say what you think, you didn't think he was good enough. Same with Mourinho. Different directions? I can only take that to mean that Mourinho wanted full control and you wouldn't give it to him. I think I prefer Jose's direction. Grant: Just say it, he never deserved the job in the first place. Scolari: All good until he said "decisive decision". What is a decision if it isn't decisive

Note the end, he said we're having to sell to buy, but if the right player comes along then Roman will splash out anyway. So if we're able to sign a superstar like Shevchenko then Abramovich will pay for it... Keep your hand in your pocket then Roman mate.

Nevermind Essien as cover for defence, what's the point when we have a player of Mancienne's ability to cover instead?

I don't think sceptical as such, but we're not taking you lot for granted anyway. Welcome to the forum, btw.

I see your point, but it would make it look as if there were less posts none the less, unless we managed to get a way of making such things still count towards the number of posts in a thread (but not necessarily someone's post count).

I dunno if we really need to discourage posting atm.

Welcome to Talk Chelsea Please stick around and keep posting!

Not a chance. He's playing tonight in a reserves match if I remember correctly, and that's more than enough match time for Michael at the moment. He's gotta ease back in carefully.

Of course, but I think Quaresma needs to make a positive impact off the bench, or one of the current starts needs to make a shoddy performance, before we might consider playing him.

Unfortunately Jim has seen it fit to set the forum to automatically filter Chelsea with a lower case c to Chelsea, which is affecting the url and breaking the link. So I changed the link so it redirects via tinylink.com, so that the article can be accessed. A great reads, thanks FB.

Well, remember Quaresma was brought in by Scolari and now we have Hiddink. I think we may see more of Quaresma, but at the moment, Drogba + Anelka + Kalou seems to be working fairly well so he may stick with that, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Michael Mancienne Born is Isleworth, Middlesex, but of Seychelles descent (he turned down the chance to represent the Seychelles at International level in favour of England (wise move)), Michael is a local boy who has been with the club since age 8. A composed and elegant player, he can play at centre-back, right-back and also in midfield. It has taken him some time to break into the Chelsea first team with several false dawns, but it is clear we have a youth product of real quality. Mancienne made his debut for Chelsea reserves while he was still at school. He turned professional in January 2006 and made his first appearance on the Chelsea first team bench at the end of the 2005/2006 season, although he did not play. He took part in Chelsea's pre-season preparations in 2006 including a place on the bench for the Community Shield, but finding himself well down the pecking order, he was off to Loftus Road for a season long loan spell with Queens Park Rangers, making his first 30 professional appearances, impressing at Championship level. This season he has spent time at Championship high-flyers Wolverhampton Wanderers but was recalled to the Chelsea first team squad in January. He has been called up for the first time to the England national squad, and this has been followed by his first three apperances in a Chelsea first team shirt: In the FA Cup win away to Watford, in the Champions League home win against Juventus and his full Premier League debut at home to Wigan Athletic. Michael Mancienne has a bright future as a Chelsea player and an England International.

And don't forget, they lost the European Super Cup so they can't win a clean sweep anyway.

Well, maybe it was a coincidence, but I don't think so. Was a shame to be honest cause the design of Chrome is really nice.

Ah, thought it might be you! Congrats on your moderatorship

Yep, one and the same. Who are you on there?

Welcome to the forums!

I do feel we are carrying Ballack in the team at the moment, and that is why Anelka ends up dropping so deep. But the same will happen if we put in Deco and having Mikel in the same team as either of those two doesn't help at home because his role is diminished at home.

Haha, I was like "No... NO!... oh!" Well that was a frustrating match with an exciting finish. Why couldn't we finish off the game earlier? Well done to Mancienne for doing so well on his first league start for the club.

I'd be seriously concerned that maybe Liverpool would realistically challenge for the title.

Gone down slightly due to VAT tax change, but its still loads either way.

No, the 6 + 5 thing means 6 players that represent England I think, either having been born there or gained citizenship. The homegrown thing will no longer matter.

Yeah I see your point, and I see Linda's point, Kalou could have just said no comment though. I thought they got PR training?