BlueLion.

I agree, but keeping him would be such a boost for the team.

Difficult start to 2009 with United, Liverpool and Villa in the first few weeks of 09.

O ye of little faith, I remember the same being said of a certain Joe Cole a few years back Czechs completely collapsed in that game. Karel Brucker obviously never learned to play Jenga. Took off Plasil and they fell to pieces. Cech made one error in that game and it cost his team. That's football for you.

Torres and Villa are different types of strikers, but I know what you are saying. Torres' game suits the Premier League more than it does in La Liga, whilst I think Villa's technique of playing behind another striker is more suited in Spain where there is more space.

His finishing is awful? Have you seen some of the goals he's scored this season? Even Ronaldo couldn't finish like Cole did against West Ham both home and away, and Blackburn and Everton away. And no, he doesn't disappear in big games. If you're basing that on evidence of the last few games of the season, he disappeared entirely against every team because he was absolutely knackered. Cole played 54 games last season, and ran himself into the ground in the vast majority of them. But on evidence of last season on the whole, if Joe Cole isn't good enough for you then maybe the rest of our squad isn't, because bar perhaps Carvalho, Cole was the star performer of last season.

Sebek is still only very young and very inexperienced. The sort of cover we need is a promising yet experienced youngster, like Ochoa or Neuer, although they are bad examples because their attitude doesn't suit that of someone willing to sit on the bench

Regarding injuries, I'll say no more, knowing me I'll jinx it and we'll have to play Drogba in goal. But if that happens, at least we'll know he will dive for everything.

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.

Happy birthday mate

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.