Tomo

Ten years ago the same argument was being made re Cech and Cudicini, i used the BBC forum back then and when it was revealed Cech was starting vs United the place was like feeding time in the zoo.

I can understand the argument for Cech but nothing to earn it? Come on, if we didn't own him then it would probably have took a Buffon like fee to get him outof Leti.

A weak league?

The thing is, our 11/12 team were so crap that no one really cared about any defiency Mata had because he (along with Danny and Rami) were the only ones performing anywhere close to consistently, we were in a beggers can't be choosers moment as a club. Not many complained about Ramires lack of technical ability in 11/12, why? Because despite that he was light years ahead of the alternatives, now there is quality alternatives for him, he gets more complaints. Similar as to why Mata's lack of workrate and off the ball game got mentioned more when we had quality depth in attacking midfield and not Anelkalouda waiting if Juan couldn't play. Also RDM didn't build the team around him, he had Mazacar interchanging, Benitez came in and had to get us top 3, so he did what was best in the short term, build the team around Mata (Hazard and Oscar were young in there first season, so it wouldn't have been fair to put that pressure on then) with the bus firmly parked in behind him. Benitez likes his teams to be solid and tough to beat, if he got the full time gig there's every chance he might have dropped Juan to.

But but but, attacking midfielders shouldn't have to do any defensive work

Haven't they always had them? Could be wrong. While we are on City I use to like Pellegrini when he was in Spain, now the sight off him irritates me.

The Flash commenting with a laugh smiley in 3 2 1 On a serious note, fully agree. Eto'o especially on a lesser role would have done what was required.

When a team that isn't us are in a 2 horse race with Liverpool for a trophy, any ill feeling for that said club goes out of the window temporarily. Then after my relief that Liverpool didn't win dies down, I feel sick about the other club winning, like City last season.

Watching this game at a pub that I have watched 3 previous Chelsea games. 3-0 vs Stoke last season. 2-0 at Anfield last season. And yes you guessed it Munich

Jose Morais has taken a year out to manage in the middle east, strange timing.

I predict we go 1-0 down at half time, the usual suspects will be on the match thread moaning. Second half we come back to win 4-1 with one off the best 2nd half games in recent memory and they disappear.

We keep hearing the same thing about Ramires being undroppable under Jose. What is this based on? If Vidal Pogba or someone come next year he will be right down the pecking order.

Really? I thought he was all over the shop in the final and Boateng was carrying him.

Not convinced he is as good as he is being made out to be, but having said that if it comes down to gambling with Remy or persisting with Torres, only one answer.

There's a reason for that.

Also to expand further I was initially happy going into the new season with a band of 6 largely versatile defenders due to lack of rotation last season however now I think about it, could be a disaster. One injury to one of the five senior defenders and we would have to flog the other 4 because the back ups beyond that are teenagers in Zouma, Ake then im guessing Christensen.

Not from the start, we will still have to do some defending against these sides and if we go all Brendan Rodgers we will concede a lot of goals.

I hope this can happen if possible, yes it would be nice and romantic for Zouma to come in and instantly hit the ground running, but this is the real world. My worry about CB position is there is no one really top class in their prime, Terry is still good but father time can hit any moment at his age, Cahill is good but not world class I love his commitment and attitude and has improved ten fold under Mou but can he be the 'main man'? I have serious doubts. Zouma is a talent but still very raw, I would rather he builds up games for the next couple of years, not close to being ready for a major role yet and I seem to be one of a very few that prefer Brana at full back, always have. What Benatia will give us is a CB at his prime and in the form of his life, because im not convinced going into the season with the current batch, especially as we will likely be more attacking against the lesser sides at least. £30m for some one regarded as one of the best CBs around is maybe not a bargain but a fair price in this market.

Just typical that the best academy player we have had since JT got ruined by injures. If he was fully healthly this tedious Mourinho hates youth players myth wouldn't exist.

Matics performance vs Arsenal last season is the most underrated display by a Chelsea player for a while. He was all over there midfield and his pressing and harassing was arguably the main reason we swarmed all over them.

Haven't been so certain of a signing succeeding in a longg time, he has all the attributes needed to succeed in this team, and will bring moments of quality like he did in Turkey which will turn one point into three. Which we missed from our front line last season. I just wish we signed an adequate back up or kept Eto'o. Torres and current Drogba just don't cut it as back ups.

Well hopefully were just win the league and neither of us will have to find out either way I can understand the caution and maybe im a tad naive thinking this, but I reckon if we are heading on the right path I think Jose will stay regardless, obviously if we nosedive down the league he's gone, but next to no chance of that.

Without meaning to start another Mata flame war, Hazard is on another level to Juan. Plus RDM didn't really build the team around Mata, Benny did which imo was the right thing to do at that moment.

Honestly what is it with the grass is greener complexes. Moses was getting so much stick when he was here (I know he is still technically here but ill be amazed if that's the case come September 1st) now he's as good as gone he is better than Salah and Willian. I swear some people have to leave Chelsea for there stock to rise at Stamford Bridge, like Rafa for example.

Build the team around him, give the other ten players a structure and let Hazard do what he wants.