Strike

Cech Azpilicueta Ivanovic Luiz Bertrand Mikel Ramires Oscar Mata Hazard Ba The same team that faced United (Bertrand for Cole)

try the world

Blue with White Applications - I'd be happy with the rumoured kit posted on here Just not that ridiculous yellow crap please

Torres is single-handedly taking us to Europa League glory. That finish vs Steaua - what composure! and the 2 goals last night. Best striker in the Europa League. 50 million well spent

To be honest, I'm not surprised he's scored a goal like that. He's scored a fair few 'sweeping' volleys before. he's got good control on volleys.

He should have a decent run in the Premier League before he can be valued. He's had a good season at Watford and their win over Hull means they are 1 point from automatic promotion, so if they do secure promotion, it'd be a good idea to send him back there for a season in the Premier League. We'll have Essien back and Romeu fit to cover the pivot. Now if the board decides to offload Essien then we are short of midfield depth. Chalobah will be a good option but it's better he gets a season-long PL experience than bits and pieces of first-team action. So no, he's not ready yet

Happy 20th Birthday mate! Have fun

hopefully if we do sign him and if he's the beast he is, then we'll have a brilliant defender who won't be expecting to be first choice. that way we can manage him better and use him wisely with the other CB's in the first season

they are more like exceptions than the rule itself. His only goals against tough opposition this season was maybe vs Arsenal and Newcastle.

some obscure dude. Ref isn't a worry. What's worryin is that this being di Canio's first game, Sunderland will be up for it.

Neil Swarbrick will referee our game against Sunderland

Stan Collymore - "If Mata improves his shooting, he could be a 10-15 goals a season player" It's awkward when he's scored 18 this season

Torres has NEVER scored a 'winning' goal in a game for Chelsea. His only 'critical goal' in 2 years at the club is the goal at home to Steaua Bucharest. edit: It's interesting how often he's scored in big wins against minnows Genk 5-0 Leicester City 5-2 QPR - 6-1 Wolves 6-0 Nordsjelland 6-1 Leeds United 5-1 that accounts for 11 goals scored for the club

btw, yet another clean-sheet for Luiz and Ivanovic - that's 4 in 5 games they've started together at CB

Modric and Moutinho offer more dribbling from deep. They have the ability to play themselves out of trouble in addition to their playmaking skills. Benat would be cheaper and if Modric/Moutinho are not affordable, he would be my choice

It's been exciting no doubt. All the managerial changes, the late-season charge for the cups etc, but one case for stability is the use of the academy. earlier in the season Chelsea faced Manchester United in the league cup. United team had Wootton, Keane and even brought on Tunnicliffe and Nick Powell. It gave real experience to them and that is something that goes amiss when you have no stability. ofcourse, one would say - why do we need youngsters when we can buy proven talent? i don't have an answer for that but i know i would prefer chelsea integrating some of the players from the academy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE3kRf3BkYM Brilliant movement and a superb hooked finish. True striker's goal

I think Rafa picked the United team instead of the Chelsea one

KTBFFH :blue scalf:

Cech Azpilicueta Luiz Ivanovic Cole Mikel Ramires Oscar Mata Hazard Ba Bench: Turnbull Terry Bertrand Lampard Moses Benayoun Torres I'd go for legs in the middle here - something like second half at Old Trafford Based on the 3 games against United this season, i think we have a good chance here

also, the attackers used to flood the box. that is no longer the case. crossing issue coupled with that and we have a huge problem creating chances from wide positions. Rely too much on Mata - Hazard breaking through

not sure about the Chelsea game. That's 3 days after Spurs' little vacation in Switzerland and our trip to Russia.think it'd be good to play yesterday's team in the EL game. Maybe even throw in Ake and Blackman in there

Yeah, Anelka/Malouda were zipping them in back then. Yesterday Moses was awful. just awful. Should go and practice his crossing. And also, he needs to use his left foot instead of trying to turn every time when stuck on the left foot

Leif - for his contribution in the Mourinho thread