Sideshow Luiz

Best chance we have to be in CL next season is to finish 3rd in our group and win Europa League. Though, I wouldn't bet anything on that happening either at this rate.

I thought we played well. I thought we dominated the second half (of course, Stoke allowed us to have all the ball). These things happen, it's just a really bad time for it to happen to us.

I'd love to see a 433. Cesc works best in between a no. 10 and a defensive mid role. Oscar next to him.

I'm quite proud of the fans for being so vocal at the match today.

I agree. I'd like 433 as well. At this point though, I'd just like something different. The current set up isn't working, so please, can we try something else?

There are lots of examples of players who were moved on because of playing time, but, from a rational point of view, maybe they should have been kept. Ibra left Barcelona, and he was proven world class talent at the time, but Guardiola and he didn't see eye to eye. Could Man Utd use Pogba? He left on a free, and his next transfer fee will be close to 100M Euros. I'd love to have De Bruyne, Bertrand, Salah, and Cuadrado right now, but these things happen. It's not just Jose. To be fair to him, those players don't exactly fit his play style. I wish our play style was different because those players are all tearing it up, but that's a different argument.

I agree with this 100%. Part of the reason we are even discussing Mourinho's future is the brand of football that he plays. Is he a great manager? Of course Is he a Chelsea legend? Again, of course. But, the brand of football he employs is dreadful. The only thing that makes it acceptable is the trophy haul that comes in at the end of the season. If we're going to lose, can we please see some sexy football at least? Also, I'm not sure that Ancelotti is the answer. I think he's class and I really like him. However, his attacking football only lasted for a little over a season. The reason Torres was brought in was because we couldn't score anymore and relied on set pieces and errors (sort of like now). That's how I remember it at least, you can correct me if I'm wrong. The reality is that this team has been in decline for a long time now. We were fortunate to win the CL, and the squad needed an overhaul. We brought in Hazard and Oscar that summer. Next season, we didn't make it out of the group stages of the CL. Mourinho has come in and given the team a shot in the arm. 2nd, then champs, but we're kind of back to where we were headed before he got here. In consideration of that, would another manager do better? I'm not sure. The only thing I know is that I'd like to be entertained for 2 hours every Saturday. Pragmatic football was entertaining only because it put us 1 step closer to the trophy every week. Without that, I'd like to see some of our world class attacking talent show us what they've got.

I was hoping that we'd get Liverpool within the first 6 matches of the season.

Sorry, didn't see that.

No Mata?

For sheer "I cannot fathom the thought of losing to them" it's Spurs. My friend at work who supports Arsenal hates them for the same reason I do. They talk a lot for a bunch who haven't done anything. Our best matches are against Man Utd and Arsenal, in my opinion. Lately, it's the matches against City that bug me the most. We don't match up well against them. More nervy for me than the matches against Utd.

Can't I just have an opinion because I have internet access and an account to this (or any) forum? It also wasn't so much of an opinion as it was a question.

If Madrid don't want him anymore, I'm sure there's a mutual way out of that clause. Not entirely sure that TSO wouldn't be fired if he doesn't resign.

Yes, he is. And I hope that this is our experience if Mourinho comes back. I want to see hom manage us to 25 trophies over the next 15 seasons. Fantastic. Best case scenario. Part of the reason we've gone through so many managers is that no one has been able to fill the Mourinho sized shoes in the dressing room. What if Mourinho can't even fit them? Where do we go from there?

Totally agree, they're not. They also weren't as good as their previous legacies either.

This Mourinho thing is a bit reminiscent of Keegan returning to Newcastle or "King Kenny" to Liverpool. Is it ever as good the second time around?

Yes, that's correct. The Fulham shop only uses the thick felt-like ones. Chelsea Mega Store uses the thin plastic lettering.

Totally agree. I'd prefer without the 'stripes' as well, just plain. However compared to the "leaked" photos, it's miles above. Was worried that I wouldn't be able to get the home shirt next year on account of it being horrid. Worries gone.

We typically play the last league game of the season in the next year's kit. I do remember us wearing the new kit in the final of the 2008 CL final. Thought it was a bad idea at the time, and if I remember correctly, so did some of the players.

Feels strange to have 4 days between matches. What are the players going to do with all of that time off?

Even if you size up on them? Or do they taper too much at the waist? There must be some demand or no one would sell them. Of all the places selling them, you'd think that SB would be one of them.

Delighted for the 3 points, but will have to play much better in the run-up to secure Champion's League next year. That play will not get any points at Liverpool, Utd, or Everton.

The piss take regarding the pre-order is the "Order it without seeing it". Usually you'll have some sort of incentive. It's not cheaper, you just get it on release day. I can get it on release day anywhere (in London). What a scam, there isn't a shortage of kits out there. A question: Do you know why they don't stock the techfit shirts at the Megastore? I live a 10 minute walk from SB, bu if I wanted a techfit shirt I would have to order one from chelseamegastoreasia or EZ Football shop. That's kind of messed.

You're right, it's not the type of player he usually goes for. He's usually all about the big names, chases them, then eventually gets them about 2 years too late.

This is where having a continental set-up has it's advantages. I think that our managerial carousel is overblown here in the UK because people are used to the old/traditional set-up where the manager makes the purchases/builds the team. A lot of our recent buys have been long time targets, we've probably gone through about 3 managers between first tracking Lukaku and signing him.