robsblubot

That makes no sense; either he is world class or he isn't. If he isn't and depends heavily on a Makelele in front of him, then he isn't good enough. Personally I think he just ins't good enough, but I'd be happy if he proves me wrong. Why?! He just isn't aggressive, physical, or even technical enough to play for Chelsea--just IMHO.

It's worse than that... We'd have to pay part of his ridiculously high wages until his contract runs out.... Yes, we'd have to essentially PAY someone to play Torres... Considering his recent form, sounds about right to me.

You are right, Benfica confirmed that the total value was indeed 25m (value including Matic worth 4m). Interesting: http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/david-luiz/mwverlaufgraph/spieler_46741.html The fact that he can also play in midfield will further increase his market value.

This is down to opinion, but there is one piece of evidence we can always rely on: market value. And concerning Market Value, Chelsea paid Benfica 21m pounds for him. The fact that Luiz' style does not seem to suit Chelsea, and some fans' idea of what a defender should do, worries me. Not for Luiz mind you, but Chelsea and fans. It's as if having a simple robotic (no pun intended) defender is something to aim for, esp a side who's goal is Europe and not a wet pitch at Stoke...

Shogun, I'm a big fan of Phil Jones actually... underrated player IMO. He can become a huge player for England, and unfortunately for United too. Been hearing so much about Baines, Pienar, Osman form, but did not see anything as usual. Still, thought Fellaini could've done better, especially with his passing, which was sub par. I still want Fellaini, real bad actually, just not sure (at all) he's a 30m player.

Very quiet game against United yesterday... Lost most disputes aside from a few headers.

good read on Neymar: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21409456 (Tim Vickery)

I completely understand where you are coming from, but I don't value those attributes so highly as you do. In my experience, players can and do develop those (defensive/mental) attributes once they move to stronger league and learn better tactics with better coaches/managers. However, players do NOT improve drastically their technical skills (ball control shooting, etc). Ex: Lampard has always had good shooting skills; he's improved on them, but not drastically. On Neymar, his development has stalled. Like you all I watch him mostly when playing international matches and it is obvious he struggles with a more physical game and stronger opposition. The only solution is a move to Europe. However, for Brazil, it's already too late as even if he moves next summer, he won't have time to fully develop until the WC. Brazil have a good side, but not WC winner material. However, when we talk about (future) potential, the final touch, the decisive touch is everything and Naymar has it.

ability to make the difference; match winning potential; potential to give you an edge against strong opposition. so, different attacking players can be measured against each other that way, IMO of course. I do hope Moses develops (he's very young) and become an excellent player, but I just don't see enough potential there to come close to Neymar or Hazard level. BTW, Neymar and Hazard are also 21...

Couldn't disagree more. Compared to Neymar, Moses is utter shit. I'm NOT saying Moses *is* shit, because he is a GOOD player, but not comparable to the likes of Neymar (or Hazard, or Mata). IMO Moses does not belong in this discussion. Neymar has the potential to be better than Hazard, and Hazard is twice the player Moses is. I guess we will have to wait and see who is right. I'm fairly confident in my predictions though.

wow! Moses?! I think sometimes the valuation of the players can be taken as evidence of their quality--at least as a hint. I also think Neymar is not worth 50m especially because he hasn't really developed enough for competitive matches and leagues, but it's silly to ignore the superior ball control at pace, the vision, and the goals. One or two seasons in Europe, a bit more physical presence and he could become a top top player no doubt. Here's the problem though: once a player becomes a Messi, that's it; we will never get him because his club will do everything to hold to him. So, we've got to place some bets here and there to get them young, and Neymar can be such (expensive) bet, which is what it takes to get a player of that caliber. I guess that's up to Roman, since it's his money. Oscar is such a bet.

yup, he should ask Lamps for a few pointers and perhaps spend some time with him practicing if he wants to improve on that. He's shooting like a defender... wonder why.

hehe when I quoted your post so I could *continue* the thoughts, agreeing or disagreeing, and perhaps adding to the discussion. The way this forum works may inadvertently make quotes a bit more personal, but it's merely about referring to something that has already been written--people don't like to type... bit lazy myself.

I'm Brazilian and do watch brazil play whenever I can. I've also played (for fun) with the clown Ronaldinho when he was U20 in Porto Alegre, who has always been a flop for Brazil. My point isn't so much about your point, or you; I'm entitled to make my own points after all this is the forum for such.

That is true, but for Brazil it is a disgrace. As a Brazil supporter I don't give a fuck whether Neymar is confortable or not, or how much money he makes in a weaker league officiated by clowns who's number one priority is protecting him. Defenders are not allowed to touch Neymar in brazil! That's why he cannot even shine against U23 teams so long as the referees aren't Brazilian. Agree he has tremendous potential, but without going against better sides with better defending, his potential will go unfulfilled. Yes time is still on his side, but not for Brazil. 2014 is looking dim because the one player who can make a difference hasn't produced a single superior game for Brazil. Not once I've seen Neymar do what he does in the league for Brazil, regardless who Brazil play. Why expect his development will be much better in 2014 when the conditions will remain the same?

Of course he will start; without Thiago, he's the best defender Brazil got!

That was pretty cool! Thanks for the video. I'm convinced then (by all replies); perhaps he's just playing nice since he's gonna stay there for a while. Back to Courtois though, it's a difficult situation; Cech isn't going to play forever, but he's relatively young for a GK, so he prob still has a few years ahead of him at Chelsea, which means Courtois needs to find game elsewhere.

I hope you are right. I just don't get that from his interviews...

That's exactly what I'm afraid of concerning Lukaku.

http://thinkfootball.co.uk/archives/8028 I agree with most if not all points of the article above. He has moved from a smaller side, so he may still improve especially on positioning (Giroud did the same in the first 5 min of the match against Arsenal). And that's precisely why I dislike the current Iva and Cahill partnership: they both cover, no one chases. Regardless, I certainly don't see him remotely close to becoming a long-term Terry replacement. The difference in class between the two players is absolutely obvious.

This is something that has always eluded me: how can a player be at the same time fit for country, but unfit for club?! David is still on for England friendly.

^^ players not supporting this or that manager is unacceptable, as they are well-paid professional footballers. This suggests the board and the owner don't give enough power to the manager. Start fining players for shitty uninterested performances and we will see who is who. However, I fear some players are really performing at their limit, and just aren't good enough to give Chelsea an edge over their opponents; some of them because too young others because of lack of quality.

it's not that he hasn't improved...he has. And he is young enough, so he will improve further--I have no doubt. However, my point remains that playing Hazard will not *add* (keyword here 'add') anything defensively compared to the player he'd be replacing. Now as bad as Bertrand is on the ball, he does add defensively; it's clearly not working though--conceding 3 goals and all... It's all relative of course. Hazard may have nullified their rb with his skill for ex. We just have some players in defense who have not been delivering (or delivering as much as their are capable of), but their names can't be mentioned (see current squad section and how their threads are always uneventful).

nonsense. We are losing because we can't defend, not because we aren't scoring. We've been scoring 2 goals away from home and that ought to be enough. Hazard adds nothing defensively. Pretty mediocre players in defense, lack of rotation with thin squad, poor managing, and board pressure to play Torres.

If you are right then we need to buy world class defenders, because aside from Terry, David was the best prospect in the squad.