The only place to be

Sometimes the media are right - in this case it's just a massive open-secret. It isn't just Roman either, but most of the key guys at the top of the club (Gourlay and Emenalo in particular).

So Benitez isn't a very good manager, but Mark Hughes is? I can agree with your points about Chelsea before Abramovich (although we had our detractors and issues) but it isn't just about 'instant success', it's about building something long-term and he simply didn't fancy Robbie for that so he needed a stop-gap. I would've liked Wilkins back at the club but that wasn't ever that likely, so you have to look at who was available on a short-term contract. Hughes was actually employed by QPR at that time. And signing shirts isn't really that bad is it?

Rio's a massive twat but no player deserves that. It was disgusting.

Sorry mate, but it's the biggest open secret in football right now. The club is focused on getting Guardiola. I disagree with what you've said about Guardiola based on everything I've heard and read about him. He has something about him and I think we're in exactly the right point for him to come in and build something special. But I respect your views. The proof of that particular pudding will be in the eating. I absolutely agree with your view on the Glazer's spending, but United fans have actually cooled in their hatred towards them. You can tell just by the lack of protests and green/yellow scarves at games. The Glazers have also exhibited a bit more commitment to the club but I agree that Roman is ten times the owner. I love his little celebrations. And I agree with your last point. My view is that Mourinho is the best manager for winning now which is why he'd be perfect for City. But right now we need a coach who can develop something long-term and I think the best available guy is Pep. Out of interest, where do you see the managers ending up?

I completely disagree with your point about Guardiola. I've stated before what I think of him from what I've read and heard about him. Plus Roman views him as 'his guy' so I think we need to focus on getting him. I've recommended it before but there's a great new book on Guardiola by Balague that really does give a good insight into him. I'd love to hear any recommendations of books or profiles on him that you've used to come to your opinion of him. I've read your posts and I can't imagine you're the type of guy who thinks anyone could have managed Barcelona to the same success. You're way too smart for that. I also agree with your views on the Glazers' spending and Mourinho, but Ferguson will hold a lot of sway on that appointment and he could influence Mourinho. I think you're totally wrong on the Glazers long-term plan for United. Nothing I've read or heard suggests they aren't bothered about United. Ultimately I think our own long-term and short-term prospects are best served by City winning the title. I think a United win throws way too many variables into the equation and uncertainty is the last thing we need.

United were the away team and they did what they had to. It's a good result today and a deserved one. As for the second point, it's very hard to win the league when you rely on scoring one more goal that your opponents. Just ask Keegan. They've conceded multiple goals to weak teams already and they're vulnerable in midfield. Let's not forget that they threw away the league last season too.

My point about Mancini is if he wins the title this year he probably won't lose his job which means City probably won't chase Guardiola or Mourinho. We need a big manager to take over in the summer. And Guardiola isn't unproven, or at least not in Roman's eyes. He's the first choice for our next manager and we've structured the club's future around getting him. I also think Mourinho could absolutely go to United. I also think he could go to City (in fact I think that's the best fit for him).

The Chelsa and Liverpool games I agree with (Evans should've seen red at Liverpool with Shelvey) but they were the better team today. City looked a little toothless again today and City had too much up top for them. But United will still drop points - they concede way too many goals not to.

Sorry, but that's simply bollocks. Of course what we do is more important and I truly believe that the package we have to offer any potential manager is better than any other potentially on the table..... but you want as little competition in any negotiation as possible. It's remarkably short-sighted to think we exist in a vacuum.

Well someone is definitely going to replace Fergie as the Manchester United manager. I agree that they will have some major issues when he's gone but do you honestly think that they won't go after either Pep or Jose?? The second point I don't understand. Sorry. But if they don't win the title I think they'll dump Mancini and go after either Pep or Jose. How on Earth does that not potentially affect Chelsea Football Club's future?

I'll ask the same question I asked earlier - don't you think both Manchester clubs needing new managers (which is possible) could have a major impact on our future?

Let's just ignore the preposterous claims about Mourinho's legacy that you're making. Do you not worry about the manager situation that some of the fans in this thread have commented on? Our past achievements are there and no proper Chelsea fan thinks they'll be diminished or tarnished by anything City do. But what about our future?

I may not agree with everything you say, but you put it well.

So you don't see a danger in two big clubs possibly needing new managers in the summer? Who exactly do you think takes charge of us, United and City if we all chase Guardiola and Mourinho?

If that's the case the only person whose legacy is getting pissed on is your own because you are talking utter bollocks. :wank2:

Actually it's not just this season. It's Chelsea's future which is dependent on getting the right manager this summer. And here's a little secret for you - Mourinho's legacy is set in stone. Mancini winning the league won't change that you insecure little fraud. Pish-posh - all you're doing there is caring about this club's future. How very silly of you. Don't you know that Mourinho's legacy is so fragile that Mancini winning another title (with a fantastic squad by the way) will cause our league titles to disappear. WON'T SOMEBODY THINK OF THE CHILDREN :cry:

Why? They're both fine managers who have done well to win trophies in both Italy and England. Not only do you know fuck all about Chelsea, it seems as though you're completely ignorant about football in general. :D

Exactly. From a short-term perspective, we're still in the title race however remote it is (personally I think we're done, but it's still possible). Long-term, we need to look at the manger situation. Guardiola and Mourinho are the two biggest prizes and right now it seems to be us and Milan in the race for one. If City don't win the title then Mancini is almost certainly done and they go after them. If United wins then Fergie has a brilliant chance to go out on top and they go after them. How anyone who even has the slightest amount of intelligence can't see this is beyond me. Plus it's United for fuck's sake. They've got some of the worst fans in the league. At least City fans know a bit about football (which is more than can be said than one of the people on this thread).

The people cheering for United obviously have no idea what is best for Chelsea's future. They don't even seem to care. :wank2: :wank2:

1. I will always prioritise those fans who have turned up to add their voices to the support for a number of years over those who simply turned up when we became 'a global brand'. 2. Before Roman, I don't think the Europa League actually existed (UEFA Cup still). We were already a Champions League team though and had some truly glorious nights. We are obviously bigger now, but this trophy still holds very little in the way of prestige in my opinion. 3. That's actually been my point, that this trophy probably means a lot more to non-British fans than the British fans. Whatever you may think of me, we're actually in agreement on this point. In fact I think that it's been my main point throughout. A good place to end then. I'm not sure if I agree. Put it like this, if we win the FA Cup then I'd be expecting an open-top bus parade. If we win this i doubt we'll get the same. Not the most scientific measure I know.

We're in the middle of a building phase. What we're lacking is a manager to lead us and we need the other teams to be out of the running for the best possible chance to get our main target. How any Chelsea fan could want United to win more than City beggars belief.

1. I'm not going to get into a 'who's the bigger supporter' argument. What I'm explaining is that there's something distinct about this club because of where it's from. That's something that's hard to explain to someone who has never experienced it. 2. Oh ok. Thanks. 3. I really don't know how much 'glory' it brings to be honest. If we win, great.

We aren't a 'billionaire club' - we're Chelsea Football Club. The type of fan who thinks City winning the title diminishes our achievement is the type of fan whose opinion doesn't mean shit to PROPER CHELSEA SUPPORTERS.

Maybe. But Barcelona were the best team in the world before their CWC win and Liverpool could've won the CWC and still wouldn't have been the best team on Merseyside. Being Champions of Europe is more important than being Champions of the World. We beat the best team in the world last year over two legs in the Semis. In these semis we're playing a team 80% of fans probably hadn't heard of before last week.

1. Chelsea exists because of it's fans who actually go to games, the ones who saved the club from extinction. Don't ever try and tell me the club isn't a London club when you have absolutely no idea what a London club looks, feels and smells like. Yes the brand is grown worldwide and we're grateful to all the kids who see the club on tv and buy the t-shirts but the club's heart and soul is distinctly West London. 2. It's cool that we're getting exposure in Brazil considering it's an emerging market but right now I care more about the 3 points we could get against Villa because we need CL football next year. 3. The cup has historical links but in it's current guise it's still very young and there is very little prestige associated with it. I'd have thought our CL win would've been much bigger for our brand than the CWC could be.