Well, it would have been a nice gesture to let Essien see out a last season with us, to give him a proper farewell. But I'm biased, he was/is one of my favourite players. Usually played with a big smile on his face, but when he closed down on a player, there was only ever one outcome.

Malouda also had a couple of great seasons for us, scoring better than a goal every three games. But there's always a time to part company, and business is business etc... I just think we could be a little more kind occasionally to former stars.

I know I've said it before but the Malouda treatment is just plain bizarre. You'd think at the least they would have loaned him out like Essien this season if he was considered surplus, even if it meant us still paying a percentage of his wages. Does seem like he's being punished for something. Maybe he slept with one of Abramovich's daughters?!

I think if anyone else but Jose and Real came in he would have stayed but you dont turn Real and if you worked with Jose you 100% dont turn him down.

Malouda well to me it says something about the wages he is on that someone did not come in for him and make a serious offer

Well, I'm sure Malouda's said he'll reveal all once he leaves, so only a few months to wait. I don't doubt it's the people who run the club being a bunch of ***** rather than the player.


I'm so bored waiting for us to play next...which is ridiculous when you consider how infuriating we are right now.

Same here. Bloody internationals - couldn't care less about them!

Capello being linked again today

Not keen on that at all.

I hope not. I would almost prefer to see Rafa stay on.

It s strange when you consider the amount of games and lack of options at times.

Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne scored Belgium's goals last night in their 2-0 win over Macedonia. With Courtois as keeper, and Lukaku on the bench, we were well represented.

Wait till we get Fellaini in summer!

Yes, we'll have to start learning Flemish.

Add the likes of kompany, Dembele, Benteke, etc and Belgium must have one of the strongest squads in world football.

I wonder what the odds on them getting to the semi finals at least of the next World Cup are? That might be worth a gamble or two.

I did notice that we pretty much were assembling the belgian national team.

It makes perfect sense for club and country though.

You can assemble that particular national team, whilst we do the same for the England team!

They are generally around 25/1 to win outright (33/1 with Corals)..I can't find any offers for reaching the semi-final.
But they are in a difficult group, they were still only even money to qualify, but last night's results may have changed that.

I do like the look of them I must admit, whist more well known nations.(Brazil, Italy, Spain, and Holland etc) continue to grab the headlines, Belgium I feel have somewhat gone under the radar.
They have some very talented players, and will only get better with age, and they could be reaching their peak together just as the World Cup comes around.

Many thanks for the odds, that is food for thought.

Makes you wonder what the hell de bruyne is doing on loan, makes no sense at all.

De Bruyne was probably not going to get regular first team football this season. Similar to Lukaku in that sense. So we loaned him out to Werder Bremen where's he been exceptional.

He's another one I'd keep next season though. He's been playing in central midfield at Bremen, and obviously with Frank seemingly leaving the club, he'd be a great player to put in there.

With regards to signings, we don't require many at all this summer. We should sign Fellaini and "a striker" but that should be all that is required.

Along with Lukaku and De Bruyne we also have out on loan players such as:

Josh McEachran at Middlesborough
Lucas Piazon at Malaga
Tomas Kalas and Gael Kakuta at Vitesse
Thorgan H at Zulte-Waregem
Ulises Davila at CE Sabadell

There are obviously plenty of others, but this is just a sample of the players we can expect back next season. The club has to decide if they're ready to become part of the squad. It would provide a lot more depth to the team.

We also have Wallace coming in the summer, but guessing he will be loaned out next season.

Whoever the manager is, it would be nice if Roman states that these players are part of the club and are to be used in the team. It's been apparent that we haven't had enough depth in the squad this season and a these players would definitely be an addition in that area for the team.

Same with me!

Zero interest in friendlies, and very little interest in qualifying games until it gets down to shit or bust games.

hi all long time veiwer first time poster

jose mourinho has dropped the biggest hint ever he will return to chelsea this summer

how do you guys feel about this? i dont know he fell out with roman has that been fixed now?

Hi, always good to see a new poster !

I read that as well. But what he actually said didn't match the headline, did it ? Mourinho just told reporters that he might go back to a club he had previously managed. I suppose you could take that as encouraging, he hasn't ruled the possibility out. But he went on to say..be prepared for surprises.

I would love to see him return. He is apparently on good terms with Abramovich these days, and who knows, perhaps they now understand each other better ? But if he does return Mourinho will want more control of team affairs than recent managers. I can't see him putting up with some of Abramovich's "key advisors" including technical director Michael Emenalo. But that would be a win/win situation as far as I'm concerned, I would like to see the back of some of the yes-men

Hope it's not dragged out. I'd like our new manager to be announced by June 1st at the latest...give us something to be excited about if it is Mourinho.

If it isn't...not sure I really care. Starting to lose patience with 6 month 'interim first team coaches'.

Seconded. The press speculation is already annoying so the sooner its over the better. I genuinely don't care who it is now as long as it's not Avram Grant after the hype. I'd be happy with Capello though I doubt it will be him since a lot of the older players are being moved on. I'm also sceptical about it being Mourinho for the same reason. You'd think if Mourinho were coming back he'd want some of his tried and trusted guys still at the club to smooth over his first season. Rafa has achieved his purpose in giving the next guy a completely free ride from the fans after RDM being sacked so hope the new guy, whoever he is, does well.

I agree. If its going to be Jose let it be announced just after he has won the CL with Real

Whoever the manager is, Mourinho or whoever,should be given the opportunity by Roman to do the job.

No getting rid after a few lacklustre performances. Appoint a guy and let them get on with it.