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Jose said they thought PSG couldn't handle a direct style because they weren't used to playing against sides who play like that. I wonder whether we are going to attempt the same against atletico. Of all sides, Atletico *is* the one with least experience in terms of facing different styles in different competitions, but I tend to agree with most here: at this level they are all as tough as they get.

^^ I couldn't disagree more @Abakan. Mistakes aren't avoided by sheer will... What if he has a stinker?! Against Chelsea, his parent club, of all clubs?! Then suspicion would definitely arise and rightfully so, because of the obvious conflict of interests he'd be facing. Do people understand that going to the CL final or not involves a huge amount of money and prestige? What if your own player prevents your team and HIS OWN future teammates from attaining that prestige? And the money attached to it... WOuld he come in the summer all smiles and say, "hey sorry about the millions I took away from you all..." This is a clear case where avoiding the appearance of any foul play, which can be as damaging as the foul play itself, is a win win situation for all.

Right, we paid 50m for Torres and now we cannot let him go, even if for free, because we'd still need to pay some of his wages. We paid 21m+Matic (1-3m?) for Luiz, and got a 21m offer last summer and there are rumors (nothing more) of a 30m valuation - really nothing to do with Torres. why in defense? Why the caveat? Playing well in the middle will only raise his price as midfielders are far more expensive and rightly so, because they are far more influential in a match. I for one think that, in our current system with deep defense line, DL should definitely play in the middle. But then again, we've been through all this before. I was just replying to an interesting point made by "Rubber Bullets."

That's being disingenuous, as you know very well that Torres valuation is not 50m. The value of an asset, any asset, is what others may be willing to pay for it - not more not less. BTW, where did I write 30m?! You came up with it. What he is considered at chelsea right now is of no importance because it pertains the current system, with a particular manager. With a different one, not long ago, he was indeed a defender. Same way he is right now a defender for Scolari (who has always a system very similar to Mourinho's). BTW, midfielders are more valuable...

You are absolutely right and I reckon we don’t even perceive all the difference you speak of. At some point, against Stoke, Cahill made a run forward and lost control of the football on his own, by the time he regained it, an opponent had closed him down. Not a peep from the announcer/commentator. In Brazil the announcer would have yelled, “Gary, did you forget something?! The football, perhaps?!” all in jest, but as a critique too, because ball control is the most valued trait there for any player in any position (except GK of course). In England, the announcers praise well-timed tackles all the time, which would never happen elsewhere, at least not as vehemently nor as often. Gary is an excellent tackler, btw. I have no problems with it and this is actually one of the reasons of why I follow the PL. This is also one of the reasons England have a hard time internationally, because the direct style is not always as effective; that’s a very different discussion though. Despite of what some may think, I’m not a loyal David Luiz fan. I merely consider him (right now) a player who can give an edge to any top side, in his own way; opinion corroborated by the interest shown in him. How to use him? That’s a problem for the manager, not mine. The moment he’s gone, he’s gone (‘gone’ has many meanings here). Has happened many times before, but most people here are too young to realize this: footballers are a fickle bunch and fans ought to feel the same way about them.

Regardless of contract clauses, he shouldn't because it would be a major conflict of interests.

because he is unflushable.

more likely "Sky was in mourning"... Don't think they really hate Mourinho, but rather some of the new money from PSG spilled over a few places (including news) and they are "feeling" "poorer" I mean "bad" because PSG is out. To be fair, the gray-haired guy from bein sports (barca fan forget his name) said he thought Chelsea would still pull it off prior to the match (on monday night).

If you take seriously what ppl say in football, one would conclude it's all about whoever is stronger with the 'force'. It's a simplification, it's actually a cop-out by saying that all we need to do to win is to believe. Bullocks (like we say in America:)! They can believe all they want, but they are not good enough, because Wenger is terrible in the transfer window. He has historically neglected the holding mid position; goes into decisive games, away from home, leaving his only, cheap and quite average, holding mid sitting on the bench (Flamini). Arteta isn't and will never be a holding mid because he's physically too weak. Again, he might want to win 50/50 duels, but he can't. How about the Hull Tiger request?! FA response: Denied Reason: bad taste

We can't say we were good and Cavani was bad. We have to say we made Cavani, and the whole PSG team, look like a bad side by applying pressure all the time, pushing men forward, and winning the 50/50 duels! After all we've done the same against City, Liverpool, and Arsenal - all good sides. Goal scoring alone isn't what we need up front. Yes, we need someone who can score goals, but he must also know how to play footy and do so in tight spaces. That's what top teams look for. Otherwise Ba would do just fine as he can certainly score goals. It's a toss up between Costa and Cavani... though Costa is younger, more powerful (PL likes powa!), and presumably cheaper. I also like Dzeko, who might no longer be available after latest streak, but completely different type of player (slower/taller). Trust Jose and the professionals at chelsea to do the right thing in the summer.

for the poor losers like me who are sitting at work and did not get to watch this... what the fuck happened?! Who played well, who didnt? Were PSG dangerous? info please!

Spurs are the strangest side in the PL IMO. Their tactics are so odd that maybe it only really worked when they had a special wide player in Bale. They play with so much width that their center is exposed. To play them, one ought to defend wide and attack through the middle, while it is typically done the other way around. Their defenders are also pretty bad. Dawson is poor (slow and limited skill) - same with Kaboul. Vertonghen is good, but a Luiz with not as much technique - suffers from the same lack of concentration. Considering how slow their defenders are, except Vertonghen, it's absolutely incredible they play one of the highest defense line in football.

It's a simplistic view to say players lack motivation/desire when they don't perform. Sometimes they just don't have the quality to do it. Some other times they lack physically. Otherwise we'd have to say Lampard hasn't been motivated lately, which couldn't be farther from the truth. Wanting something doesn't mean you are capable of executing it. Lampard of 5 years ago would've have scored at least one in open play last match. He knows it too as he was really upset after his feeble attempt on goal. Would it be fair to say whoever does not run like Ramires is not motivated enough? There is little he can do at 35 though. He's on his last legs and should either take a backup role or leave to a lesser league. That's life for footballers no matter how good you are/were. Best option in my mind would be a backup to coaching role, but if he wants to leave and then come back as a coach, that'd be fine too.

Sure Just think Ramires ought to be used in those really tough away matches like barca, bayern, city where his work rate really pays off. Barkley is far more attacking minded.Squad balance is different now with Matic and luiz as viable defensive cm options though. We need to see if luiz and mikel leave then we will need Ramires still. Interesting summer window coming with lots of big decisions to be made. Btw Ramires would never go to Everton. He's an established top player. He'd only go to another top club.

Sure in terms of quality alone but completely diff type of players. Ramires is a defense minded player but we tend to forget that and expect more from him. Reckon he's a valuable rotation player but should not be a sure starter like he is now.Barkley is the best English prospect since Rooney.... Need to sign him soon if at all.

Great performance by lukaku. I can what ppl say about his first touch and overall technique not being at the level we might want it to be, specially when he drops back. However, when he's in attacking positions his first touch doesn't slow him down... Really strange one. Great first touch for the shot that originated the first goal. Even better when dribbling for second. Very interesting player esp in the PL

I'd start Lukaku up front without a doubt...

Skillful player who works hard for his team. Blazing pace, vision, and bags goals! First touch is perfect. Fantastic prospect any way u look at it. Have to disagree w most her, Barkley is good enough to play anywhere. He can come to chelsea and become a rotation player immediately. An asset from the get go. Technique technique technique.... His confidence stems from fantastic ball control.

Sure after many millions spent on William, Andre, Matic, salah, not saying he's not doing his thing but his squads aren't cheap either.

True just bear in mind first touch is affected by fitness (not in this case) and also confidence and I cannot imagine how nervous he might have been - his first start at SB in front of a crowd...

Has anyone else notice the silence from chelsea concerning Oscar. Jose doesn't talk about him for ex. They know exactly what's going one with him - prob some physical issue- but will never let it out. This is difficult for fans but the club cannot let this type of info out. Our opponents must always think Oscar is fit and potentially capable of producing one of those match winning performances regardless whether that's the case or not.

Sharp or not if Eto is fit he should start. Sub him when he tires.

That twofooted dribble at max speed by salah ... That not merely pace folks that's skill!

Lol that's one way to look at it. I was just thinking ahead as this is in the bag.

Aside from salah it hasn't been a great second half. We are not keeping the football for long