Atholy

Of course! I know you where joking... Ogre Fellaini would be perfect for me... although => you realize you stack another Belgian in our locker room

No Doubt: from the past: Bergkamp, Henry and Matt Le Tissier!

True this! I have never doubted he wanted to return to the Bridge after all! Some people here blamed him for his eagerness to play. Stating he's only 18-19 years old and he couldn't claim a place in the team. I totally understand this reaction BUT I also think you should admire a 18 year old player for showing this ambition! When he says he wants to play... he really means this. A 18-19 year old kid running around on the training ground amongst these 'star' players. One could say it's arrogant... but I admire him for that. He shows what it is to have such a strong willingness to be on that pitch... and defend the Chelsea colors. Don't forget he truly is a chelsea fan... just like us! Imagine anyone of us being offered to be in the squad... we would go insane wouldn't we? So I like a 19 year old youngster (who's maybe a little bit naive because of his ambition) FAR better... than any 28 year old 'star', coming here to live a fancy life in London & earning loads of cash for him and his WAG!! I want motivated players who have a career planning that doesn't involve changing clubs every Mercato and who are willing to work 90 minutes for the team... OUR team. Lukaku's sentence: "my dream is to play at the Bridge in the future and to become a chelsea legend" => gotta love him for that!!

Mr Bushman I can feel what you're saying. The PL has the image of having very though defenders who will push every small attacker over and leave them no chance. But then yet again you have some guys that prove this stereotype wrong. We have a history of Robben, SWP, Cole, Mata & Hazard. Also let's not forget that one of the greatest ever Chelsea Legends was also only 5ft6in or 168cm tall = Zola So I would say there is place for small players in de EPL ... BUT they have the be smart and very VERY good Dries is just an exceptional player. Amazing strike, good dribble and can be a real game changer. Even in our so talented National Squad he has proved to be the guy who can change the game as soon as he gets on the pitch. As a fan of both Chelsea & the Belgian National Squad... you would love to see all our exceptional talents sign for Chelsea. You just want them to join the team you support. I think @Stingray + @Hamilton must feel the same. He will come to the EPL anyways... and I'm afraid Liverpool is in pole position of getting him this summer. I also don't like to see Mirallas sign for Everton when I know he's also a really brilliant talent. But on the other hand... we cannot just pack the whole lockerroom with Belgians ! And we have to admit... with Lukaku, Courtois, KDB, Hazard & especially Charly Musonda Jr. we already have a lot of Belgian talent on board!!! for those who don't know Dries Mertens:

First of all I have to say: Cech is a boss! I like him a lot! Must say though that he totally made a crucial mistake at the 2nd goal in the Newcastle game this weekend. Pushing the ball back into the field with is a youth keeper mistake... Also he didn't look that good with the 3rd goal (ok, true... his view was maybe blocked... but still). Such a crap situation that he has a broken finger now. IMO a topteam like Chelsea cannot rely on an average GK like Hilario. But to bring back Courtois because of Cech little injuries now and them... to put him on the bench when Petr is back => that's really not an option. I'm afraid we will have to choose: Petr or Thibaut. Seen the situation... I'm really afraid the board will drop Courtois and go for Butland (?) or Begovic(?) instead. And Courtois will probably be used in a swap deal with Falcao. I really hope we can count on Petr for the next 5 years then... because dropping Courtois... This kid is really the best GK I've seen in many many years (and most amazingly he's still only 20 years old!) Get well soon Petr! We need you between our posts!

Werder Bremen are taking on Hannover this weekend. Hannovers's coach Slomka stating in the press conference that KDB is one of the best players he have seen in a very long time! A nice compliment for Kevin by the opposing coach!

True fact. A bit unlucky it had to be a stupid penalty kick! Anyways a great run by our big fella!

Well the positive thing is that at least one Chelsea player is keeping his head up => interesting save! http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=TYnVwZnHoAM

Very difficult decision IMO. Petr is simply a CFC Legend that have done so many things for the club! On top of that he's still able to act of few more years on top level. Why would you ever want to change that? On the other hand with Thibaut we truly have an absolute gem! At age 20 he already has a stunning professional career: becoming 1st keeper in his first year as professional at Genkplaying a massively important part in winning the Title that year!Transfered to Chelsea and being loaned out to Atletico MadridIncredibly strong 1st season (in a new league, new country) ending in a climax by winning the European LeagueIn this second season he continues his good form (almost reaching the record of longest clean sheet in home stadium) and is probably the best keeper in the Spanish Liga!Don't forget he's only 20 and there have been a lot of changes in his life the last 3 years. It all went SO fast but clearly Courtois shows to be a master in dealing with the pressure. Winning the title in Belgium, winning the Europa League, being voted in the TOP 3 young players in Europe and now on a second place in the Spanish Liga! There is only one conclusion... This kid really really is an exceptional talent! In Belgium he's already been seen as maybe the most talented keeper ever (with Michel Preud'homme and Jean Marie Pfaff on the same list... you know this means a lot)!! Let put one thing straight. Courtois will never ever come to Chelsea to be on the bench for 2-3 seasons. If some of you guys were thinking about this scenario... think again! This guy needs to play... and he needs to play at top level => because he simply is that good already! And there is the catch... If he needs to play top level... he will need to play for a top team. If we don't make room here at Chelsea... He will find another top team to play for. Simple as that. So the question we have to ask ourselves is: will we go for the money (his price has really increased a lot since we bought him) OR will we go for THE new Chelsea goalkeeper. Very though one if you ask me! But I would always go for the second option! If we sell him... I think we will knock ourselves for the head a million times in the future!!! Also we as fans will not see any of the £££££££ we will get for him => so we should always go for the pleasure of seeing (another) truly amazing young keeper between our posts!

Something else I needed to share with you guys. You've probably all have seen his triple save against Betis in the last game. Well now I've found a video without the legendary commentary... "y bitches...y bitches... y bitches... et Courtois... et Courtois" Just listen to the crowds reaction after his final save! Amazing. I think I have never heard a home crowd cheer like there was a goal scored... just for a save! Thibaut is really becoming a fan favorite at Madrid! I think If we loan him for another year... we might lose him. Such a difficult choice... because It's a little soon to replace Cech! I spoke to some Spanish friends... Courtois is getting really popular in Spain. Thibauting is one of the best proofs! Anyways amazing saves! I cannot wait for him to pull this off at the Bridge!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzkTnYaoTEc

Thibaut just conceded his first goal in 5 games. He was beaten in the final seconds of the return game against Betis (Copa del Rey) from the spot. Such a pity he lost his 452 minutes clean sheet from a stupid penalty kick! However Atletico reached the semi finals (3-1 on aggregate)! http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XMBYL5zxHCg Nevertheless his other record still stands strong: 948(!) minutes without a goal in Atletico's home stadium: Estadio Vicente Calderon! You go big guy!!!

No defence?? If this comes to court or being investigated, they will be looking at facts. Hazard: football player at Chelsea who's job is to play football Ball boy: help aside the pitch to make sure the ball can be put back into play as soon as possible Fact: a ball boy (17 years old) is lying on a ball (????) for several seconds! => clearly is not fulfilling his job!! Fact: a football player kicks a ball boy => this can be seen as an assault Evidence: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pS97DRBj2zg#t=28s This video shows Hazards clearly kicks the ball from underneath the kid, by doing this being able to continue his race for 2 goals. IF the tweet of the ball boy is real... this will be seen as "premeditated" => with the video evidence this should hugely influence the case. IF the tabloid circus successfully turn this in a scandal story, that will dominate newspapers for the next days (week?) ... and by doing this affecting this case as being seen as an assault or whatever.... that would clearly show the complete idiocy of the British Newspapers!! Of course I will be biased because I'm Belgium... but this is all about facts! Fact is that he kicked a ball underneath a ball boy who is lying on the ball for several seconds (??? why???). Eden didn't high kick the boy in the face when he was trying his utmost to do his job! So everybody who's going anywhere in this direction IMO isn't any better than all these tabloid losers => sensation, sensation sensation!

Another clean sheet tonight against Levante => his 4th in a row!! Interesting fact: At their home stadion 'Vicente Calderon'... Courtois is unbeaten since october 28th => this means 948 minutes without conceding a goal! Well done Thibaut!!! edit: special thanks to Zolayes

Huh? strange... last time I updated it didn't show up in this topic. But now it is... Mod's... feel free to delete my post !

KDB continuing his excellent form in yesterday's friendly against Osnabrück! He scored the 0-1 and gave a beautiful assist for the 1-2!! He seems more than ready for the second part of the season! Highlights of the game (KDB's goal at minute 4 and his assist a minute later) http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=44V2vEfNO50

Let's not try to have same opinions on this matter... this surely is impossible. But everyone can have it's own... so there is no problem. Most important thing is that the Brazilians and the Belgians in our team like each other! Don't see any problems there... Let's move on guys

Eden would say: confiance mon ami... confiance

He certainly had this when he was playing for Lille Sloth. I think he's still looking for a good combination between the guy he used to be in France and the guy Chelsea coach(es) want him to be in the team. He is getting more used to his teammates after this first sixt months at the bridge. I'm sure when his confidence level will you up ... he will start to really dance on the pitch... just like in France... with a lot flair and creative sparks!

Here is something I want to share with you guys because I'm sure some of you haven't heard about it OR didn't see the actual images: So in the season 2010-2011 KRC Genk became the champions of belgium. As some of you guys might know... two chelsea boys (although on loan) played a HUGE part in this title. I found a perfect video that shows the impact of both this players on how to get the silverware in!!! KDB was simply brilliant with his assists, tricks and amazing goals (watch a compilation of this from 1.22min in this clip) Maybe even more important was the part that Courtois played in that leagues title. You have to keep in mind VERY well that Thibaut at that time was only 18 years old and he was having his debut season in Genks first team! He saves were effortly one of the main reason the team got champions (watch a compilation of his saves from 3.10min in this clip) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IyZ8-ELHG0 Maybe an even cooler video is to literally watch the final minutes of the last game against Standard de Liege. Both teams could become champions that day! Standard needed a win...while Genk only needed a draw. This next video shows you the final 2 minutes of the game... After a 0-1 goal for standard just before the break... Genk brought back hope by equalizing in the 80th minute. The crowd and team were a few minutes away from a title (a big deal for a smaller team like Genk!) and then look at what Thibaut Courtois does for his team.... simply amazing!! Yet to know this guy was 18-19 years old at this moment... The way he deals with the pressure is mind blowing. Also the first save is simply one of the best saves ever I have ever seen live on TV! Especially in that kind of moment! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6bFqffxdwc Best of this all... these two boys are Chelsea players now!!! The future looks blue boys!!!!! :cfc: :cfc: :cfc:

Spot on! I hope our midfield players take a good look at this video from the Belgium national team where Dries Mertens shows how you could simply launch Eden if you can read his running lines... Starts at 00:26min. For those who didn't know already... this was Hazards first goal for the National Team!

Me don't understand this English

Totally right! Do you wanna try to convince this boy

He made his 1st team debut yesterday! PSV is in Thailand at this moment... and competed in the AII Asia Cup. A 0-2 win over the unbeaten Thai Champions SCG Muangthong United meant the first 'cup' in Bakkali's professional career. He didn't score any of the goals... He came on the pitch to replace Jermaine Lens at the beginning of the 2nd half and clearly showed his talent with a lot of beautiful dribbles! Just for your information