Nemanja Matic

[NiclasCFC 2,582]

Done Deal:http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/9115579/transfer-news-nemanja-matic-confirms-he-is-leaving-benfica-for-chelsea

[magic weeds 446]

I wonder who the second player will be. Maybe its Kalas on loan

[bushman 2,043]

Finished, done & ready to kick some butts against Manures, I hope. LOL.

Now, the envious crowd is out in force, see some of the sites.

Chelsea is the most innovative club in UK, I feel. No dicking around. Any player who is good enough to play for Chelsea approved by the board, flies to London on a Lear Jet, I read.

[nadavTKL 1,787]

---Ramires-Matic----

Willian-Oscar-Hazard

That is some midfield, already look a lot stronger. I think Matic and Rami are going to be like a wall in defense. Remind me a little of Brazil's pivot with Gustavo and Paulinho.

[jmarlow 458]

---Ramires-Matic----

Willian-Oscar-Hazard

That is some midfield, already look a lot stronger. I think Matic and Rami are going to be like a wall in defense. Remind me a little of Brazil's pivot with Gustavo and Paulinho.

imo that is the best midfield 5 in the PL.

[bushman 2,043]

---Ramires-Matic----

Willian-Oscar-Hazard

That is some midfield, already look a lot stronger. I think Matic and Rami are going to be like a wall in defense. Remind me a little of Brazil's pivot with Gustavo and Paulinho.

May I butt in ? Ramires & Matic = better duo, I feel.

[Pizy 17,860]

Announce it already!

I'd rather not see Luiz in midfield against United. Too risky.

[Term-X 7,891]

Tomo was right, the David Luiz-Torres deals were the worst bits of business any club has done in the history of january transfer windows. But then again, hindsight is a wonderful thing.

[bushman 2,043]

Well, some deals work out, some don´t. Ferda´s deal will never be considered as a shrewd business. I mean, to pay 50m & see the toreador popping a goal every 2 months is not much to write home about.

[DavidEU 2,023]

Now we know why Bertrand Traore replaced Kakuta on loan at Vitesse?

[Special Juan 27,093]

I think this could be a bargain.

[Christo191 173]

hindsight is a wonderful thing.

This should be on top of the forum like a motto or a Title for it with EORMOUS letters!

[Hutcho 8,443]

Are you in a position where you can guarantee that the game with FC Porto was your last game for Benfica?

Yes, it was my last game. I want to thank all the people in and around the club, and all the fans. Benfica will be forever in my heart. I’ve tried my best in every training session, in every game, and now is the right time to leave. I want to improve, to go back to the best league in the world, and back to Chelsea, a club which I like.

-Source: A Bola. Translation: Ollie Glanvill.

[Special Juan 27,093]

Asked this question on another forum to a Benfica fan.....How good has Matic become

A; You will be getting one of the best holding midfielders in the world.

[Fernando 6,375]

Really good if true.

When we gave him away we didn't know how good he would be. Also managerial instability was a problem.

Now with mourinho we will have some stability and he will know what type of players he's looking for in his system.

[Jusek 2,031]

"I want to improve, I want to play in a better league and I want to go to Chelsea, a club I also love."

Welcome back, Nemanja! Terrific signing!

[The only place to be 11,313]

I actually think this move could be great for Mikel. It'll free him up a little and could transform him, or it could just be the death knell for him. Either way we've got some physically imposing players in that position with Mikel, Matic, Luiz and eventually Chalobah and Loftus-Cheek. Athleticism, technique and power freeing up the attacking players to do what they do best.

The general consensus seems to be we're getting a bargain and only a few mentions of the fact we let him go in the first place. Could be a nice move for Kakuta - let's face it he's verging on being a free transfer at the moment.

[Term-X 7,891]

I'd assume he'd take the number 15 shirt, since Cahill has claimed his former number.