CHOULO19

I keep changing my mind about the Cech/Courtois situation every other week so I've realized that since I'm changing my take on the situation so often then I should be okay with whatever Jose decides at the end of the season.

Tbh, I didn't follow the Hazard transfer too closely because it was one of those that dragged on forever and got about 300 pages before he even signed so I generally stayed out of the topic. Like I sad, I too find it unlikely, but I still don't think that you can completely rule it out because he was the most sought after player in the market at the time and we could have offered a huge contract to rule him here. Nothing wrong with that, imo.

Old one but still awesome:

No need to wonder why he played in midfield today. Mourinho prematch: "I went with David because Mikel did not train on Thursday and Friday".

I thought Cole had an excellent game. He started badly but used his experience very well to make up for the mismatch of pace between him and El Mohammady and once he got into the game he ended up making a couple of vital interventions (two crucial interceptions and an important block).

No that was just a rumor that came out of no where. What Moyes literally said is that Rooney could be fit for this game and might be a while longer.

In short, incredible work rate in defense, terrible passing especially in the first half.

I thought he did pretty well in the air and his movement was very good to give Eden and Willian space to run into. Keep in mind he was playing against not two but three CBs.

I think we need change. I wonder if Jose is thinking of playing with 2 up top and force them to change their 3-5-2...

I actually expected this because Mikel just flew back from Nigeria yesterday.

He's still be learning his trade in the U21s because he would be playing as much as Hilario has been this season. It's about the kind of message you send to all your youth players.

Moyes actually said that RVP "might be out for a while" in his PC. Don't know where all the talk about him being fit for our game came from.

Or, god forbid, promote Blackman to back-up keeper. But of course that won't happen because we don't trust him to even do what Hilario is doing right now: Nothing! We had to actually renew Hilario's contract so he would sit on the bench if one of Petr or Mark get injured because we can't trust Jamal to do even that. Smh...

I tried, but I just can't read those quotes except in a sarcastic tone

Yeah he came one around the 55th minute when they were 2-0 down and ended up losing 4-1.

The issue is, though, why promise him 15 starts if he isn't going to get any? Why not send him back on loan instead of letting him just rot in the reserves?

Yeah, that's probably the thing I worry least about at his age because the defensive side for attacking midfielders is something you can coach and they can learn as long as they have the right attitude. And he certainly has the physical strengths to do, he just needs a coach who is willing to teach him.

That's great! Congrats. You sound very happy about it

"-Chelsea haven’t beaten a promoted side away from home in the last two seasons (W0 D3 L3)."

Match Preview Here

Venue Chelsea travel to the KC Stadium for the 12:45 UK time early kick off on Saturday, January 11th 2014 to face Steve Bruce’s Hull City Tigers. The Match Nominated by everyone to go down at the start of the season, Hull have well and truly exceeded everyone’s expectations this season. Steve Bruce will be very to see his team sitting comfortably in mid-table at 10th and 6 points off the relegation zone 20 games into the season. This achievement is largely due their form in the KC stadium. The Tigers are at a staggering 5th place in the home table with 5 wins and only 2 losses in 10 games and their fans can thank their in-form keeper and back four for this incredible form. They have conceded the joint least number of goals at home (6). Bruce will definitely be relying on this home form and Chelsea’s average away form to get something from the match on Saturday. Chelsea, on the other hand, will be looking to continue on their best form of the season so far. An excellent Christmas period saw the Blues secure some important wins and stay within two points of the leaders Arsenal with 4 wins in the last 5 matches. Spurred on by the performances of their Belgian star, Eden Hazard, Jose Mourinho’s team have managed to be back on track for a title challenge after the usual November slump. Head-To-Head Chelsea came up against Hull 5 previous times in the EPL winning three of them and drawing the other two. As for the managers, Jose Mourinho has faced Steve Bruce on 6 occasions before Saturday, five of which were when Bruce was the manager of Birmingham City. The Portuguese has the obvious advantage in this match-up, winning 4 of the matches and drawing the other two. Last Meeting The two sides last met in the opening match of the season at the Bridge when first-half goals from Oscar and Frank Lampard were enough to ensure that Jose Mourinho’s welcome back party was on. Chelsea played some of their best football during that first 45 mins and should have ended the half with a couple of goals more after missing many chances the most notable of which was a Frank Lampard penalty miss. It is worth noting, though, that Hull were able to contain Chelsea in the second half and prevent them from creating any meaningful chances after manager Steve Bruce introduced Livermore and Huddlestone. Key Men Apart from the solid defense, Tom Huddlestone has been the stand out man in Steve Bruce’s Hull this season. Leading the team with the most tackles, successful passes, key passes and shots, the ex-Spurs man has relished the freedom of his box-to-box role under Bruce. But I’m sure Jose has a plan for him which probably includes being man-marked by Oscar. Scottish keeper, Allan McGregor, has also been in terrific form for the Tigers, coming up with terrific saves at important times much to the pleasure of Steve Bruce who went as far as saying that if Allan was English, he would be going to the world cup. Team News Chelsea will be without the services of Frank Lampard and Branislav Ivanovic for this match; both of whom were ruled out till the end of the month. They join the long-term injured Marco van Ginkel and most likely, maybe, probably not, the mystical Ryan Betrand unless he has already been sold but the club did not announce it. Hull, on the other hand will be missing all of Fryatt, Brady, Dudgeon and Aluko for this match; the last one probably being the biggest miss for Bruce. Expected Lineups Probably for the first time in quite some time, the Chelsea team practically picks itself with the absence of Iva and Frank and the form of Oscar, Willian and Hazard. So unless Jose decides to go with 4-3-3 or rest a player or two like Mikel who just yesterday returned from Nigeria, it’s very likely that we see something like: Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Azpi, Cahill, JT, Cole; Rami, Mikel; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Torres. Bruce is likely to continue with the 3-5-2 that seems to suite his Tigers the best with El Mohammady and Figueroa bombing up and down the flanks: Hull (3-5-2): McGregor; Chester, Bruce, Davies; El Mohammady, Livermore, Huddlestone, Meyler, Figueroa; Sagbo, Graham. Facts and Stats -Hull have won 5 of their 10 home matches this season and their points tally at home of 18 points is a better return than Man United and Spurs. -Despite winning 2 of their last 3 home games against top-six opponents, Hull have lost 8 of 11 in total since 2008/09. -No side has conceded fewer home goals than Hull this term (6). -Chelsea haven’t beaten a promoted side away from home in the last two seasons (W0 D3 L3). -The Blues points return of 43 is their highest at this stage since they last won the league in 2009/10. -Hull City last defeated Chelsea back in October 1988. The Blues have been unbeaten in the 9 matches between the two sides since. -Torres scored his third and final Hat-Trick for Liverpool against Hull City in 2009. -If he plays, this will be Fernando’s 200th EPL appearance. -Steve Bruce has won just one of his 18 matches against Chelsea in the EPL, losing 12 of them. -Petr Cech has kept 149 clean sheets in the EPL. Match Odds According to SkyBet: Hull 11/2 Draw 3/1 Chelsea 4/7 TV Coverage This match will be live on BT Sport in the UK, NBC Sports in the US, Canal+ Sport in France, and BeIN Sports in the Middle East. You can check where the game will be broadcasted in your country here or you can follow the game via our min-by-min Twitter match feed. Click Here To View Article

Oh, you're leaving China in a few months, Kerry? Are you going back to the states?

Yeah, but the overall sum of all the wages is verified (176.6m). Of course there are assumptions as no one knows the exact values except for the club, but I'd say that WAGNH would be the closest because they are the only ones who follow the financial issues of the club this closely. And how can so many people tell that Hazard is not on 185K? This not aimed at you Skip because I've seen A LOT of people being adamant about it. I mean I find it unlikely but unless you know him personally or have the exact number from the club how can you be so sure that it's not true?

Rooney may look stupid, but I doubt he'll sign any extensions before utd secure top 4.