Blue Armour

I think opinions will always be divided on Mikel. Mikel is very good at what he does (ball retention, quick accurate passes) and is no doubt very good for the squad, but I can understand the sentiments of those who seek more from a DM. However the fact is, quality DM's with all-round ability like an Edgar Davids or a fully-fit Michael Essien are a rare commodity.

True...We're already a team with little chemistry at the moment. Experience can really help a lot.

Its really funny considering Oscar has never been here in the first place. Which brings me to another point. Our starting 11 during most of the friendlies comprised new members who've had very little experience playing together. That's why team chemistry is so poor at the moment, especially upfront. The new guys have to start playing alongside the more established players before they can play together. This is why fantasy line-ups involving all of Marin, Oscar, Hazard etc. are pointless at this stage.

Odd. Thought the "Dj" would be pronounced like in Django,...so something like Jamo.....li-dean.

Its a no-brainer. Di Matteo can't stick with one formation the entire season. 4-3-3 is an excellent formation to revert to. It started to fail over the past two seasons, primarily for 2 reasons: 1. No genuine wide players 2. The same personnel being used week in week out. allowing teams to figure us out. With the players we have now, (not to mention the type we lack to play in the double pivot) 4-3-3 is good.

True..It isn't a god-given right for Chelsea to win every match.

Ouch. Back on topic, then!

And Cech was captain till he got substituted at the end of the first half!! Now gimme a high-five!

Haha true: Away And 3rd:

Haha..yeah it looks like some Wolverine costume..

I saw that post from Shonex and your reply,.. just thought you would like to know.

Yeah, it could work if he's loaned out to the right team.

That was in Carlo's second season actually, (however he did win his first game that pre-season)

While it worked for Bertrand, I don't think it would be the same for Josh. Josh thrives on the intelligent runs made by other players so that he can make those good passes. I doubt he'll play alongside too many players like that in the championship. His main problem is dealing with the physicality, which will hardly be step down in the championship.

Hope he can..its not good for a manager to act like one-trick pony.

Or maybe...scrap the double pivot and go back to good ol' 4-3-3?

Wow I did not know that. And I was making a general observation, not clamoring for Essien to get an assured starting role. Irrespective of what he's been last season (mostly absent) he's looked bloody good this pre-season.

When he charged forward to foul Beckham, it reminded me of the old Bison. He's may not be at his best, but he still stabilizes that midfield and brings the ball out from defense quickly.

Coming to slightly more serious matters, Essien had been looking real sharp this pre-season.

some of the TC fans here don't seem to have a sense of humor, with all these arguments and the rants...

Haha...I wished I'd taken a pic of that Chelsea fun who shrugged and made an epic face at the cam.. Ah well, so the MLS all-stars strike again..damn.

Nice to see Lampard trying to build-up an understanding with Marin...Essien trying hard to impress DiMatteo.. Ramires also getting pumped up in the last 20 mins of first half...Henry still classy whenever he gets the ball...Only talking points for me so far.

It was the same in the previous game as well. In both it as after Essien came on. The guy does help stabilize the midfield, no doubt it. But whether he can become more than a squad option and turn into regular starter remains to be seen.

There was more purpose in our build-up play when Essien came on. RDM will do well to give him more match practice.