themightyblue

If we were going for cheaper alternatives, there'd be a lot more players i'd rather see us go for than Morrison. McCarthy and Dembele immediately spring to mind

Want him rotating in the pivot next season, with the occasional game at RW

Translated version of the story from Atholy: How did Eden Hazard eventually go to Chelsea? Sports / Football Magazine talked with some people from the entourage of the Red Devil and made ​​a reconstruction. Eight clubs signed up specifically to Eden Hazard (21) at Lille to remove: Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, Arsenal, Inter, Real Madrid and Barcelona. In January the last three were all told that Hazard for England would choose. "A conscious choice," explains the entourage of the Belgian national team out. "Eden loves the rhythm of the match, the atmosphere in the stands, and he thinks English football his best." Zinedine Zidane would never intervene, unlike what was previously thought. Arsenal fell off as the first English club. Lack of maturity of the team, too much uncertainty surrounding the continued Robin van Persie. Tottenham was killed as a second after the team upset at each other during the final stage of the competition. The price is certain, although late in January 2011 Hazard, who over a new contract with Lille closes his record of 40 million can escape. Whittled Chelsea and Manchester United are the last over. United made a huge impression on him and also offers the best financial conditions. Yet ultimately chooses Hazard for Chelsea, where, after Shevchenko Torres and the most expensive transfer of the club. From various conversations with the staff that he is the number ten, behind the striker. Chelsea wants to renew and offensive play. According to his entourage Hazard hopes that boring football is over. (TB)

Just putting it out there...roman likes to spend money. So all that stuff about 'it's not football manager' is stupid. If the club are comfortable with spending that much then go for it as they know best. As a fan, I care about how Chelsea can move to the next level and that's what modric will help us do This summer was always gonna end up being a big spending one due to the fact we let too much deadwood stay and didnt rebuild correctly. So yes to modric from me

We could easily be interested even if the media haven't picked up on it. They don't seem to have a clue about our transfers and the only way they've found out about hulk is due to his agent blabbing. With Moses and Marin they were clueless, even the manager situation. There's probably some interest there I reckon. I think we could get him for 30m + Sturridge. Not sure how popular that'd be from our end though

Not staying we'll stick to what we did in the 2nd half of the season (even though we averaged out something like 2 goals a game in that period) but there's still a good chance we will play on the counter

Brana's a legend http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1116075/branislav-ivanovic-urges-spurs-star-luka-modric-to-join-chelsea?&cc=5739

Pace isn't his best asset though, its the way he uses the ball so intelligently and can pick out a pass. He was CM in Genk's 4411 and i think he'll be a top player, but i want to see him playing week in week out for a team rather than the odd game here and there. Looking forward to seeing him in pre season

We played great counter attacking football under Carlo in 09/10. If RDM is trying to get us to play 'better football' then we could easily play direct counter attacking football like Madrid do. The link with Moses also suggests that we might be bringing in two wingers too

He was playing in the '4' of a 4411 for Genk in CM and so yes he could play in the double pivot, just has to develop the defensive side of his game which he does have. The double pivot is also the best place to utilise his skills such as his great long passing. He's versatile though and can play in at least 3 positions

Seems like Porto are close to finalising Jackson Martinez. Could pave the way for Hulk, who knows

Can't believe what i've just read about Luiz and Hulk....

In the midfield is his most comfortable position, thats where he played at youth level and only played on the wing due to the lack of options. When playing CM people were calling him the best player in the belgium league

I'm pretty sure it's only declared to their shareholders if they've recieved the bid and accepted it, not just recieved. Even still, a number of informal offers may have been placed from our end at the same time

This pinto da costa is a tough cookie isn't he?! He's blatantly trying to get other teams to bid for hulk by saying this to make us push up our offer. Hope the club stick to their initial bid. Modric part 2 anyone

I doubt we'll be playing witha proper RW anyway as the three would probably rotate with jovetic in there. Something like: Jovetic-Mata-Hazard. Moses would be great backup though as I'm sure he's not being brought in to be first choice

Think if we're serious about this he'll come here as a backup RW to another new RW (hulk/Jovetic) etc meaning he would get sufficient amount of gametime

Really feel like giving him a good smack in the face to give him the wake up call he needs. Does he not realise he's playing for one of the biggest teams in the world? His attitude on the pitch stinks, the way he bottles going in for challenges and doesn't work for the team. Don't even get me started on passing the ball which he rarely does. It's a shame because ability wise, he's easily making the England team and can be a top PL player, but his attitude alone means that I wouldn't give two shits if he's sold and we get Moses

Modric Mikel Hulk/Whoever Mata Hazard Torres This combination is capable of taking us to the PL title next season assuming they all gel and if we get them of course. Have to say Modric's defensive game is severely underrated here, he really puts in a shift in the deeper role and snaps at the heels of opposing players (think of a much better Meireles in terms of defence). Next season i can guarantee that 90% will sit back and defend when they play us and it'll be our job to break them down. Having Lamps in that role for 60+ games is not sufficient purely because we need a player capable of controlling a game, dictating the tempo and linking attack and defence. Moutinho did this effectively for Portugal the other day too, but currently Lamps isn't the man to do this. If we were playing a defend deep and counter attacking game then Lamps would be perfectly fine, but if we're really going for this 'attacking' game then we need that player who's going to keep hold of the ball and spread the play from deep with Mikel doing the dirty work. This is something i hope KDB and Mceachran can do in future but we need someone for now and if available at the right price we'd be mad not to go for him

He played all of last season in the pivot next to Parker. Only plays in the hole for Croatia

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2160690/Luka-Modric-close-Real-Madrid-move.html If true, seems like we're being considered or are in the running. Might just be bullshit

Don't see the problem of him doing that, he talks to them and even calls some of them out from time to time, i.e Ian Mcgarry. Think he's decent imo

That did sound convincing actually But i'd still argue the fact that i've followed him for ages and in this time he's barely been wrong, only time that springs to mind is the modric saga. If he was getting the occasional one right then i'd agree with you

On Hulk, his agent already said that he wants a move to a bigger league. Fact is he wants to come and isn't so 'satisfied' with life at Porto as he knows he needs to move sooner rather than later

Don't think thats true, he was able to build up his reputation through making the right calls on transfers etc in the past. Although will say he's become a little less reliable in recent times