DoubleHelix74

Like I previously said, the DeBruyne signing is a good one but it does not address the lack of pace and creativity we have now when we are clinging to that vital 4th spot. With matches still to play against United, Arse, LFC, City, and Spurs, not too mention Everton, Newcastle, and Villa, we are not looking to good here... In fact, away to Swans is going to be ugly because they will open us up and we all know what happens then. My major problem, as should be everyone else's as well is why are we not bringing in players for this season! One of the few brightspots in Ramires is now out for a month, who knows what'll come of the Terry trial.... It irks me to see a guy like Honda be sold to Lazio for 11M when we could've picked him up. He would give us that pace and creativity we so desperately need. Why not even bring in Dempsey? Fulham would sell probably for around 12M and he too would help us! So if I am a spoiled upright brat so be it, but the bottomline is we need something now. We miss that 4th spot and not make the CL, who will want to sign with us and if they do at what premium will it cone by?

@ Spiller, exactly how I felt when I saw that about Honda... Let's hope this Hazard deal is for Chelsea, however I have something deep down inside me thats saying he's going to really the unmentioned thus far Manchester United! I hope I am wrong but it wouldn't surprise me at this stage of the game... Either way, he comes to Chelsea or not, we all know its not until the summer and that does not solve any of the problems like Honda might have now. And really out of the English clubs that'll offer him first team football and a lock for the CL next year as United. God, I hope I am wrong but Ferguson has that persuasion psychiatry going, selling United and its annual trophy every year that now seems automatic nowadays...

Let's be realistic here, Lucas Moura will never play in a Chelsea shirt... Hate to rain on people's parades but when clubs like Real, Barca, and the few in Italy are also in the running, it is a no brainer to say a young Brazilian will opt for them first. This kid looks spectacular but I am not so sure these moves would work in the Prem and his style of play is more suitable for those other leagues... Hope I am dead wrong here but history is certainly in my corner, Unfortunatley...

And yet Keisuke Honda is going to Lazio for 11M... No offense to DeBruyne because I actually like the signing for somebody that can help in the future but what the hell are the brass at Chelsea management thinking? It almost appears they do not want a CL spot next year? And now Ramires gone too? Liverpool playing some quality football with leadership by Gerrard, Suarez coming back too... It's not looking too promising... Why are we not signing anyone now? Honda's jersey sales in Japan alone would've paid for that 11M and Chelsea would have gotten a player who would have linked well with Mata. Instead, we will go out and sign Willian for twice the money! These guys pulling the strings are asleep at the wheel, yet again....

And we're gonna have our problems with that soon enough... And truth be told it may be a quite ugly result. Let's hope its not!

Yeah, somewhat ridiculous, imo. I put a few performances like that on my firm's trading desk and its curtains! Nobody gonna say to me, you look tired and worn, better whisk yourself off to Mexico for a sunny holiday. I wish that were the case though! Guess I should've played a lot more sports when I was younger?

Gonna start that myself... 5:30am kick off here in Denver this morning and not exactly worth it. To make matters worse is that Colorado finally received some decent snow in the last 48 hours and I could've went up and Skied on some fresh snow. Then I could've watched it on DVR at a reasonable hour where I could knock down a few to numb the pain. Problem is I always find out the score somehow prior to watching the recording...

Wigan a few weeks back was mine... Hopefully, sooner than later we can say that a match was the most encouraging one?

Brilliant! But was that the theme song to the movie Last of the Mohicans?

This summer may surely be quite different... Don't make that 4th spot for the CL next year and who is going to want to come play for us? That's why its imperative we add to the squad now and assure a CL berth for next season. It's a corner we're backed into and Unfortunatley its going to cost a lot more money to bring in some players now but how costly will the alternative be when we're below 4th in May. The current squad is not looking very motivated and confidence throughout appears to be gone completely. Let's bring is somebody, anybody at this point really, and assure that coveted 4th spot!

Well I can't speak about anyone else but I've seen him maybe a dozen or so times, for Lille and Belgium... Doesn't make me an expert but I also never claimed to be... Only You Tube I watch is things posted here and I don't play Football Manager. Entirely to busy to be running an imaginary Football team. Does sound interesting though...

Who cares what others in the past have done! This kid is what 21 and has shine through greatly as a creative winger... Let's lock him down and have him at the Bridge in the next week! It's that simple! We've dropped major money on players before who've done nothing and as that may be the situation before, we cannot stop making those choices. There's a reason why all the top clubs are looking at him and it appears we may have a leg up on all of those clubs with signing him... For me this is a no brainer! RA paid how much for Luiz? Stole Mata! So RA ante up and we will be imo unstoppable for the next five plus years! Torres, Hazard, Mata, Sturridge, Ramires, and if Romeu wants to leave (which is doubtful w/that line up) than we can grab somebody else but truth be told Mikel would do fine there too! This is ridiculous that this is even a choice! Luiz playing where Bossy plays and have Terry, Cahill, and Ivanovich in the middle! Sign him on and AVB will get these guys playing like Barca... Maybe I'm a bit optimistic with the Barca comparisons but slot in Josh and Bertrand and we could be loading up the cabinet w/silverware for the next five plus years, maybe more!

Maybe Chelsea could throw him in and offer less cash for Rodwell? It's doubtful but never hurts to inquire about it...

Gallas is rubbish, King is on knees with little to no cartilage, and Dawson has just comeback from a long stint off. Redknap is foolish not to go for Cahill or even Alex for that matter. Personally, if I am Chelsea, I would pull the offer because its come to the point of embarrassment. Chelsea, not that long ago were once a club players dreamed of coming too but now the club is constantly snubbed and the only talent the club signs are mediocre talent like Meireles or youngsters who are no where near ready. I would have to blame the coaching situation as a major contributor to this turn in events... Pastore over the summer, Spurs not taking an insane offer for Modric, and now Cahill, Gary effing Cahill is leaving us out to dry! Ridiculous! I wouldn't be surprised to hear Ferguson swooping in this weekend and signing him. We are obviously not Cahill's first choice so leave it at that and sign somebody else! We cater to him but yet AVB snubs Lampard on the pitch and in the papers almost every chance he gets. I know Lampard is a legend at Chelsea but frankly I would rather see him end his career in Madrid or someplace else than to see him rot on the bench because the new and 6th coach in 5 years (or whatever the heck number we are up to now) doesn't want to start him... Lost a step or not, Frank is a world better than Meireles... And should be respected more...

Torres Hazard Sturridge Mata Essien Ramires Cole Terry Cahill/Ivanovich Luiz/Ivanovich For the rest of the season with Lampard, Romeu, Meireles coming off the bench. Could even rotate Luiz in w/Cahill and Ivanovich next to Terry or have Cahill and Ivanovich play the central position if Terry gets a ban... Torres would or should return to form with this kind of service... If not Drogba gets more time, he woo capitalize and could also be a reason to lock him up for two more years too...

He's been on ESPN here in the States now and he really does have nothing nice to say about anything. Steve McManaman kind of just stares at him when they talk in the prematch. A friend and I joke how much of a sh*t day McManaman has dealing with Burley and then having to go call the match with Ian Darke...

I know its not the same position but if we're gonna spend that kind of money, I would hope we lock up Rodwell...

Yeah really! And why would we send Kalou to Arsenal? Are we in the business of strengthening our rival who are fighting for a CL spot next year as well? Talk about being counterproductive! I hope Kalou stays because he does have skill and as a sub he could come good! I know he's not been the player we hoped but to ship him out to a rival is completely foolish!

Have to say Ramires is certainly making a case to be POY thus far... Seeing how far he's come from last year and how he is on top of his game now with room to grow is exceptional! Torres has been getting involved as well, think he's behind Mata now in assists with not a whole lot if playing time. Of course we'd all love to see him score but I will take the assists anyway over being bone idle. Something Shearer said a few weeks back on MOTD was why isn't Torres in the box more? Since than, I've noticed a lot more that Torres is all over the place, perhaps trying to do too much. But again, being productive in any way is a plus! Maybe not 50m plus but I truly think the goals will come... I don't know, perhaps I am reaching for that silver lining but? Lampard closing in on Kerry is nice and love to see him do it this year but that's asking a lot these days! Luiz is still a bit lost, perhaps we sign Cahill and Luiz could rotate out on the left. He's a better defender than Bosingwa and has great ball handling skills. I remember a certain Scottish Spur who was playing out of position until moved and has now flourished as an unstoppable 23 year old... Never know but perhaps Luiz should be on the left or even a holding midfielder... Again, I am just trying to find the silver lining...

Honda has been exceptional for Japan... I don't really have much of an opportunity to see the Russian league here in the States but when I go over to Japan, I get to see some and he still is very good but the stats don't support that. This kid is a sparkplug, never seems to stop moving and has a lot of creativity and vision as well. I think he'd fit in well with Chelsea and the style of the Prem. Put him on the left, move Mata in his more natural role playing in the middle where he can roam, Sturridge on the right. Of course Hazard could slot in on the left as well but he will also cost a lot more. And as some have already mentioned, Honda in a Chelsea shirt will virtually pay for itself and give Chelsea great exposure in Japan, where Football isnt on the same plain as Baseball but it has a very large contingent of fans. Plus from a more personal point, my wife who's from Japan will finally get onboard with Chelsea and the actual sport itself. That young kid Ryo something looks to be spectacular but Wenger locked him up at the Emirates already. He's an 18 year old phenom with amazing ability but still unproven. Wish the Chelsea scouts would get their heads out of their a$$es and quit spending stupid money and look for young kids like this Ryo kid...

@ Spiller... Honda would slot right in this January and I completely agree with you on his attributes. He is also a Japanese Ramires because the guy could run forever. Funny thing is I mention him on espn quite a bit and usually get laughed at by other Chelsea supporters because he's Asian and they don't know about him. I know my first mistake is being on espn but its the only site my companies IT department has duet to flag! Honestly, with all the names thrown around the past few days, I would be most excited for this guy to come. Mata can than play in the middle, with Sturridge on the right. As a lone striker, I would score goals with that service. Torres should have no problem...

Quite sad that we are making Torres MOTM merely because he hit some woodwork. I agree that Torres was pretty much the lone brightspot but it saddens me greatly! Chelsea is in a flat out tailspin and its time AVB starts utilizing some of the youth in the squad. Honestly, can it get any worse?

I agree... Flat out terrible in every aspect... I am just not sure why everyone puts Luiz on a pedestal. For me, he is overrated in every aspect of his game. And to think they're is a healthy Alex who is practicing with the youth squad. I just don't get it and am really beginning to worry that AVB is alone in the deep end and is going under. Lampard has had immense success with Villa but yet he doesn't get the nod. Meireles is not of Chelsea quality either. Perhaps a good player off the bench but certainly not skilled enough to start for a club like Chelsea. Fingers crossed for the fourth spot but at the moment, we'll be lucky to make Europe! Romeu is bound to jump ship this summer and can't say I don't blame him. Chelsea has a monumental hill to climb and it just seems to me at least, nobody out there even cares!

No idea what its like in England but for some of us in the States, we get to turn on Fox Soccer Channel and are stuck watching the match in some form of television that does not mean 21st century standards. Only in the large market major cities will one get to view the match in HD! For the rest of us (I live in Denver, CO), its this hazy, muddy picture where all the fine details resemble a Picasso painting rather than a match with some fine clarity. There were times yesterday morning where I had to question my wife about dosing my eggs with magical mushrooms because the television was literally producing trails! I felt like I was back at University for a quick moment! See ESPN rarely shows Chelsea here in the States but I sure wish they did. Then at least we'd get the match in HD at least! Having said that, I could care less what Ian Darke it Steve MacNamara have to say. They're actually not that bad here because they are unable to get too technical, otherwise most Americans would simply switch the channel... But with all that said ESPN suck in just about everything else they do and losing the CL to Fox really sucks for the lack of HD content...

Sorry for the spelling! Apparently, I have a rogue spellcheck/word selection on my mobile! Gonna blame it on Levy, that tosser! Can't believe he supposedly turned down 40M!