Barbara

that's something I quite agree. we don't have a player as him - versatile that can play different positions and tactical systems, but I'm still not convinced we really need him. I think our pivot needs improvement and I think he's improvement to Ramires in every possible way except defensively, but that doesn't mean he is completely unreliable that he will compromise our defensive system. we have Matic now, we don't need two predominantly defensive players in the pivot imo. Only one real DM and a B2B player. I think Cesc is a good B2B player, but I'd still target someone else. The thing is the others are too expensive and we have more than one position to improve. We needed someone in the mold of Modric - but who, as Luka himself isn't available? I haven't watched much football this season outside of EPL and La Liga (a few Calcio matches and that's it), so I don't know who would play the same role as well as Luka. I don't think Kroos is the same kind of player, Schweinsteiger isn't for sale, Pogba isn't there yet imo, and Koke is probably off to Barça. Who then?

and how do you explain the worse than average game he had yesterday? As bad if not worse as the last ones he played for us... Shouldn't he have showed clear improvement yesterday if it was all about saving himself for Brazil?

Brazil is third in my preference, behind Germany and then Belgium. I'm not anti-WC here, I'm not anti-WC in general, I just don't enjoy it all that much... I think Brazil has good chances of reaching the final, and from there, who knows. I think the biggest chances are Germany's anyway... They're my faves and my preference. The only reason I haven't bought a Germany kit yet is because it's so ugly that I can't imagine myself wearing that. Their second kit is very similar to my Brazilian side and it seems it was even a homage. Can't find it here Last world cup I bought Spain's kit just before it started and I guessed right that the final would be Spain beating Netherlands. I'm actually pretty good guessing WC winners, lol.

hmm... improvement, and I hope he fits well and scores... he's not my kind of striker and I hope this small bad feeling is about only my preference and not about anything else. Wish him the best, best, best of luck while with us and hope that it goes better than I feel it will end up being.

I rate him for what he is, regardless of where he plays. and please, as you said yourself, doing well in Russia means absolutely nothing... and I disagree on the very good CL run. Good, nothing outstanding or even very good. He's limited, something Willian isn't imo. His finishing is on and off, depends on the day.

he is better for sure than Hulk because that isn't that hard to start with. Thing is NT teams are about instant chemistry more than long-term chemistry. So Hulk worked well in the confed cup and has been around for a while... therefore chances of Willian displacing him are minimal as Willian is quite new in the group

I'm sure there won't be any. TCers are classy and I can take a light joke

The book may never come, but my hot seat thread I guess starts this week I asked Spike and he told me I was 5th in the list

I never know if I'm supposed to take that as a compliment or a bad thing... and I'm actually afraid to ask. Maybe it's because I'm always very emphatic in my view and it may lead some to think I'm stating my opinion as a fact, but I'm not. I don't try to establish my view as the right one, but I like to defend my view and give my arguments for that, but I'm not trying to speak the truth above all truths...

I'll kill Jose myself if we switch to a 4-3-3 and he doesn't play Oscar as the third mildfielder... kidding about the killing part, but I'd be pissed. That's his best position currently imo. Oscar >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ramires ****************************************************************************************************************** things I read in those odd 20 pages I've just read (post by post) and my take on them 1) Cesc and nobody is replacing Lamps. Lamps as a Blue is not replaceable, as a midfielder Cesc isn't the kind of player to replace him either. different kind of #8s imo 2) Cesc is a #8, not #10 and definitely not a false 9, no matter who decided to play him there. Barcelona have been a mess since the last Pep season there. They've got 3 managers in the last two seasons and it's a transition moment for them as their key players started the descending years of their careers (Puyol, Iniesta, Xavi) in addition to Messi having more physical issues in the last two seasons than usual 3) Cesc isn't as bad defending as some of you make him out to be 4) Cesc is even less amazing as most of you make him out to be. A good player and although as I stated I hate him, but I can recognize his qualities. I wish we had someone like Modric instead (even though Mou underused Luka in RM and he played much better at Spurs and under Carlo than under Mourinho). Now I think there are some important information some seem to have overlooked or forgot based on what Mourinho said early in the season from July-November. He was signed to make us one of the best teams in the world, with an offensive style. Some may argue that he's the wrong man for the job, but his second season at RM had one of the most successfully offensive and dangerous teams I've watched. He can do it, he just won't sacrifice his defensive solidness for that. He needs and will always pursue a solid defense so he can afford having a more offensive team. I'm not saying he's absolutely the right guy for the job, but dismissing his offensive capabilities, tactics and systems and labeling him as a defensive guy is something worth of our rivals fans and his haters. He's made mistakes, but I think he can see them and I believe he can get the right team for what he wants next. Why am I talking about it? Because I don't think we need two overly defensive pivot players (such as Ramires and Matic or Mikel or whoever more you want to add here) for 75% of the matches we play. We can work with Matic and a B2B ahead of him just fine. I think Ramires is a B2B, as much as Lamps and Cesc also are although the three of them have completely different qualities and styles. Oscar offers a lot of support to our pressing midfield and if we move to a 4-3-3 (my biggest prayer for next season, right after a reliable striker) he can offer even more, while also supporting the attack. I can see us playing 4-3-3 against stronger sides with Matic-Ramires-Oscar and all other matches (about 75% of them) either with a 4-2-3-1 with Matic-Cesc or even the same 4-3-3 except with an inverted triangle of Matic with Oscar and Cesc ahead of them. So I don't expect Mourinho to sign another Matic-like player to play by his side (also he already has a defensive guy on Ramires, to a lesser degree). I expect someone like Modric or Lamps (would rather a Modric), but how many of those are really available? I can't stand Cesc, I don't think he's that great, but he is definitely major improvement from what we have in the pivot currently. And no, I don't think he offers Oscar, Hazard or Willian any competition for the #10 and Mourinho doesn't play false 9, especially with a real 9 coming for sure - thanks God for that.

I'm dead serious. I'll take whoever replaces Ramires as long as they're technically superior and as much as I hate Cesc in general and think most of you overrate him technically, he's miles ahead of Ramires...

you know how much I don't rate Ramires technically when I'm willing to accept Fiberglass as his replacement... There are three players I just hate in the football world: Dani Alves, Sergio Busquets and Cesc Fabregas... but I'm willing to swallow my pride and self-respect and support this SOB if it means Ramires hits the bench. I like Ramires as a guy, but as a footballer, I'm fed up with his limitations and how he messes up our attacks and his own tackles 3 seconds after regaining possession. Bring Cunt Fiberglass if that's what it takes to get rid of Ramires in the starting XI

I'm honestly and literally crying now. I'm one of those people who thought he was leaving or retiring and even think that would be appropriate from a technical point of view... but now there's a knot in my throat and it won't go away and I can't stop crying... I'm nearly sobbing actually and I can't even blame hormones on this one. I'll miss him so much... I don't know if I can recognize Chelsea without him. I mean, I'll always be a Blue, the club is bigger than any player, but for so long Chelsea and Frank Lampard were synonyms, the same thing, something you couldn't separate, intrinsically connected. Chelsea will continue to be Chelsea, but a small spark just died now in the club. Frank Lampard is beyond a legend. That word fits Didier well, but it seems too short to describe what Frank represents to this club. I expected to be sad, but damnit, I'm completely heartbroken actually. crying like a baby

which continues to lead me to believe his jags aren't towards Mou... he's been talking those things in a NT perspective. Someone implied this would be his last WC and he said he believes he can play another two. Why would he celebrate like that in a friendly NT meaning to hit Mourinho? I think it's someone from the Cameroon federation

I actually believe it was likely for him to leave the moment Terry got a quick new contract and him and Cole didn't. I don't think it's money talking or him thinking he's better than being a squad member here. I think the club just isn't that willing to keep him anymore especially because he'd only be a squad member... Ofc I don't believe the Mirror, but I still think he won't play for us again in official matches, or if he decides to retire, he'll play one more time and then retire... Either way, it's sad because the Chelsea I started watching is a lot Frank Lampard. Of course he isn't bigger or even as big as the club, but this man has always been the greatest ambassador to the club for as long as I've been a fan. He represented Chelsea wherever he went and I'll miss him dearly, but if the club decides to let him go, I'll support the club, not only because the club matters the most, but especially because I do believe it's time we part ways... sadly, but true.

I think a combination of everything you guys said happened. He was injured at least twice since January, he had a dip of form and he had been mentally distracted by the world cup. I think he can't help in any of the three because I doubt that he consciously spared himself for the world cup. That comical (not to say ridiculous) interview by Parreira confirmed that Oscar preferred to have been playing ahead of the world cup instead of being in the bench, so I think the problem was his little age and experience. He was just hit by the pressure (maybe even having to replace Mata, although I'm not so sold on that) and physical issues and then he had some terrible months for us, but I wouldn't for one moment question his commitment to us when he says privately to his NT staff that he wishes he'd played more. At the end of the day he's just too young and although he's very precocious he's still only a 22yo and I think his inability to deal with anxiety, pressure and to keep playing in a consistent high level affected him. I expect most of those things to be dealt with after the WC - maybe except the physical issues. This boy played way too much football in the last two years and a half and when you look at him you see the opposite of a Cristiano Ronaldo, whose body is a machine. If anything, Oscar looks frail, still he's probably one of the top 10 (maybe even top5) players in most matches played ranking in the last twenty-five months.

I'm positive he's staying... there's no reason for him to leave, if Mourinho wanted him here last year, I don't see why he wouldn't now that we don't have Luiz, Mikel is likely to leave and probably won't have Lampard either.

Why can't you trust the manager instead of every rumor out there? And where is this nonsense of instant success coming from? Have you seen the guys we've signed? Schurrle, Salah, Willian, Zouma, none of which screams instant success. We had a deficiency that needed to be immediately taken care of with the pivot, which is why someone like Matic came. We still have the same with the striker position so I expect an established striker to come along. All the rest were transfers for the future, players that will reach their peak here, but they aren't there yet. The only players Jose got rid of were squad members at most, failing to fit the system or to make an impact, even if they were big names such as Mata and Luiz. Mata had great creative stats, didn't play well in the wing for us, didn't press, was slow. Didn't fit the system and was a liability even when the system gravitated around him Luiz - had a very good stretch of form two seasons ago, but couldn't carry it on this season. While useful and versatile wasn't exactly missed with Cahill and Terry playing at high level (I still think we need a more experienced backup alongside Kalas/Zouma) Cole - end of career, while was attacking well, was being constantly outran by oppositions Kev - didn't even get a chance, so we can't miss what we never had... Rumours: Lamps, Mikel, Bertrand, Moses, Marin, Eto'o, Ba -> not the spine of the team and most of them won't be missed This Oscar story is nonsense, also if he leaves, there's Willian already in the team to fill his shoes and we have good coverage in the wings too. So I think you should trust our manager more and less the 1000 rumors going around. The four players that left won't be that much missed, maybe except Luiz who was versatile and could maybe pick up form again, even then, we robbed PSG with that fee, so we're in good position to replace him and upgrade him if José feels like doing it. I don't get why Mou is criticized from making tons of money with squad members that either don't fit or offer liabilities...

neither, you should dismiss it because it comes from the mirror

I don't consider what was paid for Ronaldo inflated and I don't think paying as much for an established player such as Luka, not only in Spain, but also in England, as inflated, but for the 23984395856th time I think it's too much money for an unproved U-21. I think it's fair amount of money for proved players in their peak, not for someone's potential. But it doesn't seem like you can say the difference between right and left. Not sure if that is 'lower ind of intelligence' than a supposed contraction (that never happened) though. I'll let you be the judge of that... and the bolded part is how out of it you currently are. Why aren't all top teams in the world fighting for him then? Because it seems like he's the next Pelé, only he plays midfield. Good night, kid...

dude!!!! I just said I supported Cris' deal and do you know that was held as the most expensive transfer in the world until Bale? I'm not sure with the correction Ronaldo wouldn't feature as even more expensive than Bale. I don't have a problem with certain players costing as much. Didn't I just bloody said I'd pay this amount for Modric? What seems to fail to get into some thick skulls is people not agreeing to pay as much in an U-21 when 1) nothing is certain about his future 2) we have a few of them in our U-21s 3) there are other players in the world we could get. Bloody Pogba isn't Messi or Ronaldo, but the way you guys keep going on as if this is can't-miss kind of business is delusional. I'm positive we'll sign a midfielder, I'm positive it's among the 2-3 clinical signings Mou said we need (I don't believe him for a second we'll sing only 2-3 players). Maybe Pogba ends up being one of them, the moment the ink is in the paper and he's officially a Blue I hope that he becomes the best player in the world while with us. I'm not saying I don't support teams spending big... just spend big in players that are justifiable. Pogba isn't imo. My problem with this generation is that I don't get it - the problem is mine, I don't get you, not yours, as a generation. I can't follow your reasoning for some things. It makes no sense in my head, so consider it my limitation, not your problem.

Well, you certainly just answered why you support Chelsea... I don't support those teams because of how much they can invest and I've been a Madrid fan before the Galacticos thing... since I was a kid, 10 years old or something when all way in Brazil I had no idea how much those players were worth... I'm much happier with Azpilicueta's deals than with buying Pogba... boom, I should go support Arsenal then... I'm too old for the likes of you guys. I'm for real. I don't get this new generation and how you see things, so on my part I'm done with this discussion... Also I disagree about the winning goal. That was Ramos'... there was no way Atletico would hold back RM for 30 minutes and that's why the match ened 4x1...

what does the time I'm a fan have to do with it? I'm here since 2003... and I'm a RM for more than 20 years, so now I don't know what I'm talking about because since the end of the 90's Perez and some other crazy people went mental in the idea of Galacticos and having RM to be the club with the most expensive transfers in the history of the sport? I'm used to teams spending huge amounts of money in certain players. While I've always thought Cris was worth every penny Crazy Perez spent on him, Bale can become the next Messi that I won't agree with that transfer price because he was sold as EPL Youngest player of the Year (not even Player of the year, if I'm not wrong, but even if he was), not as the Balon D'Or winner or finalist... Dude... we stole the sheiks with Luiz... doesn't mean Roman should be stolen too...

if people couldn't see the player name in all your posts they'd think you're talking about the best thing in football since Maradona... the way you make it look like it seems like this is such a can't-think-of-lose-such-a-gem-and-a-business-opportunity kind of deal which it doesn't come even close. I'm all always about the volatile sports business and it's nonsense like this happening that leads to such inflated prices. I've never said Modric is the same kind of players as Pogba, I just said he's one of the few midfielders I'd agree to pay as much money. I've given up trying to reason with you. You're adamant in your position and opinion - which is fine - the same way nobody is going to convince me we should spend as much money in an U-21 player whose future development nobody can predict, not me, not you, nobody. I do hope the board doesn't go there, there are many players we could improve our midfield with and regardless of whether they're as good, better or worse than Pogba and what their ceiling is, this isn't FM so I don't need to have all stars in my team. I'd rather an Azpilicueta than a Pogba and I'm positive we could get someone similar for 30m. So let's agree to disagree.

I blame it on FM... it seems like people lost the common sense when it comes to players price tags. No doubts he'd be more than welcome here, but for this price he'd have to play more than Modric and in all honesty he hasn't been playing even close. For Luka I maybe would agree with such a fee (that would depend on his age, if he was up to 25/6 than yes, if older, probably too much as well). It makes absolutely no sense to pay such an amount in a youngster, no matter how much the world changed. Bale transfer was an atrocity already, we don't need a repeat of that.