JMaher94

Luiz definetly out?

Van Persie off to United

I wouldn't mind us replacing him with Essien or Ramires and shifting Marin or Sturridge to the right, but we may look suspect defensively.

Cech Ivanovic.................Luiz...................Terry......................Cole Mikel..........Lampard Ramires...............Mata.............Hazard Torres This is the team I would play, along with having Oscar, Marin and Sturridge on the bench for a bit of depth maybe however seeing Oscar's inclusion very unlikely. Prediction: Wigan 1-3 Chelsea (Torres, Hazard, Lampard)

I was born in 1994, and wore my first Chelsea shirt and shorts when I was only about 6 months old as my Aunt who was a lifelong Chelsea fan made sure I supported them by buying me them, I still have the picture and everything! I remember my first game as in 1998 I think when we played Everton at Stamford Bridge, we took the lead through Di Matteo I think but I really can't remember then Danni Cademateri scored an equaliser and I burst into tears and from that day I knew I was always going to be a true blue, went to Ipswich at home the following season and remember it being 1-1 up until the 90th minute and as me and my Aunt who was looking after me left the ground, we heard a thunderous roar from inside the ground and remember my Aunt switching her radio on hearing that we scored in the dying seconds, making me take a slide of delight on the concrete which ended up in bruises and lots of cuts, I didn't care though as I was so happy! Up until the age of possibly 12 or even 13, my parents used to hate Chelsea playing or having a game coming up because they knew what I was like whenever it came down to it, if we won i'd be ecstatic and be in a fantastic mood all week until the next game or i'd throw a massive tantrum when we lost (mostly because this stupid Charlton fan used to pick on me at school whenever Chelsea lost) Since then, i've been fine apart from that night in Moscow which I can't explain my emotions that night, to Munich where to be honest, possibly one of the best moments in my life. Chelsea FC <3

Didier Drogba.

Cech Ivanovic Luiz Cahill Cole Mikel Lampard Ramires Mata Hazard Torres

Do not care what the media sprout about him, will always admire and like John Terry. Legend.

Hopefully that is the case with your last comment. Back on topic, I agree about Arsenal. I honestly think they will do well this year and surprise a few, I think it could be a close battle for 2nd between us three but I do think we will make it this season and hopefully build for next, if we get somebody like Hulk as well we could be even more in contention but it looks even more unlikely now the fact that we have pretty much signed Moses.

I am aware I have created this thread very early but I am interested into what people think may happen come the end of May 2013, given all the signings so far that we have made and not forgetting Arsenal have strengthened and have done the unthinkable and spent a bit of money with Tottenham adding AVB and others to their ranks where do you think teams will finish at the end of the season? I am going for a rather optimistic view in all honesty as I think we can mount a good title bid only with City to run away with it towards the end, given the fact United have only signed Kagawa although the return of Vidic could prove vital as well if he comes back the same as he left. 1. City 2. Chelsea 3. United 4. Arsenal 5. Liverpool 6. Tottenham 7. Newcastle I don't believe Tottenham will be as good this year even with signings of Sigurdsson and Vertonghen given the fact they haven't got Adebayor back, I do not rate Van der Vaart as much as I used to and think injuries get the better of him and also think Modric will move on therefore I have placed them behind Liverpool whom I think will improve on last years position (not difficult). I think Arsenal will continue finishing in the top 4 especially if they keep Van Persie, maybe even make a push but I doubt it. As a Chelsea fan, I think we will definetly top 3 next season. Your opinion?

Benayoun, Malouda and Meireles out.

3-1. Oh dear.

Almost Lamps!

Very true, I also think Oscar may have a part to play depending where we position him. I'd like to see him part of the double pivot along with Mikel or Lamps as I think he could add speed to the attack with his range of passing which I think builds too slowly from the back.

Due to our recent signings and outgoings and all our activity in the transfer market, we seem to be changing the way we play instead of using the long ball tactic which has flourished since we've been using it. However, new signings of Eden Hazard, Oscar and Marko Marin show that we could be changing our style of play. Admittedly, there are going to be a few key players this year in which if they perform to a high level, we may see us mount a serious title bid however if one player was too perform greater than others, who would have the greatest impact? My personal opinion is Fernando Torres, the excuses i'm afraid have come to an end this season for Nando. The last 18 months have been tough for him but I don't think all down to his poor performances as we do not play to his strengths, the tactic used for Drogba instead. We began to see a glimpse of the real Torres towards the end of the season under Di Matteo and can see a strong link between him and Mata however with players such as Oscar and Eden Hazard also supplying him, I think he could have a top season. On the flip side, all excuses are out of the window therefore he has to step up this season! Who do you think could be a key player this year for us to mount a title bid and finishing high up in the league? Being that Meireles, Ferriera, Benayoun, Lukaku(loan) and Malouda may all leave is the reason they're not on the list.

Cech Ivanovic Luiz Terry Cole Mikel Oscar Ramires Mata Hazard Torres

Welcome to the forums :) I would love to see the following line up: GK: Cech RB: Ivanovic CB: Luiz CB: Terry LB: Cole DM: Mikel DM: Oscar (Lampard) RAM: Ramires CAM: Mata LAM Hazard ST: Torres Subs: Turnbull, Cahill, Essien, Lampard, Marin, Sturridge, Lukaku. Add two other players as well perhaps in (Hulk/Jovetic/Lewandowski) for a striker and (Azcipuleta/Maicon) for a right back

Think it has to be Lampard's mostly because if he misses and Olic scored, it would have been game set match. I think it was a real captain's penalty and just showed to me how he never lets us down, ever. Complete legend.

My first Chelsea match was in 1999 against Everton, I was only four or five years old and remember sitting on my aunt's shoulders the whole game and remember bursting into tears when Everton equalised. Finished, 1-1.

Marin, changed a lot of games with his pace and skill.

My stream died guys, how are we playing? How have Torres and Marin played since they've been on?

Cech Ivanovic Terry Cahill Cole Mikel Lampard Ramires Mata Hazard Torres

In terms of football..

Probably would include the whole of the Manchester United team, most of Tottenham and Barcelona but I would have to go for: Patrice Evra, think he a complete waste of space who is an average left back at best nowadays as well whilst being a horrible little jumped up man who plays the racism card like no other, lies through his teeth at most things and causes so much inconvinience with everything eg. Suarez, Chelsea backroom staff, Arsenal and Steve Finnan, closely followed by Rio Ferdinand who is in my opinion a wannabe gangster and massive keyboard warrior in which he does not back up on the football pitch. Who is your most hated player and why?

Has to be Torres against Barcelona, had been getting so much abuse/stick about how crap he is and how he's a "50m Flop" but I kept saying to them, you'll see you'll see. I have never cheered so much in my whole life, ran into my friend's garden and all sorts. Ramires was up there as well but I didn't cheer it much as I thought it would only be a respect goal.