Barbara

you took his words out of context, Chou. I'm not saying he'll change, but he's talking about 'giving chances to other players you don't do'. He's talking about Zouma, Salah, Ake, etc... I wouldn't be surprised at all if Luís started ahead of Azpili - because Luís isn't a player who he's going to give chances, Luís is a player he bought for a considerable amount of money and who was a machine against Schalke. I've never agreed with the idea some here had that he'd move Cahill to the bench... he won't, but I don't think playing Luís would be far fetched... So I don't think our back 5 is as unchangeable as you believe, at least based on these words.

he admitted in the video posted last page that he arrived here in terrible physical conditions and it was good for him to play twice for Brazil to help him and now 90 minutes against Schalke. If he starts Sunday I don't see him leaving the team anymore. I also wouldn't be surprised if he started and I'm one breath away from advocating it. He's been fabulous against Schalke imo.

did you completely change yours? I mean, mate, I really try to take you seriously, but then you post bullshit such as Mourinho being sacked unless he wins a domestic double? WTF is this shit? You're so pessimist and say so many things that make little sense that til this day I don't know if you're a troll or serious. I don't know which one would be worse either...

lol

I think he meant under the current system, all by himself... and if that's the case, I agree. I only watched them once this season and I really thought he was nothing worth mentioning. But playing against Chelsea is the kind of match those big players wait for, so I'm sure he'll show up. I just wish he didn't though. I just want the three points. We'll polish and perfect the team as the season goes, I didn't want to play City now, although they seem to be struggling a bit further than I expected. Also, what's the deal with Dzeko? Is he fit?

watching him live now on Friday Night Live. People talk about beautiful players.... pffttt. as if any of them could come even close to this masterpiece. Seriously, most handsome player ever who's played for this club. And I'm sorry for the vain post, but I can't resist him.

Where do the archived threads go? This guy right here is among my top5 fave Chelsea players ever. I remember him the most from when I started supporting the team and I will always have a huge soft spot for him in my heart. Love him too much to put into words.

the problem wasn't solely he didn't play, it's that Drogba - and not Remy - played instead of him.

what harm does a foul literally over the midfield line would have caused us? He should have been firmer... he was the first one to have a chance to stop their attack. I'm not blaming the goal on him, but he could have done a much better job... For someone that people praise for energy, stamina and what not, that was such a lazy attempt to stop Draxler...

I don't get most people who criticize Oscar. Today I thought he was deserving of some criticism, but it's been almost four hours since the match ended and nobody said anything. What did he bring to the table today? He wasn't awful, but José brought him when he needed changes, when someone needed to turn things around and get them going and he contributed with nothing. I had some stream issues at the end of the match, but honestly, I can't even remember Oscar in the pitch except when the camera focused on him when he was introduced in the match. He was a passenger, added nothing and was just a waste of space. I'd rather have kept Willian - who wasn't brilliant, but was there. So it actually surprises me that when he actually doesn't have a good match no word is said here (but when he's decent or even good people nitpick everything about his performance). Maybe he was so invisible today that people forgot he was even there, but then again, the usual suspects never miss anything. Hope if he plays any part against City that he makes much more than he did today, as that equaled to a very round, bold zero...

It's not his offensive contributions that are used to overlook his defensive 'deficiencies'. The problem imo is people having completely distorted expectations about what's his role in the team. His offensive RESPONSIBILITIES (not contributions) are what make his defensive RESPONSIBILITIES lighter - but by no means nonexistent. As a DLP or second pivot player, or top midfielder in a triangle he's been executing his defensive responsibilities just fine - with a few mistakes here and there (the whole team bar Costa has been making mistakes). It isn't because he has 6 assists that he's forgiven for his defensive mistakes. It's because he's here to assist and control the tempo of our midfield that he won't be hold as much responsible for defending as some expect. Mourinho has been so clear about why he was brought here, about what we needed, but it seems people can't accept it... or the problem is something else... I'm sorry for saying it, and I'm starting a new paragraph because this is aimed only at you or even at you at all, but it seems like some fans despite their complaints the whole of last season about how defensive we were set up and how dull and predictable our attack was, aren't ready at all for a new approach. Like, not even close ready for it. People want us to continue to excel defensively while being an attacking minded team - sorry, it's physically and numerically impossible. Others want our pivot/midfield to be as static and conservative as last year, sorry, but that's a change Mourinho wanted and the very reason why Cesc was brought here. And I'm sorry, but if a player is here to be a playmaker, regardless if played as a #10, #8 or false #7, we can't demand him to be an ace defensively. There's a distance between the workhorse and the guy who puts a shift defensively. Fàbregas has been executing - for most of it - what is expected from him both defensively and offensively. He only needs to polish some of his actions and get a better understanding with his new teammates. He can improve, but he can't change into this play some people are expecting (first, that's not who he is; second, that's not why he's here for). I don't even understand where they're coming from, what exactly they expect. I mean, is the expectation to play with two #6? Is for him to have the same energy, pace and stamina as Ramires? Is for him to double Oscar's tackles stats of his first four months last season? what do people want? I can't understand. Nothing seems reasonable... it seems like they want him to be what he isn't and for him to play a role he wasn't brought here to play. The root of the problem is that people want us to be a more attractive, but they aren't ready to accept the demands that comes with it. It's very simple actually. Comparisons with Lamps shouldn't even be made in the first place. Different players, different responsibilities given by José, but mainly different approaches of the game between then and now. It's like trying to get a square plug into a round switch - there's a saying for that in English, but I forgot it. mate, then I'm sorry. I'm not pointing at you or saying it's your fault. I'm sharing my perception about a whole group in the forum. I don't even remember what's your instance about him. The only one I remember who criticizes him a lot is Styles. The rest I don't register who, but the posts themselves. People are singling him out, being unreasonable about his responsibilities vs their expectations. If you fit or not in them, I can't say, but I didn't mean YOU are using him as a scapegoat. I meant that's the feeling I have. Some people here aren't 100% sold on him as a Chelsea player, regardless of what position he'll play here. They should be honest about their reservations about Fàbregas, the guy/player, instead of making it sound like he can't play the pivot or the midfield without compromising. They're simply not sold on him being a Chelsea player. Simple.

Look, I blame him for the result because I think he made an assessment mistake by starting Drogba and an even worse one not subbing him off during HT. He's human, you know, he's going to make mistakes. That wasn't the first one and won't be the last one. Although I'm pissed at the result, the match (frustration normally makes me pissed), it's the easiest group we could ask for UCL, the other two teams also drew and even if one of them had won, we ARE qualifying FIRST in the group to the round of 16. It's okay to acknowledge his mistake, but let's not make it bigger than it really is. It's was almost an inoffensive mistake. He probably acted out of emotions with Didier here. We can afford this mistake, it won't cost us in the future and it will even maybe prevent him from making it again - not that I consider him an emotional manager as some do, I don't, but maybe he was going to be tempted to start Drogba against Maribor, for example. I'm sure it's a huge, 'no, thank you' for him now. He thought it would have been symbolic, a good homage for Didier's services for the club. It backfired, life goes on. This wasn't an important match - not given the group we drew. Yes, I credited this draw on his account, but the man has so much credit with us and as a football manager that what is a 10 bucks debit on someone who has 1 million in credit? Nothing. So let's all just move on. I'm sure he already did.

that's what I meant when I posted during first half (I guess) how many goals we'd be leading by if it was him in the attack. I mean, it's not only the goals, it's how much he fires up the whole attack (actually the whole team). He's a lively presence, not only a deadly one.

You know what I love the most about this run and confidence with each he executed that play? He didn't get carried away and passed the ball just when he needed to. That's the kind of maturity I think it's always so nice to see in young prospects. That's what shows they're in the right track not only talent wise, but also in their understanding about the game. He played his part in a brilliant way and at the right moment he let someone else shine. He didn't try to do it all by himself, a common mistake among youngsters. They can't contain their excitement or even help themselves sometimes

@Daniel1980, @Dion, @The Skipper let's get a group hug and start a secret discussion group. I feel I'm understood among you guys about what we should expect from our 'number 7'.

said something very similar to this in one of the players thread just a few minutes ago. He's the DLP people were begging for us to sign. Now we have one, but a DLP despite playing in the pivot isn't mainly a defensively player. Whether we have a DLP or a B2B, this guy won't be a defending machine and even then he's our second or third player in defensive stats every match (among midfielders and fullbacks). What else can we expect and demand? Expect polishing as he gets used to the teammates, as he gets at his best physical conditions, as he grows more confident. Demand? Not much imo...

there was a counter in the second where he was in doubt between passing to Willian or shooting. He took a tad to long to make the decision, chose to pass and there went our chance... That said I can see some welcoming and amazing improvement on his attitude. He seems more determined these days. Hope that isn't only to convince us to pay him crazy wages (that I think he deserves anyway). I hope this attitude is here to stay...

guys, that's why I added the at the end of that sentence. I am, of course, joking around, although I do think it's a waste to move Iva to CB now, but if that's what will get our defense better, than just do it. I trust the other guys in the attack.

For it to work - regardless of the system or formation, Matic should be more conservative and hold position more often, he is after all, the team's holding midfielder. I already shared my views about Fabregas game in the post match thread, but I'll try to watch the match again later this week. He seems just fine imo, can make some adjustments and slight improvements in the defensive aspect of his game, but nothing too life changing. He isn't a defensive midfielder despite being a pivot player. I still believe the moment Matic starts to play better, we won't have much issues and I have problems believing that Cesc's presence is what is causing him issues. He had old Lamps last season many times as his partner and an awful Ramires... Cesc is an improvement - even defensively - on both. Ramires had really a bad second half of season and Matic coped. I know he has more ground to cover now, but if he's actually deeper in the pitch it isn't much more ground. The problem is if he insists on approaching the attack and leaving a huge gap between him and the defense. We have slow CBs, Matic should be closer to them no matter what and who plays by his side at the pivot.

Didn't get as much service (or any, I don't remember any good chance served to him) as Drogba got during the minutes he's played. If he can't play thrice a week, we'll have to deal with it, but the answer to that isn't playing Drogba... sorry, Mou. Hope he keeps his record on EPL this weekend

The only bad thing about getting Iva to play CB is that it's going to be a waste to lose him attacking... Can't Azpili be a CB instead? Luís was superb, my MOTM by a mile (although to be fair, Hazard was also brilliant, so not exactly a mile). Defensively he was as solid as we know he can be, and he can cross like a magician. That cross from nearly the midfield line straight to Drogba's head was a beauty. I'd start him against City...

in my defense, I think people are being harsh on him for a while. Every time he's praised many make sure to add a PS at the end of their analyses saying how he's a liability (and yes, I've read this word being thrown at him a few times). I'm not basing my feelings on the reaction today, but ever since he's here. When he makes a magnificent pass like the one for Schurrle's goal, people don't say much negative, but other than that it seems like even when they're praising him a footnote is added about how 'he can't press, can't tackle, is causing us a defensive problem'. The defensive problem comes from a change of style and relying much more on Matic... but then Matic isn't on his best yet and it's still early days and the things don't go as we want them to go. But we can't expect Cesc to improve much better defensively. That's not the player he is, that's not what Mourinho wanted from him when he brought him here. He can improve and Skip convinced me he will improve some, but he's not a holding midfield, he's an ex-Arsenal player and he's had some bad months on Barcelona. People trust him distrusting him.

I don't even know the guy, but if this PM is ever sent, make sure I'm copied Way to make people curious, Choulo, you should be banned for that

at least you admit it. I feel like people still hold a small grudge on him (their right, I'm not judging), others don't completely trust him yet (also their right) and others magnify his defensive shortcomings (this I mainly have a problem with). He's a pivot player, but not the holding midfielder. We shouldn't expect him to defend like Mikel, Ramires and Matic. He's going to be close to a box to box, but much more like the so much dreamed deep lying playmaker that I've seen people craving for since I've created my account here. Demand him to play as defensively as Matic, to be an ace tackling, pressing, defending isn't coherent imo. We can't blame everything on him every time anything goes wrong. He was dispossessed, the team didn't react. Not his fault. Anyone can be dispossessed at any moment in the match. It's how the other players react, except the dispossessed player makes a judgment mistake or a bad decision (like I believe Matic did against Swansea). Now, if Eden tries to dribble and someone dispossesses him and the other team counters and scores, will people blame Hazard? So why do they blame Cesc? Because he's a pivot player and should never be dispossessed?

thank you! as I'm really mad now (not at people here, but about the match), I feel I'm kind of blind and maybe even biased - I'm not being sarcastic. I feel like any other player could have lost the ball there. It was the final third. We should have done a better work after he was dispossessed. If every time a player is dispossessed and we watch, we'll concede goals most of them. I agree about Ramires too. He was so easily dismissed by Draxler... it was almost as if he wasn't even there...