Tomo

Please don't tell me you actually believe he would flop in England?

@ParNolio7, The problem with a strike partnership these days is it is almost impossible to make it work without getting completely overrun in midfield, Liverpool had to go 3-5-2 to accommodate Suarez and Sturridge and even then they got outplayed by Arsenal.

http://forum.talkchelsea.net/topic/11545-time-for-avb-to-really-earn-his-money-with-a-huge-statement-against-wolves/ Is Jose going to make a similar statement i was hoping AVB was going to make (after the dire game against Levekusen) this time 2 years back?

I hate CL night without us in it. Thankgod we got top 4.

That's the nail on head. There's no denying Luiz is on poor form right now and would probably have seen a fair bit of bench time if an in form Alex was still around, but Cahill is just not good enough to be anything more than a decent squad player.

He got better after that season and ended up with being one of the key elements to the treble winning season in 2010 for Inter, considering he was 33 after that season it is kind of understandable that he declined after.

When Lucio was 27 he was getting his pants pulled down by Didier Drogba and Joe Cole in a CL quarter final, a few years on he was arguably the best defender in the world for a treble winning Inter team.

Excuse me? what the hell are you doing bringing facts into it? only myths are allowed on this thread

Im torn because Southampton are better, but don't we already have one midweek trip to the Stadium of Light in December?

That would be a good idea if you want to see us relegated. If it was up to supporters Drogba and Anelka would have been sold after Moscow, i would prefer us to leave decision's like that to the expert.

Whenever i think of Distin i can't help but think back to the game in 2003 when we beat City 5-0 and he had one of the worst defensive displays im ever likely to witness.

Without a doubt we can see much more from him, which goes to show just how good he is/can be. But i have heard a lot that he needs to be dropped, which i don't agree with, he can and will play much better, but by in large i think he has played well this season, as the chances created stat shows.

I can't agree with Hazard, he has still created the most chances in the PL this season despite being doubled up on and fouled whenever he gets the ball. For me he had been poor this season if you compare him to his potential, but in terms of productivity, i don't think he has been bad, for me.

David Luiz just after he arrived against Manchester City was certainly one of the best defensive displays i have seen for Chelsea, i know he has divided opinion since, but surely not even his biggest detractor could put down that display. Didier Drogba at Anfield in 2005. Shay Given vs Liverpool late 2008 despite Newcastle losing 5-1 was one of the best keeper displays i have ever seen. I have already touched on Cech in Munich.

Although i think he should be played a little bit less, Lampard has no way been a big a problem as people have been making out. TOPTB has regularly post stats backing that up. This is probably the best form he has been in since he declined post double season, i think Jose is helping him learn his new pivot role a bit better and while he will never be a natural there, i don't dread seeing him there like i have most of the last two season's. We need to adress the CM problem sooner rather than later, but Lampard, Ramires and Mikel 'will do' until January.

Long term that is still an issue. Terry is playing very, very well right now, but he is still going to be 33 next month at the end of the day, as great as he is he can't go forever and will hit father time at some point, we need to prepare for that eventuality instead of waiting for it to happen like we did for Malouda and co in 2010. Hopefully it won't be a problem for atleast this season and next, but even a machine like Terry can't go on forever, father time is one opponent no man can beat.

What i find funny is how Luiz is this 'liability' and Cahill is the 'solid, safe option'. It's amazing what the media and pundits can do, it really is. They both have flaws to their game's (which is why they are horrible as a partnership, the worst at Chelsea in my lifetime imo) but i find it hilarious how someone who can't play the offside trap for shit and is easily conned by the opposition (check the dummy Gibbs sold him last season) is regarded as a safe and solid option. Having said that even as someone who likes Luiz, i just can't see him being the future captain, the next long term one at this club will probably be Chalobah.

Maybe this is what Mourinho has been planning all along. Im still not convinced but if Jose thinks he could be a solution there, he has my backing.

Also it would be nice to effectively chalk a match off the calendar by securing the group before game 6th which will give us a chance to play some fringe players.

Since the Basle match, we haven't used the Cahill and Luiz partnership outside of the Carling Cup. Hopefully Mourinho has already sussed that those two playing together is a walking disaster zone.

If it came down to that, i would prefer to play Ake again. Luiz in the pivot never sat right with me, he was always disposed if pressed hard enough.

I agree, but we can't do nothing until January, were i hope we will at the very least find a short term solution because i doubt a Gundogan or Witsel will be available in January.

I think it's more to do with the lack of options than anything else, while we have strengthened in the other area's off the pitch, MVG's injury means we basically have the same thin pivot as last season with the difference being Essien is the emergency 4th choice instead of David Luiz. Having said that i don't think Lampard has been as bad as made out, he certainly hasn't been great and sooner or later needs replacing, but hopefully we can get by with Ramires-Mikel/Lampard until January.

I still think 2 (maybe 3) teams will break away come the turn of the year.

2004/2005 Arsenal went 5 points clear off Chelsea early on, lost at Old Trafford, drew at home to Southampton and we got top and remained there. 2013/2014 Arsenal go 5 points clear off Chelsea, Arsenal's next two league games?