Pizy

I literally forgot he was a Chelsea player. Feels like it's been a year since I saw him on the pitch.

Think Steve Holland should be a certainty rather than a choice one way or the other. We need someone who is familiar with the players and can help the transition under a manager with limited English vocabulary. Someone the players know and trust.

I actually agree that we aren't far away from anyone in terms of quality. I'd fancy us head to head against Arsenal, Spuds, and United. Us being consistent against the small teams is the problem. If Conte hits the ground running and makes great signings I see no reason why we shouldn't challenge for the title next season. The goal has to be top 4 and we certainly won't be title favorites, but if we aren't within touching distance by the end of the season I'd be massively disappointed. We have a better first XI than both United and Spurs now. They've performed terribly this season, yes, but the quality is there and many of them are steadily returning to their real level right now. Properly motivated and with a fresh start should be huge.

Think the players have too much respect for Guus to down tools. I don't really see any point in announcing anything during the season.

Apparently there's going to be another preseason tour over here in the States. Directly after the Euro's. Smart thinking, that. Just what we need with a new manager coming in and with Pep/Mou/Wenger/Poch/Klopp to compete with. Expect another poor start if this is the case.

I guess that's that, then.

Same outcome, though. Ronaldo will go to United. He'll make peace with Mou and it'll be the biggest media wankfest in football history.

Thing is, Bayern and Barca don't normally spend the kind of outrageous sums it would require to land Hazard. That's not really how they operate. I suppose Barca somewhat went outside of that box with Suarez and (illegally) with Neymar. Barca have literally zero need for him and he wouldn't get into that team currently anyways. Have Bayern ever spent near what it would take to get Hazard? I can't recall. Real Madrid and PSG are his only options I think. I have to believe he feels the French league is a step backwards so that pretty much leaves one. Can definitely imagine a scenario where Bale leaves and is replaced by Hazard. That would be the worst case scenario for Chelsea. Bale will only go to one place and with "you know who" in charge he'll be the best player in the league again. We'd be weakening ourselves whilst directly strengthening a rival. We must convince him to stay at all costs. Top manager and top signings could do that.

I agree. This should be our highest spending summer ever in my opinion. It has to be if we want to ensure we get back in to the CL straight away. I also unfortunately think Hazard will be off. So long as we get someone like Reus who's nearly at Hazard's level or maybe try to get one of Real Madrid's players I think we'll be fine without him. We need someone who can put up similar numbers and maybe score more goals than Hazard has. We sell Hazard and bring in someone not near his level and it'll be a long season. The huge money we'd get will mean nothing if it's flushed down the toilet on mediocrity.

So long as he's backed in the market and the club do everything they possibly can to convince Hazard of the project and make him want to stay then I'm 100% behind Conte. Assuming we keep hold of all of our key players (Hazard, Costa, Courtois, Willian) then we have one hell of a solid foundation for a new manager to spruce up with new signings and stamp his signature on. Would still prefer Simeone, though. More of a sure thing.

Agree with this. Would've been a dream transfer under Mourinho a couple of years back but we need to be getting a midfielder who can grow with the team for years to come. We'll already be looking for a Fabregas replacement in a couple of years. We don't want a situation where we're in need of an entirely new midfield like we did a couple of years ago.

Why would Bayern sell Vidal after one season? Why would Vidal want to leave after one season? Makes no sense. Just a lazy link by journalists.

Unlike the Simeone links last week it seems all the reliable he English media are running with this one.

Have the feeling Barca are going to come in to this underestimating Arse and thinking this will be easy. Wouldn't shock me if Arse win and make the tie very interesting.

I guess I just don't think it's a huge deal. Are we better or worse as a team if Cesc is the captain? Don't think so. Are better or worse if Ivanovic is next season? Well, yes, because that means he'd still be starting every match. Same with Cahill. If he's playing every match next season we'll be hamstringing ourselves. No to him as well for me. Azpi doesn't strike me as captain material at all.

Don't think it's outrageous at all. You often see him displaying leadership qualities in the pitch. Clapping on teammates and encouraging them. Telling players where to be in certain situations. Since José left he's been leading with his play as well. Ideally you want your captain to be the heartbeat of the team in the middle of the park which he is. If JT does indeed leave I wouldn't be against Cesc as captain at all. If Ivanovic is the choice then he's 100% nailed on to start every match which we cannot afford to have. Cesc is really the only alternative.

The Goonettes would riot if they went from the pretty, silky football of Wenger to Simeone. That's one we don't have to worry about.

Hopefully when JT is back fit it doesn't mean Baba goes to the bench again. Back 4 should be Baba, JT, Azpi, and Ivanovic/Cahill rotating at CB.

Like I said in the post match thread, Pedro should now have locked down a starting place. Similarly to Willian he pops up all over the pitch and puts in one hell of a shift. He's got the same kind of energy and stamina. If he can be more consistent with his finishing and have the same killer instinct that he di against Newcastle he'd be a beast for us. He seems to always get into great positions to score and misses by inches.

Cesc and Pedro were superb, Willian was great, and Hazard rounding back into form. I think Pedro has 100% locked down a place as a first XI player over Oscar. He should be nailed on. Mikel is now nearly integral as well. He's brilliant with the ball in tight areas. Maybe even one of the best in our team in those circumstances. Now can we PLEASE take a steaming dump down Roberto Martinez's throat next round!?

Our defense continues to embarrass themselves. Against inexperienced kids. Dominant when in possession and in the final third but a shambles at the back. This is why we must score at least two more.

Seems like I get about 5 different Fox sports channels but not FS2. *Sigh*

You can already see how it would play out. Our players are "tired" after the PSG game and the Citty youngsters are hungry to prove themselves and steal a 90th minute winner. Kidding aside, the only way we should lose this is if our boys approach this with like 40% effort thinking that it'll be a pushover. The likes of Hazard, Willian, and Pedro should be carving that midfield apart.

If we don't batter that City team...

For some ridiculous reason they're showing fucking NASCAR on the channel that usually broadcasts all of the FA Cup matches here. Hopefully I can find a good stream or I won't be able to watch...