Barbara

He's out best player, and he plays almost as good in #10 as in the wing, so for me he's the best #10 simply based on that. He's better than the rest, sort of regardless if in the wing or middle. As if he is better in the middle or in the wing, I've said a few times I'd need to see him playing #10 for a streak of time. Just because he works better like that in Belgium it doesn't mean he'd work better here. But I consider him a better #10 than the other options we have by default, as he is our best player and he can definitely play well there. I like him a lot as a winger though. Would give him a 9 there. I only gave him an 8 in the #10 exactly because I haven't seen him playing there for us for a considerable amount of time, only for Belgium. imo he isn't that bad defensively. He's strong, he isn't easily shoved around. He can tackle - even if he doesn't do it as well and instinctively as Oscar for example, but with Matic a bit behind him and Oscar by his side or a bit higher, we don't need him to be an ace defending. There are other players balancing him out - despite not being even that bad to start with. In the big games I expect to see Ramires somewhere - or everywhere. It worked last year, so as frustrating it is to see him passing, I guess we won't fix what ain't broken. But then if Cesc is in better form than Oscar, I can see him playing #10 in those games, but even then he has to be much better than Oscar (Oscar needs to be the level of the last four months for us), otherwise Mourinho will also choose Oscar work-rate over Cesc creativity.

have been saying he's better at #8 since we signed him, not after 2 games. It's simple really. I'd rate him 7.5 at #10, Oscar 7, Willian 7.5, Hazard 8. in the #8 I'd rate Cesc 9 and every other player there bellow 7. It's a non-brainer for me. I'm not saying he does a poor job or can't play #10, just that he isn't exceptionally better than the rest there and we have no one that compares to him on #8... Also playing as a #8 he goes up in the final third. Where has Lamps scored most of his goals (except penalties) from? Being a #8 won't prevent him from shooting or giving an assist from the final third... playing him as #10 limits him a lot in the through balls. With players like Costa and Schurrle to benefit from his quick and accurate through balls, we could be deadly

Fabregas is so much better from the deep. I don't see a point of 'wasting' him in a position we have 3 other decent options instead of deep where no one else in the team can offer what he does. And again, he's better in the #8 imo, so it's win-win

only for fan plus subscribers :/

Let Cech go, then a few years bring him back to be our new Mark Schwarzer, when he's at that level he won't mind being our #2 and will retire him and possibly even work in the club after he retires from playing. Best plan imo.

do you think the full interview will hit the internet?

I'm happy about it. But know those aren't empty words just to make you feel better. I mean them, believe them and I think they're very close to the truth. Some things are just the truth for real. There's time and potential for you, sweetie

what the hell is that? What's called? And how does it resist gravity? I must be very uncomfortable to wear those things... they look like a modern device to make omelets most important question. HOw do you know about them?

Sweetie, when you speak so frankly about your misdoings and bad choices, it shows a lot of maturity to be able to handle with them. We all make them in one area or the other, but normally it isn't easy to talk about them and you do talk about them. There's plenty of time for you to recover the time you think you wasted. At age 20 you still can be whatever you want. There's no permanent damage that would stop you from that. I'm not even sure if there's any permanent damage at all. You seemed to have got your act together (if that expression is to harsh, apologize, I woke up at 3am, feeling hungry, I'm not that much functional now, I just mean you're trying to get life back in track), you need dreams. Take a break from studying if you feel it's not up to you right now. Plan things, dream high and try to find the strength to work to make it happen. Don't accept that whatever decision and things you've done defined who you are for the rest of you life when you're only 20. I'm dead serious. You're probably far more capable than you seem to think at this moment when things are tough and believe me, they will get better. They just do. Sometimes it takes a while, but it comes. I wish you the very best and hopefully both of us will still be here on TC when you start posting pics of those cute kids you'll certainly have. and with their mum. I'll wait for it

damn, I'm on drugs, it seems - and drug in this case must be spoiled food? I don't check much the expiration dates... I thought we'd play Burnley a week from next monday, I didn't do the math. You make a lot of sense. I don't. It happens often. I'll go check those expiration dates... but it's 4am, I'm hungry... I better not check them at all.

really? a good friend of mine is moving to Glasgow, he's going to get a MBA, any word of advice other than try not to do anything other than breathing and studying? Spike What is that you do? Study (what?) Work (with what?) What do you seek in a girl? At this moment of your life you're more up to ONS or to have a relationship? The craziest thing you've ever done - sober, drunk, doesn't matter Do you regret your past choices regarding alcohol and drugs? Do you think it was important to make them even if regret them? Share some of your dreams with us. Preferably the sweetest ones Why people insist on asking the superpower question in every hotseat? Favorite hobby

He should stay regardless. Stability is something that pays off in the long term, go ask Fergie... we should be patient and be aware that we aren't the only ones with a great team. There are other quality contenders in every tournament we play. We could win but so could them. We need to feel we're progressing, that's important, but I'd give him second, third, fourth chances to be honest. It's about time we try to be more stable so things will be much easier for us in the long term.

Torres isn't a fighter at all. He's a bit way too laid back too. I look at him I see a blondie - I call him in Portuguese 'a loira do Tchan' 'Tchan Blondie' - a girl from a brazilian band of a decade ago, whose purpose was dance and twerking to their terrible songs, showing her butt, legs and tits. Torres is there to show his pretty face and sell us shirts because you can't count on him for something else. Maybe if he had a stronger character he'd have recovered some of his old form, but in many ways he looks like Hazard in that department (thank God though Eden is very talented), too relaxed, but at least he didn't give stick back because he gets a lot of (deserved) stick from fans and media. That one time he said he doesn't care if Chelsea lose or win, he lost it, acted out on his frustration, but it seems he learned from it. If I had to choose who's to leave the team now between him and Lukaku, I'd choose him every day of the week. If Lukaku was willing to be our #2 it'd be much better than Torres being even our #4. I want Torres out, I can't deal with him in the pitch anymore, I was just advocating he's been on good behavior because he must feel like shit at some moments and there's so much the money comforts him about what a huge failure he actually is. Lukaku could have stayed. I can overlook his big mouth and entitled attitude, but I can't overlook him being a quitter because he didn't want to fight. That's when my problem with him increased a lot, which is why I wouldn't want him to come back, no matter how good of a striker he becomes. If you're a quitter now, you'll always be a quitter who will run when things get thick. You probably know that better than I do as it's your field of expertise... He speaks so much of himself because deep down he doesn't think he's that good and therefore he doesn't stay and fight because he's dead afraid of failing and it destroying or compromising his career. I should probably be more patient with him and cut him some slack because of his age, but I have such a huge nitpick for men that don't man up. Damn it, if you a man, honor what you have between your legs. I think there's nothing that bothers me more than a man who doesn't behave like a man and that's why I can't overlook a 21yo that isn't even a mature man yet, but he failed exactly in the thing I can't stand. I'm quite aware I'm too harsh on him. I'd be on anyone though because of that nitpick of mine.

Benteke would be perfect here, although how much he's prone to injuries? It seems he's injured all the time - but it could be only a wrong impression.

Atletico really is our last hope right? Because Torres could only consider receiving less money to go to a place he's loved and Atleti fans showed their love and respect towards him in the matches against us. With Cerezo lack of interested on him we're definitely fated to see his contract expiring before he leaves.

but did I say he has a bad life? My my purpose was to say he behaved well given how frustrated and hateful towards his own mistakes he must be. If we hate him for those mistakes, how do you think he feels about himself as a professional? Isn't your career (not only the money you make out of it) an important aspect of your life? Also I didn't say he should throw a tantrum, what I meant is when people get frustrated they can easily get out of line, or is it a lie? He's been controlling his emotions well imo. He's a good employee to the club, he just sucks playing football. I'm complimenting his behavior, mate. We have nothing to say about it in the last two years. He's been a good professional here. But I still want him out of the club just as the next person, despite having good sides to him. who even mentioned Lukaku? Did I miss any post? Because I certainly didn't even remember Lukaku existed when I posted mine. I read a post by Fulham Broadway and agreed with him. Unless he (or someone else) talked about him and I've missed, I don't know what you could possibly be talking about? There are good sides to both players - Lukaku and Torres - but at the end of the day I really like the idea of both of them out of Chelsea. Lukaku isn't a bad goal scorer and despite disliking his lack of balls to man up and fight, I don't take Torres for a fighter either... Also I haven't seen Lukaku moaning, throwing tantrums or showing the middle finger. He speaks too much in a stupid, annoying way and he's entitled as fuck thinking of himself much higher not only than he should but than he is. And he's weak, behaves like a spoiled little girl that wants everything handed to him, but he isn't a moaner... and never threw tantrums (that I remember of). I think you assumed there was an agenda, when there wasn't any and then you came to conclusions that made no sense whatsoever... there's nothing in common between Torres and Lukaku for you to talk about double standards. With all this attitude issues (imo) Lukaku doesn't act out in his frustration and had a good example of that just as Torres in the aspect I was defending Torres. Being an arrogant weakling that fears the fight doesn't make you a guy with bad behavior. Lukaku never even got of line (if you don't count speaking as a moron, but that's stupidity, not anything else). At least your post opened my eyes as to why Belgiannut asked me why all of sudden I was sympathizing with Torres. You guys made me laugh hard.

yep, very Florentino Perez of you, although to be fair to you, Florentino does it out of a whim, not necessarily because he identified a better player. Players go through ups and downs and stable clubs give them time to regroup - whether in the bench or in action - and try to develop them. Reus had ups and dows - especially when he was Oscar age. I'm not even disagreeing with you that Reus is a better player (he might even be, I wouldn't know, as I keep saying I don't like comparing players). Smart managers see how players work in their system, regardless if there are 100 another kids better than his player. If he does the job he's been asked, then why risk a change? Who's to say Reus would even fit EPL or our team? He probably would, but it's a risk nonetheless. I'm not advocating Oscar's cause. He hasn't been doing the job he was asked, so it means he's been failing, but I have a huge problem with the bold part of your statement. Football teams don't work like that. I've seen so many cases throughout the years of getting a better player to replace a good player but who was making a job, only to disrupt a whole system or simply not fitting it. We have more than enough human resource to have a team that can win any title we play - because good players isn't the only variable to win things - so I think we should work with those first, see what happens. If one of them compromises the whole system - as Mata did, for example - than replace him, but we have more than capable players. Oscar could leave, he could even leave deservedly - but it doesn't mean we need to bring someone. We have Willian and Cesc, not to say Hazard capable of playing #10. Those are some very good players. No need to go to the market for a better, improved AM.

I don't think there's any reason for the players who's missed most of the pre-season to be thrown in a game like Burnley - much less tested against Real Sociedad. Maybe a late (very late) substitution in league match, but we have four players in the same condition, so I expect (and think is advisable) none of them to start and at most one to play about 10 minutes (doubt they'll even be in the bench tbh). Anything else is premature, hushed and pointless. The Sociedad match is absolutely irrelevant for them and I expect them to be like Didier, Courtois and co were yesterday to the Vitesse match - mere spectators that aren't even in the bench. Before the first match on pre-season players went at least a whole week only training to regain some resemblance of physical shape. They'll be here a couple of days before the Sociedad game... no need to even show up there - just let them do the physical conditioning again and then slowly be introduced to matches. As there won't be any friendlies then, I expect the first of them to start a match at the end of the month, after taking a few minutes in the previous match. you do realize that he was more dispossessed than dribbled opponents in the very link you asked us to check? I think that was what everyone was about here. Willian can hold possession, create space, but he isn't the smartest kid in the block and if affects his end product (imo it's not even about the goals and the assists, but some of his choices are just poor, regardless of what they're leading to). He needs to be more incisive, but compare him to Salah - who passes by opponents in the runs (counting as dribbles, possibly as take-ons and dribbles are often grouped together in stats) is like comparing squares and circles and saying one has four corners compared to the other. Something Willian is also of taking on opponents while running... but hasn't been doing much for some reason.

and then the next kid will be better and then the next and the next and the next. I bet you identify yourself a lot with Florentino Perez...

I'm not pulling it, or defending him, I'm being understanding towards his own hurdles. We all have them... I'm just saying it's not all dandy from his perspective and I don't want anyone to have sympathy for him. I don't have much of it. I'm just saying it sucks to be him from that perspective. Yes, he's rich. My crush at high school was too, didn't have a care in the world, was living a normal life like every other kid at school and then one day he decided to put a bullet on his throat when he was 20-something. Not a millionaire, of course, but sick rich. I suppose all money in the world didn't help his case back then. It's not about sympathy just saying that he's behaved quite decently given his position. Anyone in his position would behave nice because they have an amazing bank account, right? That's all that matters it seems... A few seconds before I posted on this thread, I was posting 'kill me' on Mourinho's thread when I read he confirmed his stay. It's just people are so fast to ignore others may have problems to deal daily too, but it seems if you're sick rich those problems don't matter... as if he isn't tempted to just mess things up from time to time and start not giving a shit again. As you all said, the money is in his bank, all he needs to do is show up to work. He doesn't even need to break a sweat to get that money. He could be throwing tantrums, moaning, complaining, giving the fans the middle finger, whatever, but he's been quiet, sorry if I can give him credit for dealing with his frustration in a nice way. He probably pays a lot of his rich money to a great shrink to keep him grounded.

you're a man too. It's not always about the money... A man has his pride. Do you think he wouldn't give up a few weeks of his wage not to miss a goal like he did against Olimpija? For us is crazy to think about all the money he earns, but for him it's become an normal thing. We hear of so many millionaire people saying or showing how unhappy they are, many rich people commit suicide. I'd love to have even one of his month's wage, but I'm sure it doesn't comfort him enough. It's probably the only upside of a very bad situation. Also, he continues to sell a lot of shirts (that's a mystery to me), so he pays back a bit with that, but what really matters to him is to play football. I can't believe a man could be happy being as shitty as he's been for many years.

I agree with @Fulham Broadway posts. Yesterday night I was thinking about him and I must admit I felt very sorry for him. He was at the top of the world once and it's been a long while and now he just can't find his best form, it must be awful to be Torres. Yeah, we complain rightfully but he doesn't have attitude problems such as he did in the past. Actually he's been a poster boy in his behavior and to be honest, he actually tried. He's been trying, it's just that he sucks, but he's been trying. He's been running, training well (according to Mourinho anyway), you don't see him sulk, or moan. It's not easy to handle the bad form AND all the criticism he gets all the time. I'm not saying he shouldn't get it because he works everyday. He should be criticized, but for a moment I stopped to think what it must feel to be on his skin. I felt really sorry for him and I respect him for the way he's been handling what must be one of the most un-pleasurable situations for a professional player to be on.

kill me http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/9401753/transfer-news-jose-mourinho-confirms-fernando-torres-will-stay-at-chelsea

I'm going to ignore his assessment of Torres (it's probably for media anyway, how do you want clubs to try and buy him if the manager doesn't compliment at least his attitude, when one can't play in the pitch, at least let it be known he has great attitude - something Torres didn't have here anymore and recovered when Mou arrived). There were two - maybe three statements I really liked about this interview 1) we working tactically and training to play with two strikers. One of those could be Schurrle. As a target centered man he doesn't work, but as a second striker he could do some job 2) that he qualified Cesc as a center midfielder, and went further saying that was a crucial position for us to get someone new 3) his repetitive lack of mention of Ramires when he says about players coming back from Brazil. Added to #2, it gives me hope we won't see Ramires starting as many matches as last season. two strikers, Cesc in the pivot, creating from the deep and Ramires' absence. How much better can it get? Only if the second striker can't possibly be Fernando Torres.

I have a problem with men.... when they don't man up I don't rate them... for anything. It's the same approach whether they play for my team, work with me, are my friends or lovers. If you were born male, than behave as such. I don't take well those people. I'd accept him back because I'm here to support Chelsea above all. But that's it. I'd accept because the moment he wears the royal Blue everything must be overlooked. But I'd hate if that happened. I don't want that to happen and I hope it doesn't happen. Rarely people with his profile go too further. Entitled people that want things in a plate and don't work hard for them to happen to them are their biggest enemy and certain downfall so chances of him scoring like a crazy in a top club aren't that big imo