Barbara

Why would Mourinho have to change his speech only because of window transfer approaching? Wasn't his words about Lukaku enough to prove that without his nod no player under contract leaves the club on loan or sold? He didn't need to say anything and he could still have said no to every proposal as well as to Kevin. Mourinho's in a position where he doesn't need to play those mind games. Those players are his for the take or to release. If he wants to loan Kevin he will and if he doesn't he won't, he doesn't need to praise the kid publicly for it to affect that. It's his decision alone, and in case Kevin asks to leave, Mourinho will decide releasing him or not based on what he believes works the best for Chelsea. Those words seem honest imo, and he didn't need to tell them to soften Kevin (it's indifferent, and he's probably talked much more to the kid than to the media about him) or to calm down the press who seemed to have even forgotten Kevin exists. Ever since the Steaua away game when Mourinho refused to keep talking about not selected players, no one else brought the Kevin de Bruyne subject up. There are only rumors about transfers. The same way there are about Mata, Luiz, Courtois, Lukaku, etc...

THANK YOU, MOURINHO For a moment I thought you were insane.

I think the team's performance again proved my point. This defense needs rotating and Ivanovic isn't the answer to that. We have a good depth, but another squad player (same level as Cahill or plus), around age 25 CB wouldn't hurt at all because one of our CB's gets injured and we are where we found ourselves now: helpless with tired players, counting on a squad player to do world class defending when it's beyond him. David Luiz is severely missed and I know Mourinho feels the same.

well people kept saying our defense was weak with Luiz on... Too bad he isn't there these days to take the credit for conceding six goals to the two worst offensive sides in the league. It's Christmas time, Chelsea are being generous and distributing gifts.

We've won a few matches this season because of Mourinho's smart subs and tactical changes. Well today we lost because of his nonsensical sub taking off the only player that was really creating something in the attack and keeping an useless Mata in the pitch. Well deserved loss when Stoke capitalized their few chances while we kept wasting ours in the first half. I can't wait to have Oscar back in the team and I wonder what Schürrle did to Mourinho. After he played awesome for us in October and scored his first goal for us, he wasn't used at all in November and today clearly the MOTM, he was subbed off. I don't get it. I'm too pissed to think properly, but even if I blame Mourinho... he has credit with us, but he was unwise - not to say stupid - today.

which is why taking him off was the most stupid decision he could have made. That's exactly the point I was doing saying he took the best player in the match

It pays you right, to take off the best player of the match and lose any momentum and chances created... well done, Mourinho.

we have to capitalize City's draw!!!! Come on, Blues!!!!!!

are you kidding me Mourinho? Taking our best player off and keeping Mata? KILL ME!!!!!!

we need David Luiz desperately.... I said it before for a rotation purpose, but now I'm saying it for technical issues. This defense is a mess. Let's thank Ireland for Torres'ing that shot.

HAT-TRICK, HAT-TRICK, HAT-TRICK!!!

André Schürrle, marry me unlucky, kid, unlucky

can we have someone for Mata, pls? Not adding anything relevant to our attack. Bring Kevin on or Lampard.

FUCK YES ANDRÉ SCHÜRRLE

Definitely not the best or safest match from Cahill... I think he's reached his limit - that's how it works with squad players.

again another pass of great vision from Mikel to Torres... great through ball.

There's something wrong with our AMs positioning now... sometimes there are two of them in the left or in the right, one in the middle while the other winger is vacant. Azpili and Ivan are there to link up, but they don't have anyone to pass the ball. I'm all for them interchanging positions, but they have to be well distributed.

that was a foul on André...

Please, let's give credit where it's due. Mikel's pass was superb.

SHIRLEY!!!! THAT'S WHY I'VE SCREAMING FOR HIM TO START

I'd love for Terry to score for us on his bday. Our captain deserves it

in other news

@NishC300, did you see the referee disallowing an offside goal for ManUtd at OT? Or not realizing Anita used his arm to make a clearance just over the goal line? Just checking...

both injured