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What a talent he is. Enjoy the clip!

Fair point but I think Clarke done that because Long had better workrate so thus would put the opposition under more pressure and when Lukaku came on against almost every big team from the bench he made an impact. Maybe Torres might be picked for the big games and Lukaku would make a bigger impression coming on but for the Hull game I hope Lukaku is given the start.

Wilshere's dribbling and close control is one of the best I have seen from an English midfielder for sure. Wilshere done a similar thing when Arsenal played Swansea in the FA Cup last season. Same with Cleverley. Josh is a good technical player but Wilshere, right now is in a different class. I don't see how we are comparing their abilities. Wilshere IMO is better in nearly every aspect. You may not see him dictating play like he could because their other main playmaker is Arteta. But Wilshere's vision, dribbling, close control, passing and vision is excellent. I really think some people (not at you Tomo) are forgetting what Wilshere does.

Look at this clip of him from last season and see his link up play, goals and assists. He managed to do all of them well last season IMO. Lol 3:21- 3:27 makes me laugh btw, the way he just physically controls the Sunderland players out the way. Amazing strength!

No way. Lukaku proved it in one loan spell he is better than Torres. Torres played way more mins than Lukaku last season I am sure and his goals in the PL is no way near Lukaku's. Lukaku is stronger, they are around the same type of speed but Lukaku is younger and improving and I am sure if you gave Lukaku the sort of chances this season that Torres had last season, Lukaku would do much more in terms of goals and assists. I hope he can keep proving himself as it seems that Mourinho has hinted he will be in the starting lineup against Hull.

Let's lock this read now

Regardless of what we have seen from pre-season, he is not in the same caliber as MVG right now. MVG already has an international cap and played a full season in the Eredivise where he excelled. He has just under 20 goals from his time at Vitesse. Very decent for a midfield player at 20 years old and inspired Vitesse to a close title challenge with Ajax last season. But yes, I agree to send him on loan maybe to somewhere like Palace but right now he is not better than MVG and I think even Chalobah has in someways exceeded him so far.

It would be good for him to stick around the first team and develop but if you are not going to play what is the point? Loan football is vital in that situation then rather than stall and play U21 football for us. Loans for the likes of Cleverley and Wilshere who are similar in play helped them very well and Josh should be able to prove he is worth it out on loan because next season he is up against many players who are advanced of him right now. I can see why people say it helps with him sticking around with the first team but on his part and the club's part of assessing his ability he needs a loan to keep learning his trade and develop physically. Just because his previous loan moves was not total successes that is not to say that he can't prove himself again if/when he goes out on loan. There are many teams I look at in the PL/Championship where I believe he can get playing time in his natural position.

Two starts, one FA Cup and one PL game

That makes a bit more sense but that still averages around 60k a week. Yes they are a rich team but if true he is one fortunate individual. I doubt it is true but then maybe it is, especially when they beat off competition for the likes of Monaco to get him. So quite ridiculous that he is getting that much amount but they can do it so why not. It happens. Chalobah is on 15k a week at us even though he has never played a competitive game and we want him to sign a new contract which will see a further increase. Crazy though to think that if Digne's reported wages at PSG are true, he earns more than star players in other teams such as Lewandowski.

LOL, obviously that is rubbish. That would probably make him around the highest earner along with Ibra, Cavani. It is probably £25k per week. 100k per week would be ludicrous let alone talking about 250k/week LMAO.

Yeah but he is likely to join but he is not an official Chelsea player yet. Still under contract with them. If he is training with us and playing friendly games of course he is allowed to pose in training kits, replica kits etc. Matter of time though before it is official.

He is likely to join but he is still a WBA player but while a compensation package is being negotiated he is training with us ahead of a move.

Even SkySports website, who I trust more times than not are reporting that we offered Luiz or Mata in exchange. Rooney, quality player but we must be delusional if it is true that we are considering giving one of your best players for free to them. DPMO!

I don't read into it all. He is 16 years of age and there is no need to expose him to regular first team football at that age where he would face prospects of playing in CL. The Belgian league may be quite inferior but I am sure those rumours of him going on loan to Zulte next season is rubbish. Excellent potential, yes but why would they want a player in their team for next season who is still very young. Has hardly played with our reserves let alone U18. Just would not make sense. I am 100% sure he will be around the U18/U21 next season where he can develop tactically, mentally and physically. Sending him out on loan to a team who could be in the UCL next season is just rushing his development. I am sure we will not consider loaning him out on any costs, especially the way we handle our top youth talents. We never loan them out till at least 18 years of age.

Just struck me that Hazard and Thiago Alcanatra look very similar. Thiago just a bit darker. Never seen anyone mention it but I think they do look very similar

As much of a twat he can be there is no denying that if he joins United it would be a fantastic move and I think it would make their team complete. At Barca he is rotated and not given his CM role on a regular basis where he is best at. Just look how good he was at Arsenal and some of the assists and goals that came from him. No denying IMO that he is a fantastic player. He would take United to another level being alongside Carrick. When he was at Arsenal everything came through him. If he is at United you have on paper the best CM partnership in the PL in Carrick and Fabregas. I am sure Barca will not let him go at any cost though. Will have a bigger role to play next season.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1701114-chelsea-transfer-rumours-romelu-lukaku-must-be-considered-untouchable http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jS0FS0eJo7A

I disagree. Ake is a brilliant prospect but Omeruo is a little older who has already experienced a full season of proper competitive football which Ake has not. Omeruo was also part of the Nigerian side that won the ACN and featured in the confed cup. Ake has barely had first team football and I think we see his true potential at us in the DM slot. Ake is more or less definitely going on loan to Vitesse anyway but for CB right now if you were to ask me who is better I would say Omeruo as he has been exposed to more first team football (and impressed) than Ake.

As much as I like him and can understand the hype around him I doubt he will come here. First it is not his preferred destination and secondly he will not be an automatic starter IMO.

Must be a real talent if PL clubs (according to SkySports) are actually considering taking him on loan. Still think he would be best here for next season to continue his development then consider loaning him.

Excellent deal. Got him on a free compared to possibly paying around £10m for Ruddy and it can be argued that Schwarzer is a better keeper so I am happy

After next season Cole will be 33 so I don't think he should even be our no.1 left back after next season. We will need to replace him IMO.

Yeah in a "few years", not for now and I think Baines still will produce quality for the next 3/4 years.

Yeah get him and then he spends the whole season on the sidelines? No way!