Leif

Bertrand is showing he's not 'average at best' IMO.

Kompany being officially ruled out makes my balls tingle

Similarly to how Oscar is deployed far forward yet constantly runs back to defend, Pjanic is currently deployed more deep but he constantly roams forward (which he can do with a free mind knowing both De Rossi and Strootman* are covering him.) Here though he'd be partnered with Ramires who loves to get forward too, so we'd end up having the same issues we currently have with the Ramires-Lampard partnership. Maybe the answer is not having a 'creative CM' at all. Perhaps we just need runners covering the back 4. They'd have to compliment eachother of course, one being more attack-minded with the other more of a holding player. The holding player should be a good passer, but deploying a player in such a crucial position just because they can pass the ball to even a world-class standard is naive. Ramires and Pogba, for example, would give us an energetic duo in midfield that'll never stop working for the team. Toure-Fernandinho would be given a run for their money too, that's for sure. I'd personally leave the bulk of creative responsibility to Oscar/Mata/Hazard etc. That's what they were bought for after all. *Strootman would be really perfect for the type of football I'm thinking of. Like Javi Martinez, but more mobile.

I think you're high. He's played in central midfield once this entire season and that was in a midfield 3 vs. Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey. He's been deployed as a winger every other game, getting 6 assists as a winger and 1 assist in that Madrid derby, taking his tally to 7. He's also only played 20 minutes in the #10 role for Atletico Madrid. He is a flank player.

We were in really good voice tonight.

Their central midfield is set to consist of 2 18-year old players who lack experience. Hugely talented though.

I've had enough of his inconsistency. Ready to hear Barcelona's offer for Luiz again.

Pjanic with his 2nd. Roma 2-0 vs. Napoli. 20 minutes left. Roma aren't pretenders.

Bayern don't play with strikers anymore

So... he's here to build... Arsenal?

Your name just made me choke on my post-match cheerios. Clever.

Our Willian song must rank amongst the very finest.

We need Willian on for Mata IMO. We need a runner & dribbler on the wing, not Mata who's just playing neat passes and nothing else. He's not working this game.

na it's just a sick rumour

Amazing touch from Ba for that goal.

"John Terry, having won the toss, chose the end that means Petr Cech isn't looking into the sun in the first half." (CFC Twitter account). We have the best captain

You're getting better Schurrle, you're getting better.

After watching some consistent clips and reading more about him, it would seem he's basically like Yaya Toure without Toure's stinging/accurate shots (and cuntness). He'd need a disciplined player next to him like City have with the Fernandinho-Toure duo. He gets dribbled around a little too often so would benefit from a pacey player who can cover for him and his naive moments. Enter Ramires.

Apparently our scout, Guy Hillion, has confirmed our interest in Marseille's Gianelli Imbula, who we tried to sign in July. He's a midfielder with 4 France U20 caps and according to Wiki he's 21. That's all I know. Guy goes on to say: "I see him often. Once he gets the ball, he is able to accelerate. He has good technique; great vision." Also, Andre Ayew has oddly come out to say: "We all want to be at Chelsea at Real or Barca. I had a dream: to be an important player in the OM. (But) If an opportunity presents itself (to leave), maybe I will."

What a counter-attack. I am literally jizzing. Roma goal from an Inter corner.

TOTTI IS A BADWORD BOSS I SWEAR

United looking a little like Arsenal have looked in recent seasons - struggling generally in the league and relying on a kid to bail them out.

Our most vital player.

No nonsense lineup

Imagine what some of our fans would think of Dennis Wise. If they react like this (passionately putting forward their 'objective' views to seem superior? ) because of a petty scratch, people would be calling for Wise to get the electric chair after every game! Torres has really done very little. The amount of noise it's generating on this forum is shocking. You support Chelsea so act like it.