Barbara

Ozil to Arsenal is a great deal for them. I'm shocked with his stats to be honest because God knows how much he's frustrated me and my Real Madrid-packed timeline on Twitter. It was a collective moan from many of us many times - some of which German fans. He was very lazy, uninterested and still these are his stats in the last two seasons: http://espnfc.com/player/_/id/84775/mesut-ozil?cc=3888 If he decides to play as well as when he first arrived, seriously, Arsenal can become very dangerous. I'm not saying they'll become title contenders, you never know how a player will settle in a team, but I'm shocked at how productive Mesut was when really it has been very frustrating watching him more often than not. And I love him, so that makes me even more pissed about this deal

does it mean The Skipper and I were the Messis? hahahahahahah at this rate I'll have to take part of the poll at some point, hahahaha now for real I've never won it I'm here for three months And I don't take part of the poll, so it's okay, but just to let you know I've never won it and never will but I won't lie and say I'm not flattered by so many mentions, I am, and I like to believe it's because of my posts - not popularity because I'm far from being popular here. So I really appreciate you guys like my posts It makes me happy

I think Ozil is better than Mata when they're both on their best. The problem is Ozil hasn't been on his best for the last two seasons. It seems to me he was focused on his looks (such a waste of time and money) and enjoying Madrid's night life. Surely I'm kidding - although there's a bit of both things - but he stopped playing at the top of his game and rarely he plays like he used the first season here. I don't know what happened to him, I know he's been the player I've cursed the most watching RM playing in the last two seasons because of the potential he has... So while he's better than Mata, Mata is in better shape and consequently playing better. I don't think Mata will leave - and I don't want him to leave, but if he does (chances are really small imo, but who knows? deadline day is crazy) I'm positive he won't be replaced and we'll have Oscar as the starting XI #10 with Kevin or Willian as his sub. Probably Kevin because imo Willian has better results in the wing, but he's also very good playing in the middle. If Mata leaves that will be in January or next summer because he won't feel like playing enough. Which would fit my initial prediction before the season even started. I hope to be wrong.

Why leave Chelsea in the first place? He belongs to Chelsea and will stay here, the least of the club's concerns is the World Cup next year... He will play, he just won't play as much as he would have if we didn't sign Willian. Truth is right now he's a squad player with the many options we have. In a Chelsea FC point of view, it's perfect. He'll play some of those 60 matches - probably something around 10 as a starter and 15-20 as a sub, will grow working under Mourinho - you don't grow only playing, but also training with big managers such as Mou. In addition to that top teams as suggested by you also have plenty of talent in the AM, so he'd probably face fierce competition in most top teams in Europe now. There's no need for him to go to a medium team like Werder again - regardless of which league that might be, except if the reason is a Belgium NT angle. It may disrupt his development for Belgium, but I think as a player he has a lot to learn from Mourinho - especially at such early age. He may not play much, but it's also in his hands to prove he's a viable option. I don't want him to leave, I want him to stay and show his value and fight for the position. He played a great match against Hull imo and I'm sure Mourinho didn't forget it or will forget it just because we now have Willian.

you can use Barbara translate anytime you want as well, just ask I'm not as amusing as google translate, but I'm happy to help when needed edit: as I'm on it, I might as well translate it because I think there are some interesting information there, for example Mourinho asked the players who were confident about taking the penalties and not only Luiz confirms that, but also that Lukaku said to Mourinho he was confident to take the penalti. Here are the quotes: also here is Oscar's piece http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/futebol-internacional/futebol-ingles/noticia/2013/08/oscar-revela-admiracao-mutua-por-mourinho-ele-gosta-muito-de-mim.html

I for one don't think we're perfect and you don't see me in the bandwagon saying after 3 rounds we'll be the champions. It's a long season, many things can happen - including us winning the title as we're one of the serious contenders, but I really disagree about us being a defensive team. We played an awful match against you because mainly players' individually playing subpar. Basically the same players played against Bayern and we had a great match. Now what did you want us to do in the extra time with 10 men and having the lead? Of course we had to defend! Any other plan would be ridiculous and still we had so many chances that Neuer saved... so while I agree with some people being carried away way too soon, I disagree about us being defensive. And yeah, we're not perfect. That will come with time... 4-5 months from now I'd say

you know I love you, but please... we played an amazing match against Bayern, one you'd wish your team to perform at least once the whole season, especially taking into account we had 10 men for a slice... Anti-football seems to me having Giggs playing instead of Kagawa. Just a thought though.

I like him there as well, but I think it's the same situation as Oscar... you're moving the guy from the position he excels and it's his natural to a position that while he can do really well, doesn't compare to his production in his natural position. I think we need to have the players where they give us the best results, and for me Luiz does it in the CB and Oscar in the CAM. They could move there when we have problems in CM in a match or two, but I don't want to move them there permanently because it feels like a waste. We can benefit of their special skills (Luiz passing and running and Oscar defending) in their natural positions more than in the alternative exactly because they offer something others don't. So having a CB like Luiz with his vision of the pitch and his teammates and his good medium/long pass is a competitive advantage others don't have. If he moves to the CM a lot of CM's have it and many of them better than him, so comparing to our opposition we'll have an okay guy there. The same with Oscar as a CAM. His work-rate doesn't compare to any other CAM I can name now. Of course tons of CAMs defend as well, but not to the extent (and quality) Oscar does. And it's a differential compared to other teams because instead of tackling and recovering the ball in the second third, sometimes he'll do it in the last third and get us a fulminate and unexpected attack. It's almost like counter-attack except that it can't be a counter if it's already in the opposition's defense. I think those aspects - having a guy with great skills that aren't common in the position - is the biggest competitive differential Luiz and Oscar offer respectively as CB and CAM.

I never meant for him to move to the CM position. I meant as a CB he'll make up for the poor distribution from our CM. I edited my post to make it clear, as you made me see that maybe I was implying I want him playing as a CM - which I don't.

thanks lovelies, but I don't take part of the poll my vote is for The Skipper If we had a new member poll, my vote would be for . Tons of nice posts from him and of course hjperdeath too

and looking forward to work with Mourinho again. He loves Mourinho. Bringing those lines from ages ago, when his emotions were speaking after losing important games to us in UCL is ridiculous imo still there were plenty of them in the transfer thread and they're already infecting the player thread as well. FFS the guy said a few stupid words in the high of his bitterness when his team - who was definitely the best team on the pitch - lost. He was younger and had a big mouth. He said a lot of shit about Mourinho too and then he worked with him at Inter and now he's with us basically because of Mou. And also there are a few people comparing him to Benitez. Please! The FSW didn't say anything in the heat of the moment like Eto'o did (I find absolutely normal what Samuel said, stupid, but normal in football) and he said shit about Chelsea fans. That's a low thing to say. He played mind games while Eto'o was just venting. So can people do us a favor and stop with the controversial lines from a decade ago said in the heat of a painful loss?

I would need to see Oscar playing in the pivot a few matches in a row to be convinced we should move him from a position he's been killing and giving us so much both defensively and offensively which leads me choose to keep him exactly where he is. If we want to improve our CM we should sign a world class CM, not turn one of our best CAM into a CM. It's a simple equation imo. David Luiz even as a CB will improve our transition and distribution imo and make up for partially for our CM distribution - which is still our biggest problem in the pivot. Luiz often pass the ball to our AM (wingers and central) with medium and long passes. And of course Mourinho stubbornness using Lamps game in, game out. The good news about Lamps though is sooner rather than later he'll pick a knock because he physically can't play twice a week for too long. Blessing in disguise I'd say (his physicality, not Mou's stubbornness)

that's what I keep repeating to myself. He's perfect for a 4-3-3, for example using yesterday's formation: Cech Ivan - Cahill - Luiz - Cole Ramires - Lampard Oscar André - Hazard Torres The alternatives with our squad are amazing too with Willian/Mata for André, KDB for Oscar himself, Mikel or Essien for Lamps, Terry for Cahill, Azpili for Ivan and of course Eto'o for Torres

It bothers me slightly when he complains like he did yesterday (because I think he didn't have a point and for some - not me - he may sound like a sore loser), but it's a way to put pressure on referees for upcoming matches. No one in UEFA wants someone to imply conspiracies against teams, especially not someone as big as José Mourinho. So they might be more careful next time.

I agree with you about it being difficult for our strikers here. Here's a look of how many goals Didier has scored in all his seasons here (from the most recent to the oldest: 13, 13, 16, 39, 14, 16, 33, 16 and 16). Fernando had 23 and 11 in the two full seasons he played for us. Anelka had 25 in one season, but the guy who has always been in our top3 top scorers is Frank Lampard and in the past decade sometimes as the top scorer. So it makes you think why strikers rarely have a great season with us with more than 30 goals and why more often than not Lamps is who scores more for us, 'competing' with all different strikers (Torres, Anelka, Didier) In the last three seasons Robin van Persie scored 30, 36 and 20 goals for example (as he's younger than Drogba it only makes sense to compare them on their peak - also he was injured and barely played 4 seasons ago). It doesn't take away that Torres has been under-performing though. But 23 last season isn't that bad. Maybe it'll progress. Who knows? I wouldn't bet on it myself, but truth is nobody really knows.

I'm Flamenguista... so I would never say you wrote it wrong because you're Corinthiano It happens. Just don't die

please, don't die, even if you're a corinthiano

I remember both goals quite vividly... if that's the case, it's the first goal... which was not a counter, and there's a lot of credit to give to Ribery - who passed by Ramires and shot - I even read people complaining about Ramires and Cech in that goal. The second goal started in a play that Lukaku didn't press much the guy when they recovered the ball after we cleared it from our box. I don't know what you could possibly be talking about. I rest my case. This is the first time I post in his thread during official competition. I've got it.

this is where stats are crazy I'd say... I've seen him clearing the ball for us in a few occasions that are vivid still in my memory... I'll watch the replay later to confirm I'm not crazy instead, but yeah I remember a few cases. And that's the thing with long passes, anyone is prone to make mistakes, but you have a few of them right or even one and you give us a counter attack our the winner goal... and please, out of those 15 I'm sure there were cases where we were just getting rid of the ball in the extra time - which is why stats lie sometimes and you have to put it in context. I'll see where I can find a vid from the match and I'll back to you I'll come up with my own stats when I watch the replay.

I don't have words, just this :worship:

Two things (imo): I don't think he was a liability at any moment. When it mattered he blocked, tackled, cleared the balls that needed to be taken away from our box. The guy has barely played since Confed Cup, has been injured for a few weeks, so I think his pass accuracy is expected to be affected? His long passes were amazing though, the way he connected the plays with the midfield and even the direct linkup with the attack was really good, especially because he's a CB... Also, Jay, why could he be sent off? I don't think there was anything that would have given the referee to send him off - except a bad call. The one bad thing I've noticed though... recently he seemed to have shortened his temper a bit. He's not short tempered, but he's less calm than he used to be. It seems like opponents are riling him up more often. That could be a problem in the future if it continues to progress. Definitely captain material. not only because of the leadership, the commitment, the seriousness when needed, but also because he's sensitive/supportive to his teammates bad patches. This is the guy who prays for Fer before matches, who comforts the boy that missed the final penalty, that cracks a joke when things are too tense in the dressing room (more than one player stated that). This sensibility makes him a captain like few would be. His leadership is indisputable.

I'm in love - and it's not about his looks (I have to keep repeating that bc 1) it seems men think he's good looking [i disagree] 2) I'm a girl ), I don't think he's pretty and he'll age terribly with that chin. I guess there's a post a few weeks back when I stated the same feelings for him, but the more I see from him the more in love I am. I also have a crush on him just like @Kostas it seems. What's there not to love? The right attitude about the club, the enormous amount of commitment, the great hard work and work rate, the amazing movement and pace (or acceleration as I mix both concepts in English, although he isn't bad in acceleration if you ask me. Just so I also confirm if I got it right pace is about the speed the player moves and acceleration is about the speed he makes the play move?). I think he can improve his finishing. His first touch doesn't seem bad imo. I think the problem is when he has to move the ball from the left foot to the right one. But I guess we could say he has a decent first touch although many have it better than him. He was amazing yesterday. His contribution was one of the biggest in the team imo and he's expected to improve. But there are three amazing players fighting for that wing position (four if you consider Mata will play there and not in the CAM position): André, Kevin and Willian. There's so much rotation that will ensure all of them play and progress. The obvious thing would be include Eden in the rotation as well and double the chances of each of them playing (two players for each wing), but Eden will be José's untouchable - as he should - so he'll miss a few matches in the left wing. I'm conflicted and confused. Good thing Mourinho is the one to decide, not me, but I do worry a bit about our players contentment in being in the team and their progress, especially the younger ones.

the first question is would he be there to take the chance? he doesn't run a lot in counter attacks (what I guess was what originated the play). But yeah, had he been there, he would have scored. Damn it, Oscar would have scored it, I don't know what happened, but I'm still cursing him in the inside. I just never saw where Mata would have fit this match. It was a very physical, high pressing, tactical (defensively) match and we all know he can't fit those matches. He's slow, he doesn't press, he doesn't defend, he doesn't tackle, he's small (there were way too many crosses in the end). So yeah, not a match for him at all. matches for him are the ones like the United match became. He's a maestro, he's smart and creative, but he isn't cut for counter-attack. I mean he isn't totally useless in counter-attack football, but the style definitely takes away a lot of his stats. He isn't fast, his positioning while we're are defending is far from good, so either he'll give the eventual first pass to set the counter attack (like the one Torres gave today to Hazard to start the goal he scored), but he won't follow fast like Eden and André did (again I use the first goal as an example). So while I think he's one of our best players (Oscar and Eden would give him a run for his money now that they have a season under their belts), he isn't the kind of guy like Ronaldo or Messi that could demand a team to gravitate around them and improve the team because of it. Which brings me back to my controversial posts about him not from a few weeks ago where I stated he isn't big enough to be our team main star (relatively). That's what I mean. Messi, Ronaldo and even Bale are the kind of guys that are good to the point you have to set up your team to suit them, not the other way around. I don't think given the other 5 players we have in the 2-3-1 (from the 4-2-3-1 formation) we can afford to have the team adapting to Mata and not the opposite. While he had his significant contribution to the UCL title (I still give most of it to Drogba and our defense), we have to be honest and admit that in the seasons he had been our best player we were far from our best or the level required to win EPL and UCL in a convincing fashion. If we build the team around him, that's what we should expect again... mediocre in EPL (too physical for what he offers) and lucky on Europe (let's not talk about the third level teams we played in Europa League). Now does it mean I think he shouldn't be a starting XI player? Does it diminish him as a player? Does it mean I think we should offload him? No to all three. I'm just stating the obvious that is Mata has to adapt to the tactics and the team, not the team and the tactics to have to adapt to Mata because recent past showed we can only be as much competitive if that's the case and also because he isn't this giant in football. There are only a handful of those every decade... So supposing he's the one who should adapt, how will he do it? That's the one million question for me. I don't know. We could move Oscar to the pivot and make him the CAM. I'll need to see a few matches of that to be convinced it would give the same results with Oscar in the CAM position (both defensively and offensively). He could play in one of the wings... except that the left wing is owned by Hazard - who I think will be our best player this season and who I think was really close to match Mata - if not the same level - last season. The other wing we have André performing really well and Willian joining. So yeah, I don't know what to do. Not starting someone so intelligent, creative and good as him seems like a big waste, but we should only start him if he adds to the team finals numbers and evolution. If his contribution improves offensively, but harms defensively, he shouldn't start. If others contribute more than him, he shouldn't start. If he doesn't suit the tactics and style of play, he shouldn't start. But there's only one way to find those answers: playing him. And I don't mean as a sub, Mourinho will have to give him a few starts - against smaller and bigger oppositions - and then we should compare the team with and without him. I don't know, but this seems so complicated right now. He's been our best player - but when we weren't the best team. We may be on the path to be our best. How does he fit in? I don't know.