Blue Armour

While the need of an extra playmaker and winger is clear, I have a lot more belief in our current squad under the new regime. Many people would agree that personnel-wise this is basically the same squad we had at the end of last season..., however the youngsters are playing more important roles in the team (I mentioned this in another post, even before today's match when Josh scored) as opposed to the bit-part roles last season...This means AVB is trying to utilize the entire potential of our 2010 squad...something Carlo couldn't quite do.... Its also worth noting that despite the constant changes in personnel our team , with a little bit of luck , has managed to keep clean sheets in all games played so far. We haven't even deployed our influential Brazilians for any of the matches either. I know its only pre-season, and there will be sterner tests ahead, but at this "moment" I'm pretty optimistic about what AVB has in store for us....

Absolutely love this! AVB's "GROUP" philosophy is really being put into effect here. It doesn't matter who comes in and who goes, the teams is still getting the result... Have to say, our 4-3-3 was better though (but then again this was the first time AVB tried 4-4-2) and Josh showing that he's becoming an integral part of this team...

How about Drogba and Torres start.....

Well, I guess that explains why we're having an uneventful transfer window so far.....

Lol...some of these twitter users are going beserk... One of the latest : "Chelsea sign Pastore on 5 year deal to confirmed in 2 hours" I wonder what's next..

Not exactly. This time our youngsters will actually have a role in team as opposed to cameo appearances like last season.. This might not seem encouraging, but it's definitely a step forward

A Spanish newspaper reporting the sale? I hope I'm wrong, but that looks to be the end of our Pastore pursuit....

Or LAM, depending on how you look at it... In any case, he'll be more involved in the attack, and it will be great to see him thread a few forward passes

D'you think that AVB is simply going to rotate the squad again or put out his best 11? What do you guys think our best 11 will be after the pre-season games so far? I'm pretty sure Yossi would be part of any of the line-ups I would make right now...

Believe me, if his wages weren't a problem, we would have done so a long time ago....

Ha...the sources they refer to are more or less the same ones that we look at from time to time...and they're nothing special... Last week Sky Italia said he would be a Chelsea player by Tue (the one that passed) and now they say he's going to PsG

Maybe they can..but if Chelsea is really holding out against splashing extravagant amounts of cash, on the grounds that it can offer CL football instead...,then I would have to stand by our club...The reputation we've built to become one of the top teams in Europe has to count for something....

If Zampa did mention Chelsea, like some of the media elements have quoted him as saying, then tomorrow might be the last of the bidding war (if there ever was one...lol), to see if Chelsea will up the offer....

Glad to see that many people realize that Torres' form has nothing to do with the rest of the team...and it doesn't really have to do with his confidence either Pace has a lot to do with most of the goals he has scored in the past...For some reason he doesn't seem to be making to be making those energetic runs as pften he should.. Whether this has to do with team's patient build-up play (rather than the fast direct route), I don't know (he did do well for Spain during the Euro when they won), but he can certainly do better so as to involve himself in more goal-scoring opportunities.... If AVB's plan works, the team will function like a well-oiled machine once again, and Torres will simply fall into place..

Have to agree... I still remember some of the ridiculous arguments made by the press regarding Cech, including the one which said he might have suffered some kind of brain damage to make him impaired... I think Torres' confidence is growing.. he just needs to work on his fitness. If he can get his electric pace back, he will be involved in more goal scoring opportunities.

Completely agree with your post..but you have to admit, its frustrating to play the waiting game and be a spectator in this transfer window...... I hope that's true...

I'm all for patience, and trust in AVB's decision making,.... but it is very nerve-wracking to watch our rivals snap up players like this.... I mean Tevez hasn't even left!

It seems the Bola theory is based on the fact that Vagner Love would be moving to Porto, hence freeing up Falcao....

Yes, he was marginally offside... Its not the first time I've seen Josh pick out Fernando with a near perfect pass though...

Just saw it...well looks like we're back were we started then...

Not exactly a reliable source...what makes it funny is that the author speculates we might go in for Falcao as well. However, the first three targets he mentions are very probable ones though

Good post. I too want the Chelsea team to be tough, and also want it to be playing attacking football. You only need to look at our 4-2 demolition of Barca and the 1-1 heartbreaker of '09 to understand what difference it can make.

There's nothing wrong. Its called "running in from the deep"...Its unpredictable All teams with attacking CB's have that option. We just happen to be one of the lucky ones that do

What a great match.....Another clean sheet as well! I hope AVB tries Drogba on the right next time with Torres...I mean he can surely do a better than Anelka or Kalou.... Sturridge should ALSO be given an opportunity in the centre...Wing isn't exactly the best option for him

Now THAT's what im talking about!!!