BlueJewel

Read on twitter that Sturridge declined to go on loan to Liverpool and would only have left on permanent deal. Which presupposes he had more than a year on his contract, contrary to what many have speculated on this forum. He was initially dropped from the squad list to complete his loan move but he stood firm and Di Mateo reinstated him. He's been a breath of fresh air whenever he's been introduced from the bench this season. His highlight yesterday was dribbling past two defenders, something Ramires hasn't been able to do all season, I still don't understand why Di Mateo still plays Ramires as a winger. Anyway Happy Birthday, I hope you'll remain a Chelsea Blue for a long long time.

M'Villa was very poor last season, so much so that the fans of the National team expressed discontent at his selection for the Euros. His hype still exist, but I doubt he'd do any better than Mikel in a Chelsea shirt.

Atletico may be forced to sell him though, they are not in the best of states financially and they were reported to have defaulted in the payment of an installment of the amount due to Porto. It could trigger a bidding war around Europe, the clubs that can afford him would include PSG, Man City, Chelsea, Madrid, Barcelona and Anzhi. He could potentially break Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer record.

Falcao's transfer to any club at the moment would cost at least €60 million, that is the lowest estimate, Atletico paid Porto €40 million plus €7 million in add-ons for 80% of Falcao. The remaining 20% of Falcao is owned by GetiFute, an agency owned by Super Agent Jorge Mendes. Mendes is also the agent of Falcao. So without any added on profit, for Chelsea to buy 100% of Falcao (since co-ownership is banned in the Premier League) we would have to pay at least €60 million which is roughly £48 million. Since both parties would want to make a profit, my estimate of the final cost of Falcao would be between £60 million and £70 million.

I don't think he has a bad attitude, he's quite humble in the interviews of him I've listened to. His problem is that a lot often he tries to prove how good he is and why he deserves to start, in so doing he sometimes makes the wrong choice. He should be cut some slack though, he has only been playing top level football for only a year and a half now, he is still learning. Chelsea would be making a big mistake if they let Sturridge go, I can see him developing into a world class CF or RW and a full England international in a couple of years.

I think his contract probably had an automatic extension based on appearance for the club, national team etc. I don't believe Chelsea would let the contract of a young, talented (potential) England international run out without at least attempting to offer him a new one. Sturridge is in my opinion better than Walcott and has greater potential but Arsenal are looking to offer him(Walcott) a 5 year contract with top wages with a year of his current contract left, even though he's demanding more.

We'll find out for sure pretty soon but from the English press all I can make out is that he has 2 more years left on his current contract, either way I expect him to get a new contract soon.

According to this Mirror article and a few other on the Daily Mail, his contract runs till June 2014. There would have been a storm of articles and rumours linking him to other clubs if he had just a year left. Even if he was to leave in a year, Chelsea would have to receive compensation from his new club as he'd still be under 23. I'm pretty sure contract negotiations to extend his contract would begin this season. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-manchester-city-tottenham-and-liverpool-887056 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2097966/Arsenal-want-Chelseas-Daniel-Sturridge.html

Sturridge has two years left on his contract and is currently earning £65k a week . I thought he was fantastic last night, I've been a fan of him since I first saw him play in his brief cameos under Ancelloti. He's probably the most talented English forward of his age, I think he gets overly critised in these parts, his play can be immature at times, but this is essentially his second season as a full professional at the highest level playing in an unfavoured position and he is still only 22. I'd be very sad if Chelsea loses him to one of her rivals, his situation is so reminiscent of Arjen Robben when he was a youngster at Chelsea.

Chalobah did quite well in preseason, I don't think he should be first choice right back, but if there are no transfers at right back he can fill in when Ivanovic, Hutchinson and Ferreira are not available. Players develop at different rates Chalobah is an obvious early bloomer he's already a lot bigger that most premier league right backs at 17, it wouldn't hurt to give him a tryout when there's a suspension or injury crisis.

Why not? United will probably play Valencia or Jones at right back, none of whom are naturals in that position. I'm not against getting someone like Debuchy or Azpillicueta, but should we fail to sign either I'd not be too worried I think Chalobah, Hutchinson and to an extent Ferreira would be adequate cover for Ivanovic.

The last time we had a proper right back, he didn't turn out quite so well. For the temporary right back solution, I'd prefer Hutchinson or Chalobah who put in decent performances at right back during preseason. I was quite impressed with the selection today, against all the doom and gloom that preceded this match I think Chelsea gave a fair account of itself. In the first half, I don't remember Cech making any decent save, City had a lot of the ball but couldn't get it to Aguero and Tevez, the former had a very quite match in my opinion. Mikel is a decent player a few bad games doesn't change that, I'd have wished though that Di Matteo would have made his substitutions earlier. I'd have personally subbed in Essien/ Mereiles for Mikel, Sturridge for Mata and Cahill for Ramires at half time. Ramires was on a yellow card and as such couldn't fully commit into challenges and risk a second booking.

I think some people are overrating Verrati's performance last night, he showed some flashes of brilliance on the night but certainly didn't boss the second half. Chelsea's approach to the game changed in the second half, the front players Piazon, Ramires and Marin, were pressing the ball high up the field, which meant we recovered the ball faster and hence had more possession in the second half. I thought Mceachran did quite well when he came on, he offered himself up for the pass every time and kept things simple, he also played the forwards through a couple of times. I also remember him recovering the ball from Houraou the PSG centre forward, who gave Mceachran a cynical kick for his troubles. Chelsea bossed the midfield with Mceachran and Essien as the double pivot. The trio on the left (Cole, Malouda and Marin) probably had the most impact in the match, the introduction of Cole, saw a much purposeful leftback overlap, which was quite contrasting to what Ferreira was offering at left back. Malouda and Marin were very tricky and caused the PSG backline a lot of problems.

I don't think Schurrle is what Chelsea needs, the team is stacked with wingers and wing forwards, what is missing is an out and out centre forward to serve as back up to Torres, when Lukaku goes on loan. I'd prefer a cheap option like Demba Ba, whose a proven goalscorer in the Premier League with West Ham and Newcastle, and would cost just 7 million pounds, plus low wages.

Cech; Ferreira Luiz Cahill Ivanovic; Mikel Lampard Ramires; Hazard Lukaku Marin

Jese guy looks promising, I tip him to be a star one day.

He'll recover hopefully, viral meningitis usually requires only supportive treatment, he just needs rest and some pain killers.

Sorry if this has been posted before, saw this video of Sturridge in 2004 when he was 14 and won player of a tournament hosted at the Old Trafford.

Still think the team can win this tie, the "injured" players could make a return, I think it'll be a scrappy match, I'll personally wish an attack of Torres, Drogba, Sturridge and Mata starts this match. Should in case we go for the long ball option, Drogba can always knock the ball down for Torres, the forward four should switch positions throughout the match to confuse the fulham defenders, I hope Romeu finally gets playing time. I'll go with a line up like this. Cech Ivanovic - Luiz - Terry* - Cole* Mikel - Ramires Sturridge - Torres - Mata Drogba

I think it's pretty sad Sturridge get booed at the Stamford Bridge, on a day very few Chelsea players covered themselves in glory. Not his best game, but you could easily tell his head was some where else, he was riled by the boos, and took it out on his roommates, he threw a couple of tantrums when Drogba decided to have a strike on goal instead of setting him up for a tap in. This is first full season as a starter at the highest level, and he's slowly adapting, one thing that cannot be denied is his talent, he has loads of it, a little bit of patience and he'll turn into a world beater. He's still Chelsea's best option on the wings, I will pick him over Kalou, Ramires and Malouda anyday.

I'll go with this line-up Cech Ivanovic - Terry - Luiz - Cole Mikel - Romeu Sturridge - Torres - Mata Drogba

It would be interesting to see Luiz play in midfield, I think he would offer a lot of creativity there. Luiz at midfield would definitely offer more creativity than Malouda and Mereiles. Chelsea's only goal at the Liberty stadium was due to him, weaving his way through the midfield and laying a pass to Bosingwa, whose deflected cross resulted in the equalizer and his first goal for Chelsea was also an excellent volley against United at the Bridge. Cech Bosingwa - Cahill - Ivanovic - Bertrand Luiz - Romeu - Essien Sturridge - Torres - Mata

I don't think the time is right to play Romeu, he's had very little time with the team and this would be his first Champions League game, imagine if he has a terrible game and gifts a goal or two that might spell doom for his Chelsea career, he should gradually be blooded into the team. My predicted Line Up. Cech Bosingwa - Ivanovic - Terry - Cole Mikel Mereiles - Lampard Sturridge - Torres - Mata

I would not start Torres against Man Utd, this game looks like the perfect match for Drogba, the last time we won at Old Trafford, Drogba was very decisive. Here is my line up. Cech Ivanovic - Alex - Terry - Cole Essien Ramires-Lampard Anelka Drogba Malouda

He had enough chances to had scored a goal or two and they were both from crosses from Drogba and Bosingwa, We all want Torres to succeed but the guy signed a 5 and a half year contract with us. There is no need to rush him to succeed. Drogba is in far better form at the moment and has proved it in recent games, his corner kicks,crosses and freekicks are world class. Torres is having a hard time settling but the team always must come first before any player. Anelka has 7 goals in the competition and Drogba knows the team inside out and is really hungry for success. Anelka and Drogba should start any day until Torres can regain his form of old. Torres looked uninterested and lost for a lot of the game, he should at least put in some effort a tackle to win the ball would not do him any harm. 12 games without scoring a goal eats up a strikers confidence.