robsblubot

Besides, it's up to him, Hazard, to make himself available. Messi "happens" to be available very often, do people wonder why?

He was able to defend in certain games (tracking the FB), at least reckon Jose is trying to instill that in him. He was particularly poor at defending after coming back from injury though. Ronaldo also cannot defend. Reckon Jose doesn't want too many players on the squad who can't defend. And he considers Hazard superior to Kevin, so he handles Hazard's deficiencies through teamwork/tactics. Hazard is also more aggressive than Kevin, who's got that languid style. Mirallas is also more energetic than Kevin. So, it's down to characteristics. It's really a question for Jose, but that's my take/guess on his reasoning behind which CAM to keep and which to let go.

here's a solution: just don't play him?

It's not about who did better. Origi is the better rounded footballer - it's clear to see. He can drop deep and play as CAM, or wing, etc. Not going to be fantastic at that, but he has the ability for it. How good he's going to be in a few years is anyone's guess, but he does have the skills. Lukaku is really a powerful and interesting striker, who can be very effective in certain conditions. He is still 21! And he too will improve with time and games, but his characteristics won't change drastically: Origi will always be the more skillful while Lukaku the more powerful of the two. Belgium are lucky to have such options. Chelsea must not loan out Lukaku out though.... Torres can play with the youth team. Concerning Kevin, reckon it's the same problem Mata had: he can't defend, and despite his attacking ability, Jose values defense/pressing too much. That's how Jose likes to setup his sides, and it is his prerogative as manager.

I have no expectations about goals or even performances, honestly. I'm just happy to support a striker who gives 100% and who can be a constant nuisance to defenders. The fact he can actually play football an added bonus, of course. Welcome ... Striker.

There are no news here - agents approach clubs on a regular basis because that's their job. Unless the actual report contains more details of course.

The Italian league is indeed much slower than the premiere, but they are also hard-tackling and I don't can't imagine Mikel playing in that holding position there. Be very happy to be proven wrong here, but I can't see Mikel leaving before (close to) the end of his contract with us in 3 years time.

Ramires can be sold for a profit, but I don't think Mikel can. Mikel is in a similar situation as Torres with his 80k week wages for a 4th reserve. There is no way he gets that elsewhere.

Not much to disagree with. Just don't think stats give you the whole picture: Oscar movement has not been good enough for either Chelsea or Brazil. In the beginning of last season he was a machine! He would track all the way back, make runs just because he could, etc. He's still a good player, but not the player he can be. Yeah agree about Scolari... Stick David Luiz in midfield next game to handle Colombia's physicality, but I'd not count on Scolari doing even that. Brazil looks as if they are playing with 10-men because they are! Can't have volume of play with 10 men on the pitch (Fred can't even run!)... at least not at this stage and against the likes of Vidal.

I will take a stab at it: Oscar is part of the problem with his poor form. His work rate and tackling are way less than they used to be. It's like like only his creatively is gone; all aspects of his game have suffered. That's why I am confident he will improve soon. However, the main reason that Brazil is no longer able to press high is because we play with 10 men from the first minute of every match. You can't press high up with a player who can barely move: Fred. This is also very predictable as he's been battling niggling injuries for a year now, which has been the story of his career. To me this was the main reason Mata was sold: for his inability to press high up the pitch.

If Oscar plays well he will be on the starting XI, if he doesn't, he will warm the bench. If he doesn't play well all season then he will be sold. I know it's obvious, but some seem to be missing the obvious on this thread. All this speculation is way too premature as we don't know what his physical and mental state will be when he comes back to start the season - same for all players involved in the world cup. Personally I fucking hate seeing Oscar on the wings. I don't think he has the pace for that and his dribbling skills are suited for tight spaces, not wide areas. The fact he's been poor has very little to do with where he's been playing though. He hasn't looked sharp and been looking a bit feeble.

Really depends how Iva is going to be used, but based on last season RB. Also, John is going to be one year older, and his form can dip without much warning. We've been lucky, but it may not last forever. Agree it's not top priority though - only if the opportunity presents itself. We have to assume the ST situation is going to be sorted out one way or another...

Well we still have D. Luiz money to spend...

Godin that's one quality defender defender. Fantastic in the air too ...

No, you buy James and keep oscar. Can't depend on one player alone - long championship with cl in between. It's managers job to rotate and keep them happy.

It was a very poor PK and he did not look confident at the same - surprised he took it. I've kicked a penalty in the very same way in college (final of the tourney actually ) it's about planting the other foot too close to the football, so you can't really hit it square. Ronaldo for example keeps hsi feet very much apart all the way from the start of the run (for FKs and PKs). @fernando, yup jose had to play more defensively to shut the floodgates... All players had to do a bit more defensively and something's gotta give. Our CMs were not good enough - better once Matic joined, but still lacking. I think it's still goind to be difficult to to change the style of play wit hthe current crop of players though; how deep the D line likes to play, etc.

Sometimes I think people on this forum never actually played football... No man... a bite doesn't hurt at all compared to anything you may go through in a remotely competitive football match.

I'm not hiding behind anything. This isn't about me - I don't bite people (unless required and I have a strict policy about females only). Of course it's excessive! It's also ridiculous and he deserves a ban. There is no hurt! We have to agree to disagree, because I for one agree that what he's done is not comparable to a dangerous tackle: the dangerous tackle is, by definition, dangerous, while what he has done isn't. What we disagree about is how important the intent is. And that there is intent behind Suarez' actions - there is no intent there only slight insanity. What could Suarez possible gain by biting Chiellini? Woudl that incapacitate Chiellini in any way? Show Chiellini that Suarez really really wanted to win it? Reckon he kinda knew that already.

insanity is not that simple - not black and white. Check how the law deals with it - "not simple" is an understatement. I don't have the answers, but I'm not so sure that the punishment given is adequate. The solution to deal with the "slightly" insane isn't to throw them in jail, especially when they not dangerous. Is Suarez dangerous? How so?

I am not mixing them, I'm using both as information. Make up your mind... is he insane or does he show intent?! Because by law, intention demands sanity. The intent of the tackle does not matter as much as people make it out to be - in the rules: players can and will be shown red cards due to excessive force regardless of intent. Same reason if your hand touches the football inside the box it's a handball even without intention (esp if changes direction etc). You lunge at a player with both feet, studs up, you may get a red regardless whether you touch the football or not. So, based on your logic, we are (severely) punishing Suarez for being insane? Isn't making the same mistake over and over again (costing him a lot) proving that he has no control over it? That it is NOT about intent?!

Completely understandable and no denying that. I'm not discussing the need of punishment, but how proportional it is when severity of the act is considered. There are far worst things that happen on the pitch than a bite, however ridiculous and abnormal that may be. Wasn't Brazil Leonardo, a model professional until then, who destroyed the face of an USA player in 94 WC with a thrown elbow? He got 4 games ban. Chiellini and Ivanovic smile and shake their heads, but that's about it.

Just for the record, I don't really understand why "a normal situation" is better than an abnormal as a rule. People get shot every day... School shooting are becoming normal in the US.. just as an example, even if a horrific one. The most important aspect is the consequence of the act. Myself, many professional players, and coaches believe the act itself, although silly, even ridiculous, and fully deserved of suspension, is no worse than many other things that happen on the pitch, and are considered "normal." Ask any player in a match whether they'd rather let Suarez have a bite at them , or pick up a serious injury and I reckon they'd all pick the former.

disagree, esp after the match when people can watch video replays with cool heads. these types of tackles are as intentional as it gets: (replay shows the over-the-ball intention) http://blog.foxsoccer.com/post/50096207473/kweuke-delivers-brutal-leg-breaking-tackle Roy Keane, Witsel, Shawcross... yes, it's a moment of madness, but it's still intentional: in that brief moment they want to injure the other player.

Because it is not an easy one... One one hand it's a ridiculous thing, he's done before, and he is a role model (yeah right!). If we go that route then many will have to be banned for life (Balotelli). On the other hand, is Chiellini unable to play? What was the actual long-term effects caused by the sick act. He did not break a leg, or went over the ball to hurt the player: it was something very silly and that's why we have all these jokes over the internet. He certainly deserves a ban, but I still find it ironic that he gets 4 months, while players who literally and intentionally break the leg/knee/ankle of a colleague get a couple/handful of matches.

niggling... thanks! Don't know, seen strange things with players going from hot to cold for no apparent reason. completely agree. Many players have to improve, otherwise we will have another silverless season.