I haven't recently, not since he's been in Germany. I hear he's one of the Bundesliga's best players this season?

I have to say I saw it

Seen him play in the double pivot for brazil a few times, and he did a fine job there. But as someone has mentioned, the Mazascar chemistry is amazing, I wouldn't change that atm, which sadly means Marin and Moses will have to be squad player.

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Yeah TP, been excellent and has forced his way into that talented Belgium side displacing Hazard. Can already play in a midfield 2 next to a defensive midfielder. Tempo-setter

the Mazascar chemistry is amazing
====================

how many times do i have to tell you people....its OSHAMA!

Me too Sideshow and at the moment it is too early for this team to have that, plus some of the personal are looking suspect.............Luiz, Brana to mention two

Cool, perhaps no need for Moutinho then

We should go for a CM who can play as a DM, but also is capable of attacking. Someone like Witsel, but he's gone

So Essien?

We need a striker (maybe two) and CB (maybe two). I think with or players on loan we may be safe in midfield especially with the age of our players already here.

So Essien
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Yup
What i'd give to have young/fit essien in this team

Don't necessarily think the defensive issues are as urgent as others personally, if the same level of exposure continues into this time next year then it'll become a serious concern - at the moment it's just a by-product of our commitment to get the other aspect of the game correct. The aspect we pumped 80mil into this summer to get right.

An additional striker would be a luxury. If perfection is available (i.e. Falcao) sign it up, but it's not an area that'll make or break the team atm. The tempo setter is EVERYTHING right now.

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Don Mata

Shame we didn't put up more of a fight for Yaya Toure. But then again, it was an either or choice with Rami. We got the latter and saved 7-8mil, i'm more than happy with that..... even a straight choice i'd give some serious consideration

Don't think Ramires has the discipline or positioning to play as a DM next to a tempo-setter like Oscar in a big game. Bit of a shame really

Yaya would have been perfect too, but agree I'd rather have Ramires considering age, price and wages

Don Mata you are right, he does not..

Don't think Ramires has the discipline or positioning to play as a DM next to a tempo-setter like Oscar in a big game. Bit of a shame really


He's done it before.

Don Mata/MO, don't necesarily agree with you about Ramires positional nous, but for the sake of argument in games where we didn't mind losing a player in the attacking third, to combat said problem with the tempo setters partner we could try playing 5 at the back and give Luiz a free role in the two defensive thirds?

I know it's abit of a Pep-esque radical idea, and would rely alot on the tempo setter's discipline, but it's gotta be worth a punt in a cup match?

Well we might as well give Luiz a free role because he will never perform a role that requires discipline anyhow

Ramires isn't that good at defending one on one TBH

Does he need to be? He only needs to slow the break down to allow our "defenders" ample time to get into position to stop the attack if necessary. Break up play is all.

He does need to be, we have a problem at the moment where players agst Ramires are able to find space and shoot at goal from the edge of the pen area, he has to work out a way to stop that happening.

Oscar - rapidly becoming my favourite Chelsea player of the moment!

TP that'd just never happen

Foam - Ramires needs to be good at defending considering two of our attacking midfielders aren't really providing much support. The less the defensive responsibility they have the better because they are our match winners. He's doing a decent job at the defending side anyway