I know this is hypothetical but this is still my hope...

(1) Avram Grant... To be replaced by someone reputable like Deschamps, Lippi, Hiddink etc

(2) Sheva, Ballack ... Out

(3) David Villa, Deco ... In

I feel that there is real quality in the team. Kalou & SWP needs more playing time.

The recent signings are only good enough to be permanent backups ...Pizarro, Sidwell, Ben T'aim

Belletti is an exception. Thus far, he looked settled and confident. Unlike Bouhlahrouz, he is dependable.

Villa is only 25, a great age to come and adapt to life in the Premiership. Against us, he was very fast and always a threat, playing against the best centre back combination of Riccy/JT.

Deco will fit nicely in the puzzle. Unlike Ballack, Deco is a great playmaker and can also switch to the wings.

He will definitely enhance the quality of play and passes, drawing defenders away for Drogs to score.

I can agree with what you say except for the Deco the diver part.

Never want to see him in Blue.

Over rated IMO

What about the rest of the Bridge?

Get rid of Grant, keep Arnesen and put him in charge of transfers and general playing philosophy. Henk ten Cate as head coach. Zola to come in as a technical coach to make the fans happy and retain Steve Clarke. If we really have to keep Grant, save him just for a PR role, answering interviews and stuff with ten Cate making the tactical decisions.

Sign Kaka and get Arnesen to look for young prospects the way he has with the youth team.

How many other sucessfull clubs have 3-6 different management roles on their 1st team coaching staff?

There' only so many jobs you can 'create' surely.

you can't have someone in charge of "general playing philosophy" and someone else doing the tactics. no-one ever does, ever, because it's a stupid idea.

you could have arnesen work with a head coach, but it seems people don't understand these roles.

you can't have someone in charge of "general playing philosophy" and someone else doing the tactics. no-one ever does, ever, because it's a stupid idea.

you could have arnesen work with a head coach, but it seems people don't understand these roles.

No I understand the roles. And yes, the "general playing philosophy" was probably a pointless comment. What I meant to say is that we'd have Arnesen getting players in and Henk ten Cate working with them when they are here and managing all the formations, tactics, etc. Of course they would discuss perspective details between them so as to not keep signing defenders when we need strikers, but I think it would work reasonably well.

No we are turning into a joke.

This is all you need.

1 MANAGER - any philosophy about how we play is down to the manager and carried through-out the club, reserves, youth etc

1 FIRST TEAM COACH - of managers choice

1 FIRST TEAM ASSISTANT - choice of both above

1 FITNESS COACH - someone who's at least worked with the 1 of above 3

Further down the pecking order are masseurs extra fintess coaches / sprinting coaches etc......

The man in charge must be the manager - FULL STOP. No arguements, they must oversee the 'football' side throughout.

Unfortunately we have a club that doesn't want the football side controlled by 1 man ala Arsenal / Manu so we are making up jobs as we go along it seems.

In the space of 2 weeks we have become the laughing stock of football.

Opposition managers and fans must be falling about laughing at us!

If you left all the tasks to one main manager, your in trouble. Different teams split up the roles in different ways.

too many chefs spoil the broth

too many chiefs not enough Indians

1 man must take control of the football side of things. THATS WHY THEY'RE CALLED A MANAGER!

I remember when jose joined, he said he was attracted to the british concept of "manager". it's not the same all over the world.

but you're right bluenut- the style of play throughout every age level should be dictated by the manager. people seem to be getting confused over ten cate though- the club are bringing him in to replace baltemar brito, not to join a branched out management structure (not at first, in any case).

often you'll have a member of staff who does the buying - the head coach will say "I want a leftback who can attack, is this age, height etc", and someone like arnesen will say "how about XYZ?"... the arnesen character doesn't get involved in style of football or coaching.

it's quite simple. no general football philosophy etc. if you want a style of football you employ a manager or head coach known for that style.

however, as it stands that is not what is happening anyway.

What about the rest of the Bridge?

I'll want to see a new catering lady, the tea and sausage rolls are urg tasteless and tepid.

I want ...

1. Reintroduction of terracing.

2. Lower ticket prices (with concessionary rates for people who meet certain criteria to be drawn up by my ever so good self)

3. A limousine to pick me up and take me to and from Stamford Bridge, with luxury better than first-class transport (free of course) to and from away games.

4. A body transplant.

5. Liverpool FC expelled from Europe; their supporters to be shipped en masse to Antarctica: free one way tickets for all - see how generous I am.

6. And finally ... medication what medication?

5. Liverpool FC expelled from Europe; their supporters to be shipped en masse to Antarctica: free one way tickets for all - see how generous I am.

Surely we can find some use for a few of them here? Personal a*sewhiper?

But they shouldn't be allowed to reproduce of course. They can nail their cousins at Antarctica, but not here.

You'd trust a Scouser when confronted with your arse?

There's a reasn you don't drop the soap in prison [which is almost always full of them].

Okay, here's what I'd do. And yes, I'll take all the questions and attacks after.

1. Sell Essien. Reason: He's not "old" yet. We could get some good money for him. We don't need him. He does not fit a role of a playmaker/midfielder we need. He's more of a defender if you ask me, because he hardly ever creates any plays. Okay, I'm not saying he's a bad footballer at all, just saying he would not fit into my squad because I wouldn't need his skills, and the skills I would need - he doesn't have.

2. Have Mikel as a back-up for Essien for a year and then sell him. Reason: Pretty much same as Essien. He is young, so I would keep him for another year, and here's a reason why. When we get rid of Essien, I wouldn't play Mikel in the starting line-up, but I'd let him replace Makalele all the time. Give him some time to play. After a year, and after the world has seen him play for a team great as Chelsea FC, sell him for good money because he's still young.

3. Since I just got rid of two "midfielders" (yes I had to put the quotes), we'd need to sign at least one. In my opinion (and hopes) Diego from Werder Bremen would be ideal.

4. Get rid of Kalou. Reason: He doesn't fit into a team that wants more, as we do now.

5. Buy a young but experienced forward such as Tevez. Not saying I'd go after him, but somebody like him, who has proven he could play, but not be old like Shevchenko, Pizzaro, and Drogba.

That sums it up for me. Get rid of three, bring in two players. When you look at some of the players I'm getting rid of, and some I'd like to bring in, you might find it funny, but think about our two Premierships, and the teams we had to win them. Think about how we won them, and think about if we could do it with the players I want out, and without any help from the players I want in.

obviously, sign eidur from barca in january first of all...

I want terracing, cheaper tickets. Is the occasional swear word really going to offend anybody? if so fu*kem.

I would'nt mind being able to go through a few of the players wives, dont worry Ashley i'll go after you on Cheryl incase i spoil her.

Selling Essien? are you

Oh and call me old fashioned but how about an experienced qualified manager, or am i

sell essien, mate are you out of your mind !! the bloke is probaly the fittest footballer on the planet he doesnt stop running and once he gets fit again and can play reguarly next to lamps and whoever else in midfield we will see him back to his best which was great to watch

Shed for Chels supporters only - away fans in the East Stand upper

Shed for Chels supporters only - away fans in the East Stand upper

the bloke is probaly the fittest footballer on the planet he doesnt stop running

I agree with you, but I'm sorry, that just doesn't do it for me when a midfielder is in question.

Essien is probably the best allround player in the world, Kaka best offensive player.

Selling Essien would be downright stupid, and the team ho gets him should be lucky, but that wont happen off course.

Essien is probably the best allround player in the world

no, he isn't.

but I agree- selling essien probably not a good idea (and same for mikel!)

Essien is probably the best allround player in the world

no, he isn't.

Then who is?

I can't think of anyone who is great as attacking midfielder, great as defensiv midfielder, can play as a winger and can do really well anywhere in defence.