The Chelsea F.C. Thread IV

I agree with what you're saying. Luiz looks like a good cheap solution to the problem. I also think that he can play a box to box role too as he has the energy to go back and forth, won't shy from a tackle and has good ability on the ball. Although looking at the top teams we need more than that. Even if we get luiz with lampard going we need to get another DM as mikel isn't good enough(he does his job well but he's too slow in play) and I don't want to see ramires starting next season. I guess we can take a punt on romeu and use essien but that isn't good enough for my liking. It'll do for the league just about but against top opposition we'd come unstuck. A good example was the 2-0 bayern vs juve match where juve were given absolutely no space to manouver and you had players like schweinsteigger and martinez just pressing the midfielders so pirlo had no space to pass whatsoever.

Was also thinking that with luiz capable of playing most DM/CM and CB roles he could drop back into defence as a back 3/5 to prevent counter attacks and he can play with a BBM like essien and they could switch between the BBM role and the DLP role so it's harder to mark them.

Agree here. You have brought in some **** ups since he left.
I don't think benitez would have taken the squad any further anyway 09 was his final chance to establish the team as a PL giant and he messed it up.

I think mourinho will be bubbly, well better than he is now. He hates madrid and is just waiting to leave.

I don't think Mourinho will be as entertaining as his first stint at Chelsea. He's so much more sulky and moody these days. Understandably from the Madrid situation but I think the hard work and relentless pressure is getting to him.

I would be happy with Marin starting if it meant a fit Mata/Hazard/Oscar for Benfica, Malouda's still miles better than Benayoun. Says a lot about Arsenal's squad when he's considered a useful player there.

I would be happy with Marin starting if it meant a fit Mata/Hazard/Oscar for Benfica, Malouda's still miles better than Benayoun. Says a lot about Arsenal's squad when he's considered a useful player there.

Not like you lot paid good money for him or anything is it? Hes not the most exciting player in the world by any means but hes practical and trustworthy, as recognised by many top class managers over the years.

Suspect there is an anti-semetic element to the abuse he gets tbh. And even if there isnt its disgraceful to boo a player who always always gives 100% trying to do his job. Same old Chelsea...

That's what I'm worried about if he comes here. There will be immediate pressure on him to challenge for the league in his first season, which if not done could see him go just like the others.

Anyway I'm getting tired of short term managers delivering short term success. Right now we have some brilliant young players who are gelling into a great team, with a few more youngsters coming through the ranks and others on loan. Personally I'd want a manager who can perpetuate this to build a new sustainable model for Chelsea. If Mourinho comes in, i'm wary he'll overlook this objective and bring in some £20m+ players because of the expectations of him to deliver in his first season.

I agree that in a few areas it would probably help to spend some money on transfers, e.g. a new striker. But I'm happy to play Lukaku/Ba up top next season, with the vision of Lukaku being our main striker in the forseeable future. We may not be able to win the league next season, but we should be able to challenge for it. Maybe this is all just an optimistic view though...

I do think we've made a lot of steps back since Benitez left.

Well 2009 was obviously the team's peak during his tenure with a dip in 2010 but I think he could have turned it around in 2011 if given the chance. Def would've done better than Roy Hodgson!

Even since Rafa left in summer 2010, the squad hasn't changed that much even in 2013, especially in defence.

That's what I'm worried about if he comes here. There will be immediate pressure on him to challenge for the league in his first season, which if not done could see him go just like the others.

Anyway I'm getting tired of short term managers delivering short term success. Right now we have some brilliant young players who are gelling into a great team, with a few more youngsters coming through the ranks and others on loan. Personally I'd want a manager who can perpetuate this to build a new sustainable model for Chelsea. If Mourinho comes in, i'm wary he'll overlook this objective and bring in some £20m+ players because of the expectations of him to deliver in his first season.

I agree that in a few areas it would probably help to spend some money on transfers, e.g. a new striker. But I'm happy to play Lukaku/Ba up top next season, with the vision of Lukaku being our main striker in the forseeable future. We may not be able to win the league next season, but we should be able to challenge for it. Maybe this is all just an optimistic view though...

If the players really want to secure CL qualification then they should be up for it, im hearing Lamps will start tomorrow hopefully he can bag a brace and break the record

I'm going to miss his troll substitutions the most

Thing is, we didn't really need a goal. It was the right sub to make.

Yeah, but take it this way, the rest of the top 4 contenders have improved majorly, tottenham are on course to get a record points total in the prem, arsenal will probably get >70 points, chelsea will get >70 points if we get past villa, city have been poor but they're still more than good enough to qualify for the champions league. You see what I'm saying?

I think you may have been able to challenge arsenal for the CL spot in 2011 if rafa stayed and maybe use that as momentum to displace arsenal the next season but the top 4 contenders have improved so much since 05-09.

Goodbye top 4.