The Rising Sun

why not? Rooney is not the answer and is not the type of striker we need. In any case i want players from within to be given the chance, not a man utd player putting on a blue shirt and everything is OK.

If we get Rooney, all of a sudden its not going to be like teams will start playing us like they " play west brom" It will be the same way they approach us, whether it is rooney or Lukaku. Dont think that argument is a winner. Rooney has a good record no doubt, having a great season, then following it up with a below par season. This has happened over the past 5 seasons or so. Both players provide something different. However, at this moment in time, i dont think we need yet another player who likes coming into the midfield and getting involved in build up play. Rooney has become that sort of player of the last few seasons and is no more a true striker. Lukaku on the other hand has height strength pace, and is a true out and out striker. I think we need more of the characteristics that Lukaku provides rather than get another player whos game is not that of an out and out striker. We need out striker to be in the box in every attack, and not be roaming Linking up play and all that. Yes, linking up play is important but not from midfield and dropping back and all that. We have bought sooooo many players to do that. The reason Falcao Cavani etc were bang on our targets was because they were strikers, poachers and played in a very advanced position. If Rooney can do that,maybe! Its been a long time and his game has evolved, not the same striker that he was initially.

I was going over FPL and after Van persie , the next most used Striker is Lukaku at 23%. Not saying that FPL is any sort of directive, as there are alot of variables. but fans from all around england are tipping him to rip teams apart. Somehow its only on here that people think he wont score 20 PL goals after scoring some 17 for West brom not even being a consistent starter. I really hope we dont sign Rooney and this lad gets a shot at glory. He wont disappoint. Dont get me wrong if we get Rooney, i will be glad, but a small part of me will be very sad as well. If only we could play formations with 2 strikers up front, that would make this Rooney signing so damn good, Rooney and Lukaku leading the line. There is no point in playing Rooney in the hole as we have way better players in that position. There was similar talk of Sturridge not being the one to "win us the premier league", and while that had other factors such as his selfishness etc, look how well he is doing at a club that is giving him the chance to lead the line, while many Chelsea fans regret selling him. Lukaku is at a very similar situation, and we should IMHO give him that shot.

The problem with Mikel is that he marks spaces, not players. The sad fact is that his style of play also doesnt pay dividends for the team as opposition players are faster than him, so marking space rather than the player is counter productive for him. When he does get the ball, he doesnt utilise space or vision, but makes passes that are not truly transitionary. Even once he passes to any player around him, passing it back to him does not progress the play.....rather it starts that Loop again by which time our transition is slowed down. This is not a positive characteristic, and not that safe either. I dont trust him to even come on the pitch at 70 mins to close out a game. Stats are merely stats, and dont always truly reflect an overall picture of a players effect on a game. Torres got 22 goals last season and that as a stat is decent, but when you analyse it then it tells a different story. IMO its the same with Mikel. He is statistically alright, but effectiveness and progressiveness is what he lacks in. Im glad essien has shown that he can put a good shift in and looking at him it really shows where Mikel is lacking for us. MVG is another one who shows what characteristics can make a DM progressive in our plays. Not to forget Ramires.

Mikel - Van Ginkel will be tough to work, since mikel will pass the ball sideways or backwards, which will force van ginkel to come back to recieve the ball, then pass it to Mikel and make a run forward, Mikel will again pass the ball sideways or backwards. which will force van ginkel to come back and receive the ball, then pass it to Mikel and make a run forward, Mikel will again pass the ball sideways or backwards. which will force van ginkel to come back and receive the ball,then pass it to Mikel and make a run forward, Mikel will again pass the ball sideways or backwards. which will force van ginkel to come back and receive the ball,then pass it to Mikel and make a run forward, Mikel will again pass the ball sideways or backwards. which will force van ginkel to come back and receive the ball, It will be an endless LOOP. Sorry was getting bored, but i dont like Mikel, and this is truly how i think about his style of play.

Fernando Torres when he scores a goal or does a good assist : Reactions of Torres haters vs Torres fans

Bale off to Madrid..... suddenly have alot more money to spread around the team.... 3-4 million extra once you get a 8-9 million player instead of him. Its a total game changer - this transfer out.

Well Said! was thinking the same thing. People keep talking about how much money we spent over the last ten years etc but no one ever mentions the valuation and net worth of Chelsea in 2003 compared to what it is now. Long term Hyper successful models always have initial losses and great investments. Look at Google,Facebook etc.... lost money for years and years and you think of them now reaching a state of transitioning into profitability, and more than that, think of where google etc will be in 10 years. Short team view always tends to favour negative opinions, but long term is what shows real worth and is the real marker for what success is.

dont want to sound like an ass.... but you have spelled improved wrong on the main page!

looks like it. Cant directly open the forum, but i am able to access it via the talkchelsea webpage

Great writing! One of the things that he did as soon as he started pre season really made me amazed at his Management. He told Hazard that he needs him to try new things and attempt more moves. This not only told hazard, that you have potential to become even greater and skillful, but also made sure that hazard did not become comfortable with his current gameplay and abilities, thus stagnating at his current level. Second thing that makes me chuckle is Essien calling him Daddy or Papa or whatever it is.... While it is crazy over the top, Mourinho forms emotional connections with players. knowing they are away from their homeland pretty much forever and need loving and emotional connections, thus not making them feel like overpaid horses turning up for training, but rather a family of players with real relationships all the way through the club. He is personal not only with players but also with the media, and you never hear him bullshitting saying pre decided sentences, there is a sense that everyone around him knows where they stand and what they need to do to be better. He really is the special one. Forget all this rubbish of happy one etc.... thats just the media looking for their headlines. He is our Special one.

He has been their best player in pre season, and frankly , i think he will be their go to guy in every attack..... He looked good in playoffs and looks really good in their pre season.... IMO he is their best player( i know that sounds stupid, but apart from RVP Rooney, i really believe so)

haha yeah, but now he is in city.... so maybe he does better,.... anyways, if coutinho goes. then i have 9 mill to play with, so will have a wealth of options to choose from....

Well you have a very good spread of players across different teams... IMO I wouldnt go with a Southampton goalie.....even if he saves you a million or so.... i was looking at the stats for last season, and in rank.... hart 6.5 mill had 18 CS, then cech 6.5 with 14 then Reina 5.5 with 14.... so while the picks of Monnone and Boruc are well spread in terms of choices, it is a bit of a risk.... but nothing you cant change if it doesnt work later.... so might be worth it. Beware of Giroud!! thats all i can tell you... he had a fantastic pre season last year as well and then i picked him. Somehow even when the entire arsenal team scores, he still manages not to. And he misses a lot. However, season 2 might be the turning point for him. Had to include sturridge and then cant miss out on Coutinho.... He is like their Hazard and does well for them.... Could get walcott , and that would add alot to my midfield and remove having 2 players from the same time as midfielder striker.... but not sure yet, might even take a punt on navas instead of coutinho..... but he is a sexy player and will shine this year, just like oscar will for us.

Well you have a very good spread of players across different teams... IMO I wouldnt go with a Southampton goalie.....even if he saves you a million or so.... i was looking at the stats for last season, and in rank.... hart 6.5 mill had 18 CS, then cech 6.5 with 14 then Reina 5.5 with 14.... so while the picks of Monnone and Boruc are well spread in terms of choices, it is a bit of a risk for saving a million.... but nothing you cant change if it doesnt work later.... so might be worth it. Beware of Giroud!! thats all i can tell you... he had a fantastic pre season last year as well and then i picked him. Somehow even when the entire arsenal team scores, he still manages not to. And he misses a lot. However, season 2 might be the turning point for him. I think Ben Arfa for week one against Man City will be tough, and that too at the Etihad. That was my critique, but i havent done better than 14th in the last 2 seasons so im no one to tell!! I, for my FPL and Chelsea hopes, really hope rvp has an injury hit season like he did at arse nal.

Hello All! Since everyone seems to be very tight lipped about their squads till now, i thought id share my sqauad..... It keeps changing, but what do y'all think? Please critique!! I had van persie till yesterday but that meant my midfield had only 2 strong guys, i medium(bellamy) and two average/crap players.... but then i looked at their fixtures and realised if i remove van persie i can get my midfield to be strong and still get good strikers.... the only problem that leaves me with is that if i want to get RVP back in a few weeks thats going to be tough....and expensive.... Anyhow.... check it out and please post yours as well!! Its early days so we can discuss squads atleast till 1 week is left...

Great Backup player. We should keep him as cover.

People havent mentioned Mikel yet. So.... Mikel. He is still here so nothing to stop him from justifying the hype in his younger days, not likely though. ZAKI - Forgotten Obafemi Martins - i thought he had great potential in his first season. Aquilani - Lol

Bottom line is that Schurrle in pre season, hasnt done even one memorable thing as yet, which is hugely disappointing. I have been more impressed by every other player coming to chelsea except him atm. He is here now, and i will support him as much as any other player, but atm im sceptical and hope he proves me wrong. Nothing would make me happier to be wrong.

Kevin De Bruyne what a player!! He is going to be the difference for us this season. Along with Mata they will demolish opponents week in week out. Now even if Mata is having an off day, we have this guy to do the business. So happy he has become such a deadly player. Schurrle on the other hand, i had seen all his youtube videos to see what the fuss was about, and didnt get it then. Having seen a little bit of him, albeit not full fitness, i still dont get it. Presently, based on his youtube videos of full fitness play and best highlight videos + what he has done in preseason, i dont think much of him. He hasnt given any signs regarding his movement, shooting, skills etc.... I hope he steps up bigtime over the next few weeks. We couldnt have paid 20 odd mill for another moses/marin level player..... Lukaku is a step above Ba IMO, and MVG is settling in quite quickly....expecting good things from him in the near future.... The second half of this game was probably the worst pre season game i have EVER seen in my life. Now looking forward to the return of Mata,Torres,Azpi,Luiz and Oscar. The depth in our squad is looking good .... finally. Its been a few years.

Learnt a harsh lesson by not getting on the Van Persie + Gareth Bale bandwagon last season, and later on couldn't get them in as they were too expensive and i would have to change too much of my team = lose too many points and players to get them in. Not this time. Also learnt the value of having a squad which is well spread out through the teams, top to bottom. Having only the top team players never works. Hoping to get the formula right this season from the get go and to unleash !! Best of luck to you all.

i thought he had signed for PSV..... read it on SS a few days ago.....

Young Chelsea fans seem to like to buy Torres chelsea shirts for some reason, so in terms of marketing he's still the top dog i guess.

Robinho - good player but never became great, or stuck to a team long enough.

good squad player , has his strengths but doesnt really have the intelligence required to manage his strengths. He has the shot, the speed, ability to dribble and turn.but cant use them all at the same time for some odd reason.