Blue Armour

True, and let's not forget...both players (including Ramires) were on yellow cards. Jose said that influenced his decision regarding which player to bring on.

I know Hazard can perform in big games...no doubt about that after performances against Bayern and Utd (last season). That said, he was quiet in today's game, although his work-rate was top notch. Of course, it didn't help him or the team, that both Lampard and Ramires were on yellow cards (else Mata might have come on instead of Mikel), so both wide players had to track back to help with defensive duties. Players like Hazard aren't meant to be work horses.

He's a safe option for the run-of--the-mill type matches, against teams that don't feature strikers of the caliber of Benteke or Aguero. Hopefully, his inclusion in the last two matches will serve as wake-up call for Luiz, who when on form is our best option at the back (besides JT of course)

Great pic...our old African crew

Tbh, these days I hardly get any amount of excitement when Chelsea go after a new youngster for the team. Especially after Eddie Newton basically confirmed that most youngsters are groomed so that they could be sold for a profit. Its good business, but hardly exciting stuff as it does nothing for the first team.

I doubt any amount of preparation will do you any good.

Its what Jose said before even the season began...Standard 4-2-3-1 to start with, morph into a 4-3-3 (when needed) during attack, and defend as 4-5-1 (also when needed). And then there's the option of adding an extra striker...That seems to be the formula after watching recent games..

I don't really think so...As long as all 3 forwards are in some good form, he will continue to rotate based on the opposition, and hence the tactics. I do think Torres is likely to start most of the matches (including the coming match), but I'm sure we will see Eto'O and Ba get their starts as well.

Not taking sides here, but I don't think that's a good example. He was out for the majority of the first half of the season (as was Benayoun, the only other creative mid) and when he came back, the team was in terrible form...

Agreed. There has been a change in his mindset this season. In his most recent comments, he said that he was happy to contribute coming off the bench as well.

Its clear that Mourinho wants Lampard to transform from a box-to-box into a deep-lying playmaker, and so far that transformation is coming along nicely. It will also mean that his number of chances at goal will go down and although I'm sure Lampard doesn't enjoy that aspect, he has taken the new role with gusto. Ideally he would be paired with a Makele-type player, but with Ramires' energy being crucial to the team's play, there is no better partner for Lampard in the current set-up.

Not just the one goal...he was involved all throughout the game..Sometimes I feel he could still do a job for us as well, but I certainly wouldn't (nor would he) want him to be a mere squad player...

Agree with that. I too think Luiz is has the ability to be a world-class defender, but he needs to change his mindset a bit. You only have to look at his recent matches with Brazil to see what he's capable of. I'm not saying he lacks passion when playing for Chelsea (I remember how upset he was in the CWC final), but he does seem to be far too laid back in some of the run-of-the-mill games. You can see this in instances, like when Chicharito scored at OT back in 2011, Bale scored in the FA cup semi final and the recent game against Cardiff. He needs to get this out of his system pronto.

Love it, Fernando. Keep calm, keep going on.

I think one of the main reasons why Jose prefers to start with Ivanovic, is that he can go 3 at the back (when needed) without bringing on an extra sub.

Wenger's likely to play a second string too, so that record should still be safe

We have a lot of crunch fixtures coming up, so I doubt Azpilicueta is going to get game time as an RB any time soon...Bertrand has also been filling in quite well at LB, so there's that position ruled out as well. He probably has a chance of starting the Carling cup game against Arsenal depending on how much priority Jose gives that game, and I think it will be high priority for him. Definitely not the best time for him to be in the squad, with him still fighting for a spot in his national side as well. Its unfair on Cesar, but I agree with Jose keeping Ivanovic in defense for most matches. You need good defenders who start in almost every match just to maintain that consistency. Plus, Ivanovic offers the opportunity to go three at the back, when we are chasing the game.

Mourinho really means it when he says "best goalkeeper in the world".

Yeah, I've noticed that too. One would think after his goal with Spain recently, that he would take the chance he got in yesterday's game with more focus. He's working very hard off the ball though. Maybe he still needs more time to carve a niche for himself in this Mourinho team.

I think Newcastle would like to have him back, but I'd sure hate for him to go back there after the stick he received from their fans...

Agree with that, but today I felt he was a bit indecisive in the attacking third. Maybe some more match practice can get him in the flow of things.

I agree that the critisicm of Eto'o's performances was premature, but how does giving stick to Torres compensate? You also have to remember, most people saw Eto'o as a 32 yr old past-it player when he came here. Torres arrived under different circumstances. Naturally the level of patience shown to both would be different.

Seriously bro, I get your point...but can we stop taking digs at our players for now? Especially when they all seem to be pulling in the same direction

Lovely footwork...his dribbling has always been pretty good since he got here. Hope this goal brings his lethal striking instinct back.

I was half expecting them to say that if Mourinho hadn't been (luckily) sent off, Chelsea wouldn't have been fired up...