awtysst

I like the name even though it reminds me of this guy:

  If Liverpool are really interested, the pricetag is £75million.

Completely agree here. CL is very important. Unless there is a ridiculous offer ala PSG buying David Luiz for £50million, keep him.

The Cech at 32 does not need much coaching, but the Cech at 22 probably did. Hilario could be very helpful to the development of Courtois and Blackman as he can teach them what to look for from the higher quality EPL players. He can share the little tricks he has used through his career. He can help them to learn the tendencies of the EPL strikers and Midfielders. Since he is no longer in competition, he can share freely and now have to worry that they will use what he teaches them and then outplay him.

YES! I really liked the way Courtois quickly threw the ball down the field to begin the counterattack. I actually think Courtois fits the type of keeper that meshes with Mourhino's concept of counter attack better than Cech. If I was Mourhino, I would stick with the young Belgian. And that's tough for me to say becuase I really like Cech and wanted him to finish his career at CFC.

Since Terry is getting older, it may be smart to try to keep him fresher for the more important games and hopefully the later year CL games. As such, using a combination of Ake, Iva, and Cahill in the middle would allow Terry to get some rest yet allow Luis and Dave to be on the left and right back spots. I would try to acclimatize against the smaller EPL teams now.

That is true. A lot of good reasons to keep him around.

Altidore has shown that he can play well/dominate in lesser leagues but is not good enough to play in the big leagues with the best players. Look at some stats: MLS: 41 games and 16 goals: 2.56 Games per goal. Spain: 17 games and 3 goals: 5.67 Games per goal. England: 66 games and 4 goals: 16.50 Games per goal. Turkey: 12 games and 1 goals: 12.00 Games per goal. Netherlands: 93 games and 51 goals: 1.82 Games per goal. As an American, I would love to see an American player do well in the EPL,. But, Altidore is not that guy. He is simply not good enough to play in the EPL and is nowhere near good enough to play on a contender like Chelsea.

I think he is trying to blow his own horn and talk up his talent. I think he is fairly aware he will not get many chances on this Chelsea team. There are better MF and Winger options. Perhaps its a way to get himself sold and out the door?

I imagine it comes down to a question of a cost-benefit analysis. Considering he has done next to nothing, his value on the open market is peanuts. However, by loaning him over to a club like Vitesse Arnhem, he can help them out. Chelsea then potentially gets first chance to sign (and then loan back) some of the top VA prospects.

I didn't get why JM wanted him when he was signed. Took a few months, but now i get it. That's why he is the Special One and I am a guy on a message board!

Agreed.

Cheering for the US and every team that plays Mexico. I want Mexico to lose and lose badly.

I wouldn't be surprised if they dispute and challenge the ruling. As a result the suspension is put on hold while they have a summer spending spree. The ruling conviently comes down after the summer period and is reduced to a single transfer ban, which will be the jan window. Come next summer, they are back to spending form. Hope I am wrong, but I could see it. Barca is too much of a cash cow to not allow them to compete.

I have it on my DVR. Have not yet had the chance to view it.

A big hello from a Blues fan from across the pond! I hope to join in on the discussions moreso in the future. Glad to be here!!!

VERY excited about Piazon. A lineup of Oscar, Harzard, and Piazon looks very promising!

Would that be too defensive heavy? How about Matic and Van Ginkel or Matic and McEachran?

I think he is exhuasted. 120 games is a lot even for someone as young as Oscar.

I feel confident that Chelsea will get it done. Look at the stats. Chelsea have lost 9 times this year. Here is what they did after a loss. August 7: Loss to Real madrid in Champions Cup. August 18: Win at home vs Hull City. Sep 14: Loss to Everton on road Sep 18: Loss to FC Basel at home Sep 21: beat Fulham Nov 2: Loss to Newcastle on road Nov 6: Beat Schalke 04 at home Dec 7: loss to Stoke City on road Dec 11: beat Steaua Bucuresti at home Feb 15: Loss to City on road. Feb 22: Beat Everton at home. March 15: Loss to Aston Villa on road March 18: Beat Galastasary at home. April 2: Loss to PSG on road April 5: Beat Stoke City at home April 19: Loss to Sunderland at home April 22: TBD Atletico Mardid on Road Prior to the Sunderland game, Chelsea had lost 8 games. In 7 of those games, Chelsea won the next game. Only once all year has Chelsea dropped back to back games. With Mourhino now seeing the league title is gone, I think Mourhino will have the team ready and firing on all cylinders to squeak out a 1 goal win or draw in Madrid. I see Chelsea winning the game at the Bridge and booking a trip to to Portugal!

Chelsea need someone who can make the quick decisive pass in order to unlock the stiongest of defenses. They need someone with vision and abilty. Perhaps someone like the man Stuart Pierce once praised, "He’s got ability and vision...All of our cutting passes probably came from him...he’s got an outstanding talent." In addition, a strong young man who can stand up to the rigors of a full EPL season is neccesary. So, how much would you pay for a man of his quality? How about nothing. All you have to do is recall him from Wigan. Yes, I'm speaking about Josh McEachran.

I think the league title is now gone. A loss against Sunderland was very damaging. I think the team should completely focus on the CL now. The team should finish comfortably in the top 4, so focusing exclusively on the CL may be the way to go. At this point, it is the last chance to earn a trophy. Who is with me?

My point was simply that at the end of the day Spurs held onto Modric and CFC signed an inferior player to compensate. I don't want a repeat. Instead of playing along with Porto, give them a hard deadline and then move on. Hulk is a fantastic winger, but he is not the only one available. Spending too much time with Hulk may mean the team has to settle for an inferior winger.

Good point. He is still young and developing. He got very little time last year. He would be better off going to lower level Premiership squad that would give him minutes or a higher level League Championship squad that would give him minutes. If he stays at CFC he won't get any better, see Lukaku.

Respectfully, but strongly disagree. Each player did well for CFC and were handsomely paid for their services. They should be given a rousing cheer from the fans for all they have done for the team. But at the end of the day, neither of them can really help the team anymore. At one point other CFC vets (some legends) stepped aside and made room for these two. Now, its time for them to return the favor and do the honors. Essein will be remembered as a legend, Malouda not so much.