KingEssien

No, I meant to put a question mark so I didn't assume that, it was a grammatical error. My apologies. I'm not comparing the players so to speak I'm comparing the risks. For the reasons I've said in my other post I fail to see how you can say Lukaku is such a huge risk when Neymar is a much less 'proven' player but is double the price tag? In relative terms, Lukaku is a bargain for the risk is much lower. How can you say that Ivorian kid looks better than him? Have you watched him before the tournament or just a few games? He's playing against some 16 year old kids and you said for that money so you weren't saying he would be cheaper. He's a good player but comparing him to Lukaku who is far more proven on bigger stages is foolish.

Petty little thing aren't you. So you trying to say Lukaku won't be good for us. Let's compare him to your beloved Neymar then. He's younger, more mature, capped by him country at a younger age, wants to play for Chelsea - not money, plays in a more competitive league. Now tell me how Neymar is worth £45m and Lukaku isn't worth £22m? There are many copies of Neymar that we could get instead but Lukaku is a rare player. If that's not what you meant with you saying about him only scoring against those 2 teams then don't make such ridiculous assertions. Lukaku scores against teams which are much greater to the teams Neymar does. The word hypocritical springs to mind.

Grow up. So he's only scored against those 2 teams, pathetic. League's top scorer at the age of 17 is an incredible achievement, it might not be the EPL but it's hardly something like the K League. Being capped by your country by the age of 16 and at 17 being in the first eleven is not easy. Pretty sure if he was a Brazilian you would have masturbated all over the screen at just the prospect of signing him.

OR we could buy Lukaku who scores goals in REAL internationals and in Europe and is a starter for his team. Bit of a shit comment there.

It's the first half, of the first 'real' pre season game, with a mixed up first 11 which have never played together before officially, who are trying to adapt a new philosophy, away from home against a decent team. Let's not be stupid, don't expect miracles within 45 minutes.

Because when he first came to us he was erratic and immature and not fitting into his position well because he's naturally a AM but with Essien and Lampard and his physical abilities he became a DM, that adjustment takes some time, especially for someone at such a tender age. He's now shown over the last 2 season that he's adapted to it and whilst still can improve his tackling, marking and heading he's growing into the position. The thing is with Essien in the team who CAN play DM, he's shoved there because he didn't need to adjust and wasn't a risk. Also with us not having a stable formation and constantly switching between 4-4-2, 4-1-2-1-2 and 4-3-3 there was sometimes only place for two midfielders - no manager has been strong enough to drop big names like Essien and Lampard. If you watched him play every game he has and seen his development, composure and passing you'll see what I mean, he's a phenomenal player who's got rid of his bad habits and when gets a good run in, rarely makes a mistake and is a consistent performer.

Better than City? I hate them too but I can't see how that is so. They will be challenging for all the trophies next year and have a squad full of some world class players. Only better teams would be us, United, Barca, Real and I don't see any of them getting him.

Not at all, like what has just been said Essien is known for his physical abilities more then defence splitting passes, he's obviously a good passer too but it's not his speciality. The reason you see that from Mikel is because we limit him, we treat him as a defensive midfielder instead of a deep-lying playmaker which is what he should be. Essien has more chances to set up a pass because he's in the final third so much more then Mikel is allowed. Also it's to do with his perceived importance in the team. He's never always going to start, managers unfairly never give him a good run of games and when he finally does he's incredible (last season first half). Because of that he would look to make less mistakes, and play simple rather than defence splitting passes all the time. With the right management and a good run in the starting 11 I honestly believe Mikel can be one of the, if not the greatest DM in the world in the next two years, he has all the qualities and he's still only 24. Also, his passing percentage and short passes controls the game and the tempo to our suiting of a slower build up, he's integral to our system and maybe with a more attacking system now, next season you'll see him given more trust and freedom to create like he can.

It's a valid opinion. I mean why do we really need another DM? Mikel, McEachran, maybe Luiz can all play there. Especially if it's for 6 months only, waste of money and priority should be in more advanced positions. RW/LW/CM/CAM. P.S. Mikel has much more creativity and better passing ability than Essien does, they're different types of players.

Personally I don't think so, Tevez is leaving for personal reasons. Although he complains about Manchester being wet and there being nothing it's probably because he's a recluse with no social life and hasn't put the effort in looking around and immersing himself in British culture. Between United and City there are endless world class players that have played there and enjoyed themselves, just because Tevez cries I doubt it will have too much of an effect on him, I think he's wiser than that.

Why wouldn't he? 1st team football, going to be competing in all competitions, champions league football, money, best league in the world.

Shitty. They can afford his wages, and Real are getting Ade. Perfect replacement for Tevez, same model as him just a younger version - makes perfect sense for them to get him. Wish he would come here over Falcao - I rate him as an all round better striker and he's more adaptable but IF we were in the running for both AVB would chose Falcao, sad really he would fit into our new style incredibly well.

it's no coincidence that the team looks to play better, work together more, and create more opportunities when mikel is playing. people underrate his impact too much because it isn't tangible in the form of goals or assists as many people rate midfielders. His impact is far less subtle - he gives our fullbacks space to run, Luiz to come out and play a bit from central defence, Lampard a greater authority in the final third and controls and dictates play in the middle of the park with his breaking down of the game and his accurate passing. For me, he is a neccessary for Chelsea's success.

It's half the price wanted for Pastore, so how is that overpriced? It's all relative.

I pray we buy him. Long time admirer, he's one hell of a player, shouldn't have been dropped from England squad. Remember when him and SWP (whilst he was at Chelsea) ripped apart every team on the right hand side for England. Great player.

Banega - High risk but RELATIVE low price. -Coming into form. -Concerns over his future. -Extremely creative and can defend too. -Very young.

LOL! I like how you think you are some sort of God of South American football, like you're some scout. Not picking a petty argument but just because you may live in Brazil doesn't mean you have a stunning knowledge of the football in the whole of South America, quite ridiculous really. You assert your opinions as if it's the truth and your knowledge is superior to others, it isn't.

Not going to bother pretending like I watch every game he plays or anything stupid like that. I've watched enough of him in games for club and country to see the qualities and see the potential of those qualities which is the whole reason we would splash out £20m odd on him.

you guys are wayyyyyyyyyy too critical of drogba's talents. just because he's big and CAN be a target man doesn't mean he always is, he often creates a hell of a lot of opportunities (look at his assist record), defends better than some of our defenders and has plenty of flair about him. Lukaku also seems to possess similar qualities, he's quick, good in the air and strong, great finisher and creates. Just because they are big guys doesn't mean they are straight away target men, if they have the qualities they can be deployed however the manager wishes.

source?

I agree on the whole. His talent and potential is unquestionable, he COULD be one of the best in the world if he develops and matures properly in the near future. However his attitude could lead him to just another overhyped player who never reached the standards he could. It's one thing him being confident in his abilities, it's another him being cocky and so arrogant and resorting to diving constantly... he'll need to curb his own attitude in order to develop in the way he could possibly. Right now, given his all round recent performances and attitude he would be a HUGE gamble, he's used to being a massive star in Brazil and whilst he would be a key player for us if he didn't perform he wouldn't play - his response to that is unknown but I believe it wouldn't be too positive. He needs to mature much more as a person before he's ready for a big money move to a top club, £40 odd million is way too much for such a risk right now. We should focus on players with good temparment and already tested at a higher level such as Hulk, Sanchez (if it's not too late) or just try to develop our own like Kakuta who just this time last year everyone was saying how incredible he could be.

Hits the target 10% of the time? Then please explain his goalscoring record? Runs in a straight line? Then please explain his assists record? He's EXACTLY the player Chelsea need - young, rapid, powerful, great shooter, good passer, versatile, and can beat a man. As well as the boss knowing him incredibly well.

"YET" - AVB been in the job just a few days what do you expect? He needs to see the players he has at his disposal before making a £30 odd million bid for a player. Common sense.

Twitter is my source, guy just posted it a minute after I did and didn't put a source through yet.

Twitter: @TransferNewsCen Lukaku: "The meeting between Chelsea and my Agent was canceled, Chelsea has not returned to contact us" (via twitter EPL_es)