teignman

I watched Lucho quite a few times during last season's CL. I didn't see anything that impressed me. I'd pass on him.

I must admit that I was excited, but a bit leery of the Torres signing. Leery mainly because of the £50m price tag and his fitness. However, I don't believe that this is the sad final chapter of a once world class striker. There were several things that I thought explained his goal scoring, or lack thereof, record with us. First, I'll just come out and say it: he was unlucky. Second, as others have touched on, he was coming off a world cup year and was not full fit. Next, he was facing immense pressure after his transfer. Even a confident, highly skilled footballer like Torres is not immune to the immense pressures of such a massive transfer. He had to adjust to a new team that was struggling at the time and a manager that was unsure how to use him. Finally, I think the service was simply not there for him. Torres, like many top strikers, needs creative play behind him in order to succeed. I am confident that AVB can rekindle the raging inferno of goals that is Fernando Torres. However, we must upgrade the creativity and pace of our squad via promotion/inclusion of our youth and purchasing several new players.

I wouldn't go as far as saying he's not interested in Chelsea, but Barca are def his first choice.

rather have hulk than falcao

The Neymar stuff in the media has reached a level of absurdity that is beyond off-putting. Even if we did get him, which I'm not so keen on, his signing would be quite anticlimactic due to the media saga that preceded it.

want: mata, alexis sanchez, hamsik, and hell while we're at it aguero. modric mainly to piss off the spuds hierarchy and fans.:eyebrows: think we'll get: lukaku, de bruyne

out of all the players i've heard bandied about in regard to our beloved club, sanchez is the one i've wanted/want most.

I must go on record as saying that I don't think the Lukaku is the right one. I not debating the fact he is talented. I just don't think he has matured enough as a player for us to know his true potential (hope that makes sense). Also, I think the money we are spending is a bit much. We should be focusing our attentions on a creative players, not our already crowded, albeit aging, strike force.

Amen. Couldn't agree more.

In general, I think every team's supporters tend to overrate their youth. That being said, I honestly think we have some true talent in our side, namely Kakuta, Sturridge, and McEachran. The key is to mix them in with the experienced players a start here, a subsitution there, etc. Blood them in. As much as I hate to reference him, Sir Red Nose is pretty adept at this. Take a risk on them, or they will not come to fruition.

Didn't want Carlo to go, and thought the whole thing was unduly harsh. Out of all the candidates, I like Villas-Boas most. However, I think it would be tough to mix him in with an experienced team on such a big stage. Whomever it is, they need to be given some autonomy to run the team as they see fit. Just sign the checks Roman! Leave the rest to the lifelong football men.

Can't say I share your exuberance. Once again we are a rudderless team. Carlo was and is a class act, and a good manager. Now, I did take issue with some of his tactics and choices, but I think he is the right man for Chelsea. He should have been given at least until the end of his contract. Given the weak pool of available managers, outside of Guus, I am not terribly optimistic we can find someone better at the moment.

Exactly. As soon as I saw the NESV bought Liverpool it sent a chill up my spine. Gone is the ineptitude of Gillette and Hicks, in is a savvy group of businessmen that know how to run a sports franchise and produce results.

Watched Mata throughout the CL this season and some La Liga games. Thought he was creative, pacy, and had a bit of scoring ability. Great ability in the final third. 23 is a great age to pick him up. He's turning into a class player and we could get his best years.

As much as it pains me to say, Manure def deserved their victory. On a personnel level, I don't believe that they have a better team. I would say we are about even in that department, maybe we're a bit better. However, UrTd is vastly superior in one area that is probably most important: cohesion. They are a well-oiled machine, and their players play their respective roles with aplomb and alacrity. They do this consistently, or at least more consistently than us. Thus we are left to sing the blues whilst the devils dance their way to a league title and the CL final. On a positive note, I am proud that the way the fellas fought their way back into the title race and gave the Mancs a run for their money.

I was glad to read Jose's comments, spot on. He asks some very good questions. Unfortunately, questions that UEFA will never answer and will pillory the Special One for asking.

Started off as a Gers supporter, seemed only natural to support Chelsea. Over time my infatuation has grown.

I am a massive supporter of Glasgow Rangers. So of course I follow the SPL closely. I watch a fair amount of serie a as well. some la liga, and occasionally the bundesliga. US national team too.

Feeling fairly calm about this one. Most of my dejection was used up last week. I don't expect us to go through, but by no means think it's done and dusted. We need to retain possession better, and not give away the ball as cheaply as we did at the bridge. Play smart, play hard. Good things will happen (sorry for the banal analysis, but it's true).

I have seen Lampard not at his best all too much as of late, but this night he was woeful. There were so many errant passes from him and the entire team. Our attack has started to remind me of a big budget Hollywood movie with a plot that goes nowhere.

Not to be overly pedantic, but it's Ian Darke, not Drake. I think he's pretty good. I preferred it when Derek Rae the main ESPN match commentator. Thank heavens Andy Gray isn't commentating anymore. I can only imagine the pony we would have to listen to if he were calling today's game.

I gotta agree. I think the FA will cave at least to some extent.

My Fergie hate has reached an all time high this season. Ditto for that whinging little bastard shrek.

From the Daily Mail's article by Sam Mokbel: Arsenal's Robin van Persie blasts whining Chelsea and Barcelona "Arsenal striker Robin van Persie last night spiced up the title race by branding Chelsea a team of moaners who spend too much time complaining to referees." Van Persie, whose side are four points ahead of Carlo Ancelotti’s team in the fight to win the Barclays Premier League, labelled such behaviour ‘b****y annoying’ and ‘unsporting’." "As he prepared for Holland’s Euro 2012 qualifier in Hungary on Friday night, Van Persie said: ‘Barcelona's players have the habit of whingeing about every- thing, and that is disappointing. In England, Chelsea’s players behave in the same way." full article http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1369668/Arsenals-Robin-van-Persie-blasts-whining-Chelsea-Barcelona.html This takes a certain amount of audacity to say that we are a bunch of whingers. First of all, I would like to say that we complain as much or less than most teams in the PL. Second, Arsenal are renown for the moaning and whinging throughout the league. The Italians have a phrase for Robin, "Che un plonkero!"

Schalke is the team I want to draw. They look to be the weakest side left in the competition.