Atholy

There is a guy on our bench that scored 46 goals in the last two seasons.... He'll probably will be thrown to the lions next game against Man united...!

is that ALL of our bench warming up at the sideline???

Another clean sheet for our future Goalie! Osasuna - Atletico Madrid: 0-1 Already his 10th clean sheet this season... Pretty amazing for his debut in the Primera Division I would say !!

Highlights of the game with the 2 goals of De Bruyne! http://stadion.vtm.be/artikel/genk-verslaat-ohl-met-forfaitscore

If Hazards turns out to be impossible to get to the Bridge... I think, for a lot less money, Dries Mertens is a decent 2nd option! What a goal indeed . Already his 14th this season!

No real confirmation in Belgian media yet. So far the only news we have is that the CEO of Genk was in London on monday to negotiate the transfer. The deal would be that Chelsea will loan him straight back to Genk until the end of the season. After this De Bruyne would be loaned out for another season the another club (not Genk). Transfer fee would be around € 9 million. De Bruyne says he already has a personal agreement with Chelsea and "if both clubs come to an agreement, I can sign with my eyes closed!"

For those of you who want a little preview of what is awaiting us in the next few months and for those pessimists who think Lukaku cannot score goals: 43 goals in 2 seasons for RSC Anderlecht (league + euro league) & the Belgium National Squad => at age 16 & 17 !!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxWe4JhSsck&feature=fvsr

Interview with JT: http://www.sporza.be...alink/1.1197312 Interview with Ivanovic: http://www.sporza.be...alink/1.1197301 Interview with Emenalo: http://www.sporza.be...alink/1.1197305

He looks good in blue :blue scalf: https://p.twimg.com/AihfWlzCEAAGvsa.jpg:large

Lukaku was so eager to play that he didn't want to be loaned out. I'm afraid now he feels AVB has little confidence in the young players when it comes to 'more difficult' games (which in fact we see almost every weekend these days.. very chelsea unlike!) Unfortunately for Romelu and the other youngsters AVB doesn't dare to bring them in when score is tied or 1 goal difference. So now Romelu feels when he wants to play in the EPL, a loan is the only option! I can only hope AVB does this to protect them, more then having a lack of confidence in them. In case of Lukaku, unless the home crowd decides to express their dissatisfaction for the poor results on the young lad (which I clearly hope NOT!), I don't think this protection is needed. OK he's only 18 years old... but don't forget he is one of Europe's starlets and had a transfer fee of € 18million on his head, a little expensive to be playing in the Chelsea Reserves IMO. On top of that he has proven he can cope with a lot of pressure being the star of the Anderlecht squad at age 17 and scoring week after week in big games => also in Europe!!! The biggest shame is that there was a magic atmosphere around Lukaku and the Bridge/the fans at the beginning of this season. A few good actions would have pushed Romelu to great games... unfortunately now AVB totally let this chance pass by! Without Drogba, Kalou, Sturridge & Anelka there still wasn't a spot in the attack for Lukaku (not even a few minutes)... a very poor decision IMO. One may only hope the board is not that stupid to buy another + €10 million striker this winter to fill up the gap. Lukaku is right there and is ready to grab this opportunity to prove himself. Put him at the reserves team for another six months and you totally stopped an extremely good talent in his development. BTW Same thing with Josh and Bertrand. Ironically the young coach is too afraid to play the young guys , such a shame for a team like Chelsea!

JT praises Lukaku's mentality in interview: Although Romelu Lukaku has not got a lot of chances to play at Chelsea, he can count on the respect of his teammates. In fact, none other than Captain John Terry himself praises our young fellow countryman. "Romelu has adapted well", he says to the British press. "Because he was so developed, people pass by the fact he is still very young. On training, he demonstrated an incredible attitude. He is also very difficult to stop: not only he has strength but also great speed and he knows to find the goal. He talks a lot with Torres and Drogba and is extremely eager to learn. He also comes to me and asks where defenders are a having a hard time with. A week later you see in training that he puts these tips into practice." Currently Lukaku is still miles away from an undisputed place in the first team, but according to Terry that’s only a matter of time. "It is important that he can already taste the atmosphere of the big matches, because someday he will be our most important player at the Bridge. At the reserves he already proved his worth with five goals in five matches. We have great respect for him and I have no doubt he will be at Chelsea for a long time. Perhaps he will get his chance now Drogba has left to play at the Africa Cup."

Highlights of the game. Unfortunately no replay on Courtois amazing save! http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xniray_malaga-0-atletico-madrid-0_sport?start=35#from=embed

Anyone else shares this strange feeling as being brought back to 1998 where internet was actually only used by companies & television was the only way to watch live games ? The game not on TV => radio it was... Oh wait, this is 2012??

I've been following De Bruyne for the last couple of years now. It all depends on what you're looking for. If the fans want him to be a star player of the team next season, who is able to perform at top level week after week... than I don't think it's the right time to buy De Bruyne already. But than again, with Malouda, Mata & Sturridge on the wings (possible bidding for Hazard + others)... would we need to expect from De Bruyne to be a starting player next year? In my opinion De Bruyne absolutely has the quality to grow to star level in the near future! He has got an amazing technique, great dribbles, he's very fast and has one of the best strikes with BOTH his feet I have seen in recent years (do I hear freekick problems solved ?)! And maybe more importantly for a winger... he can cross the ball like a boss => bringing in a lot of assists every season! So would it be a good moment to buy a boy (only 20 years old) who still needs to work hard every training to improve? IMO it absolutely is! First and for all he's a steal at this moment (for around 6 Million euros he can be a blue) and secondly he has all the potential to become a star player in the near future. My conclusion would be: Buy him now and let him taste of EPL experience from time to time and use him as a starter in League Cup & FA Cup games! The boy doesn't want to play for Genk any more the next season and has no problems to be used as a sub at this moment in his career. OR we can wait another 3 years for him to be 23 years and has proven himself in a European mid-table club demanding now 30 Million for him. ps: But don't forget that even Mata sometimes fails to play at wordclass every single week! A 30 second youtube clip of course has no value if you want to judge a player's quality. But since you did not put effort in following the Belgian League the last two years (who blames you )... You will have to do it with a 3 minute youtube clip

I can think of quite a number of EPL defenders who would be eating grass when facing a move like this !

Since we're dealing with football matters, I think/hope UEFA rules in terms of football seasons... And not holiday seasons ! So Romelu will still be playing at the Bridge in the next months! Anyways, Lukaku should never to Marseille if he would to be loaned out. Another team in the EPL would be by far the best option!

Both that one and belgiumsoccer.be ! Both are bringing the same article without checking sources!

Great article!

Got to love the boy's mentality! Not having a spot in the team while 2 of your main competitors Drogs & Sturridge were injured. Being asked to warm up at the side line for almost the whole second half. Knowing your team could use you in the last part of the game to garantue a win with the 0-1 & especially the 1-1 score. Eventually being called up after Lamps scored the 1-2 , which clearly shows your coach doesn't show confidence in you... And to make it even worse standing at the sideline to get subbed but not be able to get in because your coach only gave you 1 minute and the ball stays in the game, result => the ref's whistle blows the end of the game and you look like a fool at the sideline! => Would clearly piss me off!! But what was Lukaku's reaction on his twitter account after te game: "Great win today.. Excellent mentality after the goal we conceded: a goal. Now enjoy our day Off and train hard for the next Cup Game #cfc" Chelsea fans: gotta love this kid! And hope for him he gets a starter in one of the next games and scores a goal!! :cfc:

He's by far the most talented player in our squad. Today's touches showed pure world class from time to time. Like Nic Said, why not considering to play him on the n°10 with Drogs or Romelu in front of him? It will take the 'goalscoring stress' of Torres' s shoulders and would finally sort out the whole discussion of who should play as ST! Hopefully AVB reads this forum from time to time !

Dissapointed that even without Sturridge & Drogba there still is no place in the starting line-up for Romelu. And then not even getting some minutes at the end of the game (oh wait, he could have played 30seconds when the ball would have gone out!!!). When Will AVB be confident enough to let him play. With the 0-1 at the scoreboard today, timing was perfect. With the 1-1 timing was even better! AVB is so lucky that Lamps could tap in a late winner or I would have been f# pissed. But let's end positive: hope that there is a place for Lukaku in the team the next weeks. When I've seen Torres' play today, why not putting him in the n°10 spot and let Romelu play in front of him AVB?

Get Lukaku on AVB FFS

On the positive side: Villa must be champions in passing on eachothers heels. Amazing how many passes are given behind the player!

And AVB: buy Hazard this winter to bring some creativity and a good passer to our midfield!!!!

I also somewhat hope/think that Lukaku's love & passion for the club would fire up the fans and his teammates. And if there is one thing that we are missing this season is passion on the pitch and the stands!