What makes a definition of a talisman in football? For years that person was Drogba, much maligned throughout his career he was also one to be known to come through in the big game, generally in cup finals and against the Arse. But now he has left, which brings up the new question who's next? Clearly one of Hazard, Oscar, or Mata seems to be the most likely. But the way Mata has been playing both last year and this year makes me question if he is "the one". Certainly I think the sample base is too small to quite crown him yet, but he certainly seems to be the player most likely to consistently be the thorn in our opponents side. But he is magical enough to declare him so? Or is he more of a consistent provider? Or is it someone else yet?

It'll be Haz in time.

Mata/Iniesta and Hazard/Messi.

Mata is unquestionably, at this point in time, our best player.

Whether that makes him our talisman or not is another issue.

But if you don't love him, you're not a Chelsea fan.

Edited October 7, 201213 yr by Cam

But if you don't love him, you're not a Chelsea fan.

How could someone not love him? I'm sure many non-Chelsea fans like him as well while most are jealous we have him.

Falcao would score a bagillion goals and be our talisman with our magical widgets feeding him.

Just saying.

It'll be Haz in time.

Mata/Iniesta and Hazard/Messi.

Does this make Oscar our Xavi? Personally, I think Oscar will be the one most spoken about in a decade. He's already stated he wants to be a Chelsea legend. I hope I am wrong but I can't see Hazard staying on with Chelsea for a decade plus. Think he may look for another challenge in a few years. Mata may want to return to Spain later in his career as well. Oscar seems set in his mind to stay and maybe Ramires, Pizarro, and Luiz will assist in that. Heck, the way they are all playing it wouldn't surprise me to see Neymar wanting to join the Club. With the excitement and style of play the squad is beginning to show what creative prodigy wouldn't want to be here? And we still have the potential of Feruz, and this young Charlie kid as well?

Edited October 7, 201213 yr by DoubleHelix74

Mata is definitely the man at the moment when he's on it Chelsea are on it as yesterday's performance showed.

It's funny a Liverpool fan I know at work said he doesn't think Mata is anything special and he doesn't get what he does. I was just like uh? Ok then lol

Mata is definitely the man at the moment when he's on it Chelsea are on it as yesterday's performance showed.

It's funny a Liverpool fan I know at work said he doesn't think Mata is anything special and he doesn't get what he does. I was just like uh? Ok then lol

Typical Liverpool fan. Braindead. Can't wait until they get relegated this season.

Mata is definitely the man at the moment when he's on it Chelsea are on it as yesterday's performance showed.

It's funny a Liverpool fan I know at work said he doesn't think Mata is anything special and he doesn't get what he does. I was just like uh? Ok then lol

Was this before or after he was extolling the virtues of Downing, Henderson or Borini as 'the next big things'

Typical Liverpool fan. Braindead. Can't wait until they get relegated this season.

I don't think they will but I'd love it if they did, infact perfect season would be us lifting the Premiership trophy and Liverpool getting relegated.

Does this make Oscar our Xavi? Personally, I think Oscar will be the one most spoken about in a decade. He's already stated he wants to be a Chelsea legend. I hope I am wrong but I can't see Hazard staying on with Chelsea for a decade plus. Think he may look for another challenge in a few years. Mata may want to return to Spain later in his career as well. Oscar seems set in his mind to stay and maybe Ramires, Pizarro, and Luiz will assist in that. Heck, the way they are all playing it wouldn't surprise me to see Neymar wanting to join the Club. With the excitement and style of play the squad is beginning to show what creative prodigy wouldn't want to be here? And we still have the potential of Feruz, and this young Charlie kid as well?

I can see that with Hazard. I think he'll turn out great, he has the potential to be up there with the best. But maybe in 5 or 6 years go to Spain and play for Barca or Real, he'll certainly be good enough for them. Robben did the same thing, and that's something I think he'll do.

Mata though, I dunno. I feel he'll be happy to stay with us for a very long time. He seems like such a good guy and seems very happy all the time. He's already played in Spain so won't need much of a new challenge, he may return when he's old but don't see him moving anywhere else.

I hope Oscar does stay. If we carry on playing him he'll improve so much as he's still young and getting used to the Premier League. As for our talisman its probably Mata at the moment, as he's our main outlet in midfield and he's our primary playmaker.

I can see that with Hazard. I think he'll turn out great, he has the potential to be up there with the best. But maybe in 5 or 6 years go to Spain and play for Barca or Real, he'll certainly be good enough for them. Robben did the same thing, and that's something I think he'll do.

Mata though, I dunno. I feel he'll be happy to stay with us for a very long time. He seems like such a good guy and seems very happy all the time. He's already played in Spain so won't need much of a new challenge, he may return when he's old but don't see him moving anywhere else.

I hope Oscar does stay. If we carry on playing him he'll improve so much as he's still young and getting used to the Premier League. As for our talisman its probably Mata at the moment, as he's our main outlet in midfield and he's our primary playmaker.

I agree can see Hazard in Spain in about 5 or 6 years but we should make a profit on him.

Mata though I think we'll stay here for a very long time and probably go back to Spain when he's in his 30s.

Oscar I'm not sure about but he looks the business.

I agree can see Hazard in Spain in about 5 or 6 years but we should make a profit on him.

Mata though I think we'll stay here for a very long time and probably go back to Spain when he's in his 30s.

Oscar I'm not sure about but he looks the business.

Not necessarily, we have all the players in place to begin a dynasty. Some of the most outrageously gifted young footballers on the planet. If this leads to vast amounts of silverware why would he want to go anywhere??

We don't have one. We have goals from all over the park. Full-backs chip in, as can Cahill, terrys on 49 goals and Luiz can every so often tap in a FK. You have options from Ramires and lamps. No need to mention further forward all are very gifted, and can created and finish 'when they want'. Theres no stand out player, who is going to score those goals, and for me, thats not a bad thing at all. Nightmare for defenders.

the matador is definitely the one. everybody says he's a briliant footballing nice guy but i can remember very clearly how he gave yaya 'barca bench lover' toure some of the rough stuff which surprised me somewhat given he has no form which i can remember. christ! toure is about 6'6' and mata is 5'5'!

Does this make Oscar our Xavi? Personally, I think Oscar will be the one most spoken about in a decade. He's already stated he wants to be a Chelsea legend. I hope I am wrong but I can't see Hazard staying on with Chelsea for a decade plus. Think he may look for another challenge in a few years. Mata may want to return to Spain later in his career as well. Oscar seems set in his mind to stay and maybe Ramires, Pizarro, and Luiz will assist in that. Heck, the way they are all playing it wouldn't surprise me to see Neymar wanting to join the Club. With the excitement and style of play the squad is beginning to show what creative prodigy wouldn't want to be here? And we still have the potential of Feruz, and this young Charlie kid as well?

Not sure why Pizarro would help....He never got much of a chance here and left us ages ago.

Piazon might have a word though !

To me Mata seems to be making bigger and bigger cases for it. Scoring in all the big games really lifts him to to the talismanic level already

Undoubtedly Mata. If he's fit, he will score 20+ goals this season. He's the one calling the shots right now and will be for the next 7-10 years. I know yesterday was painful to talk about, but as soon as Mata went off, I knew we would lose. Even with 9 men on the filed, he could still provide the much needed outlet to help our defence. As long as he's fit and we don't over play him ( like this Wednesday), he will take us to places this season.

He's so good, he's a genius, - they all are (Hazard, Mata, Oscar), but we've become accustomed to him more obviously as he's been here longer, but yep, at the moment it's Mata, him & Mikel led like heroes yesterday, made me incredibly happy when we showed the mark of Champions to not only come back to 2-2, but do it in absolutely dominate fashion, lead by those two & Hazard.

I thought Hazard should have came off instead of Oscar and then instead of Mata. But Robbie is the manager so he knows who would offer more in that situation.

Hazard was still causing United problems when they had 2 extra men...I don't think Oscar would have had the same impact, because he's not as much of a dribbler like Hazard.

Hazard never looks happy does he.

Mata,

and when JT is not on the pitch he should have the armband IMHO.

Hazard was still causing United problems when they had 2 extra men...I don't think Oscar would have had the same impact, because he's not as much of a dribbler like Hazard.

I thought Oscar was our stand out player. He is awesome going forward but not only that he is the best defender by far in that midfield. His ability to nick the ball high up and than kick off an attack is astonishing.

I thought Oscar was our stand out player. He is awesome going forward but not only that he is the best defender by far in that midfield. His ability to nick the ball high up and than kick off an attack is astonishing.

Oscar is definitely the best defender of the trio, and he is an excellent player...but Hazard was more of a threat to United with his pace and dribbling (in my opinion).

It's a moot point anyway, because as I said earlier in the thread...Mata is where it's at.