ja1

The best, 'thi-bauting' picture by far.

The ironic thing was that he was defending Fernando on the Torres thread(!)

He would be a perfect winger if he had acceleration. You guys do know it is not just about tackling? I think some of you expect him to be rushing around slide tackling players, an interception is just as good, and effective and something that KDB with his reading of the game and awareness could do well. As I said before he also presses very well, so at least the other player in possession can not just skip past him. He could take adapting to a new role - yes - but if we show patience I believe he could really grow into a great DLP.

Omeruo was solid in his 10 minutes or so as a sub, good positioning and held discipline going forward as Nigeria attempted to hold on to their lead, only went forward when he could keep possession. He should hopefully get more chances now Ambrose got a red.

@chelseayouth: RT @Wilkens_cph: Christensen tells that he actually got called up for Leeds AWAY but dropped out of squad when Ivanovic got over his knock.

Think this loan is a year too late, but better than than never.

Few occasions I've watched him I've been pleasantly surprised with his work-rate, covers a lot of ground. Harries players and tracks back, but not seen many tackles. All part of him adapting to his new position - just hope we show patience with him.

http://twitlonger.com/show/koppfg McEachran interview with The Times

His dummy for the goal was genius.

Kakuta scored last night.

Apparently playing as a false no. 9..

So..don't want to start another explosion but Sturridge has a goal and an assist. Match ongoing.

Now that I'm in the cream, (yes I just made that up) I thought I'd carry on some thoughts about Courtois.. Firstly I think we could well be in a situation in a year or two that is similar to Hart/Given and to a lesser extent Lloris/Freidal, where we have two top 'keepers, one the up and coming talent, the other is still a top 'keeper, but only another 2-3 years at the top. We may have to do what was done in the two scenarios above and play the younger 'keeper for the sake of long term benefit, even though he is new, and the older 'keeper has not done anything wrong. This does make me sad as I love Cech, but remember he would have had 10 very successful years at Chelsea, so it will have to come to an end. It may seem like I'm just trying to say, 'out with the old, in with the new', but I do think that's what'll have to happen if Courtois comes back. It depends though, still a lot of variables.. Which leads me onto my second point - I think we all just assume Courtois will come back and be possible back-up as he beds himself into the team. This is not even about him leaving for Barce - Atletico have a good thing going on under Simeone. He will have been there for two years now. He's won trophies with them, and it seems like he has a symbiotic relationship with the fans. He is likely very, 'settled' there. They are also a Champions League club, have some world class players, and seem to finally fulfilling the potential Atletico had for competing with Madrid and Barce. I don't think there's a 100% chance he'll want to come back, espiecally if we are doing worse in the CL and league then Atletico. While Courtois is a great player, he is also very confident and ambitious from what I've read and heard in comparison to the more mild-mannered Cech, and I do worry he'd want to go back to Spain. Also, Drogba and Torred were 'keepers in their youth I think, but went to strike at a similar age Courtois went back into goal. Drogba - great decision. Torres seems to also remember of the times he was a goalkeeper by stopping any goals being scored.

New video of his highlights at Athletico. Also for the people laughing at £10million, Craig Gordon is the 4th most expensive 'keeper in the world at £9million, while the £7million we paid for Cech is the 6th highest fee ever for a goalkeeper. The market for 'keepers is not as valuable as outfield players so I'm not surprised Barce would start at £10million(if the rumour is true). Having said that.. it is rare for a top class 'keeper to leave for a big price mostly because try usually just stay at the club they're at. While world class outfield players will always move for big prices, world class 'keepers will only play for 1-2 clubs during their peak. Players like Lloris, Neuer, were also at the end of their contract, so had cut price moves.

I only watched the first 20 minutes, but seems a good representation of his game in that it bypassed him. It looked like when they attacked his positioning was like he was playing off McDonald but he just didn't see the ball. When he was younger I was for McEachran as an attacking midfielder but watching him in the past year of so, Ancelotti was right for playing him as a DM. He's much more suited to a regista role. It is also worth noting his general form for 'Boro has dropped in recent weeks.. I'm not sure whether last night was just a one off but if he's playing as a AM all the time this could contribute to that. Josh may also need a rest, he is like Mata in that he has poor stamina, Josh has started every game in the league for Middlesborough except when he's been injured, and in recent matches he has been taken off in every one around 50-70 minutes. I would really like to see him and KDB back next season as our two new midfielders, but he won't get that chance for the sake of it.

Lloris has impressed me more than De Gea this season.

KDB 4th highest in Europe for 'Most Key Passers/Game', Best Rated Central Midfielders (12/13) http://t.co/Gh8MlSDH

@CarefreeYouth: Lucas Piazon isn't in the Malaga squad for tomorrow game against Celta Vigo #CFC

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xwui13_courtois-spherachannel_sport?start=7 Here is his triple save tonight against Betis.. bravo :-)

A bit yes, though he's been fine so far this season.

Unpopular opinion here, sorru, but I agree. Not that he isn't a good talent - but the whole fact he is a young playmaker from Brazil generally makes people overrate him. I remember when we wee first looking to sign him, no one had even heard of him but quite alot of people were saying he would be going straight into the first team, (not necessarily on this forum). And his first few months in England were actually quite poor, it was not until the latter stages of the FAYC that he grew into things and showed some of his talent, but he somehow automatically became our reserves' best player. He has also looked pretty poor in his first team appearances so far(bar Villa). Generally I find he always over dribbles the ball, both at youth and the couple of starts he had, will get past one and then panics, becomes indicisive, and dribbles into a defender. Once he learns when to release it he can become a good player.

Haha, his name does sound like a pornstar

I think he plays a box to box role now for youth because he's so big, a physical specimen, but I really like how cultured he is on the ball - reckon he'll grow into a deeper role.

Is he more likely at Malaga? For the time being we only have Mata, Hazard, Oscar, failing-to-impress Marin, and Piazon - this could has been his chance, in January, to make an impact. It feels like we are rushing things, there is no need to fast-track him. While I will be very impressed if he makes a great impact, I anticipate he'll get the odd sub appearance here and there (like I said I'd gladly be proved wrong). Championship would have been much better, it has done Chalobah a world of good because he is already at the level of a top Championship player, probably more, but imagine how confident and just in general content he'll be with his regular game-time and doing well, while I foresee another McEachran - type loan here. And if we did loan him, I would have preferred to see it at the end of Jan at least, give him a chance when he would have got some. With Europa League and Moses to ACON this Jan I'd actually not be surprised if he'd get the same amount of appearances here. Anyway, best of luck to him. Moving away from Piazon, I wonder what the club are planning. We must be looking to buy a player this Jan then, yet another no.10 as the club for some reason have out themselves in that situation. Our targets bar Willian are all fleeting away. Plus, say we got Isco/Willian or whoever, we could quite easily be looking at having Mata, Hazard, Oscar, Moses, Marin, Isco/whoever, Piazon, KDB(depending on where he's played), all competing for the same 3 spots. This is not even thinking about Kakuta, Benayoun..though they will most likely go. Hmm...

Loftus Cheek called upto England U17 squad (with Josh Aina and Charlie Colkett). Have to say I'm really liking the look of Loftus-Cheek, big fan of him. He's a strong player, physically and mentally (regular captain at youth level), but very good technique on the ball. Reminds me of a Xabi Alonso type player, but more mobile. Don't want to get to ahead of myself though as he's still very young.