Barbara

I don't know what I'm more surprised about. The fact this article isn't in this thread or in any other that came to my attention or the lack of repercussion here...

as far as I know they got Maicon (not sure if for that amount, but it would make sense)...

Video with small part of Mou's conference (English) http://www.espn.com.br/video/342759_mourinho-ignora-boatos-de-mercado-e-se-diz-satisfeito-com-elenco-do-chelsea

It's still a week apart, but of course they could go straight to US and train there (they probably will). Either way they're traveling on a Friday, it makes sense to start working again on a Sunday if Mourinho doesn't want to make it a tree-day break...

In one of his interviews - Mourinho or someone from Chelsea TV - said they would join the team two weeks later, but that doesn't make sense if we take it literally because it would mean the middle of Asian Tour. I think they'll join the team on its return to London. I guess that might be on the 26th as their last match in Asia is on the 25th? but that's a Friday, so unless they're giving the days off on the Friday and Saturday and resuming training on Sunday, I suppose you're right.

that's what I'm expecting or something where he'll be like this (two out of Ramires, Mikel, Lampard, DDR) .......................Oscar......................... André............Mata.............Hazard or (two out of Ramires, Mikel, Lampard, DDR) .......................Oscar.......................... Mata...................................Hazard ...................Lukaku....................... are you serious it gets worse than that?

it was much easier to read than Eden's one. During some points reading Eden's thread I thought I'd never be back in the forum again, hahahahaha Things got crazy there, but I'll get used to how serious and sometimes crazy things get here during the season. Wish me luck though as I'm used to the coll off-season environment better late than never (kidding, you didn't need to answer at all, but I'm still glad you took the time to do so)

let's hope so I'm very confident about the following season, I still this season will require a lot of adaptation and adjustment - but then again most teams seem to be adjusting this season, so maybe we could have some very nice results.

I get your point and you do have a valid one (on both instances - Mourinho personality and EL). I guess what he aimed was still a reality check. The team may have been thin as you pointed, but still falling the UCL stage group last season was sort of too much (especially given the matches circumstances)... I guess what he wants is for the players more than anyone else to see that it shouldn't be acceptable this season - although it could happen again depending on the group.

I don't think he was digging at Benitez... but giving a reality check. It was great to have won the title, especially because it was the only thing we won last season, but by no means we should feel it was a great accomplishment because it wasn't. Why do you think teams like ManUtd that failed in UCL during stage groups didn't bother to take EL seriously? Or do you think they didn't have good teams to pursue the title? A friend of mine who is a ManUtd fan said she wanted ManUtd to lose on EL as soon as possible because she wanted the team to focus on EPL in the previous season... In their opinion EL is beneath them and I guess Mourinho feels the same about Chelsea and I wonder if he's right or wrong... So while I'm happy we won, it's not something to brag about. Unless it's to Arsenal fans...

according to Twitter.

If knows what is good, he'll keep the team that won UCL last year at least for this match. I think Bayern has a superb - the very best - squad in the world, but I feel like it will never live up to its potential under Pep (although I don't think he'll completely mess it up, just worsen it instead of improving)... and it sounds really stupid to change this team into Barça 2.0 when this team schooled them 7-0 in UCL last season. Of course the team under Tito is worse than Pep's Barça, but not to the point of losing 7-0. How stupid will it be if he changes their winning style? If he can't work that style, he should adapt, not the team. FFS it isn't too hard to gather. But why do I care? 1) I hate Bayern 2) Good for us 3) my opinion about Pep will stand

Ferdinand - both; Busquets; Dani Alves; Ibrahimovic, Pinto (Barcelona's GK)

With Lukaku I think 4-2-3-1 works I imagine how happy Mourinho is that he doesn't have Torres and doesn't have to deal with having him in the team. I know I would Also less than a day to go

The Originals FC

I really like Aitor and I didn't understand why he stayed in RM when Mou left... which is why I'm not sure he'll join Mou. Rui and Aitor were like the guys he trusted the most in the past few years, so if when he left Aitor stayed - unless it was RM call - I don't see why he'd join us now I hope he does though

I think PSG success is misleading. Winning League 1 doesn't compare to even being a contender in EPL. League 1 was especially weak last season... Their group in UCL was a joke and Valencia can't be a rival to a team that made as much investment. Their goal was to reach UCL SF and hopefully the final. You don't do either without beating at least one of the those: ManUtd, Bayern, Barcelona, RM, Juve and last season Dortmund. their first challenge they lost... when you put that amount of money aiming immediate results you have to beat one of those teams. Now talking about City... EPL will have an atypical season as ManUtd, ManCity and Chelsea - the latest champions - have new managers. Spurs may lose Bale and if that happens, it'll have an impact and then there's Arsenal. So in theory it'll be a more unpredictable season, but still ManUtd kept their base as well as Chelsea, so it won't be easy for City to really be a title contender 8-6 rounds away the end of the season. UCL depends on the kind of group they get. If they have path similar to what PSG had last season they can make it to QF, but I don't know how much successful that is if you only beat the likes of Porto, Kiev, Zagreb and Valencia (that finished 5th in La Liga btw - a very weak league outside of RM and Barça domination)... it's subjective and relative. I don't consider PSG did much if you look to Lyon doing the same a few years ago, with much less the investment... I stand by my words... I'll be surprised if they really fight for EPL and if they beat one of the big guns in UCL in knockouts. But that's just me. That said I do believe if they keep the base for the following season they might be one of the big guns in both competitions.

I'm yet to see a team that changes half the squad PLUS the manager to make it work off the bat. I'm not saying they have a weaker side than ours... I'm saying it takes time to make things work... Never said they signed badly... just that they keep bringing way too many players without giving time for the team to be really built. Chemistry, style, familiarity - all of which essential for a team to work - take months, not weeks, especially when it involves literally half the team.

But still it seems they learn nothing from their past mistakes... Teams that are made from night to day don't work on short term! Look at PSG - unless you count winning La Ligue 1 like that as an accomplishment for their investment last season, I know I don't; look even at our squad last season that struggled to make the deep changes that Oscar and Hazard brought to work. Real Madrid in recent seasons - especially before Mourinho arrived, etc, etc, etc. They have a new manager, half new team and seem to fail to realize that to make it work they'd have to give it at least a couple of seasons... Despite having cited our own situation last season I see it differently from ManCity. we had deficiencies that needed to be addressed. There was no way a club as big as Chelsea is nowadays could continue to be successful without real talent in the midfield and just parking the bus when the quality was too abysmal compared to European oppositions. We were like City a few seasons ago, but I'd say Roman and co learned that patience is required, not only welcomed. an investment can't really qualify into failure unless you give it a couple of seasons. I'd be surprised if ManCity ends up being a title contestant this year as well as improving much their CL result, but they could be very dangerous in 2014/15 unless they dismantle and rebuild the team again. Which is why I've never wanted us to sign too many new guys this season. We need to be clinical, punctual, precise in the new signings. A good DM and a more reliable FW and that's it. We've already signed MvG to be part of the squad and André to help the attack situation. In no way I see those '4' new players starting in the team at once. Marco might not even play much this season at all. edit: ESPN Brasil has this summary of main European teams signings, offloads, players coming from loan and their objectives (to sign and offload). It's updated daily. Legend (English) Quem chega (signings). Fechados (deals done). Objetivos (Aiming to sign) Quem sai (offloads). Fechados (deals done). Objetivos (Others teams trying to sign). Voltando do Empréstimo (back from load) Time base (base squad) http://www.espn.com.br/noticia/339362_mercado-da-bola-veja-as-principais-transferencias-do-futebol-internacional

Exactly the kind of picture I'd take if I had the chance

I already have a team. It only took me two hours to have it done Painful doesn't start to cover it

@Ryan Fong, I've done all that, but I can't join the leagues I tried both codes and it says I already failed even before I got started

I need help with this. Have never played any fantasy league before. Who will be the gentleman - or the lady - who will kindly help me? thanks

full back, center back. I will go crazy any other day with all those positions in English. I think he's where he should be, I don't want him to move to the midfield, that's what I meant

we clearly disagree. I think there are tons of better midfield players around the world than Cesc currently. If we are going to talk about projection and past the conversation will always go to Pele, Maradona and then Neymar or Eden. I think he's overrated, I disagree about your opinion of him - currently form and past form in Arsenal - and he was very stupid when he did everything in the world to go to Barça - he was never the same level of players they have in Barça and ofc he wouldn't have as much space there, and of course it would affect his performances and of course he would get worse instead of improve. A blind could see that it was a bad deal for him, but he wanted the fame, the money, or whatever else is that he wanted (except the home stuff. A cunt like him doesn't care that much about being home, because if he did he wouldn't have left Arsenal, but that's another convo). So the fact that his form worsened ever since he moved there not only is obvious but it was completely expected. As if he was in the same level as the rest of Barça's midfield. AS IF. When I said I'd mention 20 midfielders I didn't necessarily think of central mids, just better midfields (in general) than him... (in no particular oder) Schweinsteiger, Pirlo, Alonso, Xavi, Ozil, Iniesta, Mata, Goetze, Busquets (as much as it hurts to admit the little cunt is actually good), Ribery, Toure, Silva... but if I had to restrict to CM then I guess I could name only 8 but with a bit research maybe I could make it 10 as my memory sucks Bottom line is: we disagree. I think he is overhyped and overrated. You think he's amazing.