Great to see that this is a board that can now hold a debate, As has been oft quoted - the defense is still the best in the business but a part of it needs a rest every now and again - You should break the bank for Stones and not sure why you allowed Luis Felipe to return to Atletico only to buy (in my mind) inferior quality. Your full backs, especially Azipilicueta are rarely allowed to venture forward - irony that Ivanovic is more as he has Willian to protect him. Mikkel and Ramires - Well, the truly amazing stat is that Mikkel is in his testimonial year with you!! Both of these offer you nothing in either defense or attack (from midfield). These 2 have to be allowed to leave and 2 genuine back ups to Matic and Cesc have to be brought in. Willian - as you state CP offer nothing other than an amazing engine. Costa - Best center forward in the game - but you'll get max 27 games out of him - Falcao (Gone ala Torres) Remy (Not Top 4) Oscar, Hazard, Matic, Cesc - they're not on it at the moment - it just seems a continuation of last 3 months of last season. Selling De Bruyne and Mata doesn't look all that clever now does it? Do you think that Mourinho sees this season out or does he engineer a departure? Is Emelano the one calling the shots these days as Cuadrado, Salah and even this Rahman don't look up to it? One thing you will not have to worry about and that is either of Man Utd or Arsenal taking your crown - you played the Champions of 2016 yesterday.
The insanity is spreading around Stamford Bridge http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...loss-Manchester-City-one-deluded-ll-read.html
Agree on thse 2 points: -Falcao is Jose's Torres. A player who had a huge reputation but really past it. - Really amazed at how good City currently are. At no stage in the match despite what Jose said did we feel that City was not going to win this handsomely. The way the City frontline sliced though the Chelsea defence was just astonishing. Without any exageration, it was like a premiership side playing a championship one. If City play like this in the next couple of months, we can confidently say the title is sewn up unless there is some dramatic collapse. It is a real shame for Englsih football that City cannot reproduce that form in the CL. If they can then they must surely be semifinalists at least.
We have some real talent, but depth is the problem. We have none. I think that if we made two signings to the first squad, we'd be in good form. For example, a new central midfielder and centre back would allow us to drop Cahill and then perhaps Oscar or Willian. Already the depth of the squad looks far more convincing. As soon as you get the Ramires, Mikel and Cuadrado players off the bench the better.
Despite our start you are a brave man to write us off. Falcao hasn't even begun to warm up yet, and you are far too quick to jump to those kind of conclusions. We have a couple of big problems that are causing a domino effect, but they can be fixed with a couple of big buys. That is our blunder, and why there is so much off pitch agro. Something is not right, either Jose has really ****ed up thinking we don't need to strengthen, or more likely, the Club made that bad call, and Jose is really pissed off. Without doubt, we are on it. No one would disagree that we need reinforcements and quickly. But don't get too carried away with City just yet, they have too often flattered to decieve, and may well do so again until they get a decent manager. They are a team of Champions, we are a proven Champion Team. Big difference.
It'll be between us and City no doubt. City look fresh at the moment though and we can't allow them to big a lead.
If (and it is a big IF from recent seasons) City can carry on like this and not lose against lower teams away, then there can only be one certain winner. No one except City fans want a procession and for City to win the title in October and November. Chelsea will be the main challengers but for some reason they are in turmoil. Sacking the club doctor can only a symptom of some internal trouble. Terry being subbed indicated that you need that CB desperately, as desperate as United are. But I have the feeling that this season Chelsea Arsenal and United will be on an equal footing behind City. City: Solid defensively, playing with flair. United: Solid, but playing without flair. Can they bring that key striker? Arsenal: attacking play with flair but not solid defensively, Chelsea: in turmoil, lack solidity defensively (already conceded 5 goals), attack stuterring with Costa not yet fit and Hazard shouldering too much of the burden.
This is why it is hard to defend the title. City look very hungry and we all know they are only good every other season
Lol didn't see this thread. As bad as they are i believe they have scored the same number as the United forwards....
Let's be honest Chelsea haven't been playing well for along time now, they got off to a flyer last season, and built up a nice lead, but probably since about Febuary when PSG played you off the park at home with 10 men, your team has been severely lacking in attacking quality. You got over the line in the PL largely because City where in turmoil and ourselves and Arsenal where to far back after poor starts. Mourinho realised how much your team was struggling towards the end of the season and shut up shop, and you played very defensively, nicking games by the odd goal. So that should have seen you go into the transfer market this summer and buy some world class players, but instead you've bought a back up keeper, and a cart horse of a striker as a back up. I think you are really gonna be in trouble this season if you don't go and buy more players, as even your defence, which usually bails you out when your playing poorly is looking voulnerable with Terry getting older and older. I honestly think 4th will be the best you can hope for if you don't spend
The other thing not mentioned that just occured to me, is any injury to Hazard, Matic or Costa will see us in serious trouble. Time to bring in the cavalry.
A dreadful result but there were a couple of positives. Begovic proved several pundits wrong after they said it would be him who costs us the game. Complete opposite, he was our best player....I'd keep him in for the WBA game. It looks like Zouma could be involved pretty heavily this season which can only be a good thing. We looked more solid when he came on and the more he plays the better he will get. The fact we got absolutely destroyed should at least show the important people that we do need fresh legs and we can't just stand still with the same squad season after season. Aside from that it was a pretty miserable display though. Ivanovic needs to be dropped and I'd say the same for Cesc aswell. Hopefully we'll see a slightly different starting XI for the WBA game.
