Sir Mikel OBE

Bertrand might be done here. Jose does not seem to fancy him.

In his prime he was certainly the best African player for country his generation. The biggest shame was that he never got his world cup appearance.

I couldnt really see him playing this weekend anyway to be honest.

Would have loved to see him get some minutes today against Japan. Not like he really needed to be rested since I dont see him getting any minutes this weekend.

That sounds like talksport pundits Putting Terry on isnt going to score us goals consistently. Chile, and Germany, were on the back foot plenty of times. It was a lack of quality in the final third on display.

I think Pogba and Witsel are pretty comparable right now. I think Pogba has a much higher ceiling though. You look at Pogba and you see the hunger and passion it takes to become world class. Going to play with Pirlo has probably been the most amazing thing for him. He was good in Manchester, but he has really added so much to his game.

Honestly speaking he was poor with the rest of them. It was understandable though. It was the swan song for Abou-trika, and the playoff was pretty much over.

Only if he can play as a striker. Two home matches this international break and not a single goal. In fact, did the German keeper even have to make a save tonight?

Ghana officially reaches 3 world cups in a row.

That is so beautiful to me. That is the final step. When you can have footballers, coming from around the globe, who can look you in the face and say: "I've wanted to play here ever since I kicked a ball"......that is football.

Nationality aside I think most from around the world would go since these clubs were big when they were kids. Lets be honest, no kid in South America(Suriname aside), Continental Europe, or Africa were sitting around in 1996 thinking: "Chelsea? Fuck yeah I want in on that!" You were either in the area, or you had an immediate connection. You build the international brand. That is why Lukaku is a new type of player here. He grew up watching Drogba, and wanting to be like him at Chelsea. Likewise these 80's babies grew up watching the Barcelona,Madrid clubs. As a club we are on their level. The difference is when these 90's kids, who watched the Abramovich era growing up, become of age that mystique will stay with them.

We'd have to take that if its true. With that kind of money we could really get a good pivot player.

Just scored for Brazil! :blue scalf:

Smooth penalty.

He needs to go(loan or whatever) in January. Fighting for a spot is all well and good, but this is a world cup year and its not a given you will be back there. Golden generations can end in a flash, and you never know who you will be drawn with in the future. He needs to go to give his nation a chance next year.

We really dont.

If we cant score goals we should be looking to play 2 strikers on the pitch at the same time. Sturridge and Suarez Negredo and Aguero Torres and Eto'o Make it happen.

I think something may be up with Essien as for reasons hes not playing in the league. I dont think Mikel can link attack and defense with passes. He seems content to use Mikel as a destroyer and game closer. Ake was a benitez prospect. I agree with you though that Azpilicueta should be on the right. Hopefully we can secure a left back in the next 2 windows so that Azpilicueta can be in his best spot, and Ivanovic can be back in the middle.

Lampard is there to pass from defence into attack. If Van Ginkel didnt get hurt I am sure Lampard would see the bench more, but as of now hes the only player who can really do it for us there. Ivanovic is a defender. The fact that he is viewed to start of our attacks is a flaw in the system. Schurrle should start over Hazard, but Hazard is the type of player who can turn a match at any time. Mazacar was terrible.

Because Mata can only play in one position, and when he does not play well, we have more than adequate players who can play.

The starter gets the benefit of the doubt in many cases early in the season; That is part of being the starter. Schurrle has been better on the left wing than Hazard, but Hazard gets the benefit of the doubt comes decision day because he is the first choice

Oscar isnt the only one either. Today when West Brom were breaking on us to get the third goal their player had an easy pass which was shut down in flash by Wilian running back at full speed. Willian has clearly shown that he deserves that winger spot over Mata, and Schurrle has been just as impressive when given chances. I think he is of the opinion, at least from the Newcastle game, that Mata's performance dragged them down. Would have been harsh to drop them based on that when he made the change to bring Mata in. If we are going to be really honest Mata should not have started that Newcastle game based on that performance vs Arsenal. Nice goal, but it was a pretty unimpressive besides that. Even more so was him displacing Schurrle who was very good vs Manchester City the week before. Other than Hazard getting the benefit of the doubt, Mourinho has been pretty fair with his selections and rotation.

Oscar most certainly has.

Mata has had plenty of games to show what he can do. He plays in the same position as the guy who was on fire, and when they played together we have been awful. I dont think Mata being on bench duty has anything to do with Mourinho not liking him, but everything to do with the fact that Mata and Oscar together does not work.

This almost seems sarcastic.