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#173585 Group D - Costa Rica, England, Italy, Uruguay
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Excellent routine and strike.
#173583 Group D - Costa Rica, England, Italy, Uruguay
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Thought as much. Guessing it's probably his back.
#173581 Group D - Costa Rica, England, Italy, Uruguay
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#173329 Group B - Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia
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#173030 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
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To be fair, it's easy to forget he's still only 21. You don't see many strikers of that age, if any, leading the line for a top side. His two loan spells have definitely aided his development and were the right moves for him. He's still not good enough in an overall capacity to be the main go-to striker, however he would excel as part of a tandem partnership where the workload is shared. A season or so in such a role would help his overall chances of being that main forward. It's still too risky to thrust him into the position because if he doesn't produce the goals like has done at Everton and WBA, then the pressure and scrutiny will be tremendous.
Ideally, Diego Costa and Lukaku sharing duties with either Torres/Ba in support would be ideal. I'm still unconvinced by Diego Costa and think sharing duties will help ease him into EPL life.
In general though, I think it will be up to Lukaku on if he stays and fights or a spot in the eleven, or if he wishes to spend another season on loan. Was his choice to join Everton last season and not stay.
#173027 The England National Team
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#173023 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
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Guarantee you that Chelsea won't just sell Lukaku "pretty cheap", if he is indeed not wanted, which has yet to be confirmed by either party. The comments from the other day weren't entirely accurate either and these came from Lukaku a day or so later...
"I only know one thing and that is that, in my opinion, Chelsea are still the biggest club in England. And they have a very, very good manager! I have a contract with Chelsea after this summer and I am not focusing on any move to Atletico."
"Let me say that I am now the complete striker. I never thought I was a target man, a No.9 who could play with his back to the goal. I always wanted to run at defenders. That is still a great quality, but now I can do both. I love playing as a real striker in the box now.’’
"I have been playing all season for a team which has more than 60 percent of the time possession of the ball. Technically I have been improving as a player. I play for a manager who makes his team play really good football and I don’t have to chase the ball all the time. Getting the ball so often close to the goal becomes a natural thing.
"My concentration is better than ever on finishing, rather than on running with the ball. I am absolutely convinced that moving to Everton was the best step in my career. When you feel everything is working out, it makes you so relaxed and happy as a player in big matches.’’
My guess is that he'll stay at Chelsea and I wouldn't be surprised if he is signed to a new long term deal and is then possibly loaned out for one more season. However, I genuinely hope Lukaku is happy to battle it out with possibly Costa (if signed), along with Torres and Ba. He's definitely got a chance to notch 20 odd starts across all competitions, if not more.
#173000 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
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#171522 The England National Team
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I'm talking in terms of experience against high quality opposition, big game experience, top level, etc. Just because a player plays regular club football doesn't always result in having the level of quality experience needed, given the fact they don't face top level players on a consistent week-to-week basis.
Correct me if I'm wrong but either Jagielka or Baines have been reasonably tested beyond the EPL competition. Good players, but they both lack experience against the cream of the crop, which only Cahill and Johnson have. Even then, Johnson isn't overly defensively solid and is more comfortable getting forward himself, something that can expose a defence if the overall quality isn't there to cover.
When you look at England's defensive depth it does stand out as the weak point, given the options Hodgson has gone/been left with in terms of quality and high quality experience.
#171517 The England National Team
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Genuine question, do you find that surprising?
Even on paper England's defence looks frail and inexperienced.
#171323 BBC's World Cup Dream Team Selector
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#171267 The Night Thread Mk. IX
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#170973 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
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Sam pls.
I was going to insert the classic Wayne Bridge goal from 03/04 but it's disappointingly not on youtube, so you're spared.
Anyway, fingers are crossed on Cesc. Hopefully Dave and Nando get to work on enticing him over, with maybe Mata putting in a good word too.
#170586 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
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#170527 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
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#170248 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
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Quotes would have helped be more convincing. Though, it being more of an opinion piece and merely regurgitated information leads me to dismiss it. Given I also follow Juventus, I am informed enough to know Juventus' stance on Pogba and his situation. Pogba won't be sold unless he either requests to leave or a ridiculous offer comes forth. If he doesn't re-sign to a new contract, which Giuseppe Marotta has said should be happening quite soon, then obviously a sale could be had. But we'll know when that happens because the likes of Madrid, Barca and PSG will most likely be amongst those interested.
#170244 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
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I'm not resistant to it. I just don't think it would genuinely be as big of a factor as you believe it would be at the end of the day. He isn't the first player to have issues with Mourinho, nor will be the last. I simply don't see it, as you also mentioned, as being a complete deal breaker.
When you push that aspect of it to one side Chelsea as a destination does tick all the boxes. Naturally, Arsenal would most likely be Fabregas' preferred EPL destination, however they have his position well stocked and I cannot see Wenger spending £30m-£35m once again after spending big on Ozil last season. The here and now aspect of it puts Chelsea in front, if we are indeed genuinely interested. Which given his price, age, position, he ticks everything we're looking for and need. A deal for Cesc makes more sense than any other option we've been linked with. Plus, I think Barca will look to shift him asap so they can use that money themselves to get Koke. Only time shall ultimately tell.
#170203 Susie FC
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#170192 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
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The paragraph was meant to be separate from what I had said, just didn't break it up.
Also, if you're actually going to believe that link then I'd genuinely be worried. There isn't a single quote from Mourinho that states he wouldn't sign Cesc, while the first few lines of the article (if you can call it that) is enough to dismiss anything further written. Comparing Mata to Cesc is like comparing apples and oranges and have no connection other than both being Spanish.
Pogba won't be sold unless it's for something stupid (he's also happy in Turin). Hard seeing Koke signed either particularly when we're already seemingly going to sign Taigo, Filipe Luis and Diego Costa.
#170158 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
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Not really sure how Chelsea is an "odd destination", irrespective of Mourinho's antics in Spain. It's probably the best destination for him if he was to leave Barca. He'd be playing his favourited central role in midfield, he'd be a first team regular along side Matic, and fits the exact mould of player we require to replace Lampard with. If Chelsea can actually sign him for the £30m or so that's been mentioned around the traps then it would be a excellent bit of business. Still only 27 and would be counted under the "home grown" status too.
I don't see Man Utd coming in for him and Arsenal don't need him, while also unlikely to go and spend that much on a player with the other options they have anyway. In terms of an EPL side Chelsea seems his best fit- if he was to be keen on a return to England of course.
#169432 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
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On the flip side, I'd be disappointed if this Lampard talk is true. He's still got a role to play for us and offers plenty of big game experience. Talk is that Mourinho wants him to stay but RA is pushing for a younger side. Would be hella weird seeing him in anything other than the Chelsea blue.
#169262 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
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#168096 Susie FC
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#167907 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
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All our strikers are frustrating to be fair. Torres has his moments though, it's just that final touch or shot that he lacks that composure of the past. Again though, I don't see him being sold unless he takes a huge pay cut. I think we're stuck with him until his contract ends.
Common mistake people tend to make is comparing him to Matic. Matic covers more ground because he's more mobile and quicker, so he works better in that 2 man midfield. Mikel isn't as nimble across the turf and that's exposed when he isn't apart of a 3 man midfield, which he is far more suited to. When he sits in front of the back four he can move side to side and pick up any scraps that come through without needing to do that extra leg work. In terms of a holding player he's still our best option. Matic has more to his game and I think could be used in a more all-round role allowing him to get forward at times. A midfield 3 of Mikel, Matic and (creative midfielder) would offer us a excellent balance of power, resolve and creativity.
#167715 Susie FC
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#167710 Barclays Premier League 2013/14
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Chelsea's is only interesting because those players aren't contacted for next season, thus cannot be included in their squad lists at present.
None of those players have actually been released. Though, it's unlikely Eto'o and A.Cole will be returning.
#167709 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
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I don't mind having Torres, I still think he offers something at times. While he might not score an array of goals he does tend to work well off the ball and link play between Hazard, etc. Plus, it's tough to move on a striker who's on such a huge wage unless he either takes a massive pay cut or we do a Veron/Crespo and pay a portion of his wage after he goes.
I'm also in a camp that would prefer to keep Mikel. I actually think he's exceptionally under appreciated at times because he seemingly offers nothing special. However, he's by far our best holding player, composed on the ball, strong, reads the play well and plays his way out of trouble well. He was the player Mourinho would call upon most times when it was time to shut up shop. His main issue is that he isn't suited to a 2 man central midfield. If we had to sell a midfielder I'd be selling Ramires. He had a woeful season both in terms of form and discipline, particularly after the good season he had last year. He hasn't improved at all, his technically terrible, can't pass and is neither a holding player nor an attacking one who can create/score. His engine is about all that he has going for him. To me, he's the most easily replaced.
Vidal is a no brainer as a choice but he's not an option of any sort of realistic sense. I'd actually love to see us test Tottenham's resolve over Eriksen, he'd fit in perfectly along Matic in either a 2 or 3 man midfield. The other option (which I seriously think Mourinho will consider) is to ditch the 4231 and go with the 4-3-3 and push Oscar back into a central midfield position to play that Lampard-esque role.
#167705 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
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I'm not sure if we'll actually sign a centre back now given Terry re-signed for another year. Terry, Cahill, Ivanovic and then you have Kalas and Zouma too that can all fill the position. In saying that, if Mourinho does want another centre back I think he'll look to sign Varane from Real Madrid. Given how much he rated him during his time at the club.
As for a midfielder having MvG back is like a new signing, then there's still Lampard, Ramires, Mikel and Matic. We could still use a more creative type in the middle though if one is available for the right price.
Ba looks to also be staying, so I dare say a strike force of Diego Costa, Torres, Ba and possibly Lukaku could be had for next season. Mandzukic could be an option we've been linked with which may result in one of Torres or Lukaku being moved on, be it permanently or out on loan.
#167702 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
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#166812 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
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Wouldn't surprise me.
There's strong links of Liverpool and Real Madrid wanting him, along with a move to the MLS also.