Closed Chelsea 1-0 Steaua Bucharest

[MHL 47 378]

Every player was muted last night, but at least he didn't fuck up like Mikel did. How he gets caught in possession and nearly gifts Steaua a goal from nothing I don't know because the one thing he's supposed to be good at is 'shielding' the ball. Thank god we're being linked with Matic because this might signal the end of his Chelsea career.

Not quite sure why Willian is getting so many plaudits because I thought he was pretty ordinary and wanted to see De Bruyne come on for more than 10 minutes. So we're through as probably the worst group winners in the competition bar United.

Mikel - Acceptable with the ball when he's facing away from our goal, susceptible to being robbed when half-turned and likely to be robbed when facing our goal and being passed to by the keeper or centre-halves. He's a one-trick pony in his retention of possession under pressure. Namely if he can't protect the ball using his frame/strength he/we're in trouble. Additionally because this is likely to be in our half of the pitch and with other midfielders upfield of him and our full backs stretched out providing width and space, the opposition has a very advantageous attacking situation. Needs replacing soon as, in my opinion, the negatives outweigh the positives. There seems to be a bit of frustration amongst one or two players that the ball gets stuck in front of the back four and doesn't get to them quickly enough, when they may have found themselves space to operate in. That then means that our lone forward is marked tightly as well and has no space to play in or space to run into. We have a bit of a disease with this, and have done for a few seasons. Change is needed, not in formation but personnel. Might see some major changes in the summer perhaps.

I too was disappointed not to see De Bruyne start, not to big a risk given the fact that Steaua were possibly the worst side we've faced for years in the CL. Wouldn't hurt to see Oscar play centrally with Lampard (holding) and De Bruyne starting. he could interchange with Oscar certainly and perhaps the holding player.

Disappointing performance, but it did the job. Hopefully convinced Jose (if he's not already!) that we need new blood in central midfield and a forward.

[MHL 47 378]

All passes made by Mikel and Frank last night...ponderous is one word.

Lack of penetration - would be three more!

[AndersonBLUE 819]

Best player Hazard? Are you having a laugh! Willian was head and shoulders above everyone else today. Shit performabce by a team that is obviously being rotated too much.

Willian wasn't better than Hazard in this game. Only one pass stood out for Willian, the rest were wayward, but like you said most of the team didn't play very well.