BlueLion.

If Courtois does come in as our number one, how awesome would it be for Cech to replace him at Atletico?!

Great post, totally agreed. But I think the reason people are making a fuss of it, is because it's a positive thing... unfortunately there is a stigmatism of sorts associated with gay sportspersons, so it is a big step forward in that regards. But I totally agree, nonetheless. Someone's sexual orientation is a non-story, as far as I'm concerned. Let's move on!

I know, the English Palmeri

I'm just going by this.

Courtois demanding an automatic place in the team is like me putting no effort into an essay, slapping a lecturer and telling him to give me a first. It ain't gonna happen, not with José around.

Absolutely agreed, but why should Courtois be told: "Yes, you can come here and be number 1" without even putting on a pair of gloves in a training session? THAT is what strikes me as impractical.

Sure he's a great goalkeeper, but demanding the number 1 jersey without even earning it? Not for me. Seems to me like he's got ego problems; either that or he's scared he won't start because he knows he can't compete with Cech. He should come in and expect to earn the number 1 jersey the same way Cech did with Carlo. The difference is Cech supplanted a good goalkeeper; Courtois has to supplant an exceptional one. Good luck, you'll need it.

Alex Hinsley ‏@AlexHinsleyCFC1m According to the IFFHS, Petr Cech was the 3rd-best goalkeeper in the world behind Neuer and Buffon in 2013. Courtois in 4th place.

Sounds to me like Thibaut's afraid of the competition! He wants assurances he is going to be the definite number 1? Those assurances should not, under any circumstance, be given. He should be made to fight for his place. If Cech stays and Courtois is benched, it'll be because Cech deserves his place.

You'd like to think so. If so that commands incredible respect for such courage. If not, then it speaks volumes. We need more Robbie Rodgers and Thomas Hitzlspergers, but we need them to come out during their career. A huge ask, granted, and so many potential foot-falls, but all it takes is one, IMO, and then we'll see something of a domino effect. I think we can all agree this is a huge step forward, we just need people to match this positive forwards stride. Before anyone attacks manpe, I think he's saying he doesn't care whether a player is gay or not, which is the absolute right attitude to have. It doesn't and shouldn't make a difference. Totally agree mate, but footballers sign up for "banter" when they enter the sport. I'm not belittling your point, I'm just saying that almost every footballer cops an earful from the brainless minority at football grounds. It's about time someone shows they don't give a fuck, but again I appreciate how difficult that must be. It really saddens and frustrates me that some people have such attitudes, but then again, even 40 years ago people discriminated against blacks, and sexism still exists today, so perhaps I'm expecting too much for people just to accept homosexuality, but I'll definitely do my part and tell me kids there's nothing wrong in being who you are. But like I say, we're a long way away from that goal.

It's a joke people even have to "come out", as if being gay is something socially unacceptable. I couldn't give a fuck if you're gay, straight, bi-sexual or otherwise. Do what the hell makes you happy; be whatever makes you happy. Life's too short to worry what narrow-minded bigots, whose heads are so far up their own arses, have to say or think.

How I currently feel:

Done, if there are any remaining please use the "report" function and I'll get round to it as and when.

Meh, forced two good saves out of the keeper, more than Eto'o did.

DAAAMN, AIN'T NO-ONE THAT GOOD.

Name: mac.bo Reason: Abusive Behaviour Punishment: Content moderated permanentlyAbility to create content removed permanently.Suspended permanently Also move to Banned

Bastard!

Looks like I have competition for the TalkChelsea number 1 jersey! Pipe down, Thibaut!

Hmm, "you really do shit articles". Two meanings to that - are you saying they're shit, or I shit them out? Or even both? If so, that's an ingenious choice of language!

That's one of the most endearing compliments I've ever received. Thank you!

I chose not to mention it Ron, as I don't think it deserved coverage. I don't think it was a dive, I think he lost his balance as he was running at such pace. Not once did he look at the ref, which is a tell-tale sign of a dive. Not worthy of indulgence, IMO.

Well, not bad for a day's work - two articles written, a mention on Chelsea TV from Jason Cundy, AND the live Twitter feed done as well. I'm going for a lie-down!

Brazilian maestro Oscar inspired Chelsea to victory past a dogged Derby County side at the iPro Stadium - setting up an FA Cup 4th Round tie with Stoke in the process. Despite a battling performance, the home side were ultimately outclassed as second-half goals from skipper John Mikel Obi - on his 300th appearance for the club - and then man of the match Oscar secured a routine win for José Mourinho's side. Derby supporters, who are enjoying something of a renaissance under the tutelage of Steve McClaren, will take great solace from a performance full of effort and endeavour. Yet ultimately it was the overwhelming strength in depth of the Chelsea squad that did for them, with the 2-0 scoreline a fair reflection of the degree of comfort the Blues exerted in another dominant second-half showing. Mourinho made a number of changes to his side, one of which in goal with Mark Schwarzer replacing Petr Cech, but the experience of his starting eleven was too much for Derby's youthful exuberance. Into the side, amongst others, came Michael Essien, David Luiz and Samuel Eto'o, whilst Sunday's match-winners at Southampton, Oscar and Willian, were also drafted in. John Terry, Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Fernando Torres, all on the bench, served as further examples of the Blues' squad depth. In the end, proven Premier League quality prevailed, but Derby gave as good as they got in a tight, tentative first half in which chances were few and far between. Samuel Eto'o made a mess of the game's most penetrative moment when he dallied in possession instead of shooting and was duly dispossessed, whilst long-rangers from Oscar and Essien were the best the Blues could conjure. Derby offered little themselves, instead preferring to contain their illustrious visitors and reduce them to pot-shots from range, but one such deflected Ramires effort almost undid all their hard work, as the Brazilian's effort hit the base of the post right on the verge of half-time. Encouraged by their determined defensive effort, Derby came out far more positive in the second half - creating more space for Chelsea's intelligent midfield quintet to exploit. That was only heightened when Mourinho intuitively replaced the hard-working Essien with Eden Hazard. The game soon sparked into an end-to-end affair; again working to Chelsea's advantage as the Derby players soon tired. Fitness always plays a key part in these Premier League-versus-lower league opposition, and despite Derby's promotion credentials the gap in quality was emphasised as a quick five-minute-burst through the gears gave Chelsea an unassailable 2-0 lead that all but crushed Derby's considerable resolve. Of all people, it was tri-centurion Mikel that opened the scoring, heading in the industrious Willian's delightful whipped free-kick in the 66th minute. It took mere moments for Mourinho's men to make sure of the result, as Oscar crashed home a swerving second that home keeper Lee Grant perhaps should have done better with. It was, nevertheless, the goal Oscar's performance warranted - after a couple of first-half chances that went a matter of inches wide, including a whipped free-kick and a swerving pile-driver from 25 yards, his luck was finally in as he launched the ball past the hopelessly exposed keeper. Deflated, Derby resorted to damage reduction, and it took a couple of fine saves from Grant to deny substitute Fernando Torres from adding a further layer of gloss to the scoreline - first bravely saving at the striker's feet, before making a fine low parry minutes later. Ramires might have delivered the killing blow when his effort from the edge of the box deflected onto the bar, but Derby survived - enabling them to put some late pressure on the Chelsea goal. Indeed, it was in the final few minutes where they finally seriously tested Schwarzer, but the Australian was well positioned to deal with Chris Martin's low drive at the near post. The final whistle sounded to the delight of the 5,500-strong away contingent from Stamford Bridge - where the Blues will face Stoke in the next round later on in the month, looking to avenge December's shock 3-2 reverse at the Britannia Stadium. Derby gave a good account of themselves but with Schwarzer - one save of note aside - a virtual spectator, it was, in the end, a very comfortable win for the Blues, who were once again indebted to a devastating second-half salvo instigated by their miserly midfield. This was not the thrashing akin to the 6-1 thumping Derby suffered the last time the two teams met, back in 2008, but it was nonetheless a commanding showing from José Mourinho's men, who go marching on on their three-pronged assault in silverware this term. Attentions will now be turned to the tough trip to Hull next Saturday lunch-time as the Premier League resumes - but with the Blues on something of a roll, it will be a tough assignment for Steve Bruce's side.... Click here to view the article.

Chelsea have been drawn against Stoke City in the FA Cup 4th Round. The tie, scheduled to be played on the weekend of the 25th and 26th of January, will be played at Stamford Bridge and - typically - is the round's only all-Premier League fixture. Arsenal have been drawn at home to League One Coventry City, whilst Swansea (victors over Manchester United) face an away day trip against any of Birmingham City, Bristol Rovers or Crawley Town. Manchester City must beat Blackburn in a 3rd Round replay at the Etihad, but should they do so they will face Bristol City or Watford in their own stadium. Elsewhere, Everton face a trip to Stevenage and the victors of the replay between Fulham and Norwich will have an away fixture against Sheffield United; 2-1 conquerors of Aston Villa yesterday. The draw in full: Sunderland v Kidderminster or Peterborough Bolton v Cardiff Southampton v Yeovil Huddersfield v Charlton or Oxford Port Vale or Plymouth v Brighton Nottingham Forest v Ipswich or Preston Southend v Hull Rochdale v Macclesfield or Sheffield Wednesday Arsenal v Coventry Stevenage v Everton Wigan or MK Dons v Crystal Palace Chelsea v Stoke Blackburn or Manchester City v Bristol City or Watford Bournemouth or Burton v Liverpool Birmingham, Bristol Rovers or Crawley v Swansea Sheffield United v Norwich or Fulham Click here to view the article