Reddish-Blue

That would be great news...

I completely agree with this. Cazorla doesn't need the team to be built around him. He can slot in alongside a more-defensive minded player and dictate the tempo of the game. Fabregas needs the team to be built around him, otherwise he is useless on the pitch.

At Chelsea, Mourinho preferred Oscar as he wanted balance in the midfield. (He already had Hazard in terms of creativity) At United, he needs Mata as they don't really have anyone else capable of the creative spark. (Rooney's on the decline, Miki is still adapting and Martial is injured atm)

What if Christensen doesn't want to come back? He might enjoy living in Germany, playing for a quality side ( I don't want a repeat of the Courtois situation where the player gets bored of Chelsea and uses the media as an opportunity to talk about a move to La Liga)

The Hiddink appointment last season made no sense. What's the point of papering over the cracks when you know there are significant problems in the first team? I thought things would change this season but the same problems from last season are showing up again (players jogging around, attacking midfielders standing around waiting for the ball, defenders looking clueless without Terry, Courtois being cocky). I feel bad for Conte, he comes over from Italy, where he demands respect from his players (both at club and international level) and he gets stuck with a Chelsea squad who are known to put their 'tools down' if things don't go according to plan.

No one is asking Conte to drop all the under performing players and replace them with Under-21 players Replacing one senior first team player with a youngster shouldn't be a problem. A small change in the lineup may be a good thing. For example: Try Chalobah in midfield alongside Kante, see if it makes our midfield more dynamic against the opposition..

The funny thing is, out of all the average/interim managers we've had, Benitez was the only one who showed signs of progress. Hopefully Conte is backed by the board.

The Spurs manager is backed up by his board. They wanted to invest into under-25 players and build a squad capable of challenging for a champions league spot. For some reason, at Chelsea, everything is mixed messages. Under performing players aren't being sold, veterans aren't being replaced, and we lack leadership on the pitch when Terry is unavailable. It's like Conte has been given the challenge of finishing in the top 4 with a handicapped squad.

I wouldn't mind seeing something like: Azpi - Ivan/JT - Luiz - Alonso/Aina for a few games Hopefully Conte shakes things up

Arsenal also had a very good transfer window. They signed specific players capable of complementing the first team. Mustafi is a perfect partner for Koscielny and Xhaka adds balance to the midfield with Ozil and Cazorla capable of dictating the tempo.

The only change we'll see is Terry for Cahill or Luiz. At this point, I'm hoping Ivanovic or Matic gets injured...just so someone else gets an opportunity

I knew Arsenal's pace was going to cause us problems...but I didn't expect a 3-0 scoreline

It's more awkward considering a past-it Terry offers more to the team than Cahill (who is supposed to be in his prime)

It really doesn't matter who wins the cup match between City and United. Both teams will be difficult to beat this season. United may be weaker than City but you just know Mourinho will want to prove a point if he gets drawn against Chelsea.

Why would I suggest that? I was merely trying to say that Mourinho teams don't lose 3 consecutive matches..unless there are significant problems in the dressing room!

I can't wait! Imagine the media's reaction if United lose 2 out of those 3 games

I don't understand how you can give an academy graduate with only a few first team appearances 60k a week! There are first team quality players in other premier league sides who barely earn 60k a week... I bet his lack of hunger, attitude has something to do with his 'high wages'

Most of the ones they got 'wrong' were creative/flair players who struggled with the physical aspect of the game (e.g. McEachran, Kakuta, Piazon etc) They got it right with the likes of Bertrand, Van Aanholt and Bruma, even John Swift earned a move to the Championship. Christensen and Tammy Abraham could add to that list in the near future. Just look at Loftus-Cheek and Dele Alli, two years ago, both of them were just hyped english youngsters, now the latter is playing regularly for a top-6 premier league team after proving himself in League 1/Championship over the course of 2-3 years.

It would have made more sense to loan him out and get him some playing time. He's not going to improve on his weaknesses and/or develop as an all-round player if he's stuck as 3rd choice CF

Speaking of Koeman, I remember him saying that he would be interested in coaching a club like Chelsea (and that he hoped Hiddink would put in a good word for him as a fellow Dutch manager) As for Conte, let's give this guy some time. Let him clear out deadwood from the first team squad and bring in fresh faces like Kante & Batshuayi

That sounds just like last season

I don't see how we are 'rebuilding' as most of the players from our title winning season are still here.. We haven't sold any ageing or under performing players from the abomination of last season (letting go of Ivanovic, Matic would have been a sensible decision) The only new face in the team is Kante...and we're just as unconvincing as last season (apart from the Burnley game)

It's not that bizarre. He's been playing the game since 16 years of age, and now all those minutes/kilometres on the pitch/training ground are taking its toll on Rooney. He's been involved in about 600 games (club + international)...most of his former team-mates/colleagues are either in the MLS or pundits It will be interesting to see what position he plays for the rest of his career....as he isn't a striker and he's definitely not a midfielder...

Pogba - Felliani as a two man midfield is like a Matic - Kante midfield...there is no balance between attack and defense They need a Carrick or Schneiderlin in the midfield if they want to see the Juventus Pogba...

Young midfielder capable of dominating a game, high workrate, isn't afraid to make a tackle, good passing, under-25 years of age I can see where the hype comes from...