Barbara

is that how Chelsea hijacked the deal for Willian?

that's his point actually... We had only two strikers just last season and had to wait until January to sign Ba. I'm sure our memory isn't that short and we've learned the lesson. André is playing really well in the wing, but he was ineffective in the striker/false 9 position against ManUtd. Maybe it's because he hasn't adapted yet, but why gamble with a guy that does so well in another position instead of keeping another striker who's probably on low wages? As I said, I think they put both Ba and Lukaku in the market and will agree to the best deal they get, and keep the other player

I guess Chelsea is working on both fronts and will do the best deal out of the two, but not the two.

see? I keep saying I'm not smart enough and people won't believe it. I thought you implied I was drinking I didn't get your joke. Or the theories. Or other jokes. My 3yo don't tell me that stuff, my boyfriend is the most innocent and naïve person in the world. I'm too harmless and slow to make up those things - or even understand them. but I seem to be a good cheerleader from what I gathered from this gate. Now let's move on to the transfers before a new theory arises and I look clueless again (hint hint I am clueless)

I don't drink, love

guilty as charged, boss, about the bitterness comment. Won't repeat Alcohol affects your brain cells. I blame the alcohol.

I haven't been here since the morning (in Europe) and Ba and Lukaku had already been loaned and returned to at least 5 teams. So we better wait... SSN said something about Ba (don't remember because it's hard to keep track of everything) only to less than half an hour later say it wouldn't happen. They cleared their own 'rumor'. It's a lot of nonsense and speculation. But it's fun nonetheless - unless you're drunk that is. Then is conspiracy theories

no love, I didn't mean you at all. I just answered to you. There are things I'm too slow to understand. I have no idea what bushman and I are up to. I didn't mean you're bitter at all - if that's what you understood Thing is when I try to bait I fail, but when I don't do anything it's understood to be something. I'm not that smart. It's too much credit for a kindergarten teacher or at least this kindergarten teacher. such a cutie you are! Thanks, sweetie, but I don't mind at all. His problem is with me, will always be. But if you understand what you and I are doing here, please let me know. I missed the memo.

bitterness is a bitch Some things I just expect, although I'm yet to understand what bushman and I are up to because really, I'm yet to find out Not that it matters, at first it annoyed me, now it amuses me. As I said bitterness is a bitch and it stinks and stings. No pun intended

did you miss the posts in Kevin's thread? I understand the concern because it's WC year, so unless the player starts 80% of the matches there are people complaining of minutes played because of the NT. Lukaku's thread was the same with him being benched over Torres and Ba. Just because a player plays in a NT it doesn't mean a club won't overlook him because of a better player... So why campaign for another player to join when it's clear Ramires and Lampard is what Mourinho will play. Mikel, Essien and van Ginkel are completely overlooked by him. Witsel would as well, although he's better than all the three (probably together)

but then they don't play like Kevin and Lukaku and they all go insane saying we should loan or offload them. It's funny actually

do players smaller than our Juanito actually exist? relax, guys, Mata isn't going anywhere

I'm willing to bet Mata won't leave. He just won't. If he leaves it will on January - although I think not even then. If he doesn't adapt to Mourinho's style or fits his plans, I think he'd leave next summer, not the winter window, but today? Not a fat chance

nothing too important, but I had a few errants to run, a few people to visit. I've been MIA in real life for the past 3 days living under a rock, so I had a few things to do. It can wait tomorrow. I'm like a kid who's eating chocolate for the first time. This is so cool, when you least expect, BAM, someone announces a player. How have I never enjoyed DLD in the 30 years I'm a football fan?

I didn't mean winning trophies, but being dangerous to play against.

being here for only three months, this is the first time ever I'm experiencing this thread. Seriously, I've just canceled all my appointments for the day. This is amazing, I might even get some popcorn. How have I lived all those deadline days without it? I'm so clueless sometimes (most times) btw Pizy both Dion and can testify that's me in the avatar because both have seen me in my webcam on Skype in case you didn't believe me

yes I tend to agree more with Ryan here, bush... They can become very dangerous, and it seems like Lukas won't be leaving after all (there were rumors of him going to Valencia) Maybe there's truth to the rumors saying he didn't get along with Mou well because really, he never really played his full potential in the last two seasons and still his stats are better than any other #10 in the world. Better by far

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 came here because of a post of mine I wanted to link in a new post and I came across this. Should have accepted the bait back then the posts in this page all of sudden are very amusing First rule on football: don't ever underestimate a Brazilian player or Brazil NT. We may suck at moments - and we do it a lot - but we can all of sudden change it all. ie: Oscar in Chelsea (under Mou) and Confed's Cup. I'm sure Rmpr and Henrique agree with me Truth is even when we suck we are a challenge, it's not me being cocky... it's history repeating

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