manpe

They were getting the praise probably because they were english. Lukaku on the other hand is being chased from all over Europe. I can't believe people are seriously comparing him to Heskey and C.Cole without having seen him play properly... probably has something to do with him being big and black, hasn't it?

It won't be bad for him to play on the wing as a secondary forward, who has license to cut inside and swap position with whoever is the striker... to confuse opposition's defenders, Chelsea's style of play tends to do that quite often, as all our strikers have drift off to the wing while the other goes inside. E: talking about Danny, not Lukaku

It's better to have 2 players covering for a full back position, so having both Bertrand and Van Aanholt is a plus.

Ferreira, yes... he's not as bad as people make him out to be. Anyway, this discussion is gonna drift this thread off topic

Forget right back, it's our third priority or should be... playmaker and a winger or two are more important. Our right defence is more or less covered, we have 3 players there capable of doing the job. I'm quite sure Chelsea aren't even looking at buying a new RB. I have a feeling it's gonna be Drogba's last season, and then Lukaku will step up as nr. 2 striker behind Torres.

Would it have mattered? The squad returned from holiday later than AVB came here.

If he does, then he doesn't have to accept Barca's offer

Ambitions? Quadruple But nah, CL or PL win would be amazing... but I'm not getting my hopes too up, won't be too disappointed if we get nothing, but if we perform well and finish in high ranks. Top scorer, for me, Drogba. Star of the season.... none, I have a feeling the whole team or most of it will deserve it... but if I have to choose, then Drogba.

Yeah... buy youth, don't give them a deserved chance and then sell them. Default algorithm of the club. I hope the excitement will prove worthwhile with AVB.

who the f are fanatix?

Nice. It's important for the captain and the whole team to voice out support to the manager... Not only players need confidence, the manager does also, especially a new settling one.

he's still "quite" young, maybe he's going through the emo phase?

at least he looks like snoop dogg on the second pic

It was met with Romeu and Courtois, I'm afraid

It sickens me a bit how people treat Kalou. He's a fine person, never comes across like an arrogant twat.. just as somebody who is willing to contribute what he's got and follow the instructions. Sure, he may not be what we need, but I wouldn't tag him as "shit", that's disrespectful.... And he's scored some important goals for us, and who can forget that assist to John Arne Whatever he chooses in his career, I'll wish him luck.... and if he does stay, then I will sure as hell support him as much as every other player on the team.

wtf? i was extremely pissed when Cole got sold off to fuckin liverscum, but what the f have they done to him?

And that was against far inferior teams... I would be surprised if anybody showed awful game against those sides.

Maybe because the point of the thread was probably to choose the general starting XI, rather than for the first 3 games... he isn't suspended forever you know

I watched the game against Valerenga a bit, and yes, they depend heavily on Carroll in attack with Downing's awful crossing... Reminds a bit of us when we used to rely on Drogba that much, which is not the case anymore

I would take everything, as every Chelsea fan i'm just saying that a little class in the future now and then would be good for the eye, nothing more

with no improvement from last season 3rd position will be a possibility... the thing is it won't take too much to have us as strong favourites.. maybe 1-2 strong signings, tactical wisdom and motivation injection is all we need for now imho, and I believe that motivation and passion is there already... this squad doesn't like to flop like they did last season, so they will be doing everything to prove otherwise this season.

Take nothing away from that goal, but I'm still waiting to see goals like he scored against Chelsea absolute class strikes... the one against AV was a poacher's goal, but it won't matter if he scores those 30 next season like Van Nistelrooy

His contract cares

I hope Danny won't be forgotten like SWP was... yes, I admit, I liked SWP and was angry that he didn't get a proper run. If Danny gets going, he will be a major player for us.... we need a confident and somewhat egoistic dribbler like Robben used to be.

If this game ends injury-free, then I will be happy, even if we lost... and pre-season will have been a major success in that matter.