Jase

And you believe what he said 100%? Judging by his recent comments about the transfer saga, he seems pretty annoyed about it and wants to solve the issue ASAP before doing anything else. That story was already reported last week and as some have mentioned then, the main issue here is about agreeing a fee with Napoli. Don't think there was ever going to be much of a problem agreeing personal terms with Cavani.

ALL NOMINATIONS FOR THE AWARD HERE PLEASE! Nominations close at a Administrators choosing. Vote for the one member, who you believe is the member of the month. If members post more than one, the first option will be chosen.

LOL! Again with the 'Cavani will be a Chelsea player in the next 48 hours' crap.

Ruddy's not going to Chelsea... his future is at Norwich, says Canaries boss Hughton

He makes an impressive goal-line clearance in the Confederations Cup final, gets linked with Bayern... http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/chelsea-transfers-david-luiz-35m-2016477

Arsenal's £18.5m bid for Lars Bender rejected by Bayer Leverkusen

Wilkins backs Abramovich & Mourinho reunion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wZYUvOiZEU

In regards to the Premier League last season, don't think we had a poor season. Yes, we could and should have perhaps done a bit better BUT at the start of the season, most people were aware that our squad, while it has talented players, wasn't strong enough yet to challenge United and City for the title due to the changes made and a lack of top quality ST upfront. Most of us back then would be satisfied if we finish 3rd at least, because of the reasons mentioned and the fact that we would improve on the 6th placed finish in the season before. In the end, we did that and are pleased with it but not celebrating it as if we won a trophy like Arsenal did when they got 4th. As for the Champions League, yes, we should have done better. Some might say we were unlucky to get a tough group but had we see out a 2-0 lead over Juventus and defended better back then, we would have progressed from the group stage (though ironically, it was these problems that led us to winning the Europa League). Overall, in terms looking at last season as a whole, it was perhaps a bit disappointing simply because we were involved in so many competitions and got ourselves into fantastic positions to win trophies but bottled one after another till the last one. Should have won at least 2-3 then but there were lots of positive to take from in terms of the promise some players shown. And mind you, had it not been for Mata who showed incredible consistency throughout the season in producing countless moment of brilliance and quality when we desperately need them, we would have finished the season worse than we did. Think the problem with Mata in regards to defending is his workrate, not his defending ability or anything. And I don't see how this can't be improved with proper coaching and management. After all, Benitez managed to ensure Hazard do his fair share of defending by increasing his workrate from poor to good. If Hazard can do that, then I don't see why Mata can't. There's always room for improvement and it's not like he's mentally weak or shown signs he can't be helped anymore in that aspect. As for defending against Toure, the problem then wouldn't be about the defensive workrate (only) but more so gotta do with matching him for physicality, aggression and strength. No one from our team did it last season, not just Mata. Even if we put Oscar, who admittedly has a better workrate than Mata right now, to mark Toure, he would have struggled as well simply because of the difference in power and strength between the two.

You did that on purpose!

Some people have too much time in their hand being paranoid perhaps. Worrying and thinking too much about the negatives when there is so much more positives to embrace, as you said, and think about. We should be looking forward to how Mata, Hazard, Oscar, KDB etc get better with age and shape an exciting future with us as well as winning more and more trophies!

Not necessary. It happens most of the time anyway. No biggie. After all, some might have missed the picture before.

Yes, I don't disagree with that but the idea of suddenly and seemingly to just play down his importance like he's nothing is just... While I don't necessarily disagree with that notion, it would actually help him if the players behind are not weak as well and getting bullied all the time as well. It's not just Mata that has struggled against physical and aggressive sides, like Man City for example. The whole team has basically suffered the same problem. Mata is advanced playmaker that dictate the play in the attacking third. If the players behind him are not aggressive enough and being able to keep the ball efficiently, it's obvious then that Mata would look like he's executing some disappearing act in these days. There needs to be more pro-active play from us rather than passive ones.

Old picture. That happened in Luiz's birthday party sometime ago.

Judging by some of the comments made on Mata here, especially in regards to his efficiency and importance, it probably won't be long before you have people start to turn on him. (May happen if the current scapegoats, if you like, are sold or gone from here)

1 month is over-strecthing it. Likely to be a 2-3 weeks rest for them. Mourinho would still need to know them and see how they can fit into his starting XI.

It's 8th July. 7th is a Sunday. And I believe the players who played in the Confederations Cup especially the Spanish and Brazilian lads will get more time off and join up with the rest later on.

Maybe but that would also depend if Spain continue to persist with the tiki-taka all the time in the upcoming years. Their current short passing style doesn't suit Mata totally.

And not to mention, when Marin did play (mostly under Benitez), he was never given a proper run of games to find his form and blend with others. He usually starts 1 game and then being dropped to the bench in the next one and this made worse when Benitez were under pressure to win every game and hence, he had to start players who can perform immediately. Moreover, when Marin did start a game, he usually finds himself playing in an under-strength team lacking Mata, Hazard and Oscar. He didn't even get a chance, like Moses, to be play with 2 of the trios mentioned. Marin usually finds himself playing with Oscar and then Benayoun/Moses (coupled with 2nd string team overall).

I believe that was already made known somewhere previously/some time ago. Just a recycled news.

This will 'cheer' people up... OR... http://www.psv.nl/News/News-page/Van-Nistelrooy-Ooijer-Kolkka-and-Zenden-undertake-internship.htm

Mourinho's assault on Vilanova reaches Constitutional Court

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/jun/28/chelsea-marko-marin-loan-sevilla According to the Guardian, Marin is a striker. A STRIKER!!!

TBF, think even if Marin stays, KDB will get his opportunity and more than Marin.

http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3222980/title/chelsea-tv-celebrate-a-decade-of-success This should be good.

Ironically, it's post like that which explains why this thread has gone up to 63 pages compared to the other regular first teamers. Granted he wasn't good at all, had injuries and all that but to call him a joke?!