Money and Schurrle swap for Reus would make sense if we were to cash in. 

He's completely f**ked by the looks of him. Either trying too hard or still suffering from whatever illness he had but he's not even close to being the player he looked like he could be at times last season.

 

It's a shame because the guy at his best is a proper match-winner, but he's not looked close to that for a while despite getting some important goals for us this season. I said at the start of the season that he'd be a key player for us if we were going to win the league because of his ability to get us goals and I'm still of that opinion, unless Remy can maybe be used in that role too.

 

Sadly I'm not convinced that someone like Willian is built for the big occasions. 

Was Schurrle injured v Spurs? Hazard had the beating of Danny Rose on the right, it would have been interesting to see how Schurrle performed in his favoured position on the left against a high defensive line.

Edited January 5, 201511 yr by the special one

Actually found the shed upper when the ball was laid back to him unmarked on the penalty spot last night lol.

I rate him and believe he can become a very important player if given the chance, but like I've said before I don't think Jose favours him and sadly I reckon he'll leave.

The Times:

"Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has told Andre Schurrle to increase his physical strength and bulk if he is to become a first-team regular."

Doubt that's all he needs to do to to get a starting place...

Pinched from The Times.

José Mourinho demands more German bite from André Schürrle

José Mourinho has told André Schürrle to increase his physical strength and bulk up if he is to become a regular with Chelsea. The Germany winger has been given a bespoke training programme and is doing additional weights sessions to gain muscle mass.

Schürrle has had a disappointing season to date, his frustration exacerbated by his struggles at club level after an outstanding World Cup last summer in which he played in six of Germany’s seven matches and scored three goals to help them to lift the trophy. In contrast, the 24-year-old has started only five Barclays Premier League matches for Chelsea this season and has suffered the indignity of being substituted at half-time in each of the past two matches he has started, the 1-1 draw away to Southampton and the FA Cup third-round win against Watford on Sunday. Before the Southampton game on December 28, his previous Premier League start had been Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Arsenal at the start of October.

Mourinho remains an admirer of Schürrle and wants him to use him more regularly, but is concerned that the player loses the ball too easily and lacks the strength to win it back, which has led to his early substitution in matches that Chelsea were not dominating.

Mourinho has already succeeded in turning Eden Hazard and Willian into far more combative players, and views Schürrle as his next project.

Schürrle is believed to have responded positively to Mourinho’s instructions, despite his obvious frustration. His lack of game time this season has led to interest from Liverpool, Schalke and Atletico Madrid, but there is no chance of him being permitted to leave Chelsea this month, nor does he desire a move.

Jose showing some tough love to Andre. 

 

Mourinho is a fantastic man manager and it may be that he thinks in order to turn around Schurrle's indifferent season he needs to be his harshest critic. 

 

That said, I'm fairly sure that whilst Schurrle was out of the team last season, around the Christmas period, it was because he was instructed to bulk up to better cope with the physical demands of the league.

 

Now it could be that during his virus/injury Schurrle has lost weight but it would be strange if he's being told to bulk up again.  

Jose showing some tough love to Andre. 

 

Mourinho is a fantastic man manager and it may be that he thinks in order to turn around Schurrle's indifferent season he needs to be his harshest critic. 

 

That said, I'm fairly sure that whilst Schurrle was out of the team last season, around the Christmas period, it was because he was instructed to bulk up to better cope with the physical demands of the league.

 

Now it could be that during his virus/injury Schurrle has lost weight but it would be strange if he's being told to bulk up again.  

 

That's pretty much my sentiments. He was told last year to bulk up and then started to get more games, but he really has looked quite gaunt at points this season. I think that virus might buy him a bit of latitude but he really needs to start performing or we're going to suffer.

Its probably his last shot at Chelsea and it can only be a good thing. Shurrle is so flaky and far too lightweight! He needs to gain a bit of strength and size quickly because most players need it these days to survive in the premier league, many just get bullied otherwise.

Putting size on Shurrle up will take a little bit of time and I think its likely he will be out of the team for a while.

He should have came to my house for xmas, I "bulked up" without even trying.

Didn't we all... But those mince pies and quality street weren't going to eat themselves.

I've still a Terry's chocolate orange to eat yet.

Didn't we all... But those mince pies and quality street weren't going to eat themselves.

I've still a Terry's chocolate orange to eat yet.

 Dibs

We finished our selection box on Monday, just got some choccy biscuits left now. I`m willing to allow Schurle access to the most fattening ones if needs be.

Edited January 7, 201511 yr by dkw

I am down to a big cadbury bar and a huge box of M&S Swiss collection chocs - they are so nice!

I still have faith in Schürrle. He's had a largely poor season thus far but he is one of our very best finishers and can make excellent, incisive runs off the wing into space when playing against a high defensive line. Clearly the illness has had a huge impact and hopefully he recovers from it sooner rather than later as he seems to be playing with next to no focus at the moment. Bulking up can only be a good thing for him too though I can't say I've seen him knocked off the ball too much.

 

I think André's fighting for his Chelsea future for the next 5 months. If he doesn't perform, or at least show some flashes of the ability he showed last year, then his time might be up. Same for Salah who's on a much shorter leash IMO.

I personally dont think Jose will do it, but correct me if I'm wrong Thorgan Hazard's loan spell is up at the end of the season? Instead of looking to bring someone in, in january or even in the summer. I think we shouldnt over look him, he is young, but that shouldnt be held against him, if anything its only a plus. He is a sure bet to take on defenders, and with the prospect of having another mini hazard, it's a no brainer for me that we not only keep hold of him but begin to use him hopefully next season

I personally dont think Jose will do it, but correct me if I'm wrong Thorgan Hazard's loan spell is up at the end of the season? Instead of looking to bring someone in, in january or even in the summer. I think we shouldnt over look him, he is young, but that shouldnt be held against him, if anything its only a plus. He is a sure bet to take on defenders, and with the prospect of having another mini hazard, it's a no brainer for me that we not only keep hold of him but begin to use him hopefully next season

 

Rumours are that Thorgan is already being lined up to be sold in the summer.  

Rumours are that Thorgan is already being lined up to be sold in the summer.  

 

there goes that then! hope its something we dont have to regret, really think he could be something

Rumours are that Thorgan is already being lined up to be sold in the summer.  

 

Rumours that Borussia Moenchengladbach may even sign him in January. I really hope not, I'd like to see him loaned out to the PL next year and see how he does.

So, rumours are Wolfsburg have offered 30m euros....snap that hand of right now.

That's 30m Euros, what's that in sterling? Roughly £26m?

Only way I would say yes is if we have a replacement lined up, Rues would be ideal but apparently he is Spain bound.

Not sure who else is available and would be a suitable replacement/upgrade I'd really prefer we didn't end up with another Salah on our hands.

What did we pay, £15m? As far as I can see there's no point having both salah and schurle, so take the first good offer for either.

Unless we bring someone in it would leave the squad short.

Considering we are in the title race I don't think recalling Moses or Thogan Hazard would be enough. I don't know who is available but if there is a decent offer on the table for Schurrle then it's a good opportunity to look at strengthening the right wing.

Well Moses is having a good season. Neither he nor Thorgan can be worse than Schurrle as a backup AM.

If there are no Jan options then I'd like to see Cesc moved forward more, Oscar on the right occasionally, and perhaps a decent midfielder bought to partner Matic.