Raul Meireles

[DavidEU 2,023]

Really can't understand why this guy keeps getting in the team. Completely average, doesn't offer a great deal at all.

[termninja 5,290]

Really disappointed with Raul in the last couple of games. As David said, average describes him best. His passing has been horrible and shooting even worse. He does bust his guts every game but that is not enough.

[Sheva. 5,373]

Better option than Lampard atm imo.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Every time I see him in a Chelsea shirt I am reminded of how different our season may have been had we got Modric.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Better option than Lampard atm imo.

How? Defensively? Definitely not on the attacks?

[Sheva. 5,373]

How? Defensively? Definitely not on the attacks?

Meireles was good at Liverpool last season because they played him in a more forward role, but at Chelsea or even Portugal he's asked to play more defensive - which is quite stupid really since he doesn't like to get "stuck in"

Now to your question, Lampard has been crap for most of this season, except for that period after everyone were saying he's done.

He slows down everything and i think our midfield looks better without him there - with the exception of the last couple games, where the vast majority of the team have just been rubbish.

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

Hope he doesn't start on Tuesday.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Meireles was good at Liverpool last season because they played him in a more forward role, but at Chelsea or even Portugal he's asked to play more defensive - which is quite stupid really since he doesn't like to get "stuck in"

I am honestly starting to believe he is a one-season wonder. He hasn't been doing even the basic passing right lately. Even his long rage shooting, his supposed strong point, has been awful.

Now to your question, Lampard has been crap for most of this season, except for that period after everyone were saying he's done.

He slows down everything and i think our midfield looks better without him there - with the exception of the last couple games, where the vast majority of the team have just been rubbish.

Hmmm. I have to disagree, I don't think he has been as bad as some make out. The argument that a single player slows down a team does not make any sense imo, especially if the midfield is just as slow without him. Yes he's lost a yard or two and possibly his ability to shoot from outside the box, but he can still pick a pass better than any other midfielder we have ( if you count Mata as a forward) and most importantly can get a few goals, which comes in handy when out strikers can't. Even defensively, he has the ability to make a sliding tackle, unlike raul.

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

Lamps/Essien/Rambo >>>>> Meireles!

[Laylabelle 9,351]

He's another one who started off pretty well and has gone crap! I remember him having really good games a while back.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

He's another one who started off pretty well and has gone crap! I remember him having really good games a while back.

He had a few slightly-above-average matches at the start of the season, nothing too glamorous; Now he doesn't seem to be able to pick a simple pass.

[manpe 10,861]

His first assist to Sturridge against Sunderland was exquisite.. shame he can't do it regularly. The performance level of everyone has dropped over the last half a season, not only his.. he's probably one of those players who performs when the team performs.

[Term-X 7,891]

The worst part, is that you just know this 'panic buy' will be part of the furniture here for a good 2-3 seasons now. When we failed with Modric in the final hours, Josh McEachran's stock should have risen. Instead of splurging £12m on an average 29 year old box to box liverpool reject.

[Madmax 9,219]

Supposed to be jack of all trades ... think 'jack' means 'shit' in today's lexicon.

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

Raul can be a great super sub but is definitely not worthy to start every game.I don't want him to start against Napoli,my preferred midfield lineup would comprise of lampard,essien and ramires.

[Jase 43,479]

Keeping Meireles on and bringing Mata off yesterday was just another diabolical decision by AVB. Granted that Mata was not having the best of games but he's arguably our only creative player in the entire squad and someone capable of producing a moment of real quality but yet AVB sticks with Meireles who have given away possession cheaply countless of times yesterday! I really can't understand why AVB plays him so much!! Are they having some sort of secret affair off the pitch or something?!

[eldo 868]

I don't think he was bad yesterday

[petr.breu 1,618]

I don't think he was bad yesterday

Yes, he wasn't... But he wasn't good either... Just like in every game...