***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

[~LiverpoolRed~]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Looks as if Lukaku is heading to WBA on loan for the season.

[Bezzey]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Looks as if Lukaku is heading to WBA on loan for the season.

Yep, that deal has been completed

[RoyceDa59]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Great to see this thread has taken off with some fellow Chelsea FC fans!

Not long now until the FA Community Shield

A battle of the fat wallets, who shall win?

[fugazi]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Looks as if Lukaku is heading to WBA on loan for the season.

I am surprised when i heard...i figured he would be able to provide a lot with his size...and potentially bring some of the same physical quality as Drogba.

Marin should impress, and I think will be hard to keep off the pitch IF his diminutive frame doesn't present problems.

I am not Chelsea fan, but I'm interested to see how Hazard and Marin fare as two small quick dudes in the Prem.

Tbh, I expected to see Hazard and Marin flying down the wings, pretty much unnerving most defenses, and throwing crosses into the box regularly, all the while presenting their own very legit scoring abilites.

Lampard could feast on the cut-backs, but I wonder if he might prove too slow for the pace that will be played up front. But, again, he really wreaks havoc as a trailer.

When the new signings begin to work together well, this team could really play some more direct-ish Barca type ball in attack. I am not sure how they feel about pressure, however, which is something they would have to do at a very high level, too. Hazard doesn't strike me as a presser. It will also ask a lot of their back four, especially in the middle, assuming Cole will (as usual) be well upfield. Counter attacks could be trouble for them.

All that aside, it's hard to imagine a Prem side better set-up for the next few years than Chelsea.

I think there was a moment not so long ago where it was uncertain as to whom among Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal would slip out of the top four on a near-regular basis. Chelsea must surely be out of the question now...and I fear Liverpool is done for. Whether City can maintain their model will have a lot to say, too.

[RoyceDa59]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

I am surprised when i heard...i figured he would be able to provide a lot with his size...and potentially bring some of the same physical quality as Drogba.

Marin should impress, and I think will be hard to keep off the pitch IF his diminutive frame doesn't present problems.

I am not Chelsea fan, but I'm interested to see how Hazard and Marin fare as two small quick dudes in the Prem.

Tbh, I expected to see Hazard and Marin flying down the wings, pretty much unnerving most defenses, and throwing crosses into the box regularly, all the while presenting their own very legit scoring abilites.

Lampard could feast on the cut-backs, but I wonder if he might prove too slow for the pace that will be played up front. But, again, he really wreaks havoc as a trailer.

When the new signings begin to work together well, this team could really play some more direct-ish Barca type ball in attack. I am not sure how they feel about pressure, however, which is something they would have to do at a very high level, too. Hazard doesn't strike me as a presser. It will also ask a lot of their back four, especially in the middle, assuming Cole will (as usual) be well upfield. Counter attacks could be trouble for them.

All that aside, it's hard to imagine a Prem side better set-up for the next few years than Chelsea.

I think there was a moment not so long ago where it was uncertain as to whom among Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal would slip out of the top four on a near-regular basis. Chelsea must surely be out of the question now...and I fear Liverpool is done for. Whether City can maintain their model will have a lot to say, too.

I agree Hazard should be interesting to see as he tore stuff up last year in the Ligue 1 scoring goals and assist he was amazing but it is a different game in the EPL and I am wondering how he will adjust. Marko Marin is a surprise and I feel wasn't needed but he is very skillful and however he didn't have a good season at all last year for Werder Bremen.

And I guess we will see Torres holding down the CF position as I do think you guys are looking to buy another striker meaning that Sturridge we see sometime in the striker position.

[KG]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

I am surprised when i heard...i figured he would be able to provide a lot with his size...and potentially bring some of the same physical quality as Drogba.

Marin should impress, and I think will be hard to keep off the pitch IF his diminutive frame doesn't present problems.

I am not Chelsea fan, but I'm interested to see how Hazard and Marin fare as two small quick dudes in the Prem.

Tbh, I expected to see Hazard and Marin flying down the wings, pretty much unnerving most defenses, and throwing crosses into the box regularly, all the while presenting their own very legit scoring abilites.

Lampard could feast on the cut-backs, but I wonder if he might prove too slow for the pace that will be played up front. But, again, he really wreaks havoc as a trailer.

When the new signings begin to work together well, this team could really play some more direct-ish Barca type ball in attack. I am not sure how they feel about pressure, however, which is something they would have to do at a very high level, too. Hazard doesn't strike me as a presser. It will also ask a lot of their back four, especially in the middle, assuming Cole will (as usual) be well upfield. Counter attacks could be trouble for them.

All that aside, it's hard to imagine a Prem side better set-up for the next few years than Chelsea.

I think there was a moment not so long ago where it was uncertain as to whom among Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal would slip out of the top four on a near-regular basis. Chelsea must surely be out of the question now...and I fear Liverpool is done for. Whether City can maintain their model will have a lot to say, too.

Hazard will play more centrally but will still have the freedom to drift out to the wings. He's MUCH stronger than Mata on the ball. He might be short but he's pretty stocky and has more burst which allows him to beat defenders with trickery and pace.

I agree Hazard should be interesting to see as he tore stuff up last year in the Ligue 1 scoring goals and assist he was amazing but it is a different game in the EPL and I am wondering how he will adjust. Marko Marin is a surprise and I feel wasn't needed but he is very skillful and however he didn't have a good season at all last year for Werder Bremen.

And I guess we will see Torres holding down the CF position as I do think you guys are looking to buy another striker meaning that Sturridge we see sometime in the striker position.

We needed more pace down the flanks beside Ramires. Marin has been one of our better players in the preseason, terrorizing defenders with his pace and cutting it inside. We're still going hard after Victor Moses which would most likely seal Malouda's exit.

[Bezzey]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/L5MLZCz-O-s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

One more day boys

[cardinals57]

One more day boys

Will the game be broadcasted on one of the ESPN channels? Or is it on fox soccer?

[Bezzey]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Will the game be broadcasted on one of the ESPN channels? Or is it on fox soccer?

Fox Soccer

[cardinals57]

Fox Soccer

Darn, I was afraid of that. I guess I'll just find some way to follow what happens online.

[RoyceDa59]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/L5MLZCz-O-s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

One more day boys

Cool video but I am glad Drogba is no longer at Chelsea seriously I have respect for the man but I don't like him. He wrecks havoc on Arsenal, Liverpool, and Bayern then just ups and leave to China bye...

[Ozil]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

This will be a very interesting season because for once, we've really invested in transitioning this team from Mourinho's team to Roman's team. I'm not really sure how we're going to do to be honest. A lot will depend on our defending and how quickly the new additions will adapt to the league.

I've been an Eden Hazard fan since I signed him in FM 09. He's definitely got the skill set to be great, but I think he will need time to adjust. Marko Marin will be a solid signing because he also cuts in and was dangerous going forward. Oscar I don't know too much about, but from all accounts, will only add to the team's creativity.

The key for me this season is Torres. Finally, he has the creativity in midfield that should be able to supply him with the necessary space and balls he needs to be effective. If he struggles again, he's going to be truly a bust. Mata was a solid start, but now he is truly out of excuses. If he plays like he did in his early Liverpool years, we will be a force.

Either way, I'm excited. It looks like we're finally transitioning out of the Mourinho era and into a new brand of football. I predict a top 4 finish, but we have building blocks for the future.

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Honest thoughts guys, how long do you think RDM will last if he doesn't get out to a fantastic start?

It'd be great to see him get a real shot, but it seems he's also in a position where he'll need time with the squad.

Any thoughts at all? I'd assume the CL victory buys him more time than someone like AVB.

[Ozil]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Honest thoughts guys, how long do you think RDM will last if he doesn't get out to a fantastic start?

It'd be great to see him get a real shot, but it seems he's also in a position where he'll need time with the squad.

Any thoughts at all? I'd assume the CL victory buys him more time than someone like AVB.

I think he'll get a year unless we really stink. My thought is that Roman really wants Pep Guardiola and will wait out the year for him. I like RDM too, but unfortunately for him, Roman wants wins and to be done in a sexy style....

[Altimus]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

So.... yesterday.... don't think it was that bad. The kick in the teeth was without question the straight red from goal. It was a huge drop.

Torres looked solid other wise. Disappointed in Hazard's play; did have some nice flashes though. Happy to seem them fight back to 3-2. Lampard and Terry were sluggish and disappointing.

Game could have been 4-2 or 5-2 which is the issue. Our Brazilian defender once again just lost his mind at the end. I thought he got extremely lucky it wasn't a PK against Tevez.