The only place to be

Why would NYCFC be willing to loan him to us?

So where else could he have stayed match fit at the top level of football?

There's a difference between between well-known and wealthy in New York from almost anywhere else on Earth. It's the media capital of the world and a massive potential market for football (as well as Lampard's missus who works in the media). Melbourne is a fine, cosmopolitan city from what I understand, but it's not New York and there's really no argument against that. This whole discussion is feeling a little silly to be honest so I'm going to end it there before you say anything else.

Carrick is out injured for a couple more months. What does > mean in relation to Chicago and New York? Sorry, but you have literally no chance of making an argument against the attractiveness of New York. You'd be better off going down the route of pretending Melbourne is some huge attraction to a top sportsman who isn't a rugby loig Neanderthal.

Emenalo re-signing him made sense because you'd have thought he would still have transfer value (or value to us as a squad member)...unfortunately that doesn't seem quite true.

LOL....good one. Almost had me going there

He most certainly does not. Mikel played very few of the 'big' games and only featured because Matic was cup-tied or we had to rest players (Liverpool away). I think there's still a move that could be made...possibly Cech or Torres out for a striker.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City BTW, anyone thinking of actually saying some of the stupid things they say on here (like calling Lamps a Judas) probably should refrain from doing it at any Chelsea games.

Exactly. Can't other teams see what a great player he is and stump up £5 million for one of the best DMs in Europe? Who were all sacked by us. Mourinho has actually replaced him and relegated him to second-choice status hence the fact he's only featured for 90 minutes THREE times since Matic was signed. The simple fact is that the people who used to defend him have had their arguments shot to bits by the revelatory performances of Matic who has shown precisely what a quality DM should do. But apparently that defensive midfield role is something that is so nuanced we can't appreciate it....despite Matic and Makelele being well-loved by ALL Chelsea fans and Mikel being loathed, derided and mocked by the majority.

No offence but Melbourne City isn't the same as the Premier League Champions or Champions League football. As for hiring a personal trainer, it's not the same as the competitive environment of a club. Again, these are arguments that are being brought up which are simply not realistic and require a slight willing ignorance to entertain. His family life is clearly important to him and there's a great deal of difference between six months in England as opposed to six months in Australia. Now I'm sure some kiddywinks will raise the point that he is now working in New York, but plenty of grown men do that. It's not a tricky commute to make.

To play in New York, the world's largest sports and media market. Not Seattle, New York. Not Toronto, New York. Not Kansas City (anymore Toto), New York. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City I personally believe that he'll play a fair few games which keeps him in Hodgson's mind going forward especially with Gerrard and Cole having retired. Either way, his legacy is undamaged. He's a legend at Stamford Bridge and that won't change because a few people get their knickers in a twist in 140 characters or less.

Needs a full season playing somewhere which is a shame because it leaves us with Mikel who is unflushable proving hard to sell. Sets it up next year for a context between Romeu, Chalobah and possibly Loftus-Cheek for a spot in midfield. Whatever happens his transfer value will probably increase by next summer at the very least.

You mean simplistic, not simple. Melbourne is a stupidly long commute for a man with a young family in this country and he clearly as aspirations to play internationally still so why wouldn't he push himself at the highest level - the PL and Champions League?

After the Vitesse game - shut up you jug-earred twat After today's game - good point Gary, always thought you were the best.

Pre-season..... the time when every victory confirms a title win and every loss means we're doomed.

I think I speak for us all when I say that Oscar's performance was shocking. Just did nothing today. Expecting some first class moaning after that performance.

Jesus, another 3 points dropped. #mourinhoout

Oscar, Willian and Schurrle have been invisible too haven't they mate. They really need to make more of an impact.

Spot on. It's been weeks since his last goal or assist.

You must be one of them perceptive types, maybe a sixth sense type level of intuition.

Be pretty hard to defame you mate.

But as lionsden said, we haven't scored a single league goal since May. It's fucking atrocious. As thekid09 said though, Torres is our joint top scorer in the 2014/15 season. Can't slate the lad.

Let's not forget that pre-season isn't just the time when players get fit for the coming season.... it's also the time when tiresome cunts practice moaning for the coming season. Give those fingers a workout today boys and give the missus a night off from the beatings.

They were reported to have spoken to his agent which could have been nothing more than them asking about his wages, and then laughing and telling him to fuck off.