BlueLion.

With all due respect but it's even more annoying when you're bigging up your Belgian goalkeeper! I appreciate your patriotism - it is admirable, in fact - but how you can be so sure Courtois will eclipse Cech is beyond me. I have high hopes for Courtois and fully expect him to be our number one in a couple of years, but as to how anyone can say he is even close to Cech at this period in time.... I'm afraid to say those people are the ones ridiculing themselves... Totally agree with you. Cech deserves to be delicately dealt with, and not just simply discarded as so many people are discussing. He is possibly one of the top ten greatest players to ever play for us, and certainly our best goalkeeper historically. Courtois is an amazing talent and I think one day he can be as good as Cech is now, but I don't think he will ever touch the level of Cech between 2004 and 2006. I don't think I will ever see another goalkeeper reach those heights. As I have said before, it is certainly a nice headache to have. However it is clear there are two very stubborn sides to this argument. I have expressed my own very pragmatic viewpoints, and as I can sense some members are getting personal, I am going to withdraw from the thread having stated my case.

121 minutes for each goal he's scored? That's disgustingly good.

I think Torres has to go. Thankfully he will be remembered for his final season with us, and for scoring 21 goals. That will also help with his re-sale value, and for the player psychologically. When/if he does move on, he will go with nothing but good-will from me, and I would be delighted to see him back to his best (as long as it isn't against us). He might have had a frustrating time here, but there have been some memorable moments - both good and bad! I will always remember the Nou Camp.

It speaks volumes of the Europa League when the two finalists were both quarter-finalists in, (and of course the winners of,) last season's Champions League. This is no Mickey-Mouse cup and we are going to have to be at our absolute best tonight. A defeat could be devastating.

Aujourd'hui!

Like what? His catching is nowhere near Cech's level, for instance. He's not even first-choice for Belgium, so how can he be the best goalkeeper in the world?

Time to go and get my banhammer... That was Jim, not me...

ADIDAS KITS 2013/14 Olympique Lyonnais, third, home, and away (in order) strips: FC Copenhagen, away strip: Ajax, away strip: Bayer Leverkusen, home strip: AC Milan, away strip: Wolfsburg VFL, home strip: Schalke 04, away strip:

^ I don't think he'll reach Cech's level for a while yet, but I think if we invest in him and give him the chance to be our number 1 goalkeeper in one/two years' time, he will, eventually - and with experience - learn and become Cech's peer.

^ whereas I'd definite knowledge as a) being the result of wisdom, and the result of being wrong, and learning the right answer. And, to answer your question, there are 18,604 commas in the Lord of the Rings.

No I didn't, you just clearly haven't looked at your username recently!

^ Well, wisdom and knowledge are two totally different things. So, there's your difference! Your name has changed 8328632 times in the last month, don't expect me to remember the correct format

Pellegrini is far more tactically astute than Mancini, who I have never rated as a manager. Also a very prudent mind in the transfer window, much like Wenger. A good choice for City, as he will bring balance to their squad, rather than signing another 12 average centre midfielders for next season (Scott Sinclair LOL )

I don't think we need to loan him to anyone. I think he is ready to play for Chelsea, but people will have to appreciate he isn't at Cech's level yet. Very few are. Therefore, for the good of his development, he should go on loan. Unless the club have intentions to play Cech in 90% of league games and all European ties, and give the remaining games plus cup competition appearances to Thibaut - and then, over time - increase that ratio in Courtois' favour, with Cech eventually either moving on or becoming a long-term second-choice, you would imagine for the Belgian's own benefit, he should go out on loan. But returning to that point, let's suggest the following, hypothetically: 13/14 season - Cech; 30-ish league games, plus European competitions = roughly 40 appearances. 13/14 season - Courtois; 8-10 league games, plus cup competitions = roughly 15-20 appearances, depending on success.14/15 season - Cech; 15-20 league games, plus cup competitions = roughly 30 appearances.14/15 season - Courtois; 15-20 league games, plus European competitions = roughly 30 appearances.15/16 season - Cech; 8-10 league games, plus cup competitions = roughly 15-20 appearances.15/16 season - Courtois; 30-ish league games, plus European competitions = roughly 40 appearances.16/17 season - Courtois first-choice goalkeeper, with Cech either moving on or accepting a secondary role, á la Cudicini, making 10 appearances to Courtois' 45-40. I know it is a crude measure, but it is a demonstration of how we could best utilise both goalkeepers. But put it this way - it's a lovely headache to have, isn't it?

He wore #18 at Everton. Lukaku always liked the #14 so I can see him swapping anyway.

How do you know? By what the newspapers report? Or did you see him when you went out and bought some milk the other day? Money talks. Players genuinely don't care what colour shirt they are wearing. Pay anyone £200,000 a week and they would play anywhere in the world. Look at Fal€ao. Fucking MONACO? He'll go there and his career will stagnate. Unless they spend another £100 million on top of Fal€ao they'll finish 15th at best.

I hardly remember it - I was only five at the time! But the 1997-2000 era was probably just as exciting a period as the current adventure under Abramovich. Some (only a few, sadly, I can barely remember that far back) wonderful memories for us all.

At the start of the season I "expected" a top three finish, to win a Cup competition as well as one of the Supercups. We missed out on the latter, but we reached three "finals", which is an achievement. We also reached two Cup semi-finals, and are in the final of a third. So we can still reach two out of these three realistic objectives. That isn't too bad for my money. We may even win a trophy this season, but the emergence of Mata/Oscar/Hazard/Azpi is a success in itself. I am genuinely excited for the future of this club, as we are finally investing in the long-term. I think, in four/five years time, we will look on the 12/13 season as a watershed moment. The UCL and FA Cup last season was the swansong for the Old Guard. I may be wrong. but I feel this is a turning point in our immediate future (over the next six years or so).

Millwall, QPR, West Ham and Tottenham geographically. In terms of success, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal have become "grudge matches". If anyone says Fulham, the friendly football club......

No, I'm just realistic. For me, this is a very similar case to people saying Lukaku was ready to replace Drogba this season. I have already explained myself several times in this thread that for the 2014/15 season, Courtois should be our number 1. I feel Cech is the better keeper and will be for another couple of years yet, but when you have the choice of keeping Cech for three/four more years and allowing Courtois out on loan yet again, OR sending him on loan for one more season then recalling him, you go for the latter. It may be a (very slight) step backwards in the short-term (Cech is the better keeper for my money), but in the long term it makes sense.

Oil me up, bitches.

Not until Cech retires, or leaves the club. There is still an all-round competence to Cech's game that Courtois won't gain for some time, even at his current rapid rate of development.

I think now Fal€ao is going to Mona€o, we may seriously step up our interest in Edinson.

I thought his second yellow was harsh, but as the referee was consistent over the course of the game and also awarded a second yellow to Cunteke for drop-kicking Terry, I'll have no complaints.