BlueLion.

I think, that if Plan A (Costa) fails, we'll see more of Schurrle up top than many of us are expecting. I don't think we need another forward at this moment in time now we know Didier's injury isn't as bad as first feared. Nando is useless, granted, but Drogba, Schurrle and Costa should give us enough firepower. Plus let's no forget we can always plays with a False 9 in an injury crisis - we moreorless played with No 9 when any of our strikers played last season, one or two excellent individual performances aside.

Wish this kid nothing but the best.

If any City fan genuinely thinks signing Lampard - a player surplus to requirements at Chelsea that only played so frequently last year because we had neither Matic nor Fabregas - on a 3-month loan deal offers them any sort of psychological edge then they are really scraping the barrel.

He's not made a terrible decision at all. He's made one for the betterment of his own career. He had an interview with Sky Sports News on Friday saying he had absolutely no intention of joining them. He said he moved to New York City F.C. because what they offered was a no-brainer, and it was clear he was going to be leaving Chelsea from around Christmastime. He said the chance to move to City only emerged after he signed for the MLS franchise, and that it was one that would a - prolong his England career, b - help him maintain sharpness and match fitness ahead of the new MLS season, and c - keep him close to his family. He probably won't even get in their matchday 18. I really, really, can't see what the problem is here.

What, like we've been doing with Torres since 2011?

Schwarzer won't need to be registered if Cech stays. Problem solved.

Cech has a decade of proven experience of being the best. He can walk the walk and talk the talk. Courtois is yet to finish the walk.

Totally agree. His attacking play is fabulous to watch, defensively he leaves a lot to be desired.

Wow, he scored against a 3-man United "defence" consisting of Blackett, Jones and Smalling. £200,000 a week and a £25 million transfer fee should cover it, right?

A wise decision. The deeper Oscar plays = the better Oscar plays. Leaves more opportunities for Willian, Schurrle and Salah (and Nando, guessing from how José used him wide right in pre-season on three separate occasions) to support Eden.

Settled then. Courtois is number one, Cech will play the CL games this season and Schwarzer will be there to supply witticisms, leg spin, low-alcohol-percentage beer, barbecued shrimps, and various other Australian stereotypes.

Ivanovic will start at RB against the "big teams" for that extra defensive resilience and assuredness, I reckon. Only time will tell, but José has a soft spot for Branna, as apparent from the fact he wasn't dropped at all last season despite starting it horrifically inconsistently. Fair enough he improved from February onwards, but it was hardly sterling Ivanovic.

I didn't notice it until you pointed it out. What the fuck is it?!

^ one of the best in the world? No, not for me. People who woke up this morning and watched the Match of the Day repeat will see his lovely assist but won't see how he was the weak point in the Sunderland defence all game long. Lost count of how many times balls were played in behind him to Dorrans and Berahino.

Honest expectations for Costa this season? When you consider how our system is simply just not catered towards playing with an out-and-out striker, how many do you reckon he'll get? Would you settle for 18-20 in all competitions in his first season? I would.

Wow, the outrage caused over someone changing squad numbers. Only on TalkChelsea.

Little bastard, my shirt from last season is now obsolete

Have I been sent off yet? Not realistic enough if I haven't had at least three red cards already.

What's that got to do with anything?

Sting have you been smoking weed again? :lol:

Schwarzer can still be registered for the League Cup, FA Cup and UCL if necessary, that's if both Petr and Thibaut stick around, which I think they will.

Not as much as people underestimate Cech! Either way, whoever leaves, be it on loan or permanently, it'll be a massive loss.

They've just found out Moses is being loaned to Vitesse.

If you're going to post pictures of Lamps in a City shirt, use spoiler tags so a particular percentage of our clientèle don't wet themselves. Regards, Forum Management.

Cech will start against Burnley and Courtois will be farmed off on loan again, just you see. ++