Jase

So you think Marin can be a first team player for us? As much as I think he deserves another shot to prove himself, doubt he will ever be a first team player for us. And besides, his main position LW, is owned by Hazard.

It wasn't the sole reason yes but you seem to be indicating that not having Kalou was the reason we finished 3rd. We only finished 3 points behind City at the end and had we not criminally threw away those 2-0 leads against Southampton and Reading to begin with, we would have finished 1 point above City and this wouldn't even be an issue. And all these moans about the supposed uselessness of Marin is only based on hindsight. Many were pleased with the signing and doubt people expected him to get injured so much and had little impact for us.

He will replace Moyes when he gets fired by United.

Think that is an understatement. Too much $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ thought in keeping him right now.

Moses is a slightly different player than Marin. The former is more of a direct winger than the latter. He offers something different to what we got now and not mention, a goal threat in the attacking third. As you said, Moses started off brilliant but then tailed off (after the AFCON) and that's the problem with people. They only focus on the bad things and forgetting the good ones. Moses has showed he's capable to be a decent squad player who can come in and do the job for us if and when needed. Always looked out of place when linking with Hazard and Mata? Think you're making it worse than it is. He might have some problems in understanding their game but remember it's only his first season here. Moses will get better when allowed to play more games with them. It seems many have become spoilt by watching Mata, Hazard, Oscar etc playing. For the players that is playing week in week out but for those that aren't, like 2nd/3rd/4th etc choice players, you can't expect to be having the same set of quality players sitting on the bench. As said above, Moses is capable to be a decent squad player for us even though he's not world class. And with time and age on his side, he can only get better with experience. Doubt he will complain playing 2nd fiddle either. How about better defending = 2nd place finish??

Wouldn't mind us swapping Torres for Villa...

Thanks for the 'wondrous' sight Tom...

Yeah but that's a complete different matter altogether. And it's not like they only got to play in midfield because of Mikel's absence.

From looking decent to 'pretty' to ugly...

You sure have changed a lot from your last human avatar.

@Stingray is that you in the avatar? You look pretty.

@Phil Driver, this was said in Benitez's presser before the Villa game. He was asked about the fitness of some players. Him saying Mikel was training today, which is good news then basically meant he hadn't been training before that. Was injured and yet to be fully fit. And even in the pre-Spurs game presser, Benitez said he wasn't available for that one because he still has some pain (with the hip injury). Moreover, Guardian had Mikel as doubtful for that Villa game. And in the club's website on the squad that traveled to Amsterdam for the Europa League final...

Are you implying that we went on the great winning towards the end of last season, securing 3rd and winning the Europa League all because Mikel didn't play?! if you are, then that is just simply a load of nonsense. We achieved what we did last season because of other factors. Has nothing to do whatsoever with Mikel not playing. The players simply roll up their sleeves and got together to achieve what we need to then. We also relied on some luck, moment of individual brilliance and some heroic defending to get us through. And Rafe embarrassed Mikel? In what way? It's obvious that you don't rate Mikel, like many others here, but if you are say why you don't rate Mikel or why he's horrible, at least get the facts right and stop plucking things from thin air to suit your agenda. As CHOULO has already pointed out, the likes of Luiz, Lampard, Ramires and Ake all played instead of Mikel was simply because he was injured.

Erm, what's Mancini gotta do with this thread here?

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x10t2uy_mascherano-expulsado_sport#.UberoFfxySz What an idiot!

:rant: :rant:

This was tweeted on 7th June. Google translate... This was then reported in sites like the Guardian, ESPN... http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/jun/07/edinson-cavani-napoli-chelsea http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/210829.html

No offence but once again, I think you're being too generous with the ratings and it doesn't actually reflect the actual performances of those players during the season if you compare it with others. And also, think you could do without the pictures. Stretches the page unnecessarily and they look creepy.

After the Belgium v Serbia game last Friday...

Eden. Easy. Thorgan with the cap looks like an innocent child.

Eden with Thorgan at the Belgium NT party(?)...

http://www.football-espana.net/31682/%E2%80%98mourinho-wanted-me-back-chelsea%E2%80%99

And here's the Google translated L'Equipe article to go along with that. http://www.google.com/translate?hl=en&ie=UTF8&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lequipe.fr%2FFootball%2FActualites%2FCavani-proche-de-chelsea%2F377830%26q%3DL%2527equipe%2BChelsea%2BCavani%26sa%3DX%26ei%3Dl223UbzMK_OP7AbC2YGIBw%26ved%3D0CBoQFjAB

If we fail to sign Cavani, we will get another ST. Our strike force now just simply doesn't cut it. It's not enough and we need better. Lukaku is good but not great, yet. Has done well but still got plenty to improve. Ba is good but not the top class ST we need to win the major trophies. And Torres is well...Torres. Also, don't see Schurrle as a ST at all. He may have played there for Mainz but I believe it has been ages since he played a ST upfront. And with his bamboo-esque figure, don't think he would fit in well playing as ST in the Premier League, assuming if he does join us.

Not only Jason Cundy actually, Ben Andrews is horrible as well. And I can't remember who it was but the guy that did the commentary with Ben Andrews for the PL Man United away game sounded atrocious! I remembered someone called into Chelsea TV before and complained about the commentary, though it was done constructively. A shame it wasn't a plain old rant. Think if they want to have better quality commentary, they should use Gary Taphouse and Pat Nevin. So much better than the others.