Barbara

You can keep the ugly part of it blurred. That's mean, but in some cases I think it's fitting, but not with the nice guys here. They're just nice to me.And what I love the most about you is how sweet and cute you are. [emoji7]

and did I ever quote you that? I said in the very post you quoted me that I didn't expect him to start the first FEW matches of the season because of all players we signed, he's the one struggling the adapt the most (the other three are not even struggling). He's been struggling a bit (not even much imo) and when he's finally ready to start matches, one between Azpili and Iva won't see many matches. I sometimes favor Azpili, but Iva is so important as a player, a leader and a reference in the pitch that not even all the never ending dedication and work that Azpili shows during all 90 minutes can top it. If he wasn't struggling, if he was well adapted like his teammate Costa is, I bet you he was already starting as well. But he's struggling to adapt... it has nothing to do with proving anything. He is a better LB than Azpilicueta, there's no discussion at all about it, but he hasn't settled yet, so no wonder Azpili is playing there. The big question now isn't who is going to be our LB this season, the big question - and Iva made sure it happened - is who's going to be our LB. Once Luís enters the team - and it'll happen when he settles - he won't leave it anymore imo. He is in the bench not because he has to prove anything to Mourinho, but because clearly he's struggling and hasn't showed even in the slightest what he used to do at Atleti. Courtois did nothing exceptional (wasn't better than Cech, nor worse) in the PS to have 'stole' that position from Cech (he's barely featured in the PS to start with) and who was our #1 yesterday? So my argument in the previous post stands... the first match of the season says nothing about what Mourinho thinks is his first team. Remember de Bruyne last year? I know I do... he said he has a first team in his head and that he wasn't going with it yet because he had to take into consideration who was in shape already and who wasn't. I think the player he had in mind when he said it was Luís and someone else that got the nod in the last training sessions - as this interview was on Friday and the team probably trained at least one day between Saturday and Sunday...

so one match where we had three other guys debuting and have had only 6 training sessions with the whole team has defined his role in the team? I still think he's going to be our main LB when the season ends. He's just not being thrown there when he hasn't fully settled yet. I said in the live match thread a day or two before the match that my only doubt was if Mourinho would play Luís or not. It doesn't mean he hasn't brought here to be a regular. He has. Just because he didn't start the first game of the season didn't change that, so your point is moot. Come talk to me mid-season about that and if I'm wrong, I'll concede. And it seems like you skipped the last part of the post you quoted... have you read it at all?

try to keep you eye only in the player with the ball at all times. (Great exercise to realize how amazing he is, although you may get dizzy ) There's a speed before it reaches Eden and then it feels likes the speed of the FF was increased, when it was only Eden allying his dribbles with vertical, non-stop movement. He added pace without even running, that's unbelievable. I just posted about him in the Oscar thread, I did yesterday twice, one in the live match and other in the post match threads. He's relived of pressure, of responsibilities and he seems to even have a little more freedom now than he used to. He's not the only answer to our attack anymore. He doesn't have the weight of the world on his shoulders anymore. First of all, we have a striker and one that links up wonderfully with him - I agree with whoever said his linkup with Costa is better than with Cesc, simply because Costa is more often near him than Cesc is. So we have someone that will score goals, but that won't stand like a tree waiting for the ball. Costa is taking what Eto'o did for Eden last season to a new level (in terms of play, because the psychological aspect Samu had with him was amazing, hope DD takes over now), that alone relieves him some. But then there's Cesc creating, Schurrle running and getting in good positions, so if Eden doesn't score or assist, now we have 2-3 other players to do that - as it should be. He seems more carefree and his flicks come galore because of this. He did a bit of everything yesterday and although his classical rabona didn't work out, I'm sure we'll see it much more this season than we did in the last two. Back heels, fancy, elaborated dribbles, everything that is so mouthwatering about his style will flourish and being 'disciplined' last season by Mourinho makes it all much better because he's so objective right now. Last season, at the very start he would drive me crazy dribbling in our half, sometimes even in the first third, where he should try to pass and move to receive ahead. He took a long time to pass the ball in that area of the field, which is always dangerous and then when he was high in the pitch he wasn't too objective and instead of cutting inside, sometimes he went even wider, or didn't move much to any side, just dribbled. José disciplined him, and now as a disciplined player he can catalyze his talent and do what he's done yesterday. Cesc and Iva were out of this world, but if they weren't, Eden could have been the man of the match, his performance was high level. I still want him to shoot more often, but yesterday he wasn't even in the position to shoot tbh. Others were and he just stretched the defense, made space for others, and advanced with the ball for us. Talk about a team player. Wonderful by Eden.

we hope, but during PS (if that's any indication) he took corners even when either Schurrle or Cesc were in the pitch. Especially at the left side. Makes no sense. Anyone but him, doesn't matter if it's not the other guy's best foot, his weak foot is better than Willian's rightful foot for corners. It's no jab on him - not everyone has to be able to take corners. He works well in central FK, but in corners he's terrible. I re-watched parts of the match and I thought Oscar was better than in my first impression. He fulfilled a role well. Sometimes he did move forward, but he didn't receive the pass, I saw him a few times even higher than Costa (who comes back a lot to press, to receive, to everything, he's amazing). He's lacking a lot of creativity, but in the Costa goal (could be Schurrle's, not sure) he tried a through ball just a couple of seconds before the Cesc pass (probably Costa's, as for Schurrle's goal Hazard simply raped their whole defense all by himself). It was a nice ball by him, but the defender was lucky and could intercept. I remember another occasion he also completed a nice pass forward. The problem is/was he doesn't do it nearly enough and the accuracy isn't high. With Cesc creating like that, we won't miss it much, but the thing is, unfortunately, Cesc won't be this beast 38 games... Oscar should get the chance of being released of an overwhelming responsibility and flourish, just like Eden had. Eden didn't assist any goal yesterday, but he was amazing. He did his flicks, always very objectively, never just for the fun of it, and he played an important whole stretching their defense. We seem incredibly balanced now, but that's because Cesc was phenomenal. In a 'normal' day Oscar has to try harder and do better. Hazard seems to have already found his place there and he's working very good (oh I remember the other occasion, it was a sequence of passes involving Eden, Oscar and Costa, still in the first half, inside the 18-yard box - I guess it's from that play that comes the corner Iva scored? I could be wrong though about the timing). Oscar doesn't need to appear in the stats if he can contribute to the match like Hazard did. Of course, some matches the last pass before the goal will be theirs and not Fab's, but that's the step Oscar needs to take now. Be there, do the thing, try to shine some all while still doing his pressing, high work-rate, tackle things. It doesn't seem to overload him and as I said a few days ago, he tackles a lot of balls in the final third. That's invaluable. To recover the ball when the opposition's defense and pivot are moving apart, to start their transition is one of the best attack opportunities. If he does that effectively, it's nearly the same as assisting, because if he intercepts/tackles the ball and passes it quickly to someone near him that may need another pass before the goal, his contribution is relevant. So I'll be happy if he keeps those tackles there and if he tries to create a few times himself during a match. I don't need him to have double digit assists in that case. I do expect him to have double digit goals though. are you kidding me? Hazard was a pivotal player for us yesterday and yes, he's set the world on fire. He was amazing and contributed a lot.

seriously? is there such a thing? Pics or it didn't happen!!!! kisses on you, luv

thanks, mate. edit: oh, I loved the angle they had by Cesc's side in the corner assist. you can see the ball's trajectory perfectly. Amazing stuff by Cesc am I? I thought Schurrle was yours

and when they used the 05 FA Cup argument to prove he's a bottler and then a couple of guys corrected a few others that Cesc didn't even play that match? HILARIOUS It's like a house of bushman there. Next they'll start writing as if they were Yoda.

sorry, love I loved this one too: I almost feel pity for this soul. Almost being the key word. It's hilarious that he thinks 1) they're a force again; 2) three players isn't a big change and a lot; 3) he forgets that 3 new players with Wenger is the same as needing a new squad, he won't spend, 4) the last line really makes me pity this guy, lol. Poor thing. Everything the arses deserve though

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x240ji3_ivanovic-good-reaction_sport do share then, I'm interested.

that's my fave post there so far. Absolutely priceless: MaestroCesc (Forum Member) on Yesterday, 8:34 pm

I hate everything Barça related, especially as he embraced the cules as if they were the best thing on earth. Even in the week long speculation before he came I was moaning at first, but then I tried to look at him as a footballer alone, and as such he's always been great. I have no doubts his best years will be with us. He was wasted in Arsene's outdated tactics and he was unlucky to go to a Barça that weren't even a shadow of what they used to be. He's that kind of player that needs a team like us to show his best and we'll give him just that. I don't even remember he's an ex-ass (both arse and cule), just when I want to see the arses crying over their loss. I'm not saying I like him as a person, he seems a tad arrogant or just annoying, I can't say. I called him a cunt, but said I was happy to have him as he'd be our cunt. I don't care about his personality and I believe he'll even learn to be nicer with his time with us (although we can use his fire in some tough matches). I love him as the player he is and he's wonderful. ALTHOUGH I must confess. I didn't use to think he was that great of a footballer either. I've always thought he was overrated, I was blind by my annoyance and hate.

that back heel pass to Iva in the first goal was simply orgasm inducing. Seriously, this man is amazing. I need a gif of that!

did he nominate Rafa Benitez? Unless is his plan all along to mock the FSW He probably is, right? I mean, there's no reason for him to like Benitez... I love the gifs version of this. His woo scream and face in the fourth gif is priceless. x And @, if you ask him to give you away to your bride you'll be giving her away too and we all know there's no denying with JT, he just scores Talking about JT, the player, though. A few atypical mistakes by him today and I'm a bit worried. He was highly motivated last season to prove he was still a top defender given the chance and he has proved it alright. What if he can't motivate himself as much now and a few mistakes start showing here and there? I mean, he's a year older now, we have to hope he doesn't get injured, and I'm a bit, just a bit, concerned about it. The moment JT steps out of the defense, we may be at risk with Cahill too. While Cahill improved a lot, JT makes him look much better than he actually is (although he is a good defender, I'm not negating that)

Brana is the Chuck Norris of the football players #respect

he definitely needs to improve. In matches like today when he didn't impact negatively and propped Cesc as he offered cover we won't complain much, but there will be matches we'll need him to do more than he's been doing. He needs to improve. He can improve. If he was one of those guys that weren't much better than this, we could maybe accept and move on, but he can and had showed much better than this. He needs to find the way back to his good football. Even offering balance and making our midfield solid, he has to offer more in the attack and his passing went MIA. It's a shame he's been like this.

cescf4bregas: Good start to the season @cesarazpi @thibautcourtois @ft9_official #ivanovic cesarazpi: Very good win!! In the bus with man of the match @cescf4bregas and @ft9_official #cfcfamily Enjoying his award. The first of many. Maybe even player of the month? I'm in love

He didn't impress - but he's far from being the worst player in the world :rolleyes: :rolleyes: He played a role he did many times in the past, but there's more to him than what he's been showing. I think just like Hazard benefited from Cesc's presence Oscar will too, not only he complements and balances Cesc out, but he can feel he can be more daring and bold and try a few things as if he fails others will offer an answer. He doesn't to have the weight of being the only one to create, I hope he improves because he can be much better than he's been lately.

can we appeal? I don't know the rules. Mourinho's words on him: “We’ve explained to Diego Costa what people like in the Premier League, what we don’t like, and the kid presented himself here with a fantastic and polite attitude and he was booked. The kid wasn’t happy and I hope he doesn’t get any more unfair decisions.” and LOL FOREVER at Mourinho calling him a kid. I know he's young, but then I look at his face and I think is drug cartel lord for a couple of decades, lol. I hope there's a way for us to erase that yellow.

For me Azpili and Luís have to fight for that LB position because the RB belongs to this man (and I don't think Azpili was that good today to be honest, I'd rather play Iva and Luis tbh) I criticized his crosses - like every other sane person did - but I've always been a defender of this guy in our first team. There are few with his attitude and his quality. He's a legend, a walking legend. I looooove Iva and he symbolizes a lot what I think Chelsea is, especially now that many of our 'old guard' guys have left. That pass to Cesc was perfect and he was good through and through. I don't like him much as a CB and I hope we don't need to use him there, but he can do a job there as well. Either way, I think we can't lose his leadership, spirit, energy and strength in the pitch, in addition to his qualities as a defender. As an offensive FB I know he'll have good days and bad days (or maybe with better people to move around him, he'll have mostly good days), but I'll take it. He has to stay. And this was funny, lol

He is, let's celebrate it. It doesn't matter who you have in your team, Arsenal and Arsene suck because a player of his class fits any team in the world. Even RM would have space for him... Ramsey is good - had a promising season last year, but Cesc is a step above any other midfielder in this league, maybe except Touré - despite their different styles. Their loss, our gain. HE IS BLUE!

As long as Oscar and Willian don't ever play together, we're fine. Schurrle is the same kind of player as Salah (although a total different caliber) and Oscar and Willian although quite different, offer the same end product. So we always need one between Schurrle and Salah and one between Oscar and Willian to have balance as we did today. Despite Oscar's underwhelming display, he didn't compromise and I think he even allowed Cesc to have more freedom, the same as André. I don't necessarily think André played better (or worse) today than in many other matches he played for us last year. But one thing made capital difference imo: today he had someone who saw his runs and passed to him. He'll look a much better player because of that when in reality it was never his fault nobody saw him and didn't pass to him when he ran. Actually, I think his movement wasn't even as good as in some other matches he made for us and still he was one of our best players imo. And I love how he loves our manager and how our manager loves him

Yes, we have a striker! One of the most mouthwatering goals ever. I love collective goals. In Brazil we transformed the word myth into a verb in some sort of slang to when the person in question is just that great. Iva's been mything at Chelsea since 2008. Blues Myth! x

x Indeed. He was very firm and confident when intercepting balls in the air from their corners.