BlueLion.

Sunderland vs Chelsea Chelsea travel to Sunderland to take on Steve Bruce's side in a midweek Premier League encounter. Nicolas Anelka, Salomon Kalou and Ashley Cole were amongst the goals for Chelsea as they ran out 3-2 victors in a thrilling last-day game in May, as Chelsea recorded a sixth straight Premier League victory over their northern rivals. Match chat here.

Chelsea vs Hull City Chelsea host Hull in the first game of the 2009/10 Premier League campaign. Hull earned a deserved draw when the two teams met in this fixture last season, but a 3-0 hammering at the KC Stadium late in 2008 kept Chelsea top of the Premier League - and three points against Phil Brown's side on Saturday would put Chelsea top, for a few hours at least. Match chat here.

FUCK YES! Carvalho Legend. Well chuffed.

I don't like the idea because, as Jim says, there are far too many immature people on here. Shame, that.

We still have Malouda, let's not forget, you lot were singing his praises a few months ago

From SSN. RIP.

All goals count. If he didn't score the goals he did against the West Broms and Blackburns and Watfords of this world, we'd have won nothing last season, and probably not even finished top 4.

State the obvious, John, we all want the club to win trophies

Fletcher's only 25, which REALLY surprised me, I thought he'd be 30 at least! I think its just because he's been at United for so long that you think he's an oldie. But I agree with the above post - the players we've signed this summer are very young, with Zhirkov at 25 being the oldest. IMO, it doesn't make a difference how old players are as long as they deliver. Look at Frank; you'd think he was in his twenties the way he runs around everywhere. I wouldn't get too worried about us being an "old squad" when we have people like Mikel, Mancienne, Kalou and Sturridge in the squad.

Spot on - he was given a charge to win something, and when you are under pressure to win a trophy AND secure a CL place next season at such a late stage in the season, playing your strongest 11 is the only though that occurs to a manager.

Frank is like a fine wine, he seems to mature with age. Some of his experiences may not be as explosive as they once were but he still delivers the goods.

For some strange reason, I'm more confident we're going to sign one now. I think CA may be saying this to take some of the media spotlight off the club.

I've tried making the flag icon - I've set up the Egypt user group, but I can't seem to get a flag to appear! I'll have another go but if I can't do it, Jim will have to look into it.

I've just got to work out how to change that

That was to be expected since he and Ferreira are long-term absentees, unfortunately. Ferguson has said he intends to show respect to the competition and opposition, so expect a strong-looking United team.

Guys, enough. If you disagree with what TX is saying, either challenge his reasoning, or ignore his posts, don't attack him and slag him off. As controversial as he is, he's entitled to his opinion without being battered for it.

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic will miss the start of the new Premier League season due to a calf injury. Vidic has been struggling with the problem during pre-season and is expected to be sidelined for up to another fortnight. The Serbia international will now sit out Sunday's Community Shield clash with Chelsea at Wembley and the following week's season opener at home to promoted Birmingham City. Fellow defenders Wes Brown and Gary Neville are also sidelined, while United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits it will be at least eight weeks before veteran keeper Edwin van der Sar recovers from a broken finger. "Everyone is fit apart from Wes, Vidic and Neville," said Ferguson. "Gary has done a bit of training, and he is coming along fine. And I expect Wes to be fit for the Birmingham match. "Vidic is another week or two away and Edwin's injury is a bad one. He's out for 8-10 weeks, of course. So my first selection dilemma for Sunday is in goal." Ferguson also confirmed that he will be treating the game with Chelsea, live on Sky Sports 2 & HD2, seriously and will not be using the fixture as an opportunity to work on his players' fitness. He added: "In the past I've treated the Community Shield as a barometer for fitness and giving players some minutes on the clock. But this year I'm not looking at it like that. "All the players are at a good level fitness-wise and everyone should be able to give a good account of themselves. And when you play Chelsea, pride comes into it and the players want to win." From Sky. I'd imagine they'll play Rafael at right-back, with Evans partnering Ferdinand at centre-back, Evra on the left with Foster in goal.

Sahar never really impressed me when he was out on loan. Sinclair did. I think he holds a lot more promise.

We most certainly do. I really think that playing with two strikers will bring the best out of Didier once again. Whilst he excels as a lone striker, with a second attacker alongside him, he has the option of flicking the ball to him, or peeling away and taking the shot - afterall, a second striker is something for the defence to think about. When Sheva played up top with him, Shevchenko's reputation meant that he always had a defender peel away with him, giving Didier space. Even though he didn't have the best of times, Sheva, as a second striker, was always a threat to the defence and this meant the defence gave Drogba less attention that they should have. I think the same will happen this year - the defences will be worried about 25-goal Nicolas Anelka, giving Drogba more time on the ball. Cue mass lip-licking at the prospect...

No, that usually comes early September-ish. If memory serves.

Can we at least get back on topic then?

I'll get to it straight away, I just need to contact my boss Welcome to TC btw

What's with all the personal remarks, AGAIN? Can we PLEASE stop it.

As long as there are rumours circulating about Pirlo, this thread remains open - even though Milan have said he is not for sale. I would love to close it, though.