Eto'o has - apparently - called Mourinho a fool, so it's probably safe to say he's gone for good.

Not keen on Mandzukic but, tbf, I could say that about any striker where we're concerned. Liking the rumours about a new deal for Lukaku though.

Yes, I'm not crazy about Mandzukic either, but his scoring stats are very good. The Mirror (though you can't believe 90% of what they say) reports that Bayern are preparing to offer £15m plus Mandzukic for David Luiz.
As I said before, I'd prefer to see us go for a different type of striker as a contrast to Costa and Lukaku. A rapier rather than another cutlass.

Why not have both?

A team needs more than 1 top class striker, so why not have a plan A and B?

I would not like to see Luiz go for a penny less than £35m, and no swap deal.

In what universe is Luiz worth that much money??

On his day, marauding foward like he does so well, Luiz is a joy to watch. But he is prone to making silly errors. I suppose it depends if you are prepared to overlook the errors of judgement because of the good stuff that comes with it.
I had great hopes for him when he arrived, and would still be sorry to see him leave. Even when you are tearing your hair out at some defensive blunder he has made, you can still never doubt his enthusiasm and commitment.

Not a hugh amount of money nowadays really when you consider you getting someone who could have a world cup winners medal to their name.

Image rights alone for the vice captain of a winning team in that part of the world would
make it a respectable amount. His mistakes will always be highlighted more then the good work because we of the tag he has been given but he is a very very good footballer

Luiz is brilliant in the midfield in the big matches, but he's a terrible defender and he doesn't show up against smaller teams. His 'tag' is entirely justified and I can't imagine anyone paying anywhere near £35m for him regardless of what he does in the summer.

I suppose it comes down to supply and demand like everything else. Despite having a pretty good season, I thought we paid too much for Willian. Now Luke Shaw is being touted around at nearly £30m. Spurs paid around the same price for Erik Lamela, and we know all about Fellaini at £27m.
I think we should get £30/35m for Luiz if we decide to sell, whether he's actually worth it or not is a different matter.

Indeed, thats approaching Andy Carroll money.

So will Chamberlain and Vermaelen get the same stick JT got when he went and lifted the trophy in his kit ?

I doubt it somehow.

Today's rumour is John Stones for £12m.

Hope it's true, but....

Oh dear, looks like Costa has a hamstring problem.

Vermaelen was a named substitute so was entitled to be kitted out, but AOC wasn't, so he should have had his suit on, especially as he wasn't going to be getting a medal anyway.

I'm not a Chelsea fan, but I do understand your grievance. Also, didn't Richard Wright, the Man City 3rd choice goalkeeper who did not play one minute of PL action this season, have his kit on when the team were presented with the trophy last weekend?

Not only do I think its a actual rule that ANY player on the pitch or being presented with a medal has to be in full kit also I think the sponsors would want it. They paying big money to get their names on the shirt and would want as many opportunities to get their name out there.

Of course we should not let that get in the way of giving JT abuse

Back to our youth players again and why they aren't making the breakthrough.

The club had done everything it can with Youth development!
it's spent a lot of money on facilities and training etc.
From everything that i've seen and heard the lads are being coached well.
We've been producing successful teams for a number of years now and i keep hearing the latest batch are the best yet.You can't really ask for more than that from the club!
But the big question is, why do they all seem to hit the wall once they reach 17 or 18?
There will be a percentage who simply fail to 'train on' the same way that some top quality 2 year old Racehorses fail to deliver as adults.
There will another percentage who have the technical ability but not the right mental strength and attitude to make it at the top level.
However, there must have been at least a few over the years who had got everything it takes but for one reason or another they are not making that next step.
Something is missing somewhere and i'd love to know what it is.

It the same reason with any other youth team
The coaches are only good enough to get them to a certain level. You see youngsters from abroad get here and they way ahead of those of a similar age here
We just don't have a system in place that bridges the youth teams to the first team more so as since we are a team that hopes to win titles. It's not the coaches fault they need coaching just like players do

I think that's spot-on, so you've answered your own question really.
It's been the same way for as long as I can remember. Look at the "cream" who represent England at youth level, only a small percentage make it at senior level.
I don't know if it's any different abroad, perhaps we only hear of their success stories ?

The constant change of managers is also an issue. No one risks giving them a chance.

Good result from the Cup.F.............AW has signed a new deal.!

Its certainly a positive to come from a disappointing game.

I think we should be a little bit careful about saying something like that!
Last season, they had very bad luck with injuries to to very important players, while we were very lucky on that front!
Now that they've won a trophy that will ease the pressure and build their confidence. With a couple of good signings they could be right up with a serious title challenge.
With Utd sure to be better and proably back in the mix, there's going to be a real battle just for a top four place, nevermind the title!
I'd say City are the only certainties to finish in the top 4 next season.

We hear the same old stuff about Wenger and Arsenal every season and every season ends up the same way 4th place. Wenger has his mindset and refuses to change even after another unsuccesful season. They will mount a semi-serious title challenge and fade away and be fighting with one or two other teams to finish 4th. We know the type of players Wenger will buy and the amount he will pay.

Now Utd have got their man and if the rumours of how they willing to spend are correct they will be 100% fighting for the title and along with us and City, Its going to make for a bloody good fight and something to look forward to. Bring it on I say, If you going to win a title win it when you have a couple of teams pushing you all the way

Arsenal were one goal away from becoming a laughing stock in the cup final - they were playing hull!

I don't think they will be a force with wenger next season. Out of this years top four, arsenal are perhaps the most vulnerable.

Saying that, I think Liverpool are a one season wonder.

Van gall is the new united manager. I really think they will regret that appointment too. They are now on the manager merry go round. Fantastic.

So everyone except Chelsea will be shit next season? Are you capable of having a footballing opinion that isn't laced with bitterness?

He is a very very good manager. He will cause some fireworks and with the rumored transfer budget and the sort of player that the brand of Man Utd will attract they will be up fighting for the title along with ourselfs and City. Arsenal will be the "force" they are every season, There or there abouts for parts of the season but will fade when it really matters and unless Liverpool start spending City money I cannot see them repeating last seasons performance when having to contend with Champions League football as well