Tortilla9

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?

I love Torres but that makes me cringe. He gave Kalouda a great cross but there are times when his crossing is plain awful. Although is it any worse than Malouda's or Kalou's? Funny you mention Ramires, that thought crossed my mind too. So maybe Torres isn't so far-fetched. At least there'd be some speed and width. I think if you tell Torres and Ramires "play wide" they understand what that means. Kalou and Malouda hear "play wide" and think that means "do whatever I want". Hell, I have no idea.

Torres = player/DOF/translator (Mata/Oriol) Whatever it takes to get some width and creativity on the team. Thinking there might be some Spanish potlucks at the Torres house soon.

lol that's exactly what I'm afraid of. Sometimes I think Gourlay is still living off the Asia Cup glory.

I'm a little worried we'll get neither Hazard or Mata. Fingers crossed those in charge have a plan.

The media.... what a bunch of clowns. I'm sure Fernando can make a call, send some texts to Mata if asked. But ordered? Mata, Oriol, Fernando - it would be a little Spanish armada and having a Spanish voice in the mix wouldn't hurt Mata's transition to England.

He was the oldest guy out there but he was still good. His son plays for a club in Orange County and was recently called up to a US youth national team as a keeper.

Core strength is the key to the big throw in. A girl on my daughter's club team can throw it in from the side to the box. Not a very big girl but she's ripped like Linda Hamilton in Terminator 2.

Another example: He talked to the keeper coach almost immediately once Cech started getting manhandled in the box. The keeper coach immediately went to talk to the 4th official. One thing I did like was AVB wasn't a passive bystander.

They look like a bunch of kids out there pushing and shoving. Either that or they're dancing with each other.

Remember last season Liverpool v Chelsea when Torres and Terry collided? I'll be generous and say it was an aerial challenge but at the time it looked like Terry climbed over the back of Torres and hit him in the back of the head with his knee. Torres wasn't too thrilled. How'd that end? Torres another goal after already scoring one early on. That's the Torres I love to watch who plays with a swagger and confidence. Hoping we'll see more of that at Chelsea.