themightyblue

Could be similar to when Makelele was brought in

His son is one of the cutest things I've ever seen

You see I understand that argument until I see the same people pining for us to sign Cavani, who's success has all come about from a fully counter-attacking system. One thing I would say about Falcao is while at Porto under Avb, he played in possession-orientated team and as we know flourished, But then again, it's the Portuguese league where the standard isn't as high

@Leif And it's absolutely ridiculous to say 'take away his finishing' when it's one of the main things that makes him world class. It's just like saying 'take away passing ability' if we were linked with Pirlo, Scholes or Alonso. It's a silly argument. Also just because YOU don't rate a player highly, doesn't mean his reputation has come about because of media hype. Especially when top managers like Guardiola say that they'd love to have him in there team. He'd be playing for Madrid next season if it wasn't for the rule of Atletico players not signing for Real. Fact is, in this day and age of FFP it is very hard for clubs to now spend upwards of 50m on one player solely, especially if they have other positions to fill. It's why Cavani will also struggle to move. Only teams like PSG, Monaco, Madrid and Bayern are well placed to make acquisitions like that

He's going to have to rip us apart again for people to realise how good he is and what we're missing out on when we inevitably sign a striker who isn't on the same level as him

That's because we rarely sign players close to their thirties anymore. However, we could have easily offered him a longer contract meaning we'd pay less year-on-year in regards to FFP, but the 3 year contract means that we're in the perfect position to sign a big striker this summer(which is going to happen), but still mean that Lukaku plays a vital part for us in future as that slot in our squad will be open for him after another loan.

Don't agree with this at all in the case of Lukaku. The reason Ba only got a 3 year contract was because of the club thinking about Lukaku's development/future. If he goes for another loan next season then by the time he comes back for the 2014/15 season Ba will only have one year/a year and a half on his contract as well as approaching the age of 30 meaning he'll more than likely be sold that summer. That opens up space for Lukaku after a year on loan where he's improved even further and could potentially mean Falcao/Cavani and Lukaku are our strike options (if all goes to plan). Had Ba been given the standard 5 year contract which most of our signings get then i'd agree with this.

He should enjoy this. He'll be back on the bench or the wing for the mid-table club when Suarez comes back

Interesting that he doesn't say anything to deny the rumours about him leaving. Something is in the pipeline.............

Was too casual on the ball and didn't look like he was putting in any effort (highlighted that he has a tendency to do this earlier on in this thread). Lets hope he steps it up next leg

With the recent rumours of Falcao to Monaco, Lewandowski to Bayern and Cavani to Madrid/City there won't be many top tier available strikers left. Signing Rooney for 25m-30m wouldn't be that bad, especially when you consider Falcao and Cavani are costing close to 60m euros each! Another important thing to consider is that he's at the perfect age where in time we'd slowly be able to faze Lukaku into the first team, rather than signing a 24 year old striker which would make it harder for Lukaku in future

Have to admit, getting the chance to chant 'Rooooooooooneeeeey! Rooooooooooooneeeyy!' would be very fun. Really catchy :blue scalf:

Exactly my thoughts Just end this top 4 worry now. It's getting boring now Cech Ivanovic Cahill Terry Bertrand Ramires Mikel Moses Mata Oscar Ba

He really has become such a key member of our squad. In the big games he is usually one of the people to step up and really puts in a shift all over the pitch. I hope we sign a CM that compliments HIM (i.e. a holding player who has brilliant distribution - like Alonso) as it would be a shame if he was no longer a first team regular

Cech Azpi Cahill Terry Cole Lampard Luiz Ramires Mata Hazard Ba Or Cech Azpi Luiz Terry Cole Ramires Mikel Oscar Mata Hazard Ba

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1433239/chelsea-xabi-alonso-capture?src=mobile&cc=5739# 'Xabi Alonso's proposed summer move to Chelsea now looks even likelier as the club privately confirmed to ESPN they have concrete interest in the player.'

Tancredi Palmeri ‏@tancredipalmeri36mSo Mourinho to Chelsea and Ancelotti to Real Madrid. Let's see if will be Wenger to PSG. But the first two are 95% done Tancredi Palmeri ‏@tancredipalmeri20mSky Italy just revealed the 4 signings Abramovich promised to Mourinho. Remember I told you about Falcao? Here we go Tancredi Palmeri ‏@tancredipalmeri19mAbramovich promised to Mourinho, in this order: 1) Falcao; 2) Di Maria; 3) Moutinho; 4) Pepe. Paul Hayward ‏@_PaulHayward1hWhat Mourinho is desperate to say is that he's going back to Chelsea. Because he is. ^ Journalist for the Telegraph

Basel: Cech Ivanovic Cahill Terry Bertrand Lampard Ake Moses Oscar Benayoun Torres United: Cech Azpi Ivanovic Luiz Cole Ramires Mikel Oscar Mata Hazard Ba

Will he be able to play against City in America in this end of season tour thing? Would be great to see him in our shirt now

Really should have scored 2 goals/ Needs to be more clinical

A lot forget that we battered Swansea at home, but our finishing was just awful. If we're focused then we'll win

A twitter account which talks about La Masia said he's a RB/CM

I don't ever think Bertrand will become a great player, but I think he will reach Paulo Ferreira level which is certainly good enough. Paulo in his prime was constantly working hard, getting up and down the touchline and being a consistent performer. Was he ever world class/great? Not for me, but he was reliable and someone you could trust to be a solid performer. I see those qualities in Bertrand and with this run of games he's had we've seen that consistency

Like I said, just my opinion that Schurrle is more talented. Daniel B. ‏@dan_bu57mLeverkusen sporting director Rudi Völler is in London right now to negotiate the Schürrle to Chelsea transfer. Decision close. #CFC

http://www.talksport.co.uk/radio/sports-breakfast/130418/hunter-mourinho-wants-return-chelsea-195854 I tend to believe what he says, seems pretty clued up whenever he appears on Sky Sports ChelsTransferGossip ‏@ChelsTransfer4hInteresting quotes coming up by Spanish football expert Graham Hunter... ChelsTransferGossip ‏@ChelsTransfer4hGH: "Mourinho has made it absolutely clear to Florentino Perez to find a successor and that he wants to leave Spanish football" #CFC #RMCF ChelsTransferGossip ‏@ChelsTransfer4hGH: "Chelsea are in advanced talks with Mourinho but nothing has been signed as of yet which opens the opportunity for others" #CFC #RMCF ChelsTransferGossip ‏@ChelsTransfer4hGraham Hunter: "The owner of Chelsea is heavily considering bringing Mourinho back; Jose Mourinho wants to go back." #CFC #RMCF #PSG