KrazyTea

Certainly the reports on him are not glowing but if its around 7 pounds that could be decent for cover. The other options on the bleacherreport link would be nice, but are they actually available and how much would they cost?

Didn't l'equipe get the Drogba thing right first? Would be nice if their call on this one is true too, its fun to dream!

I don't think we'll get him either but that's what makes this player chase so much better. I won't be that disappointed if we don't get him but I'll be twice as surprised and elated if we do!

So what's with the inconsistency on assists stats and where and how can a more reliable way be found to record these. Will the league ever get to accurately recording them? Generally ESPN seems to be more reliable to me in that they show a game log where statistics are derived from and accurately display them, whereas the actual league site seems to be kinda sketchy on it. They do not even keep statistics leaders besides the top few goalscorers anymore either. I am just curious because using Mata as an example it is tough to find out what's reliable and if anyone has more ideas. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/player/_/id/103025/juan-mata?cc=5901 http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/players/profile.statistics.html/juan-mata http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/mata/profil/spieler_44068.html So what gives?

So Hulk had a hand in all three goals? That really is noteworthy

That makes sense to me!

I hear ya, but I think a Hulk could be a better league player and pump in the goals whereas Ramires I see as more of a cup (especially in the CL) player who performs in the big games. I wouldn't see Ramires not starting or playing but I think that the two could offset each other well. I don't know though, I'm just brainstorming.

If Hazard would go to Man Yoo, wouldn't this be a better cheaper option?

It also provides incredible depth having Hazard AND Hulk, with Ramires and Meireles on the bench and as rotation players to keep the squad healthy and fit. Depth as we have seen is so important and something we really lacked this year. Of course scoring both those coups is possibly a bit of a pipe dream.

The only reason I think we might sign Hazard is because things have been pretty quiet really, a la Marko Marin this signing just might of materialized out of thin air (or a CL victory :P)

So close, too bad for the girls in blue, hopefully they'll get another crack it yet.

I remember Drogba scoring some opportunistic goals like that too, one recently against Liverpool, he must suck as well. Isn't that what goal scorers do? Make the most of their opportunities?

I think its lovely, puts us North American fans to shame, imo. Although I live in the middle of the tundra of Canada in Manitoba, so its tough to find a good lot of Chelsea fans in one spot.

Exactly its Polish, so if people use it as a demonym for us having a Russian older it seems kind of dumb. The only time I really raise my eyebrows over it is if the media uses it, seems kind of childish at that point.

just for fun using Facebook fans as a barometer Manchester United 25.177 million Chelsea 10.577 Arsenal 10.290 Liverpool 9.445 Citeh 2.810 Tottenham 1.267 Newcastle 0.280 West Ham 0.263 Everton 0.237

Well there are 10.5 million Chelsea FC fanson Facebook and growing if that gives you a general idea

No schadenfreude for this guy, I got no real hatred for Bayern and having lost a CL final on pens I can feel for them. The only thing I would say is that we've only won one and they have four already, I know they get to keep the trophy on their fifth but their bound to hit a good luck streak at some point.

According to BBC, the discussions should begin in earnest next week.

Yup Aston Villa did not win the Champions League

Rather than rewrite it mine would look like this too

www.footytorrents.co.uk for high quality rips, but you have to share as much as you download

No doubt, a definite head scratcher. It would be fantastic if we could get a couple quid for him

I certainly wouldn't mind him scoring a few crackers like this for us...

Man when was the last time a Scottish club made the last 16 in the CL. I remember times when these clubs were always threats to get there, that seems so long ago now, 2006? I cannot see a quick recovery in the stars either. The same could almost be said for Portugal too, is this the new economics of the CL football? Either way I hope a quick recovery can be in store for the Rangers, though not a passionate fan many of my Scottish friends are Rangers fans which is one reason which brought me to the Chels as well. I will always have a spot in my heart for the Blues Brothers.

Honestly if we do not buy a new centre forward I can see Lukaku getting A LOT more playing time. Where Torres is simply the speed and skill game his biggest knock is that he can be muscled into silence. I think Lukaku offers the opposite which could work quite well as a balancing act. Similar to the Hulk/Ramires thing I mentioned in the Hulk thread. I would hope that we play Lukaku for the first half of the season, see if he can get into some league cup games, sub into a few more matches and get the hang of things. If he still does not earn his starting time here then I would loan him out in January.