Blue Armour

I tried searching but I'm having trouble finding the actual article that I read, because I can't recall the newspaper source. It was from 2016, close to the start of the season The only comparison that explicitly mentions mind games, that I've been able to find now is this blog, although the author here gives a different kind of reasoning for his ranking. http://www.discountfootballkits.com/blog/the-battle-of-the-managers-201617-season/ Also ironically, in the last couple of days there have been articles that have come saying how mind games are no longer a thing.

I find it funny when the journos sometimes create these 'manager' ratings, comparing their performance in different categories, and then try to classify Conte as someone who is too naive to engage in mind-games and the lot, because he's too 'gentlemanly'. What I see in Conte, is someone who is very shrewd and very carefully chooses his battles. Doesn't tell the press more than what is needed and can be pointed in his response.

Was at the game today, after turning down that opportunity to play in Brazil. Wonder if there are any plans in motion for a re-union.

Have to mention at least a word about the professionalism of this man. Not playing as often as before, coming on a sub against his old club, and then shows good composure to put the ball in the back of the net. Subdued celebrations, but still kept going forward to create chances.

A cynic is a man who, when he smells flowers, looks around for a coffin. - H. L. Mencken Just putting this out there.

Can't put in enough words to describe how satisfying that was to watch. We've seen it before when he's waltzed past several defenders only for the keeper at the end to pull of a fantastic save, or for the shot to go inches wide. But to get this in a big match, just makes it all the more special. Definitely one for the highlight reels.

Came in a January transfer window, and left in one as well. Unbelievable performances at the back and in front of goal. A big presence in the dressing room. Not enough words to highlight his contributions to the team. Ever since he secured his starting spot under Carlo in 09-10 he has never looked back. I just wished he could have stayed with us for this entire season.

I agree with most of your post, but not entirely with the part in bold. I think there are plenty of games where he alone was the difference, maybe not this season, but in seasons past. Just think of the games where he was the only one on the scoresheet and we failed to get a win. In recent games, I sense that he's just not straying out of his comfort zone too much, especially with the rest of the team playing well for the most part. Yesterday, I think he tried to make a difference, but no one else was doing a good job combining with him. Costa was atypically sluggish until Pedro and Fabregas came on.

Yeah, our play was pretty poor in the early half. Oddly the play, as well as Costa himself, seemed to improve after the substitutions, but I guess that was more down to Pedro running at Liverpools tired defence, and Fabregas adding an extra man in midfield.

Thought he did really well, considering how little he got of the ball in the first half and early parts of the second. Him and Moses on the right were the main reasons why we had any sort possession in the game, and of course it was the foul on Hazard that led to the Luiz's free kick. Having said that, I don't think he enjoys playing in this kind of game. Team is on the defense, and Matic/Alonso are struggling to get the ball to him. Barring Willian on the other end, he has no one to really link up play and create the chances. I think he has better time combining with Pedro and Fabregas. The only other person thinking as quick as Hazard on the pitch was Kante. Also, I hope he stays on the pitch longer than he has for recent games. Like Ballack remarked, I think he is a confidence player and he likes to be acknowledged for what he contributes. Of late, the spotlight has been on Costa. It's far cry from the last couple of seasons, were everything HAD to go through Hazard. I could be wrong, but my guess is that Conte was going for a draw by withdrawing him and Willian for Pedro and Cesc. And saving Hazard to be fresh for the game against Arsenal.

Ah okay

Not sure if it was a typo in your post, but they were not playing in Europe this season.

No wonder Lampard singled him out in his interview. Truly one of the great performers this season.

I've said it before and will say it again. His hold-up play is very good, and reminds me of how it was when we had Drogba up front. Hope he can continue to work on it. Diego does it well, but having another striker like Michy who can setup chances up front is a great boon for the team

I'm not his biggest supporter, but I thought he was really good today. Made excellent probing runs, for Fabregas to pass the ball, and involved in a lot of goal scoring opportunities. Not going to complain too much about his 'selfish' shots at goal, especially when we're 2-0 up against lower league opposition at home.

I was not referring from the article itself...but rather to the related video interview with him (a couple or so days back I believe, and it should be on the Chelsea page of goal.com). In it he says, how 'we' didn't do that well last year, but this year 'we' have responded really well. (along those lines). But yeah, he was using 'we' in the video interview.

I love how he still addresses the club as 'we'. Loyalty.

Mate, I think what you're trying to say is that planet has always gone through cycles of cooling and warming. While the science does agree with that, and yes, we are in one of those 'warming cycles' the fact is that the earth is warming up at an incredibly fast rate especially in the past few decades. Co-incidence? Honestly, the point is the not fact that the planet is warming up. Yes, its happened before and the planet will definitely survive this one. The point is that we're making it happen much faster than the norm,..faster than we might be able to keep up, and we're only shooting ourselves in the foot with this. The planet won't care and won't miss us if we do so,.... but we ought to start caring for ourselves. That's the point.

Media Logic: "Personal terms agreed with player" == "YEAH, baby! This move is gonna happen" The chairman of the Chinese club was saying the same about Costa, as well as Benzema, and Falcao. If you look at the facts, like Conte said, this is all that has happened so far: 1. Player injured Tue last week, couldn't train with rest of squad 2. Player didn't travel to Leicester, but like any injured player showed his support for the team on social media 3. Returns to training on Monday (ALONE!? Why?, because the rest of the squad is on holiday after the win) 4. Rest of the squad returns to training, and Costa trains with them Now if you want to read between the lines and get all these additional 'facts', just like the journos and their sources from their local Chinese restaurant, then you can come to all kinds of interesting conclusions. And like Unionjack said, if Costa was/is thinking about a future move, we need to do our best to convince him otherwise,...Only need to know how long we had to wait for a new 20-goal-a-season striker since we lost our last one.

Too lazy to check myself, but are we the only the club receiving bids from the Chinese?

No, don't think this is the game for that. At least, not with the number of changes you were suggesting in the lineup you had posted. There would be almost zero chemistry. I've seen us try that kind of option with different combinations against teams from lower divisions, in cup competitions, and we've come up short. You only need to look at the game against West Ham in the EFL cup this season to see how it went wrong.

Looking at that, I would think JT's is the most impressive....considering the sheer number of appearances, and still keeping that clean sheet record. Statistically, I think he would be no.1 in almost all departments.

The very simple thing that Kante does, that really lifts the entire team, is that he keeps things ticking. When there is a loose ball in the oppositions half, he's the one that's usually on it quick as lightning, when others are more inclined to just dropping back. Its a big boost to our forward players, who only have to think about spending time and energy in setting up the next attack...instead of dropping deep to build up play all the way from the back.

http://metro.co.uk/2017/01/07/chelsea-stars-mock-jeremy-clarkson-over-his-custom-car-on-the-grand-tour-6366554/