sleepy_gonzalez

I don't think Real will let him go, nor do I think that he would choose to leave them for us, but I'd be delighted to see him at Chelsea. Terry is defying his age and continuing to play well, but this can't go on forever. I think it's realistic (or at least sensible contingency planning) to expect that the last full season we get out of him will be next season, and even then we can't bank on it. Despite having had a great season and proving himself to be still up there as one of the best defenders in the league, the man is held together with bits of string and painkillers. While his fighting spirit and will to compete makes him one of the finest players ever to pull on the shirt, he can't keep going forever. With this in mind, we need a replacement lining up. With Luiz gone, we at least need cover at CB. So what of the existing options? Kalas - yes Mourinho is said to be an admirer. But we've heard that before about other players. The reality will only emerge with game time. We therefore have to assume he's in the shop window as much as anything else this season, and it's a lot to expect him to deputise effectively for JT. Sounds like he's spent his Chelsea career deputising for cones (https://twitter.com/KHaring75/status/460396999670779904), so we'll see how that turns out for him.. Zouma - could be a good prospect, but the boy is RAW. Like leg shattering, 10 game ban raw. He has to go on loan somewhere before he's ready - I actually think that the planned year back at St Etienne could be improved upon by a further spell at a premier league club the following year. Given how cautious our club is with giving young talent game time, it's almost a certainty that it'll be a year or two before he's an option. That said, if his potential is realised, he could be awesome. Another option could be bringing one of our loanee lefties back, allowing us to bring Ivan in to the middle if JT or Gaz get injured, switching Dave back to his favoured RB berth, and relying on the unspectacular but capable Bertrand, or PVA on the left. We all know the potential problems with the latter - performing well in Eredivisie is not a guarantee of success in the Prem (handful of games at the Magpies notwithstanding). Either way, I don't see this as a title-winning solution. The more radical, expensive option is getting another CB in. You can whinge about how tedious it is for us to be linked to a succession of centre backs simply because we sold one, but it's actually a sensible course of action to get one in. Although this would bump Kalas down the pecking order, which I know would dishearten the many people on this forum who have particularly high hopes for our youngsters, we could get a ready-made top defender in*. In my opinion, Varane is just about the best possible bet. He's very young, but proven at the very highest level. He's quick and has the physical attributes required to be successful in the Prem. He's worked with Jose before, and presumably thrives under him. He'd cost an arm and a leg, but PSG are giving us a thigh and two forearms for Luiz, and he'd be an investment. Imagine him after a year or two under JT's tutelage. Mouthwatering. If Zouma lives up to his potential, I can see a fearsome partnership between the two (incidentally they're both French speakers which could perhaps help). Obviously there are a hundred reasons why this transfer almost definitely will not happen. He's valued at RM, and they're at the top of the pile right now, so why would they sell him? Why would he want to leave? Even with the blue-tinted specs on, I can see that we just don't have the appeal of a team like Real. So I'll keep my fingers crossed as I think it would be a great signing for us, even for a lot of money. Unfortunately I think the only way Real would consider it would be as a makeweight in a Hazard deal, which makes no sense for us. *I realise how contentious this is - the Matic situation illustrates both sides of the argument, i.e. on the one hand why you should nurture and retain talent, and on the other why sometimes you have to pay over the odds for the finished article. IMO, on balance, I think all the hand-wringing about paying for a player we let go in the first place ignores the fact that we ended up paying an acceptable premium for a proven player.

that looks quite cool, although I'm never convinced about megaphones.. I spent a year in Toulouse, and the 'ultras' for TFC were a group of skinny 19 year-olds with too much gel in their hair and seemed to rely on a PA system to get their chants heard. It seemed more like a half-arsed protest than proper chanting!

I'm not sure why so many people are so surprised. He's always been a quality player, and very underrated. I used to go to Villa Park a fair bit when he was there, and he was often the best player on the pitch for either team. He's a solid performer whose lack of pace seems to lead some people to conclude that he's nothing special, but if you watch him for a whole match, on and off the ball, you'll see how good he is.

Not sure I agree that he's extremely limited at right back. He has limitations, but don't forget he had an amazing season in that position. I do think he looks less assured as a centre back though, and as you say he is a goal threat too. At the moment our back 4 is in a bit of a transitional phase, as Terry will more than likely to play less. I think Ivanovic is more likely than the other candidates to bring a bit of leadership at the back, but at the moment he doesn't seem as commanding as I had hoped. Basically he's a great player, but needs to grow into the role at CB.

Out of all the players we should consider letting go, (apart from Hilario) I think he has done the least to convince us that he is worth keeping on. For the money we pay him we could be getting much better value. Having said that, I can only think of one time when it seemed as if we were routinely scoring 5, 6, 7 goals, even 8, and he was a constant in that side. Massive respect and thanks to a valuable player in his day, it's not his day any more, and that's a shame.

RAWK is hilarious http://twitter.com/#!/rawk_meltdown Personal favourite quotes so far: 1. "F**k off Chelsea FC you aint got no history!" 2. "(On Chelsea winning the Champions League) Biggest European Cup fluke since '99." But this is just amazing: "Liverpool fans have been held in high regard all over the world for our dignity, knowledge and our lack of bitterness" Hahahahahaahaha

sh*t, bad luck man. To be fair though, you look at Ledley King and think maybe an injury can be managed long-term. Still no answer on the actual state of Hutch's knee though... anyone?

,...and the prize for the Shed End's most inexplicably outspoken yet overly sensitive member is... The reason you're getting people slating you on here chelsea8oy is pretty much completely down to your tone. Most people would give you a chance if you didn't start so cryptic, and then get so butthurt when anyone challenges you. It just makes you look like a dick when you're suddenly calling someone a mug after you've said something stupid yourself. You clearly have some insight into the club which is great, and we're all (most of us) pleased that you come on and share it, but after a few of your posts I think you've managed to convince a lot of people that they'd rather miss out on whatever gossip you're leaking for whatever reason because you have a stinking attitude.

Chelsea8oy: I have to say I was a bit skeptical, but fair play, you were right. Anyone: was it just me, or did Hutch look like he was gritting his teeth when he came off? Looked like he might have been in a bit of pain?

haha yeah, I guess that means we can rule him out as a member of the coaching or physio/medical staff!

Any ideas what state his knee is in generally? Cortisone could just be for a knock, or for swelling - does he need regular pain relief playing for the reserves? Fair enough, I can see your point about Kane, but I think Hutch should be first in line - like someone already said, he'd been pushing for the first team for a while. Really hope Piazon comes on.

I was enjoying that, until I came across this one: "Not at all. Call me bitter, but this was a disastrous result for football in general. Chelsea will get destroyed in the final. Anyway, who wants them in the final? Sat back for 180 minutes and put everyone behind the ball, Drogba diving around like nobodies business. Boring football. I refuse to give them credit. Sorry, call me bitter or whatever, but this definitely isn't CL at its best. However, Barca were sh*te too." What a tit.

I just hope it doesn't mean we miss out on some decent shouts for free kicks or pennos at their place. If I was a neutral and I'd watched the last game, I'd have a pretty high threshold for giving decisions in favour of Drogba next time. You're right though, it did seem to frustrate them and slow down the game, which definitely did us a favour. My favourite bit about the whole night was the looks of disbelief on the Barca fans' faces. Please God let it be like that in Spain.

Fair enough, not really a fair assumption to have made, was it..

sorry, didn't see the other thread....