Blue Gino

Barca play with Iniesta on the wing at times, I don't hear those fools complaining about how he's holding the team back.

Guus because he's about the football, not himself.

Initially I thought Oscar would be groomed in a deeper role but having watched him all season as a cam, that would be a waste.

You say we don't need Isco, because that's an area the club isn't lacking. But then say he would be improvement? If he's an improvement you get him. Mata and Isco would be sick together.

I wonder when the new manager arrives, if he will be faced with a tough decision to sell an attacking midfielder. As it is now when you take Moses out of the equation the attack in midfield is too narrow and the manager may be hard pressed to sacrifice someone in order to bring in more width on both flanks. KDB has played as a winger with Genk and gets out wide at times for Belgium so he can transition easily but now it's become an issue between Mata and Oscar. Mata has become such a fan favorite and Oscar is the #10 for Brazil. If they are OK splitting time then it's a plus. But for how long? None of these midfielders are a fit as a central holding midfielder, capable of patrolling that space consistently without bombarding forward and leaving the defense open to counter attacks. Nor would I want their best abilities shackled. I believe Lazar Markovic is coming to Chelsea in the summer and he would provide the speedy winger they need. I can see more growing pains ahead during this major transition and can't fault the manager if a player or two is sold because none of these current players would accept a loan kindly.

Actually there is a manager out there who could possibly accept the job if Rafa is sacked and would bring attacking football, best described as "anarchy". Zdenek Zeman. Sure he may care little about the defensive side, but this squad can outscore opponents with his fluid 4-3-3 approach. It would be an exciting finish to the season and he would lift the spirits in the team. Just saying.

Was Rafa hired to make Lampard and Terry not want to stay any longer? Besides trying to get Torres magically scoring again.

I will be rooting for Boro to win, and that makes me depressed, but the Demolition Man has to go.

Andrea Stramaccioni is under pressure at Inter Milan and whispers go around that he will be sacked if Inter continue to struggle and if they do I'd love for him to get the Chelsea job. This club is swiftly moving out older players, quicker than Inter has. Andrea is in a tough position because as much as he wants to usher in a new cycle of young players, he has many older veterans whom he has had to ultimately rely to get results Basically he has had to play the roles of AVB and RDM all in one nutshell at Inter to keep everyone happy. Which is a plus for me because AVB didn't balance things his first season at Chelsea. Andrea gets it but his squad just isn't very good.

Bertrand hasn't been awe inspiring. No one is saying Cole should be benched because Ryan is world class. Sign Shaw and let them compete and see who deserves their place in the squad I say.

Any decent manager would look at Rafa's tactics, substitutions and overall record and wonder why this club hasn't fired him. Despite many saying why would a top manager take this job based on the past, a good manager has to be out there thinking, "shit I could do better than this idiot."

I blame the ones who got RDM fired and hired Rafa. The Board and Torres.

Would love to see both Mikel AND Ramires sold in the summer personally. Use the funds for Fellaini and Benat.

Please send this to Michael Emenalo, who's responsible for this hiring in the first place.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/chelsea-boss-rafa-benitez-takes-1726923 What a delusional idiot! At least he confirmed he isn't staying around after June.

"Let's say I had the ambition to be manager one day of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Juventus, whatever," he said. "Finally I arrive. I finish second, I go out of the Champions' League semi-final on penalties, I lose 2-1 in the national cup final. "For 10 years I've done everything to get there and then after nine months, I'm out. Why live for that? I've been there as a player for top clubs. It can be much more pleasure to be somewhere where you don't have to win titles." IT CAN BE MUCH MORE PLEASURE TO BE SOMEWHERE WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE TO WIN TITLES.....Michael Laudrup Definitely can rule this guy out of the picture.

Lukaku's ex coach at Anderlecht said Chelsea is in Lukaku's heart. The kid wants another season on loan after this one to be a seasoned finished product who's premiere league ready. One problem. That leaves Chelsea with just two strikers. Forget Feruz, he's too young and will get the inevitable loan. Roman is never one to follow up a season like this current one with no splashy additions. It's inevitable that the club will pursue Cavani and Falcao to erase the Torres failure from their minds. It's unfortunate but unless the next manager puts his foot down and demands Lukaku gets involved in his plans, this kid will get bypassed for a big name striker and it's not going to end well in regards to his future with Chelsea. I don't mean to piss on Lukaku's parade today but I don't like him requesting another season on loan, it gives Roman the window of opportunity to fill the void. I personally think Lukaku and a big name striker can coexist but having seen comments from Lukaku in his time with Chelsea, I just don't see him playing second fiddle to a big name striker who will get all the minutes the way Torres did. So he needs to change his mind about extending this loan.

Bony with a hat trick, something like 21 goals in 20 games. Has looked great today vs Heracles. Jackson Martinez has 20 goals in 19 matches too I believe. It'd be nice if Lukaku gets on a run in form like this.

Average day for Josh, who seemed like he had a shock collar on him, not to venture out of zone. Just asked to be neat and tidy, give the ball to Leadbitter and let him run the tempo. Kinda reminded me of the way Mikel is asked to collect and pass off. He even passed it off to Bikey of all people and then backtracked behind him and let Bikey try to pick someone out. Why not just ask McEachran to stand in the fucking net behind the GK. What a waste Mobray!

Josh should be getting moved up to CAM in place of Leadbitter to try and get something being down 0-2. There's no need to have him so deep when their is no midfield temp to control, they are chasing the game ffs.

Lukaku doesn't want to come back next season, and his appearances will unlock the extension in the loan deal. He wants another season at WBA and he's got the right idea.

Commentator: "He's like a bulldozer ...with pace!"

RDM was sacked because he was never first choice and I'm sure Torres had a lot to do with it, not just his form but he stuck a knife in RDM's back by conspiring with Emenalo to bring Rafa in. RDM got wind of this and played Juventus without a striker. Now Rafa can't even get Torres to score so hopefully all three of those idiots are gone.

Everyone has a right to their opinion, I just don't get the why words "weak" or "in a shell" get associated so much with McEachran. He's on his first full season loan spell for cryin out loud! But since this is a Chalobah thread, he could use another spell on loan. Not because I don't think he's good enough but because Zola says he likes Nathaniel as a defensive midfielder. OK, let's look at who's in front of him: Mikel, Ramires, Romeu and possibly David Luiz. Chalobah has the skills to be a box to box midfielder maybe so then it comes down to is he better than Ramires next season or rather than rust on the bench, why not do another loan spell in the EPL and then the club can reassess if they should sell a defensive midfielder to make room for him. Now if he's envisioned to provide backup next season as a centre back and part time defensive midfielder then playing opportunities seem just as slim if Omeruo arrives from Ado Den Haag next season. At least we are able to have this discussion, rather than say "wow our youth setup sucks".

Chelsea are interested in Son, and a preseason tour will take place in Asia? Just good business?