Leif

He's incredible. If either Xavi or Iniesta didn't exist he'd be worth £40m starting games for Barcelona regularly. It's almost scary how he can go from dictating tempo like an Xavi or Pirlo to running forward and scoring/assisting like Iniesta or Mata. He's a beast.

On his best day he's like Mata on a slightly above average day, but with more dribbling than passing ability. Perhaps a better comparison would be that on his best day he's like Hazard on an average day. On his worst day he's like off-form Taarabt. I don't think we can take that sort of risk especially considering the amount he'd likely cost. I'd consider the move if it was £12m or under with Marin/Benayoun/Malouda all leaving, however, as he would improve our bench options.

Verm has been played a bit at left-back instead of his usual centre-back position this season, yes? Especially before Monreal signed. I think around 10 or so games. Anyway, the rotation between left-back and centre-back must have impacted his form somewhat. Last season I thought he was one of the leagues best defenders in general and I feel he can easily get back to that. He used to boss things at Ajax and he's been used slightly different at Arsenal. He should be given more freedom. He's actually a rather creative player. Kind of like Luiz with less of the roaming. I'd actually take him for anything under £10m.

I'd love Mangala. I think he and Varane will be France's top centre-back pairing for the next decade if he moves to a bigger club than Porto.

The 3 (probably) best 'pivots' in world football: Schweinsteiger - Martinez Alonso - Khedira Schweinsteiger - Khedira It's no coincidence that Khedira is in 2 of the 3 best Remember how a lot of Madrid fans didn't appreciate Makelele? And a lot of people just in general never appreciated how incredible Sergio Busquets is/has been at his roll until a bloody brilliant Youtube video came out explaining it perfectly and the media started jizzing all over him? Of course this doesn't apply to everyone, but if you're one of those people who doesn't believe Busquets is in the top 2 defensive midfielders in world football and can't see that a goal-record is not an indication as to how good a striker actually is (Gomez, possibly Falcao etc.) then I'm not surprised if you're the same who underrate Khedira. But you are foolish.

This is the Twitter bio of the guy who started that 'rumour' with 500 or so followers. How on earth 'Twitter rumours' are still allowed in this form on here from accounts such as these are baffling. Why would you even trust something coming from such an account? Links from Tancredi, the French guy (can't remember his name) ​ etc. at least have some reputability.

The above is from a random 17 year old Chelsea fan Twitter account with 500 fucking Twitter followers. I always open this thread now hoping to see reliable news from actual fucking sources but almost everything is coming from tiny accounts who don't know shit now and it's borderline infuriating. Edit: From my understanding, this isn't a thread where every single opinion and 'rumour' (in fact some of these posts are insulting to that word) is supposed to be posted especially from Twitter fan accounts with 0 credibility, 0 suggestion there's anything to their name etc. I remember when I signed up here there was a banner saying "No Goal.com/Tribal Football links" etc. but these Twitter quotes are worse. At least link to where you got the rubbish so someone can point out right away that it's nonsense and thus avoid spamming of pages saying "FAKE QUOTEEEEEE!!!!!!!!". Rawr.

Can Twitter 'news' officially be banned from this thread please?

De Rossi has underrated passing you know. If we sign him we don't need a playmaker to play alongside him and dictate tempo from deep. He's capable enough to send accurate long-balls forward and would get the ball to our attacking midfielders easily enough. This means that paired beside him we could have another defensive midfielder to offer even more defensive stability or possibly a run-run-run player such as Ramires to help out in every aspect. So that's some money saved. He's also a player who's actually gotten better with age and like Pirlo, despite De Rossi relying on his agility + stamina a bit more, can probably play at the top level until he's 34-35 years old. And why wouldn't you want someone with such a badass tattoo in your team?! ANDDDDD he has a beard only rivalled by Xabi Alonso, Pirlo and Nocerino!!!!!

He's such a fighter on the field and always uses his body to block shots, giving his all for his team. He reminds me of a Roman Gladiator. Some say he's too 'rough' but I think they're pussies, no offence. You need at least one tough guy in your team these days IMO. De Rossi is like an actual talented version of Roy Keane. He's so passionate. Look at 0:46 in this vid. I love it.

Yes, because to be a good footballer you need 'swagger' He's finished.

I don't think he's that good. Well, not in that deep role and not for us. I expect better dispossession from a 'defensive' player. From what I see he'd be better in a normal central role.

Arsenal celebrating their win like a CL win

A bloody hat-trick vs United after coming on at half time

Nathan Ake has won all his aerial duels and complete 3 tackles

Another goal!

Goal vs. United.

Ivanovic has completed the most tackles and dribbles on the pitch

Coutinho apparently showing why he's the best Brazilian player in the country.

20th goal of the season

WOW THAT LINK ABOVE IS SMOOTHER THAN A BABY'S BUM!

So do you guys want that horrible back-pass from Fellaini at our club? Heh. I know people will say "Not his fault", but really, I think it was.

I don't expect Christensen to play but I'd be delighted if he does. I think he's like Ake - Looks just a bit above average at youth level but would look like a proper player surrounded by world-class players.

I'm only speaking for myself but I think I would. He's great on the wing.

Let's just pretend for a moment that Lampard is in his prime with the passing ability of Pirlo. This looks rather sexy:- Cech; Azpi, Luiz, Papadopoulos, Cole; Khedira, Lampard; Hazard, Mata, Schurrle; Cavani. Hazard on his strong foot crossing into Cavani's head would be orgasmic Hazard wouldn't need to track back quite as much since Azpi and Khedira have such good work-rates while Schurrle is constantly tracking back as does Cavani when needed to, meaning Mata can actually stay up a bit more and Lampard can bomb into the box to (hopefully) score as Schurrle covers him CAVANI BRINGS SO MANY POSSIBILITIES