Slam Dunk

I really doubt it was a bidding war, considering there were 15+ candidates interested in the site. All I know is that the council had conditions that the prospective bidders had to meet with their plans (rail extensions/local area redevelopment/etc), so I imagine that would have been a big factor when the proposals were being considered. The 'preferred bidders' as they are now called (the Malaysian property developers) have promised a new underground station, as well as the extensions of the Northern Line. They're saying that they are looking to regenerate south-west london, which means it'll probably be a shopping centre/housing. Such a disappointing outcome/bad choice. This would truly have been iconic.

Welcome mate! You should definitely get involved with posting, the forum has been quiet lately, the more posters, the better!

Clarke deserves a crack at management, he's been an assistant for too long now. I wonder if he needs any players on loan...

Didn't know he could play CM in the 4-4-2! I'm not sure if Chelsea would ever use him in that position though (I doubt it), which was why i'd have imagined that he'd be playing as a winger for Southampton (or whoever he joins on loan).

FFP rules do not count stadium development/building towards expenditure as far as I know. If we were to redevelop the Bridge, I'd imagine we'd play at another ground, because as you've mentioned, it isn't a modern stadium and large areas of it would need updating. Where we'd play though is another question entirely... Of course as you've said, there is a chance the Malaysian investors could pull out of the deal. Although, considering they've agreed to meet the conditions of the site set by the council, it seems very unlikely.

The problem with Swansea, as mentioned above, was that Sigurdsson was so good, he and Josh couldn't play together as they were so similar in style. I know nothing of Southampton's team (especially out wide, where I assume KdB would play, as Championship teams don't generally play with a no.10). Hopefully they need a left-sided winger...

He won't want to go on loan. Besides, I think there is an opening for him in the squad for the coming season. Benayoun and Kalou will both be leaving. KdB and Lukaku will be going out on loan, and with Sturridge taking the 2nd striker spot in Lukaku's absence, we'll have Marin/Kakuta as a youthful backup to either the winger or the no.10. Unfortunately, Malouda seems to be adamant he'll be staying, which could potentially block his route to the bench. He won't be playing week in, week out, but he should realistically get a couple of opportunities to show what he can do. Hazard/Mata/Marin/Kakuta Hulk*/Sturridge/Ramires/Kakuta --- Torres/Hulk*/Sturridge --- Mata/Hazard/Marin/Malouda Is not too shabby. * I added in Hulk because it seems inevitable he'll be joining.

Not to mention, before that, one of the best pens I think i've ever seen. The stutter, the placement, the spin on the ball and the beating of the badge afterwards. Class.

Tell that to Yaya Toure. And yes i'm aware you said 'rarely' before you go pointing that out.

Really want to see the club pushing the idea of redeveloping the Bridge now. It's the best option. Any other sites will automatically be seen as second-class, as TX said.

Haha. I don't understand why you feel Fellaini would oust Romeu from the squad though. I see Fellaini as a replacement for Essien/Meireles more than Mikel/Romeu.

Standout? Let's not go too far. He was good in a few matches, was ill for a while and didn't play much for the remainder of the season.

You can't blame him for wanting to play in London.

So it's navy, not black...Even better.

http://forum.talkchelsea.net/topic/9808-the-stamford-bridge-thread/page__st__1062 ?

It actually looks a lot better than I originally thought it would...Still won't be buying it though.

No I understood your point, just the numbers didn't seem right. Power is a huge part of his game though, but not everything. He is rapidly quick as well.

150lbs? I don't believe that for a second. Where did you get that from?

I'd actually say he's a better right back than centre back.

I have to say, that seems incredibly harsh to drop Ramires from the starting 11, considering he was probably (along with Mata) our best player last season. Tough decisions for the new manager to make undoubtedly, but Ramires would be one of the first names on the team sheet if it were up to me.

I've no idea how you've come to that conclusion, but they are undoubtedly a bigger club than Dortmund. Kagawa's decision to join United was clearly not solely because he wanted more money.

I genuinely thought you were joking at first...Now I'm not so sure. Anyone who thinks that joining United from Dortmund is a step down is crazy.

€16M, rising to €22M apparently. Good bit of business for United that.

Your post should have ended there . FFP really isn't as big a worry as the media/forums etc are making out. If the club couldn't justify this summer spending, they wouldn't do it.

Retiring #11? Jesus christ.