Fjari

That is not funny.

Roman, if you're reading, don't get any funny ideas.

Etched in the minds of many fans are probably some of his most memorable defensive mistakes, such as for Brazil against Germany in that game... but I think we also have to give him credit for his good ones, such as against Man Utd, as a CB.. when after one more foul given against us he gave Howard Webb some much needed talking to... and after that he started officiating in a lesser red manner. The guy has passion, something we could have used last season.
 
 
 

My immediate reaction to news of the potential return of our dearly(?) departed Geezer was similar to Barn’s, especially after being so disappointed to see him go to PSG, but realistic enough to appreciate the financial sense a move made, both for the club and the player. Always an accident waiting to happen and as artful and entertaining as the proverbial cartload of monkeys, David Luiz was never less than totally committed before and never more likely to be so now, such are his extremes of downright dottiness. Yet we are guilty of extremes too, as evidenced by the many curmudgeonly comments that followed the above, either stating or supporting unequivocally the belief that he can’t defend. No half measures and no mistake [allowed] no varying degree to which he can’t tackle, no reckless one ever backed away from, no aid given to a defensive cause - he simply cannot do any of it - full stop - or so we are being told. In my opinion, this is nothing short of gross oversimplification. 
Lest we forget, John Stones has exhibited an equally high aberration level without a single medal of honour to wave in defence of his defending and yet his frailties are quickly brushed aside in the loads-a-money rush to pay £50m for his services. And please, no laughing in those less than cheap seats after City stumped up, for we had once competed with them having previously chuckled all the way to the bank ourselves, laden with PSG’s dosh for David. Looking at both players now, with handy hindsight at Stones last two seasons and Geezer’s trophy-strewn track record in blue, who looks the better buy for the price? In all honesty, with mistakes still to be ironed out of him and totally lacking in comparable goal threat, whether it be 30-yarder or set piece, the new Pep purchase doesn’t hack it [often enough] for me, whereas with our prodigal Brazilian you get what you see and some good old fashioned heart-on-sleeve stuff never goes amiss at the Bridge at the best of times, never mind when it is in such obvious short supply.  
Indeed, Antonio Conte is foster-in-chief of this culture, although in the current market place he has always stressed the importance of aligning cost-consciousness with it. That’s why I believe this is a Conte-driven purchase (whether you construe it as a mistake or not) and an obvious statement of future intent, a finger-pointing alternative to the excess embodied in the Pogba-buying approach of those United moneymen who had him once, let him go for a pittance and bought him back for ten times the amount. We had David Luiz once, got much better value for money out of him, then sold for £50m and now we are buying him back for less, knowing full well the pros and cons of doing so, unlike our Northern powerhouse rivals who can only hope and pray that their ‘choice’ lives up to the extravagant hype surrounding his transfer. 
Viewed in the cold light of day, I believe that what we have here is an all-embracing choice made (accepting the rough Diamond Geezer with the smooth one) when placed in the invidious position of being asked to pay through the nose for a Koulibaly or a Romagnoli and having a completely finished product, like Leonardo Bonucci, removed from the frame early doors. Conte envisages the Brazilian on the left of a back three, protected by the best security system in the business, N’golo Kante, and he thinks he can bring the ball out of defence at pace and with the authority required. The rest will be what it always has been with this guy - a rollercoaster ride that is often far from enjoyable, yet you still keep coming back for more because it is really exhilarating in the typically-Chels way we all know so well. 
In truth, we’ve been eyeing this central defender transfer merry-go-round all summer-long looking for a safe, economic ride to go on and there hasn’t been one available. Had we paid over the odds for any of the cheap non-thrills variety you can bet your bottom Glazer dollar there would have been fans aplenty complaining that they’d never heard of him or that he’s a dodgem waiting to happen, so we should have. Naturally, they would have wanted their money back (don’t fans such as these always treat the money as their own?) but in this instance they would have been absolutely right, because playing the kids has to be a better option than the pursuit of even more over-priced mediocrity in the Mou-mould of old.
… and say what you like about David Luiz - he will never, ever be described as mediocre.         

One season wonder

I doubt the manager cares about how crazy the transfer fees are. That's not his money and he isn't involved in negotiations. What Conte does care is gettng the players he identified as an upgrade to the team he'd inherited. And he isn't getting them.
 
Of course he isn't going to voice his displeasure at our transfer dealings or lack thereof publicly in the room full of journos, but it's fair to assume that he's disappointed and who wouldn't be in his place.

emenalo : 40m is our final offer, take it or leave it
 
de laurentiis read this message
 
emenalo : mate? you there?
 
de laurentiis has left the chat
 
emenalo :goddamit

What a very odd thing to be that angry about. We should save more money and not send zouma to the best specialist in the world but to Dr smith in Hammersmith. Might not be very good but he's not going to be waste fans money.

Never ever understood the hate on Mikel... Always been underrated. Happy to see him get an extended run of play.

Thought I would give this thread a bump.
 
Firstly, I just wanted to give a quick shout out to Pedro for standing shoulder to shoulder with JT in front of the away end after the game yesterday calling and signalling for the other players to come and join them in applauding the travelling fans, to show their appreciation. Most of them either didn't bother or did the bare minimum in terms of acknowledgement; it was a really nice show of character from Pedro to take such a leading role and I can personally say I really appreciated it.
 
Me and my group left our houses at 7am yesterday and got back at 1:30 am (after trains were delayed by an hour from Manchester Picadilly) and after another underwhelming display on the pitch, a small show of appreciation from the players really should be the standard, sadly it isn't, so this was really noted and appreciated from Pedro.
 
Secondly, although I seem to be in the minority on here, I once again thought Pedro put in a great shift and was once again involved in everything good that we did.
 
1. The break and pass set up Matic in the second half, for the best opportunity we created all game is the obvious pick- once again, it should have earned him an assist in a match winning goal had it not been for Matic making a complete mess of it. 
 
2. His shot early in the second half that forced a great save from De Gae and created a chance for Ivanovic on the rebound which, again, was unfortunately saved.
 
3. In the first half he ran the length of the pitch (at pace) on the break to provide an outlet for the incoming ball from the right hand side. He got himself in the right place at the right time for what would have been a certain tap in had it not been intercepted. Sounds like a small contribution but how often do we not have someone in the middle even when we have Costa on the pitch, let alone in a game where we are playing without a striker. He put the effort in to provide an outlet... where was everyone else? 
 
On top of this his work rate was once again top notch. I am surprised he does not get more credit which I personally really think he deserves. 

Thank you for everything Jose!
 
The greatest manager that this proud club has ever seen and should have been treated with far more respect, grace and dignity! After everything he achieved last season it just astonishes me that this happened and I don't think I'll ever get my head around it but if there was ever anybody who could get us out of this mess it would have been Jose.
 
Words cannot describe how I'm feeling but I feel a sense of overwhelming sadness. I'll let the images below do the talking as to why you're the greatest manager that this club has ever seen.
 

Jose's appointment in 2004
 

Winning the 2005 League Cup Final against Liverpool.
 

Winning the long-awaited title after 50 years!
 

Back-to-back titles in 2006.
 

More League Cup success this time against Arsenal in 2007.
 

FA Cup success in 2007 against Manchester United.
 

Jose's long-awaited return in 2013.
 

Jose's greatest victory in 2013-2014 against Liverpool effectively ending their title hopes at Anfield.
 

Third League Cup win for Jose this time against Tottenham.
 

Three titles for Jose!
 
Gone, but never forgotten!

Thanks Jose, forever one of us! 

Composure? Strength? Simple but effective and he was pretty good in Munich, plus you don't stay at Chelsea for nearly ten years, under numerous managers, if you offer nothing.

My Champions League winning dinner.
I'm so tired...

Thank you every one. Worst year of my life and I walked away from all of you. When I returned I appreciated that you didn't question, just allowed me to slip back in. This joy is less than you deserve but I am sure you will settle for it. I nearly checked out for ever but am glad I didn't - love this moment, love those who care, love those who take the time to put you first when you needed it and take damn good care.
Tonight we smile. Never forget how good it feels.

Holy *bleeeeeep*! What a night! After our final in Moscow I was sure I wouldn't live to see us win.. In the words of Gary Neville "Uhn-buh-liiieeevable.. Unbelievable!!". What a fantastic team effort, and big props to Bertrand for stepping up and help keeping Robben in check.
With that said, can't believe I didn't buy a 25 year old bottle of Jack Daniels to celebrate

Decorating the mini mes before abandoning them with the babysitter and heading for the pub. This is not a game to watch in your own living room with innocent ears listening in!