capriccioso

We should have unleashed an angry Drogba on them. There's no footballer in the world that has the ability to dominate games as much as an angry Drogba, in that state I think he's even better than Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi.

He's always been a good defender, going forward if memory serves he's been suspect for a while. Then Carlo had the bright idea to play him at centre back during our injury crisis during 'bad moment' which turned out really bad and everyone assumed he was past it. Good to see he's still got it, I think he'd make an excellent coach, he's always come across as a gentleman, softly spoken and mild mannered. He's got bags of experience and plenty of defensive quality and his contribution to the clubs history warrant a place for him in the backroom staff after his playing days are over.

Classy. Really classy.

Hahaha For the record he covered 10.775 km tonight.

Don't tell me Rami did 26 miles (42 km I'm guessing) tonight!

By far the worst player? I dispute that. He lost the ball about 5 times by my count, 3 of those within the first 7 minutes. After that jittery start he did really well, he didn't see much of the ball but when he did he at least kept possession. Not sure who we've got in the squad that would do any better than that on the wing. By far and away and without a shadow of doubt our worst player tonight was Mata. Didn't get enough of the ball, was wasteful with his passes and missed a sitter. But I forgive him for it because the poor kid is at the end of his tether physically and thats why he was pretty poor tonight.

It's best for both parties if Mata is given a week fully off, including training. Send him down to Spain for a holiday, let him refresh himself mentally and physically and then we'll have him primed for the semi finals and the run in.

I'll get me coat.

This is precisely why. When he's in the side its like playing with a full back high up the pitch. A full back with poor ball control, mind.

Look at the dirty work Kalou did tonight, I saw him in our box probably a dozen times and that's not including set pieces. He gets back and defends, which is vital for us as our fullbacks aren't that great anymore. Sturridge is not cut out to be a winger, he will be an excellent striker but he should not be anywhere near the wing. He's only there this season as a stop gap, because we haven't got anyone else who can play on the wing. Di Matteo's team selection was absolutely brilliant tonight, I'll admit I when I saw Meireles and Ferreira starting tonight I feared the worst but they both came through and played really well, full credit to di Matteo for having faith in his players.

Kalou just showed us how poor Sturridge is today. He should be starting on the wing for the rest of the season IMO, and Sturridge needs to be brought back down to earth so a few games where he stays on the bench or doesn't even make the matchday squad would certainly force him to think over his attitude.

From the locked topic earlier: I was referring to the David Luiz goal-line handball. And if Harry Kewell gets sent off for that in South Africa, David Luiz should be off for that as well, referee's must be consistent. We all know it's not a penalty, but why are Australia punished for it when Chelsea aren't? Don't get me wrong, I'm delighted that we won 1-0 and it wasn't given, but that penalty in 2010 was the reason we didn't come 2nd in our group and still leaves a sour taste in my mouth, and if the refereeing isn't consistent its a further case for telling FIFA to get to fuck and forming a rebel league with a decision review system.

That's it! Barring a fuck up of monumental proportions we await Barcelona and Milan!

Fergie time for Benfica.

I'll open up a can of worms here and say Benfica deserved a penalty earlier.

On another subject what's happening today? Kalou has put in a brilliant 2nd half performance while Mata has struggled. A role reversal if ever I saw one

Please, I beg of you, take Mata off. He's done for the night. That was the shot of a chronically exhausted player.

Kalou's hobbling... probably just cramp? Sturridge on, not sure how wise that is.

THATS WHY WE LOVE SALOMON KALOU! He's gotten us through to the Semi's. Unless we fuck up.

No more mercenaries. I want players that will play for the shirt not for their wallets.

Congratulations

Chelsea are the most popular club in London? (Or at least the club with the most widespread support base)

That makes no sense. Blanc would be a decent choice, actually. The players would probably respect him and he's a competent manager into the bargain.

My apologies that there are no real links. This probably belongs in the wishlist thread then. Edit: There is a 9 month old link from Tribal football, but its rubbish and only mentions that a Chelsea scout was watching the Brazil game in Scotland. They could have been watching anyone. http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/tottenham-chelsea-scouts-see-internacional-striker-leandro-damiao-star-brazil-1865351

Cesar's actually gone bad? I thought it was just his defence?