Blue Armour

Good Hopefully that will mean we have good communication between the keeper and one of the outfield defenders from the start. Must have for the this team

Hazard's case is always an interesting and unique one. I think part of it is because he doesn't have work with an agent that gives him ideas. Seeing how Courtois behaved at Genk before he signed with us, and now seeing him repeat the same with the Madrid move, it makes me think he's getting tips from his agent on how to force a move.

No doubt he was interested in the prospect of a Madrid move But what's also more than likely, and I'm pretty sure you'll disagree, is that Hazard was nice enough and likes Chelsea enough (I think a part of him weirdly has faith in what the club can achieve, and plus he knows he's valued here) not to force a move or put in a transfer request. He could have tried to make things difficult. There have been reports of informal talks with Madrid, but Chelsea was never really in the mood to entertain a transfer this season.

Willian was right. We should have never let go of a player like Diego Costa. You can get players with all kinds of technical ability, but top notch predators are what make the difference in the end. And agreed, Hazard is the only one who can compensate if he can improve his 17-18 goal a season tally to something well above 20

Eden Hazard calls for Chelsea to keep 'fantastic' Ruben Loftus-Cheek as midfielder seeks first-team role http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6035541/Eden-Hazard-calls-Chelsea-fantastic-Ruben-Loftus-Cheek.html

Its only a friendly. You know he never takes these kind of matches seriously After the penalties:

As if we weren't already the butt of all jokes this transfer window...

Think you should read Willian's interview in whole before looking at quotes taken out of context. At this rate we could end up calling everyone in the squad a snake or a rat or a lizard.

Here's our chance to get one back on Liverpool, considering they took away our potential keeper.

For those hoping for Malouda situation, I hope not. What happened didn't leave a good impression on the other players (Drogba ,et all) and that affects team mentality. The main reason for this soup we are in, is because we failed to make top 4. We should try to make the club as attractive as possible for incoming players this season, and retaliating against Courtois, no matter what he tries...is not going to help. Need to take the high ground on this, difficult as it seems.

Don Balon hahaha..says it all

Best attacker today no doubt, but curious game from him. He was all over Bellerin in the Arsenal game, but seemed to flinch a bit against Walker as if he wasn't sure of his own ability to beat him. Very cautious about not putting a foot wrong.. He did beat him twice (as mentioned in the above post). And again, have to remember this is still a 17 yr old we are talking about. Shameful that we had to pin our hopes on him for this match...such is the quality of the surrounding players.

I keep looking at the highlight of that first city goal and smh... What was Rudiger doing?? backing off Aguero like that.....and I thought that was Cahill's speciality. Add to that he was completely unmarked for one of their set pieces. It was as if the team was playing against him for the very first time.

Not sure, but his general level of play seems to have regressed. I know his touch was never great, but nothing seems to be working for him atm..including decision making.. Completely different player to the one that was with us up to fall 2017.

I just noticed the football in the picture is deflated. Sounds about right, for the moment.

Really clutching at straws? Hazard watching or not watching, wouldn't have made a difference. I for one am glad he didn't watch, and I hope he doesn't watch the highlights. Would have painted an even worse picture, with Sarri trying to get him on board.

Bit extreme, no? Last year was technically his first season as a first team regular.

Wonder if he necessarily means a central midfielder. Honestly, we have plenty of those and none too similar.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/we-are-lucky-morata-lauds-chelseas-jorginho-coup/1hu9j12ngkgvc1x2p1v5zplfv0

Hmmm.... https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/998730/Chelsea-transfer-news-Thibaut-Courtois-Maurizio-Sarri-Instagram

Yeah, I was also thinking that LCM/LAM might be an option. Playing at LW feels too similar to the role he had under Mourinho when he had to track back constantly and had less influence in our play through the middle. Won't get the best out of him.

I think the key right now is maintaining the intensity throughout the entire 90 mins.. There was a drop in intensity in the first 45 itself, with the pressing. I think the players need to get used to doing that. Also, there's no way to get around this lengthy season without rotation. At the moment, the there is a big gap in quality between the current starting 11 and the second choice

Difference being that in the case of Costa, there was a total communications blackout The club didn't have a clue about what he was up to.

I could have sworn Sarri said end of the month..when asked about talking to Hazard, Courtois and Willian face to face. EDIT: Well...that's the official quote