Barbara

exactly... time after time he confessed his big love for Chelsea and even went as far as saying lately that we're the only side in England he'd train. Of course things can change. He's a professional earning his (tons of) money. If we sack him, he'll analyze the proposals on his desk. He'll always try to balance the challenge and what the team can offer for him to win - he's a winner, he won't settle for a team that won't provide him with tools for that. He's already proved with Porto and to a certain extent with Inter too, that he can work around a team's limitation to win the titles that really matter. Thing is he's a powerhouse name now, he's older, more tired, why would he subject himself to make those efforts again with limited teams if many top teams would have him? So if we sack him, and a good deal comes from United, I'd see him taking the job... but at the same time it would have to be MUCH better than other clubs for him to move to a rival of a club he's admitted too many times he's emotionally connected with. He's a fan just as we are. He said he's one of us and I believe him. It doesn't mean he wouldn't train any other club in England, but if two identical proposals came along, one in England and another in Germany or Spain, maybe he'd rather go to those countries (although I'm not sure he wouldn't avoid Spain and their biased and venomous media at all costs)

I agree... but that makes him exactly what? I don't see him being an assist machine just yet. A guy with his talent and a different mentality would give the very top players in the world a run for their money... maybe not now, as he's still young, but in a couple of years. Given his personality though I've been less emphatic in my predictions about his career. One can be born as talented as Messi, but they also need to be born with the same mentality and ability to step up and own the team. I come from Brazil, seeing players dribble such as Hazard is like watching flowers growing in my backyard (or used to be as this generation isn't special). They're always there... but many of them never reached the heights of success because they had that, but didn't have the mentality - although their problem more often than not is related to bad behavior (party boys). Denilson, Robinho and even Ronaldinho are good examples of excellent dribblers. While the former two never reached anything impressive despite their great talent, I feel the latter never really reached his full potential - or did it too briefly because he's always been interested in partying and girls. Hazard is a model when it comes to behavior off the pitch, but he seems to lack that determination, bite, will to win. He wants to win - of course he does - it comes with a big price and huge effort that sometimes I'm not sure he's willing to pay. It's not uncommon for people who are very talented on something to take their talent for granted and not work on everything else they must to make a difference. That's why I said in my post last page that Bale - being infinitely less talented than Hazard - took Spurs to a level above theirs - despite his also common ups and downs. But he took his team's fate in his hands while Hazard seems way too relieved to let someone else deal with it. At the end of the day, Costa and Cesc will (continue to) win us matches and Hazard will feel less pressured, he'll probably produce more (although I wouldn't be surprised at all if the other two eclipsed him) and Chelsea will benefit from it. Costa will benefit from a few assists (maybe my expectations are too high, but I don't think he scored a lot of goals and provided a lot of assists as he claims, he has the talent to produce much more and didn't), Cesc will find someone else for his through balls. The only one who might not benefit from it is Hazard himself. Being afraid or unwilling to embrace responsibility (of stepping up in a team to carry it as the most talented player in it) and unable to deal with pressure (although to be honest, I see the word pressure in the headline, but there isn't a quote from him saying it clearly) will limit him. He seems happy to be supporting guy, but he has talent to be lead... but being the lead requires a lot of effort, maturity, hard-work, leadership, mental strength and balls. He checks only some of those boxes imo and I'm not sure the others will change in the future.

I just use the scroll wheel or whatever the name is by the side of the tweet and it goes down... it's not ideal, but works for me.

It's really hard to believe this guy is 23 today First: Then: he's barely changed

This was a funny read (galery pics with captions actually) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/picturegalleries/11083631/The-alternative-Premier-League-table.html I really laughed at some comments, and I know the higher the expectation the bigger the fall can be, but I love reading everyone's bet for us to win the title. This favorite air we have now about us is something that I really like feeling. I know it'll suck if we don't end up winning the league, but until then - although I do believe we will win it - I'll savor this feeling of everyone seeing us as clear favorites, the ones to beat, the almighty powerful Chelsea. Come on, it feels amazing to have people having this perception about us The shade on Lukaku on Everton's piece made me laugh out loud and I also laughed at United (the Moyes part). I'll copy ours and you can read the rest. I LOVE how they worded it. thanks, I've fixed it.

Rumor has it that this is bullshit shot in a fan... it makes no sense. First of all, Hazard didn't have an amazing season, he had an amazing streak, but he started 'badly' and finished 'badly' as well. Second, they signed James and Isco, Ronaldo is far from starting the decline of his peak... he's still a beast, they have Bale. Where does Hazard even fit? I know that's a pointless question in terms of Madrid, but unless Hazard really has an amazing season - something he's yet to do consistently - they have the flavor of month already playing for them. This season could be James, Bale and Cris season. Those three could have their best season ever (maybe except Cris - he isn't on decline yet, but I think his best season will always have been two seasons ago)... not even Perez would do that... their AMs are set, they have two of the best wingers in the world - even if I'm not a Bale fan per say - and they have an incredible, young, talented CAM. And a nice bench. I think they'll go for a striker or some everyone-talks-about-midfielder, but I don't see them being remotely interested in Hazard right now, unless Hazard performs for a season what James did in the WC or Bale the season before with Spurs. Bale back then also had ups and downs, just like Hazard last season, but one thing that has always marked Bale as a player and it carried on Madrid and we're yet to see in Hazard, is how he simply stepped up and took Spurs to a level they didn't belong. Hazard hasn't done that here yet.

yes, I colored the 25.12 because I was happy - no, that's because I'm sloppy, thanks Not sure we're part of that stage of FA Cup. Are you?

but you're the one who brought the subject of how many passes he misplaced, not me Had no idea it's his bday today. Happy birthday, teddy bear!!!!!!! (not that he'll read it, lol - but as I know you, Jason, love it when we wish players happy bday in their threads, I'll do it to amuse you)

I swear I can't take another day of this international bullshit... It's not only even about withdrawal, although that too, but that's dull football that I don't care about and where our players are risking injuries... I can't believe we'll have another couple of those the following two months. I'd be much happier if there was only club football...

At least the kid is smart... actually anyone should be able to see that they balance each other, but it's nice that Oscar is aware of this. Cesc Fabregas is my perfect midfield partner and we're going to become even better to help Chelsea win the Premier League, says Blues playmaker Oscar oh sure, he is because 88% and 85% in both matches he's played for us this season is quite bad for an AM.

Yes, the problem is a syntax issue, not a mathematical. But someone gave a pretty convincing explanation as to way #2 can't be right. the condition IF changes a real information into a false one. If yesterday was my birthday, today would be february 17th. If yesterday was the apocalypse, today the world wouldn't exist more, etc... etc... So if yesterday (true) was tomorrow (false) today would be Friday (false). So friday's yesterday became tomorrow.

don't want to let anyone else try? I also thought it was sunday btw, but I was wrong too

No, honey, unfortunately you're wrong... Great answers though

I'm pretty tired and uninspired these days, Iseah, so I won't make justice to your HS. Not only I've been working too much for my standards, but there's no EPL to comfort me and distract me. *le sigh* But as I do like you a lot, I'll make a small sacrifice and try to use my brain. Let's see if it works. 1) Any celebrity you think is prettier than either the Emmas? 2) Which TV shows do you often watch and which ones are your faves? 3) Internet, TV or phone apps? 4) what do you currently do and what are your plans in terms of studying? 5) How many brothers and sisters do you have in addition to Pablo? 6) Favorite American dish? 7) Are you going to post your tattoo pics or what? I remember you were going to do a dia de los muertos chica or something. Did you post the other two or those were someone else's? At my age memory works only some days 8) Your favorite cuisine? 9) Do you practice any sports? Which? 10) You said you can play in the pivot, but which is your natural/fave position to play soccer (ugh even writing it makes me puke) 11) Other sports you follow in addition to baseball? 12) A drunk guy said: 'if yesterday was tomorrow, today would be friday'. Which day of the week he said that?

does it make me a heartless bitch that I laughed out loud on this? If it does, sorry?

I'm not sure I understand... don't know what Google drive is, but I suppose it includes video

For those who might want to visualize it too. Much more didactic

you'll agree with me once I'm done

thanks a lot, mate. exactly what I've been looking for. I'll move it to Excel though because I'm not a man, but I'm quite visual

does any of you have some sort of calendar with all UCL, FAC, COC and EPL (in addition to international break) weeks? I've looked around on internet a bit and couldn't find it... Thanks in advance.

I definitely will miss you, and although I understand what Choulo said in his explanation, I'd rather deal with your occasional took-things-too-further than most of the diarrhea I sometimes come across here. Meaning I'd rather keep a difficult/handful good member, that contributes a lot positively than shallow, childish, and sometimes also disrespectful people. I hope they don't delete this new account of yours and from time to time you come around. Wish you the best.

as I didn't watch, I'll ask further - what is 'play pretty well by his standard'? Could you elaborate more, please? Oscar's standards the second half last season was pretty bad. You mean he helped the team, but didn't play as a creative #10 as he isn't one?

I just wrote a post about it on his thread. If José wanted a better #10, we'd aim for one, not change the system to accommodate an expensive player. Oscar is our #10 because of the tactical awareness and commitment he has... The day he stops offering what we need or we change our needs for the position we'll go to the market for a #10 player. Moving Cesc from his best position #8 to a position he isn't as good(#10) to accommodate a 60m-player we don't really need makes no sense. Also Pogba offers something completely different from Cesc in the pivot and Cesc offers exactly what we need. You're advocating to change a whole system, to accommodate an expensive as hell player, that nobody knows how will adapt to English football. I'm so happy we have a smart board and manager these days so I don't need to worry about us doing stupid or at least risky business like this one.

I don't get why we would spend 60M in a player that we don't even need in the first place... Did I miss the memo where it was said we have a midfield issue? You spend this exorbitant amount of money in a position you desperately need to strengthen. Squawka just had an article asking if Matic + Cesc is the best midfield in England... They need to make adjustments because Cesc is new in the team and we've clearly changed our system. But I think it's bewildering to think Mourinho would break the bank for a player that could, possibly, maybe improve us some. Cesc's best position is playing as a #8, to replace Oscar for Cesc and have Pogba as the #8, it makes no sense because we're moving one of our best players (Cesc) out of this best position to accommodate someone that won't offer what he does there. When Mourinho wants more physicality in the team as well as pace then Oscar offers, we switch to a 4-3-3 with Ramires... Pogba could play where Oscar plays, but he isn't as tactical, he can do some things better, but his tactical awareness and obedience isn't remotely close. Actually except a CB for next season - as we don't know how Terry will end the season, I don't see us needing improvement in any of the starting eleven players. Even the AMs suggested all around won't improve us much, few of them are working hard players like Mourinho wants and needs in the system. We have balance. I said this in the English players thread and I'll repeat it here... the teams that last dominated for real European football were Bayern and before them Barcelona. They didn't have absolutely stars and beasts in all 11 starting eleven positions. With fair money we could improve our bench - like we did with Remy. Our starting eleven is settled unless a serious injury comes our way - knocks the wood. I'm not saying Pogba isn't good, I'm saying that it makes no sense spend 60M on him. A new three-year period starts for FPP next season. Why break the bank so early? We don't have much of deadwood anymore to get rid of... So I don't see us doing this kind of business.

for 60M, no thank you. Ramires can do a job for us without costing us anything but his probably not impressive wages. Makes no sense to bring Pogba... also Ramires doesn't have a starting position, he's suitable for some matches. Pogba would displace one between Matic, Cesc or Oscar. He isn't a direct replacement for a player that doesn't even start all matches...