JDY

We had no control over the game. Two reasons; team selection and Corinthians high pressing game. Players like Ivanovic, Ramires, Lampard, and Torres are all well and good when they have time, but under pressure they absolutely crumble. We had no link to Mata and Hazard because of this. I don't know why Mikel didn't start, and also Azpil. I thought we were dire for the majority of the first half, and even worse in the second. This trip has turned out to be a complete waste of time, and a tiring one to add. If only it meant as much to all the players as it did to Luiz, he's the only one I feel bad for.

So good <3 On topic - I'd like us to get Llorente.

Found this one to be decent: http://www.flashwebtown.com/mediaplayer/mediaplayer.swf?backcolor=0x000000&frontcolor=0xFFFFFF&file=rtmp://cp96798.live.edgefcs.net/live/&id=ChelTV_Ch01_1000k@26291&autostart=true

Benteke is in some form. Hard to believe that Lambert gets stick for leaving Bent out when Benteke is playing so well. Nothing would be said if Bent wasn't English.

100% because of my dad. He had a long time friend who sat next to him at the Bridge who moved to another country about 15 years ago, so I inherited his season ticket (well me and my brother have shared it). Only time I've seen him cry was in Moscow. In Munich he was in the bottom tier and me and my bro were in the top tier, so he was probably crying again, but for different reasons!

Indeed, his price would be the only real sticking point, plus they have no reason to sell at this moment. But if he get's unhappy at playing second fiddle to Marcelo then who knows.

Club: Real Madrid Date of birth: 11th March 1988 (24 years old) Position: Left back With the rumours that the club are willing to let Ashley Cole leave for free at the end of the season, no doubt speculation will mount over possible replacements in the summer. Whether Bertrand is ready to step up on a permanent basis still remains a question mark, so would it be wise to sign a top quality fullback, or stick with our current regime of signing top youth prospects, i.e. Lucas Digne. Not forgetting that PvA is still on loan at Vitesse, does a club like Chelsea need better fullbacks than Bertrand and PvA? On to the player in question, Coentrão is arguably one of the best leftbacks in the world. In my opinion, only 2nd behind Marcelo (unfortunately for him). A very well rounded player, who's role for club and country tends to differ. Often seen marauding down the left for Portugal, displaying great attacking qualities in past international tournaments which hasn't gone unnoticed. In comparison to his role at Madrid, he is given less freedom to roam. Defensively he is superb and is often picked ahead of Marcelo against opponents who are strong down the flanks. He is also versatile and can double up with Marcelo down the left, cover at right fullback, and deputise in central midfield (Quite a bit last season). The only real drawbacks are that he tends to have trouble with injuries, which could not be so bad if we have Bertrand waiting in the wings. I doubt Madrid would let him leave for anything below £20m, unless the player himself has expressed his desire to leave. Although there has been rumours recently of training ground rifts between the player and staff (according to Marca). With the likelihood of Cole leaving seemingly high, I think this would be a good move for us and for him. Obviously we don't know who will be manager at the end of the season, but if all goes well and someone like Pep comes in, I think this would be a big possibility. Thoughts on Coentrão?!

Excellent goal.

Talked up the Premier League quite a bit in an interview shown on Revista de la Liga. Can only see Bilbao keeping him on the bench as punishment.

I don't have a download link but you've just reminded me to watch it. Have it on series link.

On the topic of Mikel, I agree with most points on this page but disagree with one. People are talking about wanting a more dynamic player than Mikel. This doesn't necessarily mean a player that bursts forward, beating players left and right. One of Mikel's downfalls is that in one on one situations he gets bypassed too easily. It's the same with Romeu to, but maybe more so due to injuries with him. I think when people are talking about a more 'dynamic' player they are talking about it in a defensive sense, a player who is very athletic and also has the tactical nous that Mikel has.

Aye, he looks really good, and versatile. I thought Benfica had already sealed the transfer a couple of weeks back?

There's a Mourinho documentary on ESPN Classic (Sky channel 425), 'Jose Mourinho - The Best Coach In The World'. Nearly finished now but I enjoyed it more than ITVs one, although both are excellent.

Reports intensifying on a move to Liverpool. Can only see him leaving, and I don't blame him..

Wasn't it the United fans who threw the object? He was celebrating infront of them.

He looks promising, but can he do it on a warm evening in Barcelona

I thought he did well in the circumstances. Most successful tackles of any player on the pitch despite coming on as sub. Distributed the ball well and dictated the tempo in the first half. Sunderland came back into the game in the 2nd half, and although we struggled to control the game from then on I thought he did a decent job.

I am aware of why he made the transition to a deeper role. Maybe I let my bias influence the choice of example to compare to KdB. I didn't once compare them as players. Just an example of a player in an advanced role moving to a deeper one. Albeit Verratti is more suited to it than De Bruyne. I also didn't say that he must play in the pivot when he returns, just that it could be an option in the future. Given the quality we have in the attacking third, I wouldn't be surprised if they do try to mould him into the role. On a side note, I'm going to ignore your thinly veiled 'you don't know what you're talking about' comment. If you don't agree with someone, fair enough. But to dismiss their credibility on a subject, really?

Just missed a great chance vs Frankfurt. Did very well to get into the position though. Has been Bremen's best player this half.

Struggled in what way?

Very classy when he came on today.

His age isn't much of an issue for me. In our current crop of midfield, we have no player over the age of 25 (barring the likely departures come the end of the season). We need a bit more experience and character in the side, and it's been very evident since Terry and Lampard have been out.

Diame didn't play as a defensive midfielder when he came on. That was Noble, and he has done all season. More of a box-to-box role for Diame as he also has good attacking qualities.

It is a more defensive role. PSG have changed their midfield system numerous times this season, experimenting with him in the double pivot, the outer CM in a 3 man midfield, and the deepest midfielder in a 3 man midfield. Even if stationed alongside more defensive players like Matuidi or more recently, Maxwell, you can't get away with playing in a deeper role and not being defensively adept. 3.3 tackles per game and 2 interceptions per game, along with a high pass completion is not bad reading for someone who is not in a defensive role (according to you). Compared to the accomplished Xabi Alonso; TPG: 3.9 IPG: 2.1. Interceptions being crucial for someone playing as a DLP. The original reply was to DYC who suggested that a player with high attacking tendencies who is also efficient in the final third doesn't need to be moved to a deeper role. I completely agree in most cases, but was just showing an example where a player has made the transition and has been very effective as a result.

I agree, but there's no harm in giving it a go. Marco Verratti adapted within a year at Pescara to a more defensive role, allbeit in a weak league. He's not the finished article at PSG but if you look at the difference now to then you can tell how much he's improved.