BlueLion.

With the amount of money he has, I wouldn't be surprised if he bought out his own contract

That's just raised my eyebrows. Brilliant player, he is an excellent goalscoring box-to-box midfielder. Spain's own Ballack. But that is why we don't need him. He'll end up going to Atletico de Liverpool.

Surely if we are to claim the £4 million we spent on Mikel, then shouldn't we have the £12 million we paid United be recovered as well?

Capello has come in and knocked a few noses out of joint, which is the same thing Mourinho did. Now on the England bench, we see players sitting in suits, not tracksuits and wrapped in tin foil. The man is a professional and he has become a professional, as Mike says, by being badass.

Source: Sky Sports I for one think that the title is still a possibility providing Grant balances his team selections for the upcoming league and European matches. If we can win all of our games to the point where we play United, and then beat them, the title is still a huge possibility. I am upset not to see much of Essien, but one has to admit that Makelele has been deservedly keeping him out of the team. I think Essien will play on Sunday so that Claude is rested ahead of the trip to Turkey in which I think he will be needed.

I'm not so sure about need for resting players. Malouda and Makelele played the full 90 minutes for France. Maka will be rested, I imagine, and Malouda was unlucky to feature against Boro from the start anyway. Anelka should be fit, he played 80 minutes. Bridge and Lampard didn't play against France, so Ashley Cole shouldn't be missed as he played the full 90. Joey and JT only played for one half and therefore should be fit enough for the Middlesbrough game. Shevchenko and Ivanovic played for their countries, but I doubt they will feature. Ballack played the full 90 so may get a rest in favour of Mikel. Carvalho and Ferreira played the full 90, as did Alex for Brazil. One imagines they will be fit. I don't see any need to rest anyone, even with Fenerbahce in midweek.

I love the way Carlo runs up the pitch A rolling contract would be best I feel, with the view to become a coach. He is a true Chelsea hero.

He isn't even first choice anymore, in my eyes. We need to be able to take throw ins. No-one in the team runs towards the ball when we get one... its basically asking Ferreira to throw the ball sixty yards.

IF Drogba goes, a partnership of Shevchenko and Anelka, or Kalou and Anelka, is still a possibility.

I have to disagree with you there, Esk. Whilst it's all good going and playing against good players and teams, playing against some poor teams that you know you are going to crush 5-0 will offer players confidence. Scoring goals is the biggest possible morale booster, and its imperative to get the players fired up. I think a pre-season of three games in Asia and three games at home to lower league opposition would be an excellent way of obtaining early season form. Just my opinion.

JT's attitude has changed, certainly. Now there is little discipline from the coaches, I think he thinks he can get away with going up to the referee, whereas under José, he'd get a bollocking from TSO.

Seems like a good move by the club.

Shit. The Grinch is here to stay. The club is losing more and more credibility with every passing second.

Hah. On the main forum page, the topic title appears as Gallas: I Have No Arse...

Typical England performance. No creativity, a defensive formation and mentality employed, and possibly the worst team selection Capello could have made. Barry and Hargreaves? Its the same as it was under the Egg.

If it gives Drogba more time and space, then yes.

I hate anyone involved in football who isn't involved in team affairs.

ROFL

Arsene looks really proud of the latest cunt he has nurtured.

You're right in that sense. However I consider it more of an achievement than anything, I keep wondering how on earth we've got to 2nd place with that buffoon in charge. Then the answer clicks in - the players.

Whether we get any money back or not, I'm glad this chappy has been held up over this. Its people like this I hate. No love for the game, all they want is the money.

Saturday, 29 March 2008 Birmingham 1-1 Man City, 15:00 Bolton 1-2 Arsenal, 15:00 Derby 0-1 Fulham, 15:00 Man Utd 2-0 Aston Villa, 17:15 Portsmouth 2-1 Wigan, 15:00 Reading 1-2 Blackburn, 15:00 Sunderland 1-0 West Ham, 15:00 Sunday, 30 March 2008 Chelsea 2-0 Middlesbrough, 13:30 Liverpool 2-1 Everton, 16:00 Tottenham 1-1 Newcastle, 15:00

LMFAO

Usually he has both CBs marking him when he is playing alone up front, but with Anelka he gets more space. Its easy to see.

I hope he goes. I'm sure he will, or I think Kenyon's scheme will be shot down in flames by fans staying away from the club.