Socrates

Just hope this isn't another John Stones situation where we ended up with Djilibodgi on the last day of the transfer window.

Shocking first-half. Luckily they took pity on us and gave their kids a run out second-half. No-one came out with any credit before half-time. Not sure where this leaves Loftus-Cheek. Or Oscar. Or Pedro. Traore was lucky to stay on. I'd swap Matic for Matuidi anyday. At least Cuadrado, Chalobah and Moses stepped up second half and Hazard looks like he's enjoying himself again. Still a month to go with the transfer window. Hopefully the Board will come through for Conte.

Maybe this is Conte's cunning plan to scare the Board into some transfer activity. That first half scared the life out of me.

Sorry to tell you... it's only half-time.

0-3. This is painful to watch.

Oh dear. Pre-season friendly or not, this is really poor.

I suspect it's because no other club has put in a decent (or any kind of) offer for him.

ICYMI – an interesting article by Simon Kuper of the Financial Times on how Roman Abramovich runs Chelsea FC: http://8by8mag.com/into-the-mystic/

Let's be honest. No matter how fit they are, a back four of Rahman, Djilibodgi, Terry and Ivanovich would be suicidal at any stage of the season. Nothing to do with fitness. They're just not good enough. Same with Matic and Mikel in midfield. We turn out the same team in six months time against Rapid Vienna and we would still lose 2-0. Willian and Costa apart that was our B-squad out there and we should hope most don't get anywhere near the first team next season. That's if the Board do their job properly this Summer.

Our defence is a horrible mess.

Ivanovic puts the game to bed.

Loftus-Cheek getting a well-deserved rest after that buzzing first-half display.

Deadwood getting a run out by the look of it.

Rumours are like buses... Today we are close to signing Morata, Bonucci, Kante, Naingollan, Witsel, Koulibaly and maybe Messi.. The only thing we know for sure is that Marko Marin is back in training.

Value for money... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/07/01/chelsea-release-radamel-falcao-he-cost-more-than-800k-per-shot-a/?x

My guess is he's been offered a player/assistant coach role. I doubt Terry would expect to start every game so can't imagine that reduced playing time is what he means by a 'different role'.

Fair enough. John played hardball over a contract extension a few year's back when Man City were apparently interested in signing him. Now it's the club's turn. Legend or not (and I hope he stays) sometimes it's just down to ego and cold hard cash.

Could be that Conte has made the decision in consultation with the Board and is telling Terry that it's a Board decision, so the new manager doesn't take the flak from the fans for showing Terry the door.

According to Rob Beasley on Twitter, Conte has spoken twice to Terry and told him it's a Board decision and he has no say in player recruitment! If that's right it would mean it's Abramovich who's made the call.

Out: Rahman, Matic, Pato, Remy, Falcao. Oscar. In: A proper left back. A central defender. Two central midfielders. Two forwards. On loan: Loftus Cheek, Kenedy.

Hiddink said that he wouldn't play our younger players out of respect to other clubs. So he plays Mikel and Matic instead. I'd call that taking the p*ss.

What is the point of Hiddink?

Is that back-to-back titles for Mark Scwharzer then?

He's back. That was some finish. What a player.

Statue for Eden Hazard. Class apart.