BlueLion.

That's a rubbish reason, I coach 7 year olds who model themselves on Tony Adams as a defender

You'll fucking get it in a minute sunshine, with "it" referring to the Hammer!

The transfer window has been shut for three days and the rumours are already back in full force

I "get it" just fine. What people seem to think is it's okay for one quota of people to be "disappointed", but when the more ambivalent quota (to which I belong) say it's an over-reaction, they can jump on their high horse. For people to not really give a shit, because it is HIS decision, and to think others are making a mountain out of a molehill is also "more than reasonable". I'm done in with this thread so there's no need replying to this post. I'm not aiming it at you in particular, but there are those of us who've gotten over this a long time ago and have moved on.

Belgian international Thibaut Courtois is soon to put pen to paper on a bumper five-year contract, according to Sky Sports. Courtois has usurped Petr Cech in the Stamford Bridge goalkeeping pecking order, and looks set to agree to a new deal that secures his long-term future with the club. Courtois told Sky Sports News: “It’s not yet signed. I am here with the national team so it is difficult, but when I am back at Chelsea I will probably sign the new contract.” Courtois has played a starring role in Chelsea's outstanding early-season form. The Belgian, who has played a starring role in Chelsea's outstanding early-season form, has also discussed his personal battle with Cech, praising the Czech's mentality and desire in training. “He is working hard in training to be ready when I cannot play or I am maybe not playing well. We work well together", Courtois said. “We don’t talk about the situation, but of course I know he has played 10 years at Chelsea and that now I am playing and for him it’s not the nicest situation. But that is the decision of the board and the trainer". Courtois has also praised manager José Mourinho's handling of the situation. “Of course as a professional and a winner you always want to play every game, so we will see what the decision is of the coach". On Tuesday, The Daily Mail reported that Courtois' current weekly wage packet - a relatively paltry £30,000-a-week - could almost be tripled when the Belgian puts pen to paper. Chelsea also want the deal to be agreed by the end of the month. Should that contract be agreed, it would appear Chelsea's long-term future is in more than safe hands.

This thread had gone quiet because he hadn't even made it onto City's bench yet. Imagine the meltdown when he plays in the third round of the League Cup

I can't! It'd destroy me.

Depends on what you want from your striker, so a very open question. Costa is in-form, but is he the best from a technical point of view? I'd say no, and that from that list I'd choose Zlatan - though my favourite (not saying he's the best but certainly one of the top 10 in the world) in Gonzalo Higuain is missing from there as well.

The thing about Diego is that defenders are going to become so occupied by him that he is going to create so much space for the wide players. He's a selfless player but he scores goals as well, that's a rarity amongst strikers. The only other PL striker I've ever seen that falls in that category is a certain Didier Drogba.

Oh ffs.

I do, because he's a cunt

Azpi is a perfect player for us to have because of his versatility. And Ivan started last season just like this and come the end of the season was a defensive liability.... Luis isn't physically ready yet, otherwise he'd have played more than 17 minutes. There's plenty of opportunities for Dave.

If he's available, we have to go for him. As much as I rate Schurrle and Willian he is a cut above both of them and I would have no issue with us selling either of those players for £20+ million and bringing in Reus.

I've missed having a big fat cunt up front! So good to have one again.

Precisely. He's nowhere near as bad as people make out. He can be utterly horrific at times, but sometimes he can be really, really impressive - but I think that's why we're so easily frustrated by him. It's like, sometimes, he doesn't give a damn.

Women, ey?!

It's a healthy debate involving Cech, nothing wrong with it JayJay, stop being a grumpybum for once!

Spot on. Moses had taken it for this season before he was sent to rot in Stoke loaned.

You label the staff a "bunch of children" yet you couldn't act more childishly if you tried. Quite a shame as the occasional decent contribution you make gets overshadowed by your infectious ignorance.

I've had enough of your shit tbh.

Jesus Christ you're tedious. I don't think you've made yourself look like a big enough of an ignoramus in this thread, please keep trying. Absolutely. It's what Oscar does off the ball as opposed to what he does with it that makes him such an invaluable player.

Chelsea's latest acquisition Loic Remy has chosen his squad number for the upcoming season. Remy, who signed on Sunday from local rivals Queens Park Rangers for a fee believed to be in the region of £10.5 million, has been given the number 18 shirt. The departure of Fernando Torres means that the number 9 shirt remains vacant - pointing the way towards a potential swap for Andre Schurrle, who wears the 9 for the German national team and also sported the number at his previous club Bayer Leverkusen. Meanwhile, defender Cesar Azpilicueta has been rewarded for his sensational form last season with a new five-year deal. Arguably the Premier League's outstanding full-back last term, Azpilicueta was a member of the Barclays Premier League’s meanest defence which conceded just 27 times in 38 games. He also received the Chelsea Players’ Player of the Year award last year. Click here to view the article

Definitely. Sad to say but Casillas, one of the all time greats, is on a slow but sure decline. Navas is what, 27, 28? Prime years for a goalkeeper, but with plenty of miles left in the tank for future development. Yeah, de Gea has shown a lot of improvement in recent years. The way they teach goalkeepers in continental Europe is obviously hugely different to how the FA want us to coach over here, and the difference between someone like de Gea and Butland from a technical point of view is quite large, though as the last 2/3 years have shown, de Gea is absolutely an effective GK.