Tortilla9

Don't you know in many cases that qualifies you to be on the pitch. Case in point Walcott: fast as hell, dumb as a rock.

Spain v Chile so Mata and Torres

I think he'll be a quality addition to the squad. He plays quicker than some current players. He looks to combine with other players and is very unselfish. I think some doubters will be pleasantly surprised by what he brings to the team. Looking forward to seeing him in blue.

5 assists.

Someone was asking about AVB not wanting Meireles at Porto. Listened to Duncan Castle on FSC and read a few Portugal websites about Meireles previous move and this latest one. Meireles had wanted to make a move to the PL for two years prior to AVB getting there. The timing was good for both player and team. Somebody said Meireles wasn't pushed, he jumped at the chance when teams started asking about him. This latest move has been in the work for 2 weeks once the Modric deal started to go nowhere (ok that'd be all summer). AVB reached out to Meireles and asked if he'd be interested in moving to Chelsea. The deal was worked on religiously by his agent for the last 5 hours of the transfer window. The last hiccup was Yossi leaving.

Well one thing for sure, it can't be any slower.

Having watched Meireles and Torres for 4 shorts months at LFC, they can play together and seem to have an understanding with each other. Something Torres and Frank don't seem to share. Meireles' agent was negotiating deal non-stop for last five hours before deadline. Yossi exit was one sticking point. Stupid scousers actually think the deal happened in the last 30 minutes.

FSC also said that Wenger talked to Yossi after the United thrashing on Sunday about a move.

Meireles giving Torres a relatively easy tap in. http://www.fernando9torres.com/index.php?s=multimedia&t=videos&c=10⊂=16&id=1039

He did. To give Torres credit that was a moment of sheer genius on that strike.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by9djdXeVEs&feature=related

Kenny seemed to want an English identity to the team. Really strange because Meireles was played out of his normal central position a lot last year to accomodate Gerrard, Poulsen (!), and whatever other crazy thoughts Roy had. He still managed to have a very good season for them and was a LFC fan favorite.

Regarding players who didn't leave, was it because AVB didn't want them to leave or nobody would take them? What's done is done...for now.

@Portugoaldotnet (Portuguese football news in English): Meireles is a very underrated player IMO. Always does a solid job in central midfield, attacking, defending, or box-to-box.

Did anybody hear Gigi say there could still be confirmation on CFC players?

He was 4 at Liverpool.

I can see him, Mata, Torres linking up well together. Even in the short months he played with Torres, Meireles seemed to understand Torres movement.

He should have enjoyed sitting on the bench behind Kenny's English brigade and glory in wearing red. Morons.

He actually can play a through ball and better than any of the other CMs. Whether he replaces or benches Lampard is up to AVB.

Times say its 12M.

At least he had the guts to do what Modric didn't - put in a transfer request and forfeit money.

Reading some of the different Portugal forums from when Meireles left Porto: Porto was looking to take advantage of Meireles strong showing at the WC and make some money. Teams like Inter, United, Liverpool were interested and Porto took the money and ran. Majority of Porto fans thought Meireles was a good player and were sad to see him go.

@dalejohnsonESPN: Explanation for Raul Meireles situ: but submitting a transfer request he relinquishes his $ (I don't have the pound symbol) rights at #lfc, removing transfer hurdle. #cfc

I think he's a little underrated or not as bad as most think. AVB does know him and maybe he knows how he can fit him into the glorious midfield he has.

Maybe AVB told him he wasn't going to play much and a move made sense. Don't understand how the loan move makes sense for Chelsea.