Strike

Modric would shine in a midfield 3. Don't think he can pull off the leg-work (tracking back, cutting out angles, tackling, intercept) needed to operate in a 2-man pivot

This is wrong on so many levels. if Jose preferred Essien why play him out of position in so few games in a season? He would be starting in the pivot alongside Alonso, but he preferred Khedira there

A problem with continously buying young players is that each player needs a transition time before hitting peak performance level. That is lesser in the case of 24-28

and Ferreira. don't forget ferreira. that's basically his job

Yeah and I'd happily take 25mil for Ramires and replace him with a proper DM - de Rossi, Capoue, Gonalons or Matuidi

Disagree. Player attachment is one thing but blatantly rejecting big offers for players like Ramires and Ivanovic etc is stupid. No harm considering them. But I say nothing about Luiz or any of the other core players. Only players we can manage without

No. Napoli will deteriorate no doubt but Inter, AC, Fiorentina will be heavy competition for the two CL spots. (Juve is a given) Also depends on whether they can keep hold of Lamela etc

Then don't claim recognition

You'd deserve it if you hadn't created about a dozen transfer threads.

I think the spine of the 'new' team is yet to emerge but that doesn't mean it's not there. Cech,Azpilicueta, Luiz, Mata, Hazard are increasingly becoming part of that new spine and with 1 or 2 good additions (especially CM), the core team should be fine.

I absolutely despise these 'pattern' pics but the thought of this one makes me tingle

ha! yeah. missed quite a few chances but was very calm when the ball deflected to him in the 89th

Maybe you should've bolded and that part in the OP. Bold and size 48

The USA tournament was completely unnecessary. Chelsea have been to the US twice in the last year, so brand promotion is hardly the concern there. I hope the manager is smart and rotates the squad and includes a LOT of youngsters in the team

Chelsea will have to offer hard cash though. No way would Napoli accept Cash+Torres over Cash+Dzeko how much ever we like to think Benitez likes Torres. You'd have to be a complete noob to accept Torres over Dzeko. Maybe more money in cash like 40mil or total cash offer is needed

I'm actually surprised at how accurate he's been. Got Neymar and the manager changes spot on long ago. Hope he's right about this

So it has come to this. Cavani the only one of the big three left i think. Falcao to Monaco looks nailed on and Lewandowski seems to be heading to Bayern

America last year, America post season. No other possible reason for America again. It's the money

Even Bayern will have a new coach, adjusting to new strategy. Hopeful

Finally he didn't fluff his chance on the big stage.

yeah but you see the effect it had? first 2 pages had a goon no, of teams no discussion started.. If I hadn't put that in the OP? disagreements would start and the whole point of making this thread was to have a consensus on what people think

Funnily enough, it was an admin who first broke that rule (Looking at you Alex)

i think Zeman is a Rugby coach

No because I rate de Rossi's work as a deep midfielder. Teams usually try and counter-attack Chelsea and so the pivot should be defensively strong. de Rossi edges it over ther others like Modric for that As for Cabaye, it's not like I don't rate Cabaye but I just think there are much better options than him.