Thor

What is this based on? We're building a base of Belgium players already, and all are young and for the future. Buying him would be perfect. To be honest, I was skeptical about him as a player based on last season, but now it seems as if hes taken his play to the next level. Hes looking as good as Yaya Toure out there. Doing everything. Brilliant at defending, keeps the ball well, great at tracking and hes offensively gifted too chipping in with goals when his team needs it. Great aerial threat too. I would love him on our team for 30 mil, because to be honest, I don't think its a stretch by any means to say hes been the best player in the EPL this season.

I'd like to see how Sturridge does up front a bit, but I really wouldn't mind this signing. Like people have said, its not long term. But if this does go through, I just can't see Sturridge wanting to stay.

What do people want from Torres? To walk on water and levitate the ball into the net when he pleases? He scored a goal, had beautiful link up play, and created a few chances for himself. Yeah, hes not the best striker in the world, not close, but today he played just fine. In fact better than fine. This is coming from someone who's given up on him ever returning to spectacular form.

Are people seriously voting Moses and Hazard as MOTM? They were both dreadful. It seems as if on here that if a player scores a goal, hes in contention for MOTM... Moses played passively, and didn't take his chances nearly enough. There were so many times where he just moved the ball outside for crosses, that the defense got accustomed to it and left a gaping gap in the middle for him to cut inside. He lacks confidence, and he didn't seem to be working hard enough on the pitch. Hazard is the same deal. Run a bit. You're 21 kid, use your youth and get about the pitch. Act like you give a damn. Only decent players on the pitch were Ramires when he came on and Cahill. Everyone else was trash. Sturridge actually didn't do too bad.

I didn't get a chance to watch the whole game, but saw the first three of our goals. The main thing I wanted to know is, when did Sturridge come on? What position did he play? Also, how did he look? Put in a decent shift?

Sturridge has the ability to be more than just solid. He was scoring goals last season cutting in from the wings and mainly from distance. With this midfield behind him, hes going to have no problem getting better chances through on goal, and if there is one thing Sturridge can't be criticized for its his finishing. Powerful, precise and clinical. Hes also got a great touch on the ball. Like I said in another thread, the only thing that might be hampered with Sturridge up front is the link up play between the solo striker and the three amigos (Mata, Oscar and Hazard), since Sturridge isn't the best passer. Once again though, he just turned 23, he will improve on this if given time up there. I seriously don't think we need a Falcao. If we're going to get any type of striker I think it should be someone like Dzeko; a target man.

I still think if given the chance, Sturridge would shine. He is perfectly selfish for the role if that makes sense. I haven't seen Torres take a shot outside the box in I don't know how long. Sturridge has that hunger, confidence and he never lacks belief. Strong on the ball, he hardly ever loses it, has pace, etc. The only thing that would suffer slightly is link up play due to him being a horrible passer. Though he is 22 years old. He will get better at it. Hes got a deadly shot on goal as well. I really want to see him get an opportunity up front for an extended period of time.

For one, I don't think we play a striker friendly game. The way we set up in attack doesn't really rely on the striker getting many touches, etc. So I think people expect too much on here when it comes to that position for us. I just don't think any forward is going to come here and get immensely better as far as statistics go. Its like Arsenal getting a world class defender and expecting him to make them a good defensive team. Just doesn't work like that since its not the way they set up. I could be wrong though. But I just don't think its a coincidence that every new striker we've brought in has had problems adjusting. Even Drogba at times had seasons where his scoring fluctuated like crazy.

We have great passers in the team. You have Mata, Hazard, Oscar, Torres, etc. How many more great passers do you need? Rambo's offense, which is surging runs and picking the pockets of opposing players and then striding forward is far more valuable than anything Lampard can provide, since we have players that can do everything he does already. Yes, Ramires is a terrible passer, there were several times yesterday where he could have played a through ball right on goal, but at least hes in position to create something. He covers ground far quicker than Lampard, and he provides the opportunity for instant offense.

For a 'deep-lying midfielder' as you are saying about Lampard, he sure was playing far too high and leaving a huge hole for the opposition to attack. Go back and watch the match, and you'll see how hard Ramires had to work to get back on a few of those opposition transitions and counter attacks. All the while Lampard is straggling back at a mediocre pace. If he is going to play that role he should sit a little deeper like Mikel does. Ramires is the one we benefit from bursting forward.

I thought Moses was terrible and for the most part everyone played quite poorly outside of Ramires and Oscar, with Cech doing what he needed to do, and Hazard being quality when he came on. Moses just looked uncomfortable out there, more so than anything else. His first touch nearly every time was appalling, which makes me think it was more to do with nerves. Mata seems to have been voted man of the match again, but I thought he played quite average. I'll stop complaining about it since I did last game too, and I'll probably be called a Mata hater or something, despite him probably being my favorite player now. Seems as if you put up stats you're automatically given the MOTM on here. I thought Oscar was the one that completely dominated the middle today, and his touch, particularly on the run was sublime.

Mata may have got a goal and an assist in the game, but do people here really think he was better than Torres and Hazard on the day? Hazard was the one completely controlling the middle of the ground for us, with help of course. Not a slight on Mata, since I really couldn't care less who the best was for us on the day, as long as we win, but I thought it was quite apparent that Hazard was the key in the middle and really dictating the play with his runs.

Hes a great player, but Hazard is clearly better. Its nice to have an overreaction thread after one game, but the fact is Hazard is creating for himself, for others, getting in the box and constantly drawing fouls from the other team, in the box even. Mata doesn't have the pace or strength of Hazard on the ball. Not to mention Hazard's touch is a lot better.

Lampard gives too much away defensively, which is why I liked Meireles in our team. He was great at frustrating the other team, and stopping their link up play. Romeu, I'm not sure about, he is still too young. Though he could prove me wrong. Mikel I'm happy with each week. He will have a bad game occasionally but who doesn't. He is a must on the teamsheet for me. Just not sure who else can play next to Mikel. Give Oscar a go I guess. Ramires can slot in and have a go too...

LOL at the overreaction in this thread. Acting like money isn't a big deal. Then acting as if he didn't go to a decent team. Hes in the champions league, and he'll be playing high quality football, while getting paid more for it.

Well, its blatantly obvious we want to stockpile at one position if they go through with this.

I didn't go as far as you, but I did say to a lot on this board that he would walk on as our best player straight away after having a friend give me every French League game of last season on a hard drive. I watched about 15 games and you can tell straight away how good he is. Like yourself I was chastised for my opinion and some thought it was ridiculous that you could call him better than Mata, and a few others on the team. He just dominates the game with his possession and movement.

No, he does not have a valid point. You don't take your teams penalties if you aren't a good finisher. The comment was bizarre. The fact that someone agreed with it is even more bizarre.

Luiz is one of the best passers, if not the best on the team. As far as a playmaker, hes also quite spectacular in that regard considering his position.

I knew this day would come, hence the username. Now he just needs to bulk up a little to match my display picture.

We must get him. My username will finally have some relevance with Chelsea!

You'll enjoy a ban coming in and abusing posters like that... So have fun continuing posting like this. And no, Mata is not better than Hazard. I don't know about Oscar since I haven't seen him play, but Hazard is most definitely a better player than Mata.

I've been away from Chelsea news and forums deliberately since we got Hazard, since I wanted to come back surprised and intrigued by the moves we've made during the offseason, but my friend ruined that by filling me in with talks around the league... So, anyone want to fill me in on what's happened so far? And this Oscar kid, I'm not going to pretend to know a thing about him; how good is the kid for those who have seen a bit of him?

No. I can't say his name properly, and I'm not willing to learn. Hulk rolls off easier on the tongue.

I would too had we not signed Hazard. But Hazard and Hulk is better than Gotze and Hulk, or Hazard and Gotze which is just redundant.