Bir_CFC

The only problem I see is that in financial terms. Considering the wages of players and staff are incumbent on certain CL participation money being assumed as a given might cause some problems. However, Roman and his accountants might be able to nullify those problems pretty easily. The second problem I see is that of attracting top talent. Even though there will be no CL football, I don't think this will be a problem. It's Chelsea, we just won the CL and no one should be able to question our ambition compared to those of Arsenal and Spurs who are happy getting top 4 every year, whereas getting top 4 and one or two trophies is considered a normal year for Chelsea.

We needed City to win today. Other than against us, I don't see Spurs dropping points to any of the remaining teams. It's between us and Arsenal imo, I think Spurs will make top 4 now.

He wasn't poached. He himself rejected the contract from Barca and put himself on the market. He's a right sided player. Can play RB and RW, but I think his future lies on the RW. And he's a traditional winger, not an inside forward.

Hazard is clearly the preferred first choice player. You don't have to look at who started more or got more minutes to realize that.

Even though he's settled at West Brom under a good manager and a fairly good team, I would still say that we loan him out to Swansea if the rumours are true. At West Brom they lump long balls to him or he's able to run in behind. At Chelsea neither of those will happen, especially the chance of running in behind as we play high possession so opponents naturally play deep against us, so his pace while important won't cover his mediocre hold-up play. A loan at Swansea will help him play in a high possession team with quick passes and link up play.

Maybe I'm in the minority but I love all 3 of those. I'm going to be buying all 3 for sure. Just wish the black one didn't those bits on the armpits but not a deal-breaker.

I think PVA is a tricky player to judge. Don't know if the club rates him, but offensively he's miles ahead of Cole and Bertrand combined. The only problem is that he has always been defensively suspect. Neither him nor Ryan are starting material so one of them has to be our backup and I think Bertrand wins cause he's homegrown and because I feel he's defensively more sound. Unfortunate for PVA because he's a threat on the left flank but defense comes first especially if you're going to be backup.

Davey pings those long balls as good as Luiz. Even cross field balls are right on a dime. Def a great look about him.

He's good, but the brightest prospect? I wouldn't say so.

Feruz himself had like 10 shots off target lol.

The confidence in our youth team is unreal. Every kid is ready to take people on and put in killed balls or score.

That John Swift goal, the build-up and the finish was pure class. Ake's goal was so easy lol, not sure what Liverpool defenders were doing there lol. Should be easily through now.

I don't think he should be a starter, but as a backup I don't mind keeping him here for another 7-8 years cause he's not a liability. He won't win you matches but he won't cost you any either. Plus he's homegrown.

Surely Santi deserved a nomination? And, I don't know how Nastasic doesn't make the young player list. Starting CB in the best defence in the league in your first season. Michu although has been great for Swansea but he hasn't been good for the 2nd half of the season now. Great bargain but you shouldn't get nominated cause you were a bargain.

And Lukaku as far as I recal was 10M + bonuses (which could increase it to 18). But if he turns out good enough to earn those bonuses then he's good enough to warrant that fee.

Couldn't have asked for a better game and result. Got 3 points and never had to get out of 2nd gear. Now beat Liverpool and make it count.

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK YEAH LUIZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wtf is Ivanovic doing?

Still remember the bicycle kick cross he put in that match haha but also gave a last minute penalty if I recall correctly.

He'll get a premier league loan next season and maybe the season after he can be part of the squad. However, I'm fine with next 2 seasons on loan in the prem. He's a defender no need to rush him, experience as a defender is just if not more valuable than ability.

This is what he said: "The conversation was very positive (with Chelsea). They are pleased with his progress and think he is ready to become part of the first team. "The only problem is there is still no clarity about who is head coach next season." So the board clearly rates him.

Do you honestly think every hot prospect we're signing genuinely thinks he's being bought to become a Chelsea first XI player? They are signing because Chelsea is a big club and has state of the art facilities. You could be a shit player and just having Chelsea on your CV puts you ahead of several others. And even if he's sold (which won't happen imo) what's so bad in it for him personally? He used Chelsea as a stepping stone to get to Dortmund? Hardly a disappointing career choice.

Yeah, he's not got on any of our youth team squads. Even Tika got appearances in the Next Gen. Charly is nowhere to be found.

Um because there is hardly no risk with Piazon, worst case you break even? Best case you got a first XI player, so you dont even have to spend anything on a big name player. Average scenario - you make 5M profit off his sale. It's a business, there is no sure shot, you take risks but you also gotta hedge against them. Chelsea's youth academy is a hedge to purchases like Torres and whatnot.

I don't mind keeping Demba Ba around. Our attacking mids get enough goals (most in the league?) so we don't need a high scoring striker, we need a dude with some BALLS who will work hard and not be a pussy. Demba does that, Lukaku will do that, big men who will bully the CBs and most importantly OCCUPY the backline and stretch them so the trio behind them can be even more influential. Furthermore, a better ball-playing midfield will help tremendously as well so we can keep at least one of Mata or Hazard further up the pitch with Ba/Torres ala Real Madrid where Ronaldo rarely tracks back and stays up as a one man counter-attack. Meaning, address midfield first then other positions.