Still, if it's any consolation, we're not Arsenal.
Out of the FA cup today. The next two games really could decide Wenger's future, lose to Bayern and Villa and that must be the end ? Even his most loyal supporters now appear to think...enough is enough.

I like Wenger and think hes a good manager, but perhaps hes been at the club too long. I would be surprised if he was sacked, but i could also see him managing Real Madrid next season.

They're probably arranging a date for the medical test as we speak.

I have to say, I'm really looking forward to Arsenal v Bayern next week. Bayern Munich are a great team to watch and their form in Bundesliga is crazy, undefeated away from home all season and have only suffered one loss against Leverkusen. I wouldn't be surprised to see them in the final again, in fact, my predicition would be: Bayern v Juventus for the CL final.

Club and manager need a fresh start IMO.

Yes indeed, they have been together for far too long now.

A fresh start in terms of management, and of playing would be best for all parties, (as teams have long since found a way of getting round how Arsenal play).

I am not sure if Real would still be interested in Wenger, or if Wenger would want to follow in Jose's footsteps, as I just get the feeling that there isn't the best of felings between the two of them.

Ideally, I think that he would love to have the chance to manage PSG, but I don't think that they will be changing managers in the summer, so I don't quite know where Wenger fits at the moment, if he was to leave, (as I cannot see him wanting to manage Chelsea), so whereever he does end up, it does need to be away from Arsenal.

Courtois says....

"A lot of things the press say are nonsense, they are guessing."
"They know Chelsea want Radamel Falcao but Chelsea have also told me, 'The last thing we want to do is sell you'. Maybe they are lying to me but I don't think so."
"The problem is I think that Chelsea didn't expect me to be at this level this soon, I've developed really quickly,"
"It's a very good situation for Chelsea. They have Cech, who is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and I think I am an up and coming young talent with the quality maybe also to play for Chelsea. They will continue with Cech for two more years, I think."
"It was strange joining Chelsea but when I signed I knew I would be loaned out to a team. They had like a five-year plan for me."


I know Cech is young in goalkeeping years, but I can't see him being first choice here for more than another 2 seasons. Mostly because of his injuries, but also because Courtois is so bloody good.

Thats a great quote from Courtois there

Goalkeepers have a self belief/arrogance that i think is brilliant!

Fact is, he has become a great keeper - so hands off to replace DDG!

No slip ups today, probably our best chance of a trophy this season. COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The last thing i want is another young keeper!

I criticise Chelsea for lots of things but their treatment of this guy has been absolutely brilliant. He is learning his trade and getting the mistakes out of his system with another club. He clearly, like DDG, has lots of natural ability, but there is so much about being a keeper that can only come with games played and experience. Chelsea are 100% right to ensure he gets that experience with another club. I fear we are doing it arse over tit with DDG and by the time he has fully developed properly he willbe off to one of the big two in Spain.

I will take that bet - he will never play for barca or real

It wasnt a bet but i dont see why you say that. His stock is very high in Spain.

Barca and Real will not come calling for Dave any time soon, as by the time that either do beed a new keeper (Barca this coning summer), Real in a couple of years, Dave will be well and truly setteled here, and would have no reason to sign for either of them.

I think that we have done very well with him, he is naturing into a very good keeper, and is looking well on his way to getting somewhere near his potential.

As for Chelsea and Courtois, if they can manage the crossover period between Cech and himself, (whenever that might be, be it next summer or the one after that), then they will be sorted, just like ourselves for the best part of a decade, in terms of the goalkeeping position.
It is just finding out when to say to Cech, "thanks for the memories, we will ket you go now", as I cannot see him staying to be a back-up option, which will be the hardest part of the transition period.

As has been pointed out earlier, cech was looking like the best in the world until someone knee'd him in the head and shattered his skull.

That game shaped the future of chelsea for the next 10 years. Terrible.

This has nothing to do with Chelsea but seriously, that make absolutely no sense whatsoever. Think about what you have just said.

He didnt realise that United are a selling club.

Every club is a selling club.

Good luck all the Chelsea guys on here - less than an hour away, and hopefully, and entertaining cup tie.

Brentford will be up for this, but I can't see any shocks and a 3-0/3-1 victory for me.

Cheers

Lets hope its a cracker, with a CFC win too.

Interesting things about Rafa and JT in the press today.

Yes, it all sounds perfect, if that's the way things work out.
But I'm puzzled as to why we were linked with young Jack Butland in the recent transfer window ? Does that indicate we might be making alternative plans in the event of Courtois moving elsewhere ?

He is good, and cheap and we desperately need a great #2 keeper.

Oh, I agree, he would have made a great understudy to Cech.
But he was never going to be satisfied while we had a keeper like Courtois out on loan. Seems strange to go for another keeper "for the future" ?

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Cole; Luiz, Lampard; Oscar, Mata, Moses; Ba
Subs: Turnbull, Azpilicueta, Ramires, Hazard, Torres, Bertrand, Benayoun.

Very strong side, I'm looking foward to it.

I would go for an old stalwart like Freidel