Stats

Should of had another when he round the keeper and shot, just went wide. He has been very impressive though, along with Neymar

Doesnt mean Mikel should be thrown out to test him. Maybe in cup games but PL no because Mikel is a starter there and I think he does his role brilliantly. Hopefully Romeu can step up in his absence though

Apparently a clause in his contract allows him to leave for Barcelona next summer so he is being kept under wraps maybe so they are not convinced into taking him back. If true, quite a smart move then considering how impressive he was for us. Then after that clause is finished we can totally focus on developing him without the pressure of Barca trying to get him back

That sounds worrying? Are you sure it is not an injury reason or is it just to give him a bit of a rest?

You sound like another supporter like that. I think many other fans of other teams realize how good of a player Mata is. That is poor statement to make if you only think it is Chelsea fans. Every club supporter knows Mata is talented and him missing out on the Spain squad is nothing to be ashamed of because his form recently has been nothing short of brilliant

When we beat Valencia 3-0 last season Mata was jointly with Drogba our best player on the night. Made 2 assists, with the last 1 a brilliant through ball for the Drog. He was man of the match for sure IMO with Drogba, absolutely bossed that game

Can't see Falcao going to Real anyway when they have 2 quality strikers in Benzema and Higuain. They are both very young as well and Real Madrid usually play with a lone striker so can't see him going there at all tbh

I want to be up for nomination this October, I am a worthy mention

Surprised tbh, they must be down to the bare bones because most of the times he was a sub during his month loan at Pompey

Lmao that would be the worst place to go and I don't get your last sentence at all

His son's head is bigger

You are some clown

Seb I am sure Kojo meant that as an insult, yet you liked his post

Not like they need AC for San Marino anyway. They can put out a reserve team and still score over 10 goals, literally. San Marino are that bad, it is more worth Hodgson trying out players who don't get chances there, whether that be Baines or Bertrand. At least we got a fully fit AC (if suspended) to deal with Lennon then:)

Well he is banging in the goals for them so far this season and keeping Adebayor out. I have always thought he is a good striker and AVB clearly does and in return Defoe is scoring and creating some as well

Hmm I understand you. I definitely think we have a chance of beating Tottenham but I disagree that they are only a one dimensional team of speedy players. We can't underestimate them like that but now with the players at our disposal we look much more threatening for any team home or away as shown with Arsenal and the amount of goals we have scored so far this season.

Tbh despite the hatred to Spurs there is a lot more than just their sprinter athletes. They have 2 fullbacks who provide an attacking threat, even with Vertonghen there yes. Also despite Dembele struggling with fatigue later on he controlled the game and has settled in brilliantly. They also have Defoe who on his day can strike fear into anyone's defence and also can play with Adebayor or put him on later on to change the game. Dempsey who will play in the attacking mid role has quite a good goalscoring record against us as well. I reckon they are improving, by no means average and I find this game a bit more daunting than the Arsenal one and tbh I think they deserved their victory against MU. We havent beaten them at the Lane for a few seasons now and barring any last minute goals from them or so, I would quite happily take a point down there.

In 2010 Drogba won player of the year voted by fans I recall, while Malouda won 'player's player of the year' award.

IIRC Malouda won player of the season award 2-3 seasons back? He was very influential what ever season that was

You actually have a point there to be fair

Yes, I am sure winning a converted penalty is counted as an assist. Rightly so IMO, they created a goalscoring chance so must be counted as an assist.

My bad I would rather see Ramires-Mikel in the double pivot but due to Spurs threat down the wings I would understand if he plays there. So I am thinking Bertrand-Mata-Hazard is what he may do but if not he prob will have Mikel-Lamps in the double-pivot with Ramires on the wing. Thanks for pointing that out

This is a game where I would not mind seeing Ramires on the wings. Although playing with Hazard-Oscar-Mata worked against Arsenal, Tottenham is a different set of players to deal with. There wingers in Bale and Lennon are much more direct and faster than Arsenal's wingers played against us. Cole and Ivanovic IMO will need help to deal with the likes of Lennon and Bale. Bale is the more standout player fo the two which is why maybe I would like to see Ramires track him back throughout the match. I wonder if he does decide to play Bertrand and Ramires both because as well as Bale and Lennon who I already mentioned you also have the bombarding running of Walker and maybe Bertrand is the only one suited to tracking his super fast touchline runs. I am thinking: Hazard-Mata-Ramires. Play it a bit more cautious, especially as we are away from home. Also Lampard has to be dropped for this one, definitely need to see Ramires and Mikel in the double-pivot, worked against Arsenal. If BAE is still out for Tottenham by the time we play them the LB is definitely an area to target them at so RDM will have that in consideration. Expecting a tight game for this one, hopefully we win but 2 of the biggest in for, clubs playing each other as I am sure they will demolish Villa later today.

Yeah, "reportedly"

He has his off games then comes back firing. Had a poor game Friday night against Fulham U21, was largely invisible for the whole match. Think he has an exciting future ahead of him, hopefully at us but I agree with you partly. Think he has a long way to go to establish himself as a permanent first team member. Maybe a loan would do him good, so he gets use to all the difference aspects of football eg bigger stadiums, better players, more physical league etc. Was excellent though in our U21 win over Wolves a few weeks ago but yeah, maybe a bit more consistency would help him