I thought Livepool's early form was mainly Coutinho, who I always rated + Sturridge, who I didn't. Without Coutinho, Liverpool look ordinary, and Sturridge looks like the talented but annoyingly selfish player I thought he was.
I don't think it's a shame at all, I think it's great - Well done Jose - Sell him to us - he'd make our bench anyway
It looks like I got it wrong on Sturridige, I admit. But he is one of the handful of players whose selfishness is particularly extreme. If Barkley against Chelsea was a perfect ten, Sturridge today was a solid eight. Arsenal or Tottenham may take first if they win, depending on what the other does. Interesting.
It's utterly unbelievable. I don't understand it at all, Mourinho hasn't look like he's had any real plan since arriving. The way he wants to play doesn't match with the players he's bought and kept. It's almost like he's been more concerned with getting up to his usual tricks in the media and took the football side for granted. I expect them to win comfortably today though.
I say it's shame, because despite playing for Chelsea, I love watching Mata play. He is one of those type of players who makes the game look so simple and you would pay to watch.
Mourinho even basically blamed Mata for their loss against Basel. They've clearly had some sort of falling out or he doesn't rate him at all, for some reason. If they don't get a result today, then I expect this to become something that the press focus on. I think they'll beat Fulham though, unfortunately. It'd be interesting to see what would happen if someone openly expressed an interest in signing him. Might make things even less comfortable at the Bridge.
I did post on the chavs forum a few weeks back wondering if matas falling out with Jose had anything to do with what happened at Madrid as im sure Mata made some comments about the casilas situation. I was assured they hadn't fallen out and it was all rumours........
Mourinho knows you need big strong physical sides in the PL, he's got too many shortarse lightweights, why he wanted Willian needs answering, I'd love to know the rationale. Relying on Frank for a consistant season is risky too imo.
If we wasn't close to signing Willian, would Chelsea have still made a bid? im not so sure .Anyhow they done as a favour. When you think Willian,Fernandinho, bony and alitdore cost a combined 78 million, four overrated fairly average players, you can see why players like Bale cost so much and how much of a bargain Eriksen currently looks.