Rubber bullets

This surely means we have to win the title next season?

Harrry Redknapp is Lampard's uncle, so I don't think its entirely out of the question for him to join QPR.
Of course I do seem to remember Lampard pratically blackmailing the club to give him a large wage increase by almost joining Inter, buts thats modern day footballers for you.

Harrry Redknapp is Lampard's uncle, so I don't think its entirely out of the question for him to join QPR.
Of course I do seem to remember Lampard pratically blackmailing the club to give him a large wage increase by almost joining Inter, buts thats modern day footballers for you.

This English squad is young. 26 years young to be precise. This is England’s second youngest squad only being beaten in youth by the squad of ’58. Is this a good thing? Probably. England’s golden generation was a miserable failure. Once world class players like Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Paul Scholes and even Michael Owen have long since played their last matches for England. Only a few stragglers are left behind. Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and the contentious Wayne Rooney are seemingly all that remain from the golden generation. But as the old guard dies a new England team emerges, featuring teenagers and players that no one would have even expected to be at the World Cup five years ago. This is maybe a sign that players are now being chosen on their current form and merit rather than reputations. Rickie Lambert, an easily relatable 32 year-old ex-factory worker is an example of this new feel squad. Lambert was playing in the English League One during the last World Cup. Let that sink in. Maybe I’m the only one but I get the feeling that a man like Rickie Lambert may play with a lot more passion for the white shirt than some of the other more ‘entitled’ superstars of the English game. His compatriot and team captain Adam Lallana is also another exciting player to be included. Flair, grace and silky technique is not something often attributed to the players of England but it’s applied to Lallana. The antithesis of the stereotypical English ‘hoofball’, Lallana is hopefully a sign of things to come for England. Not always rough and tumble but sometimes graceful and clever.
Two teenage prodigies: Luke Shaw and Raheem Sterling give hope to the future. An explosive Left-Back and a tricky winger give new dynamism and hunger to England, something that the English team has been missing since a mercurial Wayne Rooney burst onto the scene over a decade ago. But the teenagers aren’t the only youthful hope for England. This squad boasts no more than nine players under the age of 25. Chris Smalling (24), Phil Jones (22), Jordan Henderson (23), Jack Wilshere (22), Ross Barkely (20), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (20), Daniel Sturridge (24) and Danny Welbeck (23). These players are possibly the spine of England for the next decade.
While this isn’t the greatest team to ever have been assembled nor is it likely will this team run away with the World Cup. It does provide some hope for the England faithful; maybe a sign of things to come that the future is maybe a little sunnier than previously thought in the country of rain and clouds. A touch of flair, a touch of experience and a bunch of youthful exuberance make an optimistic team. Personally I haven't been this excited for an English team for a long time.
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I think that's stretching it. Willian (and also Fernandinho) are virtually the same players they were when they played for Shakhtar, so that their now receiving some recognition and getting selected for the NT isn't really an indication of how good of a season they're having. Ramires, for example, has been pretty poor this season.
I think Willian's work rate and energy is tremendous, but Schurrle can give you that for almost 15 million less than what Willian cost us. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect better quality on the ball and more end product from him. Having said that though, he very well could turnout to be a fantastic signing for us. Modric is a good example of why fans shouldn't be too quick to write off new signings.

But at the same time, he has always given his creative players some sort of leeway. He expects creativity from him number 10, Mourinho hasn't really put that as a priority that from our number 10 (Eden has been given the role as the prime playmaker).
The problem with Mata wasn't that he wasn't willing to work hard, it was that he wasn't being played in the right place. Mata out on the flanks is a no no, as we all know he's much better in the middle. How many times did Jose actually play him there? It is no coincidence that his best performances for us this season were the ones where he played in the middle (vs. Arsenal in the cup and when he came on against Tottenham earlier in the season). Mourinho didn't use him correctly at all.

Despite all the money we might gain from sales of Mata, Luiz, Hazard etc if they will be sold, and they would be replaced with players that suit Mou more, I think its just short term solution. Roman will at some point say "I want more attractive football" and we will be in the begining.
Luiz, Mata,...have personality. That means a lot if you trust them and give them time; raise them in proper system. They will deliver twice more. Players like Willian follow his manager and when something extraordinary is required to be done by themselves, they freeze. You need hard workers and open minded players in team working together. How to connect them is manager"s job. Mou couldnt do it in Real, I hope he will do it in chelsea.
I tell you if Mou will cut all players who try to attack bit more and replace them with defensive oriented ones; we might see Mou team in best, but that team might win you titles, it wont win fans hearts, speaking generaly. I loved 2012 campaign, it was magical and we defended, fought for evers ball, but that was limited team, we have several offensive players now (and we will get some more).
I love football because it gives you all those goal actions, attractive play etc. I can accept we park bus in most important games of year for the sake of winning title, but general play has to be "nice", attractive and something that makes fans woaahh after fancy moves; collective actions etc. We are Chelsea ffs, not some bottom team with no attacking sense.
It has nothing if I will support Chelsea or not, I will support Chelsea even if we play 10 CBs, but from a team who spends all that money, has all those world class players, I think ambition is to play nice, watchable football.

As much as Chelsea isn't Hazard FC, it isn't Mourinho FC either. Don't have double standards.

And funnily enough when he was played at CB

He is clearly a CB.
Play him there, or dont play him. Absolutely immense today.

Hopefully today shows that Kalas is ready for top flight football. Such a shame he was not used more often earlie in the season.

If we don't win the title at least we may have trolled Liverpool by handing it over to City.

If we don't win the title at least we may have trolled Liverpool by handing it over to City.

If we don't win the title at least we may have trolled Liverpool by handing it over to City.

If we don't win the title at least we may have trolled Liverpool by handing it over to City.

If we don't win the title at least we may have trolled Liverpool by handing it over to City.

If we don't win the title at least we may have trolled Liverpool by handing it over to City.

If we don't win the title at least we may have trolled Liverpool by handing it over to City.

If we don't win the title at least we may have trolled Liverpool by handing it over to City.

If we don't win the title at least we may have trolled Liverpool by handing it over to City.

Gerrard MOTM.

Could you let me borrow your crystal ball please?

Could you let me borrow your crystal ball please?

Could you let me borrow your crystal ball please?

Yeah ignore that last comment.