Chelsea Banter Archive January 01 2014

01 Jan 2014 22:15:51
Juan mata, what a player but sadly I can see him being sold to raise funds for a top striker. I would like us to try and sign one of three (suarez, lewandowski or costa). If a striker could come in scoring 15-20 goals in all comps, that should put us in with a shout of winning trophys. I think mikel has come back into the team and is playing his best football since he joined. Ramires is a good player but his passing ability is terrible. Hazard/willian and oscar look to have the right balance of quality/speed and defending. DAVE looks to be an early contender for chelsea player of the year (very impresed)
Mata I think we can live without but possibly selling luiz I think would be a mistake. He could be the deep lying midfield player we are looking for. His aggresion and passing ability suit that position well. All in all we are right in with a shout without hitting top form and having a striker scoring on a regular basis. In jose we trust! Blueisthecolour!

01 Jan 2014 21:39:20
Did Mourinho just said that Mata might be sold?

No. Mourinho said he didn't want him to go however if any player was unhappy then the door is always open. To be fair, that's been the case all along.

01 Jan 2014 18:04:13
Ive supported Willian from the start and so glad that he is getting some good press. His tracking back and pressing is fantastic and now his attacking good play is bringing goals and assists he for me is a lock with Hazard for 2 of the 3 attacking positions.

I do feel sorry for Mata as he is a world class player but he isn't suited for this teams set up, he is a ball dominant player and the way we seem to be playing now doesn't really suit his game. he's a great player but can't help the team from the bench, we need to sell at the best price and reinvest in the squad.

I think were set in the AM positions with De Bruyne and Mata possibly leaving but Traore and Piazon to come in and make an impact straight away. Just hope our youth in the next few seasons get a chance, especially Boga and Loftus-Cheek.

Agree with pretty much all the original post. Willian gets better everytime I see him. Speed, skills and workrate. Needs to add more final product for sure but becoming a key player no doubt. Off topic but how good is Azpilcueta, the guy is simply awesome

Yeah the beginning of the season he wasnt getting any game time. Dave has been fantastic the past 10 games now, him and Terry are locks in defense at the moment.

01 Jan 2014 17:01:50
Great early subs by Jose to change the match completely (as I'm equally quick to criticize his negative subbing when it happens). I feel bad for Mata but the handwriting is clearly on the wall and he will not accept being a squad player. I think I'm starting to finally see Jose's vision for the team and a best 11 is emerging. Also the Rami/Mikel dm looked very good today but I think a Rami/Luiz could be better.

I agree Mikel and Ramires is our best CM partnership atm the only problem is neither can pass a ball that well. I hope Mourinho moves Luiz back to CM when he is back from his suspension as he gives us that ball playing ability and passing range.

How is the best eleven emerging? And to suggest mikel and ramires is the best midfield is a joke. Twice mikel didn't track back causing Southampton to have chances. Luiz was the best a few days ago now mikel is. The mata situation is all wrong, mata isn't playing his style ruining his chances on the pitch. When Oscar scores 20 in a season and 36 assists I'll stand corrected. Not gunna happen.

{Ed018's Note - it's about results and how the team plays together. They are playing better without Mata in the side and you can't argue that. Chelsea's three loses in the league were all matches Mata started. Interesting stat}

Ok Bluboy I did say emerging, I think (and I could be wrong) that 9 of 11 should be a lock in Jose' mind after some tough matches. Caesar over Brani at rb, Willian next to Hazard and Oscar leaving the dm next to Rami and striker as the uncertainties. Jose has demonstrated that he currently doesn't trust Luiz at cb so the other 9 look to be set.

01 Jan 2014 15:57:34
First half like that at liverpool then we struggle like that at so'ton just don't get it

Luiz wasn't playing, that's why

01 Jan 2014 14:49:04
Mourinho was praising Matic in Portuguese newspaper.

01 Jan 2014 13:20:02
I had impression that Chelsea has signed Messi the way Traore signing was presented.

31 Dec 2013 22:53:28
Ed002 do these £50 million pound losses mean the club may have to sell before they can buy?

{Ed002's Note - No.}

That's hypothetical loss.