BaneIvanovic

They said it was 90% done two weeks ago But we still haven't agreed on a fee (ie. Porto want more than we're initially willing to pay)

Yeah, I'm familiar with the paper itself, it's just when I did a quick google I didn't find it on their site.Cheers anyway. I'd love Muller tbh - we all saw how good he was at the WC and the season after the WC and this season, he's still been putting up good stats (less goals this season but that's largely down to less playing time centrally)

Where is the link to this? I've done a quick google (Muller Chelsea Sportbild) and the only mention is from October this year how there has been contact made.

He can play the following - up front, on the right and behind the striker (in the hole/secondary striker role). I'd take him tbh

It's a shame he's been sh*t for 2 years and is in his 30s

I rate Alves, but in Barca's system, he's more of a RM than a RB. But yeah, Bane is amongst the elite RBs in the World (Top 3/4)

He was a right back at OFK and Srem, as all us Serbs will tell you too. He's versatile enough to play at CB, but has excelled at RB for Chelsea and at Loko Moscow when he played there. Whilst he's also a tank at CB when he's played there at National Team level, he's looked much more comfortable as a RB at Chelsea and has probably been the best RB in the country when playing there.

Don't think it does, really. Bane's is, arguably, the best RB in the world and unless we get Lahm (or possibly Ramos) somehow there isn't anyone that'd be an improvement on him

Whoever we get at RB won't be starting. Ivanovic is one of the first names on the team sheet.

Maicon's been mediocre since post World Cup.

Interesting. http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11661/7797338/

Torres' workrate and pressing that he does up the pitch often goes unnoticed (as does his alright defending from setpieces). If we can get some sort of pressing going, I think the likes of Torres, Mata, Hazard and Hulk will be up to the task

Didn't Rodgers say that he wouldn't want to be Chelsea boss any time soon as he felt it would 'ruin his career' (or something along those lines). Personally, I don't think Rodgers is the right man for a top club - yet - and I could go on about why but that would be going off on a tangent. I think that there still is the lure of the Chelsea position, especially given we've won the CL now and are in it next year, not to mention the quality of our squad at the moment and the signings we've made (and potential ones) would mean that we'll be knocking on the door for the PL trophy next season which means that the only thing that could deem the hot seat being a 'poisoned challice', if you will, is Roman's impatience. However, given that he's gotten the holy grail (ie. the CL) I think he'll be more inclined to give the next manager time for rebuilding as he sees we're in need of a transitional phase and a rebuilding process that looks more long term.

But that number's been cursed by Bosingwa ffs :( Would've liked him to have taken 11 or 13 tbh

Bosswinger! #Redknapp

Criminally underrated, gets alot of stick at the bridge - unnecessarily - but I absolutely love the guy. Best 'anchor man' in the Premiership, imo, and has excelled tremedously in the 4-2-3-1 and his passing is quality (hear alot of criticism about his passing, but he's got a very good range of passing and is smart and economical with the ball - see our double winning season and generally under Carlo). Praise the Pumpkin (anyone who saw Joe Cole on Teammates when he was with us, gets the reference)!

He shouldn't be as they'll be taking Adrián, who will start upfront for their Olympic side so there's no need for Torres to play. I reckon it'll basically be the majority of their U21 Squad that won the U21 Euros last year.

Pre-season's are generally meaningless and I'd rather our players play competitive matches than to be dragged to the States to play some pointless games (ie. In Mata's case, he's set to go to the Olympics and play the Euros, which I am fine with as I think it's much more beneficial for him) but with Hulk - if he comes - I think you've got a point. It'll give him some time to gel with his new teammates and learn our style of play etc which he'll be missing out on if he ends up going to the Olympics.

Benzema's going nowhere. He's Real's No.1 man (in the Striker's position) so what incentive does he have to leave, arguably, the most successful team in the world (historically). Higuain is more likely to leave but even he's being persuaded by Mourinho to stay. Personally, I'm looking forward to Torres as our starting striker next season.

The accent may have been sh*te, but the pronunciation was near spot on (Ed-en Az-ar is how it's supposed to be).Yeah, I just spoke to a Brazilian mate of mine to see how they say it/their commentators say Hulk's name and he said it's like Hull-kee. It's not uncommon because someone like Fred is pronounced as Fred-jee (or something like that). In short, Brazilian commentators are awesome.

I don't doubt that Luiz and Terry are better CBs than him, but if you're going on form, than he probably pips Cahill and Luiz.

Not at all.If you take the last two months out of the equation - ie. our CL run - and our definsive record has been terrible and none of our CBs were exactly setting the world alight with their performances (Luiz was horrific until Robbie told him to stop bombarding forward like the second coming of Beckenbauer) so if you're basing it on this season's form (domestically), Koscielny's been a top 3 CB this season, easily.

IMO, been the best CB this season in the Prem after Kompany.

Song wouldn't get in out starting XI. The only Arsenal players that would are RvP (assuming he maintains his scoring next season), Wilshere and Koscielny.

Indeed, just a few more and then we can solidify the nickname 'Belsea'EDIT - The journo is Phillipe Auclair, for what it's worth, works at France Football and is often on British papers such as the Guardian