CHOULO19

I believe he was passed as fit before the match. Anyway this is by no means the first big match he's chocked in.

Great. So we're back to my original point that these rumors are most probably bs.

Yes but the point is, why would he discuss who he wants at Chelsea, when he's still working at Madrid? And since when do the media get "strong leads". More than 90% of the transfer rumors in the papers turn out to be BS.

People close to him? Like who exactly? He's moving to a different cub so his assistant and coaching staff will all be different. His family? I doubt they'd leak the information. Why would he even be discussing who he wants with anyone when he's still working at Madrid, atm?! Face it, those rumors are most probably BS by the media.

Jose sure knows how to create a distraction; Does anyone ever remember that his team were knocked out of yet another CL semifinal? Oh, and another big game where Ronaldo has chocked; was abysmal yesterday.

Sure. I get bitten all the time when playing football!

Just one question: How in the world would the media know what players Jose wants to bring to Chelsea? Do you think he walks around telling random journalists "I want to buy that player"?!

If it means we get a pen in the final, I'm okay with it!

There are talks that the club will include one of our young CBs who were on loan this season in next years squad, namely Bruma or Omerue. I also have a feeling we will sell Iva in the summer; it would be a "smart" business move. I think we will need to sign a CB to partner Luiz in defense, if not this summer, then in Jan or the next.

I just watched a rerun of our match at WHL from the 10-11 season, and, my world, how much better was JT back then! I had honestly forgotten how good he was, mile better than the shadow of him we see today. Such a shame..

How naive do they think we are?!

Well, as long as it's for the right reasons...

And news about him announcing a one-year extension to Lampard's contract is not? The media is just playing on the emotions right now..

Typical Jose, has managed to take all the attention away from Madrid losing a third consecutive CL semifinal and put it on himself. The flirting with Chelsea is also hitting an all time high, not that that is an indication of anything in particular when it comes to Jose Mourinho.

Poor Hutcho!

I think you, somewhat, have a point, but for the reasons I stated in that post (Please don't make me write them again ) I think the cons out-weigh the pros of playing Luiz in midfield.

I thought you wanted a discussion...Shame.

To put it briefly as to not go off topic, the idea comes from the facts that JT is most probably leaving next summer, Iva is not getting any younger and is not the defender he used to be 2-3 seasons ago, and Cahill can only be a squad player if we want to challenge for the PL. So we need someone to partner Luiz in the defense. I'm not in anyway suggesting that Chico is that guy, but I think that we should in the next couple of windows sign a defender.

Yes I get that that is your opinion, I'm just asking why? Why do you think Luiz in midfield is better than our other options? Mikel's passing range may be limited (with Chelsea, he's shown he can play long balls excellently with Nigeria), but he has one of the highest pass completion rate in the league. If you want to play possession football, he's a much better option than Luiz who's passing accuracy is too low to be playing at DM even though he's only played there against smaller teams that don't press. The name of the game we are (allegedly) trying to play at Chelsea is "keep the ball". Luiz does have excellent vision and great technique in playing long balls, and we have indeed benefited from that this season when he is playing in defense and has the time and space to pick out and execute long balls. While when he is playing in midfield, where there are a lot more bodies and a lot less time on the ball, the opportunities to play such balls are scarce. We've also benefited from Luiz's instinct to go forward when he has played in defense. He gives us an extra man in midfield when he makes his forward runs which compromises the opposition defensive systems. This has proved that it could be a great weapon, as long as he chooses his runs carefully and they are integrated into our attacking system so someone can cover for him. Luiz may have a better defensive work rate than Lamps, but it accounts for very little when he defends like a CB and not a midfielder. By that I mean he is way too aggressive in his defending to be playing in midfield. David is always trying to nick the ball and go for that tackle when the days of midfielders doing that have long since ended. Defending in midfield, especially for a DM, is all about discipline, staying on your feet, blocking the passing angles and forcing the error. Tackling is something a DM resorts to when he is caught out of position, not something that he should be looking to do. I lost count of the time where Luiz, against Basel and Swansea, tried to nick the ball, committed himself needlessly to the tackle but failed to win the ball and the opposition player had a chance to run at our defense. We were lucky that those two teams did not punish us, but against better quality teams, be sure that those mistakes will be costly. Finally, I'm very surprised that one of the points of criticism for Mikel you mentioned is that he "ponderous" on the ball; not because it is not true (which it is), but because Luiz is worse in the aspect. He often needs 1-2 touches more than any of our other midfielders before he can play the pass. But it's not his fault, that's perfectly natural for a defender. Luiz is a better passer than the vast majority of CBs, but as a midfielder his passing is at best average. When you play Luiz in midfield, you take away a lot of his passing abilities, defending abilities, long balls..etc basically everything that makes him such a special player. Above is why I want Luiz to play in defense. Now, I've already touched on some the points above, but here is, briefly, why I don't want Luiz to play in midfield:

A brilliant ad with Torres, Mata, Luiz and Mikel: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2316637/Chelsea-stars-Juan-Mata-Fernando-Torres-David-Luiz-play-pinball.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

True, although Madrid would probably laugh in our faces if we went with a bid for him.

Well that completely depends on your definition of "individual errors".

Am I the only one who thinks Varane still has a lot to prove. Don't get me wrong, he clearly has the potential to be something special, but he still has a long way to get there. Just look at the CL matches against Gala and Dortmund where he was taught a few lessons by Didier and Lewandowiski.

Can't understand why. Ajax have one of the best academies in the world; their youngsters are probably ten times better than those united would give them.

I think that will never happen.