Dion

I really don't like when someone throws the word "race" to describe a human being. Because it is the sort of thinking that brings racism - the separation of people in one group or another, this is specially stupid when every person is so similar to one another. It should be avoided - especially the usage of the word race, on account of every barbaric thing that has been done in the name of superiority of one "race" upon another. In Brazil people will usually try to avoid categorizing others by race nowadays. The term ethnicity or similar would be more palatable.

It's really true that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Whilst browsing Redcafe I found people who rate Oscar a lot higher than Kagawa and very close to Mata. They think Hazard will definitely be at the bare minimum a player of Ribery's and Robben's caliber, if not Messi/Ronaldo level. They're truly scared of Costa, Hazard, Oscar, Schürrle, Willian, Fabregas and Matic. And they also think we'll win the league comfortably, with a few games to spare Relevant: "It just hit me, and I don't know why I'm late to the party here...but Chelsea are going to dominate this season aren't they? They've improved their team brilliantly this summer." - "Don't think they'll 'walk' it but I think they'll win, and pretty comfortably, with like a couple of games to spare. I think having Matic completely settled alongside Fabregas in midfield, with Hazard, Oscar and Schürrle in front of them and a competent CF (I don't rate Diego Costa that highly, but I think he'll be fine for them with the formation they play, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Drogba still doing a job when called upon) makes them a really strong unit. Cahill/Terry is a strong partnership, not the best in European football but very solid, their fullbacks are good and they've got a top keeper, and Mourinho will be extremely focused. I think last year, there was a bit of unrest with all the Mata stuff during the first half and José seeming less motivated in the second part of the season, and yet they still fared well. I think this season they'll be even more competitive." - "It was only preseason, yes, but it doesn't look as though Costa is going to flop and struggle to adapt to his new team like the vast majority thought does it? Everyone saw that he had the physique and skill set to fit the PL like a glove but people are/were still wondering if he'd keep up his scoring form. I've seen highlights of his preseason and he got 4 goals and 2 assists and looks like he's been playing with their team for years. Already looks totally settled. Hazard was the most creative player in the league last season statistically I believe and now with Fabregas, a LB who actually gets forward, and Willian and Schürrle with a seasons experience under their belts their attack should be frightening and scoring goals against parked buses shouldn't be a problem." :eyebrows: :eyebrows: ps: a bit off-topic, I'm sorry.

Honestly I think Mata is better. But it's not miles apart. They're quite close actually. I can see why people would rate Kagawa higher though. He's more of an all around player than Mata.

That's true, I'm sorry. I honestly don't remember that. I was googling myself the other day then I saw the player and I thought - wow, I had forgotten about this lad. But I didn't remember how I did know about him previously back in that day. Now it makes sense.

One year ago and you expect me to remember? I can barely remember what I ate for lunch today

I know! It's so stupid that you can't have more than 3 players from the same team though... I feel like I'm not going to gather as many points as I could because the fanboy inside of me won't let me play without the trio of Fabregas, Hazard and Costa on my team.

But yep, I knew we had a player called Dion. Found him when I was googling myself another day.

Totally. That black power is SO like my hair, HAHAHAHA.

I wasn't expecting this pun. I'll give you that

So you're trying to tell me you deliberately chose to be a buzz killer? That's sad

Stop being a sissy, Nour!

A few. You, Barbara, Blueschick, Djames, The Flash and a few others I can't remember right now.

Worried about the players who may not start.

Damm, it seems I missed something potentially interesting here. And that would explain why I got a quote notification but couldn't find it anywhere in this thread. I just hope I was not responsible for causing the mess.

His general passing isn't that good?! Wow, just wow. I can't even... He is slow, his general passing isn't that good and his dribbling, whilst not bad, isn't spectacular either. I'm thinking we may just have spent 30m on a slightly improved Mikel, silly board. If not his passing, what does he offer then?

Costa should have passed to Hazard just now though.

I recall him proposing a state for both Israelis and Palestinians. Strictly speaking, yes that would be the destruction of Israel as we know it today for the existence of something bigger than either Palestine or Israel. But it wouldn't be the destruction of its people.

To be honest, Choulo never proposed the destruction of Israel. And just because we're talking about Israel it doesn't mean we condone any of the other cases you brought up. But the massacre against the indigenous people has stopped, at least in Brazil it has, whilst the one against Palestinians is still ongoing. You wanna talk about massacre? Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay killed like 90% of the adult male population of Paraguay in the Paraguayan War (it may not be the exact number but I remember it was something as absurd as that). Two wrongs don't make a right. All of those were wrong and so is what Israel is doing.

On a side note, I was working at this conference yesterday about climate change, rain forests and whatnot and there was this british lady giving a speech with the best accent ever. I was so amazed I just sat there, closed my eyes and focused all my attention on my ears - I could listen to her speaking all day long. How can you british guys resist that?

[Choulo19] So you are trying to say these two in the picture are not the same animals? [/Choulo19]

Well, I think Belgium stopped existing as a nation in 2010-2011 when they didn't have an elected government then. Too bad Israel missed that opportunity to have a righteous claim for more land. Watch out, @Stingray. They might be going there for you if it happens again

United Liverpool Spurs All of them have annoying fans in my view, but United tops it because they are helped by the refs very often - especially when Ferguson was their manager - the Fergie-time in itself was an abomination.

I know some people have talked about captaincy but you quoted me so I'll just leave it here that I never said such a thing. In addition to that, there are some players who are so good that you will just like them no matter where they are playing. And I have a weak spot for great midfielders, if we signed Pirlo, for instance, he'd be my favorite player from day one. I don't think favorite player is as tied to playing and winning for Chelsea as captaincy. I'm a football fan first and foremost - and I only came to be one because of players like Lampard, Fabregas, Zidane, Ronaldo... Also I just don't give as much importance to players featuring for another clubs as some here do, that's why whilst not particularly pleased with Lampard playing for Shitty, I'm not overly concerned about it either. I just accept football transfers as what they are, business - particularly in this day and age. So I don't hold it against Fabregas his time playing for Arsenal or Barcelona. I find it many times worse when a player says something bad directed at our club, but even then many people didn't mind Eto'o signing for us at all - especially when he began scoring. As long as the player performs and wins matches for us, even the "but he played for arsenal" people will shut up and support him. And I don't have much of a doubt that he will perform.

Anyone not excited about his signing must have short memory or is a big Arse hater because this guy is one of the best midfielders to ever play in the EPL. I'm not surprised in the least with his performances. It will only get better and better as he adapts to our players and EPL again.

@, Hey Jake, you almost look handsome in your new facebook profile pic, I like it. Also, is that @Ms. Spike with you?