Jase

Wasn't talking about this season but in general. I don't deny Schurrle has his flaws/faults but the main issue with him right now is his confidence/form. At his best, would still take him ahead of Moses and Marin. Not to mention, he has more European experience than those two. Also, not opposing the sale of Schurrle but selling him in this transfer window without getting any adequate replacement is plain suicidal. Doubt we can get Reus in January. Lavezzi won't improve us. As for Cuadrado, have we even been linked with him? Even if the 'self-destruct' phrase sounded over-exaggerating, the point still stands. This is hypothetical talk but if Schurrle rediscovers him form, then we would have a useful attacking weapon in the remaining months of the season.

People sure have a selective memory...

Oh, I feel so much better now already....

Yes, because weakening our squad right now when our squad depth is already worse off than City's and them being hot on our heels is a good idea. Salah may take his minutes but he's hardly been setting the world alight when given the opportunity.

That may be true but it's not exactly a valid excuse, is it? What does it say about the player if he can't perform at a club with ambition to be one of the best but can only do so at a 2nd/3rd tier club? Not to mention, Lavezzi is 30 years old this year (supposedly to be at his peak) and yet has hardly been consistent since his Napoli days. If we are going to buy a new RW, would rather wait till the summer than waste money on him.

Wait. Are you actually saying that Lavezzi would be an improvement to us in this team?

Considering we have had a week to rest and prepare for this game, am expecting a fast and strong start against a managerless side. But on the other hand, won't be surprised if we start tentatively given what happened in the last league game.

Selling Schurrle in this transfer window is equivalent to pressing the self-destruct button. Unlikely to happen unless we can bring in a good replacement. On the other hand, it's kinda funny to see people believe transfer rumours when they want to and dismiss them when they don't want to.

Steve Holland to do the presser at 12.30pm UK time...

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But you get the point.

That's because we were 2-0 up then and in a comfortable position. Had that occurred at 0-0 or 1-0, doubt Lampard would have given Hazard the opportunity to take the spot-kick.

I get the trophies and Champions League football part, but it almost feels wasteful for first-choice material player to be on the bench half of the time.

I don't understand why Bony would want to join City. He's unlikely to start every week unless of course, Pellegrini wants to ditch either Dzeko or Jovetic OR is thinking of going back to his gung-ho-ish 4-4-2.

at the customary "let's smash them" posts.

Ever since Guardiola left Barcelona. There have been episodes here and there about Messi being unhappy with the manager's coaching, the board etc. Throwing a tantrum? Well, when he's not happy, he suddenly decides to hint at wanting to leave, knowing full well of his strong position at the club and their willingness to do almost anything to keep him happy.

In the midst of all this crisis talk and Luis Enrique's faults at Barcelona, can I just say Messi is such a drama queen? I know he's a great player and all but it's like the minute he's not happy about something, he throws tantrums and the club have to appease him. Worst part is, the media doesn't even report on these things. If it was someone like Ronaldo, it would have been all over the papers, websites etc.

Chelsea consult Bird’s Nest architects to revamp Stamford Bridge

Had Vertonghen joined a better club than Tottenham 2 years ago, then he might have turned out to be a good defender. But as it is, he seems to spend plenty of time sulking at Spurs because he wants to play in the Champions League.

True but look at the context of the games he played in. He started in 3 of our first 4 league games when his confidence was still high from the World Cup. Since then, he played only 2 more league matches from the start - against Arsenal and Southampton. Of course, his illness didn't help but I guess that's another issue. In the Champions League, he started at Sporting Lisbon (to exploit their high defensive line), Maribor (lesser opposition, chance for Mourinho to rotate) and at home to Sporting (a dead rubber match used to improve his match fitness). As for the domestic cup games, he's started in all of them but that's normal for managers to rotate their squad and rest first team players, no?

No offence but I wonder how much of CMS' point of view there had to do with Lampard playing for Manchester City right now and how much of it is objective. If Lampard was selfish in that situation, then what about Drogba? Wasn't he being selfish as well, wanting to take the penalty for his own personal glory rather than focusing on the team's? We may be 1-0 up then against 10 men but there was no guarantee we were going to win that game until we make sure of it, even with 70-75 minutes still to go. Moreover, Drogba hardly took our penalties back then and we don't know how reliable he was. What if he blew it? Lampard, on the other hand, was our first choice and we knew he's extremely reliable from the spot. So, him taking the spot kick at 1-0 was the right and logical decision. Had he not given the second penalty to Drogba when we were 4-0 up (IIRC), then he is selfish. Otherwise, no. The team's success comes before the individual's. And Mourinho wasn't happy after the game as well. So unless the game is totally safe, it's highly unlikely Mourinho will allow anyone else but his designated first choice penalty takers to convert from 12 yards.

Guys, if you want to talk about Matic and who is the best DM in the world, please discuss it in his thread, not in the MOURINHO one..

Real Sociedad have beaten Barcelona! #MoyesIN

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30675953?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=BBC The FA Cup 4th round draw will take place tomorrow (5th January) at 7.30pm UK time.