Yes, I more or less agree with all of that. I can't see Courtois coming back to Chelsea as understudy to Cech, so we have a difficult decision to make. If he's happy to stay another season with Athletico, perhaps we could use him as leverage In a deal for Costa ?
I'm not so sure about finding a replacement for Lampard. Frank has already reinvented himself as a player, playing a more defensive role, so in a sense we have already moved on. But it shows how valuable he was as a player that we now need two players to do his old job, and we still haven't found anyone to match his ability of turning up around the edge of the box and getting those vital goals.

Happy Birthday Didier - look forward to seeing you soon!

Had a great day Saturday, not much to cheer about first half though. Have to say, Hazard, Azpi and Willian were stand out for me, I was first row West Stand Lower so second half had the pleasure of Hazard's runs very close by, the man is just a joy to watch.

Eto's goal celebration made me chuckle.

Another season being the only London winners of the CL

Someone said there was even a bouncy in the West Lower, Cannot remember last time that happened

Cole, Luiz, and Torres missing today.


Just seen Kompany's picked up a straight red card. I do hope it was violent conduct and leads to a 3 game ban

Only got one match ban according to commentators

Ah, well. It's still another game for Demichelis and Lescott

Awful officiating.

We should be three up.

A repeat of last week would be nice.

We're playing decent enough football, but it all appears a bit low-key to me. After the Man City result we need to win this one, I'd like to see more urgency. But we've played a lot of our games like that, I expect us to up the pace in the 2nd half.

Oh dear

That about sums up today's performance ^ Missed the red, but have hardly noticed Willian is missing.

edit: Bollocks!

It was always going to be like this when the Lino gave two insides and clean through as offsides, then disallowed a perfectly good goal?

Day to forget

Mc now back to favourites

And Ramieres? Does he get the same hopeful wishes for his 2nd yellow and sending off for the stamp?

Day to forget big time, Rameries could be in trouble could be looking at more than a one match ban for two yellows.

As soon as I saw the name Foy I was concerned.
Willian sending off was ridiculous. He's our ref nemesis.
However it has to be said that we didn't play well and a pretty poor performance.

Didn't he get a straight red ?

He had a straight red not 2 yellows

Had to laugh at Delph and Lambert both claiming that Villa deserved their win. What game were they watching?

Terrible performance from Foy. Ramires sending off was pretty nasty though.

Some interesting stats about Chris Foy, how accurate it is I don't know...

http://www.refereedecisions.co.uk/re...reat-on-goals/

My mistake I thought he got booked just before he was sent of.

Didn't he have a yellow then get a straight red?

yes he had a yellow earlier and a straight red for the challenge he got sent off for