Jase

Chelsea set to reveal Stamford Bridge development plans

That looks awful!

I'm guessing you meant the situation with Liverpool when they won the Champions League? That was different. The competition needed the holders in it and hence why UEFA decided to put them in even though they finished fifth (IIRC) that season. It didn't even affect Everton who got fourth spot.

What's wrong with having 5 teams from the same country anyway? Why would UEFA change it back to 4 as the maximum??

But the old rule was already established when that happened. Tottenham knew they wouldn't play in the Champions League if we beat Bayern Munich in the final.

Yeah but the team who finish in the Champions League places?

Quite obvious? Mourinho already said Cuadrado's transfer was a result of Schurrle's departure. How obvious more do you want?! Also, you do remember that we only confirmed the Cuadrado signing after we successfully sold Schurrle to Wolfsburg, no? Regarding Salah, he cleary wasn't impressing Mourinho and was never going to get consistent game time (the main reason why Schurrle left in the first place). Hence, he was used as a bargaining tool to get a cheaper price.

But why would UEFA change now when they themselves comfirmed that 5 clubs from the same country can be in the Champions League? The reason they give the Europa League winners a place in the Champions League is to make that competition more appealing. They aren't going to make the third/fourth placed team suffer for that.

When Mourinho was asked about the Cuadrado transfer back in February, he said this... http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/9702319/chelsea-manager-jose-mourinho-insists-juan-cuadrado-was-no-panic-buy

But we only went for Cuadrado because we sold Schurrle. Otherwise, that transfer wouldn't have happened.

They have changed the rule. Europa League winners now get a spot in the Champions League. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2330238/Europa-League-winners-given-Champions-League-place-UEFA.html http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=2215121.html

Spain likely to have 5 teams in Champions League next season...

Very similar to Juventus' numbers yesterday...

Benitez's Napoli just got KOed of the Europa League by Dnipro...

Good. Makes no sense to sell him after just one season when he's done well for us.

http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2015/05/chelsea-to-sign-nathan.html?WT.mc_id=social_20150514_45789856&adbid=598880553266384896&adbpl=tw&adbpr=22910295&short_code=2zq5m

@Barbara, get the tissue box out. (see post above)

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32740747?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter :cry: :cry:

Set to be offered a new 5-year contract according to reports.. http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/577148/Chelsea-Patrick-Bamford-Five-Year-Deal

Same thing.

Hazard to Real Madrid talk again. Think we need to issue a warning/ban to whoever mention that again...

Obviously we should have defended that set piece better and everyone does commit fouls but you do not want to give away cheap and silly ones. Ivanovic's foul on Lallana certainly falls into that category. It was just so lazy and nonchalant from him, the way he tries to clear the ball and then pull Lallana when he lost it.

I know I know. I just don't think Sunderland have enough or get lucky again against Arsenal. Football, after all, can be predictable.

Ivanovic was partly at fault for the goal as well. It was his lazy pass and subsequent challenge that gave a needless free kick away.