Jase

Think the players should get 2, if not 3, weeks off when the World Cup ends. Everyone should be back by the end of the first week of August (or second week if we're really pushing it).

I don't think I was missing your point at all (and am still waiting for the detailed statistic) and let's not pretend as if he can't play quick combinations, the one-twos etc when out wide. Sure, he might be more involved in attacks through the middle but that doesn't necessarily mean he's going to be a qualified success in that role, especially when the demands of Mourinho is different to managers. Hazard may not be a direct kind of wide player but again, that doesn't mean necessarily he can't be one. Maybe not necessarily developing into a 100% direct player but certain have those attributes and especially when we have seen him being direct for us before. Not really buying into this whole unnatural thing for him to do. That might be the case but if you really want to be the best and Hazard has got that talent in the locker to do just that, then you need to be more of an all rounder, have different tricks up your sleeve rather than just sticking to one or two preferences only. That part just seem to suggests there's a slight issue with the mentality or attitude. You don't just go missing for long periods and then suddenly decide to turn on the screw when he feels like it.

You know, turning that question around doesn't make your statement anymore valid than it is. There are so many factors that can lead to those 80+ chances created; Hazard rotating positions during games throughout the season, meaning the chances created could come from different positions than just 1 behind the ST and unlike most of the top winger/wide players, he would rather pass or create for others than shoot at goal himself resulting in his numbers being high. Moreover, the term 'chances created' here is so vague that a simple pass to a teammate and that fella shooting from 35 yards is considered 'chance created'. So, it's still not conclusive to say Hazard should be playing as the No.10 just because he created over 80 chances. Funny thing is, we have seen Hazard shone out wide before for us on more than occasion and even for Lille (different league and all but still played out wide quite a lot nonetheless) and yet, I don't seem to recall people asking to be played in the middle during that time. People only seem to really suggest him to be used as the No.10 when he's not performing. I told Barbara recently that if you are gonna play Hazard as the No.10 under Mourinho, then it's like almost clutching at straws really. Considering how Oscar and Willian have been used in that role to connect the midfield and attack, dropping back into deeper positions (almost becoming like a 3rd CM) and doing more defending than attacking, using Hazard there is a complete waste of space. He's not going to be as effective as the other two in carrying out those roles and in fact, you're gonna restrict his abilities even more than him playing out wide now.

Cheers. Just seen the news. But he does still seem to be heading there though after telling the French reporters so last Friday.

Arturo Vidal a £40m target for Louis van Gaal at Manchester United

Set for a 2-year deal with Roma it seems.. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2682230/Ashley-Cole-set-seal-Roma-join-Serie-A-two-year-deal-release-Chelsea.html

You're slightly missing the point. I wasn't saying Hazard doesn't get criticized enough but more so people don't want to do so for the sake of it and finding all sort of excuses (repetitive ones at that). Some are just so defensive and even paranoid of not wanting to criticize him for the reasons already mentioned previously. It's more of a case of questioning why people can't keep it balance with the evaluation. Seen some can do that with other players but not with Hazard. It's like there's one rule for him and another for other players.

Spotted at the Wimbledon's final right now..

How does creating over 80 chances constitute that his best position is at AM or as the No.10? Unless you have a detailed statistic listing where he created all those chances from, that statement is pretty flawed and baseless. As for the game against Fulham, how sure are you that the game was changed because he simply had a free role in the second half or not because the players finally turned up after the rubbish first half? There were simply a lot more movement and rotations between the players to drag people about and create space for others to exploit. And mind you, Hazard's first assist practically came when he was near the right wing from a throw-in.

Andre Schurrle determined to do what his Chelsea and Germany hero Michael Ballack didn't by playing in a World Cup final

Think the Debuchy deal is already done. He has apparently confirmed it on his Instagram..

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2681825/Liverpool-make-ditch-attempt-beat-Roma-signing-Ashley-Cole.html Liverpool making a last-ditch attempt to sign Cole apparently..

Inclined to agree. I don't care what players do for their national teams as long as they perform for us but I think what has annoyed people is that he was AWOL for pretty much the whole World Cup and we have seen this happened with us as well. He might still be young but he could at least show that bit more consistency, hunger and desire game in game out and not go MIA for 80 minutes of the game before suddenly deciding to make things happen in the other 10. Worse part is Hazard has said so himself that he needs to do better, can improve further and even wanted to leave a mark at the World Cup like some others have but yet we saw someone whose body language projected that disinterest mood and just strolling around the pitch doing nothing.

Wonder how long more are people gonna find excuses for Hazard's bad performances. There may be other factors why he hasn't performed to a high level but that is only valid till a certain extent. It's almost as if people are too scared to criticize our supposed golden boy and/or fear that he's going to leave if he's not loved/appreciated that they can't judge his performances objectively; praise him when he deserves one and criticize him when he deserves it.

Didn't know Fabregas plays for Brazil...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2681075/Ashley-Cole-heading-Italy-former-Chelsea-defender-opens-talks-Roma.html In talks to join Roma apparently..

Can't help but to feel somewhat pleased that Luiz actually managed to score from that free kick. It has been awhile since one went in! And really nice gesture from him to console Rodriguez at the end. As many have said, you can fault his defending but not his character and personality.

Still doesn't change the fact you were so un-original. Should switch identity. If he gets it right, he takes over your place for a month while you take over his.

Oh, that's so original... Expected better from you.

Surely, that gotta be more at stake than just that.

For goodness sake, could you please provide the source? Even if it's from Twitter...

Why is it that there always seem to be a thread about midfield signings every now and then?! Anyway, the thread is opened in the wrong place. Moving to the MHS section...

Arsenal believe they can beat Liverpool in race to sign Barcelona and Chile forward Alexis Sánchez

Ashley Cole transfer latest: Former England left-back Cole 'offered' deals to join Barcelona and AC Milan as former Chelsea defender considers his future

Maybe why we didn't is because Mandzukic wants to be the No.1 striker at a club, not No.2..