Jack Uzzi

The CL wouldn't make a difference for him. Whatever team he goes to, he won't be in the starting 11 every single week. He will need time, get used to a different league, environment and team. Although he has always seemed very mature, he's only 21 so any new team should look at the longer term so he can also improve physically. The only thing he said is that he wants to play for a big team. Missing CL one year will therefore not be an issue, on the condition that Chelsea is able to show him it's willing to invest and wants to challenge for trophies in the next years.

Hmm, didn't really notice him yesterday. 70 percent passes completed ... has to do better.

Wonderful goal, but this is no player Chelsea should keep.

Rather poor coaching of Di Matteo yesterday I would say. First time he could really contribute after the red card. Since taking over he's done the obvious, except maybe for fielding a surprising starting 11 in Benfica for which he deserves credit. The older players now know what to expect and when they'll play but that's really a minimum one should expect of any coach at Chelsea. Di Matteo shouldn't stay on. Chelsea needs a bigger name and a more seasoned manager.

It's all forgotten now and won't happen again.

Shame that story will always be retold. Witsel went in with his leg forward, but obviously never with the intention of breaking his opponent's leg. Nobody ever does. Witsel however does not have a reputation of being a dirty player, at the contrary. That's all that needs to be said about it. Good to see Wasyl will likely be banned for some 4 to 6 games himself by the way. It's very ironic that it had to happen to him, but he is by far the dirtiest player on belgian football fields.

AVB shouldn't have been hired in the first placed. You could gradually see the guy go down, personally and professionally. I remember him already talking about what he would like to do after his career, showing a somehow misplaced confidence during the good start of the season. Things changed quickly and it was difficult not to notice how he was at pains to pretend he was in charge. A changing starting eleven is never a good start and even if he had a plan at the beginning of the season, it became too obvious that he was just being foolish in sidelining the older players the way he did. Chelsea did not have a team for a top 2 position, but with the experience and quality in the team they should have easily finished in the first 4. But there was never a plan, no resting of the older players to use them at full in the big games. Older players may lose pace but in some games experience counts double and I think that objectively one cannot but admire for example the contributions of players like Nesta, Seedorf, Giggs, Scholes and the likes. Unfortunately for AVB it takes an experienced manager to manage experienced players. One may want to rebuild a team, but too many changes or completely sidelining the older guard is never a good idea. With all the Belgians at Chelsea, Abramovich should maybe consider taking Eric Gerets. No, seriously, many coaches can succeed at Chelsea but it's a safer bet to go for somebody who has won prices in the past. I can't see how Guardiola would fit the picture though. The character of Van Gaal or Benitez would be a better fit with Chelsea's dressing room.

Any thoughts on his game yesterday? I am a big fan of Axel. Very complete, gracious midfielder. His style reminds me of Nasri. Bargain at 8m euro last summer and I still don't understand why no bigger teams than Benfica made of move for him.

Hazard just wants to go to a big club. Given the French connection and playing opportunities Arsenal would have been perfect last summer but I am sure Hazard is confident enough to go to any club and would probably prefer Chelsea over Tottenham.

Hello talkchelsea, Here goes my view on De Bruyne. I think he may be ready to play some kind of role of significance next season already. His cross and passing are simply class and will impress anybody, especially Chelsea's strikers, immediately. I really believe he has the potential to become an astonishing player and feel that among the generation of "talented" Belgians he has been highly underrated so far. The national coach hasn't really made use of him yet, although he has qualities that no other player pas. He's a player that can lift his game in bigger games and the same will happen when among bigger players. He remains his cool and is a natural winner. Due to his intrinsic qualities it will be easier for him to impose himself at Chelsea than Lukaku and they should introduce him quietly to his new environment while giving him an honest chance in the pre-season. A loan can still be considered at a later stage, but I wouldn't be surprised if there's no need for him to get experience in another team. I believe his best position is left wing. When very talented, players of his liking, often prefer a central role where they will gain more ball possession. But he'll make a bigger difference on the wing. He can take on a player and cross from anywhere.