Pizy

Imagine we line up with essentially the same XI as this season with maybe one new player. That player being a new CB and that's it as far as the first XI goes. I think the big 3 are completely safe (Hazard, Costa, Willian) and Conte is a known admirer of Oscar so it doesn't look like he's going anywhere unfortunately. Fabregas is safe and so is Azpi. That leaves only a few positions that are still up in the air. Matic, LB, and CB. No chance we sell one of our only English players in Cahill, Ivanovic is a club favorite so he'll be here. We may have the same slow, labored attack with only one or two sources of goals next season which is a recipe for disaster in addition to a defense with only one new face. I hope Conte and the board realize that this is a huge window and minor changes won't cut it. We need an Oscar replacement, a new CM or two, and 2 defensive players. Trying to "get the best" out of players who have been average for years and under multiple managers will see us struggling in midtable again. Oscar in particular has had chance after chance under several managers and hasn't improved at all. Look at other players in his position an his contribution is pathetic compared to them. Özil, Eriksen, Payet, Courinho, even Mata who he was supposed to replace has been much better than him since leaving. We need production from that area next season.

I honestly can't blame him at all for that goal. He was probably expecting his midfielders to pressure the ball (aka do their damn jobs) which they didn't. Therefore he was just far enough off his line that he couldn't reach the ball.

He seems to be everywhere at all times. Covers every inch of the pitch and helps his defenders without thought or hesitation. He reads the passing lanes so well and makes countless interceptions. Fantastic player that we need to make a run at and at least try. It'll be hard to convince him to move here when he can stay at Leicester and play in the CL and surely a few CL sides like Arsenal and City will be after him, but we have to at least try. Put him in a midfield that has players that excell in the areas he isn't great at and he'll continue to be a beast. For example he'd compliment Cesc perfectly. Fabregas doesn't have to worry as much about defending and can focus on his passing and controlling the tempo of possession. We've seen how deadly he is when given time to dictate the play. Likewise, Kanté wouldn't be asked to attack and pass as much and could focus on disrupting play and tackling. A midfield 3 consisting of Cesc, Kanté, and a box to box like Nainggolan would be insane.

Only up from here! Bring on the transfer window. Hope we get some early business done before the Euro's. As for this match, that Drinkwater goal perfectly illustrates why we need huge midfield upgrades. We had no one near him and just rolled out the red carpet for him to have a shot. No closing down, no effort. Has been that way all season.

Wow, Matic has finally decided to emerge from hiding on the final day of the season.

The word you're looking for is "according" not recording, mate.

That would be my reference as well. If we intend to use a #10 though then Götze should surely be a target. I'm starting to suspect Oscar will be played deeper. No rumblings at all that the club are thinking of selling him.

Think people are forgetting just how special he looked at Dortmund. Right up there with Hazard as a sure fire future superstar. He just made the mistake of moving to a club loaded with world class players in his position. If he comes to the PL or moves back to Dortmund hell once again prove his class.

Two of the players we've been linked with have weird, chubby looking bodies. Götze and Higuain.

Sadly, I agree with that assessment of Terry and do indeed think it's time for us to move on, but if he stays he's still the best of a bad bunch. You know there's no way the club will sell Cahill & Ivanovic even though they've been dreadful. What choice will we really have if JT doesn't start? We won't buy 3 new CB's or something.

No, he should definitely start if we can get someone like Bonucci, Manolas, or Stones. An athletic and mobile CB that can do more of the leg work that JT no longer can. Who else would be starting? Surely not the walking disasters that are Cahill and Ivanovic. Zouma apparently may not be ready at the start of the season.

It'll be great if he stays of course, but unless we buy a top CB to partner him we're in for another nightmarish season at the back. Starting next season with Cahill & Terry will handicap us from the start.

Oh, great...

I just wonder... When José retires will he be remembered most and be a bigger legend at Chelsea or Man United? Just insane that we'll be seeing our biggest managerial legend ever in charge of another English club. If Conte is a roaring success I suppose I'll get over it, but I just don't know how to feel about it. Mourinho managing United...sad. Imagine he finally breaks his streak and is able to establish himself at a club for the long term. Becomes the next Fergie like he's always wanted. Highly doubt it's possible for him with his personality but you know they'll give him time.

Just saw this story on Twitter. The most ridiculous transfer story I've read in a while. The Sun sure do scrape the barrel. Any link, no matter how minor, a club has to a player they make it and jump to crazy conclusions.

As I said, I'd prefer and hope it's Nike.

Will be a very good player for someone next season. Hopefully not reunited with Klopp at Liverpool. I'd have him here in place of Oscar in a second. Hazard, Götze, and Willian. Wow!

Id be delighted with Nike. Especially as an American who has always grown up wearing the brand. Under Armor wouldn't be too terrible, though they make ugly ass kits, but if the money is crazy that's all that matters. They used to be kind of a joke here but they now have some of the biggest American athletes representing them like Steph Curry (world's best basketball player) Jordan Speith (world's best golfer) Tom Brady (world's best American football player) and Bryce Harper (world's best baseball player). They're the real deal now.

Right.

Result basically sums up my feelings about these last few games: meh Hazard back to being Hazard, Cesc was good again, Azpi was good. How many fucking passes did Matic misplace?! Just not good enough going forward.

So Pato will probably start up top today, huh? Has it been confirmed that Costa is injured and out?

This is what the club should do with Oscar:

He'll most certainly change his tune and say how important it is now. Hopefully for Chelsea's benefit he plays his strongest XI each tie and runs them into the ground like he did ours.

Kazakhstan, Romania, and Mongolia for Mou in the Europa League next season! ...unless City choke epically in what is essentially a cup final against Swansea.

On a morning where Bayern pay a fee that could rise to €80m for a relatively unproven 18 year old, we're over here low balling and pulling a Wenger on a ready made and proven player that the new manager desperately wants.