The College Dropout

Disagree. There's a lack of pace, power, aerial ability and strength within our side. Any team with this combination that aren't vastly superior in their style is going to struggle with that.

His long passing is great but not short, intricate stuff. Marv is much better at that. When facing a deep defence he doesn't the quick feet to engineer a yard of space to pass it through on goal. Counter attacking like against WBA or Swanswea and he's great because there's space for the holywood balls but at home against lesser sides.. nah. There's only one player who should play a role similar to AM in our squad and it's Sylvain.

Would keep Shola as 4th choice. Suck it.

Hhmm, I think he looks very average when he plays that position for us. Sits far too deep and does not dictate play at all. He looked much better for us when he was pushed further up and was roaming behind Ba, Cisse and Ben Arfa a couple of season's ago. I hate seeing him so deep for us as he brings absolutely nothing from that position. Agreed he was great there but I don't think such a slow, with a lack of skill or quick feet can sustain in that position unless we play counter-attacking football. I don't think he should be the furthest CM back but fairly deep yes. I like the balance of DM-Passer-B2B/AM midfield. The less running Cabaye is forced to do the better, so I think a fairly deep role should suit him with the ability to get forward a few times. Too deep and he does too much running.

Norwich could create a fair bit last season. Just utterly toothless. Us on the other hand barely create anything.

I do think Cabaye's future in football lies in a deeper midfield passing role and that#s where his best football will come. Speed/Lee more B2B.

A petulant Frenchman we are probably hoping to sell anyway.

He can be banned for violent conduct. Debuchy is from the Cabaye school of petulance.

He also had the most assists in the PL during that time. Daft point tbh. Interpret as you please. 2005/06 is part of that time to be fair which he did point out the following post. Not that it really matters to anyone other than TCD This is the comment I am referring to. He scored 10 goals and had 5 assists in his first season, they won the league at a canter. They'll win it again imo.

Giggs you know. But in his first season with 5 assists was that top? Of course not. Then Ronaldo is wrong. Again.

Giggs you know. But in his first season with 5 assists was that top?

He also had the most assists in the PL during that time. Daft point tbh. I'm Drogba's biggest fan. This is just a direct reply to Mole saying Chelsea lack fire power up front. Drogba can't have had the most assists either in those years. He had 5 and 11. Mata has had 16 and 17. He 100% had the most PL assists in one of his first two seasons. Total across the 2 years... maybe. He didn't top it the first season with 5.

Agreed. Should help in the old humility stakes too As much of a decent pro I thought Simpson was - his off field antics lead me to believe he was distracted in some way. The shit app, the WAG girlfriend et al.,

They're as close to a one-man team as I've seen TBH. Where would they have finished without him? I know there's no such thing really, but if there was one they'd be it. AVB denies it anyway. Would agree. AVB built the entire team around him.

Better Spurs examples are Caulker - who played full seasons for Yeovil, Bristol and Swansea. And to a lesser extent - Naughton. Caulker seems to be an excellent prospect though but they've handled it superbly.

Meanwhile, Danny Rose has been getting regular first team minutes the past few years on loan. Better player than Ferguson mind. He hasn't. But that may be down to injuries.

He's 22 and has had less than 40 competitive games. Wow.

Great move IMO.

He also had the most assists in the PL during that time. Daft point tbh. I'm Drogba's biggest fan. This is just a direct reply to Mole saying Chelsea lack fire power up front. Drogba can't have had the most assists either in those years. He had 5 and 11. Mata has had 16 and 17.

Owen had good fundamental football skills man. As do most decent L'pool graduates. But he excelled in the poacher category. That's the difference between Owen and Bent/Cisse. The latter sometimes look truly woeful with the rest of the game. Owen just didn't excel at that. Not to mention Owen was better at the poaching stuff too like.

Not good enough..... Mourinho isn't going to make up for no midfield, lack of width and no reliable goal scorer. Not good enough? They've won an FA Cup, CL and Europa League with weird management situations. Didier Drogba scored a total 22 league goals in TWO seasons when he first went to Chelsea, the years they won the league. 12, and 10 goals. Mata hit 12 last season. Honestly, the PL is bereft of great CM's. It's the biggest weakness. Carrick and Cleverley aren't much better, if at all, than any CM partnership Chelsea can put together. Width? They're not blessed with it but they have great pace, power and skill. Don't think it's much of a weakness for them. Having the only manager that has won the EPL (with a team that can win it) is a massive advantage. Think Pellegrini will take City further in the CL, challenge for the league definitely but win it? It's Chelsea or Man Utd. Spurs also look legit but the best they can hope for is 3rd.

The game has changed a fair bit since then. There's not many central midfielders of that ilk anymore, more specialisation.Although the "shuttler" is increasingly popular which Rob Lee would be playing today. Great energy, getting forward and back in the mould of Vidal/Marchisio/Ramires.

That Bigi lad sure seems very mature.....

Chelsea.

He's nee slower than Simpson like. He does seem weaker though and we are already a brittle team.