Tortilla9

The worst part of that is the follow-up tweet that says a Committee including Emanalo will make the decision on the targets. Emanalo? Really?

Wigan can't defend for sh*t but their wide players actually play wide, take a player on, cut in, cross. Those things you hope a wide player can do. N'Zogbia seems like a good piece of business - talented, young, not too expensive, fills a need.

Liverpool is also looking at him. He had two very nice goals today although Green should have done better on the second one.

Even when he's scoring for fun he can be a pouty brat. I have to say as much as I love Fernando this half season has been miserable to watch him with a few exceptions here and there. Today was not a good Fernando moment. There were days at Liverpool where he'd look like absolute sh*t for 89 minutes and then have a bit of magic. I hope he enjoys the first summer off in years, finds his mojo back, and comes back ready. Right now he looks tired of football, on and off the field. I'm not ready to give up on him yet but he and I both need a break.

Carlo admits the transition for Torres and the team has been tougher than anybody imagined. Torres Mid-Season Move Chelsea tried to get Torres and Luiz last summer, respective clubs said no Implementing tactical changes to get best out of Torres has been difficult Position of midfielders needs to be changed and difficult to change mid-season If you have a chance to buy him, you buy him. He will have a fantastic career with Chelsea (from Carlo's lips to the soccer God's ears).

Maybe Torres car broke down and Cesc is his chauffeur.

@FreddieBoswell7 is interesting to follow. Not sure how much is accurate but still interesting.

Duck and cover.....

Read this whole thread a few times, posted in it even. A lot posts have mentioned how important a creative CM is (I agree). How do you incorporate that with Frank in the side?

C'mon now. Even I've learned to take anything Jamie says with a grain of salt and still ignore most of it.

Do you think they'll be in form next season or has father time caught up with them? Agree about Mikel.

I hate to say it but I saw some comparisons between Giggs/Parks/Carrick (unbelieveable!) to Liverpool a few years ago when Mascherano, Alonso, and Gerrard were in the middle. Mascherano was the workhorse who did the dirty work. Alonso played deeper and delivered killer balls. Gerrard was able to run around like a chicken with his head cut off supporting Torres because Mascherano and Alonso were controlling the middle. Whose doing the dirty work in the middle? You always need an unsung workhorse in the middle. I can see Mikel doing it but he doesn't always play or he gets subbed off instead of Essien or Lampard who seem virtually untouchable. Whose passing a la Alonso or Giggs? Not Essien or Lampard. Whose running around with no midfield discipline? Essien and Lampard.

I agree the defense is solid. When I watch Chelsea I can't quite figure out what the midfield is (or isn't doing). Sometimes it seems there are 3 holding mids with nobody attacking, creating, linking up with the forwards. I think that's one reason you find the forwards dropping back, going wide, because it's the only way they can get involved. Talent like Drogba, Torres, et al shouldn't be required to defend, win the ball, create, and finish all in one series but too often that seems to be the m.o. because the midfield either plays too slowly or isn't involved. That is the biggest area of concern in my feeble little mind.

I agree. That was Liverpool's problem when Torres was there. I think the team needs to transition from Drogba to Torres which requires a change in tactics. Torres is not incapable of playing with other players but he is more successful being the point. A successful Torres helps Chelsea. That said having a squad with talent and the ability to rotate/rest/sub is essential.

dodojojo has started drinking early (or never stopped). That would be amazing for Torres AND Chelsea and I hope you're right (or close). There would have to be some changes for that to happen but no need for details right now.

Ignoring that comment just like the girls did (including my own daughter). They were useless players who resulted in my downfall. If they'd only listened to my coaching. We would have been champions instead of finishing last. Damn 8 year olds. Cents? Year? That's not what Shane said. I'm suing for breach of contract.

Duplicate - the power got to my head.

Is that pounds or dollars?

I am honored. I can replace Emanalo since I've coached girls youth football too.

Can I be his assistant?

So does this mean I can't mention Messi? I thought that was so realistic too.

Motivation, fear.... work for Fergie. No matter who the player if they're not performing up to Fergie's standards, they're sitting. The opposite seems to be true at Chelsea. If you're certain players no matter how underperforming you are, you'll play and play and play.

Unfortunately I agree as much as it pains me to.

I think the real question is did Roman spend the money he spent on Torres to have him used as a 15-30 minute sub? I think Roman envisions him as part of the Chelsea future and Torres at his best is the point of the attack. I think most of us want it to work but it's like square pegs/round holes each and every time Drogba and Torres are together. Either neither player can figure it out or neither player truly wants too. Oh well two more games left and them somebody way above my pay grade will be making some tough decisions.

Ollie, I respect your Chelsea knowledge but why? I love Torres but when he was brought on today with Drogba still on the pitch I actually cringed. Nothing that happened for those 30 minutes showed me anything positive for either player. Both players marginalized. Why not try something new in the middle because what happened today was painful.