Tortilla9

I agree about Yossi but it seems if he went to Spurs he might get some more playing time according to reports. LOL the bolded part.

We might have to go to the garment district and see if we can find some quality knock-offs or something.

Hope to see Mata here soon. My daughter wants a new 2011/12 kit. She was looking at names and texts me.......Malouda She saw the error of her ways. She said she wants Josh instead. Now she said if Mata comes she wants both. We may not be able to watch games live but we're supporting Chelsea's kit sales. Are there 3 new kits every season? Plus the CL kit?

Yeah that lack of strength was a problem for Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta against United last season. I get what the analysts are saying but haven't they been proven "slightly" wrong lately that size isn't everything?

Jay Spearing is one odd looking dude. Mata looks like an AVB mini-Me.

Daily's Mail's Friday back page preview: http://twitpic.com/684q70 Not sure if the twitpic link above works. Here's the Daily Mail website link. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2027673/Chelsea-sign-Juan-Mata-bid-Luka-Modric-EXCLUSIVE.html?ITO=1490

I loved when Carragher launched one of his infamous long balls toward Torres last season. Torres didn't make the run Carragher wanted, Carragher started yelling at Torres, Torres turned around and put his finger to his lips and shushed him. Thought Carragher was going to lose it. What a piece of work Carragher is.

I think it speaks to the professionalism of both Hodgson and Torres that Hodgson speaks well of Torres even after his abrupt departure. I think Torres even said positive things about Roy after he left Liverpool. Basically it wasn't all his (Roy's) fault. I think Torres became a target man because Carragher was the man in charge at Liverpool and his idea of playing out the back was launching it at will. The media talk about the Chelsea dressing room. They ignore the influence of Carragher in the dressing room and on the pitch.

Part of RM's problem at Liverpool, other than being at Liverpool, was managers (Hodgson and Dalglish) pushing him out wide to accomodate Gerrard. The wide role didn't get the best out of him. Aquilani is a more creative CM than Meireles though. He looks like a stiff wind could blow him over but he's creative and has an eye for pass and movement in the final 3rd. He had a good season with Juventus on loan but they couldn't agree on a price with Liverpool to bring him back permanently. He looked pretty good playing against Spain for Italy in the recent friendly.

Players not getting paid. RM and Barca are the cream of La Liga. The rest of La Liga can be run like a mickey mouse organization at times.

AVB talking about the Cech injury http://youtu.be/7kelL-3--hc

There are a lot of people from Spain who support either RM or Barca who are embarrassed by the whole thing. Immense talent like Messi marred by the juvenile actions of players and a manager. The sideshow has become bigger than the games at some point. Yes, RM is rich in history but they're also full of behavior that makes you shake your head. Infighting, backstabbing, public name calling of their managers, their board, their president - and that's within the RM heirarchy. They're no innocents either.

I like Pat for a few reasons: 1. Legend 2. Torres supporter when so many others were bashing him 3. Chelsea homer but still willing to criticize yet not be an ass about it 4. Sticks up for Chelsea when the other media, ie ex scouse, are ranting and raving The best part was the relegation lines that were already being used. One game in. Ridiculous media.

The Cech news sucks but that part made me laugh.

Here in the US it's 7 am. I woke up hoping to read that Mata and Modric were done deals. I admit to some fantasy there. Instead I read Cech injured. WTH!!!

Seeing it on video vs seeing in person probably two different things. Maybe watching video he thought "I can fix that". Then he saw it live and said "I can't fix that". The "needs" probably slapped him in the face when he saw it up close and personal.

Fernando looks pretty animated. Maybe he came back from Spain and told AVB it was a done deal, all that was needed was Roman to spend the money. Maybe that's why he started Sunday. (I kid, I kid!)

I thought I read somewhere that he didn't speak English unless he's been taking the Rosetta Stone lessons.

What about Ramires? He's growing on me more and more as I watch him play.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2027189/Chelsea-fall-short-22m-bid-Valencia-ace-Juan-Mata.html Says Mata has been keen on a move to Chelsea all summer. Really? Is that Agent Torres doing his work behind the scenes?

Torres game Sunday was so much better than anything I've seen from him since he came to Chelsea. Last season his touch was the worst I've ever seen from him. I was almost expecting bad touches from him. Torres will never have a Tevez or Rooney workrate but when he's engaged, confident, there is a different level and we saw that Sunday. We saw him attacking and dribbling; and turning and going by defenders. Last season he wasn't doing that - part of that was his crap touch, as soon as he'd get the ball, he'd lose it. Now you see he can collect/receive the ball, turn (not lose it in the turn), and take players on. That's Torres or any top class attacking player - wanting/demanding the ball and able and willing to take players on. I'd rather see that Torres than one who too often gives the ball to a teammate because he can't/won't attack.

I have that on my yacht. Let me go get it and I'll write the check.

Manpe said it even better. Although he'd be 1) better than Kalou and 2) faster than Anelka.

Guillem Balauge also said: Chelsea willing to do a very big effort for Mata. He was only thinking of FCB and AFC but key!: AVB likes him: he plays on the hole or wing Chelsea INTERESTED in Mata FOR SURE. His buy out clause 60m euros but Valenic will consider selling for 30m. Chelsea want a winger FYI, there are multiple fake Balauge twitter accounts. The real, verified, twitter account is @GuillemBalague

Some people love him, some hate him. He does seem to have an ear to the Spanish players. He was the first Spanish reporter to say Torres was definitely leaving LFC and coming to Chelsea. He was getting hammered but he never wavered. He said today on twitter: "that would be an awesome signing for Chelsea and for Torres. Valencia would accept 30m EUROS." So what is that in pounds?