Barbara

Well, conceding was unfortunate, but seriously, are people really saying they had nerve wrecking moments at the end of the match? It was a clear win through and through, not even when they scored I felt like we would concede a draw. Not every time we concede a goal at the end of the match is a nervous ending. It was just the rest of the match, nothing worrying. It seems like people are overreacting a little bit about a very quiet, calm and not-worrying game imo.

I'm happy for the game and the result. We struggled a lot with those games last season, and it could be concerning as many of our players were injured. We didn't have a great bench and we handled the match well. Hasn't Luís been so soft against Zaha, we would have had a clean sheet (despite Cahill being quite shaky in the first half). Oscar is in great form and he was very good on both ends again. A lot is being said about Cesc's goal, but I don't remember anyone particularly pointing out his pass - which was Cesc-esquee I don't think Hazard was quiet, he had a couple of good shots on goal, a few dribbles. It's just everyone was tired as fuck and we decided to control the match with ball possession instead of going for the kill. Can anyone blame them? They've been traveling to serve their NTs - the Brazilian particularly were globe trotting. I have no complaints. Top of the league, 5 points clear, 5 goals clear in GD. I'm a happy girl.

Chelsea, FIFA style

He was too soft in the Palace - and that seems to be the reason why he hasn't been used in the EPL yet. I hope we don't end up missing Azpili in our next three matches... Anyway, it was an isolated mistake and I'm very happy with his match (although I hate we couldn't have a clean sheet) and especially his contributions to our attack.

That's why we need Luís

Mourinho and Cesc having a laugh. I NEED A GIF!!!!!

woo hoo Oscar and Cesc being orgasmic

That was a stupid red for Azpili, but on the bright side it gives Luís to play two matches for us. Hopefully he gets more used to the physicality, builds some momentum and stays in the team. I mean, I love Cesar, but I think Luís is another level. He offers as much clutch in the defense, but he's years light ahead of Azpili supporting the attack. Maybe that's the best chance he'll get now. edit: how many matches Azpili gets for a straight red? Only one, right? Could the FA give him more matches if it's considered violent or whatever?

shit

I already lost account of how many tackles Oscar had.

I know he could score a screamer, but Matic is annoying me a bit with those way too long range shots.

I wish we had that angle from the late replay, from behind Oscar. That shows how amazing it was.

are you fucking kidding me, Cahill? That was horrendous.

that was a hell of a free kick. So much quality from my bb

FUCK YEAH OSCAR

an early goal please. I need to take the bad taste in my mouth about City's win and Costa's absence.

I think Pelle deserves it, honestly I thought the always so biased people would give it to di María. What makes no sense is for Diego not to be even a contender...

I'm not referring to what Mourinho said to papa Hazard, but what papa Hazard said back. If his father thinks Mourinho is the man to turn his son into someone more tenacious, ambitious and more aggressive mentally (the killer instinct you're talking about) is because he knows Hazard is far from being that person (imo) and he believes Mourinho being as tenacious, strong mentally and ambitious as he is, all while having a great relationship with his son, is the right person for the job, so I can see him staying longer than I initially thought. Mourinho has been brilliant and I feel flattered to have been one to 'complain' about Hazard's lack of tenacity and ambition (and killer instinct) and Willian's lack of end product. Sometimes you criticize players hoping they'd improve in certain areas, not to simply badmouth them and ask them to be replaced by the flavor of the month. I feel backed up by Mourinho. Both of us could be wrong, but at least I'm aligned with our manager, so I can see the changes I want the team and the players to go through coming. That makes me happy - and a little bit cocky, hahahahahahahahaha.

Well knowing Mourinho has been talking to his father and that he's said that to him, I'm more hopeful about Hazard staying here longer. He doesn't seem to be motivated by ego or fame and that's basically what being at Madrid would give him over us. And a lot more exposition to his family - something that might be important to him to avoid. Going to RM gives a player more visibility than any other club in the world (maybe tied with Barça), but it comes with a price. Perez is unpredictable, there's no managerial stability, they can be hot and cold. It's not all daisies and rainbows. If his father is telling he's an amazing son, father and husband in the same breath he's saying Mourinho is the manager to make Hazard change enough to have more tenacity, ambition and mental aggression (something I've been begging him to have, so it's good to know his father thinks the same), but not too much, maybe senior Hazard will advise him to continue at Chelsea under Mourinho's tutelage. This interview has been very encouraging.

no, actually fact is he doesn't play enough matches to even have a contest/comparison, let alone be a winner. So the point is, Thiago barely plays, but for Nike he's still better than Cesc - even if he doesn't play because he's injured all the time. Of course it's a shame he's injured... for the 3049503496th time. That's exactly the point when the 'serious' conversation was going on. How can you compare a player that barely plays to a player that has been in an UCL final, is an European (twice) and a WC winner, won six (I guess) trophies at Barcelona actually playing in most matches? Thiago won trophies at Barça and Bayern barely playing a part because he's injured all time. He doesn't have continuity not because of inconsistency, but simply because he's always injured. The absurdity of that comparison was so big that even injured he's better than Fabregas (for Nike anyways), because that's how he spends most of the season anyways, because what Nike is defending is that a player that barely plays is better than a well established player that is one of the best midfielders in the world. It's not even a joke, it's sarcasm by Iseah.

yeah, but I don't see him dribbling, having a fancy finish or a mesmerizing goal all the time. He's technique is somewhere else. I think maybe we should start using the word flair instead of technique.

Great interview by Hazard to The Telegraph Who are the five players Chelsea's Eden Hazard thinks are better than himself?

From pages of Thiago to US being math dumb. Can we please, just go back to Cesc? It's been a while this thread has been about him...