BlueLion.

Well it all depends on this "transfer ban", which I don't think will actually happen.

Bound to happen when we're winning... can't wait to hear the Alonso and Jorginho hate again against Kyiv on Thursday. That being said, most in the West Stand usually politely applaud or merely scoff at positive and negative plays, so I shalln't probably hear too much.

True, but one of the best goalkeeping performances I've ever seen was by Shay Given in a 5-1 Newcastle loss to Liverpool in 2008, I think.

My football dyslexia made me have a panic attack... I though we'd been linked with Saido Berahino.

Done. Happy to help.

"Just Bournemouth" beat us 4-0 a couple of weeks ago. These are the games we generally struggle in, I'd be much more confident if we were playing a tougher side.

I'm slightly nervous about today. It doesn't help the fact that I can't watch the game, but Fulham have a new manager to impress (albeit a caretaker), and have absolutely nothing to lose. This is their single biggest game of the season, this is their cup final. They're dead and buried as far as relegation is concerned (yes, I know it isn't mathematically confirmed, but they're a loooong way from safety), so what better way than to go down fighting, and to dick your nearest rivals in the process? They've nothing to lose and everything to prove.

Agreed, makes far too much sense for it to happen. Instead it'll be an obscure player from Europe that we've never heard of, with a 50:50 chance of success - it could be a positive (Azpilicueta), or a WTF (Zappacosta), for example.

Don't look too much into it. Annual Derby collapse in the Spring, this is nothing new and shouldn't be pinned on Lampard. The fans almost unanimously back him (every club has the usual boo boys brigade who criticise his every move), and he's doing a very good job in a ridiculously competitive league. Plus, if Derby came up, with the ageing squad they have, they'd probably set a new record for lowest points tally - he needs more time to complete the transition from the old lads in the squad to the young. He's brought through or given game time to some excellent youngsters and younger players with potential (Bogle, Roos), and has also been prudent in the transfer window and brought in some good players who are getting better as the season progresses, such as Jack Marriot. I've been to about 7 or 8 Derby games this season, and they impress me with their patient style of football. He's doing things the right way.

Another good performance from him. Goal taken with aplomb. I certainly would want him back next season. He's lethal in the box. I'm not sure how well he fits Sarri's system, but Giroud is likely to move on and there's no guarantees Higuain will remain.

Totally agree. I think Sarri is beginning to realise he is lightyears ahead of those two. Barkley will be a good squad player for years to come (and, tbf, right now he is in a little bit of form), but I'd lose no sleep over losing Mateo. Ruben is powerful, dynamic, and surprisingly nimble for a big man. He has impressed me this season. I don't think he's anywhere near his peak physical condition, either. I just hope this back issue gets resolved, because he's an absolute beast and our midfield should be built around him and N'Golo.

He wasn't given a fair crack this season, but the manager's prerogative is to use the players at his disposal how he sees fit. I don't think Moses is an upgrade on any of our current wingers, and he certainly couldn't have done the RB role in games other than against weaker opposition, e.g. EL group games, lower league cup matches, etc.

Wow, such a lot of Azpilicueta hate. Yes - I agree, I think that, for the large part, he has been quite poor in general this season. He seems to be exposed for pace time and time again, though I don't think that the formation helps in that regard, as it's the quick opposition turnover where they exploit the same behind the full-backs that kills us time and time again. The Kepa incident also demonstrated his worrying lack of leadership skills. Let's face it, Cahill would have marched Kepa off of the pitch, he wouldn't have stood for such insubordination. Terry would have probably torn him a new arsehole. But I don't think one below-par season should tarnish his reputation. Let's not forget, that for the past few seasons he's been playing predominantly as a CB, and then on occasion a RWB. It's a complete positional change for him. As a full-back, he is probably a square peg in a round hole, as his offensive contribution is lacklustre. He can't cross at all well, apart from when he seems to be in a bit of space in a deeper position, floating a ball in. He can't beat a man, and his crosses from the byline are woeful. You have to give him some sympathy, as he is at least performing manfully, there's never a half-hearted contributed from Azpilicueta. He deserves a fair whack of criticism, granted, but the bloke looks exhausted and playing him every single game in a high-pressure system isn't going to be helpful. He's getting older, and the years of playing match after match look like they've caught up. Like @Jason just said, he's working better in a deeper defensive block, and if Sarri has any sense, he'll continue with that lower press for the remainder of the season, as those past two games (City and Spurs) are where we've looked as good as we have in months.

I still think a straight Abraham for Giroud swap would leave us quite light up top. Higuain may not even stay, let's be honest.

Same issue for me, never had these problems back in the good old days

Totally agreed. I wouldn't even boo Alonso, tbh. It isn't helpful.

I think you have to have a serious discussion about his future if we don't make it back into the UCL, but we are on the first few steps along the road to recovery. It's going to be a long process. Rome wasn't built in a day, so I don't see the point in dismissing him almost instantaneously, but by the same token, we're meant to be an elite team - anything other than securing UCL football or winning a trophy should be seen as an absolute, abject failure, being honest.

I'm totally behind this bloke right now. He's doing what he can with a squad with an horrendous attitude. He's shown he's willing to compromise and is recognising what he wants isn't quite tenable right now. If he gets us into the top four, he deserves to stay.

I didn't boo any of them. I wasn't being serious. Sarcasm is hard to detect over the internet I suppose. The boo-boys are pathetic, let's be fair.

Third kit will be black and orange next season - https://www.footyheadlines.com/2018/12/chelsea-19-20-third-kit.html What I'd give for something different. A red third kit would be special.

It'll be overturned on appeal based on the fact the FA are also involved; if they want to be exonerated from any wrongdoing (ultimately it is they that register the players upon receiving the application from the member clubs) then they will take it to the court of arbitration for sport. I wouldn't be surprised if this rumbles on and we have the ban either reduced or suspended. However, if we are indeed suspended/banned, I can't wait to see FIFA throw the book at City and PSG. They'll probably get European bans and transfer embargoes.

3-1 Chelsea tomorrow. BELIEVE.

I was there on Thursday and got some funny looks when I booed every player for being useless mercenary cunts, but everyone joined in with the Jorginho hate. Noticeably there was no "fuck Sarriball" chants on Thursday because we won. Our fans are very selective, I just boo them all because I'm inclusive.

I see, I misinterpreted. I think he deserves criticism for a number of goals this season that I'd have certainly expected Thibaut or Pete to save, but I think he is the least of our problems right now. He has the second-most clean sheets in the league behind Allison, who has a far stronger defence in front of him!

It's going to take two heavy defeats vs City and Spurs for him to go.