The only place to be

Luiz isn't part of our spine yet in my opinion, but we really don't have a spine. We need that defender we build the whole team on and at the moment I don't know if that's Luiz. A move to PSG makes perfect sense because he'll have Thiago Silva next to him and that's really the type of defender we need. Hazard's position means he'll never be part of the spine but he's one of our most important players and is already one of the best at what he does in Europe.

Don't want him to go.....but does anyone think he fits Mourinho's idea of a midfielder at this point in time? Does he have it in him to put the workrate in that is required in that role, to defend with the rest of the team and play the way we want to play? I have grave doubts about that, and I actually think Oscar might be a better fit for that type of role as he does for Brazil. Personally I think Oscar could be one of the best players in the world in that role, whereas I think Mata might be as good right now as he is ever going to be.

Just an inept relic of bygone times who represents everything wrong with English football. The fact that he'll probably get another job is a sad indictment of the lack of ambition in certain crevices within our game, but seeing this guy fuck off far away from any of our players is a relief. Martin Samuel in the Mail wrote a piece that echoed sentiments I'd expressed - Hod. Coaches football the right way and has worked well with young players in the past, he's available and the nutty stuff is easily ignored. Southgate to me is another case of 'jobs for the boys' but he's at least a bit less agricultural in his approach to the game than Pearce. Be nice to have someone who hasn't bottled at least one penalty shootout whilst on international duty in a tournament in charge of the young kids though.

That is a lot of money. Is there a centre-back in the world who we couldn't sign for that much? Varane? Mangala? I've said it before, but £40 million for any player who isn't part of the spine or isn't someone like Hazard is a bid worth considering. If Jose doesn't fancy him then a €20 million profit is fantastic business.

I think I'm right in saying that all the big clubs are avoiding each other in April and May.....could the PL actually be trying to help clubs' Champions League aspirations?? That is incredible. West Brom, Southampton and Palace at home where we can play the likes of Moses, Schurrle, Lukaku etc. and perhaps rest the key guys for what could be crucial games. Alex is right that you have to play 19 other teams home and away, but this has got to be one of the kindest schedules in many years.

A few quick notes. Hull at home on opening day is perfect. Hopefully it will be on the Saturday still (lunchtime is the best we can hope for I reckon) and that's a nice game to ease us in. United away next is probably the best time to get them. Same goes for Everton away after that. Boxing Day at home to Swansea is another ideal fixture. Liverpool two days later could go either way. BUT That run-in is about as good as anyone could hope. Palace AWAY Stoke HOME Swansea AWAY Sunderland HOME Liverpool AWAY Norwich HOME Cardiff AWAY All in all, not a bad set. Personally I'm happy we're home on the opening day and boxing day and that run-in is about as downhill as you get in the EPL.

A few years out of a solid pro like De Rossi before a few of the youngsters step up with no real transfer fee....I think even Mikel's staunchest supporters would see the sense in that.

We have won the league with a striker scoring just 12 goals. Lukaku scored 17 last season. I'm not entirely sure we need Drogba of 2010 with players like Mata, Hazard, Oscar, Schurrle, Lamps, Moses, Torres, Ba, Lukaku etc.

See, I think this is a misunderstanding of who we are as a team. We threw away points last season not because we didn't score enough goals (unless you subscribe to the Kevin Keegan School of Coaching), but because our midfield was weak and our defence porous especially towards the end of games. I firmly believe that if we can improve both these areas then we have the goals in the team to win trophies.

The fact that we dropped Sheva doesn't make me feel any better about the amount that was spent on him. That signing destabilised us massively in my opinion. I just think we've done so much good work over the last couple of years in buying responsibly and giving us all the sense that we're building something skilfully and with a bit of thought. The Mata, De Bruyne and Lukaku deals weren't obvious - they were all punts and we've nurtured these young men so they're worth more. Cavani is just a cynical signing in my opinion. It's essentially throwing money at the most expensive striker available. Personally, I find it a very dull signing.

The fees aren't massively different after 10 years. Drogba wouldn't go for much more in my opinion, in face I'd say he'd cost about Hazard money. Apologies for getting the age wrong. The RVP thing is a little tricky because I think Arsenal played with two up top. He also had no PL experience whereas we're talking about a guy with a lot of experience and coming off one of the best seasons a teenager has ever had. Mentally and physically I think Lukaku is ready but we're looking to sign a striker who CAN'T really be dropped because of the massive financial commitment we're making. I would just like to see this club trusting it's youth and building something for the future, rather than looking for short-term fixes. But clearly the club doesn't think there's an appetite amongst the fanbase for that - they need silverware now, otherwise they'll buy someone else's t-shirt.

RVP had no Premier League experience and Arsenal had Thierry Henry at the club. Drogba was 3 years younger and half the price. If Cavani was £30 million then I doubt anyone would object but this is just a massive amount of money in my opinion. Eidur got games in other positions too. Too young to compete? Is there now an age-restriction on certain tournaments? You're good enough, you're old enough. If you're talking about making signings to improve on last season, the midfield and defence are the most important areas. That's how we won leagues under Jose.

Maybe we should get rid of Hazard, Mata and Oscar and get these Nigerian stars. That way Mikel can be at his very best. The alternative is that we sell Mikel and buy a player who can operate with 3 of the best young talents in world football. Sophie's Choice indeed.

Mata is over 21. Hazard is over 21. Cech is over 21. Azpilicueta is over 21. Cole is over 21. Luiz is over 21. Oscar is over 21. Schurrle is over 21. Rami is over 21. So um, yeah. And anyone who thinks that Lukaku and Cavani will get an equal shot at the starting spot is kidding themselves. It's finanacially irresponsible to spend £50 million on an asset and not give them EVERY opportunity to succeed.

Good points, but still don't make me feel better about spending £50 million on a 27 year old 'proven' striker. I thought we were done spending huge amounts on 'finished articles' and were instead focusing on building a team in a more thoughtful, patient manner. I've got a massive soft spot for Lukaku because I like his attitude. I like his love for this club and I like watching him play football. More importantly, I think he fits our team and whilst he's not the finished article I actually want to see him grow with us. I feel like I have a connection with this young man in a way I don't have with Cavani. I felt that way before we signed him because of his love for the game and for this club. I'm sure we'll win loads with Cavani and he might become a hero at the club but there's just something so soulless about this type of signing. Honestly, we'll lift the league title in May not because we have the best fans and not because we had the bravery to give our youth a chance to build a team for the next decade, but because our chequebook is bigger than the other guys'. Where's my fucking flag?

I know.....how could Choulo have known this would happen......

You'd have to ask his mummy.

Spurs fans were clamouring for a striker - are you saying that Sturridge (who apparently is going to be one of the Premier League greats and whom AVB watched in training every day for about 8 months) wasn't a target for them because they had Defoe and Adebayor? I don't buy it. I think he's a decent player but he's become overrated on here because people either have an agenda against our board and want to use this as a stick to beat them with, or simply because he's moved on and the grass is a little greener.

Meh....he can't close off any avenue to himself. Honestly it's a relief that he's saying this and not his sister's husband's cousin's neighbour's dentist. The amount of people shoving their hands up this guy's arse and using him like a sock puppet is ludicrous.

To be honest mate, I'm done arguing about it. We're going to sign Cavani and we'll probably win the title. He might score 20 goals, he might not. I'm rapidly losing interest. Romelu is a great guy who has done enough to earn his chance in my opinion. Growing up I would've killed to have watched a guy like this come through the ranks and become a legend for us, but I'm starting to think that I'm an antique. That isn't what football fans want now and it doesn't make the money. So let's just sign this guy, sell loads of t-shirts and enjoy the youtube clips packages because that's what modern football is.

Mata reads the game far better than Eden, but Eden is far more dynamic on the ball. Again, you're somewhat comparing apples and oranges.

So we have to wait for the £50 million striker to flop before he is given a chance? This is one of those signings that is a statement signing - it's put out there to attract fickle fans and television ratings, which is sadly what football is becoming. Rather than saying to a young man (who cares about this club deeply) that we're ready to take a chance with you, we're going for the 'proven article' and we'll stick with him for longer than we should because he cost a fuckload of money. All those people who think we should bend over and let Napoli name their price better at least have the fucking good grace to order EVERY kit we bring out with Cavani's name on it....get a fucking bobblehead doll too.

So some people have said that Chalobah isn't ready because he's only played at Championship level (which is a quick way of saying they haven't watched many of his matches this season), but we're seriously discussing what Mikel does against Tahiti? Look, he's a nice chap who is a decent player...but fuck me if he isn't the most divisive player that we've had at this club for a long time. Personally I've never left the Bridge thinking he had a really strong game. I don't know many people who have either, but the amount of arguments he causes far outweighs his talent or level of importance so for that reason alone it would be refreshing to ship him off.

So where's his chance come when there's a £50 million striker stuck in front of him? Personally I'd rather take our chances with Lukaku, Ba and Torres in the team....but who the fuck is going to buy our shirts with that scenario eh? How much will EA be paying to stick any of those on the front of FIFA? I mean is it really even worth cheering for a player who cost less than £20 million?

You're talking about two players who bring different things to their respective games. Saying one is better because he's more 'talented' when their talents are different is a little bit broad.