blues-fever

Based on performance today, we really need a kick in the ass to get going. Especially away at goodison.

Just wondering if anyone will be attending the match in Pasadena this upcoming Wednesday? There is quite a number of Chelsea supporter groups attending: Los Angeles, Phoenix, Seattle, Texas, Kansas, etc., wondering if anyone not in those groups will there. There will be a pre-match gathering in the parking lot before going into the match. Look forward to hearing back. Cheers from Los Angeles. Chris.

I really hope that more senior players that were left out of the starting XI yesterday, see it as the kick in the arse that they need to get it started, minus Ivanovic. Really hope that this is the turning point in our season, City is dropping points and we need to start picking up points. I will be there for the Southampton match so hopefully it turns out positive.

This had to be a statement game to the players all across the board. No Oscar, Falcao, Remy to start off with and then Mikel, Ivanovic and Ramires are inserted into the starting XI had a recipe for disaster from the get go. Hopefully this is the kick in the ass that Hazard needs to get back on form like last season. I believe that Oscar is that player that is needed in the starting XI that provides what we need right now, creativeness. Ivanovic is just a lost cause honestly, seven games in and he is constantly being inserted in the starting squad!? There has been nothing shown to demand a starting spot, let a lone a spot on the bench, hoping that he is not given another contract at the end of the season, thank you for everything but cheers. As much as it pains me and dampens my day when we do not play well, let alone win games that are served on a silver platter, we are in a rough patch at the moment. Last year was full of cheers and joy, majority was amazing moments, but now we have to stick with the team in the tough times. It is not an easy thing to do, but the team needs the support, we cannot turn out backs on them now, Southampton on the weekend, I will be there, we need a good performance. We can still win this group overall, but there are a lot of things that need to be changed/fixed. UTC!

Jose's digs are top shelve easily. Knows exactly what to say, how to say it and when to say it, perfection. He seems to be getting that cockiness back that he has had over the past few seasons. Newcastle is always a challenge, for whatever reason they treat this fixture as their Champions League final, which is understandable. With Newcastle having lost a couple days ago, it could be the perfect storm for us to go to SJP and get that elusive win we have failed to capture! UTC!

Would be awesome to get some youngsters in the line up and give them some game time. Kinda wish we did not have some players out on loan so this could be their shot. However, it would be nice to Traore, RLC, Musonda, Colkett, Abraham and Da Silva get some minutes. I would love to see Colkett and Abraham get some minutes, exciting prospects.

I think its inevitable for Moses to eventually be sold to either Sunderland or West Ham, there is no breaking through the XI that we currently have. Might as well make some money back in return than have his contract run out and him leave on a free. He did have a good preseason but that does not translate to a good season.

Hopefully Baba is the one that will make that spot his so Dave can go to his natural position, one which he has rarely played. The back four needs some new blood injected, Baba and Zouma would definitely be a very good place to start. He looks like he can become solid pillar back there. We kind of need to stop playing people out of position, it works at times, but eventually, it falls apart. Nonetheless, it was great to see the youngsters get a shot in midweek. Lets hope thats a trend that continues.

Baba is young and will have growing pains, just like young players do when they come into the starting 11. Even though it was against Tel Aviv, hes probably the better option to Ivanovic. Ivanovic, unfortunately, has dipped considerably and I dont think that he should be given priority based on past performances. The starting team, yesterday, played very well. It was nice seeing RLC get 78 mins, along with Baba who played the whole game, and awesome to see Traore come on and cause a bit of havoc. He looks bright.

Im still not too sure where to go and grab a few pints beforehand. People are mentioned Brogans, but I was thinking more of a pub where people get rowdy and dont mind singing a song or two.

Unfortunately, I think its time that Ivanovic is eased out of the starting XI picture. Last year he was probably one of the best players in the league, this year though it seems like hes back Lokomotic Moscow. He has probably been the worst performer on the squad. No second thoughts about it, all the wingers that hes faced this year, he would have handled them and contributed to the attack. Nowadays, he seems to have lost a step and the reality is that he is not getting any younger. Baba is on the wings waiting to get in, Dave should switch back to his natural position -if he is this good on the left, unnatural position- how good would be on the right?! The youth movement begins in the back, Ivanovic, for all that he has provided, is the first one to succumb to father time.

Its definitely good that hes involved instead of Mikel, who just takes the place of anybody that may coming through the ranks. Hell, Ake could have been given Mikel's spot. Nonetheless, RLC hopefully gets a lot more development and is able to get runs in FA and League Cup games so he could get some more game time. Its nice to get some youth talent into the first team so were not always dependent of the transfer windows.

Would have been awesome had they been able to secure the Battersea location and have built something awesome there. The preliminary plans that had been released a few years back looked incredible and could have been amazing. I am not too thrilled about the cosmetic look of the new ground, just seems a bit odd, to say the least. Nonetheless, a new ground is much needed and that could definitely benefit in terms of more money to spend with transfers and such.

Zouma is not going anywhere, especially not Fiorentina, thats just rubbish. Its definitely hard to keep up with all the rumours that surround us becuase some are just ridiculous. Gotta take any link to a player with patience and caution. If I remember correctly, we were linked with Ronaldo a couple years back.

Couldve also been that AVB does not want to sell to the team that kicked him out and went on to win Champions League, could be sour grapes.

I think the tell signs are showing quite early in the season, which in a strange way is good. Ivanovic does not look anything like last season, the dip in form is staggering and frightening. Baba deserves to be given a chance, Ivanovic is not tied down with a new contract, if he keeps this up he will not be offered one either. Matic and Cesc are not on the same page and it shows. Maybe its time for Jose to insert RLC in there with Matic and let Cesc push up a bit further. Diego and Falcao looked good together, one of the very few positives, why not experiment with a 4-1-3-2 a few games and see how they fare out. Its still extremely early to call for anyones head, but we have stumbled across the starting line, we are in a marathon not a sprint. Gotta keep the positivity boys and gals, dont give up on the Chels.

Would definitely like to see him get a chance over Ivanovic at the moment. Gotta start giving the young members a legitimate shot. Baba should get a chance against Palace, see how he holds up against Zaha, early, tough test for him to see how he handles himself.

Hazard has the capability to be brilliant and considered amongst the worlds best, he does need to have that killer instinct and shoot more than he does. There is no shame in being a little selfish as long as the end product is positive. Pedro will be a nice foil on the opposite side, has that killer instinct within and can dribble past others, as well as set up the goals, just like he did for the Guv'nor. Now, if only we could get Willian scoring A LOT more, wed have a nice rotation to play around with when Oscar comes back. Hell, we could even shift into a 4-3-3 to give Costa a bit more support when attacking.

Marin was never going to challenge for a spot when the Three Amigos were still intact, hell, Moses had better showings that he did when given the chance. Bad buy by Di Matteo, one of the few mistakes that he made. Dont mind that hes out on loan, plus, contract should be coming to a close soon. Would love to see Kalas and Christiensen make good strides this year though.

Instead of Wallace, Id rather have Jay Dasilva come in and challenge for a rotational squad spot. He may be undersized, but that will and determination sticks out, shows he has character to play and isnt afraid. Would love see him called up against Walsall, bloody, Id like to see a young core of players take the field against Walsall.

Shame that he could not break into the team yet Mikel still manages to take away a rotation spot from Traore, Loftus-Cheek, Baker, et al. Best of luck to him, didnt manage to leave a lasting impression yet leaves with two European Cups.

Almost would have been better sending him down to Championship side to gain experience instead of our breeding ground that is Vitesse.

Gotta also remember that Pepe was injured throughout the season, so his numbers would look really good. If he does not come to SW6, Benitez might play him more since he does have a habit of giving younger players a chance to play. We are always linked with any big name that may be "disgruntled" at any transfer window. Dont see why trying to spend £30+ million on Stones is a better investment than Varane, whos a year older, experienced and has shown he can play on the big stage. Seems like a better investment than someone unproven, IMO.

Its hard to know who we are after since usually everything is just rumours. Why should we not go after Varane, Witzel and Martinez. Varane seems unsettled in Madrid, Martinez is not getting or looks to be getting any games in Munich. Witzel deserves better than playing in Russia, IMO.

As far as I have read, I dont think weve made an official bid for him right? Dont see why £25 million would not be enough to pry him away from Madrid. Hes clearly second choice to Pepe, for who knows what reason. Think hed be better option than Stones.