GermanBlue

I'm very sure Mata will start this one.

Schweinsteiger travels happily with the team to Prague and wants to play. Seems like he can make it. Not so sure about this. I can see Schürrle for Mata again, because Schürrle does more defensive work and can be a threat at quick counter attacks that Bayern has problems dealing with. Mata in for Oscar might happen. It's hard to see whether he's fit to start or not. But as a lot of tracking back and other defensive work will be required tomorrow, Juan might be benched again. Media would be bitching again though.

"Chelsea's option for 2nd year contract for Eto'o is linked to number of appearances, according to Sky Italy" "Eto'o will receive 3m € from Anzhi to leave" @tancredipalmeri

Welcome to Chelsea.

Still scared? There is definitely no need to be so. Bayern with a lot of posession, but they don't seem to have a clear plan of what to do with the ball. Of course, there was a lot of rotation today, but a lack of clear-cut chances and sloppy finishing costed them the points today and could've cost them in the last three games. We really have a chance. Solid defending and precise counter attacks will be the key.

Well, it's not special since I'm from Germany, but objectively the Bundesliga has improved year after year and is European's top league just very little behind the PL. Last years Champions Leauge final was the evidence if there was any needed.

Correct. If the guys play as concentrated as yesterday in defence, then I don't have worries. Especially last weekend against the very defence-minded Nürnberg, they had problems to create clear-cut chances. They were just passing the ball in front of goal from one side to the other. That's why a good defensive performance and precise counters will be key. You could see that in the Gladbach match where the opponent had quite a few chances right after opportunities for Bayern. But then again, Gladbach plays that fast counter-football ever since Favre took them over. We have to wait and see how we can make use of Bayern's problems with the new system. Will be tough, but I'll be optimistic and go for a 2-1 for us after extra time.

Just a stat to throw in here: "Most goals + assists in the PL since August 2011: van Persie 75, Rooney 55, Agüero 47, Bale 44, Mata 43, Suárez 42, Walcott 40, Dzeko 36" @WhoScored

There's also interest from Schalke. But that shouldn't be taken serious if they don't qualify for Champions League group stages. If they do, I think that'll be the best destination for Victor.

I don't understand why there is so much trouble around that. Juan was at ConfedCup and had a minor injury in recent weeks, that's why he's not fully fit as seen in the Villa game. I'm sure he'll get his starts once he's back at his best. But it's not like he's untouchable in the starting line-up even if he's not match fit.

Was refused by Mou. I think there is way too much speculation around Juan. He was out for a bit of the pre-season because of that minor injury and that's why he isn't fit to play 90 mins already. You could see that he wasn't match fit against Villa and José said that. He also said that we don't want to lose quality and that's why selling Mata makes no sense. And why would a player unproven in PL, what Willian is although he has undoubtly quality, force our Player of the Season for the last two years out of our club? There's only one player that could be affected by this deal and that is Moses who could be loaned out IMO. But at this moment, I'm sure that Juan will stay.

Although I'd welcome him here, too. He is way too different to Mikel to be called his replacement.

I think you mainly got the point. For a rotation player, he's very good. He's an improvement to the Moses we've seen after the African Cup. He's definitely better than Marin, but you always have to wait how he blends in the team. Schürrle definitely has potential and also showed it in the Bundesliga, Euro League and national team, but his problem is the consistency. He played some neat games in the this season but then again, you didn't see him 4 whole matches. The thing is, he will probably not get too much time to prove himself (like Marin), so his consistency problem could really ruin it for him.

I can understand that. It's not a surprise that Marin 'flopped' (if you want to call it that). Most of the people here in Germany who saw him play a lot before knew that.

I'm fine with this transfer although I think the fee is a bit too high. I would never estimate his price higher than 15m, but the prices are fucked anyway these days. He's going to be the top backup for Hazard we were lacking last season. I wonder if we'll still sign a proper RW!? I don't see a starting spot for Schürrle from the beginning of the season. He has to prove himself like everybody else and his big problem in Leverkusen was consistency which could be a major problem here, too. Let's see, but I wouldn't fear Hazard being played out of his best position every game from now on.

Although I don't like the thought of him leaving us, I think the main point of the article is right, even though I don't believe José ever said that. A David Luiz playing a bit more controlled and sensible without forgetting those amazing long balls would be a dream.

Just read this. I really like this deal, although he'll probably be a back-up for Salvio first, if he isn't on his way out. Are Matic or Garay involved in this deal as a few guys presume? No one knows.

It would actually be funny and sad if José would not say any word on Cavani tomorrow.

The question is whether we can fill a 80,000 seats stadium most of the time like those teams do? Filling a 60,000 seats stadium will already be a challange and a half-empty stadium is always combined with costs.

Demba Ba faces Chelsea axe as Jose Mourinho looks to shake up striker options I always thought it was very unrealistic that we'd sell him after just half a season. But from the article, it seems like selling Torres is the priority.

Yup. "Chelsea and José Mourinho have told us that Kevin will definitely go back to Chelsea next season."

13.30 as far as I know.

Dzeko is, but not Gomez. He's too lazy, he's hardly running after balls and closing down. That's why he was sorted out at Bayern. While Dzeko also isn't the hardest worker against the ball, he has a lot better, more dynamic movement in the box while Gomez needs 5 minutes to turn and face the goal. He's also technically way too limited to play alongside Hazard, Mata and co. If he has an opportunity in the box, he rarely misses, but I'd like a more dynamic stirker at Chelsea.

https://twitter.com/Milanello/status/343273428847046656 I don't know how reliable the source is though, but SkySports Germany reported it afterwards, too: (According to reports, Boateng wants to leave Milan. His agent will reportedly meet Chelsea today.) https://twitter.com/SkySportNewsHD/status/343285341052076032

That's great news.