The only place to be

You could criticise any of our players in the first 30 minutes - they were all varying forms of dire. But when we decided to wake up, he looked fairly comfortable and was actually orchestrating the play around the centre circle.

Great work by Torres and a great cross by Rami. Plus a brilliant finish by Lamps. Now we've got to start the second-half like we finished the first.

We win as a team, we lose as a team. That's what Chelsea is.

He already has the physical 'grittiness' and I'd fancy his chances against Charlie Adam anyday. Plus he's already fairly strong so sticking him in the weights room won't change much. Experience is overrated sometimes. Whatever happens, his first game in a Chelsea shirt will be his first game. No amount of games at Watford or Wigan or West Brom will change that. The fact is you didn't point out any technical aspects that he needs to improve and that's largely been the case for most of his time at the club. He's stepped up to each challenge and I think we've got to look to use him sooner rather than later.

Watching the game and holding judgment until the 90 minutes are up? For fucks sake.

He never tracked the player - he simply let him run past him. Weird.

Really? What specifically do you think he is lacking at this point in time? To me, it's simply a bit of fitness from the 70th minute on.

Luiz was out of position but Ashley got absolutely skinned on that one. Shit start.

I think he's good enough to compete for one. I've watched him play for many years now and he's always looked a class above.

But the one thing that hasn't changed in football in that time is if you're good enough, you're old enough.

Yeah might as well get back on the bus. Interesting team - Rami on the wing to combat Baines/Pienaar and the rest of the team as expected. Good to see him stick with Azpi and Luiz and not resting Mata. Plus Ake and Piazon on the bench is always good to see. Just want to get going now. :blue scalf:

So you think he needs two more years of loans?

18 posts before someone points out that Luiz has played less than half-a-dozen games in that position, and that he's been asked to do different things in each of them.

It's almost like you've looked at Walcott's speed score on FIFA and decided that he must just be about pace - he isn't. Like I said, you don't play 5 years under Wenger without becoming exceedingly comfortable on the ball, something that he was at Southampton too. That's like saying Falcao's game is just about poaching - it's a very narrow way of defining what a player is capable of. You criticised Falcao because he doesn't contribute as much as Lewandowski, yet Walcott offers a lot more around the box than either of them so like I said it's the inconsistency in some people's criticisms that I find a little odd.

Actually he's a very good link-up man - remember that's what you said you liked about Lewandowski the other day, that he offers a lot to his game. Well the same case could be made for Walcott couldn't it? The one thing that you learn after 5 years with Wenger is how to pass the ball, which is what he offers over Sturridge too. I'm not saying he's a good option for us, but some people need to be a little consistent.

Yes seriously. The season before we finished third - I remember being excited about us pushing for the title because I was there. Now like I've said, I know all the arguments for taking time with player development except most of that's based on me following Chelsea all my life and we don't really develop players. So what exactly is Chalobah missing from his game to be included in our first-team, because in my humble opinion he isn't missing anything except a little bit of fitness.

In the season before John Terry started playing in the Chelsea first-team, we finished 5th. Last year we finished 6th. I know every single reason why we should take time with youngsters like McEachran (not physically ready) and Bamford or Kane (never likely to be good enough) - I just don't think they pertain to this particular youngster.

Actually it's got more to do with his ability to play football than it has anything to do with his genitals, but whatever turns you on.

So has Raheem Sterling.

Age is just one factor that you have to look at and players don't all mature at the same speed. This kid has looked more than comfortable at Championship level so why not try him at the next one. Would I throw him into the CL Semis? Weird question. If he's in contention at that point in April then he must've been doing well in the 8 months leading up to it otherwise why would it even be a question?? I would play him in the CL Group stages against one of the weaker sides for sure. Let's be honest - there is no uniform way of preparing a kid for 1st team football. Our last great prospect had 6 games on loan at Nottingham Forest before being thrown into the first-team aged 20 - was John Terry unprepared for the rigours of 1st team football because he didn't get a chance at a Premier League team like Gael Kakuta and Michael Mancienne did?

A lot depends on who starts at right-back, but personally I'd like to see Luiz and Rami given a go. Tiredness might be an issue but Luiz has shown enough in the last few outings to be trusted with another game.

I was firmly against that, but I'm starting to come round to thinking he should come back. I was disappointed that he wasn't started today, and I've been impressed that in the last two games Rafa has given league debuts to two youngsters. If we're not getting Falcao until summer then who knows what options we have left?

Both nice options but I'd be inclined to go with the 23 year old English player who we can move to the wing in the future, rather than the 27 year old with a dodgy knee. Although both would be nice.

I agree with almost all of that (not too bothered that he's with Zola if I'm honest) but I'd be more inclined to bring him back next season and include him in the first-team. He's not like Mancienne or Bruma who you look at and think they need more time - he has that gift to slow the game down that you're either born with or you're not.