Chelsea Legend 11

Says who?

Sounds more like Mandzukic for Luiz.

http://goatd.net/83791/watch-zulte-waregem-vs-anderlecht

Looks like Jose is at the game watching Thorgan

Its how Bayern set up not the only way for him to score though.

I hear you. not so sure I agree with the notion that he should be 'given' minutes, he needs to earn them and no one player should be favoured over another when we're trying to find a solution to a problem area. Jose did it right, each striker was given a chance before the window closed to show what he/she could do 60mins. None of them had great games and at that stage Jose more than likely told Lukaku "I can't guarantee to you will be my every game striker, if you want more playing time maybe its best you go on loan." He's proven himself during two loan spells so I think he should be recalled and given the opportunity to fight for his place here; when I say that I mean slowly integrate him into the first team. The odd Champions league game appearance, cup competitions and a few league matches either as a late sub or low league starter. That way he can slowly acclimatize himself to the rigours of playing for a top side. No need to rush here he's 21....

This is true. More mental than technical but I would say this is true.

I'd say the bolded sections are where the similarities end. Costa is not very good in the air, he likes the ball to his feet. Rarely do you see Diego play with his back to goal holding up play. Link up play they do differently I'd say...

He's very good outside the box. One of his better attributes really... Great feet for a man his size.

What aspects of Costa's game would you say are similar to Mandzukic's?

I don't think they're similar at all. Costa is a two footed striker with excellent movement in the box. 100% a poacher with a killer instinct. Mandzukic is more of an aerial threat, the type that can hold up the ball and play with his back to goal.

Yes he will have to fight at a high level for the jersey, if he wants to be the best that's what is required. I'd imagine Chelsea will lock him down to another long term deal this summer and give him the opportunity to fight for the role. What people seem to ignore is Chelsea are fighting at a very high level of competition. Nowhere else in the the world is there a team fighting for league titles and a European cup with a now 21 yr old striker leading the line week in, week out. His evolution is quick but his ambition is a bit quicker, I'd keep him here as third choice and bleed him in slowly. Give him some Champions league experience and have him in the cup games along with the odd late game run out.

ya just realized that, thanks.

Not sure, I was hoping a German could ring in on this.

For those saying Lukaku and Mandzukic are similar I beg to differ. Mandzukic is a target man capable of playing with his back to goal, he is very capable in the air as well. Lukaku is much more dangerous when running at defenders and has next to no hold up game. If this is true and we are indeed in for Mandzukic(which I'm skeptical on) we will have a very balanced strike force with Costa, Mandzukic and Lukaku... Three absolute bullies who possess different attributes

ahhh... and have you done so? Not sure how credible Bild is anyway, they had us with Cavani as a lock.

Still nothing on the connection to Mandzukic.

my bad... http://sportbild.bild.de/bundesliga/vereine/bayern-muenchen/im-sommer-von-chelsea-nach-muenchen-34046428.sport.html

The Luiz/Mandzukic swap deal story on Bild is fake. Nothing on their website about it.

Lets see what Jose can do for him. He's still quite young.

I'm sorry anyone that can do that has a spot on my 23 man roster.

I would love it if Chelsea gave him a preseason under Jose and decided his fate in January, he is quite good and approaching his best years. This footage vs PSV is a good example of what he can do. Lets prove the loan system does have some merit and give this guy a chance to prove his worth, it definitely beats shelling out 30m for Shaw.

I'm not sure how reliable Kicker is but they thought we were in for him. http://talksport.com/football/chelsea-line-wolfsburg-starlet-cole-replacement-13111868562 http://talksport.com/football/ac-milan-ready-battle-chelsea-swiss-defender-13121772219 http://metro.co.uk/2013/11/19/chelsea-line-up-wolfsburg-left-back-ricardo-rodriguez-to-replace-ashley-cole-4192376/ I'm thinking we'll know more after the world cup.

He's VERY good. For my money the best young LB in the business. If he is of reasonable price we'd be stupid not to grab him

The problem is nobody expected Courtois to develop so quickly, they both are in the top 10 in the world and should be playing every week. For sake of the team I'd begrudgingly sell Cech but only in January, after Thibault is properly adjusted to the Prem. Its such a tough decision but seems like the only one that makes the most sense long term. If Cech moves I hope its out of the league, wouldn't mind him at Barca actually.