Strike

Hilario's debut was the real deal though. Cleansheet vs Barcelona. saved Ronaldinho freekick

the fact that defensive contribution is so important in a CAM tells you that players in other positions are not doing their job well

and Mikel goals

Schwarzer Azpi Ivan Luiz Bertrand Essien MvG KDB------ Mata----- Willian Torres

It's incredible how the atmosphere around the club changed with 1 win over Fulham.

Mikel has scored before any of the strikers have scored in the Premier League

This. I agree with but Mata is the better playmaker than Oscar. Not even close for me. Final-ball wise, Mata is better. With a balanced midfield, I'd take Mata over Oscar.

I disagree. He had a good game vs Bayern too, Only time he wasn't effective was against Villa and in the last few mins against Everton. Otherwise he's had a good start to the season. "Fantastic" maybe overstating a bit but he hasn't been as bad as you're making it out to be

I think this talk of Oscar contributing more defensively should only be a factor against energetic sides like Dortmund where players have to fall back quickly after an attack. against your average pub teams - Mata definitely. Far better in playing the final ball

Need a win tomorrow. Get back on track. I'll take a scrappy one-nil win with a deflected own goal.

just poking fun, mate. We know the staff do their job. impossible to cater to everyone's needs though

Frustrating. Should snap out of this blip soon Ashley Cole needs a rest

I bet Alex has "TalkChelsea admin" on his resumé

haha. Indians are everywhere man!We basically invented sex

Hello and welcome to the forum

Not everyone can keep a level-head though. Disagreements happen. People will use strong language Just that If you disagree with something, attack the opinion. Not the user.

The pivot could have been improved. That's the general feeling on here. The team may look very dangerous going forward but if the central midfield area can be easily overrun, you don't control many games.

Yes. Best option atm witb Mikel's injury

Spike is mod? Ryan is so screwed

I agree. Although between Everton away and Basel home, I'd rather see him start vs Basel

No Ramires. Lampard will start as a result I think

Eto'o upfront please. Let's not go back to Fernando Torres again

Ramires played 4 games generally playing in the centre. Has looked good there too. Why stick him on the wing, all of a sudden, when we had Schurrle on the pitch and de Bruyne on the bench? That was my major gripe with the substitution

Lampard for Schurrle was the wrong choice.. Ramires is not a winger and it showed. He barely made a run down the channel. (Maybe once - The eto'o chance) Mostly stayed central. Even tried to poke in 1-2 of the crosses from the right but i thought, he should have been on the right putting the ball in Only wide threat after the subs was Hazard, when he drifted to the flanks and Ivanovic on the right. Ivanovic tried but he's limited in what he can do

Lampard was a passenger today. Right decision to leave him out. Wrong decision to get him on especially for a wide player like Schurrle. Mikel-Ramires was the right pivot. Mikel, in particular, had a good game