CHOULO19

Needless? Of course the Cuadrado case plays a huge part in this. If it had turned out differently we wouldn't even be looking for a starter but a back up attacking midfielder (then, maybe I would have been happy with Sterling). And that no doubt will influence Jose and the board because we obviously don't want to find ourselves in Jan or next summer looking again to spend big money to get a starting RW for the team. Hence why I believe we will go with safer more established options such as Reus and Griezmann.

How exactly did you infer that from what I wrote? I did not compare any ability or attribute of the two. What I implied was: After a risky transfer that has so far turned out terrible, we should go for the safer options available, meaning Reus and Griezmann over Sterling.

No, he COULD improve immensely under Jose. He could also play a lot worse than he has been for Liverpool in a system where he will have a lot more duties, a lot less freedom, less of the ball and where the tempo is mostly slower and he won't be the start and go-to guy. I think we need a more consistent, mature and safe option at the moment, especially the way it is going for Cuadrado at the moment.

How about that Soton LB who got into the team of the year? Homegrown and everything as well!

People just want him because he's English, but in reality he's no where near the other options on the market such as Griezeman and Reus. I honestly doubt that there is any sort of solid interest from the club in him. I'd be happy to see him move to City if that means they won't be perusing other options on the market.

No, watch it again. Mikel was with Gerrard until Cahill hold his shirt from behind and then pushes him forward away from Gerrard, He did it with JT against PSG as well Not saying Mikel is blameless in the goal (neither was JT against PSG) but I just can't even begin to understand what was going through Garry's mind at the time!

Still laughing about him pushing Mikel away from Gerrard for the goal. Marked Mikel completely out of that set piece, brilliant defending! Thank fuck it was in a dead-rubber game this time, though.

I think Jose is insistent on playing Iva at RB not at not playing Azpi at RB.

He's played two matches this season IIRC, not one. And I distinctly remember Jose heavily praising him after the match. Plus, we've had Zouma this season so when we needed a youngster to play in defense it would have obviously been Kurt.

That looks incredibly fake.

Remember when MVG tried to play through a torn ACL?

Or...."Jose says Chelsea will take it easy in this match so let's try not to get any injuries and waste energy since our season is practically over." Let's face it, all WBA probably care about is not getting a thrashing.

Jose seems to hold Ruben higher than anyone else in the youth team so I would not be surprised to see him start, but I do think that Brown, and especially Ake deserve some minutes in this match since Jose has already said that he will play the best team in the last match against Sunderland.

Injuries completely killed his career. Sadly, he's now a significantly worse player than he was three years ago. I think the contract was only signed so he does not leave for free. Don't even think Jose remembers him!

NO. They can fuck off. Excellent defender as he showed in the Carling Cup this season where he was having better performances than some of our first team defenders!

No way we'll play both Ake and RLC in midfield. If they are to start together then Ake would no doubt be at LB. Although, I don't expect RLC to start again, maybe get some minutes off the bench.

And then they moan about lack of youth integration!

He means safe from relegation, not safe as in an easy side to beat..

Playing all season at youth level which is not even comparable to EPL intensity. As I said it was obviously planned regardless of performance or fatigue signs. No need to risk an injury to him. Protecting him was the right thing to do.

FFS, this was his first ever senior team start, you can't expect him to play full 90 mins, especially in his position. The intensity is completely different than youth level. You'll even notice that he was taken off at exactly the 60 min mark. Obviously pre-planned regardless of performance.

Solid game. He was always going to play it safe on his first start. Thought he did very well in terms of pressing and interceptions at the start of the second half. I honestly think you're putting too much weight on the performance of one player. We've managed plenty of brilliant plays this season that did not involve Cesc.

More Ruben or give someone else, like Ake, a chance?

Got to be JT for MOTM. Apart from the goal he was absolutely brilliant. Made some vital interceptions as well as a couple of world class tackles. Willian had a great match as well, but started rather slow in the first half.

Vacation mode but still managed to out play them for most of the match. Good solid match from Ruben, no loss at home (to Liverpool as well!). Gave a few squad players some needed playing time. Happy days. Oh, and Costa sitting with the fans!

The good thing about matches like these is that you can actually laugh about Cahill pushing Mikel away from Gerrard