Football The 2013 / 2014 Season Thread

[Aoami]

Not sure about Draxler to Arsenal. World class potential but if Arsenal are going to spend £30m+ on another player surely another AM isn't the number 1 requirement, especially with Podolski and the Ox back now.

Assuming a trio behind 1 striker, that would be Wilshire, Ramsey, Ozil, Podols, Cazorla, Ox, Walcott, Gnabry, Rosicky and Draxler for 3 spots. I'd be looking at a proven PL goal scorer because I'm not convinced about Giroud still, or a deeper midfielder in the Fernandinho mould.

 

[Aoami]

Even bumping that £37m figure that's being bandied around up by £15m or so and putting in a £50m+ bid for Suarez and testing Liverpools resolve

 

[Everz]

Draxler is one of those player that you know is going to be good.

Rumour has it he only has eyes for Arsenal as well...

 

[caLLous]

There's talk of Wenger doing an Henry and converting Draxler into an outright striker but no, it wouldn't be an instant fix.

 

[Everz]

There's talk of Wenger doing an Henry and convering Draxler into an outright striker but no, it wouldn't be an instant fix.

The matches I've seen of Schalke this season, I think he could do the job. Didn't Draxler do that interview not to long ago indicated that Arsenal was his club of choice when (and it certainly is when) he leaves Schalke?

Germans are the new French for Wenger .

 

[ileks]

Even bumping that £37m figure that's being bandied around up by £15m or so and putting in a £50m+ bid for Suarez and testing Liverpools resolve

Totally agree. It seems a bizarre signing, especially for January. From what I've seen he looks decent, but I would have thought somewhere in the 15-25 million region.

Given how much other players have gone for, I'd say Saurez is easily with £65m atm. He's better than Torres, Cavani, Falcao and Ibra IMO. That's probably well out of Arsenal's price range.

 

[Billargh]

Imagine Arsenal paid it though and he done a Torres?

 

[Aoami]

Rumours of United offering Rooney 300k a week. He is a very, very good player, but not worth that sort of money. Class attacking midfielders are 10 a penny at the moment and they can get someone almost as good for a 3rd of that.

 

[soze]

Arsenal offered £50m for Suarez and got told to fuck off didn't we? But yeah Draxler is going to be a Henry in Wengers vision. I am not sure he is the right guy for this very moment but Suarez has a £100m release clause for a Premiership team now or something mental.

 

[Raven]

It's because he is English I guess. But yeah, tonnes of equally talented players for much less.

 

[Raven]

Arsenal offered £50m for Suarez and got told to fuck off didn't we? But yeah Draxler is going to be a Henry in Wengers vision. I am not sure he is the right guy for this very moment but Suarez has a £100m release clause for a Premiership team now or something mental.

And probably worth it if this seasons form is anything to go by.

 

[soze]

And probably worth it if this seasons form is anything to go by.

If Bale is worth £80m then yeah Suarez is probably worth £100m but that is City / Chelsea money.

 

[caLLous]

Well to be fair £42m (or whatever Ozil cost) wasn't considered "Arsenal money" before it happened...

 

[soze]

Very true but doubling our record again in the same season is not likely imo.

 

[Embattle]

Rumours of United offering Rooney 300k a week. He is a very, very good player, but not worth that sort of money. Class attacking midfielders are 10 a penny at the moment and they can get someone almost as good for a 3rd of that.

I said to a Man U fan at work that Rooney is good but when he seemed to be getting shopped about the idea of Chelsea offering the kind of money he seemed to want was personally not going to be worth it.

Very true but doubling our record again in the same season is not likely imo.

Or decade

 

[Moriath]

Come on Watford. 0-2 up

 

[Embattle]

Sounds like it is starting to turn.

 

[Vladamir]

Dammit Watford you had one job!

 

[Litmus]

Not i bad months betting on 7 team accumulator's.. won £180 2 weekends ago and another £140 today. good little bonus

 

[caLLous]

 

[Everz]

"Hi everyone,

As you can imagine this is a very important day in my life, and with these lines I would like to express the memories and emotions that come to me as I write.

This letter is written from my heart, and first of all I would like to say that I will never forget all the affection given to me by the Chelsea fans. From the very first day until the last.

With your support and affection I have grown up as a player and I have had an amazing time both on and off the pitch. I will always feel the gratitude towards you. Always. No words are enough to give back all the things I have received. There has been plenty of good moments: the FA Cup, my first trophy as a Blue; the immense happiness of winning titles for the first time in the club’s history, such as that magical Champions League night in Munich and the Europa League… On the other hand, I have experienced some complicated situations from a personal point of view, mainly during the last six months. Every message I got through the social media, every nice word you have said to me on the street, and of course, your support in the stadium, has made me feel incredibly proud of the Chelsea fans; you deserve a team like the one you’ve got, with so many fantastic players.

I won’t forget the faith you put in me when I was given the player of the year award the last two seasons. I feel really proud and I will never forget those nights.

Thank you so much for the way you have treated me, you have been unbelievable. I hope you understand that after going through a complicated and, for me, new situation in the last few months, I believe this is the best choice in order to carry on with my football career and to keep enjoying this sport.

Before last summer, my intention was to stay here for a long time; as long as the club wanted me to, and to keep winning trophies for Chelsea FC. This is how happy I was in the club and in the city. However, as you all know, things changed after the preseason. From feeling like an important player, I started to experience some difficult situations and I felt unable to help the team to the extent that I wanted and was used to. Obviously, I fully respect the circumstances.

Football is a team sport and it’s not easy to play regularly in such a good squad. In sports you may win or lose, but the most important thing is to give everything. I hope you know and feel that I have always done so. In every game, in every training session, without exception. I have always tried my best for the club.



I would like to emphasise the affection, admiration and respect that I’ve had for my former team mates since the first day. I want to thank the captains for their help and understanding at all times. They made me feel comfortable when I arrived and they have supported me throughout the difficult times this season. I thank all my former team mates for these two and a half years and I wish them the best, personally and professionally, for the future. Of course I have been closer to some of them, but the most important thing is that my years in Chelsea have left me with great friends. Friends forever, football rivalries aside.

I also want to highlight the day-to-day job of every member of the Chelsea staff: medical team, kit men, staff at Cobham and Stamford Bridge, media and marketing department, Chelsea TV team… All of them are very important in making this club a great one. Thank you for your treatment and your efforts to make the life of the players easier.

Furthermore, thanks to every manager I have had the pleasure to work with during my time here. They have all been a big help for my progression as a player. I have always respected their decisions, whatever they were; they made me more mature and a stronger person. You learn from everything, and certain situations make you think about other team mates who are coping with similar situations more regularly. Thank you Andre for giving me the opportunity to join Chelsea FC. Without your support, none of this would have happened. To Robbie and Rafa, for their unlimited trust in me. And to Jose, for making me a stronger player, because in difficult moments, I have learnt to remain positive and to keep working hard.

Lastly, I want to thank the Club, and in particular its owner, Roman Abramovich, for trusting me and making an important investment when signing me. Also for their understanding regarding my situation over the last months. I’m very glad to have been part of the squad that made his and our dream come true: winning the Champions League on that unforgettable night in Munich. Additionally, my years in Chelsea have been profitable for the club, which I’m very pleased about.

I want to make clear that the stage that now comes to an end has been extremely important for me, personally and professionally. Although many of you, like myself, never thought this moment would come, this is football and a new chapter is about to begin.

I would have liked to say good bye to all of you in the stadium, or in a press conference, but it has not been possible. I’m sure I will be able to do it in the future, because that is what you deserve.

Evidently, today is a day of mixed feelings, remembering the past and looking forward to the future and what it has to bring. I look forward to being happy and to enjoy what I like the most: play football.

I will never forget my time in Chelsea and the affection I take with me, I will keep forever.

I wish you the best. A big hug to all of you.

THANK YOU so much,

Juan"

Someone get the Chelsea boys a few tissues.

 

[megadave]

Losing Essien and Mata at the same time is no fun. Our atmosphere today should be interesting.

 

[Raven]

Interesting makes a change from dull as dishwater

 

[Embattle]

Losing Essien and Mata at the same time is no fun. Our atmosphere today should be interesting.

It isn't going to change much.

 

[Vladamir]

Sad to see him in a United shirt but model professional in his attitude, many could learn a lesson from him.

 

[Embattle]

Yes it is sad but as well as him being a bit unsuitable for what Jose wanted you can't have £37.1 million worth of player sitting on the bench, he is a great player and has served CFC very well and thus deserves the respect to be able to go elsewhere even if it is the opposition.

 

[Vladamir]

That's it - it's nice to see everything done in very amicable circumstances, how many high profile transfers go like that?

Journos on sky sports also saying the transfer fee is equal to that permitted by clubs to register as a loss in the first year of FFP - looks like a decision made on a number of different fronts.

Excited to see how Matic does over 90 minutes this afternoon

 

[eksdee]

Oscar :O

 

[megadave]

had a feeling oscar would take it,lovely freekick.

 

[Vladamir]

Badassery