Atholy

Dutch national squad manager Louis Van Gaal praises Lukaku for his game against the Netherlands. "We started a lot better at the second half which led to scoring two early goals. We were controlling the game quiet well until Belgian fought their way back in the game. I also think this had a lot to do with 'Lukaki' (I kid you not... he really said Lukaki ) who came on the pitch as a subsitute. He physical strength really caused a lot of problems for our defensive duo and the belgians started to create more chances. In the end scoring 3 more goals in 7 minutes."

Highlights of the game against Holland (Belgium won 4-2!) Kevin's superb cross pass that led to the 4-2 can be seen at 2.12min http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUCR1YRn-sY

Full highlights of the Belgium - Holland game: 4-2 two great saves by Courtois from 0.23min. There's nothing he could do about the 2 goals http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUCR1YRn-sY

Full highlights: Lukaku's goal at 2.00min http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUCR1YRn-sY

I actually don't know what the deal is with the Sporza vids. Most of the world can actually see them without any problems. I think the might get a fail message in the USA or Australia... Anyways.. this is the fastest way to keep our UK (and other European) bro's updated about our lad's performances. Non europeans feel free to share who's able/not able to see this vids.

I can follow you! Maybe a straight loan would have been better for Romelu when he signed with us a last summer. But that wasn't possible anymore since he had played for 2 clubs in one season. De Bruyne's way looks a better option indeed. I'm curious about his performances in the Bundesliga. He's is very big talent and I'm sure he will find his games to shine! Looking forward to his season. Lukaku's level is too high for the reserves, scoring 8 goals in 10 games or so... The Championship would have been a safer option. But I think that Romelu himself was very eager to go to another EPL club instead of going down a league. He's confident and wants to prove himself. This IMO is the right attitude for a young striker! Let's hope his confidence will not get another slap if he starts with a few bad games at West Brom. A risk worth taking maybe... because a good start could really launch his Premier League's career! Good luck to the big guy

No worries Sloth. At least he will get more credit at West Brom than throwing him in at the Bridge. At least will be forgiven to miss some chances at The Hawthorns .

4rd belgian goal. Great pass by Kevin (also notice the long pass backwards by Lukaku ) http://www.sporza.be/permalink/1.1403372

Link to Romelu's goal: http://www.sporza.be/permalink/1.1403366

Amen to that I'm not really worried about him. Sure he will prove himself at West Brom!

I know he's not really on the transfer radar, but what a game he had tonight!! Scored the equalizer (2-2) and gave both assist for the 3-2 (Lukaku) & the 4-2 (Vertonghen = New Tottenham CB). We actually have enough midfielders/wingers... but for a good 6-8 million, Mertens comes in as a perfect supersub!

Dembele is pure class. He really turns away from his defense with such an ease... And what about that acceleration to set up the counter! The only thing he's lacking is scoring ability. But we have other that can do that for him

Not a great game. Clearly he's a very gifted player... but no game changing action in tonight's game. But no worries. He's just saving energy for the game against Wigan

Romelu scored the 3-2 in the 4-2 win against The Netherlands tonight!!

I'm also DEEPLY dissapointed in Eden Hazard! I mean 3 games already and still he didn't: score a hattrick had a passing % of 100% won all headers turn a rabbit from his hat change his shirt with the referee or linesman without anybody noticing managed to get some fire out of his new Nike's when pulling a sprint also didn't manage to run the 100m below 10 seconds! actually didn't even ran 100m in a straight line!!!! play on the RB, CB, CM, CAM & ST in the same game! even won us some silverware!! ... I mean what a useless buy he appears to be!!!!!!! Enough Irony. If I read more of this posts where new players are getting smashed down after only a few games... I think I will delete my account and never return to Talkchelsea again because this is really getting outrageous!! I think a lot of fans here totally forgot what it's like to be an actual football fan. Going to a pitch close to where you live... to see the local boys getting better and better in every game.. in the end win some trophies => the whole village is just one big party!! No instead a lot of 'fans' here choose to support a big club, thinking Chelsea will produce Fantasy League soccer every single minute and all players shine like if they were Greek Gods in every second they appear on the pitch. What are you guys exactly thinking??? Go support your Fifa Teams if you like to see fantasy football... These guys are real persons, not robots! Give them some time to become your next hero (and will clearly go on the back of your new away kit as soon as the masses declare him legend)!!!

DYC, I mean he totally ruined the Belgian league playing at Anderlecht (probably the best Belgian soccer team in the League), what the hell could he learn at the Eredivisie when he ripped the Belgian League apart at age 16-17? Lukaku may not be ready for first team football at chelsea yet... But please give this guy a break. He's only 19 and everyone here judges him on 3-4 games. I mean... what's the use of that? I really hope the move to Fulham takes place. I'm very sure he will show amazing things at Craven Cottage. The opinion of a lot of you guys will change in 6 months!

Eden's first Chelsea training week:

Eden's interview in Chelsea news: What does Eden Hazard himself thinks of his first weeks / months at his new club Chelsea? Our compatriot shares his first impressions with us. "It will not go easy on me here, I will have to fight for my place in the squad." The official magazine of Chelsea took the new-fangled Chelsea star aside for an interview. Hazard showed that "typically Belgian humbleness' and wants the start the season with the necessary combativeness. "I am fully aware that I will really have to fight for a starting spot. I should certainly not assume that I will be automatically in the starting eleven. I would prefer to play in the center of the midfield, just behind the striker. I'm just the type of player that likes to feel the ball a lot. I really think that Chelsea is a club where I can be successful and where I can win the necessary prices. " Prices like for instance the Champions League, that the club won last season? "With Lille in the Champions League, it often did not went as we expected and actually also earned. We really could have get further than that we always did. But I'm glad I already played some games in this league! Now I can even join a football club that plays the Champions League every year and currently are even cupholders. "

Belgium media reporting a possible loan to West Ham United is in the making... I'll keep you guys updated on this one!

Ok I'll bring some positive karma back in this thread! I was looking for the Eden Hazard thread... but could not find it in Transfer talks... Then I certainly realized: he's in PLAYER DATABASE!! HOOAH!!

Belgian Football Magazine (sport voetbal magazine) comes up with a report of some extra info about Eden's transfer. A total of 8(!) clubs came up with serious offerts to try and attract Hazard during the last season. Hazard said no to Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Tottenham, Man City and eventually also Man United! Already in january, when he announced he was going to play in the EPL, Barcelona, Madrid & Inter were out of the race. Hazard prefers the EPL because it's a competition that fits him well with a lot of pace & dedication on the pitch & a great atmosphere on the stands. Eden thinks english football fits him best of all European leagues. Arsenal was the first EPL team that was erased from his wishlist => not enough maturity in the team + too much uncertainty around Van Persie. Tottenham attracted his interest but then totally collapsed at the end of the season. Eventually it was clear that it would become a struggle between United and us! United offered better wages (!!) ... but Eden preferred the Blues ( :blue scalf: )because he was promised to become the #10 of a whole new and attacking young team. He believes a lot in the potential and the ambitions of our club! Eat this Real, Barcelona and the rest of the EPL teams

My bad. I thought he played as captain sometimes as well? But I now see it's Vidic... and Evra as Vice Captain.

The difference between two EPL captains: Rooney vs. Kompany. Who do you like better? http://p.twimg.com/AtujT0RCAAEaS1P.jpg:large

Haha guys please! I think this guy retired from playing football at least 10 years ago So of course I'm joking!!! I just don't like the fact that every guy who plays a somewhat decent game at the EC gets a topic in this thread... makes it hard to follow

Apparently every player who has a good 45 minutes on the European Championship is good enough to open a topic in this thread What about Oleg Salenko? A great attacker with a lot of international experience (even played for both Russia AND Ukraine)! Played at numerous European clubs: Zenit, Dinamo Kiev, Valencia, Glasgow Rangers,... . Not only did he had a good 45minutes... he even managed to have an outstanding 90 minutes in the '94 WC game against Cameroon, scoring 5(!!!) goals in one game (sharing the golden booth with Hristo Stoichkov. Until now still a record! Ok I know he's rather old... but hey, this means pure experience we bring to the bridge! He's only one year older the RDM so you can imagine how well they will get a long both on and off the pitch! Furthermore he has "bargain" all over him!!!