TacticalBlues

The thing is we haven't been linked with any dm's so it's frustratingly futile pushing forward one position against another. Nonetheless I've already mentioned Witsel before who would be a perfect partner to any of our DM's being Mikel, Essien or Romeu. His defensive capabilities and general play make him a far greater asset than Lampard in the pivot nowadays. A new look combination of Witsel and M'Villa is jaw droppingly tantalising but for some inane reason it look's like nothing is going to change in the midfield department. It's just bizarre since Sahin look's like he's leaving, a guy we've been after since he was 17 and M'Villa is free after all the big clubs wanted him but aren't in for him now (similair to Aguero's situation who only had City as an option, but M'Villa has kept the option to stay available).Also if we put Josh in over Lamps then it just puts all the pressure on the DM as his defensive capabilities aren't there yet. I'm just a little afraid that we'll be left in a United situation with a sparse midfield. It's just pointless buying all these attacking players but leaving them with no defensive engine to keep our team shape strong. Our team with a capable pivot is a whole different proposition to the lackluster one we've seen so far. We leave far too much work for our defense in our current situation. Realistically I can't see terry being dropped and Luiz loves coming forward, theirs so many potential holes! Forwards would revel in this opportunity. I hope Mikel and Lampard can pick it up because easing the defensive responsibilities on our magical trio of Oscar, Hazard and Mata will make such a difference. A lot relies on our pivot this season...

If we're going to get a defensive midfielder (which we seem to have shown no intent on doing) then I have absolutely no clue why Yan M'Villa never get's brought up or linked. Arsenal have given up their interest, he's basically told Tottenham no thank you and it is reported that a mere 12 million is required. He's defensively brilliant but his vision and passing accuracy is devastating. Frederic Antonetti aptly summarised it by saying that "M'Vila reads the game like Claude Makélélé, has the presence of Patrick Vieira and can pass the ball like Yaya Toure."

Wait a minute Andre Ayew too? 22 years old, winger who can play striker, bbc african player of the year last year and the rumor linking him to Inter was under 8 mil. He'd be a good buy.

Agree completely, the Chelsea TV commentators are amongst the wost out their imo. In a few years time hearing the ITV/ Sky's Neville "written in the stars" remark would certainly of caused some nostalgic goosebumps. Also I think blu-ray is surely a step up too take? Who still d/l's or buys dvds? Had these two step-ups been met I reckon a lot more people would be buying this.

So London 2012 just finished, casting the riots and it's impact into a distant memory yet BBC get the clever idea to bring it back up?

His full name is Fernando Llorente Torres

Yeh he showed flashes, one failed backheel typically overshadowed it though. I do find it funny that the Manchester fans are clutching on to such little things to try and ease the clear pain they felt in losing him.

I've seen Witsel play as a midfielder, attacking midfielder and a right winger. He is so versatile and still manages to maintain such a high level of performance. Also I'd say Oscar has the best defensive awareness of the aforementioned trio but that's why our pivot has such a responsibility. We can't hold the ball like Barca but have players who are of that frame. Essien has been alright pre-season but we need a consistent beast in the mould of Witsel or even Fellaini that could help us control a midfield again. It's been too long since we've done that! From a last 4 defeats a concerning problem has been our inability to keep a balance and I think a lot of that is down to the pivot with Lampard who still loves to run forward leaving Mikel with a big responsibility that he hasn't been able fulfill. Either they start working in the tandem of a few seasons ago or somebody is going to lose their starting place. For me both of them aren't anywhere near there best, and age isn't on Lampard's side so he's going to have to learn to look at his place in the starting eleven realistically. For so many reasons I think Witsel would be perfect, he embodies the quintessential definition of a complete midfielder. However we face stiff competition from Madrid and United. Rumors have also calmed down from our links to him but I hope we don't let him go to United or Real so easily.

I must admit the more I think of it the better it sounds. Him or falcao would be dream stuff. People look at Torres's partership with Drogba and think he can't work with anyone but forget that Torres and Villa was voted the best strike partnership in the world not long ago. Cavani and Torres have exceptional movement and the two could complement each other too a devastating degree. if that can get working imagine those two with Hazard, Oscar and Mata feeding them with those defense cutting through balls.

Mikel has been terrible in the past few games, I hope he can step it up. Essien was looking alright in pre-season, lamps still not good enough and Romeu is still too come. However, Witsels versatility and playing style could be exactly what we need to reach that balance. Always giving 100% and could add that aggression in midfield to complement and ease; Hazard, Oscar and Mata's defensive responsibilities.

(Well maybe a little, because it was a trophy lost to a club I detest; even though it was to be expected.) No surprise here, it's easy to look strong against 10 men. Our squad has had a some what fragmented pre-season with players coming from the Olympics, Euros and holidays etc. We've still got Oscar too come who in my opinion could make a huge difference. Torres was typically lively but it paid dividends today which was a positive. Make no mistake we got work to do but I mean City lost to United last season and it meant absolutely nothing coming in to the league.

He was purportedly tested positive, and subsequently served a 4 month suspension but was actually cleared of all charges at a Brescia court in 2009.

Yes Oscar will be down for a little while but who wouldn't? I'd be more worried if he wasn't. The whole Brasil team will be down and he is one of the players who can leave with his head held high from the tournament (unlike Rafael who has left in disgrace).

Rafael is an embarrassment, I'm sure the Brazilian media are going to destroy him for his performance.Only Man united fans think he's good, sort of like Chicharito who can only score tap ins.

Oscar assist.

People are debating about the fixed position of Mata, Hazard and Oscar but are missing a key asset to playing the three playing together. Versatility. Mata can switch to the left from the no.10 with Hazard and Oscar being players who can adeptly operate in all three positions. We're not going to have the frustrating problem of seeing Mata waste himself on the wing if a player is managing him when he can just switch with one of our boys. Point is our games will be an absolute nightmare for opponents with the three constantly rotating. Our style also looks to set to be similar to City's who never really had a direct winger (Johnson aside, who was wasted) that could run at you last year and had a typically Italian manager who remained fundamentally coy in letting his players loose. Having said that we have Hazard, who would of probably be operating that exact role at City if he signed for them and also Sturridge who can provide that directness on the wing when he's not playing in his coveted striker role. Piazon will be pushing for chances as the second striker or winger too. The problem we face is one to be envied. If we can get our squad to gel and reach equilibrium then next season could be great. Not expecting it instantly but our future is looking good in the long term for sure.

One reason our play was so uninspired and regressive today certainly rests in our familiar lineup. Our first eleven barring Hazard were all players from last year, critically missing the 26 assists of Mata. Your not going to face the problem of lacking creativity and inspiration when you have Mata, Oscar and Hazard behind Torres. Lampard and Mikel at the pivot will be extremely important next season and must be defensively sound so the likes of Oscar, Mata and Hazard can thrust forward at defenses with a greater peace of mind.

These Chelsea TV commentators are worse than any other I've ever heard.

And Arsenal could be in for a Song-Sahin pivot

Glad I missed most of the first half. Usual, tedious and frustrating things seem to be the reason for this scoreline. Ramires as winger, Meireles etc.

The six goals Brazil have scored at the Olympics so far have been scored or assisted by Neymar or Oscar

http://soccernet.esp...reports?cc=5739 "If there is an interesting opportunity to play elsewhere, he can leave" - Mourinho Al-Jazeera and Marca confirming it's a loan move to Arsenal a short while ago too.

Oscar isn't short of admirers. It's always good to have a player which fans (Chelsea or not) enjoy watching play and is liked as a player. Look at the difference between Suarez for example who was being booed at every touch earlier

I remember when i saw him play in the U20 cup where he got that hatrick in the final, games for Inter and the Brazil first team of late aswell. Back then it was a pipe dream but the speed in which CFC moved after the Sp*ds interest is commendable. We have a star on hands, Hazard, Oscar, Mata feeding Torres is what any striker would dream of.