Atholy

I have a lot of respect for Didier and his Chelsea career. But the way he is playing today (reminds me of someone on training who really didn't felt like running that day), I would always play Lukaku instead of him!

Well I think there is only one real reason for that => money. Don't forget that football clubs these days are real business. So investors also want return on their investments. If you buy Torres at 50 million... You wouldn't want him to leave this winter for 20 million to Athletico (to name one) => That's a loss of 30 million in one year. OR you are as rich as the sea is deep and you don't give a shit... OR you oblige your manager to give this lad some minutes, to prove he still has the killer instinct in him, so you can sell him at least for 30-35 million (in winter or summer). Same with Drogs... if you let him rot at on the bench for the rest of the season his value will decrease enormously in the next few months. So he needs to play... hopefully score some goals and at least be worth some millions when you sell him. IMO you don't have to look further than that. Lukaku himself is not the reason for him not playing at this moment. It has just to do with the way businesses are ran: return on investment. Once Drogs is to the ACN, Anelka is in China & Torres is sold... who will be your starting striker => that's right Romelu Lukaku!

Here's a video I wanted to share with the chelsea fans. Those are the last 15 minutes of the ultimate game for the belgian championship last year: RC Genk vs. Standard de Liege. Standard needed a win to be champions, for Genk a tie would be enough. Take the time to get into this atmosphere of the game. You will see that an 18 year old goalkeeper kept his composure and with 3 ultimate saves in the last minutes decided the championship in Genks favor (starting at 8:40 mins)! Oh wait, that's right... this kid is a blue now :blue scalf: In an article this weekend Courtois stated that the Chelsea staff was more than impressed with his results from the 'stress test'. And that he was amongst the very best of over 200 players that have been tested the last years. I think this video is a good example of that!

He has a chelsea heart my friend! The only difference between him and the 42.000 in the stand is that Romelu has privileged seating . I predict a break through in 2012. Starting with some subs in the next weeks... then a goal(or two, three... ) => Lukaku is launched!

I'm not to worried about Lukaku at this moment. The most important thing now is that he doesn't lose confidence! At the beginning I was a little worried about that, but since he's started scoring in the reserves games ... I don't think it's an issue now. So let him be on the bench for the next few games and give him some minutes. The moment Romelu scores at the bridge & when he hears/feels all us fans shouting and singing at him... he will be launched for good!! Mark my words gentlemen ! The lad just needs to feel some blues love... no chance of stopping him then! :blue scalf:

Actually IMO I see no reason to start this topic. Reason 1: Cech is one of the Top 3 goalkeepers in the world. A mistake from time to time will not change this... What do you expect? These guys are human beings, not robots! (Not so long ago also Victor Valdes made a Howler in the Classico against Real Madrid, letting Benzema score the fastest goal ever in a Classico. Speaking of a bad timing!). Reason 2: We have the biggest upcoming talent in our ranks! Thibaut Courois at age 19 is already knocking at the door of being one of the best goalkeepers in Europe. AND not only is he an upcoming talent... At this very moment he's already proving he can be of vital importance for a team in one of the biggest leagues in Europe => Another 6 months and he's ready for Chelsea! Conclusion: We HAVE one of the best GK's in the world between our posts at the moment + we HAVE the most talented kid that is already prepared to defend the chelsea colours when needed! => Exactly who worries???

In my opinion the perfect timing to buy in (relatively cheap) belgian talents before their prices go through the ceiling!! • A striker - Of course there is already Lukaku. Unfortunately we don't have other good strikers at the moment • A winger - Kevin Debruyne: Get him in before he's worth more than 10 million euro's! - Moussa Dembele: The best time to nick him away at Fulham. Now or never since a move to tottenham or another club would raise his transfer sum a lot! • A creative midfielder - Eden Hazard: I know Hazard will not come cheap... However in my opinion he will be worth it. 50 million is also exagerated! The Lille coach just wanted to back off the interest this summer. 25-35 Million looks to be a more realistic price for Eden! -Dries Mertens: Very talented young player that sometimes reminds me of Messi. Of course he's still far from Messi's level. But if you want to buy a creative midfielder with a potential to become an amazing european top talent => Mertens is the one! At the moment he's the most productive player in Dutch Eredivisie (PSV) scoring 13 goals & giving 9 assists! Could also be seen as a cheaper alternative for Hazard. All four above are creative midfielders that can play as winger too! • A central back - Jan Vertonghen: He will go for a sum around 10 Million I think. Has the potential to become the next Vermaelen.

Henrique, do the names of Eboue, Vermaelen, Mario Stanic, Kompany, Gervinho, Fellaini, Jaime Ruiz, Dembele, Yaya Toure, Arnor Gudjohnson, etc... ring a bell?

Cheers! Our pleasure man! Hamilton is indeed also a great local scout of the belgian squad ! But in my case you should thank Lukaku to join the Chelsea squad. He brought me (and other belgians) here on the forum. Now if you can arrange that he plays a little more... everybody's happy ! Just like Hamilton and the others, I regularly bring updates on the Debruyne, Courtois, Hazard, ... performances of the weekend. So make sure to check their topics from time to time.

Unfortunately I'm 29 years old... So I'm not part of our golden generation ! But indeed we have a lot of talented players these days! And a lot more to follow, I can tell you that!! I will pass through names & info as soon as I discover someone new! on topic: Vertonghen surely could be a more than decent CB for us! And like you said... we will probably not pay more than 10 Million! The only two obstacles to bring him in are Tottenham and Arsenal! But I'm sure something can be arranged :chelsea2:!

Not much he could against the 2 goals! It's amazing how sloppy the Atletico defense is this year (especially the 2nd goal)! If you then consider that Courtois is one of the least passed goalkeepers in the Primera Division... You know he's doing great! http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xn2rwp_atletico-madrid-real-betis-0-2_sport#from=embed

He's indeed the Ajax defender. Together with former Ajax captian Thomas Vermaelen he was part of the rock solid central back duo in seasons 2007-2008 & 2008-2009. When Vermaelen went to Arsenal, Vertonghen became the Ajax captain (also at very young age) and now he replaces Vermaelen as the leader on the pitch and has another solid young belgian central defender next to him=> Toby Alderweireld.

With Courtois in goal & Lukaku as a striker, we only need a good defender (Vertonghen? although Kompany would be the dream!) and a winger (Hazard or Debruyne)! => this means a belgian international in every line of the pitch !

Vertonghen is a great defender. Yet I don't see him playing for Cheslea. He's rock solid at the back but not as good (yet?) as Kompany or Vermaelen. He also tend to make his usual mistakes every once in a while. He has an amazing powerful left foot => scores a lot from freekicks. And a great header => scores a lot on corners. It is said he should play in the midfield because playing as a defender hasn't enough challenge for him. I reckon all the above is correct when you watch him playing at Ajax & in the Dutch League. But I don't think he's good enough to play on top level every week though. I think it's better for him to go to Tottenham first. If he proves he's worth the level... we can consider buying him.

He's been playing like this in the french league for 3 years now. Make no mistake, the french defenders also try to take him down all the time (re-watch the video and now only look at the defenders => funny result) Just like Messi & Ronaldo, Hazard is a player that has to take a lot of bad tackles, but almost never injures himself because (just like the other two) he's just way too fast for the opposition. Furthermore the direct result of these faults are yellow cards. I don't think EPL defenders would love to pick up quick yellow cards over and over. Did you see Kompany's reaction after his yellow on Mata last monday? Furious at himself for letting that happen (even a smart defender like him). Best of all : Hazard has 160 official appearances so far in which he only took 16 yellow cards! This tells a lot about his mentality and composure after being fault on time after time. No 90 minutes full of complaining like CR but keeping his cool and continuing his own game and let the opposition take the cards... reminds you of who? That's right... Lionel Messi !

I dare you to repeat that after seeing this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQujmates1A&feature=related But then again... why would we wanna compare Mata with Hazard. Juan is left footed, Eden is right footed. If memory serves we have two wings at the bridge no :blue scalf: AND they can both change wing during the game!

Highlights of the reserves game against Aston Villa => Lukaku scores 2 goals. 5 goals in 3 reserves games hopefully give the criticisers an image of his capabilities! Let's all support the lad (instead of writing him off already) and make him a true future blues star :blue scalf:

The score in Lille vs. Ajaccio this weekend was 2-2 until the 75th minute when Garcia, the Lille) coach decided to bring in Eden Hazard (started on the bench to let him rest). He came in, made the difference and Lille succeeded a 2-3 win (with a panenka penalty kick from Hazard). Highlights of his game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4SWkemDCys

VERY poor indeed. Especially since he is already 19 years old and this is his CL debut! I wouldn't want his technique & crosses at the bridge!! Maybe you need a little reminder: highlights of his games against us. Very poor? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdyquYa3Xmc

"Marca" even stated: "I think after tonight's game it's fair to say that Courtois is a better Goalkeeper than de Gea." Big statement for the future Chelsea Goalie :blue scalf:

Jordan is most likely to make his European debut tomorrow in the EC game against AEK Athens. He'll probably start on the bench but I expect him to get a couple of minutes on the left wing! I'll keep you guys informed on how he did!

Come on Romelu! Your chance to shine tonight!! :blue scalf:

test

Highlights of Eden in the latest game against CSKA Moskva in this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVZG8ZpqHAQ

Guys relax the reliable source is 'el confidencial'... a spanish newspaper! I wouldn't take his words from granted yet! I will follow this topic from close range and will provide you with some updates as soon as Eden said something himself