SlantyTown

Caballero showing in 33 minutes why he's better than Kepa who plays every game. A goalkeeper who can actually stop shots. I'd forgotten what that felt like.

? I wasn't being entirely serious. Saying that, I have a lot of qualms over Abraham's attitude, and it's important to note that this is only Barnsley, which is about Tammy's level.

I agree. Barkley has probably been the best player on the pitch so far. Not much in the way of doing anything incisive, but he has held the ball well and not given it away in quite a few tight spots.

Havertz looked relieved more than anything to score that. Not much in the way of smiles, but I bet that is a huge weight off his shoulders. Get a hat trick now Kai!

Pretty terrible performance so far. Abraham and Hudson Odoi showing why they aren't good enough. Terrible miss from Mount too. I'd be happy if Abraham and Odoi never featured for us again.

I'm just annoyed. I'm not saying it's a technique that doesn't work because clearly (as evidenced last week and prior), it does. My criticism of it is that I've always preferred the Shearer/Kane approach to penalties and I'd rather a player smash it hard. At least that way if the keeper does guess right, it'll be harder for him to save it. It may come off for Jorginho and Hazard a good chunk of the time, but every single time it leaves the keeper with an easy chance if they guess right. Saying that, I almost had a heart attack when I saw David Luiz's run up in the CL final.

I feel so sorry for Werner. He was the only one trying out there and he was left totally isolated up front. Get Kepa out now, and put someone on penalties who can actually smash the ball ffs. I hated Hazard's routine and I hate Jorginho's. I don't mind if the keeper saves it if the player has at least tried to bury it. Pathetic. Seething at the team today. Not happy with Frank's formation choice either.

I know, but having run a few websites and forums over the years I understand how difficult it is to generate funds and maintain the running costs. I'm happy to donate every once in a while to help out.

I think a bit of blood boiled needlessly on both sides. We are all Chelsea fans and it's completely fine to have a difference of opinion without being a twat to each other. I have donated to the forum. Long may we all argue. I do hope you're right with your prediction.

No-one has an issue with the clique, nor does anyone have an issue with people making friends and acquaintances. I can help explain my post if you're struggling to understand. Also, I will gladly donate to the forum. Aside from a few insufferable members it's generally a nice community. Declan Rice (sorry Declan) rates only a 3/10 on my beauty scale too. (Just to bring it all back on topic).

I think this is a tad harsh. I haven't had any interaction with Valerie as far as I know, but from reading her posts they always seem to be jovial and friendly. Part of the clique no doubt, but that's merely a by product of having been an 'old school' member. The rest of your post however is spot on. I think we can all agree that Marina and Cudicini are both mega attractive.

I wouldn't have thought we would see Rice arrive without some significant departures first. Whether we purchase him or not, West Ham are demanding a pretty hefty fee. I'm sure Marina will perform her usual magic and knock a few bob off, but Bakayoko, Drinkwater, Jorginho and Barkley must surely all be on the list to dispose of?

Chelsea 1-3 Liverpool, Mane 14

I have noticed that there seems to be a little clique involving some of the long standing forum members. Some are absolutely fine and I really enjoy reading their posts. Some are, shall we say, not so worthwhile 😉

No problem at all. If you need any further advice, my PMs are always open for you.

So you missed the bit where I said the name calling from the other side was petty? 😉 Your comment is basically "oh he started it so it's okay then". Who am I? I'm an adult. For someone who has been on this forum for such a long time I'm surprised you don't know an appropriate way to act. If you don't like driller's posts, then report them through the proper method, or take it to PMs so it doesn't clog up the thread subject. Pretty basic forum etiquette. So, Declan Rice. I'm all for it if it's what Frank decides is best for the team, and I quite like his versatility. I am massively put off by the price and I don't personally feel like he offers us anything new than what we already have. Saying that, I like the idea of having a young, English spine in the side and he obviously seems eager to make the move.

Not expecting us to get a result here and I don't think it would be an issue if we lost this. I don't personally feel the team will fully get going until the end of October once all the new players have bedded in properly and our injured players have made their way back. My only wish for this match is to not see Loftus-Cheek start.

Hello. I don't think we've had any engagement on the forum previously, but if anything it's you who is coming across this way on the forum at the moment. The name calling coming from the other direction is pretty petty, but the outright swearing and lunacy coming from yourself is even worse. Take it to PMs both. At least Ashwin is responding in a decent manner despite his misgivings regarding driller's posts.

RLC has been abysmal. It is only the first half of the first game of the season so far too early to jump to any conclusions. He is still (kind of) working his way back from injury, so let's be patient. Saying that, I really would like to see Lampard take him off at half time.

He's obviously not suited for the lightning quick counter attacks we're likely to see with Werner and the like, but I would hate to see Giroud leave. He is absolutely class for us still and really offers us a big threat at set pieces. His link up play is great too and he holds the ball up really well. The typical number 9. He's totally unique in what he offers compared to any other of our players at Chelsea. Do not let this man leave. Also my other half quite likes him.

It's evidently going to be Hazard for an overwhelming majority, but I'll go for Joe Cole just to spice things up. Messi for non-Chelsea.

Finally. Christ on an actual bike.

Not wishing to turn this into a Mata thread, but he was outstanding for Chelsea. I was beyond gutted when he left us as he had so much more to offer. He was consistently great for us over a number of seasons and I'm really glad he won the CL with us (his penalty aside!).

Selling Kante a year ago was a completely unthinkable proposition. He was, and remains, an absolutely world class player and potentially still world leading in his position. This does bring up the conundrum of selling him for a relatively high price and reinvesting that money into a new GK. I would give my left kidney before we let him go, though. Bakayoko/Drinkwater/Jorginho/Barkley are all dispensable before he is.

I think this is the best thread I have ever seen after lurking for god knows how many years. Absolutely brilliant. In a world that that these days is just as much finance as it is football, this is put together really well. Many thanks. TL;DR - hopefully we can offload some of the deadwood and have a strong run in the cups to generate some extra revenue. Of course this may all be offset again if we decide to go off and purchase Rice and a few others. Interesting times and I'd be interested to see the updated tables if/when players are sold/bought.