Blue Armour

So true, its not the first time either...but can't really fault with Ramires .Sometimes he has it all to do on his own. Let's face it, we don't have anyone like Makele or an in-form Essien in the squad. Thus, another point for consideration...Do we really need midfield destroyers for every game? The game's changing and with 4-2-3-2 it makes sense to operate with CM's that are tactically astute, but are very good at keeping possession and spreading the play.

People have short memories....Remember Benitez first 5 matches with us? Actually, I'd rather not...

Should have rotated Cole for Ryan, just like Lampard was dropped for Mikel, I guess. This week's CL line-up will be interesting...it should give an idea about how Jose plans to use the squad this season.

Well its not the same Ashley Cole who used to link up with Malouda...these days Cole provides a good shift in defense but hardly anything with the ball. Plus he doesn't get forward as much..

Not bad a performance, but like others have said an in-form Eto'o would have taken the chance which Barry cleared off his feet. Hopefully he can adjust more to the pace of the EPL game in the coming weeks, and show his worth.

Exactly, poor finishing has been plaguing this team for the past few seasons...granted Everton rode their luck at times, and Howard pulled off more than one spectacular save but that's not an excuse. Anyway, all I can say is...annoying weekend..especially when you look at the league table right now. You can also expect the media to pounce on this opportunity to spin more crap together about the team management. CAN't WAIT for the next game.

I hope we see Josh again in a cup game this season. Hopefully with someone experienced like Mikel or Essien in the pivot next to him, he'll be able to showcase his ability for Mourinho.

If they have blue shorts to go with it like this one did, then maybe: Otherwise its likely to be the black one.

This. At least it wasn't a comment made out of the way like Benayoun for Arsenal. Anyway, like johnnythefirst said earlier, its all just PR crap.

He didn't say anything about "first-choice", but there have been quotes from Mourinho himself, stating that he saw Luiz as a CB and Ivan as an RB.

Ha...this sort of thing happens over and over...Probably should close the pub when things start to get nasty.

I agree with him on not giving big contracts to young players...you're talking about 17-18 yr olds earning as much as top flight senior players...it could affect their motivation to strive for greater heights.

OFF-TOPIC: I'm sorry, but this kind of statement is getting old and is just wrong. The current Demba-Ba is nothing like that...Even last season, Torres' performance at the start of the 2012 season was better than Ba's performance at the end of it..he even finished it better than he did, even if Rafa did give Torres more game time. And as far as this season goes, I would start Torres over Ba easily. Mourniho would also do the same.

9 players, meaning 3 strikers and 6 attacking mids. 6 attacking mids for 3 positions is not a management problem. Especially when you consider 3 out of those 6 are less experienced in the PL, and also offer something tactically different from the established trio of Oscar, Hazard and Mata. Plus, you take into consider fitness problems (like the kind affecting Mata) and the sheer volume of games, everyone is bound to get a fair chance. Now, for the 3 strikers in the 1 striking role...Its safe to say that its realistically between Torres and Eto'o for that one. Ba is a squad option for his abilities as a targetman, and is unlikely to see much game time. This shouldn't come as a surprise to most people. And I won't give any names for who should be left out. You yourself have said before, it very much is a squad game for the entire season and we are likely to see all kinds of combinations for the starting 11 when games come thick and fast.

Great signing, indeed..But was it a part of their squad they really needed strengthening? Not so, according to my opinion, although he is a good option for them just like Willian is for us.

I would say he has FAR more composure when it comes to taking chances when compared to say, someone like Mata which allows him to shoot without hesitating. This makes him very adept at striking whilst moving at great speed. As far as quality of the finish itself goes, all I can say is he can do a great chip shot, but that's about it.

Lol.

Offtopic: Good for Josh though..I'd rather he get a few minutes with the senior team, than get game time playing for a championship side.

Honestly have mixed feelings about this loan.,he will get MORE game time, but...when was the last time we loaned out a young player and have him come back as regular starter for the senior squad? He definitely deserved to start at least one match this season, against weaker opposition...And as far as loaning players go, I would definitely keep Lukaku instead of Ba. It looks as if we loaned Lukaku only because we couldn't get rid of Ba on loan... I just hope he can keep a positive attitude and concentrate on doing well at Everton.

Disagree. A lot of thought went into that penalty, especially with regards to the short-run up. The short run-up didn't make it worse..it just made it more difficult to hit, which means more credit to Drogba for the way he took it.

Exactly my thoughts...First Sturridge, now Moses...and look at what we get from them...you'd think there's a Liverpool mole on the Chelsea board.

Had to double check to make sure that wasn't sarcasm. But yes, will agree he did his best. As Choulo, suggested it was wise of Mourinho to persist with Fernando, and introduce Lukaku slowly into the first team. Of course, we don't know how Eto'o will change the equation.

Class from Ribery. He was also one of the few from the Bayern team that wholeheartedly congratulated Chelsea after the CL 2012 final.

Honestly yes,...loved it when we were in the CL knockout round in 2012. Back then, people had ZERO expectations, but still had faith in the team's stalwarts. And we kept winning round after round... Now the arm-chair tacticians are out in full-force..

Same here..remember back when AVB was here, other strikers like Didier were getting so much flak. People's opinions can get turned on their heads so quickly when something new comes along. Torres has made an effort to change his game for the way the current team is setup. Granted, its not very good, but then again he isn't the type of striker meant for this role. So criticizing him at this point is rather hollow. Nonetheless I would definitely like to see Lukaku get a chance to start, especially in one of the coming games against Everton and Fulham. Just so he can get a fair chance, and doesn't go down the Daniel Sturridge route.