Slam Dunk

It's because they know that we would be wiling to pay that. Even if we say no to their demands, they get to keep their star player for 6 more months, and when a couple more teams come calling in the Summer (City), they can still demand that amount. Question: How many penalties has Luiz ever taken for Benfica before tonight?... Edit: JorgeJesus in post-match interview: "Nothing is on the table for David Luiz. But several clubs are interested" Last-minute guzump on cards?" From Planet Benfica's twitter. A ploy to get us to just pay up perhaps?

They're still playing. Was that supposed to be his farewell goal?

"And David Luiz is limping noticeably now, looks like it was his left hip. Great decision to play him Benfica" Fucking typical.

Had a quick twitter search and saw people saying he'd picked up a knock and was receiving treatment. I though to myself "Just our fucking luck..." Think he carried on though.

He's not eligible for the game vs Liverpool, and is cup tied for the FA Cup game at the weekend vs Spurs. Looks like we'll have to wait a bit longer to see him in action.

Not quite, Howard Webb still hasn't officially joined Man Utd

Atletico president said they had rejected two offers, €45M + 18% VAT for Aguero (from Madrid perhaps?), and the €60M joint bid from us. Maybe it was a week ago, before we negotiated with Luiz?

So we're losing another attacking option? Granted, he hasn't been used much, but we are now one short on cover for the attack especially IF Luiz is our only signing. Will be good for his development however, hopefully they play him often and in the right position.

It's been a long time since i've seen Drogba play so well with his back to goal. His support play was fantastic.

Honestly I was expecting him to be on more than €40k a week. Good negotiating on our part there.

Just relaying what i've been reading. Hopefully we will find out by the end of the day though. He's reportedly flying in for his medical today. What's odd though is the vaulation of €5M (€25M cash + €5M player) on the player going to Benfica - Are Matic/Rajkovic worth £4.2M?

Apparently the favourite to go to Benfica as part of the deal is Matic. 4 and a half year deal for Luiz.

SkySports: "It is reported that Benfica will take one of Slobodan Rajkovic, Nemanja Matic, Patrick van Aanholt or Fabio Borini." Interesting seeing Borini's name mentioned. Possibility of it being him? €5M sounds about right for him. http://www.skysports...6699911,00.html

When they asked about Luiz it was obvious he was told not to say anything, then he said that Luiz definitely wouldn't be available for monday's game

Ramires a waste of space? Have you seen his last few performances? The problem with having players such as Lukaku/Luiz/Sanchez is that they won't want to join us and sit on the bench. They are already established players who will want to play week in/week out. It is all about buying them at the right time. A team needs players such as Ferreira, who are willing to sit on the bench and act as reliable replacements when the team has injuries. I agree with the ageing squad comment, and it looks like the club are finally acting upon it. Players such as McEachran, Kakuta, Sturridge etc are being given a few minutes here and there, ready for when the current squad retires. The thing is, these young players need time (even Drogba has said this to the media), they need to be gradually integrated into the team.

Apparently Bordeaux and Lille are behind FULHAM in the race to sign Kakuta on loan. PL experience could be very important. Good move?

I can see what you mean LDN, the club seem to have prioritised CB as a position we need to add players to, which seems a little odd when you consider how the attackers have been performing as of late. Anyway, SkySports are reporting that we 'are locked in talks' with Benfica - http://www.skysports...6673041,00.html

Then maybe they know as much as we do . Another thing, how is Ivanovic going to react to this if we do indeed sign him? He wants to play CB and is being offered a new deal at the moment, could that be a talking point for him?

Didn't Ancelotti already confirm that if the club were looking for a player, it would be a CB (think it was whilst talking about Pienaar)? Also, Planet Benfica are saying that he is only going to leave in the Summer - http://twitter.com/planetbenfica

Delac is 18, most goalkeepers play until they're 40, no need to rush Delac's development and put unnecessary pressure on him.

Pienaar confirms he will move to Tottenham.

One glance towards the goal before he hit it. Amazing strike.

I'd take 15 minutes of ad breaks any day over listening to him drone on and on at half time.

Don't see it happening right now: If he were to join, would he be happy to sit on the bench as soon as Alex returns? Therefore if all 4 CBs were fit, we then have 2 top-quality CBs sitting on the bench getting frustrated (assuming Ivanovic still wants to play centrally)... Obviously in the long term this would be an ideal signing, but after joining from a team top of the league and playing week after week, where would he immediately fit in at Chelsea?

BBC Radio Suffolk: "The current programme is unavailable due to either contractual reasons or a temporary technical fault..." Hopefully its the latter..