Blue Armour

On current form I hope Essien is given a chance over Mikel...Given a choice, we would ideally be seeking a new DM, but for now stick with Essien, and get rid of the double pivot. (Mikel is out of form, and Lampard keeps bombing forward)

See how Sturridge can influence a game?..Well done by Bertrand, but that chance...

.I don't know whether its part of RDM's plans, but Lamps seems to be charging forward at every opportunity thinking its 4-3-3. That's not what a holding mid normally does....

Hazard and Mata seem to understand each other well, but I think we should sub one of them if RDM intends to hold onto this lead..Ramires has moved back, but would be a lot safer if another defensive player was bought on.

Its funny how people used to argue that Drogba had to rely on his physical attributes unlike Torres,... and that once those attributes start to fail Drogba would do shit compared to Torres...The truth is without his breakneck speed Torres isn't half the striker he used to be. Would be laughing now if Torres wasn't on our team.

That's just an assumption...there's no evidence that the championship will actually be a step down in physicality, although I suppose the game will be slower. I agree that sending players like Bertrand, or even strikers like Lukaku to the championship is a good move as it can help improve your technical attributes. But in Josh's case, I don't think its the same. I feel that he thrives on the attacking runs/positioning of other players so that he can influence the play with his passes. I doubt he will encounter too many of such players in the championship.

Its very good considering Steve Clarke is their manager. He'll have a better chance to develop over there.

That's the only argument I have against this move. He won't get as much game time as he would have at Wigan, unless he secures a starting spot for himself .

True.. 4-3-3 is a lot more flexible than 4-2-3-1, where the 2 guys in the double pivot cant stray too far from their positions.

Lol..what fans are you talking about? Surely not the Chelsea fans...

He hasn't impressed me this pre-season either, but I still remember how well he passed in that international friendly vs. England. I think he can improve with time and better understanding.

Nani is the one rumored to be unsettled...Valencia on the other hand performs more than one role for them. Don't think they'll want to give him up so easily.

Maybe we should make a bid for Nani...

I too agree with the fact that we should try to revert back to 4-3-3. There are bound to be a lot of people against it after the recent fiasco, but how do you expect that formation to work when Ramires is playing RW, and our other winger is so disinterested?

I really hope the guy who said Hazard doesn't care for friendlies is right....

Both their goals were from cheap counters. That's not a problem with the formation. Its just piss poor defending.

Fact is they were both very good at their defensive work (David's marking ability for instance), and were equally good in their contributions further up the pitch. I personally feel Mikel is fine, as long as you have someone else in midfield to take the game to the opposition. But it really helps if you have a DM with all round ability.

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.

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: