ForeverCarefree

The time it takes an Italian to win an FA Cup final.

Thinking about it, Chelsea are probably one of the few big clubs to have consistently had an African presence in their squad over a sustained period. We've had the obvious ones like Drogba, Mikel, Essien and Kalou but then also signed the likes Geremi, Baba Rhaman, Eto'o, Can't think of too many high profile Africans that have played for Real Madrid, Manchester United, Barcalona, Bayern Munich.

Because I forgot about Mahrez which is why I asked earlier "Has Pep had any African players central to any of his teams? None spring to mind.". I mean, I'm just having a bit of fun with this but it's clear you're taking this is all very seriously so I'll just leave it there I think.

Toure isn't accusing Pep of being racist, he's accused him of having a prejudice against African players. He's suggesting that he doesn't like African players and that he doesn't give them a fair chance.... One man's word at the moment so pretty baseless but worth clarifying it's not about race.

Or maybe Eric Djemba-Djemba left a deep cut and he didn't dare venture back into those murky waters.

Glad we agree. I was going to suggest Alex Song but turns out he signed the year Pep left Barca.

Pep did swap Eto'o for Ibrahimovic when he was in charge at Barca. Has Pep had any African players central to any of his teams? None spring to mind.

No but that’s the narrative they’re going for. Doubling down on downplaying how bad that Van Dijk tackle was.

If you’re Liverpool, you’d be looking to put Ospina under pressure at every opportunity you have, lots of fast balls in and around that 6 yard box. He looks a real weak link for Napoli.

When it comes to Liverpool he’s just so biased. It was an awful tackle, I’ve seen red cards given for less and he’s said VVD won the ball, then had to keep back tracking after seeing replays having had a go at the ref initially and then just completely downplayed a reckless tackle. Awful punditry.

Steve McManaman talking absolute sh*t. Van Dijk goes through Mertens studs up right through his leg and says nothing wrong with it “that’s football”

The catalyst for the fans screaming abuse isn't important. The question at the moment is, whilst clearly extremely angry have any of the fans crossed the line and resorted to racist insults directed at Sterling? I understand fans being annoyed/angry at an opposition player hurting one of your own team and there will always be an element of pantomime to watching football. But it is completely unacceptable to use racist language and if that is what has happened then this isn't a witch hunt for Chelsea fans, this will be someone getting rightly punished for being a moronic neanderthal.

Strange signing if it happens. Already have the best right back in the league so why spend a small fortune on another one?

Saw that one. Doesn't seem that anywhere of any real reputation is running with that same story yet. Can't see us loaning out one of our two strikers in January unless we were planning on spending big which we haven't really done in a January since we signed Torres and Luiz.