Maverick

If we were to go back to the diamond, I'd like to believe we need a dedicated DM like Yaya/ Mascherano at the base of it. Essien on the right and Lampard on the left should really send shiver down some opponents. Even if we do not plan to use the diamond, given Essien's consistent injury every season and Mikel's prolonged growth curve I can understand Carlo's thought of us strengthening in that area.

Thats a strange one for me when a player comes out and reveals the interest from another coach. At 6 million he is worth the gamble considering the impact he has on the game every time he is subbed in. He is creative for sure and was one of the more influential players for pool this season.

Lol - you kidding me right? Thats as childish a reason as I have come across for a while now.

He seems to be getting better by the day, dream season for him. I just hope he continues to improve at the same rate in the years to come.

Its pretty evident that Carlo prefers experience everytime over youth, that begs the question about the role of the 5 players that are to break into the first team.

I dont see it happening to be honest. He has been the best player after Ronaldo this season and with Raul ageing/ fading he does look like the striker that will replace him. Given that Higuain has settled in so well, we could try to attract Benzema, he surely has not had the best of seasons after his big money move to Real.

Add Essien's energy and drive to it, boy does that sound "special" or what.

With Drogba and Anelka sharing the load, I believe he will be fit to play a lot more league/ CL games than he has for pool. Add to it the policy of playing the younger strikers in cup games should also ensure he only concentrates on league games. I would jump at him if he came anywhere in the range of 25 to 30 million but given that City maybe involved in the bid it makes it tougher.

Vary a bit !! What for? A hit rate that is phenomenal to say the least and mind you its not that the keeper saved it, it was just the one off where Lampard missed the target. Talk about fixing things that aint broken !!

I have seen a fair share of City this season and there are a few reasons why Ireland has not featured regularly this season - alongwith injuries it is the defensive approach of playing two holding midfielders that absolutely eliminates any scope for someone like Ireland to come in. Though the number of times he has played he has looked the same player as last year, its just that city are not reliant on him heavily anymore. Therefore the stats on goals/ assists do not indicate the role he has played in the games that he has started. I'd not mind him coming to the bridge considering our midfield is going to need some fresh blood and in Ireland we get a player that has performed in the league and one that will not sulk if not chosen for every game.

What was it - 12 own goals for them ?? Did I hear them complaining about luck ??

"Chelsea look like being the champions but we didn't just beat them here, we absolutely battered them." - Dave Whelan, The Sun, 5th May 2010 Were you watching the game on sunday Dave Whelan? If what happened at DW was battering am sure your vocabulary would fall short of describing on what happened at the bridge. You'll always be as good as your pitch at DW

Cech is by far the best I have seen, though De Goey and Cudicini were great at their respective periods.

Yes it would make sense giving his failed attempt of landing Lampard to San Siro. Though Gerrard may then again surrender to threats from his beloved scouse brothers. :D

That begs to ask the question as to why he was on the pitch and Joey taken off if Drogba was evidently unhappy about taking the pitch. Its not the first time Carlo has done a blunder like that one - my memories go back to the UCL final when Roque Junior was a mere spectator on field for the extra time. Besides using all your subs by HT does not leave any scope for changes later in the game.

I completely agree to that and Carlo not having him in the starting 11 for the past few weeks does not seem to help his cause. It could be a good move for both the parties.

The way city seem to be scoring for fun I dont see Uninted getting the 3 points there, hell they would be happy to get one. If we win at Spurs this weekend I shall ask the fat lady to start rehearsing.

Unproven outside Portugal? Dint Benfica make it to the quarters of the Europa league with him playing a substantial role in their success? Is that not continental exposure for a young lad that looks as promising as any winger in the world today. I dont think we will get any winger at a sum lesser than 15 million given the lack of genuine wingers in world football today. So yeah I'd take a punt on him and go for more than 15 million.

Given your knowledge of our youth/ reserves I'll give that post a skip. You surely haven't watched Mancienne off late and you surely do not see his ability to rise to occassions and deliver MOTM performance in back to back games. Whether he is of Chelsea class or not is tough to respond as we seem to hardly put any faith in our youngsters. Though to suggest Mancienne has been shocking at Wolves is being unfair to a very promising youngster.

I have a feeling that we will play Anelka upfront for this one with Drogba on the bench. I see us winning this with some ease considering the form that we are in.

Look no further than Florent Malouda.

Is that the sole reason you would not buy him?

Thats precisely the reason I would bring him in. Ballack has lost any pace that he had and Essien's injuries seem to worry me and I must admit it will take a toll on him somewhere down the line. In that scenario I'd love to see someone like Milner in our midfield alongwith Lampard. Besides he could learn a lot from Lampard and we do need a new midfielder that can carry the weight once Lampard chooses to call it a day.

I think you need to get a reality check and a quick one at that. Honestly you would never get a player close to world class for 15 million in todays market. It may have been the case 3 to 4 years back but today the market is too inflated and I dont think we can get any established quality player at that sum.

Ashley Cole, Ryan Bertrand and Van Aanholt - I'd like to see that as our options when it comes to LB in the coming season. If Ryan does not step up we always have the like of Ferreira to get the job done in the absence of Ashley.