Blue Armour

So true..And even if there was a potential transfer to worry about, it should be the David Luiz one.

I'm just saying let's show our class, and let the mods deal with it if things get out of hand. Otherwise we'll just wind up with a lot of off-topic posts.

Just having a discussion about football. Let's keep it that way, shall we? No need to deride a fan-base for that (especially in a transfer thread)... Anyway, there's really not much to talk about at this point regarding Rooney. As others have suggested I reckon we'll learn more only after the game against United.

Depends on how Barca do this season under Martino.

I do? Well I'm sorry if it upsets you.

Listen buddy, why don't you learn how to fully comprehend a post before you start deciding whether people are biased towards a player. I said there's no reason to complain about his finishing, as he usually makes the most of the chances he gets in front of goal. Whereas Mata has so many goalscoring chances (created by himself or otherwise) he could take his goal stats up by several notches by finishing better (for example not hitting it straight at the keeper or generating more shot power)

I don't expect to have anyone better than or equal to Didier anytime soon. The least we can expect is a dependable goal-scoring forward. There are less talented forwards than Torres/Ba in other teams that still manage to find the back of net with regularity,..

I would also add Terry to that list, and I trust Ivanovic to start over Azpilicueta in RB.

Off-topic: RAFA!! :dude:

How exactly finishing very poor? Inconsistent is perhaps more accurate, and even that's a bit too harsh I feel. Mata for example, is one who needs to work on his finishing. For the amount of chances he has at goal, he could easily become a 20 goal per season midfielder. Hazard perhaps needs to become a bit more selfish, but tbh I like his laid-back approach to playing. It allows him to play his natural game, which has worked out well for the rest of the team.

Have to admit, am a bit anxious to learn how Mourinho will deal with the striker situation. Lukaku, who's likely to start against Hull, is not yet the finished product. Hopefully he can keep his goal-scoring form intact, and won't show the naivety he did against Madrid. Torres is still largely untested under Mourinho, and there's not much evidence yet to show that he has improved his game. Ba looks like a completely different player from the one that played for Newcastle. Tbh though, he was always going to be a squad player, moving into the second striker role or playing in the wing when necessary. Mourinho did indicate at the start of the season that he wanted a striker that would drop deep to collect the ball like Drogba did, and I wonder how he'll cope without that kind of forward. Maybe play Mata in that role?

True. You only need to look back at Carlo's last pre-season friendly win against Jose's Inter in 09. We all know how the champions league match ended up.

Yeah it will be good to see someone like Moses or Schrulle come on and produce some width. Maybe als move Oscar/DeBruyne into a deeper position like where Lamps is playing right now

The difference is that last season the club viewed the striker situation as Torres or bust...I don't think we'll be so dependent on Torres this season.

"How many countries are in this country?"

A list obviously made by someone else..and he just read from it like a robot. Just to get a few quotes and create a controversy...

Nice to know we have the option of shutting down the game, when needed, with him and Mikel partnering in midfield.

Sorry, meant over each season...In any case you can't judge fitness from facial appearances, unless the guy has a pie for a face.

Irregardless of the stats, I believe Moses can become several times more effective by simply improving his decision making in the final third. This sounds a lot similar to the excuses made to defend Kalou, but Moses has shown the ability to beat his marker when needed. He's an out and out winger, and the most pure one we have at the moment. An indispensable part of the squad, no doubt.

Lol.. That's funny thing to get worked up on..People change appearance over time..especially the face (take a look at Lampard then and now for instance) It doesn't mean fitness is lacking.

Well in any case, Pep Guardiola has come out and ruled out any move for Luiz...here's hoping (unlikely) that the media will do the same..

Tbf, Hazard is much lower in the pecking order when it comes to taking free kicks, and he hasn't had too many chances to impress. You often see a David Luiz or Mata step up to take one. Not complaining though,..when you look at David's technique.

His headed assist to De Bruyne's goal, reminded me a lot of Drogba and Lampard. He may play differently from Didier, but Jose could still utilize him in a similar manner.

Hopefully he'll get more time to impress during pre-season, now that KDB is out.

Really...if people are so concerned with the defensive aspect of his game, why is sending him on loan the best and maybe the only option? Is it practically impossible to improve youth players in this club by including them in the first team? As far as I'm concerned, a loan move is a massive waste of time as he doesn't get to play his natural game. He would be better off here, making sub appearances and starting against weaker opposition.