Jase

Fixed.

Jose plans to back young talent That is from The Sun but it's written by Rob Beasley, who of course is a close friend of Mourinho. Not sure how true is that though. Seems too true to be good as like that was written based on how we all want it.

In the LMA Manager award night...

Slightly old video but Mata did this interview before the Basel game speaking about playing with Hazard and Oscar and one or two other things.

Apparently... Gareth Bale to sign new Tottenham contract worth £150,000 a week

Just some post-match stats (if anyone bothers)... - Chelsea are the only Premier League team to complete the double over Everton this season, having won 2-1 in both home and away encounters. - Chelsea completed their first Premier League double over Everton since the 2004/05, when the Blues won 1-0 in both meetings. - Chelsea have won the most number of points in Premier League matches between the Top 7 teams this season - 22 (P12 W6 D4 L2). - Mini league between the Top 7 teams in Premier League this season: 1. Chelsea - 22pts (W6 D4 L2) 2. Man Utd - 20pts (W6 D2 L4) 3. Man City - 17pts (W4 D5 L3) 4. Tottenham - 15pts (W4 D3 L5) 5. Everton - 15pts (W3 D6 L3) 6. Arsenal - 11pts (W2 D5 L5) 7. Liverpool - 10pts (W1 D7 L4) Only 2 defeats against the better quality teams this season (pretty good) and both came against the Manchester clubs with 1 of course coming in controversial circumstances. And this obviously points to the fact of dropping silly points against the lesser teams... Oh, not to mention, we finished 14 points behind Man United and just 3 behind Man City this season compared to finish a massive 25 points behind both of them last season.

Really? That carries over to England?! Where did you hear/read that??

No, I did not imply whatsoever that our squad is built for a 4-3-3. Meant just generally, the issue when Mata plays out wide regardless of the formation we use. Mata can play out wide and yes, he can still improve on his defensive work but for me, if you're gonna play a player, use him in a position that he's best suited with and where he feels most comfortable/best to express himself. No point doing square pegs in round holes.

Guillem Balague on Mourinho leaving Madrid. http://www1.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/8725173/%27frustrated%27-mourinho-leaves-madrid

The problem isn't so much about playing Mata out wide, though he's less effective there IMO, but more so on the defensive of things. Playing Mata on the flanks, especially on the RW, would mean he's always likely gonna come inside onto his left foot. Now, while that may look exciting with Azpi or Ivanovic marauding down the right side to create overlapping situations, the issue comes when the attack breaks down. Our RB may find themselves being overloaded in 2 v 1 scenarios, for example, and that could lead to us conceding some cheap goals, almost like when under RDM this season. And not to mention, there is more emphasis these days for full backs to go forward. Moreover, Mata doesn't have the pace and energy levels to be playing out wide as players playing there would usually have to bomb up and down the flanks all game long. And if Mata plays there, he's gonna be absolutely knackered by the end of every game. The best position for him really is where he's playing right now, as a CAM behind the ST. He connects our midfield and attack brilliantly and that role would also allow him more freedom to roam around on the pitch and create chances for others without necessarily worrying too much on the defensive aspects with two midfielders behind him. This is certainly better than sticking him out wide where he would have a bigger defensive duty and also the pressure to create chances from out wide.

http://plainsofalmeria.co.uk/2013/05/20/the-return-of-the-special-one/ That is an excellent piece on Mourinho and his possible return. Well worth a read.

Players traveling to US...23 players that include 19 senior players and just 4 youngsters. http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3185406/title/blues-bound-for-america

Players traveling to US...23 players that include 19 senior players and just 4 youngsters. http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3185406/title/blues-bound-for-america

http://www.football-espana.net/31013/mourinho-won%E2%80%99t-stop-courtois-loan

Guess you're talking about this one?

Unsurprisingly, just read that apparently, there is a promise/agreement in this deal that we need to field some of our star players in this game. And that is of course to attract fans to flog into the stadium.

Don't get me wrong. I was delighted and happy that we won the Europa League but considering the importance of that trophy in our usual high standards, it would look out of place if we have done that parade. Not that I would have gone mad had we done it but yeah. And it might have happened if we did not have to fly to US for the post-season friendlies!

There was. When MOTD was showing our game highlights, the commentator mentioned Laudrup's agent was rumored to be at the Bridge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srt7aZEHQ7U&feature=youtu.be

Happy Birthday Cech! :cfc: He's often one of the less celebrated, underrated and under-appreciated hero at the club. Ridiculous when one think about it.

Is that a trick question? It will look ridiculous if we do a parade for winning this.

Everyone thought we were gonna appoint Hiddink back in 2011 and suddenly bam, we got AVB instead.