BlueLion.

It's an eyesore... but I kind of like it. Very striking and distinctive. I hope the shorts are light blue with a black trim. Blue socks as well. Would look epic.

I didn't say that. I'm saying this: There's an issue with his decision-making, IMO. He's always looking to be the creator, the provider - when in reality he should be scoring more goals.

You're welcome It's all down to individual discretion. The "three strikes" rule we have is more of a guideline, and even that has been made a mockery of by some members who, for some reason, are still here after about 87 warnings. It's really down to the severity of an incident, and how good a mood I'm in when I log in and get bombarded with the last 24 hours' worth of reported content. But if your concern is derived from the fact that you, technically, are on a level two warning, then don't worry. For me, we'd only ban someone for a number of repeat offences over a prolonged period. So, say for instance, person A got in a war of words with person B, but person A reined everything in and behaved well for, let's say, twelve months, but person B continues along the path of "general cuntishness", obviously person B would be banned, or at the very least suspended. But then, let's say that after that twelve month period, person B gets in a fight with person C. Instead of us saying, "right, that's a third incident for person B, let's ban them", their previous behaviour would always be considered. I don't think I've explained myself at all well, but the gist of it is that a third offence over a period of months or years won't automatically result in a ban. We're actually quite a reasonable bunch for a group of moderators. We're fairly lenient, although, as I say, it depends on our mood!

I don't think he has a lack of confidence at all! I just think he's concerned about being labelled "greedy" or "selfish", and instead tries to serve provider when he really should be grabbing all the headlines himself.

I totally agree with you. It went under the radar, but in May I wrote an article saying exactly that. There is next to nothing between them, and there is nothing to lose (except perhaps Cech himself moving elsewhere) by installing Courtois as number 1. There is no guarantee Courtois will continue to improve (players can reach their peak as early as 20-23 without really improving thereafter), but similarly there is no guarantee Cech will be able to maintain his level after his catalogue of injuries. Whoever we go with, we'll have a magnificent keeper. All I'm arguing is that people think Courtois is a step up on Cech - I don't think he necessarily is, but if he comes in and proves me wrong I'll be delighted.

Yes. I want to see how good he is keeping goal for Chelsea, not Belgium or Atletico Madrid. A goalkeeper is only as good as the defence he has in front of him, and Atletico's is damned better than our's is.

Possibly because Salah is eight years younger and has years and years to grow and meet his potential. Lavezzi's best days are quite possibly behind him. "He isn't getting any younger", as they say. Plus you won't have any melodramatics from Salah. He isn't the sort to moan about being on the bench. Salah is a squad signing, and a damned good one at that, for good money. Lavezzi would be another £20 million+ investment that you'll probably get two years out of, maybe three at an absolute push. Salah is also considerably faster than Lavezzi and offers something different. Lavezzi is in a very similar mould to Willian - he'd offer nothing new. His work-rate is fantastic but no better than Schurrle's, Willian's, or Oscar's. So maybe that would explain "why the fuck" some people would rather keep Salah than spunking £20 million+ on someone who probably isn't fit enough to complete 90 minutes. I'm presuming you're basing your opinions on Salah on the half-dozen starts he made for us during a transitional period? As Sidzeret says, it's lucky you're not in charge of our transfer policy.

Don't be ridiculous. There's this mystical entity called pre-season. Cech has the number one shirt right now. When Courtois comes back, it's up to him to win that shirt from him. Right now, I see no reason to bench Cech. All the pressure is on young Thibaut to show how good he is.

What most Chelsea fans are scared to admit is that was the story of his season, four or five magnificent, world-class performances aside. The most sobering thought is that in that five minute window he offers more than the rest of our attack does in 90 minutes. That's what cost us last season. He's still very raw and miles away from being the player most of us think he is, but he is nonetheless a special player with all the ability in the world. It's just his mentality that concerns me. Does he know how good he can be? I hope he gets a little more licence to play next season, now that we have a more responsible component in the midfield in Cesc (as opposed to Ramires' headless forays into No Man's Land that left us exposed time and time again last season) and with the (possible) signing of Luis, a defender who'll have the ability to cover further up the pitch than Cole or Azpilicueta.

José was right In all seriousness, Lukaku is still a boy. He's growing and learning the game still. He's still very raw and will continue to improve. He has unlimited potential and could become a wonderful striker. But right now he needs guaranteed game-time, and given the inevitable arrival of Costa and Mourinho's alleged conversations with Ba which will see him given more minutes on the pitch after his decent end to the season, he isn't guaranteed those minutes here. A return to Everton would be the best option right now. It's too early to judge whether he'll make it or not right now, but if Mourinho is watching these World Cup games he'll certainly feel vindicated in allowing Romelu to leave on loan last August.

People make me laugh. They're probably basing his performances against us in the UCL, where he was nursing an injury, and the two WC games they've seen him, where he's been playing in an alien system with players obsessed with playing 90 passes more than Atletico would in a similar attack. All four of those games are matches where he hasn't been able to play his natural game. He'll fit this team of our's very nicely.

But that's down to interpretation. You can really honestly argue either way. The reality is there is very little between the two, but Cech perhaps tips it because he is very slightly better in some pivotal areas, such as positioning and handling. Courtois is probably stronger and a little more athletic than Cech, and he is more commanding in his penalty area, but then he obviously lacks the experience that Petr has. There's hardly anything between the two now, but what the Courtois-supporters will say is that Courtois should be number one based on the fact that he might, one day, be better than Cech. Of course that's possible, but for me, there's absolutely nothing major between the two of them. We're incredibly lucky to have two of the world's top five goalkeepers. When Cech is back to full fitness, we'll see how good Courtois is. It's one thing to be the best goalkeeper in Spain, but he doesn't exactly have that much competition. The Premier League may not have many outstanding goalkeepers - Cech and Lloris aside, IMO - but there are many, many very good goalkeepers like Howard, Begovic, Szczesny, Hart, etc. that means we can see just how good the kid is. I don't doubt his ability, but I do question his mentality. He says he wants to be guaranteed the number one jersey (apparently) - maybe he's scared of the competition? No-one deserves that right. I would like to see him and Cech given equal opportunities to impress. May the best goalkeeper win. He might have achieved 100 clean sheets by the age of 22 for club and country - a magnificent achievement - but I highly doubt he'll match either Cech's clean sheet record (24 in 35 games, 2004/05), beat his concession record (14 in 37, 2004/05), or match his tally of 100 Premier League clean sheets in 180 appearances. I don't think anyone will, though obviously Cech also had the best defence the Premier League has ever seen in front of him, between 2004 and 2007. Even so, those statistics will stand forever, IMO.

I agree. That's why I said Cahill shouldn't be the captain. Cesc is a gobby bastard, but that's what you need from a skipper. Look at JT, for instance. The bloke doesn't shut up, even when we're 3-0 down.

As you say, it's down to personal opinion. There's no doubting that Luiz is by far the superior footballer on a technical level, but he is more prone to lapses in concentration than most CBs we've had in the past, and he is certainly a far riskier option in the defensive system Mourinho utilises. I'm sad to lose the man, but not the player, personally. And the transfer fee is an added bonus.

Must be legit then.

I see your point but it's not as if he offered his arm to Suarez hahaha!

Cech's handling is far safer, IMO. Though Courtois is better at commanding his box. Very little to split between the two, but it's the little things that makes Cech the better goalkeeper by the most microcosmic of differences. Plus he has a decade's worth of experience more than Courtois does.

Well he obviously isn't, is he?

I don't want the ball anywhere near my goal. A defender who boots the ball upfield is doing what he's paid to do. If I want someone to try and dribble around four players and then, on most occasions, lose possession of the ball, I'd ask my wingers to play at centre-half. As you say, it's down to your own personal preference. But, in my honest opinion, for what I believe a defender should do - and I base these characteristics on the Ricardo Carvalhos, John Terrys and Alexs of this world - I want them, primarily, not to give me a heart attack every time he touches the ball. That's why I like Gary "the safe option" Cahill. We'll just have to agree to disagree. However if you think that PSG aren't being stupid in offering £48 million for the bloke...

Why does Kolarov look like he's standing in a defensive wall?

If he stays here as long as Frank, there's every chance.

I unequivocally agree. There's no comparison. Cahill is the "safer" option, safe because he can actually defend properly. Luiz always looks like he's one brainfart away from disaster.

The poll on this article = 87% want Courtois as our number 1, only 13% want Cech. Some people don't know what they have until they lose it.

Cahill is definitely being groomed for command. Almost in a Jon Snow-kind of way

Cesc is the only one on there who is going to be guaranteed to be playing in 80-90% of matches next season (fitness permitting) and has the requisite experience of captaincy in the past, IMO.