Leif

So - Reports lately have been we'd move for Falcao in the January window. We've been admirers of him for around 2 seasons. Then it emerges that we're about to sell Meireles, which we don't even need to do at all. Are we raising funds for something? Now, quotes from his dad on Sky Sports are: "Falcao has always wanted to play in the Premier League. Ever since he was a boy he has loved Chelsea and has always thought it would be an honour to play for a big Premier League team." Now, of course the part about 'always loving Chelsea' is probably a lie as we didn't have the same exposure etc. when Falcao was a boy, so this is an obvious tap-up to try and get us to bid for him, which I'm sure would make many people happy. Also, Atletico Madrid have to sell him either in January or next Summer I believe. They still owe the majority of the fee to Porto and are in major debt; hence them selling some of their best players this window. He will leave for less than what his transfer clause is. I'm 99% sure. Falcao was mainly bought to keep the fans happy as any hardcore Atleti fan will tell you. It was awful for the finances of the club. BOOM!

Let's sign Hargreaves for our double pivot as his replacement and then Michael Owen as back-up up-front too! woooo!

Surely we need to switch to a 4-3-3 now? Or a deeper version of the 4-2-3-1 like Brazil or Arsenal play? We can't really play a 4-2-3-1 safely now. We had depth. We're now losing it.

Looks like the board must not care about winning trophies this season. We're now letting 2 semi-useful players leave from our weakest position. (Essien just on loan, of course.) What happens if Mikel/Lampard get injured? Romeu slots in, but then who's back-up on the bench?

This must be the best game I've seen so far this season.

Simply amazing goal from PSG vs. Lille.

If Southampton win this and we win vs. QPR I'll be rather pleased. Will make the loss vs. Atletico seem a bit...easier to take in.

Pretty sure Man Utd will score at this rate.

I think that's pretty much the midfield I'd go for too. I'd personally try Romeu in the double pivot though. Don't mind which of Meireles or Mikel would make way for him. Oscar is definitely best in a midfield 3 like that too.

I'd fine RVP for that if I was his manager personally.

Pretty accurate. Disagree with the Judging/Perceiving part though.

I knew Borini wasn't right for Loserpool. He was perfect for Roma. Such an idiotic move to leave. He's crap when it comes to build up play. He needs the ball played right to his feet in front of goal to score usually. Like Torres in that aspect.

When Mikel has a good game, everyone raves about it for around a week. Doesn't that say everything? Ashley Cole has good games most games. As do Mata, Hazard etc. But no one raves about them for weeks. That's because they're consistent. Mikel has zero consistency; just like Luiz. Him having a good game is rare whether you guys want to admit it or not; and that's why many (not all) of you rave about the occassional 10 minutes of decent play he sometimes brings into a game. Also - He doesn't even want to be playing in that position as I understand it. He'd always played as an attacking midfielder before joining us. Why play a player in a position which doesn't make him happy? A position he didn't grow up playing? That is why I prefer Romeu playing there. Romeu understands the philosophy of being a defensive midfielder, and on top of that, he knows the Barcelona philosophy of playing that position. (If we want to play more like Barcelona, surely their own youth product should be playing, no?) Romeu is literally the only player in our team who played there growing up. (Although I do believe Terry played there for a few years when he was younger. Not enough for him to actually be considered an option there though, of course.)

I'm not trying to be a cunt, but everyone on this thread getting emotional and acting as if they want to commit suicide just because some of us like to voice our opinion on Di Matteo really need to STFU. Also, I'd suggest no one else brings up "us fans don't deserve this club etc." because I'm positive that'll lead to some arguments regarding who 'real fans' are etc. by certain posters. On-topic though - I've met RDM 3 times. Twice as a player, Once when he was assistant manager with us last season. All I can say is; he's one of the nicest people I've ever met. Not just in football, but life in general. There lies the problem though, in my opinion. He honestly seems a bit like a pushover. He's quiet, looks quite 'scared' around the players, and doesn't take full command it would seem. (Highlighted well last season during the home game vs. Napoli where he sort of receded into himself and quietened down his orders from the touchline when Terry stood up to give his orders.) Sir Alex Ferguson, Mourinho, Guardiola - They all create a family feel at their clubs; but you wouldn't really describe any of them as 'one of the nicest people I've ever met' or 'seen', I'm sure. Mourinho = Arrogant & Cocky. Ferguson = Rude, cry-baby at times, & just a bit of a cock. Guardiola = Thinks he and his team are better than everyone. Di Matteo could make a fine manager; he's already a decent tactician. But I just don't think his man management skills, which we slated AVB for, are up to scratch yet. I feel he's not ready to lead a club like ours forward. We need someone who'll stand up to the players, and perhaps more importantly, to the board. Of course he played a part in our Champions League triumph, but it seems like it was more about telling the players "Do what you want to get the win tonight. Play your defensive ways like you wanted under AVB." This was Drogba's last run with us. RDM didn't rub some magic lotion on our players to make them play well in the final and semi's. It was the player hunger throughout the team. Who do I think is right to lead this team forward? Mourinho. Do I think we'll ever get him back? No. He's a flirt. He 'loves' every club he manages, but really, I don't see that being quite the case. Who I think realistically we could bring in to take us forward? I have absolutely no idea unfortunately. P.S. - If you want to respond to this, due so maturely. I don't want any "FAKE FAN!!!!!! XXXXX" etc. from people. Just because you're not blinded by what you love (Chelsea Football Club), all that's involved with that love and have no problem with voicing strong opinions regarding negatives, does not make one a 'fake fan'.

Sorry if already posted - There's a report somewhere on this site (linked below) saying we've agreed a deal to sign Falcao in January. Woo! Transfer rumours are already back! http://www.golcaracol.com/

I hope he signs for Marseille. He'd love it, the fans would love it, and he would be more than capable of bossing Ligue 1 even at this age.

Oh. This isn't the Manchester City forum . . . sorry guys.

I can't wait to see how Javi performs for us this season! I hope he and Rodwell build chemistry quickly!

So we've only got 2 senior strikers at the club, and just let a player leave on loan who plays in the position we're currently weakest in. This has really shat on my mood. Not a great transfer window. (Please, no "WE SINED HAZERD AND OSCER XOXO".) It's simply yet another window where we've neglected our defence; which starts at the double pivot.

I hate fucking Mikel. I've never liked Luiz. No idea what you lot see in him. Ramires isn't good enough. Ivanovic has been awful this season. Lampard is a fucking turtle.

There should be no "Atletico Madrid have been amazing xoxox" or anything. They've put out this exact XI in the league a few times this season already and been played off the pitch at times.

What's the point in signing players (Oscar, Moses, Azpi etc.) to try and transform a team, if you're not even going to play them? If they're on the sub bench, they're ready to play. You're never 'half ready'. Either you are or you aren't. Why didn't Oscar start? What on earth does Lampard bring to the table which Oscar doesn't? Why have Moses, our closest thing to a right-winger, on the bench, and instead playing a central-midfielder on the wing? ffs.

I feel like RDM hasn't scouted Atletico Madrid at all.

What did I say about our line-up? That this is the one Robbie's got wrong. Of course I'm upset that I was right, but..well, I don't know how to finish this sentence.

See. Much better with Hazard/Mata right/central; Bertrand left, than with Ramires right.