thejolta

Midwest so it was 730 when the match started and I went to bed at like 230 last night. Ya Belletti! One of m favorite squad players.

Absolutely Frank's best game of the season. I wish I wasn't so tired this game is so much fun to watch.

From the official Chelsea website:

Ah yep you're right with that one. I'll be blown away if this happens still. Think we have enough midfielders.

None of that shit is going to happen. God I used to get so into reading all the transfer stuff but these past two summers (and I assume before that too when I didn't follow it) have been full of so much bullshit. Hasn't Ribery already played in the Champions League??? Cup tied players aren't going to solve our Champions League issues.

Can we lock this thread or is he going to have to sign his new contract first?

Yes, I think Frank's service from corners and free kicks was poor. All of them short. He lost the ball a few times in midfield and had a few weak shots. Lost the ball in midfield a few times. Played solid defense. I'd say it wasn't his best performance.

Drogba's gotta be the man of the match. Great touches, great run for his goal, excellent through to Anelka, incredible skill. I'd say Frank and Malouda struggled today.

So many people holding out hope...

?????

No need for you to remind me. I've been here all summer. Clearly you have your opinion and I have mine. To be honest we were looking to sell him, why wouldn't he be pissed off? Bottom line is we've made up and he's played a big role in the season already and if you want to carry on pissing and moaning about 3 quotes it won't be a popular decision given what he's done for us in the past 5 years and what he will accomplish this year. I wanted him gone before but I realize he's still just as capable as he was two years ago and rotating him and Alex will give us a lot of depth in central defense.

Or maybe it has to do with the fact that he's going to play a huge role in the team. I could understand being bitter with Deco, but no need for that with Riccy.

God it's amazing how these guys take some quote out of context that doesn't even imply anything and then create a whole article saying Chelsea is offering essien. From what I gather some italian journalist asks galliani about some stupid rumor about essien being included then galliani says i don't care if they offer essien we're not selling him, then a journalist takes the quote and says omg galliani just said Chelsea formally offered essien. edit: Can we please lock this thread?

Thank you Shane. Pretty much sums it all up.

Ha. Ya of all the strikers in the world only those two are acceptable. And Barca will not let their young Bojan be signed by another team, get real.

He'll have 6 months left on his contract. Only way he's not on the squad in January is if he's loaned out. Those wages are just too much for the clubs that would be interested in him.

I figured that would be the first thing out of someone's mouth.

http://goal.com/en/n...ker-hulk-report

You should see the shit Murdoch's pumping out state-side on TV.

This has to be bullshit. Mikel may not have the creativity of Pirlo, but he's our best passer. If these two players aren't on the field for the majority of the season I'm going to be very very shitty. Essien lacks the positional discipline? God these British newspapers are killing me.

Hahahahahhaahahahahahaahahaha

I'm with you on this one. I just hope the fee is a bit less than what's been quoted (21). Also, I don't want to see him displacing Mikel in the starting lineup entirely. Mikel must be on the field this year and the dropoff from Mikel's defending to Pirlo's defensive is very drastic. Again though, if we're getting another midfielder I hope we're also selling Deco. We seriously have far too many midfielders who are deserving of a starting position. On a final note if we play the majority of our matches with both Ballack and Pirlo in the starting lineup I will be PISSED.

Which is why these Pirlo rumors are incredibly confusing. We've got Mikel, Essien, Deco, and Ballack available at the position along with Belleti and Mancienne.

Am I the only one who doesn't think he's implying a new signing is on the way, but just that we're going to improve as they all learn their new roles and build a chemistry?

No doubt. I think Mikel has to be starting at DM. He's the best passer on the team and an absolute presence inbetween midfield and defense. This allows Essien to play more of an offensive role while providing some overlap for when Bosingwa makes his runs.