BlueLion.

In my view he's borderline - somewhere between "good" and "very good", but people seem to think he's as good as Lev Yashin or Dino Zoff judging by some of the comments on here after the WC. Neat and tidy, excellent footwork. But is he as good as the likes of Weidenfeller or Lloris? IMO, not quite, but still comfortably one of the top 20-odd.

In your opinion. From a technical point of view, de Gea is an absolute nightmare of a goalkeeper. I pity his coach. Sometimes I wonder if he has any need to wear gloves because he leads with his feet for absolutely everything - ironic since his actual footwork and movement from his starting position to set position is utterly horrific. He's just a bad, bad goalkeeper from a technical perspective and I feel sorry for any young goalkeeper who tries to emulate him when they're playing in the field with their mates. Szczesny is neat and tidy, a little exuberant at times and a little erratic with his save selection, but he is a bloody effective shot-stopper when he cuts out the fancy stuff. Question 1 - things done right vs things done wrong. This depends entirely on the coach him/herself. From my own experience as a coach, I focus on both, but always in a constructive way. I work with goalkeepers of all ages, from age 3 up to young men aged 21-26, but I always make sure that regardless of whether we are looking at things that have been done correctly or otherwise, everything is viewed from a positive perspective. But to answer your question, I suppose you have to focus on things not done correctly. Goalkeeping is different to playing outfield - it is very much a game of instincts and second-guessing your opponent. Doing something right or wrong is often down to luck more than judgement, so whilst I am always keen to praise one of my goalkeepers for doing something well, I suppose in my coaching sessions I focus on their weaknesses in order to improve them in any way possible. The FA have a "four corners" approach to goalkeeping: the physical, psychological, technical and tactical corners. Whilst you need to be in good physical condition to be a goalkeeper, and a positive psyche, it is really the technical and tactical aspects that you "coach". From that point of view I guess what I'm trying to say is that with any goalkeeper, me and my fellow coaches will sit down, address their strengths and weaknesses and cater a personalised long-term development programme that will help improve their game in each of the four corners, but most specifically to look on turning their weak areas into areas of strength. As I say, it's very much down to the coach's own coaching style - some people will try and brush negative things under the carpet and focus only on the good things (a good way of maintaining a goalkeeper's confidence), but I always feel it is good to look at things that could have been done better, and to share my advice and experiences as a player and a coach to help enhance that goalkeeper's own game. Question 2 - orthodoxy vs effectiveness. This is an awkward one. If a goalkeeper makes a save, regardless of whether it is technically perfect or an absolute abomination of a save where he/she misses the ball with their hands and it smashes them in the face and goes over, then the goalkeeper should be congratulated. It's the same as how a beautiful volley from 35 yards is worth the same as a shanked finish that takes a deflection and trickles over the line. A save is a save and goalkeeper coaches have to realise that not everybody can physically make saves the way the English FA wants them to. I get told by my senior coaches that all of my goalkeepers must do this and they must do that, but really goalkeeping is a very personal thing. A good example is the goalkeeping set position. Compare, for instance, the set position of Jack Butland: and that of Edwin van der Sar: ]##] The set position is crucial. 90% of saves you try and make comes from this base. It gives you the balance and flex in your body required to react quickly to high and low shots. You can see from the goalkeeper's hand position how he/she intends to make a save. From a technical point of view, EvdS's set position is textbook. Absolutely perfect, 100% orthodoxy - his hands are in the gunslinger position, and he is ready to lead with them and attack the ball. If you notice his posture, he has perfect forwards-facing balance, which is key. Butland on the other hand has a far wider and straighter stance, with his hands is more of the "ape position" you'd associate with a one-on-one save. But, if it works, and it makes him a good goalkeeper (Butland is a gorgeous goalkeeper to watch), then that's great, right? As I said, a save is a save. Orthodoxy is important. It gives you that basis to make a save, based on a tried and tested formula that has worked for English goalkeepers over the past twenty years. You can argue and state that the quality of English goalkeepers has dropped recently, but I would disagree - Joe Hart is an ugly goalkeeper to watch, technically very poor, but he can still be a very effective shot-stopper. Paul Robinson at his peak was similar, even Ben Foster, though not an orthodox goalkeeper, is still very effective in his own right. Every now and again you get a goalkeeper come through who is gorgeous to watch from a technical point of view and is also effective, such as Butland, who I am convinced has a big future ahead of him. So whilst you get goalkeeping purists who determine there can be such a thing as a "bad save", I disagree. However, ultimately I believe that goalkeeping orthodoxy is important to maintain as it gives you a strong basis from which you give yourself a greater chance to make a save. That's why we coach technique so heavily in the Academy that I work in. Things such as leading with your hands when making a collapsing save - small technical minutiae which, on the field of play, give you a greater possibility of actually making a save. If you want to be a goalkeeper like David de Gea and lead with your feet for every possible save, then so be it. If you follow the coaching guidelines set out by FA-qualified coaches and are able to maintain good weight distribution and forwards-facing balance at all times, and you are able to make saves in a more routine and orthodox manner (as opposed to the camera saves you see from Premier League goalkeepers), you give yourself a better chance of making those saves on a consistent basis. Coaches like me will argue that orthodoxy makes you effective in most situations. But goalkeeping is down to luck more than judgement at times, and certainly down to your instincts and reflexes. I'm sorry that's a ridiculously long reply, but I felt your very good questions deserved in-depth responses.

Szczesny would probably go under "Very good" in my estimations. The same for Diego Lopez. The rest are "good" goalkeepers, besides Hart, who I'd rank as average at best.

Stick Buffon in that list and I totally agree. There are a lot of "good" goalkeepers in the world right not, but only four world-class ones. For instance: World-class - Cech, Neuer, Thibaut, Buffon VERY Good - Weidenfeller, Lloris, etc. Good - Sirigu, de Gea, Leno, Mandanda, etc.

Mourinho is watching Sky Sports News like

Chelsea youngster Nathaniel Chalobah has joined Premier League club Burnley on a four-month-long loan. The deal sees Chalobah, who in 2012 captained Chelsea's youth team to FA Youth Cup victory, loaned to the Turf Moor club until 2 January. The move gives the 19-year-old his first opportunity to gain top-flight first-team experience after an impressive spell with Middlesbrough last term under Aitor Karanka, with Karanka claiming the youngster is easily "good enough to play" for the Blues in the future. The short-term nature of the deal demonstrates that Chalobah remains very much in the plans of Jose Mourinho, and with the player returning to the club in January he may find game time easier to come by at the Stamford Bridge club with the beginning of the FA Cup. Everyone at TalkChelsea wishes the very best for young Nat as he continues his development. We look forward to seeing him do well in the Premier League.

Not sure that would be financially viable, as cancelling loans normally incurs quite a hefty severance fee. In Mourinho's last season, Casillas played 2640 mins; Lopez played 2396; Adan played 649; and even Fernandez played 93 minutes. He rotated regularly.

Until we see how the season pans out, no-one knows except Mourinho.

Sky Sports reporter Ian Bolton has suggested Petr Cech is staying at Stamford Bridge, according to club sources. The Czech goalkeeper, who has been usurped as the Blues' number one by Thibaut Courtois, had been linked with French champions Paris St-Germain, with a loan move touted. But Bolton, reporting outside the Chelsea training ground this morning, has confirmed that, after holding talks with club insiders at PSG, the club have withdrawn their interest in bringing Cech to the French capital. Chelsea have also commented, saying that Cech is "going nowhere", according to Bolton's segment on Sky Sports News HQ's transfer deadline day special earlier this morning. The Czech goalkeeper, 32, says he sees no reason to "panic, pack up and leave" after speaking out in Prague ahead of his national side's friendly with the United States on Wednesday. "I've been at the club for 10 years, the situation is now new to me. The three opening matches I could not play for the team. I have no reason to panic, pack up and leave." "I am a Chelsea player, where I have two more years of contract. In football, nothing can be predicted in advance, nothing is ever perfect. "A lot of players go on representative duty, yet still many transfer clubs. The offer would have to be right for everyone. I do not exclude anything (or) know the answer." Cech will compete with Courtois for first-team action, with it highly possible José Mourinho will rotate his goalkeepers in the same fashion he did with Diego Lopez and Iker Casillas at Real Madrid. Click here to view the article

:lol: Post of the month and it's only the 1st!

I'll try and do it more frequently Thanks B! #3 - http://forum.talkchelsea.net/topic/17724-mt-ahc-3-chelseas-costa-coffee-coup-under-threat #2 - http://forum.talkchelsea.net/topic/16551-mt-ahc-2-bieber-impresses-on-usa-tour-duty/#entry733376 #1 - http://forum.talkchelsea.net/topic/16544-mt-ahc-1-the-toils-of-tancredi-palmeri-and-the-twitter-trolls #1 is probably the best of the four, I reckon?

Why are people moaning? He's: CheapExperienced in the PL - 14 goals in 26 games with a shit Newcastle team is an excellent recordClearly ambitious, hence why he joined usWilling to fight for his place (otherwise he'd have joined Arsenal where he'd be automatic first choice)An excellent squad playerAt his absolute peak in terms of form and physical fitnessAble to perform as a CF or LW/RW in a 4-2-3-1£10m cheaper than any other valid option, i.e. Destro, who also isn't proven in this leagueNot shit like TorresWhy the fuck are people moaning?

I doubt I'll ever top the first one (Blackman versus Hilario was genius ) but this is definitely the best out of #2, #3 and #4!

I'm a goalkeeper so I'll defend his distribution. If you watch, Azpi moves away from the ball Thibaut bowls out. Mainly because he has no idea what's going on. So rather than blaming Thibaut, I'd say Azpi isn't paying enough attention in that move. He should always move to the ball, that's what I teach the kids I coach. He realised he was under pressure, panicked, and in the end it was Thibaut who rescued us with an incredible save. However I do agree Thibaut was perhaps a bit too eager and distributed almost too early, perhaps Azpi wasn't expecting the pass after two seasons with Cech, who holds the ball and calms things down. But that is a demonstration of Cech's experience (holding the ball and allowing the defence to reset) and Courtois' youthful exuberance.

From pissing money everywhere we've become one of the most self-sustaining clubs, from a financial point of view, in world football. The way we are making millions out of these loans and sell-on fees is a quite brilliant short-cut around financial fair play, but even with us letting players leave for free we've made such impressive profits that we could go and spend another £50m tomorrow and still be in the black.

Cheers guys. Had a bit of a weird week, not sure what over but I've been feeling a bit anxious and worked up about things and this was a nice way of relieving that. Appreciate you reading and commenting, it means a lot.

My Two-And-A-Half Cents is a column written by TalkChelsea administrator Alex Hinsley. A satirical look at happenings surrounding Chelsea Football Club, it must be stated that any views stated in this column are most definitely my own, and in no way reflect upon TalkChelsea.net, Chelsea FC, or any affiliates. ______________________________________ Behold! Costa raised from the dead to lead demolition of Everton Diego Costa last night confounded the doctors who had ruled him out for six weeks with a hamstring injury. Costa played a pivotal role in Chelsea's 6-3 win at Goodison Park, netting twice and pissing off some 34,000 Evertonians. Costa in action at Goodison Park yesterday. The Spain international's rapid progress is testament to the miracles of modern medicine. ______________________________________ Red-faced Arsenal "withdraw" Loic Remy interest - AFTER he agrees to join Chelsea If you'd have thought a club whose only senior striker is as-good-as-gonorrhoea Yaya Sanogo couldn't look any more ridiculous, you'd be mistaken. Arsene Wenger's Arsenal have again covered themselves in transfer window glory after Loic Remy today decided to join Chelsea over the Gunners. Remy was linked with Wenger's side earlier in the summer window, and their interest was again sparked after an injury to Olivier Giroud resulted in Wenger joining the Blues in activating Remy's release clause at former clubs Queen's Park Rangers - without realising the deal was already as good as done, according to Rangers boss Harry Redknapp. That embarrassing realisation later led to the Gunners "withdrawing" their interest in the striker earlier this morning. Arsenal will feel doubly gutted to miss out on signing the Frenchman. As well as surely bolstering their limp forward line, Remy represents a perfect Christmas merchandising opportunity - indeed, the Loic Remy tea-tray would have been a top seller thanks to its ability to carry ten mugs. It would seem that Remy has decided to opt for competing with Didier Drogba and Diego Costa for a starting berth at Stamford Bridge and the promise of a silver-lined season over Arsenal's offer of Champions League qualifiers every August. Remy has also decided on working with José Mourinho over a manager who can't zip up his own coat - the same manager who chose not to re-sign Cesc Fabregas (3 games, 4 assists) because he already has £42 million man Mesut Ozil (3 games, 0 assists, 1 unbelievably good impression of a reptile)... Remy replaces the outgoing Fernando Torres, who has proven as useful as a split condom in his time with the Blues to join AC Milan, the world-renown care home for the elderly and the infirm. ______________________________________ Sour grapes endemic sweeps across Merseyside Everton manager Roberto Martinez has been hospitalised with a serious case of sour grapes, the BBC reported this morning. Speaking after his side's spanking at the hands of Mourinho's men, Martinez claimed that Chelsea striker Diego Costa "lacked respect" after mocking Seamus Coleman over his comical own goal. Costa, who netted twice as the Blues maintained their 100% start to the season, had been the victim of obvious baiting by Coleman and a number of other Everton players prior to the Irishman putting the ball past his own keeper, Tim Howard. Costa's reaction was met with hostility by the Toffees goalkeeper, who seemingly had something of a death wish yesterday afternoon. After he should have been sent off for handling outside his own box, Howard grabbed Costa - a man with a penchant for headbutting people he doesn't like - by the neck before then putting his head into the face of Azpilicueta, right in front of referee John Moss. It capped a woeful day for the USA international, who, on evidence of this game, would have had trouble saving a Microsoft Word document let alone any of Chelsea's half-dozen goals. The only thing "disrespectful" about Costa is the fact that he's ripping Premier League defenders a new arsehole - left, right and centre. Coming from the manager of a team who has players deliberately stamp on people, Martinez is throwing stones from a glass house. Martinez and any other Everton fan who feels hard done-by can ring a specialist helpline to discuss the trauma of yesterday's drubbing on 0800 636363. ______________________________________ Branislav Ivanovic arrested for steroid use Chelsea insiders have revealed that Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic has been detained and questioned by the Metropolitan Police over alleged steroid abuse. Ivanovic, who at times last season was a walking disaster at right-back, has been accused of using banned substances after a series of stunning showings at the start of this season. The summer arrival of Filipe Luis from Atletico Madrid led many to believe that Cesar Azpilicueta would revert to his more natural right-back position, with Ivanovic left out of the side completely. But two goals and three magnificent performances into the new season, suspicions were confirmed when the Serbian was escorted away from Goodison Park yesterday evening in police custody. Across Merseyside, Liverpool fans are dubbing new left-back Alberto Moreno the "new John-Arne Riise" after his brilliant goal in their 3-0 win over Tottenham today. If that means Moreno is on hand to do something like this, then Chelsea fans will be happy: Click here to view the article

He's surely drinking steroids by the pint before every game.

Obviously his two goals, then his header and pile-driver against Leicester, that's the four then. I thought he had a couple more. Oh well. If he is "only" on four then he definitely isn't at the top as Costa has had five and scored four of them (the only "miss" being the save by Howard's feet when one-on-one).

He's had six shots on target if memory serves... quite possible!

Average.