BlueLion.

I'd imagine so, the FA Cup is broadcast in something like 80 countries.

Works for me...

Ivanovic and Carvalho are fit at the moment, and JT will be back next week, do we really need to recall him, or will he just be sat on the bench?

Was only a matter of time. Great servant to the club, but he deserves first team football.

A good cup run is exactly what we need after the pathetic way we whimpered out of the CC.

2nd Jan 09 Chelsea are likely to be without defender Alex and winger Florent Malouda as they get their cup campaign under way. Both players suffered hamstring injuries in the 2-2 draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday and are very doubtful. Michael Essien is still sidelined with a knee ligament problem but Ricardo Carvalho is fit again following an eight-week spell out with knee and hamstring injuries. Michael Ballack is suspended after collecting five yellow cards and club captain John Terry sits out the final game of a three-match ban. (From SkySports.com)

I guess Paulo will be our back up LB/RB, Ivanovic will be CB/RB cover, Alex will be CB cover and then Juliano will be RB/Midfield cover. Will still work out fine I feel.

Yeah, he's been in the reserves for ages now.

Correct. I agree that no-one's saying we should sell him off, what I think Frank is trying to say is that we just need to give him time - it won't be until next season that we see the best of Deco, we're doing exactly the same with Ballack in his first year, then he came back from injury and was brilliant for us last season.

Source: Sky Sports.

Apparently Malouda wanted to join Roma in the summer before he learned Scolari was going to be the new manager. I reckon he thought he'd play more often, but obviously not

According to Sky Sports News, Wayne Bridge has been given permission to talk to Man City.

Best of luck to Wayne Bridge. A model professional footballer who will, quite rightly, go down in Chelsea history for that goal against Arsenal. When he first came to Chelsea he made an immediate impression and I for one thought that we'd found a solid, English left-back to compliment the core of our team. He got injured against Newcastle in the FA Cup in early 2005 and from there he really lost his place in the team, especially with the signing of Del Horno and with Gallas operating at left-back as well. But he kept on battling, and even when Ashley Cole came, he had a brilliant season in 06/07 - I remember him putting in two fantastic displays in the League Cup and FA Cup finals, and he even scored in the 1-1 draw against Wycombe when playing as a striker! He was willing to play everywhere, but perhaps moreso, key to play second-fiddle, and fill in when he was required, and he didn't half do a bad job. Countless assists, countless faultless performances, and did I mention that goal at Highbury? Maybe not an out-and-out Chelsea legend in the same category as Tambling and Osgood and Zola, but certainly one of the loya players who was close to the fans' hearts. We can't really blame him for going, but he's certainly a top player and I wish him all the best after five and a half years of service at the Bridge. I know its not a done deal just at the moment, but he deserves first team football and City seem to suit his needs. Best of luck, Bridgey.

Full story: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11668_4730150,00.html

However we can't be sure it has happened, and we can't be sure he hit out at the club, unless there is video footage somewhere.

I think its his fitness in all honesty - the entire squad look a bit tired when they reach the 70 minute mark in games at the moment.

To be honest, if we play a shit team, we'll either go out or struggle and scrape through into the next round. I'd rather start 2009 with a bang.

Good. Its not as if we're playing a game every three or four days. As much as it would do the reserves and younger players the world of good, we need the team to start gelling, particularly in the defence.

Mikel's been our best player this season bar Bosingwa and Ashley Cole if you ask me. He's certainly a player I wouldn't drop. Cech Bosingwa, Terry, Carvalho, A.Cole Mikel/Essien Lampard/Belletti, Essien/Ballack Joe Cole/Deco Anelka, Drogba Is the team I'd like to see play

Indeed, welcome to the forum! We're a bunch of massive Chelsea fans and I'm sure you'll feel right at home amongst us! My name's Alex and I write the match reports and previews for each game, and I also run the prediction league, which you are more than welcome to join! Once again, welcome.

Exactly. And for the record, may Drogba's grandmother rest in peace.

Much appreciated, thank you for reading mate

Chelsea FOOTBALL CLUB or a yacht Fucking hard choice

No doubt about it, but that is because of the sort of player Drogba is, when he can't go forward, he holds the ball up, looking for a pass, and his physical presence in the penalty area means two defenders have to watch him, whereas Nicolas Anelka would perhaps only have one player marking, and whilst it has improved, Anelka's hold-up play is nowhere near Didier's.

Its Bush, he had two shoes thrown at him the other week in a press conference But we can pretend its José, just for you