BlueLion.

Yeah that's what I'm on about, he's proven as a short-term option, with Benzema/Huntelaar in the summer transfer market.

So you'd rather him him at Barcelona than at Chelsea? If we had the option to sign one of the continents' best players, I would happily snap him up.

I think a two goal winning margin seems a fair result in terms of quality of the squads, but they are in front of their own crowd, in good form, and will be up for this match. A draw is a likely result, I feel, but its one of those games that can go either way. Rosenborg are without doubt the underdogs, but as I say, are at home and will be up for the game. I think Makelele would best be utilised in this game, because one thing Rosenborg have is excellent pace in the midfield.

I'd be happy with a 2-0 win, and I think that seems most likely. We have a lot of things going for us at the moment, and if we get a win in Rosenborg our confidence will be sky high. We're at Stamford Bridge, with the possibility of going 70 league matches unbeaten there, and 49 matches in all competitions at home without defeat. And we have a very good recent record against them, with five wins in five matches over the last three seasons. I fully expect a win, and I'm sure we'll get one. However, the Hammers might think Christmas has come early if they go home with just a 1-0 loss, and I fully expect them to come and defend, and try and hit us on the counter. They do have one advantage, however. We'll be playing on Wednesday night, and won't get back to England until Thursday morning, meaning we only have Thursday afternoon and Friday to train for this match. Hopefully, Grant will rotate the squad and field a weaker team in Norway, ie. play Sidwell to give Mikel a rest.

I agree with you, Ronaldo and Rooney would give something extra to any team, however. But we can cope without Lampard and Drogba, like you say. They give us a lot more firepower, but as the season has progressed, injury and suspension to those two has shown that we can indeed cope without them in our team. Our squad will be pushed to the maximum during the Cup of Nations. If we manage to do well through that period, and through Xmas also, we will know whether or not that this Chelsea team of 2007/08 would be deserving Premier League champions.However, our Christmas period this season is the toughest we have had for some time. We should beat Villa at home, we have a good record playing against teams on Boxing Day and the players will be looking for some revenge after the 2-0 defeat at Villa Park. If we can go to the Emirates and take all three points, we will blow the title race open, and suddenly, Arsenal's "wonderful" season where they have only played two real teams - Liverpool and United (and drawn both) - will suddenly come crashing down around them. Newcastle is a tough game, they will come and befend and bore us to death with long balls. I think the hardest game of the four will be at Ewood Park, but I expect three points nonetheless against Blackburn. I think we will get through this period unbeaten, hopefully with 10 points or more,

I think that they should appeal for some consistency from referees at least. Tackles like Stephen Hunt's on Fernandes get away with a yellow card, whilst contact with an elbow gets a red. If you ask me, its the former which is the more dangerous.

It would be nice if he did Yeah Stev3o, he's the player that thrives when he has the ball at his feet. At Milan, he had loads of play from Kaka and Pirlo, two playmakers. Hopefully Modric will give him that option.

Hope you had fun! The stadium tour is pretty cool, IMO

I prefer Belletti as an attacking force, but I have to say I prefer Paulo in an defensive sense. When playing against players with pace, when Belletti gets beat he doesn't track back that muhc if you ask me. I prefer Paulo because if he loses out in a tackle, he'll try and get in a recovery challenge, and 9 times in 10, he gets one in.

Cheers jim

Mate, you are as brave as a Lion, you're a top bloke and a huge asset to the forum

Well Mr Grant has made it clear a playmaker is top of the agenda. I suppose money will be no option, considering we offered £20 million for Dani Alves.

Jarosik was a good player, IMO Lord, Pavlyuchenko is a good player, he scored twice against England. He is a striker, however, and I think we have enough quality players for that position.

I can't argue with your list, its the same as mine Although I think Gallas was more consistent than Desailly. Both were fabulous players.

Elliott, I worship this guy I remember every catch he makes, so remembering saves is a doddle

Perhaps a midfield orientated role would suit him? A 4-3-1-2 formation, with Kalou and Drogba up top supported by Sheva might suit him, it means he will have the opportunity to come for the ball and get a greater amount of support from the midfield. It would result in having to drop Malouda or Joe Cole, but there may be benefits. The only real thing we can do is try with these formations, but is it a risk worth taking when we have a system working reasonably well? A lot have people have said, perhaps Sheva is an odd piece to the 4-3-3 jigsaw? IMO, he suited our diamond midfield and 4-4-2 last campaign moreso than the 4-3-3 of this year, although he looks more confident when shooting this season.

He is, we're very lucky to have him. He's young and has fresh ideas, to be frank with you, I'm surprised a number of Premier League clubs haven't tried to lure him away, but I think one Championship club (either Plymouth or Ipswich) made an approach for him in the summer.

We're hated. Its as simple as that - people are jealous of our success and they hate us for that reason. However, this is a blessing in disguise for the fans - it means additional jeering when we win

There is a lot to look forward to. Save the Man City game, we've not looked that great this season so we can only imrpvoe. However, considering we have not had the best of starts, we're "only" five behind the league leaders, and the gap from fourth to second is just a couple of points. Should we beat Arsenal in December, this title race will be blown open.

Yes. And for those unaware, Michael Ballack will be featuring tonight

That's good news. I'm a big fan of Paulo, he has received a lot of unfair criticism.

We're Chelsea FC, there is no way the FA will take this appeal into consideration.

True, but by international one could imply one's favourite artists from around the globe, or one's favourite artists outside of one's country.

The only problem is, when he plays, he tends to be playing on the wing in the 4-3-3. I think that for some games against more physical teams, instead of taking on physical with physical, take them on with pace. If we played Bolton or Boro with a 4-3-3, with Kalou, Malouda and SWP, the pace of those three players would win us so many freekicks we'd be bound to put one away. However, with him playing on the wing, he gives a lot more to the team, I feel. We only have to look at his assist record this campaign to see why.

I wish we had kept Tiago, he was an incredibly gifted talent. But if we play as you have suggested, I would have Essien/Mikel, Lampard/Ballack/New signing with Lampard/Joe Cole/new signing as the playmaker.