nickwus

Rafa...he'd rather play under Mourinho, that's why! for a better team and where he already has a great mate in Didier

Brian I think you needed a picture of Rafa there too B)

Who needs Alves? Sweepy's the nature choice for RB --- can get back fast and there's no better attaching RB in the country :)

Last year we did not have a single central defender on pitch (JT was out and Carvalho got the flu). This year its Ricky plus Ben Haim, Alex or with a bit of luck JT. Also PF is back in training, so Johnno will likely get a rest....maybe Alves will be on board by then too! In short a tough game, but not nearly as bad as last year. I remember being at the game, and with one other Chelsea supporter in the crummy L'pool dining area, and the two of us grimacing when we heard the center back paring of Essien and Ferrera. Nick

Nigel Winterburn on Setanta said he saw him get clobbered around the ankle just beforehand. Hopefully taken off as a precaution

That would make me to the happiest chelsea supporter !!! Let it be true. Please !! Sometimes I wonder if the club is getting smart enough to have the players actively involved in the speculation. In Robben's case, he really has not said much other than the usual driven that it would be an honour to be wanted by Real....much like Alves has said of joing Chelsea etc etc. If the newspaper reports are to be believed at all, Chelsea have either played hardball on price, or possible kept up he price on Calderon. If PK and RA are getting fed up with the papers rumors and other clubs tapping up our players, making Calderon look like a fool has its advantages, it also takes all the attention off the Lamps and until recently Terry negotiations. I'm not saying that's what happened, but as JM regularly manipulates the press and tries to put pressure of refs, its not completely impossible that there's some playing of the media and other clubs going on...

Especially of we got paid each time!

Well stated. At this point we're in a non-lose position, plus Either Robben stays and Calderon looks like the idiot that he mounths off as or Calderon pays nosebleed money At this point, I've got to the point that if Robben really wants to go, I'm ok with Calderon having a nosebleed.

True, but one has to think we're not the only one seeing signs of talent. You don't get shirt number 17 when you had 51 the year before, without JM's sanction would be my guess

Its just plain stupid to think that Sinclair is anywhere near Robben. Sorry but you really have to ask you what some people are thinking. Sinclair is a decent young player but nothing special. German...Sinclair's done more in the pre-season games than Robben did (even when he was fit). I don't doubt that Simclair today is not a match for Robben from 2 years ago, but lets face Robben in the last 6 months hasn't been there. He's either injured or does not show up for the big game. Malouda on the left with cover from Kalou and Sinclair is not a downgrade to what we got from Arjen last year...it is from what he did the first year. I don't think he ever really recovered from some of the heavy handed treatment he got at the end of that year (Blackburn comes to mind).... As for Sinclair, he's what 17? In a year or two, there's every possibility that he will be better than Robben (if only cos he stays on his feet)....and although he did not come through the ranks from day one, it would be nice to have some (realtively) home grown talent in the team....as opposed to all bought

Don't forget Sinclair. If Alves is really coming we'll be covered in all areas. So far, what I've seen of Sinclair, has made me very impressed. Robben's speed from a coupe of years ago, without the constant need for doctors, nurses, and band aids.

He did....unfortunaltely it was a sand storm !

I saw aomething yesterday that suggested JT might even be up for playing against the Galaxy!

Matt, Its on Fox sports live... Nick

Its tought for the journalists when the guys are both called Michael... Now whos that Iron guy that Calderon wants at Real?

Sounds messed up. Sidwell played no 9 on Saturday BTW; Johno played 76 mins so he is definitley back.

JM's on record as saying that SWP is best playing in the midfield alonside Lamps with the wingers outside him. His compeition is Ballack and Essien, depending on whether Essien's playing alongside Lamps or taking the Makelele role. The midfield has a lot of competition this year/ or a lot or rotation. Actually the whole team does: Cech (Carlo) Paulo (Glen) Ash (Wayne) JT (Alex) Ricky(Ben Haim) Maka (Mikel or Essien) Lamps (Sidwell?) Essien/Ballack (SWP) Cole (Kalou) Malouda/Robben Sheva/Drogba (Pizzaro) Nick

AND FILE AN OFFICAL COMPLAINT AGAINST THEM FOR TAPPING UP! btw Robben looked good on Saturday Nick

I did not see Jose but it looked like Grant keeping a watchful eye and ear on the conversation. My sense was that Arjen was a bit disappoited that the contract discussions had not been concluded but othing more than that. With 2 years left on the contract, its not exactly a huge hurry for PK and slowing down is probably the right thing to do for the club to get better, more financially responsible deals. As they appear to have stopped the we pay whatever someone wants in transfer fees policy, the next step is player wages. I think they just are trying to get control of them, knowig they are paying top rate anyway. It does give other clubs the slight possibility of snatching someone, but with two years left, technically they would be in breach of tapping up rules. What it mostly does, is give the so called journalists an few more stories to fabricate. Nick

How about they agree to 120k a week for Robben SOLELY FOR WEEKS THAT HE PLAYS A FULL 90 MINUTES (OR AT LEAST IS FIT/AVAILABLE TO PLAY A FULL 90 MINS).

I wonder if its coincedental but all e players were acquired from French clubs...

The price for one...JM's on record (and seems reasonable) in suggesting that the squad did not need much change. I read that to me 1. we need ANC cover 2. we still need a CB 3. we're looking for a RB We got a lot of slack for high spending and going on for free's (that are nutty Ballack level salaries) helps the goal of break even and starts to undo the view that Chelsea just pay whatever a club or player wants. Sure Pizza and Sidwell are not Terry and Lamps but bring them on at 50k a week versus someone on at 120 does reduce the nose out of joint issue that JT and Lamps are having....lets face it they are not trying to get pay increases because they need the money or can get more elsewhere, its just a pride issue. Also, getting the main requirements (Alex, GJ back?, Pizza and Sidwell means we have no pressure to do more....so if we do go in for Tevez or Benni, we're not doing so from a position of weakness.... The start of a more rational period at the Bridge.... Nick

Brian: Close, I think more likely that we will see is: -------------------------Cech ---Diarra------Cav-----Terry-------Cole ---------------------------Essien ----------Ballack--------------------Lampard JCole--------------------------------------------Robben -------------------------Drogba Back-ups: Carlo for Cech Alex for Cav GJ for Diarra (common if Glen does well) Bridge for A Cole (common) Mikel or Maka for Essien and Essien for Ballack (common) Sidwell for Ballack or Lamps (initially cup games) New Winger = Tevez? for Robben Kalou or SWP for J Cole Shev for Drogba (common, if Sheva does well) I think we'll also see Sheva and Drogs start with Cole or Robben and start 4-4-2 and swtich to 4-3-3 or vice versa. i.e. Switch systems to make us less predictable and switch players to keep them happy and fresh, especially ready for Jan (without Drogs, essien and Mikel) and Feb-Apr when its two games a week. It will be interesting to see if SWP and Maka stay or are rotated out...especially given the ANC issues and risk of depleted squad. We should also try and do a Larrson trick...that really worked well for Man U.....what's Becks up to in Jan-March...:) Nick

It would not surprise me if these reports had been leaked or set up by Chelsea, to get the message out to clubs that we may want to do business with, plus JT and Lamps that the days of endless pockets are over....Sorry Lamps but you may just have to make do on 118k a week. Its not like you can get more elsewhere...

You'll need to be loud! The Mexicans will be out in force and will be very loud and i expect quite intimidating too! This wont be the normal Chelsea USA friendly in a half empty stadium with confused Americans - This will be big, should be a great day. True, but I did OK at Anfield for semi final, so i think I can hold up