Chelsea Legend 11

I fail to see how this is significant? anyways I don't see any reason why we should fork over 30M+ for a guy who had one good season in the Portuguese league. We do have a good record with those players but Hulk to me screams bust. If we're going to make one glamour buy I hope its someone else like say... FALCAO!

HULK He's caught fire lately but this season has to seen as a left off for him...

In form striker vs. out of form striker.... hmmm... Falcao is one of the most feared strikers in the world right now give me him over Hulk 99/100 times

Man... The amount of Essien hate here is deafening. He's not past anything he's just not up to game speed after missing more than 6 months. We haven't been able to give him enough games at get him back to full fitness. I'm anticipating a full summer of training and a complete training camp will get him back to controlling to midfield... I agree its hard to imagine now though.

Haha! ya new super friends.... I want no part of him on the pitch though

were they even in the game for the first hr? the reason the tide turned later on is because we changed our tactics and basically surrendered possession to them in an effort to defend(like Barca) they had two good chances to score all game and got one... As far as yesterday goes we looked brutal but I really didn't care...They got some lucky bounces and killed the game early.

Marin is without a doubt a decent squad guy who can provide loads of creativity in spells he just can't be counted on game in game out yet...

you mean like Marin?

Wondering if those of you who keep mentioning Hulk have seen him play at all this season...?

Ya Ramires, Luiz, Paizon and Alex have been brutal for us...

Sure! agree to disagree! As much as we have to think about them coming at us, they will have to think of us coming at them. Sturridge is just a better fit on counters and breaking in to score a goal

I'm pretty sure CFC have decided that Champions League is the holy grail and that league form became secondary after the draw to Tottenham. We don't control our own fate, we could've won all those games and still needed help to get 4th. No reason to risk injury by playing our big players in games we can't control.

I offer Lucas Moura as exhibit A

Do I really need to list off a host of reasons why Bertrand shouldn't start at left wing in the champs league final? really? You make it as though Bertrand is some sort of world beater or something... he's an adequate EPL left back but he will most assuredly have an extremely hard time containing Robben and Lahm. The difference is Sturridge has played against those types before and will certainly give them something to think about as well. We all know its not the most ideal situation but given the circumstances and the magnitude of the game the smart choice is playing people who are relatively comfortable in their positions and hope that our big players step up and nick a win for us...

Honestly please refrain from entertaining the ridiculous claim that Bertrand should start at left wing...

Dude... Nobody is denying Bertrand is a good LB but the fact you think its prudent to play him in his first Champions League game ever, in the final, out of position is absurd... Not only that but it doesn't really leave a good taste in the mouth of Sturridge, Malouda or to a lesser extent Torres does it? Not to mention if it fails how dumb a decision it would look like! Saying Sturridge won't track back 1,000,000,000 times won't make it so! You don't think DiMatteo will have strict instructions for everyone to follow in the final? haven't you witnessed Sturridge making more of an effort to track back in recent weeks? Anyways this is a ridiculous conversation because I'm willing to bet everything I own on the FACT Bertrand will not start the biggest game in the clubs history unless Ashley Cole gets hospitalized between now and next saturday, even then I would put money on Ferriera starting

Are you kidding? you want to start Bertrand in the biggest game in the clubs history? Wow... Sturridge will at least give them something to think about, Bertrand, I'm not even sure they know who he is.... I think its safe to say he won't be in contention for our wing position

I'm optimistic that if we miss out on Hazard we will get someone just as good and a lot cheaper

why wait? Hazard hasn't... House hunting, declaring he's going to be wearing blue, spotted at Eithad.... Lets just come to grips with the fact he's going there, the sooner the better really.

This is still a recent development who's to say the clubs aren't waiting till after the weekend to announce it?

Come on now its about money and the ability to play for titles in that order, he is a smart kid and smart kids choose in that order

Precisely what I think! It would be nice to see Danny earn that start though by putting in a good/great shift against Blackburn...

Will not happen not at this stage in the game. We need at least one weapon on the bench... He may come on as a sub if we're in need of a spark but I seriously doubt he starts

*Newsflash* Neither is Torres, Kalou or Malouda. I give it to Sturridge because he's played out wide all season, there is no reason to give Torres a start at a position he hasn't started at all this season in the biggest game in the clubs history. Also if Drogba or Torres are struggling it makes it even harder to bring on a young unproven kid. One of Drogba and Torres will start not both DiMatteo doesn't seem like the guy who will implement a new wrinkle in the last game of the season. I would be SHOCKED if this isn't our XI on the 19th... CECH BOSINGWA - CAHILL - LUIZ - COLE MIKEL - LAMPARD KALOU - MATA - STURRIDGE DROGBA Anything other than that would be too risky.

Doubt Uncle Joe will have much sway.... £175,000 a week says it all