Bir_CFC

That's the greatest fullback of all time. Ashley Cole with Bosingwa's unibrow. BEAST !!!!!

He could have but really no point when he isn't going to be part of the squad. Players who actually have a chance of playing the season always take precedence in preseason.

I like that we tried the 4-3-3 but playing Ramires on RW doesn't make sense when you're already playing 3 CM in the midfield. However, we didn't have any attacking mids available other than Hazard. Looking forward to get Mata back Lukaku showed some nice things, hopefully he gets to play a lot this season on loan wherever he goes.

Tuesday? Damn, dude will get like no time off. I know we have a lot of people who can give him a breather now but he's still our best player imo. Gotta be careful though, hope he doesn't get injured.

With players like Mata, Marin, Oscar, Torres we have to press the opposition and win the ball early because we know everyone is going to park the bus against us. Since we have so many new players it will take time to gel, we must create goals by pressing and winning the ball higher up the pitch because our offence wont be in sync for a while and we might find it hard to break teams down in the short run.

I think Marin probably the best crosser out of all those listed. Plus, I like that he gives genuine width to our play which still will be a problem for us this season imo.

Yeah, can someone tell me which match he played as a striker? I never knew he can play striker.

Lack of activity? We can't be signing a player every day. Considering just last week Gourlay said we're looking for 2 more signings should be more than good enough.

right, that's what i said, it's his last year he will actually try and perform better so he can get a better contract and once he gets his better contract he will again to back to not giving a shit

Great move for De Bruyne. We should keep Malouda, it's his last year right? He'll perform better so he can get a better contract next year.

We definitely need another striker. But I think our pivot problems won't be that bad this year because I'm really digging Essien so far. We have Romeu and Meireles who can do a job in the pivot too so if they aren't utilized then that's a coaching problem not a personnel problem imo. Yeah, no one is world class but they should be able to do the job imo.

I joined as well. Team name - A Hazardous Mata

I don't understand that, yeah he's had a tough time at Liverpool but he's a decent striker and still has some potential. I don't think he's that bad. 2M loan deal? Yeah I'll take him at Chelsea just cause he's a one man plan B.

Because he's right, but trying to put you down instead of just saying that he is hard working.

I posted this in another thread, but it makes sense here. And, it's pretty simple really. 4-3-3 Cech Ivan - Luiz - JT - Cole Ramires - Mikel - Oscar Mata - Torres - Hazard Everyone is in their best position imo, except Mata but we will allow Mata to drift inside and roam as much as he wants since he has Ramires at RCM who will cover everything on the right side. Mata can drift inside and Ramires can make runs down the right overlapping Mata and make runs into space vacated by Mata as he drifts inside. Oscar on the other side can also go forward when play is switched to the left but he'll make runs to the centre ala Lampard. The main help with this compared to the double pivot is that we will always have Mikel + another midfielder in the midfield at all times, so always better cover cause honestly counter attacks will be our main threats in 90% of the matches. When Mata moves center, Ramires moves to the right. Oscar holds with Mikel. If Oscar moves central as a number 10, Mata stays right and Ramires holds back with Mikel. Any thoughts?

Really think we should switch to a 4-3-3, the only one it potentially hurts is Mata but he's good enough to still be very effective on the wing. Cech Ivan - Luiz - Terry - Cole Ramires - Mikel - Oscar/Lamps Mata - Torres - Hazard Even if Mata drifts inside, which he will and should Ramires is more than capable at covering for him.

Azpi is coming for sure. Moses looks likely but not sure we need him. Depends on who we're able to I guess, if Benayoun and Malouda both leave then I guess.

Gutted for him since he looked like he really wanted it and played like it as well. Happy for Chelsea though since he can come back early. Welcome back the best Chelsea player.

Neymar nutmeged a dude with his fuckin head, good lord. So so first half for Oscar and Brazil but a much better second half, such a young guy with almost a complete game already. Very excited. I was going to get Hazard on the away kit since I already have the home kit, now I'm going to have to buy the ugly 3rd kit and get Oscar too.

Oscar's drifting too high up, maybe been told to do that to take the back line higher allowing more space for Neymar and Hulk.

You claim to have watched him many times with Lille yet his link up play surprises you? Smh

Lampard Mikel pivot has been very disappointing, it worked well cause all they were busy doing was parking the bus but almost every AC Milan attack has been a counter with Mikel alone manning the entire midfield. Anyways, good match though overall looking better.

Not bad performance though, not many chances but players looking better.

Lampard and Mikel are getting caught way too high on counters. Especially Lamps.

Torres to get 30 mins I'm guessing, still probably not that fit.