BlueLion.

No assist. You don't always get assists for goals, for instance: If a defender plays the ball to an opposition striker, there is no assist - example; Gerrard's back-pass to Drogba at Anfield in 2010. The ball ricochets off a defender and back into the path of a striker - example; Sturridge's goal yesterday. If a player runs from deep with the ball after winning the ball back - example; Nicolas Anelka winning the ball back in midfield against Sunderland and scoring in 2009 There are more circumstances, but technically if there is no assist, it is credited as a 'key pass', so Mata's ball for Nando's second goal is credited as such rather than an assist.

As far as I am aware he has played more games and minutes for Chelsea this season than for Swansea. SMH.

I agree Badboy, we're going to have to play Essien in that role, yet because of his injury problems in the past he can't offer even half as much energy as Ramires does. He will be missed more than Ivanovic, in my honest opinion. It's not as if we can play Meireles there, either! Cech Bosingwa - Cahill - Luiz - Cole Mikel Essien - Lampard Mata Torres - Drogba ??

Torres should start the Champions League final, Drogba should play at Wembley.

Exactly. If he isn't Chelsea standard after a couple of seasons, then fair enough. He doesn't even play for us yet and he's being slagged off, SMH.

Chuffed to see him playing Premier League football once again!

Cech has the best record of any EPL keeper this season when facing shots from outside the area. He has a 95.6% saves-to-shots ratio.

I've had Strike sign up and been accepted into the league! We have 25 teams in total, yet we only have 22 active teams.

UCL football and a trophy is the minimum expectation of Chelsea supporters I think.

Saw the new kits in person yesterday, looking very nice. The goalkeeper kit really is fantastic.

I was there when Fernando scored his first Chelsea hat-trick! Actually, no I wasn't. Because I was stuck in traffic in central London for three hours and missed the game. So fucked off.

So we have Mata, de Bruyne, Marin and Kakuta as exciting young winger/playmaker hybrids, exciting times!

Stoke 1-0 Arsenal 9 mins gone

You sound like the people who said Gary Cahill is a poor signing; the same man everyone hopes will be fit for the FA Cup and UCL finals.

Marin played for Monchengladbach, who are big rivals with Koln. He was also booed when he played there for Germany. http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://www.goal.com/de/news/1898/em-2012-qualifikation/2010/09/07/2108198/marko-marin-wird-in-k%25C3%25B6ln-ausgepfiffen&ei=avmbT9bRE4GV8QOyysn9Dg&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDMQ7gEwAQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dkoln%2Bmarko%2Bmarin%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3DV7T%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-GB:official%26biw%3D1600%26bih%3D738%26prmd%3Dimvnso

Absolutely concurred. Quiet and below the radar - and early.

We'll offer you Benayoun and Kalou as replacements.

And similarly Bosingwanelkalouda?

Chelsea Football Club has confirmed that German international Marko Marin will join the club in the summer from Werder Bremen. In a statement released this afternoon, the club announced both teams 'have agreed a fee and the 23-year-old midfielder has agreed personal terms', and is expected to complete his transfer prior to Euro 2012. Marin, who last month turned 23, has made 16 international appearances - scoring a single goal - and though he has found it difficult to secure a consistent position in Bremen's team this season due to injury, the diminutive midfielder played a starring role in the German's side 2-2 draw with Tottenham last year, scoring the equaliser. Though the details of the transfer have yet to be disclosed, Marin's signing is estimated to have cost between £8-£10 million. Rumours suggest that Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku may be heading the other way as he seeks to gain valuable top flight experience as part of a loan deal. Marin is predominantly an attacking midfielder but he can operate out wide, also. Since 2009/10, only two players have provided more assists in the Bundesliga than Marin's 24, demonstrating his creative prowess. Everyone at TalkChelsea.net wishes Marko the best of luck in his remaining time at Bremen, and we all look forward to seeing him in blue next term. You can discuss the player's arrival here

Rumours that Lukaku will head there on loan: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/9233453/Chelsea-sign-Marko-Marin-from-Werder-Bremen-with-Romelu-Lukaku-likely-to-move-in-the-opposite-direction.html

What a fucking great bit of business.

Closed. Discuss this here:

He made a big mistake in leaving Racing, IMO. Still a top talent.

Happy birthday you little genius! Definitely still have a man-crush on him...