BlueLion.

If he's gone to Real, that means one of the big names is off. Bale to United rumours true, I wonder? Or is Ronaldo "coming home"?

#AgentFrank

Familiarity, in this instance, breeds content. As I've said in this thread numerous times, it's a psychological thing. Cech has a decade's experience of doing this at the top level for Chelsea, so it's no surprise his inclusion in the side brings about a sense of calmness.

And he got in Garth Crooks' team of the week - although to do that all you have to do is play for Liverpool or Manchester United.

Merry Christmas:

We don't have to win. We just cannot lose. It is all or nothing for City; they can't settle for a point now.

You make a good point in saying that Costa would stifle Destro's development. But would having Falcao not also be detrimental? We saw how desperate Abramovich was to see Torres actually at least break even in terms of goals-to-transfer fee, but he never got to that level, because he had lost the yard of pace necessary to operate in this league as the striker he is; an on-the-shoulder-of-the-last-man forward. Costa has a different skills set which is more suited. From what I've seen of Falcao in this league, he, like Torres, hasn't got the pace to play his natural game here. It might work in Spain where the higher defensive line leaves yards of space to run into, but not here. And you don't have to be apologetic that we are having a debate, if everyone had the same opinions then the world would be boring.

Chelsea manager José Mourinho has opened up about his attempts to sign Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard in 2005. Ahead of tomorrow's Capital One Cup semi-final first leg between the two sides, Mourinho has spoke of his admiration and respect for one of the finest midfielders in Premier League history. In what was regarded as a much-touted move back in the summer of 2005, it appeared all but confirmed that Gerrard would trade Anfield for Stamford Bridge in a mega-money deal. In July of that year, Liverpool released the following statement: "Steven has told us he will not accept our offer of an improved and extended contract because he wants to leave". Chelsea then said: "Following comments from Rick Parry, Chelsea can confirm the club has made an offer to Liverpool for the transfer of Steven Gerrard". Liverpool, then European champions, and Chelsea, the defending Premier League title winners and League Cup winners, were alleged to have agreed terms, but Liverpool turned down an astonishing £32 million transfer offer. Gerrard stunned Chelsea by pulling out of the deal at the last minute, but the scars remain from a saga he says left him "suffocated by stress". Chelsea eventually sought out a world-class midfielder in Michael Essien, and then Michael Ballack the following summer. Ballack, a free transfer from Bayern Munich, left Chelsea in 2010 after 166 games for the club, scoring 25 goals. With the Blues he won the Premier League in 2010, the League Cup in 2007, three FA Cups (2007, 2009, 2010), and the Community Shield in 2009. Essien's Chelsea career was even more glamorous - in 256 games he also netted 25 times, but Essien's trophy haul boasted two Premier League titles (2006, 2010), four FA Cups (2007, 2009, 2010, 2012), the League Cup once in 2007, the Community Shield (2009) and also the UEFA Champions League in May 2012. Yet regardless of their efforts, Mourinho said yesterday that Chelsea did "everything to try to sign" Gerrard. "I was dreaming of Claude Makelele, Gerrard and Frank Lampard in midfield. We were playing in a proper triangle without a number 10 and playing Maka in front of the defenders. Me, Mr Abramovich and Peter Kenyon at that time, we dreamed of that. "His people were open to him joining a top side like Chelsea. "But to me personally he never said he would come. Never". This revelation is something that will certainly shock the many Liverpool fans who burned their Gerrard shirts in front of the Shankly Gates when it was announced the clubs were in negotiations. According to Mourinho, the decision made by Gerrard "was right. He was always a red". But Mourinho, who describes Gerrard as an opponent he has always admired and respected, says he does not like Chelsea fans to poke fun at the player following his slip at Anfield last year in a match which saw Liverpool's title chances disappear. "The song that my fans have I don't like at all", Mourinho said. "A couple of times it is good fun but to go and go and go, especially with a player like him who deserves respect, I don't think you don't need that". We're just going to have to agree to disagree on that one, José. Click here to view the article

To be fair, he was spot on with this. The biggest threat to City for second place

If bringing back Thorgan is a condition in Eden's contract then I'm all for it

Surely, surely, with how shit Villa are, there will never be a better chance to end the Villa Park hoodoo for José. Fuck, we have to if we want to win this league.

Played Giroud onside for the second Arsenal goal. #AgentFrank

Cech Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Luis Matic, Cesc Ramires, Oscar, Hazard Costa Diego, Eden, Ossie, Cesc, Matic, Terry and Cech can then all be rotated with Remy, Schurrle, Salah, Mikel, Willian, Zouma and Courtois for the Bradford game.

Agreed B, a lot of the more level-headed fans who, when the others were shitting their pants, have said all along that City closing the gap was inevitible, have seen this coming from a long way off. Our first "half" of the season was far tougher; they've dropped points in games they should have quite easily won (Burnley, Everton, etc.), all from winning positions as well. We only really have Arsenal away as a tough, potential banana skin - games against City, Liverpool and United at home should produce a minimum at the very least of 7 points, IMO, especially if we want to win the title. City have it all to do; they won't win at Anfield (especially as that game is sandwiched between two games against Barcelona) or Old Trafford, to be sure, and they still have tough games such as Stoke and Tottenham that they have to visit.

Again, why pay £6 million for a loan for one year on an injury-prone player who has proven he is not up to EPL standards just to sit on the bench, when we could go out and buy a young, hungry striker like Destro who could become part of our long-term rebuilding? Makes no sense to me at all.

I haven't seen anything from Falcao this season to suggest why we should pay £40 million when he has barely got a game ahead of James Wilson and an ageing Robin van Persie.

Banned for even suggesting it

He was an average footballer at best and an even worse pundit, but this is comedy gold, like something ripped from a thread off RAWK.

I'm sure he said "Queens Park Racists" tbh.

Barcelona winning it in the end offered some credence, but it was a year to forget, as you say. A low in terms of quality, to be sure. Compare it to the 2011/12 semis - Chelsea, Barca, Bayern and Real - and you can see the difference.

I call it "Ramires Syndrome", which we can safely ascertain is contagious.

Maybe in size 8 Times New Roman?

Is it now acceptable for me to get his name on a shirt?

We should change his song to "He hates woodwork".

So glad we didn't sign him. Some great, great strikers are just not cut out to play in the Premier League. And a lot of those players are South American, i.e. Crespo (though I did rate him), Diego Forlan, etc.