theblueone

I think Chelsea is a great name. My niece is called Chelsea funnily enough ;-) Hope the wife goes with it, hope it all goes smooth with the bambino.

Maybe. The pressure may have got to the team, but lets not forget our biggest issue, which is our attitude towards smaller teams. If we took these smaller teams seriously and not dropped points, we'd be in a commanding lead.

http://www.footyheadlines.com/2013/09/england-2014-world-cup-home-and-away.html Anyone else seen it yet? Can't stand Nike kits. So boring, plain and uninspiring. The home shirt especially. They could have at least used the traditional navy blue for the three lions, made the v neck and sleeve trims navy blue, and given the star, outline of the tick and badge gold stitching. I'll probably end up getting one anyway as I've outgrown all my England tops and need something to wear whilst watching the world cup. Not happy with the plain look though, opinions?

That was a nice gesture. Keeping that with the sentimental value and meaning behind it is a no brainer to me. It was a really nice thing for him to do for your lad. I wouldn't wear it either haha. In response to this thread, I do now own a football shirt of my towns local team, but they are a Sunday league outfit and I can see their ground from my bedroom window as we're right behind it. Hardly a Chelsea rival or in a big league so it doesn't count in my opinion. Always good to support your local team.

I would hate to see Lukaku go. Especially to a side like Tottenham. Look at how Lukaku has transformed Everton. They would be mid table if they didn't have him. He would have a similar effect at Tottenham too I reckon. We need to keep him and buy another striker. Then we're sorted. Only deal with Lukaku I would accept if the situation between he and Jose doesn't improve is the proposed deal for Ross Barkley. I just hope Jose doesn't put all his eggs in one basket and think one striker will solve our problems next season because if we do get a new striker and he gets injured or carded, we're stuffed. We need at least 2 or 3 strikers. Not one.

I know. I only mentioned Mata because he held the same position and we sold him. Making a point that his position is oversaturated. I haven't been living under a rock. ;-)

I wouldn't consider this season a failure if worse comes to worse. I consider this season to be a transitional period if anything. Considering that we've even mounted any kind of title challenge and Champions League run with a crop of underperforming strikers is a bloody miracle. We've beaten the big clubs consistently, but as per the Chelsea norm, we still get complacent against clubs we should beat on paper. That has been our downfall this season. We need to start treating games against teams like Palace, Villa, West Ham, Stoke and West Brom like cup finals.

I think Cole will definitely go on a freebie, he's been frozen out all season as Dave has been ridiculously good. Cole isn't getting any younger and I can't see him signing a contract extension to just sit on the sidelines. He's going to want to see his career out with first team appearances. He will not be getting those at Chelsea. David Luis has been very hit or miss this season. When he's good, he's a game changer (Anybody notice that the goals stopped coming in against Arsenal the other week when he was subbed off?) But I think Jose is willing to cash in on his big price tag while he can. I don't think he is a Mourinho type player in his eyes. If he was, he would have been utilised more this season. I don't think Ba has been given a fair chance at all. He's been treated like an impact player all season, which I think is very sad. If it were down to me, I would give him a chance to show what he is capable of, because I think he does have it in him to be a good striker, but his confidence has been undermined with the way he's been treated. I have read that he is looking to leave at the end of the season, and I don't blame him to be honest. I think he is going for sure. Eto'o will go too because I don't think he has forgotten the Canal+ incident. A bit sensitive? Yeah, I reckon, but he'll be a free agent in the summer and I have read on more than one occasion that he wants to retire at Mallorca because of his kid. He's been hit or miss for me aswell. We need a striker that can perform away aswell as at home, and with a couple prolific strikers, I can't see him being missed. Torres, I can see his wages being a huge stumbling block for any potential suitors. He is a misfiring misfit I want to see the back of. I can see him possibly being put out on loan next season, but unless he's willing to take a pay cut (which I cannot see happening) I can't see him going anywhere. I do want to see him go though. His constant crappy performances and selfish playing has been doing my head in all season. He has to go for the good of this club. He's like an anvil in the boot of a car, dragging it down and slowing it down. Lukaku will go to Everton sadly. Things aren't good between him and Jose because they clash. I can see us angling to make a trade off to prize Ross Barkley away from them. We need our quota of English players to be met so I think this is Jose's way of making that happen. Personally I'd like Lukaku to stay because he is a great player. His last two seasons have been magnificent. We've been missing out big time with this bloke. Terry I can see staying. He is a Blues man through and through and he has been very good this season (with the exception of the own goal on Saturday but let's not dwell on that). I hope he signs an extension in the summer. Lampard is the same. I hope he stays. He still has a full tank left in him. No reason to get rid of him. Mikel, not been a big player this season, so can't see him staying. The Petr Cech/Courtois situation has become more complex now we're supposedly looking at Karl Darlow. I can now see Cech staying next season with Darlow as his understudy with Courtois on loan yet again. I would hope that Mourinho gives Lucas Piazon, T Hazard, Chalobah and Van Ginkel a good chance because they are impressive youngsters. We haven't signed Shaw yet, so I'm not counting my chickens on him yet. Especially since I have been reading that United are in the forerunning for his signature now. Hope not. I want to see him in blue next season.

Read one last night about Benitez being in discussion with Chelsea as a possible replacement for Jose. BUT, the bottom of the article said to check the date of the article, so yeah, after a lot of sweating I thankfully came to the conclusion that it was an April fools. I don't think Roman would make the same mistake twice. Speaking for myself, Jose is the one manager I have the most faith in. He has a fantastic knowledge of the game, knows how to win silverware and has an eye for talent. I hope we at least ewin the Champions League this season to make a statement that the man himself is back.

A big resounding no from me. I doubt it is true anyway. Jose is currently future proofing the team and building future champions. He's phasing out the older players so bringing in another older player (hes 29 I think, not 30) wouldnt make any sense. Besides, aren't we already oversaturated in the winger/attacking midfield position? He plays a similar position to Salah and Mata. If anything, we need at least two serious strikers and a full back or two to future proof those positions. We don't need another winger or attacking midfielder. At a stretch, we may need a central midfielder but aren't we supposed to be going for Ross Barkley?

Yeah, it is 3 seasons unless a contract extension is signed. I think he will because he has said on more than one occasion (Courtois) that he can't see his future anywhere else besides Chelsea or Atletico. I think joining Chelsea would be a bum move for Darlow. He is a great young talent and deservesto be number 1 at a club. He'll do well to stay at Forest. As much as I would like him to join Chelsea, it would be a waste for him because he will mostly sit on the bench. Schwarzer would be the best choice as a backup. Hilario hasn't made an impact at all in all the time he's been with us. I want Courtois to be our main keeper after next season if this loan extension continues. Because I can't see Cech maintaining his form for another season after next year. Cracks are showing in his form already. There have been a few occasions where he's miskicked the ball or fumbled it unnecessarily almost resulting in goals.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/chelsea-transfers-karl-darlow-nottingham-3302166 I have read this story on a few different sources now, so there must be an element of truth to it somewhere. Seems Courtois may be staying at Atletico for another season, or until Cech is either out of form, out of favour or out of contract. Apparently, Courtois may be tempted into signing a contract extension with the Blues in order to stay at Atletico until Cech leaves. I can see how it makes sense to try and keep both and hire a back up in Darlow, but how will this benefit Darlow long term? I can't see him wanting to leave Forest, where he is the main man to play second fiddle to Cech until his replacement arrives and then play second fiddle to him. An interesting situation. Darlow is a quality keeper, but I only see this as a temporary solution for all parties.

I am going to be hearing about today's match for at least a fortnight from scouse and spuds fans I know. Oh joy of joys.

I totally agree. Can't have one rule for some, one for the rest can you? I've been monitoring the FFP investigations and City are still under investigation. I want to see them sanctioned heavily in the summer. They deserve to lose at least a few key players considering how other teams are complying with it. As for today, sick as a chip. I knew it would be bad as soon as I saw the team sheet and saw what we had up front.

Wow!! How he could take that nut shot at 1:14 and then be that friendly with the player afterwards like nothing happened... not jerkish in the slightest. I just think he is incredibly passionate about the game. We need a forward like that and I hope we do land him!

I wouldn't be opposed to Shaw and Lallana joining the team. Two exceptional talents who will setting the premiership alight in a few years time.

Strange indeed. I've not seen any of the transfer values from the player menu of career mode, but the accuracy of the transfer targets are peculiar. The CPU manager has just signed Raphael Varane too, another player we've been linked with for the summer.

I agree, it was an awful event and it saddens me to think what those poor souls (and their families) went through, but like most people here have said, it just feels forced now and hangs a black cloud over what is meant to be a fun day out.The 96 empty seats thing is ridiculous if I'm honest. I mean no disrespect in saying this, but if it was a Chelsea match and I missed out on going even though there were 96 empty seats with no backsides on them, I would feel a bit annoyed about that. Surely, you'd want as many supporters at an event as possible? Even Liverpool themselves as a club have toned down the Hillsborough references on their kits! Their insignia no longer has the gate with the Never walk alone text or the two torches. Those are now on the back of the shirt instead. There comes a time to put it to bed, respect it and move on. That's what I would want if I was one of the family members. Maybe have a one minutes silence at Anfield for big anniversaries such as the 25th, as it is a big one, but not each year. It becomes a bit much otherwise. Again, I reiterate that this post was written with the utmost respect to the tragedy.

That is odd. There is no way I would wear a red/white hat that would look like any of the aforementioned clubs. Actually, I do own a red/white Ferrari polo shirt and an F1 polo. But that's a different sport and clearly doesn't look related to footie.

Only game that's giving me real negative vibes is Liverpool at Anfield. That game is going to be a real nerve wracking one for me. I'm probably just going to keep myself real busy that day and check the result right at the end instead of keeping tabs on the score.

As somebody above posted, I have complete trust in Jose to do exactly what is best for the team. He sees the players in training and would have a pretty good idea as to who would suit the game best. Personally, going by past games, I'm thinking Torres will start. Which wouldn't be so bad if he plays the same as he did against Arsenal, ie: creating chances where applicable instead of desperately pressurising himself to go for the spectacular/unattainable shots and missing opportunities in the process. I thought he did a rather good job on Saturday. He surprised the heck out of me. If he goes in with that same mentality, he could be setting anybody loose in the box. Though, I would absolutely love it if he let some stingers go in their nets. I think a few goals will get him back on track.

That Guardian journo is a complete moron. His blinkered, red tinted rabble doesn't bother me. The Guardian is regarded lower status than bog roll in this house anyway.

I'd love that. But I have a genuine worry that we may end up selling him. I hope we don't repeat the mistake we made in selling Drogba and Sturridge. Those were two decisions that bit us in the backside. Let's not make it 3. I have faith in Lukakus abilities. Furthermore, he and Hazard have the world cup as an extra chance to galvanise their link on the pitch.

Hazard. Although our back 4 as a whole has kept us steady for the whole season, Hazards creativity has been sublime this season. Also, he's drawn many fouls for important free kicks. My vote doesn't mean that I value anyone else's performances any less though. Its a team effort, and I think a vast majority of our players have worked hard this season.

I think a lot of it is mental. I find myself enjoying a game more after a long busy day than after a quiet one (not that I know what one of those is these days). I've been finding myself enjoying a couple hours of FIFA after everybody has gone to bed lately. Only quiet time I get in my man cave haha. Besides, there's not much else to play at the minute as I recently had to flog off a majority of my collection to cover bills.