Martina

For me it's not mutually exclusive - Rafael's foul doesn't dignify what Luiz did or vice versa. No need to take sides, I would be angry with both of them.

No. I thought it was a stupid thing to do though. That's OK. I won't hold it against you :-)

There was absolutely no need for that, so immature and unnecessary, IMHO. And for those who defend him: can you do a simple mental exercise and pretend for a minute it was a Man United player who went down and then started laughing? Would you still think it was OK? And if that doesn't help pretend it was a Liverpool player :-) I'm not saying there shouldn't have been a red card, that's a different issue altogether.

Yes, it's important to have passion. But it's equally important to keep your calm when necessary - have you seen Cech and Lampard trying to calm the players down today? Or Cech calming Terry down after he got the red card against Barcelona? Luiz needs to learn that, staying focused and think two steps ahead. And since he is a fiery and easily agitated player it will only come with age and experience. Mind you - that's not a criticism of him as player or as a person. His time will come. And goalkeepers as captains: Buffon, Casillas, Khan, Schmeichel… Some food for thought: Goalkeepers in my estimates would make the best captains due to the fact that they have the best view of the whole field, can map out strategies, are more level headed on the field and generally command more respect from peers, opponents and officials. Goalies have a better visual range than anyone else on the team and don't have to worry about being offensive or defensive, rather marshal the troops in position, map out tendencies of opposing strikers and midfielders and not to mention the fact that, other than running up for a corner kick and back down, have great stamina and do not tire through constant jockeying for the ball and running. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/17856-goalkeepers-your-best-bet-for-captaincy

I don't know any "people like me" - so I can't enlighten you on what they think. I can only speak for myself and give you my opinion (as much as you can give me yours). For me words like "commitment, passion and heart" mean many things, but definitely not a stupid and totally unnecessary laughing when your opponent takes you down. And no, I'm not saying he should have started crying either - just show some dignity.

She was just an ex-girlfriend, wasn't she :-D Nobody is perfect ;-)

Yes, JT did plenty of silly things in his life. But it depends on how you define "worse". What Luiz did today is quite typical of Spanish and/or South American football (does Busquets ring a bell?) and I personally dislike it with a passion. The focus could have been on our victory - now it's his childish act that makes the headlines. Imagine if he played for the opposition - we would be calling him all possible names right now.

I know my view won't gain much support - but after today's match I'm even more convinced that Luiz needs to "grow up" before I consider him an option. That silly grin was so unnecessary - can't imagine Lampard or Cech behave like that.

Now don't get cheeky :-)

Looks like I'm the only one in the group 41-50. And since most of you are 17-21 then I could be your mother, so behave :-) As a matter of fact it took much more knowledge and skill to use a PC in the eighties than it takes in the Facebook age. We had to learn a lot of coding if we wanted to get anything out of it. I teach seniors and beginners how to use a computer. You can't imagine how inadequate and marginalised these people feel.

Yes, I know what you mean - and agree with about 99% of it :-) Just think it's hilarious that every time a Chelsea player says something positive about him Rafa links to it from his Twitter account. And they call Jose a megalomaniac? And I have found the Spanish interview and indeed, the question (for Azpilicueta) was: What has Rafa Benitez given to Chelsea? Still, I can't wait to see the back of him.

We want Benitez! As Mourinho lurks, German outfit Schalke set sights on interim Chelsea manager to join football revival http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2319549/Rafa-Benitez-wanted-Schalke-Chelsea.html

No, I'm not "indicating" anything as such. I couldn't possibly know what questions are being asked, could I. I might despise Benitez, but that doesn't make me brain-dead (hopefully). I don't want to argue as it all comes down to personal perception - I can see you point if and if you can't see mine I'll live :-) But yes, I believe some players are more eager to praise Rafa than others - and it comes out in the interviews. I don't blame them - Benitez might be a lovable person - but surely they must know what the fans are thinking. Take the interview with Azpilicueta - I don't see any specific questions being asked, he talks about many different things. Yet he makes Rafa look like master tactician. Quote: "Rafa Benítez has given more tactical rigour to Chelsea. Until his arrival we were conceding lots of goals and we were not as solid as we should have been. Now we try to play like a team both in defence and in attack, and that's the most important thing." http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2013/04/27/3935411/azpilicueta-benitez-has-given-chelsea-more-tactical-rigour) I must repeat myself - but didn't RDM show that he could build up a very solid defense? Was he not blamed for "parking the bus"? Would he be allowed to play this - often - dull and boring football as Benitez? IMHO no other manager was given so much patience as Benitez, they would all have been sacked after our defeat against QPR. The same goes for Cech and Mourinho today. I don't believe he was asked something like: "Do you think Mourinho is the best manager you have ever known?" Yet he comes with a very bold statement. He could have said it's all only rumours at this point and cut it there. It's too early to start heaping praise on Rafa Benitez http://www.weaintgotnohistory.com/2013/5/3/4296302/chelsea-fc-fans-rafa-benitez-praise-top-four-europa-final

Yes, I can understand where you're coming from. Perhaps I just find it hard to be objective when it comes to Benitez. No, I don't think they actually go to the media. I don't want to be nitpicking, but for me there is a difference between answering what you're being asked (in a diplomatic way) and/or getting your own message across. Q: Juan - what did you think of today's match? A: I think we played well and we are very pleased with the result. is quite different to: Q: Juan - what did you think of today's match? A: We played really well thank to Benitez, who is a great guy and we all love him to bits. Obviously a direct question about Benitez should be answered in a diplomatic manner. But the fact that they nearly never publish the questions kind of kills this issue. And as I've said I'm overly sensitive to all things Benitez :-)

Hmm, I'm not entirely convinced. Perhaps because they seem very proactive about it - why don't we hear Cech, Lampard, Cole etc… come with similar statements? Is it because the journalists don't ask the old guard questions about Benitez and only ask the younger players? For me it depends on whether you were asked a question about Benitez (yes, be diplomatic) or whether you - yourself - take the initiative. I guess it's similar to Cech praising Mourinho - again, we don't know whether he was asked a question about Mourinho and how it was formulated. Would you call it being diplomatic? 4 May 2013 10:09:00 Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech says that Jose Mourinho is "one of the best coaches in the world" as the Portuguese edges closer to a return to Stamford Bridge. Cech told RMC: "I think not a lot of players have worked with Jose here but I can say that he is one of the best coaches in the world. "He is a great coach and, if he comes back, I think [Chelsea] fans will be very happy. "It would be a pleasure to work with him for players who already know him and for those who do not yet know him well." http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2892/transfer-zone/2013/05/04/3952882/former-chelsea-boss-mourinho-one-of-the-best-in-the-world

Transfer news: Jose Mourinho to meet Chelsea FC officials next week Just posting a link - no idea whether it is reliable or not :-) According to a respected football agent, Jose Mourinho’s agents are set to meet Chelsea FC officials next week in London. The source says that no terms have been agreed between CFC and Mourinho yet. But the information is that Mourinho has requested that Chelsea FC remove certain members of their non-playing staff (coaches and backroom staff). Removal of backroom staff is routine when a new manager comes in, as he will be bringing in his own backroom staff and coaches. Perhaps this is a sign that Mourinho is serious about moving back to Chelsea FC. The news comes as a follow-up to comments made by Mourinho in the aftermath of the Champions League semifinal 2nd leg against Dortmund. Mourinho dropped clear hints that he wanted to leave Madrid, and with this latest information, it seems Chelsea is his preferred destination. http://www.sportskeeda.com/2013/05/03/transfer-news-jose-mourinho-to-meet-chelsea-fc-officials-next-week/

Isn't it the Swedish multi-millionaire referee Jonas Eriksson?

Andre Villas-Boas has been paid a staggering £12million in compensation for being fired by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2152902/Andre-Villas-Boas-pockets-12m-early-Chelsea-exit-Roman-Abramovichs-spending-spirals.html Let's just say we disagree on the rest :-)

It's a bargain. Why not just pay it? Look at what we paid for AVB - not to mention the 12 million we paid to sack him.

That's more than reasonable. After all we payed £50 million for the biggest flop in football history and sacking managers is an expensive hobby.

We would eat it, but the best Danish bacon is exported to Britain and Ireland :-) Only the inferior quality is being sold here. The Danes are absolutely crazy about Swansea as you can imagine, both Laudrup brothers are quite popular. Brian Laudrup talked about Mourinho last night - how Chelsea fans love him etc...more or less he said Jose ought to come back.

:-) First he talks about other teams (difficult group, Man United etc). About the match: the problem was not tonight, the problem was the result of the first leg. The way we played the first leg was unacceptable. Q: Are you going to England? A: I don't know. (Then long monologue about how he likes Real Madrid - not very convincing). I need to enjoy my life, I need football - I'm not thinking about retirement or one year of vacation (smiles). I will think, I will think and I will decide the best for me. Q: Could we see you in Chelsea, you think? A: (Now this might be wishful thinking on my part - but he nods and then quickly changes his expression. Maybe he just nods to let her know that he understands the question). I don't know. I think Chelsea has to be worried with what they have to do to the rest of the season, I have to do the same. And let's see what happens in the summer.

Sorry - didn't think they would block it for other countries. My apologies :-)

Here is a link to an interview Danish TV made with Mourinho last night. As far as I know it wasn't shown anywhere else. Towards the end he's asked about his coming back to Chelsea. http://onside.dk/champions-league/luna-skal-du-til-chelsea-mourinho Apparently the link only works in Denmark When asked about coming back to Chelsea he says: I don't know and Chelsea has to worry about finishing the season well. I have to do the same.

Managers need to fit the clubs they manage. That's why Benitez was so popular in Liverpool - he fit the bill in so many ways. IMHO Chelsea has been the "enfant terrible" for quite some time. Some fans embrace it and some don't - but that's a "fact". We're the club people love to hate and we make the headlines. And while 10-20 years is continuity for some clubs, 4 years is an eternity for Chelsea. Jose is the perfect fit for me - but if he doesn't come then I'd prefer Hiddink.