Reddish-Blue

I say keep Mikel for at least one more season. I just want to see Mikel given a bit of freedom under Mourinho's tactics... There's no doubting that Mikel is a solid midfielder..but for me, the problem with Mikel as a DM seems to be positioning and/or lack of workrate on the defensive end.

Good point..it'll be interesting to see how long it takes for the new City signings to settle in. There's no doubt City have quality throughout the squad and by letting go of 2 volatile players in Balotelli & Tevez...their dressing room should be more settled heading into the new season.

If Turnbull was still a Chelsea player, I'd believe what he said with 100 percent confidence. Rooney's gonna stay at United cause Moyes won't be able to find a quality replacement before the start of the season.

I just don't see Rooney leaving United. RvP could get injured at anytime..and I doubt Moyes would be happy with a frontline of Welbeck and Hernandez. At the end of the day, if we're thinking about spending 50 million on another striker (who seems to be on the decline)...maybe we would of been better off getting Falcao/Cavani in their prime.

You make a good point about their qualities. Hopefully McEachran gets the chance to play in La Liga, it can only benefit his development...cause at this stage, not many PL clubs seem interested in giving him a starting role. The other question is...if Barcelona loan out Jonathan Dos Santos to Sociedad who plays the CM/DM position...will they need McEachran?

It would be a step down from Illarramendi for Sociedad..if they did bring in McEachran.

Ramires and Torres are completely different players. One of them can only get better under Mourinho...whilst the other is just hanging around for the money and lifestyle.. If Torres actually cared about the club, he'd be satisfied about moving on with his career elsewhere...however, he just doesn't care. He's past-it as a quality striker, the guy is a cancer to the club...particularly when you look at all the talented kids being integrated into the first team. If someone offers around 10-15 million for Torres, we should take the money.

Bruma has loads of potential, with the ability to be a game changer for most top level clubs once he matures mentally... BUT I'm not sure if we need any more youngsters in the first team squad

I'm just glad that Luiz is staying at Chelsea. A quality player, capable of playing CB and in the midfield when required.

Hope Suarez stays at Liverpool and Rooney stays at United. There are plenty of other quality strikers out there..

Good performance by the young Chelsea players Lukaku and Traore have been very impressive throughout pre-season...hopefully we can finalise a deal for Traore asap Piazon & McEachran need loan spells and Kalas would benefit from an EPL loan spell.

I don't think he's a natural LW...as others have said, he's like a taller version of Oscar. He could fill in when Hazard needs a rest...but apart from that.. He's another CAM...which is something we don't need. We need a WINGER.

To be fair, seeing a Chelsea team without Mikel was a breath of fresh air. We got to see other players given a chance in midfield (eg. Luiz and Aké) which is always a good thing I think José will give Mikel a good old kick up the ass, give him a bit of freedom and see how he goes...at the worst, he can still be a squad midfielder for us.

Aguero has been poor throughout Mancini's reign at the club...but then again when you think about it, half the City squad looked confused and not 100% motivated whilst Mancini was in charge. I don't get how your comparing Aguero to Rooney.

I'm not a fan of Mikel in anyway...but he can be a squad player for Chelsea until at least one of Ake, RLC, Chalobah are ready for first team football.. If we give him more freedom in a 4-3-3, who knows, he might actually do well.

Ofcourse Rooney is a fantastic option...unfortunately I just don't see United agreeing to sell him to Chelsea

So what are Mikel's real issues and problems?

Lamps should have been gone? HAHA, that's the most absurd thing i've ever heard. You actually compared a Chelsea legend to Mikel's situation? Mikel would of been sold long ago at another top club.

United won't sell him to Chelsea because they're not going to strengthen a rival club I think it's pretty simple with Rooney...either PSG buy him or he stays at United.

You look at the Nigeria squad..Mikel is the most experienced midfielder with 40+ caps. He's expected to influence the way they play... As for Chelsea, he's always been surrounded by great midfielders like Lamps & Essien at their peak, Ballack..etc. But now, we don't have that leader in midfield, that bit of grit & steel... I really expected Mikel to step up and fill the void but he simply hasn't. In terms of talent & tools available, he's up there with the best...but whats missing from Mikel's game is that bit of aggressiveness and/or ability to influence the game on a consistent basis.

Both of your examples of MIkel playing well are against below average teams. As I said, he looks great against poor opposition...which is what you expect from an average midfielder.

Yea, his passing range is brilliant...must be so hard to just stand there and pass the ball back to the CB or to Cech...under no real pressure. Mikel is a passenger, not a leader...and that is part of the problem with our midfield. We don't have a CM/DM who is capable of leading the players in those tough games against strong opposition. As for people who use Mikel's AFCON performances to praise his ability and his brilliant play...well you'd expect him to stand up against average opposition.

According to whoscored..he's missed 3 penalties this season.

I just think if we're gonna use a 3 man midfield...Ramires should start alongside Oscar and the DM. Then KDB can come off the bench for a tiring Mata or Oscar..

Yea, that makes alot of sense. We're gonna pay Torres..175,000 a week just so that he can come on for 20-30 minute cameos and try to take advantage of tiring defences? I'd rather keep Ba, he's on lower wages and he's not gonna complain or sulk if he doesn't get enough playing time under Mourinho.