GermanBlue

If Courtois comes back and shows performances like Hart did, then he deserves to get the spot in our goal and I'm fine with it. Otherwise, I don't see a realistic chance for him in the next 2-3 years except Cech would get injured or something.

We shouldn't rush anything with Courtois. He's a big talent, but we have a world class keeper and he will need some time to develop and we should give that time to him by loaning him at least 2 more seasons to clubs with a tight game schedule just like we have. Cech should remain in goal until his performances drop and that can take a few more years.

4-1 win for Bremen against a weak Hoffenheim side. KDB with 2 assists and the best mark after the two goalscorers Arnautovic (3 goals) and Prödl although he only had a pass success of 73% in this one in the end which is still over the average of Bremen today (69%).

Just initiated another goal by widining the play with a long pass from the left to the right wing.

Werder Bremen are playing a mix of a 4-3-3 and a 4-1-4-1 and he is playing in the double center midfield in front of one pivot.

The second assist was real class, if intended, but I think it was. Reminds me of the Mata-Hazard double-pass before the 3-2 against Tottenham.

With a manager and a striker, we'd maybe have a chance.

I'm afraid you're right. Dortmund, Schalke and Leverkusen all play some nice football, but just aren't consistent enough. Also, with the way Bayern are playing at the moment, they deserve to win it.

To come back to Pep, the question will be: Will he be able to change his style of play to the one he played at Barca? The current squad isn't and will never be capable of playing like FCB, just like any other team in the world. The way they play needs a stable strategy from the youth academy to the first team, they have a clue what they want, and design or - if La Masia doesn't have a special kind of player - buy just that type of players they need for it. And that's the thing, we don't have that clue. I don't want to doubt the quality of all the managers that have lead Chelsea to these titles, including RDM, but what we're lacking is the consistency. A manager who can take his time to develop the team to a certain style of playing the game. Guardiola could be this guy, but will he get the time he needs? And would he even want to manage the team that beat his CFC last year? And the most important thing is - as stated above - will he be able to change his style of play? He can't go to any other club in the world and make them play like Barca with his magical formula, and honestly, I don't want to see the Barca kind of football at Chelsea.

Awesome second half yesterday between Bayern and BVB after the first half was more than boring. Weidenfeller with 3 magnificant saves in the last minutes of the game. Really excited for the second leg of the season. Should be easy-going for Bayern, but if they'd fuck it up and are 3 times in a row without the league title, I'm sure heads will be rolling.

Lukaku should stay at West Brom. He still has a lot to learn and the expectations for any striker to replace Torres will very very high and he wouldn't fit them right now.

I love Frank and I think we need him a lot on the pitch, but especially with those recent injury problems I don't think he's as dynamic as he was like when we played the 4-3-3 under Mou and I've read of Lamps explaining that he sees his role no more as an attacking midfielder but as an dropped-deep holding midfielder where he can control our game and helps us with his great vision.

Nice goal from Ronaldo. Falcao didn't have much of an impact so far, but to me that's because he doesn't get the right passes at the moment, also because Real's defense is really tight and tough to break. By the way, Diego Costa is probably the worst sportsman I've ever seen. I would really wonder if he's going to finish this game without at least a yellow card.

I'm excited to see him tonight. The last time I saw a match of him live was when he raped us, so he has some expectiations to forfill. No, seriously, I've never seen him coming to us in January and with our recent performances and the fact that Atletico are playing one of the best seasons they've ever played, chances aren't increasing. Still hoping for summer though.

Thanks. Yes, he and Terry would be so important.

Does anyone know when he'll be back? We bloody need somebody to control our midfield, regulate the pace and brings in some experience. We need you, Frank!

The current form isn't a product of the last few weeks, the origin of the problem happened at the beginning of the season. I don't know whose decision it was in the end, but letting Meireles and Essien leave was a big mistake in terms of the transfer politics. It was predictable that Lamps will have some difficulties with injuries, so it was clear that we're going to have depth-problems in the defensive midfield as we're playing in 4 competitions. Rafa mentioned that the team is tired and that's what we see on the pitch. RDM didn't rotate that much, but to me, he tried his best with the squad. I don't know if Roman is the one to blame. Of course, sacking RDM wasn't a good decision in the end, but he wants the best for the club and is the man behind all the recent success. Without his money, the great moments like that magic night of Munich would've never been possible. And who should've followed RDM then? Rafa wasn't the best man for this job, but he's a Champions League winner and technically a good manager, just not for Chelsea. In this perspective, Roman could've expected that the fans won't accept him as the new team manager, but it's only until the end of the season. After all, Rafa is the one to take responsibility for the team and normally, he's to blame, but what should he do? The team is tired and he has no options. And risky decisions like leaving Mata on the bench against Fulham are immediatley criticized by the fans. And to talk about the team, too, I think it's just human to be tired when playing in 4 competitions. I don't see the point in accusing Hazard or Mata. Of course, they showed a weak performance and lack a bit of dynamics these weeks, but do you forget these great games at the beginning of the season? No one talked about Hazard not fitting his price tag when he won 4 consecuitve MOTM awards in his first 4 games. All we can do is waiting for the January and hoping that Rafa or who ever is in charge then makes the right decisions and gets the players we need.

I'd really like to see him at Stamford Bridge, but Bayer denied a 40 mio. offer in summer, so I don't think they'll let him go for that money or less in Jan and honestly, he is good, but not worth 40 mio. I can see this happening in summer though.

Could be true, but I think the attacking playing style of Borussia Dortmund with Götze, Reus and Kuba are pretty similar in their style of playing like our big three.

By far, Robert would be the best deal in financial aspects. Cavani and Falcao would be a risk for their price and it wouldn't be easy for them to fit that price tag (like Torres). Still, Lewandowski is still a world class striker in the making and he won't do any wonders in a short time, but if we give him his time and let him develop, he could surely be a top player. Robert is a great teamplayer and doesn't just score goals, but also can create them. 7 goals and 4 assists in 15 games this season in all competitions are a strong number. Torres has 5 goals in 16 games for us this season, so the facts support Robert but that isn't such a big surprise..

Will be a difficult game as Swansea plays some nice football, but if we make the best of our potential, we can surely win this. I would like to see Moses for Mata as he played well against United and I think Juan needs a rest. We need him 100% fit against Donezk midweek.

Average. And we already have two young strikers to develope with Danny and Lukaku and Bony would only steal them playing team.

Interesting lad. Could be just what we need to strengthen our C(D)M. Right now, his estimated market value is about 4 mio. €, but it's rising.

Lewandowski could really be just what we need. As I'm from Germany and watching the Bundesliga every weekend, I know him very well. Just an icecold player in the box with a great shot. His header is no way to be compared to Falcao's though, but as crosses aren't our main attacking option, I think that's ok. But he could need his time. When he arrived at Dormtund he was a substitute one season long for Lucas Barrios and when Lucas was injured Robert found his topform and is a starter since then even forcing Barrios leaving the club. And I agree, Falcao is still the no.1 on the wishlist. But if he can't happen, I'd prefer Lewandowski over Cavani tbh.

Very excited to see Marin at his starting 11 debut. I had my doubts about his physical conditions for the English football, but the pre-season was pretty nice and I'm really excited for tomorrow.