LukakutoStamford

It's an interesting debate. I think as De Bruyne matures his passing % will increase. The question is if that 26% is costing his team more than the 74% is benefiting them. I've always hated the passing % stat because there's no context behind the stat. Player could have 100 passes all played within 5 yards and all backwards and sideways complete 98 of them and produced zero in terms of the game whereas another player could have make 100 passes complete 75 have 50 within 5 yards 30 within 10 yards etc have a low completion pct but put 5 balls through for top drawer goal scoring chances. A decent amount of KDBs passes are in the final third and they often are passes with incisive intent.

Unathletic Gerrard? Pffft The Belgian team has its own issues but who knows maybe Mou is playing them up so he can take them over in the future and try to win a World Cup. There's plenty of talent and it keeps coming. We still haven't seen what Musonda Jr. can do at the senior level. Tielemans needs more seasoning and Praet needs to live in a gym for the next year. KDB just needs to play regularly.

Getting back on topic... KDB to return?!?!

As the profile of the PL has increased so has the talent. The PL outside of Bayern, RM and Barca is the prime destination. The problem with English football is mostly at the grassroots level, but the other troubling aspect is that English players don't go to foreign leagues all that often. As I've mentioned before the U21 and the championship league and leagues below are poor places to put prospects. Much better to put a player in Belgian pro league or the Eredivisie to develop than languish in the U21s or the championship. Of course you can just stick players on some scrub team in the top league, but if you sent some top English talents to Anderlecht/PSV/Ajax at say age 12-14 I think we'd see more top English talented developing properly. Fix the problems at the bottom put a much greater emphasis on choosing a national play style and then put a focus on talent development ahead of winning.

Took Malanda off (RIP Bernard "Junior") Added Dedoncker who is getting rave reviews at Anderlecht.Has a bright future as a 6. Bongonda added as well as the transfer to Celta Vigo is impressive.

It has to do with paying the "English tax" where every English player is valued with a 15% -25% premium because they are English and ostensibly homegrown. It also has to do with availability of leagues in Europe that can be used a proving grounds while still getting Europa or CL games where you can get that in the Championship.

It's low risk imo. It was basically a swap in terms of cost and Schurrle wasn't playing. If it doesn't workout then he gets shipped off and sign another RW. I've never understood the Schurrle hype. He's been great in a few games and utter tripe in others. I've never seen anything to suggest that he was anything more than a squad player at best. We know what he can/can't do we don't know yet on Cuadrado. Doesn't mean Cuadrado's will be a success but Chelsea is in essence getting to test the goods for free.

Well now that window is over guess it's time to start on the summer transfer rumors .... Pogba to Chelsea anyone?

Damn it! I had my 74 jersey on pre-order!

Would have preferred him take 77 rather than 74 although it could start a new trend. Pogba could be 66

Oof ... Guess one can't argue with that reasoning...No wonder Iniesta was so underrated ... Guess we need a Hazard fallacies thread.

Need to save 17 for Eden when Messi comes in

Hazard would start anywhere in the world even RM. The contract issue is unknown so there's no reason to get up in arms unless it doesn't get done.

Somewhat a silly discussion re: best player etc. Chelsea can't afford to lose a player like Eden unless they are bringing in someone as good or better. Not to many players better than him.

Get over it. Lots of crap was said about KDB, none of it true. I can believe the not fitting in but being lazy, a bad influence, etc, is crap and anyone saying other needs to wake the f up. Mourinho screwed up end of story.

Hey at least he's not asking in Flemish:)

Can someone translate what Mourinho said into French?

Jose can't say anything but that otherwise it's considered tapping up. Not to mention if the deal falls through and Jose had gone on about Cuadrado's virtues it wouldn't be so good for the morale of William Schurrle and Salah

Lol Bayern c'mon son only move he'd make would be to RM and I don't think that's going to happen because the PL will continue to widen the gap in terms of popularity versus all other leagues. Plus in the future we will see multiple PL clubs surpass RM in value.

I think Chelsea has been excellent in their loan decisions for their youth players in the last few years. I think Odegaard would be best suited to be loaned to a Belgian/Durch to see how he progresses. If he's successful you move him up to a German/French/mid table PL/La Liga team. I'm not a big fan of academies unless a kid is a slightly built.

Witsel would be great if the price is reasonable he could be a back up for Matic play with Matic and allow Fabregas to play AM. He would eliminate the need for Mikel/Ramires. The real question would be the transfer fee.

I don't think a sinking ship is being overly harsh. Everton was top 6 team last year now they are hovering above the relegation zone and it's 22 games into the season.The fact that they have good talent should suggest how much hot water Martinez should be in if he isn't already. You stick Mourinho at Everton and they are battling for 3rd/4th. As for Mirallas the PK stealing stunt is what prevents him from being a top 4 winger. He's talented but a bit of a cunt and he's selfish which does help him but also hurts as well. Remember he's the one who went to the press about Januzaj making the Belgian NT. There was nothing wrong about complaining about that, but airing it out to the media is not the proper tact..

Hazard is actually a decent to pretty good defender the problem is that Mou has him stay up the field.

Hazard is far from blameless. Those types of errors are what keep him from taking the next step.

Everton appears to be a sinking ship. I'm not sure Everton will have much leverage if they are trying to avoid relegation or get relegated. They need to fill lots of holes.