robsblubot

heh if he gets like 5 games were are fucked. He's the only pace we've got in the CM position. but I do get the point on the breaking a deep-lying defense.

Don't think you can't defend any deeper than Villa did today. The off-sides you mention took place when we played long and/or recovered the football; when we had possession anywhere Villa had 11 players in their own half and there was no space behind their defense. Yes, had we played higher on the pitch we'd incur into more risk (spaces behind our own line), but that's the price to win. City does this better than us; they can move their defense line up and pressure these weak sides until they concede.

exactly! Villa defended deep and guess what?! so did we! Sometimes, defending deep isn't the best option because you can't commit players to attack and can't attempt short passes. That's one of the reasons Matic was tired at the end - he was very alone at times in midfield. the above.

Ramires lost his mind,but you can't separate that from the ridiculous yellow given to Willian which ruined the game. That type of decision is bound to frustrate players and sometimes they lose their minds - it happens! Ramires was actually having a good game specially in the first half with assist to Torres. Concerning the game, we weren't good enough in ALL areas of the pitch. The defense was pedestrian, and positioned very very deep; if that came from Jose then it was a cowardly way to play against a bad side, which Villa undoubtedly are. Villa sat deep and we just did not have enough players in in attack to break through; the balance was just not right. Matic was MotM for me but tired out and became a liability in the final moments of the match. Perhaps he should've been subbed off. Football is a game about quality, and talent came from an unlikely source this time: Delph. David Silva provided the quality for City earlier, but none of our players was particularly inspired today. I thought Torres was having a particular bad game until Ba was on... Ba's first touch alone isn't good enough for a top club. Willian was marginally better than Oscar but was on a yellow, so knowing that the dreadful Foy was the referee, Jose got that one wrong I must say.

yes I'm shamelessly kinda disagreeing with myself... However, as we watch City crash and burn with the likes of Demichellis and Lescott in defense , I have to say that that's one position we are far better served than most.

Washington DC, USA

You simply don't understand how it works. Owned by a single billionaire is clearly wrong! Now, if the club is owned by a group of billionaires, and/or special interest groups then it's OK, because they got no face to hate.

Sure, those are the facts. My point/reading was that Jose rotates where he finds players able to rotate; where the substitute performs at about the same level. THe fact he does not rotate in defense, like you said, does not bode well for the players who do not get to play.

He has rotated, but some players are considered rotation while others aren't. Oscar was/is his starter, but has been spared as he hasn't been 100% fit lately. While Kalas won't get a game unless at least 3 of our 4 CBs are unavailable. Same goes for Cole apparently. Ramires doesn't need rotation as he is so naturally fit. We can see why Jose says City has an advantage. We are very thin in certain areas, even more so in the CL.

Support Chelsea since early Hasselbaink's time - perhaps he has something to do with it.... Plus the style of play was very similar to my hometown's Serie A Brazilian (very unBrazilian) club Gremio FBPA - not particularly "the beautiful" game, but very effective. here's a short answer though: blue color and a girl's name... what's not to like?! Physiology explains your second point: people crave what they see. Charlton and Millwall don't exist outside of England, because they are not seen outside of England.

^^ heh not to mention injuries and suspensions - we've been very lucky with Terry's form (striking difference from last season's). good read and a bit self-serving as I've been writing about his style matching Barca's before: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1981931-chelsea-transfer-news-blues-must-hang-on-to-david-luiz-despite-barca-interest Like I said, perhaps too much a match - if we need to sell him, then sell him to PSG instead... They are still years away from having a competitive squad, their midfield still sucks.

well it might have been minor the first time around... but now he's reinjured the same groin. Hope it was just a precaution, but groin injuries are tough, like I said. There aren't that many games left till the end of the season and every single one matters - Jose needs all players available and fit.

So is he now out for the season? I'm scared shitless of groin injuries... kept me out from soccer for over an year. It's very difficult to know when you are ready to play again because it's very easy to re-injury the groin when too much scar tissue has built up. He should not have played for Brazil in that stupid friendly. Don't quite understand why he was allowed to play. At least he was able to take the picture of neymar and the little boy.

Thanks, but I'm familiar with the 6-months rule for pre-contracts. It wouldn't stop them from having a verbal agreement, or even some other type of deal. Agents and clubs get very creative sometimes, like Neymar and Barca or Ronaldinho and PSG back then. These top agents rely on their credibility, so if they have an agreement with a certain club, it's almost as good as a formal agreement for example.

I don't read as he is "going to move" just that he may have agreed terms with RM. Yes, the move would still be up to us, but if he has indeed agreed terms with RM things will get interesting.

He's learning from the master... Next he'll be saying, "I am just not that good and see no reason for someone to be tight marking me..."

"Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, 21, who is on loan at La Liga side Atletico Madrid, has a verbal agreement to join Real Madrid." (from BBC's gossip:) section) WTF?!

I dislike the celebration, it's way too selfish for me; feel the same when Catholics do their thing as well. The reason is that after someone makes a fantastic run, beating two players, and makes a perfect pass for you to score, you should NOT be thanking (whatever your) god (is), but your teammate first and foremost. He IS the reason you scored. After you thank your teammate for the assist, then do whatever you want. just a minor nitpick... I have to confess I had no idea how influential Matic was going to be. It's absolutely incredible how influential he is for us. The 21m seems like a freaking bargain.

Yes and that'd be Varane. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2574639/Jose-Mourinho-hails-young-Madrid-centre-Varane-best-defender-world.html

Here's another idea: mind your own fucking business and I say whatever the hell I want. No, that's absolutely not what EVERYONE is saying!

I call it the way I see it. Right, yes but someone else also manages to find something to complain about concerning Oscar. Don't you worry about the old brain-box as it is well-regarded by who matters (typically employers). Do you really think nationality does not play a part when some of the players involved play for country? It's only natural that it does. Not only Barcelona but Bayern too as Guardiola likes DL as a player. PSG has been reported interested as well. You are attributing something to Barcelona that isn't theirs. Total football was not invented by Barcelona as you well know. Many sides that I've seen dominate football for years have employed that type of football. It relies more on technical skills (spec passing) and pace. Frank De Boer was one of the better defenders I've ever seen play in that system. It's really irrelevant which system is better though. My point has always been that different players perform better or worse depending on whether the system helps them or not. As good as Jose is, Jose is ALSO not Chelsea. He too will go some day. There is also a possibility Dl has been sulking a bit and will return to his usual form once allowed to move. Who knows?! I just know, as much of the evidence shows, he is a very good footballer and a Chelsea player. One of my least favorite top players of all times, Ronaldinho, disagrees as he was voted best player in the world for... how many times? He is, mentally, the weakest footballer I know (I've met him and know his brother/agent). BTW, I do believe his poor mentality has indeed hindered his influence for country. Technically, on the other hand, he was sublime with perfect first touch dribbling, creativity, vision, and finishing - esp in the beginning of his career when he was pacier. I've seen many, many sides win titles with mentally weak players in key roles. There is a balance to be had - it's not all or nothing. Just to be clear, I don't consider DL mentally weak; he just has very specific weaknesses in concentration and positioning. He has never seen a red card even though he is VERY aggressive and physical in his play. He is good with interceptions, which implies good reading actually and he is very determined though not this season for whaever reason... wanted to move?

It's really not funny... just sad. You seem unwilling to read the drivel I write and the feeling is mutual. That's what the ignore list is for. see ya.

Repeat after me. Ignore the De Niro guy. Do you feel better already? He talks about odds as if he pulled them out of his ass - maybe because he did. Otherwise he'd be able to SELL (for a lot of money) his vast knowledge about player's potential to the likes of Barcelona! I mean, if he could convince (let alone prove) to Barcelona, Bayern, and PSG, that DL's "ship has already sailed" he'd save them a lot of money, therefore the information in itself would be worth a lot of money. If he thinks DL is mentally weak, he must acknowledge Ramires is mentally strong and yet, just check what he writes about Ramires on the Ramires thread. OK my bad... Ramires is not technically as gifted as Luiz (even though De Niro guy thinks DL is also poor technique wise lol). I'm beginning to see a pattern here... Now go on to Oscar's thread and read his comments... Oscar is one of the most rounded players I've ever seen and yet he thinks he sucks that he does not give 100% for chelsea! The little guy tackles anything that moves for us! I mean if you don't yet see the pattern here, I'm not going to spell it out for you. Just wait until Willian has a few poor games...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/10676750/Barcelona-to-bid-25m-for-Chelseas-David-Luiz-now-that-Carles-Puyol-is-on-his-way.html interesting read. I totally buy the idea he wasn't the one who refused to join Barcelona (convenient for him to say it) and it was Chelsea who turned down the 21m bid. It would be disappointing, but not the first time I've seen it happen (the sulking that follows). That's the reason the club is always first - players (any) come and go.

Sure, David Luiz valuation is 25M which is how much we paid for him. The current valuation is something between that and what Chelsea and Barcelona agree next summer. Now if you want the most current valuation of David Luiz, that is 21m euros which was the ACTUAL offer we got from Barcelona last summer. Either way, really not rocket science. Cahill and John Terry are too slow to play in a high defense line. Agree on Jose's and it's not surprising concerning how his teams play. David Luiz is a Chelsea player and I merely remember the GOOD and VERY GOOD performances he HAS had for Chelsea in defense and midfield. The moment David Luiz is sold, I will watch him for Brazil and that's about it. Won't lose my sleep one bit - this is entertainment and as far from a job as it gets. BTW, I don't think Brazil are contenders, aside from playing at home, and it's certainly not because of David Luiz. This is the best defender pairing I've even seen for Brazil. Unfortunately, that's not what wins World Cups: Brazil are a bit short on Drogbas this time around. Instead we've got Fred and Jo...