Chelsea Legend 11

I think you guys are in for a big surprise. Azpi got forward when he was tactically deployed to do so. Luis while at Atletico wasn't deployed like most modern FB's who seem to play as wingers, he was used to win the ball back and provide an option on the flank. I could be wrong but I don't think we're gonna see much variation in our play going forward from our FB's the evolution in going to occur in the centre of the pitch. Luis is very similar to Azpi in his ability to win back the ball in dangerous counter attacking areas, why wouldn't Jose want him to play LB while Azpi returns to his natural position? The lack of link up play from Hazard and Azpi is more tactical than it is an inability to do so. Jose likes a tight back 4 has always preferred that to FB's playing as wingers

Where have I said he was just bought to cover Hazard? I said his main function is this. And I would bet good money this is true. Jose doesn't flip philosophies so quickly, Luis is Ashley Cole and Azpi's replacement.

Cole was past his best and Azpi was playing out of position. Luis is the kind of vet that will allow Hazard to flourish. He's smart... Also, I never rated Azpi until Jose worked with him, if his impact on Azpi can be similar to that of Luis we're golden.

I have a feeling attacking wise its gonna be similar to last season. Back 4 and Matic stay home, Fabregas and top 4 attack(in most games anyway) We haven't yet moved from being a counter attacking team in my opinion

Again I completely disagree with you. Luis wasn't bought to give Hazard on option on the flank(though I think he will help a bit), he was bought to alleviate the defensive responsibility Hazard has on the left flank. Having a solid, veteran defender in behind Hazard will allow him to focus most on what he does best. Luis can overlap but his main function is providing sufficient cover for Eden.

WOW! I'm sure everyone including myself thought he was out the door! This is pretty much and about face to that notion! I can't imagine loaning him out again having just put pen to paper, is Mikel really on his way out? The squad is HUGE!

True, but there aren't many true 9's out there who possess the technique needed to unlock on their own. I can't think of any off the top of my head at least

Isn't the Sun supposed to be a "trusted publication" on Chelsea rumours?

I don't care how much the transfer is, if we go in for him at €75m(which I HIGHLY doubt is accurate) its because the club can afford it and that's the most important thing. Having said that I don't think we will need to blow them out of the water with a bid of £60m, if Pogba doesn't sign an extension towards the end of the summer that number becomes more manageable. Somewhere in the 35-40m range sounds about right.

Not even worth my time to list off the multitude.

WOW! Everyone is entitled to their opinion but honestly you have now made my suspect list.

Doesn't bother me either. Apparently Van Gaal has said he's "not interested" in him too.

I'm not all that geeked over Origi as some. He made a good impression at the World cup but not enough for me to think he's a top player. I'm actually still all up on the Firmino rumour from a few months ago.

I was just saying that very thing in the Costa thread.

Atletico and Costa excelled in counter attack. Costa fits the Chelsea bill in terms of a big game striker because we usually play on the counter. In the smaller games the hope has to be that we take our chances as they come and force teams to come out. Still think we need a real technician at striker, someone like prime Eto'o to balance out the squad. I fully understand why Jose was after Rooney and then Eto'o (glad we didn't end up with Rooney) we need someone who is capable of scoring and creating chances on his own.

I would argue there wasn't a whole lot of space to stretch. When a team is so compact the space in behind them is non-existent. I would agree we need a bully, a guy that will fight for space in the box but don't think that Costa will be the key to opening up the game for our AttMids. What I'm hoping will occur is we will be more clinical with the chances that do fall and thus force teams to come out at us a bit. We weren't very good in tight spaces last year and as much as I believe Costa is an upgrade in this area he's not a solution IMO.

How will this be accomplished? Our problem was finishing off the rare chance that was created against deep defending teams. Its not like defenders never accounted for Torres, Eto'o and Ba, its that they never finished off the few opportunities we've had to score against that type of team. The space for the AMids thing is a bit of a non-issue for me.

It's likely true but as of right now I got Hazard then Cesc on pen duties with Costa 3rd.

I'm elated. We finally have a proper striker, if he fails then we can start looking at the makeup of this club... I doubt he will, I'm calling 18-23 goals this season with none being pens.

You are entitled to your opinion but I must say that is ridiculous. The kid hasn't even learned how to use his body yet. He's still figuring out the game mainly because he was fast tracked at every level because he was so huge. In a few years the game will slow down for him and he could be a beast, if his head gets right.

Prem league proven but not Chelsea standard proven. If I'm being completely honest, and I try to be all the time, Lukaku hasn't shown he's of that high quality standard. Its similar to Demba Ba's case where he looked great with Newcastle where teams have no need to sit deep but as soon as he came here, it was a completely different story. Not saying I want him gone yet but Lukaku needs to shut the fuck up and prove himself on the pitch. He says he wants to play in the Champions League this year like he's earned the right, what teams that are confirmed for Champions League(which represents the elite in European football) have a need for a spoilt little boy who is poor technically and cries when his coach rightfully subs him out of a world cup fixture? He needs and attitude adjustment and I'm not sure Jose has the time to mess around with a baby.

We'd all love that, I'm just not sure he is built that way. Seems like a whiny little baby to me who thinks he's entitled to a role rather than the type that fight for it. I'd only be upset if we sold him and the person we brought in ended up being another dud. Right now I'm not a fan of Lukaku's attitude, Ba spent pretty much his entire Chelsea career on the bench and never once heard a peep out of him! These are his prime years too.

What leChels said.

So long as he's not better than Salah I don't care. If he is we'll never hear the end of it.

How does a friendly at Stamford Bridge benefit Real Sociedad? lol