DoubleHelix74

Has Mata come back yet? I know it was a mid September delay but since Spain crashed out he would surely be back earlier, no? Brandinho hit the nail on the head... We need Mata back soon. With that said though he deserves some rest. Than again he barely played in the Euros and obviously not as much as expected in the Olympics. What happened with Torres today? Didn't see the match but from the pieces I've been able to put together is that he had it out with RDM? True or is it more media BS fanning any sort of flame that may be there?

So we should pay a 10M premium because he can sell a few shirts in Japan? Well, sorry I don't buy that. Why not sign Keisuke for 20M and sell 20M in shirt sales? I will admit I don't watch Hulk often but what he has done in the Olympics certainly does not warrant a 38M pricetag... I know he is a better player than from what I've seen thus far but is it the 38M valuation that Porto is asking? I am beginning to think having a Hazard, Mata, and Oscar play instead may be a better option. Then take the 38M and go get Modric! I know its a stretch for Levy to sell to us but if we offer him the cash publicly even Levy couldn't/wouldn't hold back. Would he really keep an unsettled player if he can get 40M for the guy. Even AVB and Levy wouldn't be that stupid. Modric, as I have said all along is the missing link. We need the engine in the midfield who will win balls back and quickly get the ball up to Mata, Hazard, and Oscar to work their magic. Otherwise its going to be another year of a clogged midfield with zero ability to make things happen.

Yeah and the Mexico/Senegal match has been quite good too. Glad my computer is at the repair shop and couldn't find Chelsea on in the States this morning. Brazil/Honduras coming on next and then GB/South Korea. By the sound of it, Chelsea never showed. Any brightspots?

No question that Neymar is the real deal but he's going to command at least 40M, probably closer to 50M at the moment. No question any club that signs him will see that come back in royalties and if he makes good those royalties will be sky high. I would even suggest that with Neymar a club will capitalize on the American market as well. Love to see him in Chelsea blue but its gonna cost Roman a ton of bread. The only question I have is is his attitude. I am sure he will adjust with age and the fact that he has Ramires, Luis, and Oscar (who he seems to really respect) will make him feel at home but one just never knows. If (and obviously a big "if") I was Roman, I would be all over this guy. He just continues to impress and regardless of what I said last week (pass on him due to attitude) I think Chelsea would be perfect for the lad.

I will play here: Through the media after AVB was sacked, didn't we find out he met with Roma while still the coach of Chelsea? Of course it is the media but if true, wouldn't Roman have grounds to say "piss off, your walking with your papers and that's that?" I am merely asking but I know in my field that if I was due a salary through a contract and met with an opposing firm while working for the original firm, I would be be denied any sort of final payout? Of course these sports contracts are ridiculous and nothing that we face in the real world but... Surely if one is talking about a future position due to failing in there current position not performing up to expectations, while still failing, would be null and void, no? Again, who gives a feck about him... Obviously he has not learned his lesson and is still shooting off to the media... For me, the fact he is dragging the Modric situation out in the media, showing up the player ala Anelka/Alex tells me he has not learned shyte. And he will pay for it in the end... The guy loves to hear himself talk like another Portuguese manager we know. The difference is one is competent and has the trophies to back it up and the other is a big fecking c*nt, who's done nothing to merit his outspoken demeanor!

Exactly... Its bad enough he is still spilled all over the backpages going on and on about whatever he is saying that day. Definitely don't want to be reading about him here. Lets move on...

And I am fairly certain he plays up top for Japan. Edit: I stand corrected. He plays as a second striker sometimes... I also thought he was a bit younger too bit certainly at 26, not that old. No idea why nobody has picked up on him...

I agree... the fifteen minutes I spent reading that drivel was superbly entertaining. I like the fool who claims Chelsea use Arsenal's scouts to poach they're players. I guess those are the same players that they continually undercut with lowball offers due to their fickle manager.

True, but we'd have to sell twice the shirts... Honda would be half the price of Hulk and IMO just as successful. If we are going to spend another 50M, we could pick up Honda, Ceaser (RB from Marseilles), and even a back up keeper. With Hulk its just him and a back up keeper. Don't get me wrong, Hulk is a fantastic player but the price is a bit high for what you get. For that kind of money, I would make an offer for Lucas and see if we can pry him away from Sao Palo.

Since there seems to be two threads on this topic I will repeat what I said on the other... Keisuke Honda would be ideal... Cheap, quick, skillful, and could play both out wide and up top...

I've said it before but I would like to see us go after Keisuke Honda. He can play both, out on the wing or up top and would cost under 20M. A great talent who IMO is very underrated. Quick and has skill and can fit a few of our positions. Plus, shirt sales alone would probably pay for him. He is extremely popular in Japan...

We could've used Dempsey in January but that window has passed and he is no longer needed with the recent additions.

I am going to stay with Nando! For me he is very hungry and with Mata, Hazard, and Oscar he is going to flourish! Golden Boot next season... That's right, you've hear it here first...

See I thought they played better in the first half with Sordell... Sure they didn't score more in the first half but I don't think that was from bad play. The UAE opened up much more in the second half and that's what led to the two GB goals not better play. My opinion anyway...

It was a beautiful goal and some fine skill but I don't think he played particularly well today... He seemed to be roaming around the outside of the box more than playing as a striker would up top. At times he looked to be getting in the way of things. I know he's probably no where near match fit and certainly don't want him to leave Chelsea (like some others) but he needs to get back in the mentality of being up top. Perhaps he is schizo and doesn't remember? With that said though, I sure hope we lock him up long-term and use him where he will suit us best and I think that's up top. Phenomenal talent who is going to be a star for us...

First thing I thought of was somebody's post about hoping Spain have an early exit. Good for us bad for Spain... The match wasn't aired here in the States (watched GB instead) but there seemed to be quite a stir at the final whistle with Jordi Alba and DeGea (sp?) berrating the referee that level-headed Mata cooly broke up... Not a big fan of DeGea (again sp?)... He seems to think he is world class already and comes off as an arrogant pr*ck! Anyway, hopefully Mata will be back soon enough but with the amount of football he has played this past year hopefully he takes a few weeks off and reminisces how fine a year it was in the trophy department.

Uhh, no...

He's a tad selfish but I chalk that up with age... I think his strength shouldn't be questioned. He doesn't get knocked off the ball too easily so. Doubtful we ever sign him but on a few occasions it looks like Oscar and Neymar are quite friendly. Perhaps Oscar could twist his arm a bit on how they can light up the Premier League, which they surely would do IMO. His level of maturity and his attitude are the only factors. However, I am a bit glad we are not in for him... We have a tremendous line of players with Hazard, Marin, Mata, Oscar, Ramirez, Piazon, and hopefully Josh...

First time watching Oscar today (outside of YouTube videos)... He is quite the talent. His movement off the ball is what impresses me. Hulk is on the pitch too but honestly apart from a few free kicks he jumps in to take, he's pretty much non-existent. To be fair, I did turn it on after about 30 minutes so he could have done better earlier in the match. Perhaps his stock will come down and Porto will sell for less... Doubtful though. Neymar is good but honestly I am glad we are not in for him. A bit selfish but still young. These NBC commentators are rubbish and here in America they have actuaylly gone to television breaks. Just cut out for a commercial during a whistle and then come back in the middle of play. Ridiculous!

Considering RDM looks set to be running only one striker, not sure what to say here... Haven't given it any thought really... Higuain would be my pick to come to Chelsea but we have a better time signing Neymar than Jose letting Higuain come to us...

Well, we've managed to stay injury free and did get some of the newer guys some minutes to mesh a bit. Not a bad tour through America despite the results. Clearly work still needs to be done but I am not going to hold too much into these performances. A solid run out, and no injuries... What more do people want?

While I agree... We both may be thinking twice in a decade from now... For me the number really means not that much. In the States, numbers are everything and they get retired but... But in Football they don't get emphasized as much. Drogba will always be the greatest striker that I have seen at Chelsea regardless of what number he wore and who is currently wearing it. Truth he told though, I am glad Oscar has it because he is young and looks to be so promising. Nothing better than thinkning and then seeing beautiful play from number 11 for nearly 20 years!

For me, he would be third and I think he would be fine with that. If Torres and/or Sturridge get injured he can step in. We all know he can score goals and he'd be quite cheap. He would definitely be on the shortlist but will the Mancs even sell him to us is the real question?

But doesn't he play in a deeper role for his club team? I haven't watched much of him but I always thought that he plays the no. 10 for Brazil only? Either way, glad to have him aboard, no. 11 shirt or not...

But at Chelsea he wouldn't be so far down on the depth chart. He would see quite a bit of time...