UCL Draw Thread

[Special Juan 27,103]

If he plays they pay us big dollar, if he doesn't, they don't.

[SoBlues 4]

I Believe Atletico is the best case scenario for Chelsea, because I doubt we would fare better with the other teams.

[vergil_sparda 26]

Two superstitions clashing in this tie

We are going to win this CL because we are the only English team left and last year's final was in England.

But Atletico too is going to win this CL because last 5 teams that beat Barcelona went on to win the whole thing.

Let's see which one is stronger

It's a good draw just for the fact that the press circus will be tolerable, imagine the hoopla about Mourinho vs Real or Mourinho va Pep? It would have overshadowed everything going on on the pitch. At least with Atletico everyone can concentrate on football itself.

And they can be beaten. They are good in attack - but PSG was good too. But their defense is suspect.

Its the other way around. Atletico are very good in defense and Terry likes to play against players like Costa rather than Lavezzi for example.

[bababoom 4,478]

[bababoom 4,478]

Bruce Buck: "Of course we will let Courtois play. To deny him the opportunity would be paranoid and unpleasant, behaviour we are above."

[Kieran. 6,317]

19 April: Sunderland (h)

22 April: Atlético de Madrid (a)

27 April: Liverpool (a)

30 April: Atlético de Madrid (h)

The little gap between Atlético away and Liverpool is nice.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Bruce Buck: "Of course we will let Courtois play. To deny him the opportunity would be paranoid and unpleasant, behaviour we are above."

No comment on the clause yet. Both Buck and Gourlay have said he can play.....if they pay the pre-agreed fee???

[Rmpr 8,977]

I think Courtois will play simply because it is the right thing to do...

It is harsh to deny him this opportunity and there is also an enormous potential hypocrisy involved. He isnt good enough to be in the team, but he is good enough to stop us from advancing?

People acting like it would be an "extremely unlikely scenario" just dont know a shit of what they are talking about and how this club works!

EDIT: I am not saying he will definitely play or that I want him to play, but the possibility of us allowing him to play is very realistic and last year's Supercup is a good example...

[Reddish-Blue 2,223]

No comment on the clause yet. Both Buck and Gourlay have said he can play.....if they pay the pre-agreed fee???

How much is the "fee"?

Why don't they just lower the Costa fee for us? Win-win situation

[The only place to be 11,313]

How much is the "fee"?

Why don't they just lower the Costa fee for us? Win-win situation

£5 million apparently.

And that is something club president Enrique Cerezo maintains they cannot do.

“It’s a number we can’t afford to pay,” he said. “The problem is whether he can play or not if we come up against Chelsea. It could be that he cannot, the contract is the contract.”

I think Courtois will play simply because it is the right thing to do...

In your opinion.

Say tomorrow Eden Hazard decided he wanted to play in Paris. It would make him happy. Should we just release him because it would be a nice thing to do?

Or should we, I don't know, enforce contracts and keep grown men to their words?

[Rmpr 8,977]

In your opinion.

Say tomorrow Eden Hazard decided he wanted to play in Paris. It would make him happy. Should we just release him because it would be a nice thing to do?

Or should we, I don't know, enforce contracts and keep grown men to their words?

What an absolute dumb analogy!

And apparently, it is not only my opinion. It is the board's opinion as well...

[The only place to be 11,313]

What an absolute dumb analogy!

And apparently, it is not only my opinion. It is the board's opinion as well...

No, the board have said he can play. They haven't referred to the clause at all, although the clause also allows him to play so long as they pay the pre-arranged fee.

You may think it's a dumb analogy but I'm just pointing out that in the grown-up world contracts should be adhered to otherwise what's the point in signing them in the first place?

Atletico gained access to a top keeper and all they had to do was agree to this one clause. It may not be romantic but if it helps us advance and win a trophy like this then why on Earth wouldn't we enforce it? If they decide to play him then we should declare the contract null and void and bring him back immediately, hopefully fucking up Atletico's chances in the league as well.

But I'm a malicious cunt sometimes.

[Amblève. 4,995]

Courtois CAN play, here's the UEFA's statement (not sure whether it has been posted or not yet).

http://www.uefa.org/about-uefa/administration/news/newsid=2088774.html

[Sidzeret 2,257]

I wouldn't be surprised the game if the game is played almost entirely in the midfield since both teams have similar style of play.

[kobematabryant 400]

It would be a scum move if we disallowed Courtois playing in the semi finals, assuming if his eligibility to play depended on us.

[Amblève. 4,995]

DP

[Muzchap 8,966]

Fuck the UEFA statement - there's a contract in existence willingly entered into by both parties.

Unless UEFA are going to recompense Chelsea - they can say what the fuck they like - they have no jurisdiction over the matter.

On another note...

Latest reports suggest Diego Simeone is taking the tie very seriously and has already been in contact with Tony Pulis for tips. Paul Lambert remains on speed dial.

[Strike 6,961]

if we drew bayern, i think we could have mugged them with a goal on the counter but Atletico work hard and are defensively aware. this will be tight