CHOULO19

If City slip up today, I'd want the 3 points tomorrow even more! A 7-8 points gap 9 rounds into the season would be amazing.

Match Preview Here by @The Skipper

Brilliant work, Skip! Though I'd disagree about Blind "settling in quickly at united". He still looks out of his depth at times and has been partially at fault for several of the goals they've conceded.

Because I usually never agree with you on anything?!

Bloody hell, what a team! Not just quality, but balance, experience, pace, flair. That team has got it all.

That may take a while with Diego's stomach's condition

Your connection is broken!

But he's new and shiny and a beast on FM!

Basically it's seconds 5 to 8 of this video in slow motion: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x28i8hc_headlines-players-back-in-training-ahead-of-manchester-utd-hd_sport

Press conference: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x28jql3_mourinho-diego-costa-has-a-little-chance-hd_sport

It's a .GIF, wait for it to load!

Like I said, that was about some saying that Iva/Cahill will have the band next season. What others?!

Fuck it, just play with 10 men. It's only united after all!

How exactly did you come to the conclusion that I am upset? Am I not allowed to debate my opinion about the matter that we do not need a new Chelsea captain next season? I'm debating specific points in some posts. I realize we will eventually need to replace JT and I gave my full opinion on who it should be in the Fabregas thread. I'm no way discouraging debate here.

FFS, will you two stop acting like children? A handful of people are making this forum almost impossible to read because they want to be petty about everything. Next insult/childish comment is going to be a 5 day suspension. That goes to you too @iseah100.

I get all that, and there has also been plenty of examples to the contrary like the 2012-13 season where we had JT, Frank and even Cole out of the XI for much of the season and even last season in the league cup a few times (Essien wore it a couple of times, gave it to Ash once and Mikel another time). I'm just saying that we don't need to "appoint" vice-captains, even with Didier and Petr's departure because firstly that will hardly change anything regarding to our XI or even susbs since those two are the least used senior players this season along with Salah. Right now, when JT comes off, the armband goes to Iva, then Cahill then Mikel. After those are probably Matic, Azpi and Cesc. There won't be an issue with doing that next season unless JT is no longer first choice which is a long shot since he's currently our best CB.

I told you so! But honestly, the new contract changes little in the situation which remains the same: If he wishes to go, then he can leave for the right price. Juve have never stopped a player from leaving if that is his wish. But it does say, however, that Paul is not too eager to leave in the near future.

No of course not, but I was referring to some people saying that Cahill/Iva should get the armband "for the next couple of seasons" as if it has already been decided that JT won't be here next season. I think he was just asked about it and answered. Just like much of Jose's comments, you can probably read into them whichever way you want (which of course the media loves to do).

Not a chance in hell he will give anything away!

It's not about the others in his team, it's about showing the coaches back at Chelsea that he can evolve into a player that can be Chelsea player. But him to do that, he first needs to win a starting spot at his current team.

But we have NEVER appointed vice captains. When JT comes off the pitch, he simply gives the armband to longest serving player on the pitch. That's whoever is on from Iva, Cahill and Mikel. There's also Rami as well but his English is still not great. Btw, that is NOT what Jose said. The express were interpreting his comments the way that best sells papers. He said he understands why Cesc was captain at Arsenal. In that same interview they were referring to, he even said that here at Chelsea we have a culture of only giving the armband to players who have been here for years and years. So I doubt Cesc would be considered before 2-3 seasons.

You and I must have watched very different matches! He looks like he's really lacking confidence at the moment. Has moments where he shows what he really can do, but he just doesn't seem to have the self-belief in the final third right now. Wasted so many balls and really should have scored at least a couple (no, he didn't score, the 5th was clearly an OG, he was crossing). The miss was really bad as well. The opponent was very weak today and you can't really measure players against them, but I doubt he did anything to make himself a starter for them in the league. Needs to rediscover the Thorgan of Zulte.

Has JT announced his retirement?!

Lamella.....