The only place to be

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.

Lukaku would be better off staying at West Brom or requesting a transfer, because he needs support from fans that he won't get here. So should Nat Chalobah.

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.

I thought you said it was dead and we were getting Lewandowski.

Wow.....not sure if you need to be put in a cage, but I think you need to come out of that closet.

So give him a chance to fight for it then, rather than writing him off and spunking £50 million on another player. Lukaku is one of us and has done everything asked of him to be given a fair shot - sticking someone with such a financial commitment placed on him in front of him in the line really doesn't sit well with me.

We have Lukaku who is twice the player and ten times the man.

His crossing is underrated, but he's not exactly had many targets to hit in the box this year. When there are, he's shown great accuracy but it's his crossing into space that he needs to work on. So basically, get off the guy's fucking back. He's been a revelation in his first season at the club and has worked his bollocks off in game after game.

Unless we tell him to come back. Absolutely don't get the fuss about his comments, don't understand the fuss about him being at Atletico, don't understand the comments about rotating him with Cech (shows a complete lack of understanding of goalkeepers from some people).... So he says he feels like an Atletico player - well of course he fucking does. He's spent the last two years training there, living there and playing there. Do people want him to lie and say when he walks out in Madrid he just pretends he's in Cobham? Trust me - there's a big fucking difference. This guy is our future keeper. The club have managed to acquire and develop him in a remarkable fashion and I simply can't fathom some people's thinking on this subject.

They're different players with different skill sets. Not quite sure what the argument is all about to be honest but it's pretty fucking ridiculous. Personally I think Isco is good, but offers something slightly different to Mata. I think Mata is fantastically underrated despite being one of the best midfielders in the league. Hazard is far more dynamic and explosive on the ball. Oscar has the potential to be better than all of them though (including Isco). He could be the heartbeat of this team, as well as his national team, and be a ballon d'or winner.

And how exactly does he prove it? By scoring 17 goals in his first season? By showing dedication to his craft? I don't know. Maybe in 3 or 4 years he could be. I don't know how you can be that certain. Oh right....so you agree, because earlier (like literally a split-second ago) you were saying he wouldn't ever be as good. Are there two of you writing these posts? Maybe one of you should take over and then it would be less confusing.

Lukaku is a young man who clearly loves this club. He has a fantastic attitude and went away and scored 17 goals in the Premier League with limited game time at a club who aren't nearly as consistent as us. This young man has done more than anyone expected. I simply don't understand how people can not be willing to give him a chance. Football isn't simply about winning - maybe that's an old-fashioned view because I supported Chelsea before we were contending for titles, but sport has always been more than just the glory. It's about the personal relationships you build with fellow supporters and the people who put that shirt on and give their all for the team. Lukaku is one of us. He deserves our support. Cavani is at this moment just one more tart wiggling his arse in the direction of anyone willing to pay him. He might sell shirts, he might become a legend for us but some people really have to ask themselves what exactly they're supporting this club for.

Choulo's right - Mikel's pass was sensational and made those Tahitians look like Tongans....amiright???

So why didn't AVB try and sign him? Why was the only offer on the table from a mid-table side like Liverpool?

The difference between Kompany and Luiz is, in my opinion, Kompany loves defending whereas Luiz is a frustrated midfielder. Players like JT, Tony Adam, Kompany and Vidic could score a hat-trick of 30-yarders and the highlight of their game will be a near-post clearance or a crunching tackle. Luiz loves to bring the ball out and hit those shots, but there are plenty of people (me included) who really don't care about that side of the game. It has it's moments, like away to Fulham, but I'd rather have the guy like Chiellini who loves to dominate games from the back. Can he be the guy who plays next to that dominant CB? Absolutely, but if there are offers on the table for close to £40 million then it's very hard to say no.

Fair enough. If we do get him then five years is the standard.

My immediate reaction is that's complete bollocks - three years? Nope.

Rumours circulating that Galatasaray's bid would be around £13 million. Not bad considering that's around the rumoured figure for De Rossi.

Haven't seen a massive amount of this guy and it's clear he's not the finished article, but he reminds me a fair bit of Ballack. Big frame but nicely composed, plays with his head up and has a nice touch. He seems like the type of player who can link the defence with the attack either with his passing or bringing the ball out himself and seems to have a nice timing when arriving in the box. If we're going to get rid of Mikel then we'll need another body so loaning him out might not be necessary. Nice to see us continuing the policy of going after young guys with massive upside though, and using our links with foreign clubs to our benefit.

'Contacted for Jovetic' Could mean absolutely anything. Could be one of the agents/intermediaries asking if he's available which you'd expect any club looking for a striker to do. Could just be looking to see if he'd be open to a move IF we made a bid. Could just be us doing that to let Napoli know that Cavani isn't the only show in town. So many enquiries are made that it's absurd to report every one, but reporters need to fill their days so why not?

True, but he's hugely marketable. He's sold more shirts than anyone else in the PL, although he did drop off last season. Still, there is massive potential for commercial benefits from his signing. Maybe there's an argument that Cavani opens up the South American market, but the English product has worldwide appeal and an English player of Rooney's calibre wil always travel well.

Yep, but I can't see United selling him to us. From almost every angle he'd be my preferred option IF he wants it. If he's prepared to work his bollocks off to prove everyone wrong, he can become the best striker in football.