Bir_CFC

I think the whole Jose press conference went completely over your head, not sure how either, it was pretty straightforward. Firstly, let's put the quote in context - Jose was talking about how important the squad is to him. By squad he means all 22-24 players and not just the first XI. He was talking about how even if you don't start you need to be professional and be ready to help the team. This is when he uses Mikel as an example. Mikel, a squad player, just by mentioning him should give you a clue that he regards Mikel as a squad player and not the best Chelsea player. Then he goes on to say that this squad player never played, but when he was called upon he helped the team, so much so that he put in a MOM performance, clearly showing that squad players can be just as important as first XI. He is clearly saying Mikel is a squad player, but when called upon, he still helped the team by giving a great performance. Now if you don't think he was good in the Newcastle match, that's a seperate discussion. I def don't think Jose's quote was BS, if anything I it was a very very good quote supported with a clear example to motivate all other squad players.

Jose said best player in the Newcastle match, not the best Chelsea player in the squad lol.

Seems like we have a hard time winning if anyone from the first choice XI, doesn't play. Let alone youth players. Adding one youth player doesn't mean you lose the abilities of the starter he's replacing. You better know that everyone around him will have one eye on the kid, which means one less eye on the match. So unless you know for sure that one eye on the match is enough to still get you the win, go right ahead, otherwise be patient. Derby, Shrewsbury, these matches were not easy victories. You could argue the way we won these matches kind of confirmed Jose picked pretty much perfect lineups. Shrewsbury he knew exactly how many youth players he could get away with. And Derby was an incredibly tough match too, harder than several PL matches we've had so far. It's a tough balance. Could Jose have got away with playing a youth here and there, yeah maybe but it could have also backfired. I'm going to wait a bit before I judge Jose and how he uses the Academy. This is the first time in his career that this is even expected of him. His first stint here, at Inter and real, he wasn't hired to integrate youth, bet it wasn't even last on the list.

Home kit and away kit both look awesome. Love em. Turkish Airlines would need some getting used to, but the kits are brilliant.

Out of all the youth players, he seems the closest to regular playing time with the first team. Absolutely no reason to loan him, it would be going backwards.

They need to make the semi-final 1 leg at a neutral venue. I'd hate it if we get tired/injured during these 2 legs which causes us to drop points against City.

I am sorry if this was already posted. But Derby manager McLaren had some nice things to say about us: http://www.espnfc.us/capital-one-cup/match/408976/derby-county-chelsea/preview "At the moment they are the strongest. I can't see a weakness, we tried to find one and it lasted about five seconds," "They are the best team in the Premier League and in Europe. They have only lost one game and only lost it because they ran out of time (against Newcastle).

Yeah, not sure how you can drop Drogba for no reason. Remy was unlucky he got injured when he did, but Drogba struggled earlier in the season and since then he's delivered everytime he's been called upon. I'd even go as far as to say that since Costa's return up until the first half of last match, Drogba was our most in-form striker.

I find it funny when people use a couple of highlights to make an assessment. Was no one watching earlier in the season? He made some amazing 1-2s. But just cause they didn't result in a goal, no one bothers remembering them. I wish I had the time to go back and look at all his match highlights, I guarantee I'll find several great link ups and passes. In fact, that's one of the things I explicitly saw that he was pretty good at. Not as good as prime Drogba, but it was not something I would ever note as a weakness. He's just not on form at the moment.

He loses the ball too much in the final third. Forces a lot of things. He's gotta improve in that aspect to get to the next level. The ability is already there.

Oscar is a freak really, one of a kind. I've never seen a footballer as skinny as him and play like he does. He plays like he genuinely thinks he's built like Essien. While lightweight attacking mids with talent there are plenty who have had a hard time when they get to the big stage. McEachran is our own example too.

They both gather prior the hug like they expect the other to jump into their arms so they can catch him. And I feel bad for Willian haha.

He's got talent, but I worry about him because he seems very lightweight right now. He needs to bulk up, otherwise he'll be like Piazon. He has the ability but I'm not sure he will ever be physical enough to actually be a dependable player. Of course, he's got a lot of time on his hands, but right now I do have this fear about him. That's also why I think Boga is ahead of him because he's already physically on the right track.

De Gea is a beast for sure. But really other than the Balotelli save, you expect a decent keeper to save the rest too. Awful finishing from Liverpool.

Was just off today. Bad day at the office. He was making mistakes that I haven't ever seen from him. Usually he's so good on the ball and can at least make the pass he sees. Looked like he was just not in it. Move on.

No one's playing well other than Ivan and Oscar.

Yeah against West Brom from an Azpi cross. Far post header.

Oscar's always been a beast at crossing. Pretty identical to the ball he put in for the Costa goal a few games back.

Aguero has been very unlucky with injuries. If healthy he would have been a unanimous 3rd best player in the world over the last couple of years. Dude is just a monster.

City rotate a lot more than us and are still able to win. We need to start trusting the squad more and if Jose doesn't think they're good enough, then we need to make it good enough. Forget this busy period, it'll cost us later in the year too if we can't rotate.

That Courtois save was fucking BOSS. Dude just walks up saves it and just walks around like wtf is this shit, give me something harder. Mancrush! haha

Newcastle had a spell of 10-15 mins but other than that we've been battering em. Really should have scored at least 1 to consolidate that dominance. Mikel, Cesc and Oscar bossing the midfield. Especially Mikel, he's been very very good.

It would work well in controlling possession, but who is going to win the ball back? To replace Matic, you'll have to play Mikel and Ramires together lol.

Reminded me of the Lamps assist to Drogba a few years ago in the FA cup against Tottenham.

He scored one a couple years ago. Against Brentford I think.