Reddish-Blue

Mata can be as professional as he wants to be and stay on at Chelsea...but for the sake of his own future, he should move to a club that knows how to fully utilise his skillset. I know he loves Chelsea and the fans...but at some point, you have to consider your future at club and country level

There is a difference between being a squad player for your country...and being a squad player for your club. I just think right now, Juan Mata is a square peg in a round hole. He's a gifted player but he doesn't fit Mourinho's style of football... The problem for Mata is that: 1) Oscar fits Mourinho's system in that AM/CM role 2) Schurrle/Willian are much more effective than Mata in the wide AM role

Mata may as well sold because he's just not suited to Mourinho's system... He could stay at Chelsea and play the odd game when Oscar needs a breather...but he deserves better more than a spot on the bench..

Cup-tying players is your concern? I'd feel much safer with Azpi at RB and Bertrand at LB....with Kalas coming off the bench for a 25-30 minute cameo...

As long as JT & Hazard get a breather, don't really care who's in the lineup

I'm loving the fact that Fergie picked Moyes ahead of better managers. They're going to struggle to finish in the top 4 this season....which basically means top players won't go to United due to lack of UCL football I used to think Moyes was a good manager at Everton, working on a small budget....but after seeing Everton's solid performances this season under Martinez...you have to ask, was Moyes really that good?

Will our midfield cope without Lampard?

KDB might as well be sold. He's behind Hazard, Oscar, Willian, Mata & Schurrle in the pecking order and unless something drastically changes, he will always be our 5th/6th best AM...

Won't bother reading the essay. The last two lines of your post basically sum up the Mata situation....he's a great player but selling him wouldn't be the end of the world.

1. Lampard breaking the goalscoring record 2. Mourinho returning 3. Possibly seeing Juan Mata in a Chelsea shirt for the last time

West Ham basically play a three man midfield...against Sunderland, they had Noble, Diame and Morrison as the three midfielders

Should be a tough match but expecting 3 points

We might as well let Aké take Essien's place on the bench.

Maybe in two years time he'll be ready to play for Chelsea

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1666302/chelsea-midfielder-michael-essien-join-champions-league-club-next-month?cc=3436 Essien to leave Chelsea in January? Wouldn't be surprised if he did leave..

Eto'o was poor today, other than the goal which was a good finish, he was fairly quiet. Also, when Ivanovic got injured, the only real option from the bench was Ashley Cole.

Our summer window wasn't wasted...we just spent too much on Willian (he's a good AM...but definitely not worth 30 million)

http://en.valenciacf.com/ver/34183/juan-antonio-pizzi-signs-his-contract-as-the-valencia-cf-manager.html Valencia hire new manager, good luck to Mr. Pizzi

This thread should have been closed a long time ago....

Guarin could be a decent signing...but then you see rumors linking Matic to Chelsea for 30-35 million... The rumors could be entirely false but if they are true.. I'd rather take a DM/CM like Matic to partner with Ramires/Lampard...then Guarin.

Unfortunately, you can't change a players approach to the game at Luiz's age. He likes to take risks and get the ball forward. If you want a no nonsense, consistent defender then Luiz isn't the answer.....then again, Cahill isn't the long term answer either..

Expecting a tough match...will probably finish 1-1

A win is a win...but seriously, the lack of killer instinct might cost us the title.

This guy can only get better and better Good performance from Hazard

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/12/24/clint-dempsey-fulham-loan-stay-fit-world-cup-help-out-club-feels-home Confirmation that Clint Dempsey has returned to Fulham (on-loan)