Arq

Look at the first three matches. We do need an attacking playmaker, did you see Yossi out there? No. So AVB sees something different than what we see. He is the manager, we are not. I won't disagree with you but it was clear in my eyes that AVB didn't rate Yossi or he would have been out there. Yossi and Essien would only be competing to be on the 25-man squad.

Lock it. I don't think we'll even see him in January.

And what if Mata gets hurt? I realize we can only have 25, but Yossi could have filled a few roles. With that said, he'll be filling those roles at Arsenal this year and not Chelsea.

He wanted to jump ship because he wasn't going to get an opportunity here especially with Meireles coming in. And once Essien is back, he's even further down the pecking order. I believe he would have more opportunities last season but he was injured for many months as well. What I don't get, like many others, is why we let him go when he is one of the most creative midfielders we have? He's completely healthy now and since he's here, why not give him a chance? I just have faith in AVB that he has his reasons and we'll be better for it.

Welcome Raul! I hope he does well for us.

John Brewin from ESPN's live blog coverage has stated the Modric deal is definitely off. He also said Sneijder and Hazard are off.

I hope you're right Mod, but I don't see it.

Kaka for £12 million? That might not be too bad especially if he can stay healthy (which is unlikely)...

I'm with Zola on this one. With his off-pitch antics that this is not the guy I want coming in to be a role-model to our youngsters. However, there is a chance he is a reformed character. That's me looking at the glass half-full, which is not my style.

I voted no. They are going to keep him just for spite. That's my gut on it, and I can't see it being incorrect.

Hopefully it's in our favour.

The only teams in the top 20 that I think are placed about where they should be are Germany and Uruguay. Everything else just makes me scratch my head. I might say Italy is pretty close to where they should be. They've been looking much better lately.

I get it, but it's the Spuds. It's almost like a lose-lose no matter what happened. So I smile at the fact that they got destroyed. Making the best of a bad situation I guess.

Like some of you, I also think it probably won't happen. Would love it though because he is definitely a player we need. At least I can smile at the whoopin' that Manu gave them last night. If I were Modric, I would be screaming to get out. :)

Wow, that is an impressive collection. Very nice!

Much better second half, but still a ways to go. A win is a win though. I must say that I enjoyed seeing AVB not be afraid to make some moves. It worked out this time for us. He was definitely involved in the match from the start and let his presence be known on the sidelines. Good comeback by the lads.

Good move by AVB. There were a lot of dreadful performances in the first half, but I thought Kalou was the worst of them. We started to get lively come the last 5-10 minutes. Let's carry it on to the second half!

Can't argue that with him or with clubs like that, but you got my point.

There is some logic to the argument that we shouldn't dive head first into a prospect for £35-£40 million pounds. I get that. And I get the argument that for those players that have talent that it's worth giving it a shot especially if we shell £50 million for Torres. What gets me (and I know, I'm beating a dead horse) is that we won't go for a guy like Özil when he was what, £12-£15 million pounds? And here we are, we're screaming for a creative midfielder which we've needed for a while, and he would have fit the bill. That story is done, I get it. However, I wonder if there is a communication break down between the front office and our manager whoever he may be. We are the Chelsea and in my heart this club is the best and biggest. Obviously not all footballers feel the same way, and sometimes we just have to pony up to get what we want. That's my two cents.

Seeing the starting lineup has given me the virtual slap that the season is starting... Awesome. The more I think about it, the more I'm bitter that I cannot watch this game. My wife is recording it for me but I won't see it for two weeks. Blargh.

Excited, but I won't get to watch it. I'm still away on my business trip with no ability to stream or watch it locally. Sucks. I will be following using an app on my phone though. That's unfortunately the best I have at the moment.

I think we'll finish third. And of course, just so I'm not questioned, I want us to finish first. Utd look strong especially if DeGea can get rid of the jitters and get some experience. I have this feeling City is going to just slide ahead of us for second.

Oooo! I need to get in. Hopefully I'll get some time to set my team up.

Thanks for the highlights footballoholic. Good to watch.

Tim, I wouldn't mind an invite and I'm in the US. PM me also.