Van Butsen

Happy birthday to a bloke that apparently doesn't do much. I hope he continues to do not much, I love him.

For me he was the most important player in the title winning season and it showed last year when his form in particular dropped. We know this as well, hence the prices being quoted are so high, we wouldn't let someone that capable go for any less.

Yeah we had a bad season, there is no doubting that, but our defensive players have been much better over the stretch. In Stones, City have themselves a David Luiz type, as good as he is he does make a large amount of errors that lead to chances. Otamendi and Mangala collapsed in the absence of Kompany last year, they only finished fourth. Not doubting Kompany's ability, but we can't right off JT and not Kompany. i think they are both extremely capable if not the two best in the league still. We had our targets, they can't always be acquired, i don't think we are trying to low ball anyone. If the club throw more money at players that are really only our 2nd or 3rd choice then there will be a backlash internally and externally if the player doesn't get a chance and we paid through the roof. I think the quality in the fullbacks issue comes down to the left bank situation. We had a perfect understudy for Ivan (Dave) and we had a perfect understudy for Ash (Bertrand). should never have sold Bertrand, but at least they made up for that mistake brought in Luis. However our ex manager chose not to go with the natural flow of evolution and continued to play two players out of position which left us with a second left back problem as Luis wanted out. So that's one mistake from the board (Bertrand), one correct decision by the board to right that wrong (Luis), one mistake by an ex manager (Not playing Luis) and then one mistake by the board as a result of the ex manager's original decision (Selling Luis). I'm not trying to finger point at JM here, I'm just saying I think the board have actually been doing quite a good job at fixing up that defense but mistakes have been made. Now we are in a real predicament because we don't have any of our last three proper left backs and the board don't want to buy a sub par player or a player that won't get a chance as the same problem will occur. They aren't going to get someone Conte doesn't want. There is no quick solution here and it appears it may not be solved this window. I do find it odd that Rahman was allowed to go on loan, I was sure there must be someone already a done deal.

Sometimes stability works in your favor though. Having spent £150M, i would say our best two centre backs are still better than theirs.

If in fact they are meeting, that would imply a fee has already been approved by Leicester and Mahrez was happy to sit down with Chelsea at least for a meeting. But does that mean he has to accept?

A player we've been linked to. At this time of year At this time of day In this part of the country Localised entirely within our team hotel Struggling to believe it's a coincidence on this one

I think it's more so that he wasn't sure who he should partner Cesc with as to why he hasn't been playing the last couple of games. He needed to see all other partnerships and I think he'd be mad not to start Cesc. In what way does Oscar do more work? How is Matic more experienced than Cesc?

If you get kicked, stood on, injured in a match regardless of your age it's going to hurt and you are going to grimace. He has just completed a full pre season without any soft tissue complaints. He was never pacey but I'm quite confident he is as quick as he's been in the last 6 years.

I actually think Terry is in the best shape of his life. Age certainly is being friendly do him, the guy is a beast. I'd suggest he is fitter than the majority of 30 year olds, not too concerned that he's (nearly) 36.

Looks to be our only real additional defensive prospect at the moment.

Isco Inferno Burn baby burn

Damn, we will rue the day

i still don't think (well in the past) it has helped their cause for getting into the senior team though. What is Patrick Bamford doing this season?

If the bot playing for you is real, then surely there would be people on level 40 by now? If it only takes 24 hours to get to level 20? The majority of gyms around me have some big levels and big numbered pokemon (2500+) but I don't really think they have cheated. I think they've just played the game a LOT. Not saying it's not possible to cheat, i just dont think there is that many out there doing it. Also the Brazil thing could have been from people who had an i tunes account from another country, which would enable them to play the game in Brazil before anyone else. I was playing in the UK before it had actually been released here. 14.. got a couple of lucky eggs which I'm very shortly about to activate and go on an evolving spree though. I keep seeing very similar pokemon though, haven't had a new one in 2 or 3 levels.

You don't take that stance with every Chelsea player though? It's also possible to look at two players impartially regardless of where your heart lies.

How are they cheating?

What level are you on?

Everton were a appalling last year, I'd say that's a pretty good return all things considered

Edit: bought back

Do you really think that list is any more comprehensive than any of the big clubs? You just have a microscope on our club. Take Barcelona for in the same three year period for example. Marc Barta Alen Halilovic Adriano Dani Alves Sandro Ramirez Alex Song Martin Montoya Pedro Adam Traore Gerrard Delfaou Denis Suarez Cristian Tello Ibrahim Affellay Xavi Alex Song Alexis Sanchez Cesc Fabregas Bojan Krkic dos Santos Keirrison Oier Olazabel Isaac Cuena Victor Valdes (not included Carlos Puyol and Jose Pinto who retired) They have the same mix of great players moving on, great players coming to the end of their career, young players who were never given a go and I'm sure there are some risky signings in there too. I think a lot of people are way too harsh on the club. If we kept Lampard for an extra season it would have blocked the chance of a younger player getting more games. I'm not saying they don't make mistakes, but every club does and I think considering our success in the last year 10 years, we are doing very well. I can guarantee you that we haven't sacked the scouts that found Azpi and Zouma.

My god he looks good in blue

They'v done some good business in this transfer window and could realistically challenge Bayern this year, no way will they sell their spearhead.

Moses to be sold or loaned? Think he's probably shown more than Cuadrado in pre season, but I think it will be more likely Kenedy is loaned and Moses/Cuardo stay. There is absolutely no way we don't have another defensive signing in the works, it would be irresponsible on such a level for Conte to go into the season with the only those defenders. Presuming Papy and Miazga are going on loan as well.

Was wondering the same thing. Think he wants out and PSV want him in.

That's the media drawing your attention to Lukaku. I'm sure Conte has his ducks in a row