Socrates

If we'd skipped the whole Falcao nonsense and brought in Bamford as third choice striker, he might have had more playing time here than he did at Palace. God knows what his confidence must be like right now. What a wasted year for the lad.

Our recent transfer strategy has been built around buying players for Pep Guardiola to come manage us. Only for him to bugger off to Man City. That's how clueless our Board is.

Is no-one going to do a joke about the statue of Ivanovic currently playing at right- back?

Pep Guardiola becomes manager of Manchester City and his first signings are Paul Pogba and John Stones. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3427254/Pep-Guardiola-battle-Chelsea-Barcelona-Real-Madrid-80m-Juventus-star-Paul-Pogba-Manchester-City-move.html

So now we get a chance to see Falcao and Pato in the same starting line-up. Can't wait.

In my mind, Terry has come out and made his comments because he expected a contract extension to be offered to him by now. There's no reason for the club to drag this out till the summer or to 'keep all options open’. That's just disrespectful. What does Terry have to prove? He's still the best defender at the club and is a nailed on starter in big games. Never mind that he can play a key role in inspiring and passing on his experience to younger players. Staggering incompetence by the Board to even contemplate getting rid of him when he looks capable of a couple more years of playing at a high level. Frankly, I’m disgusted at the ignorant buffoons who currently run this club.

Martin Samuel hits the nail on the head: “So what part of it did they object to: the captain, the leader, or the legend? At a time when there would appear to be no direction at Chelsea, no philosophy, no standard to rally around, how can the club dispense with the services of the one constant across two decades? “Leaving aside that Terry remains, even now, the best defender at the club, exemplary against Arsenal, still the first pick in any match that Chelsea have to win, how can he be considered to have nothing to offer in the way of example, or inspiration?” http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3425646/Chelsea-s-decision-let-John-Terry-leave-makes-little-sense-MARTIN-SAMUEL.html

Strange decision by the Board. Can't think of too many centre backs in the Premier League who are currently better than him.

Ray Wilkins has his say: ‘Pato branded 'jowly and chubby' by former Chelsea assistant’ http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2016/01/30/19826842/- Edit: ‘Ashley Cole said Alexandre Pato was the quickest player he faced - Ray Wilkins’ http://www.givemesport.com/700030-ashley-cole-said-alexandre-pato-was-the-quickest-player-he-faced-ray-wilkins?autoplay=on

Good article. I think it's worth a punt on Pato. Six month deal to check out his form, fitness and suitability for the Premier League. It's not as if we're spending big money on him and his wages are modest compared to Falcao. At 26 he might feel he's still got something to prove and if he's over his party days then we could be on to a good thing. Either way we've got little to lose and everything to gain if it works out.

Actually that highlights reel looks kind of promising. Fast, confident, likes a tackle and has a good pass on him. Obviously we only see the good bits but looks like we've picked up a bargain if these rumours are true.

It was the master tactician Silvio Berlusconi who insisted he play through the middle at AC Milan. His best position has always been on the left wing playing off a main striker and running at defenders according to the player himself. https://www.whoscored.com/Articles/ivbuvuepcugtnvbjvn4qdq/Show/Player-Focus-Pato-Beginning-to-Shine-for-Sao-Paulo-After-Change-of-Position

Wonder if he’ll break Papy D’s one minute appearance record.

Pato has been playing left wing recently. He's not a striker. He plays behind the striker. If we signed him as back up to Costa then our scouting team have been watching the wrong player.

So farewell then Ramires... http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/638215/Chelsea-transfer-news-Ramires-Jiangsu-Suning-move

Confirmed by his agent: http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2016/1/26/10832504/chelsea-fc-alexandre-pato-transfer-loan-agent-confirmed

Six month loan deal is fairly low risk. Should be enough for the club to assess his form and fitness. Doubt he'll be much use to us this season, but I'd be happy to be proved wrong. We're due one of these signings to come good.

Leicester to win the league. Chelsea to win the Champions League and the FA Cup.

Ramires for Teixeira... “Exclusive: Chelsea FC launch £35m Alex Teixeira bid” http://www.winnersports.co.uk/exclusive-chelsea-fc-launch-35m-alex-teixeira-bid-43202

Fabregas and Costa were excellent. Willian was lively without hurting them too much. But Costa made the difference for me.

Scramble in the box. Our defence all over the place. We need a second.

Well that couldn't have gone much better. Down to ten, their best striker off the pitch. Costa sharp, Fabregas dominating. Willian busy. Hazard for Oscar would be a good change to make. Got a feeling we might need to score another.

Hiddink says no thanks... “The interim manager at Stamford Bridge does not think the Corinthians forward is good enough for the Blues and has turned down the chance to sign him for £7 million” http://www.goal.com/en/news/14222/transfer-talk/2016/01/24/19635282/-

I'd like to think that we're after bigger fish but for 4m he's a bit of a bargain... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3413555/Charlie-Austin-shows-Southampton-s-Premier-League-rivals-missed-4m-trick-netting-winner-Manchester-United.html#ixzz3y6kzQ1Nc

People should stop knocking Papy. We never conceded a goal all the time he was on the pitch.