spadefx

Can't believe this appears to be a genuine rumour now. Incredibly disappointed if this ends up happening, what a complete waste.

Agree with the majority of posts in this thread, Rooney would be a terrible choice. He's lost the burst of pace he once had, and without it he's simply a 'good' premier league forward. He's not a striker, which is what we need. This season he's dropped deeper, which has only worked if he's given space (usually from drifting in behind the likes of Valencia, almost playing as a second right-winger). I don't rate him ahead of our current attacking midfielders, and there's so, so many better strikers out there. We'd be splashing out on a player that wouldn't fit into our squad, isn't nearly good enough to justify re-shaping our attack around, yet the media continue to label as 'world-class'. That's not so say he's terrible, it's just that (hypothetically) if a lesser-known player of the same quality became available, I'd say they'd make a good squad player (nothing more), at £10M max. But with his transfer fee, the massive wage he'd demand and the unwanted negative press he'd attract (to name a few!), it's an absolute no-brainer. No.

We looked tired in the middle of the park towards the end, and we gave away possession cheaply. Mikel could've offered that. But we had a certain vice-captain on the bench more capable than him and he wasn't used.

Segment of Benitez' post match interview on the BBC: "We had to control the second half much better." Apparently Benayoun is more suited to controlling/maintaining possession than Lampard then. Glad that debate's cleared up...

Torres had a fine 60 minutes. He isn't a natural target man, but he held the ball up well, and hounded their defence. After the hour, he looked exhausted, his touch wasn't good enough. We had a perfectly capable substitute in Ba, who may not have chased as much, but would certainly have held the ball up better. Daft...

A draw isn't a terrible result. Should've won the match though. We had two game-changers on the bench. Hazard still looked sharp when he came off, literally 2 minutes before he was bombing past players on the wing. If it was for defensive security, I'm puzzled as to why Rafa thought Moses would offer more?! As for the Oscar's withdrawal? We had two game-changers on the bench, and the two players that looked the most tired in our team outside of defence were Ramires and Torres. I'm at a loss as to what Benayoun was called upon.

What gets me is that the media seem to think every Chelsea fan has it out for him because of his comments while he was at Liverpool. For me? When he arrived I wasn't impressed, but I really couldn't care about any of his "heat-of-the-moment" or "mind-game" comments he made about Chelsea during his Liverpool years, I just didn't rate him as a manager. There's been plenty of entirely justifiable criticism from supporters, and the media lap it up as hate from his Liverpool years. Admittedly yes, he hasn't had the biggest squad to work with, but some of his team selections have been apalling, and it's taken him months to start getting substitutions right. A trophy and top 4 is a good achievement, but still considerably less than our potential. The European opponents have hardly been elite, and given the position we were in domestically when he took over, I doubt many considered we'd be battling in the last few weeks for a top 4 spot. He came into a difficult situation, yes, but he did poorly. He's starting to get a good run of results, and suddenly he's saved our season, and we should be eternally grateful?! A handshake and a good luck is as good as he'd get from me, but it'll be interesting to hear what he has to say about us next season.

And you can bet the media will be on his side. The preferential treatment for Man Utd is ridiculous sometimes. Not painting Chelsea players out to be saints at all, some of our lot have done things over the years to warrant negative press. It's the fact that when a player in blue does something like that, it's a scandal. United's players seem to have a free pass to do as they please, and be commended for it. I recall Ferdinand's petulant applause at the referee in the Champions League, followed three days later by him basically assaulting Torres when his back was turned. All the while that went on, the media were singing his praise and pushing for his England inclusion. Giggs has proven himself to be every bit as arrogant and mouthy as Terry on the pitch, and they've had similar scandals off the pitch. So why is Giggs hailed as a legend, when you're lucky to see Terry's name in an article that doesn't contain the phrase "racially abusing". Two of the more obvious examples, but there's so many to choose from...

Recorded the match, just finished watching. Poor game, great result. Thought defensively we were great. I think Mata looks exhausted, but another big performance from him. He's provided cutting edge so many times for us this season when everyone else has failed to produce. I fancied a win before, was a bit nervous when the team was announced, but I'm delighted we got the three points. Bring on Spurs!

Team sheet usually announced about quarter past right? I really can't predict our XI. 6 or 7 guaranteed, but I'm really curious as to the CBs, the DMs, and the man alongside Hazard and Mata.. *Refresh*... Should've looked up. Not the XI I would've picked, but still one I reckon will get a result.

Personally think midfield, although he's been our best centre-back by some distance. The man's driven the team to results recently, and I really think some of the criticism is harsh. Undeniably he's had 'moments' and 'lapses', some of which have cost us, but they're happening much less frequently. I can't recall a recent one. Evidently, he's learning. Criticism of his positional sense in DM is justified, but that's something that he can improve on. Why not allow him the opportunity to do it? He's an incredibly talented footballer, a game-changer, and that's the sort of player I'd want in the centre of the action.

Essentially MOTM for us winning 3 games we'd expect to win, and getting a decent draw at Liverpool (personally think we were lucky to be ahead, but would've kept the lead had better substitutions been made). Like I said before, if he gets us top 4 and the Europa trophy, a handshake and a goodbye is what he deserves, no plaudits, no more mention. With our players, top 4 should have been a bare-minimum safely in the bag. I don't consider that an arrogant comment, we have quality players. "Fact". And no disrespect to the opposition in the Europa League, but put simply we're better than the teams we've played. Benfica will be a challenging final, but if we play well, we'll win. It'll be interesting next season, as I genuinely believe we'll be a real force in both the EPL & (hopefully) in Europe. One or two new signings and a manger that everyone can get behind, and we'll see the real Chelsea.

That right there. It's probably the biggest and most effective change in European football recently, this high intensity pressure, all over the pitch. While our attack players are certainly fit enough and capable enough defensively to do this, I think the reason we sit off is a lack of pace at the back. This kind of pressing leaves defences vulnerable should a counter-attack or a long-ball get through, and I'd really only have faith in Luiz from our centre backs dealing with a player charging at him one-on-one. Personally I think Luiz is both our strongest CB and strongest DM (particularly at pressing and breaking down posession, although he does have a bad habit of then giving away possession with the Hollywood pass). If anything, we need another player like him in the team. Selling him? I'd go so far to say as behind Mata, he's the last player I'd even look at an offer for.

It's another 'cup final' match for us, although you could say that about every game left. I fancy us to win. Undeniably United have been the best team in the league, but man for man I believe we're the stronger side. It's a question of motivation and drive (although a lack of clinical finishing has also been our downfall this season), and recent games show we're getting that back. I'm optimistic. On our best day, we'd win. And we have been picking up some momentum recently.

Not sure if that was directed towards my comment? Wasn't suggesting Benitez was a better appointment at all. RDM wasn't succeeding, personally wish he'd gotten the season, but there's no guarantee that would've worked out. And Benitez was never the right replacement, no arguing that. Personally just think this season's been quite disappointing, with neither manager really getting the best out of the team we have.

It's an interesting debate. I don't think anyone can deny the appointment was a mistake, but he has made a few positive changes. Personally, I did't think RDM was the man for the job. But his dismissal was insulting, and unfairly early; although there's no guarantee we would be better off in the league with him. I can understand why the board appointed him; he had a proven track record, he was available, and he was willing to take an 'interim' position. Additionally, he could well be the key to help Torres rediscover his magical touch. I can also understand why he wanted the job; he'd been out of the scene for a while, this was a massive limelight position, and he'd have top class players to work with. During his Liverpool years, Chelsea & Mourinho were very much his main 'rival'. I can understand a lot of his comments at the time, I didn't particularly like him for them, but they were never totally unfounded. Take the Drogba comments for example, and look at Luis Suarez today - he's a diving, cheating, fouling little cretin, yet also a magnificent footballer. Drogba was nowhere near as bad, but he play-acted plenty during his time, and I can understand one of our rivals picking up on that and pointing it out. His comments tended to be sarcastic, but they often carried truth. As has been brought up in this thread already however, Benitez should've ackowledged these comments, particularly those he had made in the past about the fans, and apologised for them. Arrival at Chelsea? I doubt he, nor the board expected the reception to be quite so overwhelmingly negative. I've watched a lot of his interviews on CTV. Personally reckon he's pretty clued up tactically, and he's been very open about how he's been trying to get the team to play. Evidently, it hasn't always worked, but I would say my opinion of his tactical knowledge has improved since his appointment. It's his man-management which seems to be the main flaw. The team haven't shown the motivation or grit, particularly in 'smaller' games, that we've come to expect. His interim status and rotation policy probably haven't helped, but I feel it's taken too long to get the players to really fight this season. I believe he's learnt from his mistakes, the rotation's been at a sensible minimum the last few weeks, and it's a good time to find form (I'm sure plenty will say 'about time!' instead). On the whole, he's done OK. If he delivers the EL and a top 4 finish, I'll tip my hat, because it has been a long, difficult season for everyone involved. We've gone backwards this season, and a fair portion of the blame goes to him, but he has been bringing us forward of late, and I'll thank him for a strong finish.I don't want to see him here next season, and I doubt he wants to be here, but if he can deliver the EL and a top 4 finish, then let's shake hands and forget about the whole thing.

It'll be interesting to see the squad for this game. Reckon Mata & Luiz will be on the bench, fully expect them to play 90 in the two upcoming league matches and it'd be wise to keep them fresh. I'd guess Cech Azpilicueta Ivanovic Cahill Bertrand Lampard Mikel Oscar Moses Benayoun Torrres That'd leave us with a strong bench if needed.

For me, Liverpool deserved the draw. Usually just lurk these forums, but feel I need to vent somewhere... Starting XI - seemed right to me. The biggest shouts seemed to be for Ba, Terry and Lampard over Torres, Iva and Mikel/Ramires. For me, Torres has offered more in terms of work-rate than Ba, and I can understand Benitez trying to give our main striker a consistent run in the team, maybe bag a goal or two and carry that on to the next few games. Lampard doesn't work as well in the deeper CM role, and I think Mikel/Ramires has been the strongest combination from those three. And Ivanovic offers a little bit more pace than Terry at the back; additionally I'm not Terry's physio, it may well be a risk to play him twice in a week, I honestly don't know. Match - there were a few good performances, and a few decent ones. Suarez was the only real threat in the first half, but he is a considerable talent. I thought we handled him well. Sturridge's pace seemed to lift them in the second half and we were slow to adjust, personally I think it was lucky we got the penalty when we did because it looked more like Liverpool were going to edge ahead. Substitutions - awful. Torres was struggling to hold the ball up all day. His first touch was consistently poor. Ba may not be Drogba, but we were in desperate need of a target man who could hold the ball up, genuinely amazed that he wasn't brought on. Hazard looked the most dangerous of the trio in attacking midfield to me, and we took him off? Perplexed. I would've brought Moses on for Oscar (yellow carded, and Moses offers more pace & width). Additionally Mikel tired in the second half. Push Luiz up a bit, bring Terry on to organise the defence. Hindsight's a pain... As for the Suarez bite... disgusting. A vile act from a man who's supposed to be a role model to his fans. Gifted footballer, that's undeniable, but he really keeps proving himself an awful human being. His last minute goal was a kick in the teeth.

I don't see Ferreira as a good choice at RB any more. I agree he's an intelligent player, his positional play has always been good, and his crossing has always been quality. I just don't feel he's physically up to the standard we need any more, and I've always felt his close control under pressure has been a major weakness. He has been one of our greatest squad players in recent years, but intelligence and experience isn't enough. I think any opposition would target him in games, and I'd personally be more confident in the likes of Luiz or even Ramires in that role should Ivanovic and Azpilicueta be unavailable.

Thought it might be interesting to start a thread discussing the strengths of the players in the squad. Basically, pick a position in the squad (LB, DM, ST etc), and have your say on the players associated with that position, and any changes you would make regarding that position. To get the ball rolling, I'll start off with Right Back: There's really only two players in the squad I'd associate with RB, however I do think Luiz could step into that role comfortably if ever needed. Cesar Azpilicueta - I've been really impressed with his first season so far, an excellent start to his Chelsea career. Defensively I think he's been quite solid, perhaps at times a little too keen to commit to challenges, but he is still young and composure and experience tend to go together. Aerially he isn't the strongest, but he will always challenge and put players off, very similar to Cole in that respect. Going forward I think he's proved to be a threat, really stretching the opposition defences, and almost playing as a right winger in some attacks. He has a real drive to get forward, his pace and crossing have been a real asset in some games. Play him with Mata on the right hand side, and he allows Mata to cut inside by dragging left backs with him. Play him with Moses, and the pace of that pair up the line usually means numerous crossing opportunities. We’ve got a real quality right back in Azpilicueta, who will only get better with experience, and I hope he makes that position his own for the future. Branislav Ivanovic – In my opinion, he’s our strongest central defender at the moment (although that should maybe be in a dedicated CB discussion!). However he’s proved to be more than capable playing at right back. Possesses all the strengths you’d usually associate with a quality centre back, so defensively he’s usually sound at right back. Looking for arguable weaknesses in his defensive play I think he can come undone against quicker wingers driving at him, as he won’t be marking as tight as he would mark a striker. Occasionally gets caught too far forward, and I still don’t consider it a ‘natural’ position for him. He’s a solid option in this position, arguably a better choice at the moment in a more defensive setup than Azpilicueta, but (for me) he should be a first choice centre-back before anything else. Transfer Window – I wouldn’t say we need any movement in this position, I can't think of anyone I'd consider a realistic improvement, and I’d be very disappointed if we let any of the three I’ve mentioned (Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Luiz) go in the Summer. Any thoughts on right back? Or another position?