Pizy

I think we will but it'll be really ugly and a grind. Don't think our players will allow a defeat here.

He was in a visibly good mood today and it can't be a coincidence that it's related to our activity in the transfer window. He even went out of his way to hammer on the point that we may not be done until the minute the window closes. This reinforces my theory that he was being told from above that spending would be limited and to "do it with the same squad," but after the preseason we had and opening two fixtures they've realized that they need to back him and are doing just that.

Think it'll be an identical formation and lineup as the City game but with Courtois instead of Begovic. Pedro will make a late sub appearance for Ramires or Willian.

What I mean is, every big club is interested in the very best players. That doesn't mean it's plausible that they can have them.To me, Pogba is just as much of a pipe dream as Messi, Bale, Ronaldo etc...

We are definitely interested in him but we're interested in Messi too. Some players (like Pogba) are just too expensive in my opinion.

Yeah that was a bit surprising. Didn't outright deny that we're interested in Pogba like I figured he would.

So José didn't deny that we're still after him. Quite the opposite in fact. The way I interpreted it was that as long as the window is open there's a chance. Also insinuated that they have an important game tomorrow and that talking about another teams player before that game wasn't a good idea. Optimistic we'll get this done next week. His line about not letting an opportunity slip sounded encouraging.

Think both Pedro and Baba will be on the bench for this one. That's what I make of the "I don't know if they'll be ready" comment.

José is about to kill this rumor quickly in a few minutes.

On the bright side, though, if we do end up signing him this late is that he'll already have played 3 PL matches and be completely fit and ready to go. He won't have a new league and new country to get used to.

I think it more likely suggests that we totally underestimated how difficult it would be to get him and how much he would cost.Our opening bid of £20m says just that in my opinion. We probably figured we'd just swoop in with ease and take poor little Everton's player and weren't expecting such a fight.

No one even reported that he handed in a transfer request yet, only that he was "considering" it.

Or even just a bit of Shaw. Didn't kick up a fuss at. Just a mutual understanding and acceptance between player and club that he should be allowed to take the next step up in his career.If he himself asked them to let him leave I think they'd reluctantly sell at the right price.

Now we'll bid the original amount they supposedly wanted (£35m) and they'll reject that too. We may actually bid for a player 4-5 times in a single window!

Do it, Stonesy! You can become a Chelsea legend!

He is shit, isn't he? Hahaha!He gets about 1 out of every 5 things right. Only genuine, reliable info he reports on is Pep Guardiola related things.

He actually praises the signing and says Chelsea is the perfect place for him. Just not to expect too much too soon.

Guillem Ballague reckons he's actually behind the PL players in terms of fitness levels rather than ahead like some in here have suggested. He says that it may take "2-3 months" for him to become a starter. No chance of that, but I hope we are patient with him. You know that if he fails to score in his first game or two rival fans will call him a flop and the next Cuadrado/Salah but I hope our supporters don't.

I forgot that actual positions aren't really factored in in the team, are they? If we're talking purely right sided wingers I can't think of any better in the PL than Pedro if he's at the top of his game.You're right, though, he won't be better than any of those three.

What a tiny man, hahahaha. Wonder if he's smaller than Mata?

Yeah, that "All Goals" video makes him look like a Ballon D'or candidate. If he plays at or near that level again then he'll be in the team of the season at the end of the year.

Messi is such an unbelievable player that he has his own highlight video within ANOTHER players highlight video. LOL!

Fair enough. I was the opposite. I was very excited when we got him.I've now seen the light and the error of my ways.

Think the only way Pedro starts this weekend is if Oscar is still injured. If he's fit I think he plays.

Never suggested he was as good as Pedro, just that those are the things that we hoped/expected from him.