BlueLion.

He is fucking horrendous. Get rid.

lol fanboy

If we'd have not been shit, and not stopped playing after the 13th minute and thinking we had the game won, we could have easily been in a stronger position and allowed the youngsters on. Seems like Conte told the players to stick it in third gear and no higher.

You can even go back through the posts in this thread, not many people really gave a shit when he left. It's easy, lazy, and convenient to blame Mourinho for letting him go.

Can't see any real reason for him wanting to leave, to be honest. He's the big fish in the pond here... he's had a few good games this season but I genuinely couldn't see him starting over Sane or Sterling in Pep's system at the moment, the pair of them are on some serious mushrooms.

If you're happy to call Hazard our best player in that period of time because of those little 5-minute windows where he decides to play, then knock yourself out. Other than the Newcastle game where he was truly electric, he's not looked anywhere close to 100%.

Funny how people are slagging Mourinho off for getting rid, NOBODY IN THEIR RIGHT MIND could have predicted his development. I went to a League Cup game in 2013 away at Swindon and he was, by far, the worst player on the pitch.

Been quality in the last couple of matches. How he isn't getting a look in ahead of Fabregas is criminal.

Is this the same knee Aguero tried to remove last December?

Don't like him as the false 9 in a 3-4-3, I have to say. Doesn't bring anything close to the best out of him, he just becomes a deep-lying backheel merchant. Far more effective wider, or as one of the two in a 3-5-2.

He's decent, this lad, isn't he?

He's absolutely terrific going forward but he is really struggling defensively this season, and it's hard to put my finger on why. When we're playing 3-5-2, it isn't any real surprise, as he is far more exposed than he would be in a 3-4-3 where Willian/Pedro might be doubling up. He also doesn't have the protection offered last season by Nemanja Matic. However, this season he just seems "off it" intellectually... he's never been the most resolute of defenders but he is generally quite intelligent and reads the game quite well. Not the case this year, as he's been very clumsy and, worryingly, inattentive of what's going on around him. Great goal and a more improved performance from him yesterday, but Southampton never really attacked down his flank all game. It is our wing backs that need improving this summer, without a doubt.

Give the kid a chance. We've nothing to fairly judge him on. The people saying "get rid" are probably the same people creaming themselves over RLC's performances, now he's been given a run of games at Palace.

Michael Essien was another dynamic, box-to-box midfielder who arrived from France - looked hopeless for the most part in his first season (anyone who says different is a liar, his performances were excellent from April onwards but there was a reason why Mourinho brought Maniche in on loan...) - who suddenly massively improved after his first full season in the Premier League. I guess we should have gotten rid of him after a few months, as well? Give the kid a chance. He's been excellent in the last two games. Can't be easy when you don't have a consistent midfield partner and the manager is fucking about with formations.

Bakayoko has actually pulled his finger out in the last two games and looked very, very good - credit where it is due. I also remember reading that Drinkwater has had flu or some sort of virus, so probably isn't 100% yet - makes more sense to give him 90 minutes (if possible) against Bournemouth in the cup on Wednesday!

This is our best opportunity to win a trophy this season, so let's not fuck about. Courtois, Moses, Cahill, Rudiger, Christensen, Zappacosta, Fabregas, Kante, Willian, Pedro, Morata.

Hazard has been poor for the last few games, but people think the sun shines out of his ass because of his Backheel FC bullshit. Courtois does his job and makes key saves and then gets criticised for doing his job, quite laughable really. I'm not sure what people are expecting from Thibaut?

Thank the lord, someone with some common sense. Courtois rarely makes "worldy" saves because his positioning is outstanding. He probably has "maxed out" in terms of his progression for now - though let's not remember that most keepers have blooms in their development in first their early 20s, then in their early 30s. He's still one of the top 5 in the world, and you're a fool if you disagree. Furthermore, you try keeping clean sheets when Gary fucking Cahill and Marcos fucking Alonso back up 40% of your defence.

RIP.

I like this boy but his accuracy is poor. I'm certain Michy or Diego would have buried that late chance... Somehow, because of a few half decent headers, he is beyond reproach in this team. And don't give me the "doesn't have enough service" bullshit that Chelsea fans default to.

De Gea only makes "huge" saves because his footwork and positioning is generally quite awful. He's a "one for the cameras" goalkeeper. I am in no way denying his excellent and he is probably the best in the world, but saves that the likes of Courtois, Oblak, Buffon make that look normal or unspectacular, de Gea has to make look special, mainly because he saves by punching rather than parrying. It's an ugly technique.

Sorry. I'll make it up to you next time.

He's a fucking little bitch.