CHOULO19

Actually just read that Hiddink has said today that he's still not fully fit: http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2015/12/28/10671418/chelsea-injury-updates-cesc-fabregas-loic-remy-eden-hazard?_ga=1.182969254.1008125453.1412098581

Wait, if Remy and Falcao are out and Costa suspended, who plays striker?!

I think as was proven again last season, flat-track bullies win you leagues, while big game players win you cups.

I was watching it with my dad, well more like he just happened to be in the room and not really watching. When Oscar stepped up, I told him "Watch how's he's going to miss this penalty" to which he replied "Do they not need to play extra time before it goes to penalties?"

I think it's probably worse that I can actually read it just fine!

Jose is a Chelsea legend. It's only right we help him land a new job by getting the mad dutchman fired

What are we? Why do we even live?! And no, it's Fabregas' fault. It's always Fabregas' fault...

Actually I made this point a few times last season that his aerial duels stats look 'normal' but only compared to much shorter central midfielders. For his height, his ability in the air has always been sub par, at least for me.

He can't even jump! He's like the worst tall player in the air I've seen (yes, I know you were joking).

I'm sorry, I can't hold it in anymore, and this is in no way about the penalty today to but his performances since the start of the year: This guy is criminally overrated and for some reason always manages to avoid criticism and get afforded all the excuses in the world. He had an excellent four month period at the start of last season but calling him the best defensive midfielder in Europe is akin to Liverpool fans labeling Joe Allen as one of the best midfielders in the world!

Read somewhere that he reinjured his hip. Is that true?

He actually had a very good first half but showed in the second why he can't be a starter for a team at the top: His decision making is often championship level.

Very well put. Jose has made jibes in the past about how Benitez has come after him and ruined his work in teams, but here Jose was the one who ruined a team that Benitez helped setup very well. I remember the excitement for the future I and many had at that time even though we were playing the Europa league! Now I can't see what a future of this current squad looks likes...

No, thanks.

That 25 yard strike at the end would have been beyond EPIC had it gone in. Good game overall, although, it really wouldn't have taken much to surpass Fabregas' first half performance...

That was....frustrating. Certainly better than we've performed most of this season but still gave away incredibly amateurish goals. Played well at times and bad at others. Should have and probably deserved to get the three points. Can't understand why Costa didn't take the pen given he was on a hat-trick. On another note, it was refreshing trying to chase a game without Fabregas on the pitch. Onward and upwards.

Calm down. Our problem this season was NOT team selection. Certainly not our only nor biggest problem. So saying that this will yield the same results/performances is simplistic and quite silly, tbh...

Gomes to undoubtedly become a prime-Kahn for this game... COYB :blue scalf: PS: Of course Guus was going to with the most established names in his first game. No surprises for me in the XI

This is a bit surprising but I guess it puts the debate to bed once and for all: http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2015/12/26/10666188/romelu-lukaku-sets-the-record-straight-on-relationship-with-mourinho?_ga=1.8596213.1983825573.1432878579

You should just be glad I didn't take your advice and write about Chelsea getting relegated this season!

Merry Christmas, Jim. Merry Christmas everyone. Hope everyone enjoys the holidays

Very well put. Completely agree with that. Yeah, the main point was that the presser was a 'sign' that we're taking a step in the right direction because it proved that getting Guus got rid of one of the many problems that contributed to the fiasco this season and that was Jose's handling of the media. The exactly what we needed part was obviously an exaggeration but I genuinely believe that he could be.

PS: I realize that is rather sloppily written, but that is only because I wrote the whole thing but accidentally closed the tab and was too annoyed to rewrite it all properly

With a huge smile on my face, I watched Guus Hiddink yesterday, in his first press conference since replacing Jose Mouinho, deliver a master class in handling the media with great experience and professionalism, something that we've frankly been sorely missing this season. There will be no quotes from a Chelsea manager sprayed in large fonts across sports papers this week, no eyebrows raised, no controversial statements, no talking points from this press conference to be discussed 'pundits' on TV and radio shows, not even anything to be taken out of context to serve as "click-bait" on sports 'news' websites. Guus left absolutely nothing for the vultures. With extreme calm and a great degree of control on proceedings the Dutch skipped gracefully through the landmines, replying with unremarkable cliches about why he is here and the work that needs to be done, beautifully deflecting questions about the crowd booing certain players, making a couple of small jokes, and even managing to show both humility and dignity when questioned about his failures with Turkey and the Netherlands. Guus made no binding statements about youth integration or season objectives, he gave no definite answers regarding Drogba's possible future here nor indeed his own after May. Overall, the Dutch conveyed almost no information in the twenty-two minute conference and most Chelsea fans felt it like a very much welcomed breathe of fresh air. Don't get me wrong, I used to love Jose Mourinho's interviews. As much as the next Chelsea fan, I took great pleasure in hearing him come up with absolute gems, making bold assertions and witty attacks at pretty much everyone; at least that is what it felt like when the team was winning and performing. There is no better manager in the world at manufacturing that siege mentality and creating headlines and controversies at will, which he would expertly use to motivate his players, albeit for the short term. But you can't help but feel that for some time before his sacking, Jose had lost control of the outcome of his interactions with the media. More often than not, his statements were back-firing, adding needless pressure to already confidence-shattered players and having an overall negative influence on a team that was in disarray. Ultimately, when results are going completely against you, the 'gems' start sounding a lot like narcissistic and deluded rants. Eventually as fans we tire from the constant 'war' against everyone and probably the players, similarly, start responding negatively to the incredibly high levels of pressure and emotional stress. And that's one thing I like about the appointment of Guus Hiddink. Someone on here compared him to a headmaster and I believe that is describing qualities that we need at the moment: Someone who is firm yet calm and level-headed. Someone with reassuring experience and an air of confidence and control over the situation at all times. I think those qualities will help the team immensely in getting back on track by greatly reducing the pressure on the players, reinstating the trust and confidence in the team, and just making everyone go back to the basics. After this horrendous season so far, and the future of the club seemingly hanging in the balance, I've been looking hard this week for a sign that the board made the right choice with Guus Hiddink and that the Dutchman will be able to steer us to safety, and for me that press conference provided what I was looking for. Maybe it is wishful thinking on my part and I am clutching at straws. But as a Chelsea fan, I had not, in a very long time, felt such relief and ease of mind that I did after hearing Guus Hiddink talk to the press.

That was breath of fresh air. I'd forgotten just how awesome of guy Guss is