BlueLion.

Can you please check there is already a thread on a player before making a topic!!!!! Merged.

I always rated Sven as a manager - but he strikes me as someone like Moyes, who can make average clubs that little bit better. He has good man-management skills but he does have his favourites... reminds me of Ancelotti

They're hardly troll replies, 53/54, they are very pertinent points. Judging a player from statistics is a harsh assessment. Van der Sar, statistically, has been the best goalkeeper in the league this season, whereas Cech and Reina have been exceptional and far superior.

Really? The title is out of our reach, so we can only aim to finish as high as possible. Plus, the difference between finishing 2nd/3rd or 4th is a couple of million of pounds, and automatic Champions League qualification. So I don't understand your point.

It did... three seasons later Bayern Munich away... that header is still the best headed goal I've ever seen.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0%2C%2C11095_6746202%2C00%2Ben-USS_01DBC.html

Bosingwa a doubt for West London derby: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6746202,00.html

I'm hoping for a United win tbh... I'd rather die than see Cesc 'Cunt' Fabregas lift the title...

Okay, I'm really concerned. This source - http://www.yanks-abr...content&id=7383 - says Zhirkov is struggling from a calf muscle strain, but he has not played since November. I've had my share of calf injuries, and I promise, no matter how severe the strain is, it does not result in 3 and a half months out with injury. I have two major concerns - how is Yury, but perhaps most importantly, what the fuck are our medical team up to?

I don't think he's ever had a bad season at the club. His overall play in 05/06 was better than it was in 06/07, but in the latter he scored twice as many goals. Judging him by goals alone doesn't do his work-rate justice, but this season he has let his high standards slip because of the malaria scare and so on. In my opinion, whilst he's always had a good goalscoring return each season (he averages 20 goals a season), he's only really had one outstanding season overall (last year) and two excellent seasons by scoring goals (06/07 and 09/10). That being said, he is a true Chelsea legend.

I wish I shared the optimism of some of our fans, I simply cannot see us beating Fulham so easily! They're in very good form at the minute and have been difficult to beat at the Cottage; they've only lost three games at home all season in all competitions, which is a record equal to our own form at Stamford Bridge. We'll have to play well on Monday to win, let alone win 4-0...

Wouldn't be surprised, he is loved up at Turf Moor.

Great, great goalkeeper. I've always liked Neuer and always believed one day he would be a Germany international. He signed my programme when we played Schalke in 2007 as well

I really think el Nino will score this Monday!

Its good to see you've turned to the blue side Zash I can't believe you've been here a year already

Torres will score on Monday. Its Valentine's Night, and what better way to begin a new romance with Chelsea Football Club?

Keeping the faith and continuing to believe are fine options in the mind of the most optimistic of fans. I'd consider myself to me a realist optimist - and as a result I can't see us winning the title. As far as I'm concerned, we should not get disillusioned with the title race - I firmly think we're out of it. That doesn't mean that we should abandon all faith, as I still think we can finish second. Arsenal are so weak defensively and City fail to impress me week-in, week-out. A win for Man United today (which I am actually hoping for), as well as them beating Arsenal at the Emirates, and we have a chance of finishing second. If we finished in 2nd place, even if that ends up being something like 6 points behind United, would you take that? I would.

Good piece actually. Gives an insight into the club's line of thinking in terms of retaining particular players. It also points out how the likes of Cech and Alex need new long-term deals.

Hamsik.

Does anyone really care? West Ham will do well to even get 20,000 when they're in the Championship.

We're already in a fight for a UCL place... nevermind if we don't win at Fulham, we have a season-long battle to finish in the top 5 let alone the top four.

Sturridge. If we're going to spend ridiculous money on unproven talents, we might as well spend a little more on someone who is proven at top level football in Marek Hamsik.

If Drogba ever captains this team again... his attitude recently has been disgraceful. As far as I'm concerned, he seems to have lost all interest.

He will be first choice because Leicester have sent one of their usual starting CB on loan to Celtic.

One of my favourite players of all time, but is that grounds for me to want to sign him? Basically, no. He is too injury prone.