robsblubot

yeah but I don't think Chelsea (not just Mou) want Terry playing twice a week.

That's debatable. Ba is still with us because of his relative high wages, which is the same reason we cannot move Torres. It would be a lot fairer if Torres and Ba were earning the same amount. However, I agree that we could say Ba is a better deal for the buck right now, but if we cannot move him without having to pay part of his wages, then he'd be in the same boat as Torres: the unflushables...

All players are greedy by definition, that's what being professional means; that means you only do what you do for money, never for free. All professional players I've ever met think about two things: money and girls. Yes, playing the CL also means more exposure, which leads to more money (not only salary but sponsors). So, people get all excited when a player wants "CL football" even though it really means play for a bigger club that offers more exposure, which leads to more money. A hefty paycheck can squash any idea of seeking an adventure here or there, especially if the professional has a family. it becomes difficult to justify, esp to the better half, why not go for the better deal possible. Remember footballer's careers are relatively short, especially for strikers. So, they must make all the money they can in 10 or so years, or life can become interesting later on. BTW, companies do the same. They have incentives like stock grants (RSUs) which are internally called "golden locks." Just for fun: http://www.salary-money.com/fernando-torres-salary-euro-450000.php#.Uh-uwLxhLkE

He does (want to do better) but all that changes every time he goes pick up (figuratively) his paycheck... wonder why...

Fair enough, but Spain were not very good in the conf cup. Italy gave them a much harder time than Nigeria for example - not to mention Brazil trashing. Mickel also, when playing for Nigeria, hardly gets harassed when carrying from deep, so he has time to build up his own speed. BPL games are far more dynamic and Mikel lacks pace. That's less of a problem for Nigeria than it is for Chelsea. Although I wish we had better than Mickel, I do agree that we cannot afford to sell him without getting a replacement. Unless Essien miraculously recovers some of his game.

Cahill is English... and Ba was a panic signing. That explains a lot about what's been going on with Mata; they must be having some very serious money talks.

That agent needs a name change ASAP ^^ well, he might panic in Jan if he is not getting enough games and is dropped by Nigeria, like Ba was (by Senegal).

^^ yeah what BMK wrote. Work rate can be improved to some extent but not much. It's more of a physical and mental trait. Ramires for example is on the other end of the spectrum from Mata, when work rate is concerned. Mata is not that quick either and I doubt there is much he can do to fix that. However, I don't think Mata and Oscar have much in common and should not compete for the same spot. In fact, I like Oscar best when he plays deep and dictate tempo. Then again, perhaps Mourinho doesn't really want to employ a pure CAM like Mata and want a player who can drop deep when needed, and that is Oscar. So, this decision is more about strategy than names. But then, why isn't Mata playing on the wings either? Mata could've done what KDB did against United for ex.

Yeah but we don't know what's going on behind the scenes. Maybe his agent is a real douche and/or Mata might have instructed him to play hardball and get that key player deal he wants. Or maybe they really have no intention of selling him and just getting his fitness levels up; or perhaps Mourinho truly does not rate him as highly as most of us here do. Difficult to know for sure from the outside.

Fair points, but let me remind you all that Torres not being good enough does NOT make Lukaku good enough (much less Ba). If we start Lukaku against top teams and he goes missing, I am NOT one to come to these forums and write that Lukaku is not that great and so on. He is what he is: a very promising young player who is probably ready to see a few games, but we should not put pressure on him - at least not any more than necessary. Torres makes the big bucks so he must be the one to receive all criticism when things don't work out, not a 20 yo youngster. Yes, I would like Torres to move on, it might even help him regain some confidence if not form (it certainly would help Chelsea though). However, the situation is that Torres is still our player.

Wonder if what Mourinho said about players needing to be playing to feature in their national teams was really meant for Rooney... We don't seem to be able to move many players; might have something to do with high wages.

It was a good result only if we beat them at the bridge. Well it will also depend on how both teams are doing in the league then, so another draw might be another good result or a terrible one.

No shots on goal. No assists. Nah he was ineffective as usual and as expected.

The whole team was good defensively. The defense, playing very deep, did not have to handle one-on-ones very often and certainly not with spaces behind. Of course, attacking then got the short end of the stick. Sorry, just have a problem with this notion of self-contained sections in a football team -- something that does not exist unless we are talking about the American kind.

A lot better than Torres!

agreed. The whole team defended very well, but even Mourinho mentioned that the transition going to attack wasn't very good; I reckon neither Cahill nor Terry can really contribute much going forward in open play because they lack mobility. Still good performances all around, though Welback did have a clear cut chance to score (thank god it was him!) and we did concede a PK, which should've been called in my view (lamps).

Sure and I know Ramires has been left out because of the miscommunication with CBF. However, my point was about the strength in depth that Brazil consistently display. Even when we don't have that strong starting XI, a second team with different players could still be contenders. Yes, it varies, but more so for the quality of the starting XI. Yeah, the fact papers make money when making stuff up is just all incentive they really need. Mata would indeed improve United, but he also takes away. For example, United are very strong defensively, and on occasion can even pressure the opposition in their own half, which they did against us @ the bridge. If Mata is on, that becomes more difficult. Still, Mata may very well be the price we need to pay to get Rooney, and I'm not a big Rooney fan; think there are better options out there.

He prob already has a pre-contract with Munich though. He'd be my very first choice...

agreed. I think behind the scenes Mata, after a great season backed by solid numbers, asked for a huge raise and Mourinho does not seem to regard him as highly (for the asked key player role). Mata is an excellent player no doubt, but I think I see what Mourinho dislikes in him: he lacks intensity which is showcased by his very poor defensive ability. Perhaps Mourinho does not believe in making concessions for Mata and would like to employ more rounded players. It's his prerogative, of course. Like I wrote many times, I have my doubts one can accommodate both Mata and Hazard behind a striker. It's just too many attacking minded players and not enough defending. It can work on occasion when players give that extra effort, but cannot be made work in a long comp like the premiere League (plus the parallel comps). BTW, just to be a bit more on topic, William does have the intensity. And don't focus so much on the Brazil NT... Brazil produces a high number of quality players. They could field a very competitive second team in the world cup. Even our own Ramires isn't on the team for example.

There is really no other way to interpret the recent events other than assuming Mata will be sold or involved in an exchange. Personally I don't think United would let Rooney go unless a player of Mata's caliber is made part of the deal.

JT is absolutely dominant in the air-no surprise there. The irony is that Brazil use Luiz as the aerial cb because Thiago is just too short. Gonna repeat myself just because I'm so righteous: JT and Luiz make the best CB pairing in the world. ^^ On the road - haven't watched the game just yet.

Have to agree on Ba; he had a good game and even that wasn't good enough in my book. Still, thought the link up for Lampard goal was the obvious easy one-it was all lamps really. My problem with both Ba and lukaku at the moment is the lack of finesse in their play. They also squander many attacks by misplacing a pass or a bad first touch or even making a bad run, while Torres seems physically weak. Like u said Lukaku has time to develop though We just can't wait a season or two until he becomes (or not) the finished product.Well we will find out soon enough...

That depends... On requirements. For a team like Barcelona for example David would have to be considered top5 and I reckon #1. Many very solid defenders would never work in a high defense line setup for example. David was also a lot better than thiago silva in the conf cup against strong sides.

I was not far from where Hazard was making those wonderful runs in the second half (against Roma). It's just not pace, his short dribbling is quite phenomenal. He's cold and determined individual, and these types of players usually become very good at finishing eventually. BTW, finishing to me isn't just putting the ball in the back of the net; to a wide player finishing may well be providing an assist, and that's what he did today against Roma. I want to see more of that actually.

agreed. All players aim to get the best deal they can get and that's why they pay an agent to begin with. David may like playing for Chelsea, and I honestly think he does, but if he is being offered a key player position at Barca with matching wages, and he is unable to get that here, say Mourinho tells him he will be rotated, then he is gone and I would not blame him. There are just too many unknowns. However, right now he is a chelsea player. Just watched him live and it's funny how his technique oozes from him. His first touch, his passing, are of special players. People are just not used to seeing a player with that much ball control playing defense. Don't think he was 100% since he was wearing those muscle tape though.