spadefx

Not sure if this always happens, but nice to see Luiz and Azpi coming out the dugout clearly having been in the dressing room for the half time talk. Unity.

Our front four have linked up so well, joy to watch. And what a goal from Lamps, such a great strike

Almost no mention of De Bruyne in the pre-match chat. Betting that'll change by half time! 10 minutes!!!

Totally different situation, but it's kinda interesting looking back at 2004/05. Our top scorers in the league: Lampard (13), Gudjohnsen (12), Drogba (10). We won the title, no "world class striker", our midfield made up the bulk of our goals. Far too much panicking about our striking options.

There'll be plenty of rotation, I wouldn't call it "heavy" as the number of games we play demands it sometimes. Last season we really only had 4 attacking midfield players for 3 positions (one of whom wasn't available for a 2 months), and a couple of them looked exhausted before games started. The three you mentioned may well be first choice, but Oscar, Schurrle and Moses will all get a lot of game time, and they're all very capable replacements. For what it's worth, based on pre-season, I can see Moses starting a lot under Mourinho. Reckon he'll be in the starting XI against Hull or Villa.

Pretty much sums up my opinion of Mikel. He's put in some very good performances in a Chelsea shirt, and some very average ones. He's been a rock at times, and frustratingly slow and careless at others. If Mourinho can get Mikel playing his best, he'll be a good option for us this season.

It's not gonna happen. I'd love to see De Rossi in a Chelsea shirt, and I'd argue he'd probably be fit straight into our strongest XI, but Mourinho has consistently denied reports he's looking for another central midfielder. If I recall correctly, he was asked directly about De Rossi in one of the Asian press conferences and denied any interest. We've got a good batch of centre mids anyway, they're maybe not world class but there's potential for development with experience & stability. Mourinho's sides have always had a strong spine, and if he's happy with the central midfielders we have, that suggests he's confident that trend will continue.

Are we comparing Sturridge and Torres playing in a Liverpool shirt or a Chelsea one?... Let's just end the debate, it's a Lukaku thread. You've suggested Sturridge would've been a better option for us than Torres as a striker, I disagree. Evidently we're not changing each others' mind. We've got three strikers to start the season for the first time in years, and we've got the best batch of attacking midfielders behind them we've ever had. Let's just look forward to a good season.

Obviously you rate Sturridge very highly, and I don't deny he's a good player, but I really don't think he was ever a great option for us as our striker. Torres may not have been scoring, but he was certainly working harder for the team, looking to link up with our midfield, dragging defenders out of position to open up space for our midfield. Last season we adapted our attacking to suit that style of play from Torres, with our midfielders being the 'end point' to an attack, and it worked. We didn't have a problem finding the net last season. Ideally Torres would've taken more of the chances that fell to him, and his general hold up play is far from perfect (let's face it, we were spoilt rotten with Drogba), but he did offer far more than I ever see Sturridge offering in that same role. Sturridge will score more at Liverpool, simply because their attacking play is catered more towards strikers finishing the move off. Also note I'm not sitting here singing Torres' praises either, I'm just as excited to see Lukaku in that role, as I feel he's got the work-rate and attitude to offer what Torres already does, and that physical presence and composure in front of goal to offer more.

Possibly been told not to mention it by his advisors. Any comment either way kind of ties his hands a bit. He's shown plenty of commitment to the club on the field, and seems to enjoy the club & London life based on his social networking sites, anything else is really just speculation.

See I'm thinking with us just playing one striker, it'll be just the one on the bench. Fancy us to be pretty midfield-heavy on the bench. 1 striker, and 1 defender, as Essien also offers cover if one of the full backs pick up a knock.

Just to twist the lineup debate, who will be left out of the squad entirely? I count 23 players available for 18 spots: Cech, Schwarzer, Ivanovic, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Terry, Luiz, Cole, Bertrand, Essien, Ramires, Van Ginkel, Mikel, Lampard, Oscar, Mata, Hazard, Schurrle, Moses, De Bruyne, Torres, Lukaku, Ba Shows how good our squad is this season, as 5 of that quality bunch will miss out entirely... (I've not even included Blackman, Hilario or Kalas). (I'll say Azpi, Bertrand, Mikel, Ba & Schurrle... yikes)

Definitely a loose cannon, you surely can't deny that... Never said he didn't contribute to the team either, just that Torres did considerably more. That's arguably down to personal opinion, but that's how I saw it anyway.

Drogba wasn't fit to start the majority of matches in that season, and towards the end he was being rested for European matches. Sturridge was a bit of a loose cannon, didn't contribute to the team nearly as much as Torres and his fitness played a part too. Personally I would've selected Torres for the majority of those games too, there wasn't a better alternative in my opinion (nor the managers' apparently).

Lukaku, De Bruyne, Van Ginkel, Schurrle... Mourinho. Extremely disappointed!?

I think the only form of "pressure" that has been put on a manager to play Torres has been a lack of alternative options made available. I doubt there's ever been a discussion between Abrahmovic or the board and any manager regarding Torres' selection, personally think it's daft to consider it, but the media love a good conspiracy. Torres has been selected (rightly or wrongly) when our managers have felt he's the best man available for the job. Jose will be no different.

Really just strikes me as paper nonsense, linking us with either of those players. The way I see it, we've only been "in" for one striker this summer, there's been no formal bid for anyone else to suggest otherwise. We're not desperately on the hunt for a striker, yet the media think we are, so naturally we'll continue to be linked with every semi-available player until the window closes.

I thought Luiz was proclaiming his undying love for Barcelona today? Or is that an evening announcement?

If I remember the interview correctly, Mourinho mentioned how he liked to play "wrong-footed" wingers. Mata's our only left-footed attacking midfielder. Not sure if that's necessarily going to be Mata's "position" in Mourinho's squad, but it certainly suggests he'll try him there. As for Mata not fitting into a 4-3-3, I think that's a combination of forum and press opinion that he's only effective in the number '10' role, and wouldn't fit in that system. Don't recall Jose ever mentioning where Mata would/would not fit in a 4-3-3.

Cech Ivanovic - Cahill - Terry - Cole Essien (Lampard sub) - Van Ginkel Moses (Oscar sub) - De Bruyne - Hazard Torres (Lukaku sub) 3-0 - Moses, Lampard, Lukaku Luiz & Mata rested. And I'm probably going to be so ridiculously wrong, this lineup is so difficult to call! But what a bench we're going to have regardless!

Azpilicueta was called up, Torres and Mata weren't. Couldn't disagree more with Uno's comments regarding Mourinho. He's relaxed, he's happy, he's in charge. Stop looking for conspiracy

If this deal doesn't happen, there won't be another. Although I'm sure the press will be quick to link us with every striker under the sun if Rooney announces he's staying. For the record, still don't see it happening, and I'm personally not too fussed either way.

If Torres performs well, he'll play. If he doesn't, he won't. Past performances, board room opinion... none of that will matter to Mourinho.

Four players is probably too much for one position. Would've been nice to see a quality addition, but the only ones available that would potentially be an improvement went for more money than we were willing to pay. Boils down to whether or not you're happy with Torres, Lukaku and Ba, because that's what we've got. Some are, some aren't. Personally I'm delighted, 3 good forwards, one with so much potential, and a wealth of excellent midfielders behind them. Try and stop us scoring.

Assuming Ba's not fit to play, expected him to start after no minutes in the Madrid match. Hope Mata is just a precautionary rest as well, and nothing too serious.