BlueLion.

I like.

He has a psychology degree, either he's finished it or still studying.

But that's like saying Pirlo is better for Milan than Frank Rijkaard, Ruud Gullit and Roberto Donadoni because he plays in a worse team, when in truth, he comes nowhere near any of them. Frank and Zola are different types of players. Comparing them is crazy, because both have done amazing feats for Chelsea. However, if you ask me, in twenty years time, I think people will speak of Lampard with more affection. Why? Because he's English. I merely think Chelsea supporters will always have the pride of saying that Lampard, in an age of cosmopolitan footballers like Messi and Ronaldo and Xavi, was Chelsea's greatest player of an era, and that he was as English as fish and chips or a Sunday roast dinner. Its something to be proud of. Pardon if this sounds racist, but that's what I think it will boil down to. I'm not inclined that way - I don't like particular players more because they are English, but we're an English club, and for an English midfielder to be arguably the greatest player in this club's long history is something to be very, very proud of. You talk of United's greatest players, and instantly you think of Cantona, Giggs, Best, Schmichael and Ronaldo. Any of them English? No. Of course they had great players like Sir Bobby Charlton and even now Wayne Rooney who are English, but my point is its different at Chelsea - our greatest ever players, Frank Lampard, Bobby Tambling, Ron Harris, Peter Osgood, Peter Bonetti, Clive Walker, Jimmy Greaves, John Terry, John Hollins, Kerry Dixon, Dennis Wise (I could go on forever) - are all English. Of course Zola falls into that bracket, but hopefully you get my drift.

Didier Drogba has been given a two-match suspension from European competition as a result of being sent off in Chelsea's Champions League match versus Inter. A Uefa statement reads: Chelsea FC striker Didier Drogba has been suspended by UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body for two European club competition matches after being sent off in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg against FC Internazionale Milano in London on 16 March. The suspension applies to the next two club competition matches for which Drogba would be eligible. The player's existing period of probation, which began on 15 July 2009 and was originally intended to run for two years, has also been extended to 15 July 2013. An appeal may be lodged within three days of the sending of the reasoned decision. Source - official Blues website

If we win this game I'll be the happiest person on the planet. 3 points at Old Trafford would be a very nice birthday present, thanks Carlo.

If its one or the other, its 30 goal Didier Drogba for me.

Best midfielder in the club's history. Period.

Looks like a child has been unleashed on a blue teeshirt with some tipex, a poorly-cut out Chelsea emblem and a big SAMSUNG sticker.

Frank's allegedly very clever. Higher IQ than Carol Vorderman apparently. And JT says he's the cleverest at the club as he's the only one with GCSEs

Thanks. I wonder if the players had a quick read before yesterday's match?

I think Anelka might be suited to playing as one of the three midfielders. I know it sounds radical, but think of him as the player he is. He loves the ball at his feet; running at defenders. He is at his best when he is involved with the play, and that means he needs good service. Playing as an attacking midfielder, á la Lampard, would suit him in my opinion at least. Its the only way I can think of that we can keep Anelka in the team whilst playing a 4-3-3. When he's out wide, he can have one good game but be awful the next.

I agree there. And forgive my ignorance, I don't watch Spanish football.

Chelsea threw down the gauntlet to Manchester United with a stunning demolition of Aston Villa. The Blues took an early lead when Frank Lampard slid in at the far post to convert Florent Malouda's cross, but John Carew soon equalised for Martin O'Neill's side. However as the interval loomed, Yuri Zhirkov was hacked down by James Collins and Lampard emphatically lashed the resultant penalty beyond Brad Friedel. The gap was increased moments after the break when Florent Malouda volleyed home Zhirkov's teasing cross and a second Lampard penalty - again won by the Russian defender - saw the Chelsea number 8 complete a stunning hat-trick and score his 150th goal for the club. Lampard then set up Malouda for his 13th goal of the season as the Blues continued to toy with their Midlands opponents. Substitute Salomon Kalou then clinically netted his 8th strike of the season after superb skill by Nicolas Anelka, and Lampard completed the historic rout for his fourth of the day and his 21st of the season; equalling his best-ever tally from midfield. And there were nowhere near enough superlatives to describe Chelsea's magnificent performance in what is surely one of the greatest team displays in Premier League history. It is the second time this season that Chelsea have scored seven goals at Stamford Bridge, having thumped Sunderland 7-2 in January, and after Wednesday's 5-0 demolition of Portsmouth at Fratton Park, there is evidence that Carlo Ancelotti's side are again nearing their unplayable best. Ancelotti's team selection may have raised a number of eyebrows with the omissions of Didier Drogba and Michael Ballack, but every single player the Italian coach called upon was brilliant. Lampard's contribution was clear. Deco and Anelka were instrumental; effortlessly knitting the midfield and attack together with incredibly fluidity. Zhirkov was tireless, and Florent Malouda may well have been arrested for the way he terrorised the visitor's defence. Lampard's quatrick saw him eclipse Roy Bentley and the late, great Peter Osgood to emerge as the club's third top goalscorer of all-time with 151 on a historic day at Stamford Bridge, whilst John Terry captained the side for the 325th time on his 450th appearance in the famous Blue of Chelsea. It is also Aston Villa's biggest defeat in the top flight for some fifty years. Interestingly, Villa had dented Chelsea's title challenge with a 2-1 win in the reverse fixture back in the autumn thanks to two set-piece goals from Richard Dunne and James Collins, and the Villains had an opportunity to add to Chelsea's defensive woes early on, but Petr Cech made a confident early take. Anelka and Lampard fired early, dangerous shots from range that tested Friedel, but the visitors failed to heed the warning as the latter stole in to convert a low cross from the superb Florent Malouda. It was Lampard who had both started and finished the move for Chelsea's equaliser, but Villa soon restored parity with a goal very similar in its creation; Ashley Young's low ball evading all but John Carew who tapped home. But Chelsea were not to be denied a half-time lead, and their commitment to attack was rewarded when Zhirkov drew a foul from ex-West Ham defender Collins. Lampard, reliable from the spot, hammered home despite Friedel's best efforts to ensure that the hunt for the title remained on course. Paulo Ferreira tustles with England's Stephen Warnock The lively Anelka was off-target with Chelsea's first effort following the interval, but they soon extended their lead with Russian defender Zhirkov the instigator. The Russian first bombed down the left flank and was picked out by a glorious cross-field pass by the creative Deco. Without hesitation he lashed the ball into the box, where Malouda fired home on the volley from eight yards out. And mere moments later he was again involved when he won a second penalty. Steaming into the box after combining with Malouda, Zhirkov was clearly hacked down by Richard Dunne, earning the Villa man a caution. Lampard was again ruthless, finding the bottom corner with unerring accuracy. Paulo Ferreira then turned provider as he crossed for Lampard in the box, who rolled the ball into Malouda's path to rifle into the net courtesy of the crossbar. It was a sumptuous finish by the Frenchman for a career-best 13th strike of the campaign. And five soon became six as Kalou was the beneficiary of some stunning footwork by Anelka. The French striker had gone 10 matches without scoring, and after working a yard of space he set up his strike partner to smash beyond Friedel. The Heavens then began to open as Chelsea continued to stroke the ball about with delightful ease. Patrick van Aanholt came on to make his home league bow and Michael Ballack made a return from a foot injury as the superb trio of Deco, Joe Cole and Zhirkov were withdrawn. O'Neill also made a number of changes to counter Chelsea's dominance. However, Villa were beyond well-beaten at this point. This was a humiliation. The closest they came to responding was when substitute Delfouneso's shot deflected less than a foot wide with Cech stranded, but the Villa fans were superb in their support; singing despite the scoreline. They were, however, drowned out by choruses from the Matthew Harding End. Delfouneso looked to inject some enthusiasm into the visitor's attack, but it was John Terry's time to shine with two magnificent challenges to first deny the young winger a clear run at goal, and then to steal it off his toe as he again broke forward into the box. But Chelsea were keen to have the last word and Lampard swept home from another Malouda centre for his fourth of the game, 21st of the season and 151st of his Chelsea career. And confirmation of the victory was made all the sweeter when news filtered through of Arsenal's draw with Birmingham - leaving Chelsea and Manchester United as favourites for the title. And, as fate should have it, the two teams meet at Old Trafford next weekend. No pressure. ___________________________________________________________________ Chelsea: Cech; Ferreira, Alex, Terry ©, Zhirkov (Van Aanholt 75); Deco (Ballack 71), Mikel, Lampard; J Cole (Kalou 75), Anelka, Malouda Aston Villa: Friedel; L Young, Collins, Dunne, Warnock; Sidwell, Petrov © (Downing 62); Agbonlahor (Beye 71), Milner, A Young; Carew (Delfouneso 62) The TalkChelsea.net Man of the Match was Chelsea's number 8 - SUPER FRANKIE LAMPARD

At the end of the day, it shouldn't happen. But, it's an internet forum and if you take anything written on here seriously then you need to realise that being called a dickhead over the internet is just as likely to be a wind up as an insult.

Funny guy. I'm getting as pissed off at him moaning about it as I am people doing it in the first instance.

Attack the reasoning, not the person.

FUCKING HAVE THAT.

Anelka looked knackered against Blackburn, especially in the second half, the rest might hopefully have done him good. He's scored two of our last four goals against the Villa as well, and has a decent scoring record against them with Bolton, too, if I recall correctly.

My point is, Derby, Sheffield United or some other average Championship team can come to the Bridge, see a Chelsea teamsheet without Drogba, Lampard and company, and realise they have a very, very good chance of winning.

Asenjo is too good a goalkeeper to come and sit on his arse as a sub. However there is potential for him, once he gets a run in the team, to keep Cech on his toes, which is something the Big Man could do with.

Totally agree with you there. Roman should have stuck with Mourinho - and he knows it. But that's in the past and now we have to stick with Carlo.

Some people are going sickeningly over the top. We need some experience as well. I'd say to play a diamond midfield (4-1-2-1-2) Turnbull Bosingwa Bruma Terry Van Aanholt Essien Matic Lampard Stoch Drogba Sturridge/Borini

Mourinho's in the past and he's not coming back. Great manager though he was, I'm over him, and all Chelsea fans should be now. I concede we've not had the best season under Ancelotti, but this is a learning curve for him. When United went three years without a title, instead of sacking their manager they stuck by Sir Alex Ferguson, and he built a team that has gone and won six major trophies in just under four seasons. Sacking another manager is us going back to square one. We have to stick by Carlo, and stick by the club. It's not over yet.

Malouda, Drogba, Cole/Anelka Zhirkov, Essien, Lampard Ash, Alex, Terry, Ivanovic Cech Would be my ideal lineup were they all fit.