teignman

Extremely raw. One of my biggest problems with him is that he has a terrible passing range. At this, granted early, stage of his career he makes Rami look like Laudrup. We urgently need a presence in the midfield that can both win the ball and pass in order to control/kill off the game. Could be one for the future, but if we don't get an immediate upgrade in the CM or DM position, we will revisit many of our frustrations from last season. There's only so much Jose can do. Additionally, he has some of the pitch issues headaches that we could do without, as we've had enough of those over the past few seasons to last us a lifetime.

I'm glad that you found my post so useful. No, I am not a teacher, but I appreciate the complement. P.S. Sim, eu falo um pouco de Português, but I was also being nice to you.

Quite a post, where to start? First, I think you have a good grasp of the whole volante/DM terminology. Ramires can play DM/volante, but his skills do not translate particularly well to that role. He is best suited as a box to box midfielder, i.e. the second most advanced midfielder in a 4-3-3. Xabi can play DM/volante, but is probably better in the role that you described. And, yes, Xabi is an excellent pivot player from his days at Liverpool until now at Real. The pivot is the "2" in a 4-2-3-1. Ideally, one of these players is a DM/volante and the other is a deep lying playmaker (players like Modric or Pirlo). The deep lying playmaker focuses on keeping/recycling possession, but more importantly linking defense with attack through their passing. I think you're analysis of Oscar and his strengths and weaknesses is excellent. I hope that I've helped answer some of your questions about terminology, not that you needed much help. You already seem to have a fantastic grasp of the lingo. You're definitely NOT an "english dummy." I guarantee you that your English is much, much better than my Portuguese.

Reminds me of an observation by Jon Champion during a victory over the Gooners in the double winning season under Carlo, " Arsenal play the football, Chelsea score the goals."

He would still count as being homegrown due to the fact that he is registered with Chelsea and, by extension, the FA. I'm about 90% sure this is the rule.

The most important piece of information I gleaned from this is that he will absolutely not, under any terms, be managing us next season. Delightful. Cue us drawing Napoli in the group stages in the CL.

Had a shocker in the EL final, granted whilst playing out of position. However, he was tenacious as always and played his heart out. He's got guts, and sometimes guts is enough.

I feel the same. However, once the proceedings get started, I'll be shouting obscenities and normal service will have resumed.

Cheater's justice for Leicester and that diving little bastard. Really hoping Watford can do the business at Wembley!

I just hope the lads dig deep. Just a few games left including the EL final. I know it's been a long season (the longest for any club in the PL era), but I just hope they can summon the strength to get us a massive 3 pts at Villa Park.

No way on this transfer. He's an injury-riddled, rapidly declining primadonna who has logged more senior minutes at age 27 than many players in their 30s. Sound familiar?

In the past week or so, I've seen quite a few journos banging on about how Benitez deserves a great deal of credit for getting us to our current position. This of course whilst painting us, the fans, as a bunch of ingrates blinded by the past. I, for one, don't find our current position or the man who brought us to this anything to be celebrated. We haven't secured CL qualification, though we have an appreciably better team than Le Arse and Spuds. We have consistently dropped points to lower sides (which makes today's match feel a bit ominous) on the heels of baffling substitutions or inaction. This season has been absolutely exhausting, and not in the good way. I'll be happy when we can turn the page, waive goodbye to El Gordo, and hopefully have qualified for next season's Champions League.

I know. The whole "Cowell's Lust for Lesbian Romps" thing is a bit disturbing.

Logically analyzing the two teams, venue, etc., it seems we should definitely get something from this match. However, I have a deep sense of foreboding about this one. My prediction is the shit from the lane take all 3 pts. Oh how I'd love to be wrong about this...

QPR going down. Couldn't have happened to a nicer club and supporters. Cunts.

Good to see Nat keeps it gangster.

Bayern is probably one of the most complete teams we've seen in a while. They're physical, pacy, technically gifted, and an aerial threat. Also, they defend well. The Bavarians also have phenomenal depth as well, and they're going to add Goetze in the summer. An absolute embarrassment of riches in Munich.

Comment hall of fame material there zolayes. You've really outdone yourself.

I'd really like to see Stoke get relegated. They're a shit side that has gotten away with kicking lumps out of people for far too long. Unfortunately, their run-in looks pretty manageable.

Just a warning, this is going to get heated with colorful language: Dear Rafa, Now hear this you cretinous fuck. Do your goddamn job! You have been told in no uncertain fucking terms that a top 4 finish is the priority for this season! Not the FA cup or that fucking crap competition referred to as the Europa. Oh, but I forgot you are infinitely more interested in your own career and C.V. because we dared to call you "interim." Yet, you give rant on how you are a professional and will do your job. That remains to be seen. You are a complete an utter fuckface that is not fit to manage a KFC let alone a football club. You should have been sacked months ago, but for some absurd reason you weren't. You are an absolute detriment to this club. Piss off. Regards, Everyone who gives damn about Chelsea Fc

It's ok to like both if you're so inclined.

Indeed. Should be some good deals to be had in our areas of need.

I like your overall idea, but have some issues with the figures mentioned. Benat has a release clause of around £16m, and the Betis chairman said he will not leave for less. Even if we get Betis to come off that release clause, he's still going to be well over the figure you mentioned. We offered £17m for Schurrle last summer and were rejected. We would probably need to increase the offer by considerably more than a million, with Leverkusen rumored to want in the £25-£30m range, to get the deal done. Cavani is definitely going to cost more than £30m, or at least he should given current market values. Also, Yossi is out of contract June 30 of this year, so he'll leave on a free. However, we'll have his £70k per week wages off the books. I think the Nando sum mentioned is reasonable. His wages are not, and would prove to be the biggest obstacle to any move away from SW6. However, I get the feeling that there are still some powers in the football world that inexplicably believe that Torres can regain some semblance of his former self. Strange, because it seems even Roman is willing to cut his losses on the Spaniard.

Our boy is becoming a man. If he continues on this path, someday soon he will be THE Man. P.S. I also found the lascivious, sometimes adoring, looks that the short-haired blonde bird across the table was shooting him to quite hilarious. A little creepy, but mostly hilarious.

This is so much better than the boring bs that you normally get in an interview with a celebrity.