Bir_CFC

Like others have said, the word inconsistent is thrown about way too often. If you want him to score or assist each game, then I'm sorry that's a little too much to ask of any player not named Messi or Ronaldo. What people also seem to forget is that last season for a brief period of time he was on fire and it could have been argued that on form at that time he was probably the 3rd best player in the world. But when people start expecting that kind of form for the entire season is when they start misusing words like inconsistent. That said, from the way he talks and the way he walks, he likes assisting more than scoring goals. So if he wants to win Ballon d'or he'll need Chelsea's help. Meaning if we win a treble or something then he might win Ballon d'or but if we don't win trophies then his stats probably won't carry him to a ballon d'or. A lot of great players have been unlucky to be playing in the same era as Messi and Ronaldo. You better win a treble (Sneijder, Ribery) if you even want to be in the conversation for the ballon d'or.

Wish there was a major corporation called Chelsea. That would be perfect lol.

I was a huge Wilshere fan. When he burst on to the scene, he had quality and personality. I wanted him at Chelsea bad. After years with Arsenal, he's turned into a loser now imo, taken on typical Arsenal loser mentality.

Probably the same number of 1-2s played with the striker in that game than in total for all of last season. Very good to see, how well he and Costa linked up.

Don't know why United don't want to keep Nani. Obv I haven't watched a lot, but at worst you'd think he'd be a good guy to bring off the bench late in games. He'd always cause some trouble with his skillset.

He's an option for next year imo. While we have other B2B players on the bench, reserves and youth teams, we don't really have a Matic replacement at all except Mikel. Along with Costa, Matic is also another player that would be very hard to replace if he gets injured. Dude does the work of 2 players almost, he's a destroyer and an anchor man combined.

Don't want to be a party pooper, but he's a bit shit in the air. Launched like 30 balls to him (shouldn't have done so much of this in the first place, we should try to play out the back more) and he barely won any headers, like 2 or 3 at most. Other than that, his hold-up play when played to feet was excellent and his passing was great, he has pretty great vision imo.

I think you could already see in preseason that he has been trying to release the ball early now. He already did it in preseason and I noticed because Cech never does it either so it was a contrast hence why it popped out as something different. He didn't do it much yesterday but he did look to release someone early almost every time. I'm guessing he just didn't find any good openings. My question is really just about his saves very close and low to him, he tends to struggle against those imo and often parries them back right in front of goal. I'm curious to see if he makes those same mistakes this year.

I am looking at his role during the game than shirt numbers and their position on the team sheet. Oscar was the #10, you're absolutely right. But really we played more like a 6 (Matic) and two 8s (Cesc and Oscar). Now if Cesc wasn't behind him, then he inherently has to be responsible for being that creative #10 and in that case I agree with you and others that he just isn't that player. Basically, my point is that he complements Cesc perfectly. If Cesc isn't on the team sheet then I rather play with Willian as the #10.

Good role for him now. Doing what he's best at doing, which is being the perfect team player. Covering for Cesc and Hazard as they go forward. You see for the second goal, where any other number 10 would force himself to be in the box but Oscar held himself back cause Cesc moved forward. He's never going to be as creative as Cesc and whatnot so this number 8 shirt and role is perfect for him.

He was the best FB in preseason imo. It's a good choice against Burnley imo.

Drogba made the bench, nice!

It's simple, Kagawa is a good team player, he is more complete but he isn't world class in any department imo. While Mata has flaws he has world class passing, vision, set piece, and probably finishing (for AMs). In a desperate team, like us in previous years and United now, you need Mata because he has the best chance of affecting the scoreline. In our new system, a player like Kagawa would add more value because he is a more complete player. He may not win you the game on his own, but he won't be at fault for loosing one. While Mata can do both.

Courtois is the right decision. He's earned it. Yeah he doesn't have PL experience but he's gotten 3 years of experience in Spain and Europe now. Enough experience imo to not question it anymore. Cech on the other hand has to find a new club, doesn't make sense to keep him around or for him to stick around. He's still got a lot of years left at the top.

While I hope we buy another striker, I don't know how we can. We need to sell one non-HG just to make the numbers. So if someone has to come in, either it'll have to be a HG striker or we'll have to sell someone else too.

Because changing numbers takes at least 1 week, so he could be training while he spends that 1 week changing his number. Also the reason why Oscar was shit last week, didn't train, too busy changing numbers.

Let's go Oscar!!! I believe in you! Still so young, he'll grow, he'll do the #8 proud.

Nice little article about Schurrle and some nice quotes too. http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/esmagazine/the-wunderkind-chelseas-andr-schrrle-on-how-to-be-a-footballer-in-2014-9669469.html

No way we sell him lol. He's just getting started here.

Matic, Cesc with Mikel and Ramires as backups. You'd think one more is also needed at a minimum for rotation and if we need to play 4-3-3. Doesn't make sense to loan him out.

The best aspect of that performance was just how fluid and high tempo the passing moves were. One touch, two touch, give and gos, nice movement and good chemistry. Actually looked like a team and a group of players who know each other. The only one that seemed off was Luis today, however he did put in some niiice crosses. Also Ake looks great, made huge strides this preseason. Everyone worried about Luis replacement in 3-4 years may not have to worry anymore. He's been great with the ball, great tackles, winning headers and knows when to overlap. He's been the biggest surprise of the pre-season for me. Didn't expect him to be this good at LB.

What a beast! Just be consistent my man, and you have the potential to shine the brightest. When he's on form, hard to find a better teammate on the pitch, he can do it all.

He's been a surprise for me. He's played as a CB and DM with the youth and reserves and he looked good but I never felt he would make it here as a CB or a DM. However, he's looked pretty good at LB and it's not as significant of a position as CB or DM hence a good position to learn to try and break into the first team.

I don't care anymore if Lukaku leaves. But if he is leaving then we must buy a good second choice striker. Drogba and Torres cannot be considered good enough backups. Should have bought Mandzukic. Who else is possible?

The two 45mins are at the same ground I think. So really its 2 games at 2 grounds.