Any time he dont let in 5 I think he has had a fantastic game

A little harsh, but perhaps it was his time to leave the club.

I wish him well.

One thing is for sure, we seems to have the two best goalkeepers on the books and a very good understudy now. Finally that position is sorted in the short and long term.

What a great goal by Schurrle that was.

Really looking forward to playing Real tomorrow. Glad we have had some decent tests before the season starts.

It will certainly be a test that's for sure. I hope we get something out of the game to continue that winning mentality.

Shurrle did well for the goal, do you think he will be a first team player or on the bench until the 60th minute?

I hope we start with our fantastic trio, and with the games sewn up, bring on the likes of schurrle, moses and lukaku to have a go and get some more goals.

Our pre-season has been good for the new signings like Schurrle, and also excellent for Lukaku and de bruyne to get that chelsea experience. I despair when i see rival teams losing matches against poor opposition. What good can that possibly do for the team?

At least we dont have to bother with the community shield nonsense this year for a change, it usually crocks at least 1 first team player before the season even starts.

As things stand at the moment, De Bruyne should be a shoe-in for the starting line-up when the season kicks off, in my opinion. Been really impressed with him. Let's see how the Madrid/Roma games go though. We really are spoilt for options now in those attacking midfield positions.

Yes, de Bruyne has made a very good start and could possibly be promoted to a starting place. It is a good thing to have absolute quality replacements on the bench and competition for places.

How we missed them when we played 70 games last season, running mata et al into the ground in the process.

It is interesting to hear the views of Ray Wilkins in the press today, stating Rooney would be best to stay at united. He is burning his bridges with the club and the fans (certainly with me).

Yes, what a heinous crime. Down with Wilkins!

He is allowed his views

I can see why purely from a career point of view staying at Utd would be better for him. He is a senior player for one of the biggest teams (and most stable) clubs around, A team that has been there or there abouts for the title in all the time he has been there, On course to break club records, Family settled into the area, His international career is going well.

All told, Yep I think its perfectly understandable why someone whould say Rooney best option is to stay at Utd, If I was gave him advice on his career I would say staying at Utd would be the best option, Does not mean I dont want him to sign for Chelsea, Just that I dont allow my judgement to be affected by the team i follow

some rumours are "going down" got him the sack in the first place

Ray Willkins' bias towards Chelsea will no doubt return once the season starts and he's regularly asked his views on tv.

Nice!

Well he was mates with JT and we all know his morals when it comes to women

Speaking of Terry, do you reckon that he'll play much, this season?

I'd argue that Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cole is your strongest backline. With Cahill to chuck in as well.

Depends on how much Jose trusts Luiz, I still dont think CB is the best place for him. Rather see him just in front of the back 4 as his range of passing plus his speed etc I think is better suited, I think he still going to play a good few games, We need his experence if to mount a title run (a must for me this season at the expense of everything else).

JT for me is still one of the most important players at Chelsea, Maybe this season it be his leadership that will be more important then his playing ability (in the past its been both we needed) but I can still see him playing a important part for us

After our recent history, it is pleasing to see that the usual chelsea circus is surprisingly absent from the team and the UK media in the closed season.

The appointment of Jose was terrifically understated, and it seems to be being reflected in the pre-season games. Quietly going around the world winning with exciting new players in the squad (without paying a fortune). Just what I wanted to see.

However, what I did not expect was for the circus to be transferred to almost all (bar city- usually a circus themselves) of our direct domestic rivals.

Headline after headline is absolute madness regarding transfers of our rivals' star players, forums full of fans arguing amongst themselves. Debates over weather to boo the player on the pitch etc It cannot be doing morale any good.

Could not agree more.

Watched Gigi interviewing Ryan Bertrand in Washington yesterday, he said it's a fantastic atmosphere with the whole squad, everything is working really well, its a great spirit. They all call Van Ginkel 'Justin' and Gigi told Ryan to call Azpi 'Dave' - Ryan found this most amusing and said he will make sure the whole squad do from now on.

Real Madrid tonight @ 2am. Shame it's on so late, might have to catch a re-run of it rather than watch it live.

Same here, can't stay up that late.

Really looking forward to it!

Lets hope it is a good game and we at least get a draw out of it, with no injuries.

Me too! Should be a good test.

Was the Super Cup in '98 the last time we played them, or have we met in a pre-season game since? I can't recall any meetings since that '98 game.

Isn't that strange? Seeing all the times we keep drawing Barca!

More nonsense from the UK media, suggesting barca have bid £35m for Luiz.

Not a penny below 50 should be the reply, but i would prefer "not for sale at any price". He seems like a future captain of the club.

Its strange isn't it, he is such a livewire and can be a loose cannon but he just screams 'Captain' of Chelsea, doesn't he.

My new home shirt has just arrived, trying to contain my excitement, just love an Adidas shirt!

I agree i wouldn't sell him unless it was for £50m+, i dont see any reason why we should sell him. He had a great season last year and wil lonly get better IMO. Still think he has the potential to become a top top defender if he keeps going as he is. Jose will get the best out of him and restrict his stupid mistakes.

Real tonight, should be another good game and test for our team. I wont be watching due to work in the morning though.

I don't think we'd ever sell to Barcelona unless we got a stupidly high offer from them tbh.