Barbara

congrats on the title, I was cheering hard for Portugal

Hey there. Vacation starting today, I'll be around a little bit how have things been?

I think Willian is the least of our problems (actually he isn't a problem), but I also think that we should reflect on the fact that he only shone when we had our worst season in over a decade. I'm not saying we should sell him - we shouldn't - but if your best player and he's been by far our best - is Willian, a player that doesn't raise interest from any other big club in the world, you know you need to revitalize your squad asap because you're on verge of becoming Liverpool. Surely Hazard is our biggest star, but he's had a terrible season and we don't know if he'll stay or not, fact remains, Willian is the kind of player that should be a supporting star in a team with the ambitions we have (or used to). The fact he's the lead star shows we have deeper problems. If Eden is willing to stay and actually leave this season behind him and work his ass off next season, only he and Willian are worth keeping. Pedro and Oscar should be kissed goodbye and that's it, that's all we have in terms of attacking midfielders. Some years ago we had those (minus Pedro) AND Kevin, AND Mata, AND Schurrle. We had too many then, now we have too few. Kenedy and others from youth aren't the guys who we need to lead our attack, that's Hazard and someone else. Then Willian and one of the those kids can take supporting roles. We need to have more of them, but while I really changed my mind about Willian, and I really like and appreciate everything he did, if that's our aim for attacking midfielders, we're fated to mediocrity, not because he's mediocre, he isn't, just because he isn't and will never be a leading star in a squad. He's an important player to have, but he isn't the guy to turn a team into a top contender for EPL or UCL.

I remember people blaming this deal as the reason why Arsenal would be champs (some people just never learn), but what's really amusing is all those reports about how he's worthy at least 11 points. One of the big papers, guess The Guardian, even had an article in January breaking down how many points Cech won for Arsenal in reference to those 11 points he was worth to Arsenal final standings. Well, as it stands now, if they win their next two matches they'll get to 73 which is 2 less than last year (but same position nonetheless). I really like Cech, have a great respect for him, but seriously, he isn't one of the best anymore. Already wasn't when he was here and is even worse now. Too bad his career is now with Arsenal, he deserved so much better...

so instead of his well taken goal, so early in the match we're picking up how he performed defensively as a LB in his maybe third game ever in the position? I - for one - am very happy for his goal and his general attitude. He's a winger, he's very young, he can whatever a good manager works him to be at this stage. defending isn't that difficult to learn, it's all about movement and timing. There isn't a special skill from another planet. If people like Iva and Cahill made their careers being defenders, I'm sure Kenedy can improve his movement and timing and be a decent one too... I don't know where I'd rather see him play, but using only his third game in the position, while he's basically youth guy is nearly laughable. The options should be all open at this point.

fuck yeah bitches

this is the kind of win we needed. Something that looked alike, against a team clearly better than us (although they weren't that good in the second), with a lot of clutch and a saving goal. It was a heart win, and so many times we complained about the players playing without any heart, so it's a nice change. Two wins in a row, first comeback of the season - against a decent team, nonetheless, Leicester won. Well, it's been a good day

if that's you calling him lucky, shall we keep him in the technical staff just for lucky charm effects?

the amount of reactivity, lack of ownership in a defense made of Cahill and Iva is suicide inspiring

I really liked what I've seen - apart from the defense struggling and conceding against 18year olds. While City had a third team, their defense was an experienced one and still we made them look like clowns and we did more mistakes than they saved preventing the scoreline to be even bigger. I'm happy with the progress Pedro showed in the last two matches I've watched (didn't watch against PSG - can't talk about then). It's important for us to relief the responsibility from Willian's shoulders. Eden's mentality is somewhat off. I think he might be gone in the summer - which is a shame, but I think he was involved in our best chances. Hope I'm wrong about him leaving. He seemed to love it here so much... but he's a huge fat question mark for me. I have no idea what's going on in his head and heart right now. He seems just off, the radiating happiness we've always seen exuding from him isn't there often these days like it used to Cesc owed the whole thing. He was running the show and I keep saying it, we should provide him a chance to shine. Whether it's a 4-3-3 (I still think it's our best way to get the best from him) or a very solid, physical pivot partner (something neither Mikel nor Matic fit the bill for me, but depending on the day, they can do it). Very happy for Traore scoring again, but I can't understand why Hiddink insists giving game time to Oscar and Matic but God forbids he gives it to Ruben... look how much better Baba looks ever since he's been getting minutes (something that surprised me, I didn't think he'd improve like this - although there's still a lot of room to improvement, but he's young and new to the league, so nothing unexpected). Let's hope we carry on. I hope when Terry comes back, Baba will have proven to Guus that he can't compromise more than Iva...

take that, bitches, I know my shit. If I say Eden is on fire, he just is You should have known by now a woman is NEVER, EVER wrong

see? another important pass by Eden I know he isn't bursting like usual, has been lazy, but he seems more cerebral today. Which I don't mind Amazing goal, again, great finish by Willian

Mikel had so manyups and downs... I think he's reached his limit. Time for Hiddink rethink about having him there

didn't understand which spoilers? long time no see though

Eden had some important passes there. Nowhere the guy he uses to be, but our best chances passed through him and Cesc to Pedro and ofc the goal to Diego

even youth kids from City know how to defend better than our seniors...

Eden, Pedro and Fabregas are on fire. We just need to be more precise. The defending is embarrassing. We look awful

that Fabregas pass was mesmerizing.... and Eden didn't even look to Diego to cross. Azpili was terribly soft there... ridiculous

Diegoal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good thing for him that day won't come any soon. He'll settle for a career here like Mikel and others before him. He's heavily featured, but isn't an absolutely titular. He won't push for more chances, he won't push for a transfer unless it's from a big team, in a big league - which ofc won't happen. He'll stay here for a decade... write my words. I've since long lost hope on him. I don't think he'll ever reach his potential, basically because he settles for mediocrity. the same reason he'll stay for as long as he has a contract.

Ivanovic + Cahill is painful to watch

What a play, so happy for Traore

if there's a player that spoils me watching a Chelsea match is Cahill. He's just the kind of player I can't stand. Fearful, runs from the ball, reactive and that Cesc pass gave me an orgasm

I was about to comment a few minutes ago when I saw Hazard with the ball exchanging with Iva I was wondering how much better it would be if he was exchanging with Azpi instead. Now I get to see that. Hope Terry is okay for my birthday though

that's the Pedro we all know