Thor

His manager also keeps Ivanovic on the pitch, as well as Cesc when they are the ones costing us games.

I can't believe people are blaming the likes of Hazard and Matic in this current crop of bad form. Are we watching the same games? I've never seen Hazard play deeper than he has in these first 4 games. Want to know the reason? Cesc... Can't hold onto the ball, make a pass, or put in a tackle. Dude looks spent out there trying to win the ball back half the time, then he is having to come all the way back to help get the ball forward, which wouldn't be a problem if Cesc could do his job. He is still the one drawing all the defenders and opening the games up for us. He is still the one that is making plays happen when we need it, but simply hasn't finished them this time around. We need to sort out our right side (Cesc and Ivanovic) and the rest of the game will flow a lot nicer. No point blaming everyone when some players are trying to do the job of two players, which is the case for both Matic and Hazard. In Matic's case, it is probably more, since he was already doing the job of two players prior to the drop in form from everyone.

As bad as we have been, what is happening at United seems like it will stick around for a long time. They look so unconvincing and disjointed for the majority of games, and are generally outplayed by far less talented sides. I think a lot has to do with the fact that LVG is past it, and truly isn't all he is cracked up to me now. On the other hand, as angry as I was last night (lol, and I was), I truly believe our problems are easily fixable, unlike United. They seem to be stuck in that rut that we were in kinda after the UCL win, but they seem to just be floating and almost given into the fact that they are just kinda there. On another note, I've never seen a hold up player as good as Gomis. He is garbage at just about everything else on the field, but he turns his back to you and you can't get that damn ball.

This is something I posted earlier, in the middle of last season... This couldn't be any further from the truth right now. He is one of the worst RB in the league. I'm not even sure if he is a RB anymore, seeing as he is hardly ever in position, and when he is, he isn't making any tackles like a back should. I sit here and yearn for the day Azpi is allowed to play on his natural wing, so he can cross the ball, and we, as a team can actually have crosses reach the box, and possibly our players heads. Ivanovic at the best of times was an average crosser. If the Balon D'or was won off how many times you can hit the defender in the thigh when trying to cross, Ivanovic would be a runaway winner every year the last 4 years. I say this as he is one of my favourite players, ever at our club... He needs to go. Azpi is our brick wall on defense. Iva has completely lost it. Thanks for everything, but lead from the bench. I'm sure you're a great presence in the locker room, and maybe that is where it should stay.

That elastico he did was nuts. I was fuming and damn near yelling at the TV, and that, amongst all my anger in the game made me let out a girly squeal of delight.

If Mou gets 34 games to redeem himself, get ready for Ivanovic getting 34 games to redeem himself too.

Ivanovic is a large reason for the offense being so terrible too. He hasn't done anything going forward like he did last season, and he can't cross the ball. He forces Azpi to play on the left, and Azpi can't cross on his left due to it being his weak foot. At least he is solid defensively and links up decently.

I'm usually the one telling people to take it easy on here, but I won't lie... Tonight freaking fired me up. lol...

It isn't about that at all. It is about what we are capable of, and what we are producing. I'd happily support this club if they were in the championship or worse, as long as they played up to what was capable. This isn't close to happening at the moment. Not close. Mourinho is garbage at the moment, and for whatever reason, he won't drop Ivanovic, and he can't read the game properly. In what world was Azpi and Matic coming off the right move? That is literally the exact opposite of what happened... Eh, whatever.

I'm normally level headed on here and pretty reasonable, but... FUCK OFF MOURINHO... What a wanker. You can't be the only c*nt in the world who can't see what the fucking problem is on the field. Literally the right side of the field is absolute garbage. From Ivanovic to Fabregas. The only breath of fresh air is Pedro, who is brilliant. And what the hell do you do? Sub off Matic and Azpi, who are streets better than Iva and Cesc. You pathetic little man. We have a team that can beat Crystal Palce, so no, it isn't about the players. Everything was tactically wrong out there. Everything. FUCK OFF! I don't care if Mou is gone at this point. Better yourself as a manger or get out. Absolute idiot. Cost us the game. Glad Palace scored that second goal so not to reward his dumbass substitutions. Screw you, you wanker. I don't know if that deserves a warning or a ban on here or whatever, but I'll gladly take one. I've never been this pissed off or embarrassed to be a Chelsea fan.

LOL. Just potential? LOL. He is one of the ten best players on the planet already.

I think some of you forget this is a 21 year old kid. I'm not much older myself, but I sure understand the difference a few years makes with how you handle things. Not everyone is the same, and I doubt a lot of you have felt the pressure of someone coming to your job and calling you all sorts of names, and possibly followed you home, in the end making you feel extremely nervous and uneasy. I think some people forget that at the end of the day, it is just sports. I love football as much as anyone, and clever, witty remarks or chants that agitate, annoy and unsettle players is funny as all hell. You cross the line when it becomes threatening though.

I don't understand how some of you get this upset at a situation like this... "He won't come! No way! You're an idiot if you believe it!"... "He is most likely coming! You're stupid if you think there isn't something in the works!" Arguing and calling people stupid really doesn't solve anything, especially on a non issue like a transfer. He either comes, or doesn't. People need to stop pretending like they know, unless they actually have a source. Otherwise, settle down.

Cracked me up that people thought he was going to come here and sit on the bench, and just be a serviceable back up. Dude is quality. Every time I saw some little dude darting around the pitch to get the ball back, I realized it was him. Hopefully, despite negative instructions from the sideline, he inspires the players to push up higher and press. I think we have the quality up front to be able to do this now, with the only exception being Cesc, who would hold us back. Matic and particularly Costa could thrive with this style of play. We looked great with him out there. Was shocked to see him come off despite being our best defensive player out there, trying to chase down everything. Would have been far better to take off Cesc and have had this energiser bunny out there chasing everyone. Anyway, got the result, and he silenced a few of those who were sceptical on here. Not just a fluke either. Sure, we can harp on about the goal and assist, but it was more so his ability to beat the man, keep his dribble, and that close control. That won't go away even if some of the stats do.

Some of you are too prideful in your comments. Lukaku is a very good player, and a very good striker, and only 22 years old. Over the last 10 matches in the PL, he has undoubtably been better than Costa. Some of you are straight up lying to yourselves, and refusing to give credit where it is due. Saying that though, 10 games is nothing. Costa is still serviceable up front every time he steps on the pitch, and is simply in a bad stretch. This guy was a 1 man wrecking crew both at Atleti and here for us in the first 3/4 of last season. Costa is world class, but watching Lukaku's progression and ability to work on flaws in his game, he will become a great striker. He has a tremendous blend of pace, size and strength, which is coming together with skill now as he matures. Costa is the better player, and that won't change for probably another 2 seasons, but saying that though, Mourinho needs to change up the system to actually reward our strikers. We're far too slow going forward, which was the opposite of the first half of last season.

Why exactly? Pogba is a better player, with far less limitations in his game, all the while being younger. Saying that though, if Oscar continues to play the way he did in that first half against Swansea... He is well on his way to being top 3 at his position in the world. For all the downs we've had to start the season, that one half of play against Swansea might have been the best half of football I've seen from a Chelsea player in a long time. This coming from someone who is very critical of Oscar in general.

Don't blame Matic for Cesc's shitty play. I don't blame Matic for not playing as well as he can recently since he has had to do the work of two men defensively. Cesc with his play recently would be lucky to make the starting 11 of WBA.

lol... Bale isn't on Pogba's level. Difference is, Pogba can do everything Bale can do, but the opposite doesn't hold true. And saying he doesn't play well in big matches? He most certainly does. People get this perception of his as a flash player who makes his name off going forward and playing a stylish game, but when the game gets tough, he tones it down, plays his positioning well, and does what is required to win. In a sense he is a fantastic player to have, since he is the type to win you easy games, and make it look good, while also gritting his teeth, and doing what needs to be done, regardless of what it is to win the tougher games. He is a top 10 player in the world, who played for a top 5 team last season, and he was a big part of it. The main part actually.

I'm not going to get excited about anything, given our poor start, and most unavoidable escape of probably being linked to everyone now, but...

I like the signing. I think most of all it will create some synergy and understanding within the frontline since he can link up with Hazard and Oscar with the close touch passing and build up play. Not to mention he doesn't mind going wide and providing some width, which is good seeing as Ivanovic cannot cross the ball for shit. He is shifty, and it is always nice to have another player with the close dribbling control on the team just to be able to make you feel at ease.

I don't see it as a big deal considering he will be here the longest out of anyone if he is just 21. He is English, and will more than likely have a desire to stay at an English club, and we're one of the biggest in football, so there would be little incentive to move anywhere after that. 40 mil for 12 years of great football from your CB is worth it in my opinion. Might just be me though. Plus he makes us so much more dynamic even this season. Want to play a high line? Him and Zouma or Cahill can take the field. Sure things up at the back? Him and Terry take the field, and possibly have Zouma in the defensive mid position where he has done a great job man marking.

Watch him get played on the right wing. Perfect for what we need, right Jose? Everyone tracking back, more cover for Ivanovic so he looks good, and more playing people out of position since we love doing it to Azpi.

Played really well today. Was our only decent player outside of Begovic and Matic. He looks clumsy, and on the verge of losing the ball at times, but he actually has decent ball control. Might just be his lanky style due to how big he is. Quick, alert, strong and knows how to go forward. Perfect build for the modern full back. Becoming a favourite of mine very quickly with his attitude too. Get the sense he is a great bloke off the pitch.

Better now than later in the season. We aren't going to sit back and do nothing about it. Clearly the push for Stones will intensify now, and that backline will be fixed. Mou also needs to get Azpi on the right and drop Ivanovic. He is terrible. Having the opposite footed player on the wings works great for the wingers and midfielders, but not so great for the backs who need to cross the ball in. I can't remember the last time Azpi crossed the ball in. I could sit here for an hour and think about it and nothing would spring to mind. The problems for this team really aren't as big as people are making it out to be. A few fixes at the back and we will be fine again. A midfielder would be great too.

What do you guys want Mourinho to do? Make Ivanovic better? It isn't on him. Tactically we looked fine. Simply our players sucking and not being anywhere near quick enough at times was the problem. i thought we were the better team in the 2nd half. We need Azpi playing on the right, and Baba on the left. Slowing down and stagnating the offence because we have a bunch of backs who aren't playing on their natural side and can't cross it (Azpi) and one who sucks (Ivanovic) is a great blow to this team.