BlueLion.

Welcome to the forum, do stick around.

I love the way how a player can score four goals in a tournament and all of a sudden be considered the greatest striker ever. Villa has been very poor in La Liga since the turn of the year, the only reason he does so well for Spain is because he has Xavi, Fabregas and Iniesta pinging balls to him - and they're three of the best passers of a ball in the world.

Only 28! I thought he was 30! In that case, he has plenty of time to turn his career around. I've always liked 'Dinho ever since I first saw him when he played for Paris Saint Germain, even when he is off form he has the ability to do incredible things. So in that case I'd like to see him come to the Bridge. But imagine if he signed for us. Under Scolari with magic football, with Ronaldinho and Joe Cole raping full-backs, sending in ball after ball for Drogba to knock on And then imagine a free kick Ronaldinho, Lampard, Drogba, Coley, Alex or Ballack?

Completely agree. If he leaves, he should join Spurs. They only perform for 10 games a season as well.

That picture doesn't show the goalkeeper shirt very well. Its actually a teal colour, quite different from black.

I'm not sure it would be so long, in fairness. A lot of football players don't like time off at all, I remember Cech saying he was grateful for the Euros because it meant a shorter holiday

To some extent, I do agree with you. Our squad is already exceptionally strong, but teams like Arsenal and Liverpool are fast catching up Chelsea and Man United with major signings of their own. However, we only need a few players. In my opinion outfield we are fine but for a left winger as you say, and we are bound to get somebody from Ribery/Robinho/Ronaldinho to cover that position. Bosingwa has been brought in for right back and looks solid on the international stage, so hopefully we've landed a solid player, and with Drogba admitting he wants to stay then I think we need only one, young striker. I do feel we need a young goalkeeper. Granted we have Cech who is only 26, but Hilario and Carlo are both in their twilight years and it won't be long before both of them pack it in IMO.

Well there is always the January transfer window if we decide to keep him.

Fair point. No doubt it will take him for him to adapt to the football, the culture and the like, but I'm certain the amount spent on him will be proven to be worth it.

You're probably right, Elliott

Put it this way. Everyone is sick of him for his antics both on and off the pitch. But keeping him would be a massive boost for us, he is a very important player in our system and I don't think there is another striker who could play in his position as effectively.

If it is £150000 that keeps him at the club, then it is money well spent.

You're right there I guess. We'll have to wait until this time next season before we can properly see how much of an impact he will have made, but he seems to enjoy playing under Scolari and its clear Big Phil likes him because Bosingwa is keeping a very good full back in Miguel out of the team.

With the fixture lists for the upcoming league season soon to be published, on behalf of all the TalkChelsea staff, I would like you remind you that due to copyright infringement, that members aren't allowed to reproduce the fixture lists. Any posts containing fixtures will need to be removed from the forums. Cheers, BL.

It didn't work with Mourinho or Grant, so why bother

Yes, he signed a three year contract when he joined in 2006, so next season would be the last. He returns from loan after the Euros.

I watched Football Italia on Five a few weeks back, I remember watching a Parma game which he played, must have made about six perfect cross field passes. Good range of passing from what I can recall.

Well I can't speak as to how Scolari's regime will work, but Mourinho began his pre-seasons always in early July. Last year our first game in the US was against Club America on July 14, I think the players went out on July 9. Its therefore obvious from how late our programme starts this year that the players won't go out until late July.

Having seen very little of Bosingwa prior to Euro 2008, I was somewhat skeptical about the amount of money forked out for him. But since watching him for Portugal in their warm up matches and now the tournament proper, I've been very, very impressed. He is a very disciplined defender, who has plenty of speed and a good reading of the game. Going forward he is also very sensible, dropping back to provide defensive cover but he is also very clever on the overlap. I know this is too little to judge him by, but if he continues in this vein, I feel we have signed a very good defender and possibly solved our right back problem.

But I'm not solely judging him one two matches. What I was saying is that he has been magnificent over the tournament so far, there is no implication there I am judging him on those two games alone. He plays consistently well for the Netherlands in the centre and on the right. He's made the likes of Camorenesi, Ribery, Henry, Malouda, Grosso and the like look very ordinary over these two games and is by far the best defender in the Dutch team. Plus he's a monster going forward. Let's not forget that 06/07 was really his 'settling in' period at the Bridge, selling him basically one year on would be very stupid. If both Belletti and Ferreira move on, who plays right back? Granted that Bosingwa looks very good from what little I've seen of him, but who offers cover? Ivanovic hasn't even played competitive football for 6 months let alone Premier League football, and Boulahrouz deserves a second shot IMO.

I think at this time Holland are the best team, but the best team doesn't necessarilly win tournaments. *Cough* Liverpool *Cough* I still fancy the Czechs

Is this really the same player who played for us in 06/07? Absolutely magnificent again for the Dutch, on evidence of his performances thus far it would be stupid to sell him on. Thoughts?

By buying those players would ensure a load of plastics join.

One word to describe the Dutch. Wow.

I was checking to see if people were awake and alert