Chelsea 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen

[Kieran. 6,317]

Ballack wasn't the best midfielder in the world at Chelsea, but he brought stability, determination and strength. He was a class act and always gave 100%. He scored important goals. He was even willing to take a pay cut to stay at the Bridge.

Not a Chelsea legend, but he was quite a player for us and deserves a standing ovation.

[Madmax 9,219]

Regardless of his contributions at Chelsea, Ballack is a legend of recent football history.

Anyway this match is about more than Ballack and Torres so I hope we talk about something other than those two tomorrow.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I wonder if AVB will start Torres despite that interview he gave. I think Drogba should come in as a sub if he's fit, he needs a few minutes before the manu game.

BTW I really think people are underestimating Bayer; They have a great keeper and young talented strikers. Their strongest point is their midfield, their weakest is the back four. I'm sure we'll win but it probably won't be a cruise.

I can't wait to see Ballack get a standing ovation at the Bridge...he deserves it.

[Rambo 1,729]

Sturridge needs to start vs. United, rest him for Bayer and start Malouda.

[manpe 10,855]

Sturridge needs to start vs. United, rest him for Bayer and start Malouda.

Sturridge rested on his ass for 3 games, he needs match practice now... he must play afaic. No Malouda pretty please.

[Madmax 9,219]

BTW I really think people are underestimating Bayer; They have a great keeper and young talented strikers. Their strongest point is their midfield, their weakest is the back four. I'm sure we'll win but it probably won't be a cruise.

Exactly ... watch out for Renato Augusto. Star in the making.

[DYC. 7,542]

Sturridge needs to start vs. United, rest him for Bayer and start Malouda.

I find it funny how people are talking about rest after four whole games this season .

And it's the opposite with Sturridge. He lacks match rhythm, you could see it against Sunderland (the last game he played was against Rangers). He needs to play as much as possible now to get in a flow and gain form.

[Carefree Blue 7]

Exactly ... watch out for Renato Augusto. Star in the making.

Also need to watch out for Andre Schurrle, yet another great young German.

[termninja 5,290]

[BlueLion. 21,491]

"Anelkalouda will play a starring role in 3-0 win as Torres is dropped" - you can imagine the headlines already!

[Kostas 1,468]

Malouda starting wouldn't be as absurd as it may sound. Rotation can/should be applied throughout the whole season instead of only the later parts, we don't want to repeat the same mistakes that hurt us under Ancelotti.

[Milan 17,835]

Ballack on his return to the Bridge

Choosing one moment that sticks in his memory more than the others is an impossible task for the former Germany captain, but he can narrow the choice down to three.

'My injury right at the start because in the end I missed seven months and it was quite a difficult period for me.

'The second memory is the Champions League Final with the penalty shoot-out that will haunt all of us for ever.

'The third was winning the League and the Cup in the last year. After trailing to Man United for three years, winning two titles in the last year was great.'

[SeB 1,281]

He did not remind THAT goal at Old Trafford against Blackburn

Anyway I have not forgotten

[xPetrCechx 13,546]

[Kez 2,727]

love that orange training kit as well.

[HRiver 1,512]

The atmosphere in the training ground looks brilliant. There's some other great pictures posted by pharaon in his thread in the Chelsea Multimedia.

[Sheva. 5,373]

^ Indeed, thanks for mentioning it

[Nachtblut 2]

Nice !