Strike

Comfortable win. Moses - Beast mode

Good. We're a bit light in the youth striker department. Only Bamford and Lalkovic as far as I can recall.

Hutcho, Mufassir

Haha. That's crazy! Props to the guy. Doesn't look unfazed at all.

a David Luiz lookalike apparently bossed training

^Chelsea-Everton final looks dead on

a bit long but well-detailed.

For one, Oscar is more suited to a 4-3-3 than Mata. He's much more aware defensively than Mata who played almost as the second-striker last year

Where will he play though? He doesn't have a fixed first-choice position in the team. Mata bossed at CAM last season - one of the best players in the league - so that's taken. Eden Hazard - first-choice winger and the club have got De Bruyne and Schurrle this season, both of whom are far more comfortable and suited to the wings. Another option is deeper in the pivot but then again we bought van Ginkel and have 5 players for that position Oscar will play a lot of games filling in at different positions than being a regular fixture in one position. That will affect his overall output here. edit - To accomodate Oscar as a first-choice player in his preferred CAM position, Mata should shift to the wing. I know Jose has told in the press about Mata playing on the right but I think he's much better/effective at CAM

This. He won't work well in a pressing game with a midfield duo looking to recycle possession forward. He works well in the old 4-3-3 where he sits in front of the back four with no much running, pressing required.

Currently Chelsea have 5 CM's with 2 of them - Essien and Lampard - over the hill in terms of energy and drive. With Mikel, Rami and van Ginkel we have 2 OK mids and 1 untested youngster. We have the numbers in midfield but I don't think we have the quality just yet. Would love to add a good DM to the mix de Rossi or Gustavo would be great additions

11 of the first 13 Chelsea games will be shown live in America. You lucky fucks. http://www.weaintgotnohistory.com/2013/7/29/4568962/nbc-picks-all-but-two-of-chelseas-first-13-matches-for-national-tv

not someone approaching the end of his career. someone in their prime.

When was the last time Chelsea sold a first-team player? Robben maybe? even he was on the borders of the first team and moreover it was only after Malouda had joined. It just doesn't happen here. Top players stay at the club.

El Hadji Diouf

Cricket is a proper lazy summer sport

Very good. Quick, dynamic and a good passer.

He isn't trying out a 3-man defence in pre-season is he?

haha yeah and even this one's at 5 in the morning

There were some games where he is absolutely unplayable - West Ham last season. That needs to happen more often

There is a down side to that. His physical mobility. The Man United FA Cup game, (where he was taken off early in the 2nd half) was a classic example and I don't think Rafa started him in many of the BIG games (Spurs, Liverpool, Man City) usually preferring Mikel-Rami in the midfield.

would rather get a player who would radically improve that midfield

^Seems like we're overloading on youngsters now. Current crop of wide players will stay for a good amt of time.

is it me or have posts disappeared in some threads? - give me feedback/bugs thread

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