EskWeston

The way the club works with their squad numbers this a huge boost for Josh, a really clear indicator that he is part of the first team squad proper. As was the number of minutes he got in pre season, should be used well this season i think

Agree with that, with each manager you can look to certain things that led to them going. Carlo's was that there was no real indication of being able to turn around the poor performances that we were putting in last season. Grant's was just because he was a waste of space. Scolari too was obvious that he was never going to turn things around and Jose fell out with Roman.

I just think if we want to sign a winger then sign a winger... a top class winger too. We don't need a left back and it does just seem like another signing that would not really address the issues i think we have in our squad i.e lack of pace, creativity and players out wide who will run at defenders.

It depends on your perspective, of course it is not good to see such constant change. But when you look at the success we have had over that period compared to other clubs who have held onto their managers then we are obviously doing something right. I am sure everyone would love to see a manager stay for 10 years and create something special but the most important thing is that we stay competitive and even with all those changes we have been able to do that.

Of course we have not underachieved. We have been a huge success and as well as winning plenty of silverware we have established ourselves as one of the top clubs in world football, not an easy thing to do when you are not part of the "established order" of top European clubs. And on top of that we are definately going to win more and more in the future so i think we have definately been a success, no-one has a right to win every year.

Well it looks like the club are certainly going to push for a work permit for Rajkovic, hopefully it will go through and we can finally see him play some games for Chelsea.

Connor really needs a loan. Like so many players coming through the English set up his second season in the reserves/loans has not gone so great for him. He really needs to get a good loan move where he can spend the season and play some games and really push himself forward and to make a name for himself. This call up is a good thing for him as it may raise his profile a little with clubs looking for loan players.

A few injuries picked up now will make the team selection a little easier for AVB. Still should be able to put a team out more than capable of beating Stoke. Looking forward to the season finally kicking off....

Lukaku would be a very nice signing for CFC, definately not a position we needed to buy in but Lukaku will be one for the future, will look forward to seeing him play for us soon enough.

It would certainly seem that this deal will go through. One for the future and not a move that will improve the team for this season but still a good signing.

Will look forward to seeing him play in a Chelsea shirt. Seen some good reports on him, obviously good cover for Essien with the injury but hopefully can grow into a real candidate for a regular starting place.

It looks like deals for Lukaku and Modric will still try to be pushed through. Would still prefer a winger myself, but we will wait and see 26 days until the window closes, plenty of time to do some business.

Always sad to hear the death of a blue, especially one part of a very special team......

Would like to see us sign Pato but again, we must have been linked with every top player by now this transfer window.....

Villas-Boas has been true to his word about taking the time to look and asses the squad. The window is still open for a long time and i think given the various things said over the tour we will see some players come in. Time will tell but now is the time when things will start to happen, AVB has had his time and will know full well where he needs to improve his squad and will have ideas on who he wants to bring in. There is no need for panic, Villas-Boas has got this squad playing very well and the signs are good for the coming season.

Of course youngsters will be loaned out, some already have been loaned out. Players like Magnay, Mellis, Clifford, Van Aanholt, Gordon, Taylor will certainly go out and then we have a new group probably ready for loan with the likes of Lalkovic, Billy Clifford, Kaby, Mitrovic, Deen Conteh ect..

this was a very good performance and a clear indicator of avb's work with the squad. the work rate was cery impressive and the closing down was great. we even put together some flowing moves that were quick and incisive. the progress during pre season is clear to see. hopefully we can keep it going into the new season.

not exactly what he said but why let facts get in the way of a good story. whilst i have complete faith in avb's abilty to get this squad playing well i still wouldnt want to go into the new seasin without some new additions.

lets be honest. we only know of our apparent interest in him because of zamprini. maybe we did have people making enquires but i am sure we are doing that with a lot of players. we have no real clue if pastore was a real target for avb or not.

the team will be most of the players who started on the bench last game. which means the likes of sturridge, torres, mceachran, bosingwa, cech ect will all start. will be an excellent test for the team.

yes of course we could but paying the wages of players of that calibre that would not be playing would be bad for us financially. especially as we would be paying wages for their replacement too.

Actually it isn't bullshit. Not quite right but not bullshit either. If you look at this thread we actually have NO spaces for a foreign player. The deal for Romeu does not affect the squad ruling because he is U21.... If we sign Modric or Pastore we WILL need to sell someone. Deals for Romeu, Lukaku, Neymar or any other player Under 21 will not affect the PL squad registration rules..

Not suprising, it was clear from reading the comments that he was misquoted! Twice already in pre season.... Do other clubs have this problem?

Much improved performance, good to see AVB's philosophy finally coming through on the pitch, particulary with the pressing game. So good to see. The game against Villa will be a bigger test and will be good to see where we are at with our pre season.

Only right the complaint was made. Just a shame they waited so long to do it. Despite what they say in their statement the only reason for the delay was so that it didn't impact their marketing....