Lord

True, but we can't go back to those 'average' years ( same as 'historically mediocre' Manchester City) and be happy of anything that comes our way - a third place, a fourth place, a champions league spot - after having spent more than anybody else in the last ten-fifteen years. Our performance appraisal has to be based on our recent spending and our current aspirations; not on how good/bad we were in the 50s or the 90s. Why should 1987 be used as the barometer of our success when our current state-of-affairs is altogether different? Sure, United this year and Arsenal in recent times have been more disappointing, but shouldn't we aim higher than the Arse and the incomptent Moysie? With the best manager in the world at the helm of affairs and after spending so much every year, if we don't win anything and the bloody Scousers win the league (courtesy of our competence in the transfer window!) this season will be a disappointment.

The thread title says, "...if we do not win the CL nor the the title and Liverpool are crowned Champions?" In that case, yes.

If we are knocked out by PSG and the bloody scousers win the League, yeah definitely. I know this is Mourinho's first season of experimentation, but the way he handled the transfer windows leaves a lot to be desired. Plus the fact that unlike all our rivals we were essentially injury free throughout the season. ( Aguero injured, Suarez banned, half of Arsenal injured). The positive is IF we manage to get Costa in the summer, sell off the rest and recall Lukaku back to the squad, I would be happy with the season overall.

I think Jose believed at the start of the season that Torres could be resurrected (including myself ). That is one reason why we weren't so aggressive chasing a number 9 (Rooney was a bluff all along) and Jose agreed to let Lukaku go for the season. Big time let down. The guy shows flashes of brilliance so often, misleading flashes. I still can't believe that a "relatively young" striker who was Premier League's best (alongside Drogba ?) can fade in total limbo in the small matter of two seasons. Unbelievable. And that too without a serious career-defining injury. Yesterday, I finally lost all faith. Yes, too late, I know, poor me.

Now that the PL title is beyond our reach, I'm supporting City. The idea of the Scousers lifting gold is tooooo sickening.

They can take back their beloved El Nino for free.

Today is just why Chelsea need him. Get him for 35 million and if the exit clause in the contract ain't true, get him for 50 million. For F's sakes, just get him.

I never denied any of what you just said, but my original post was something entirely different. :)

I always wanted Higuain. But that's a different story. We've already signed Willian. I'd play Willian in place of Lampard against all 'minnows'. Lampard was the best attacking midfielder in the Premier League but he's at least two years past it. I'd play him (unless injuries and red cards force otherwise) ONLY against top teams where maintaining midfield discipline is more crucial than being extravagant with attacking play. Willian is a long term prospect that needs game time. Again, personal choices. Feel free to differ.

The one I checked says: Lukaku 70% Ba 73% Torres 71% van Persie 80% But the stats are nearly a year old (just figured that out), so may be you're more accurate. P.S. 64.9 vs 63.5. wayyyy off. Lol.

Lampard doesn't help one bit in opening up teams these days, does he ?

Chelsea need and WILL get a marquee signing this summer. That already relegates him to a second-striker role. He's definitely better than the three we have at the Bridge, but he's not the immediate answer for a team that aspires to fight for the Premiership as well as the Champions League. He is bad at passing (pass accuracy even worse than Torres and Ba's) and makes glaring misses. He might be amazing in a few years time, I can't tell, but he's not THE top-notch frontline number 9 we need right away.

Him instead of Lampard playing a more advanced role and I think things could have been different. It is time people realize that Frank is well past it.

For some reason I really dislike Sturridge. Everything he does. Don't know why, probably some pre-set notion that won't go away. Lukaku isn't good enough for Chelsea. He's a really good back up choice next year. Enough said.

I know one is Mata. Who's the other one ?

On days such as these I wonder if our midfield is a tad overrated !

We missed the pace of Willian dearly today.

And for F's sake, don't goof up the Costa deal. Unless of course we are willing to settle for another top four finish next year.

I wrote here even before the first match was played that there was no way in frigging hell we'd win the title without a proper number 9. Some said Jose would turn around Torres' fortunes, some thought Demba Ba would be resurrected and some thought Lukaku wouldn't ask for a loan deal! LOL. It so bothers me that we could have had Higuain if we were willing to dish out 35 million. He's a frigging hundred times better than the clowns we have at the Bridge.

Most "traditional" top teams have won four to five times the number of domestic leagues compared to CLs. I don't know about that. But again, it is a matter of personal preference. If you ask Real Madrid they'd kill to win the La Decima, if you ask Liverpool they'd kill to win the League after so long. Personal choices. In terms of global recognition as well as economically, winning the CL makes so much more sense. Also I'd much rather Chelsea be European champions than domestic champions.

Angry: Barca game Upset: United game

Also the fact that it is much more difficult to win in Europe than domestically. Liverpool have 18 PLs and 5 CLs Bayern have 24 Bundesligas and 5 CLs Barca have 22 La Ligas and 4 CLs United have 20 titles and a "mere" 3 CLs. :P CL definitely,

CL is the biggest prize in club football. CL, definitely.

He's the fourth highest scorer in Europe this season only behind Suarez, Zlatan and Ronaldo and is younger than all of them. Thank God there's a 35 million release clause in his contract, because he's definitely worth around 50 million in today's bloated market valuations. He's probably not as good as Suarez, but imagine him in front of our midfielders. He'll be a huge success at the Bridge, I'm sure.

Good strikers are gold-dust these days. I don't think Atletico Madrid, would be willing to sell their prized asset especially that the La Liga has become a three-horse race. Nobody will be willing to take Torres on that ghostly weekly bill and in all likelihood, we'll be stuck with the same attacking force next season with "raw" Lukaku replacing "useless" Demba Ba.