I don't disagree with any of that. I just never ever right off Utd, but I suppose that is because they had Fergie in charge. Moyes is an unknown quantity because he has never won anything, so be interesting to see how he copes with the pressure of managing Utd and the expectations that come with that.

I don't think there was single defence in the Premier league last season that was great. I remember in the first half of the season United couldn't keep a clean sheet. We still kept the second most clean sheets in the prem though so for me defense was not the reason why we didn't compete for the league last season.

Nobody is forgeting the Fergie factor, Yes it will have a impact on the club but not to the extent you trying to come up with

You said Utd are already 3rd favs to win the league as if that was a new thing? Its not they was last season what with City being City and Chelsea coming off the Champions league win. Even if SAF was still there with Jose coming back to Chelsea (and the Medias love of him) and City spending power they still would have been 3rd with most people. Yes it has changed at Utd but Moyes body would have to be taken over by Joe Kinner to have the effect you seem to have read and fell for (I hope you dont really belive what you are saying as it would show a lack of understanding of the game)

No I agree the abilty to defend seems to be a lost art in the league at the moment, But really some of our stuff was as bad as I have ever seen at Chelsea in nearly 30 years of going to games, While it did not always result in us letting in goals but it was the way we let teams in etc. There was not one reason we did not challenge nor was it due to lack of goals from the strikers, It was a whole list of stuff that hopefully (well we have no choice really) that will be fixed in time for the start of the season

That's true. Even though Moyes hasn't won anything, he'll definitely want to make a statement and try to get off to a good start. This has to be one of the most unpredictable seasons and that can only be a good thing (speaking as a football fan not a Chelsea fan! )

If Mata is surplus then I'm gonna go put a fiver on Rafa picking him up for Napoli.

I dont think he is surplus more that Jose feels that Rooney could being more to the team.

Unless a team could offer us a player that Jose thinks the same about (or mega money) then I can see him staying and being just as important to us as he was last season

I agree, SO looking forward to it!

And I have Hull tickets.......though was going to order my shirt next week with Mata 10 on the back...may have to wait a while................

Sam Wallace from the Independent has just tweeted that Chelsea confirm they have made a bid for Rooney BUT deny that the offer included Mata or Luiz.

The terms of the Rooney offer are confidential but for avoidance of doubt, did not include transfer or loan of any CFC players.

The Fergie factor hasn't gone, who do you think Moyes is going to go running to every time his team is performing poorly.

The Fergie factor will be fully gone when Ferguson has fully retired and left the building.

and breathe ...
Can't wait for silly season to be over, that one had me fuming.

The bid probably got lost in translation and we offered £10m for Rooney.

The problem we have in this country, is that the media is only too happy to print and state lies and untruths.

Ok, so football transfer gossip is not exactly life and death, but its just the tip of the iceberg. Whatever happened to newspapers and news channels reporting news?

Instead we have endless unfounded speculation. They should print nothing without a named source.

Last couple of months have drven me nuts.

Neymar
Hulk
Cavani
Falcao


Papers, twitter, radio shows all calling it breaking news and they are definitely signing etc....does my tree in!

In a nutshell, "Talksport have been told....."

Still, they got 2 hours of airtime out of it this morning.

A complete and utter disgrace.

Phew.

If and its a big if, they are not wanted then sell them both abroad.

Interesting viewpoint on Rooney on another Chelsea forum I frequent, thoughts?

I just can't warm to the concept of Rooney in a blue shirt. Despite his undeniable achievements he stands for everything that I don't want in my club... my reaction is instinctive, knee-jerk and almost primal and it's still screaming out "NO!".

He's only got a couple of years before he reaches Roman's idea of an over the hill player, he struggles with fitness and weight, he's not club-loyal, he throws toys out of the pram if he doesn't get his own way, he's going to cost far too much and that in itself is going to create unrest in the dressing room.... and as I said before, pay him more than our Captain, than his deputy, than our keeper or our up and coming young talent who are already established as successful, committed team players? No way!

I'm really trying to summon up enthusiasm for the man and the idea of him on Chelsea's payroll but it's not happening.

I kind of agree with that. I just don't know where he'd fit in. I'm hearing 16.5million cash only bid on the interweb, but could be more BS. If that was all, could be Jose doing some trolling

Probably ever. Certainly for a top half team.


LOL. Might as well make it Luiz and Mata and throw in Welbeck as well.



Rooney....great player when fit and on form, definitely the type of player we could use, but his fitness is already becoming a serious issue for him. When he comes back from injury he takes too long to get match sharp, then picks up another injury not long after. His weight is an issue and he doesn't seem to care. It's too risky as long as we still have Torres and, even if we sell him, still not worth it IMO.

Have to say David Moyes has done a terrible job of of handling this so far. Coming out and stating that a player who has a serious ego/attitude problem will only be back-up is just asking for trouble.

I'm hearing £27m on the trollwork interweb.

25 to 30 million is about right for a player who wants out, and is very limited in the clubs who he would go to.

Oh well, almost time to have a first look at Schurrle, De Bruyne, Wallace and Van Ginkel playing for us.

I am recording this match, really looking forward to seeing our new players and also how the youngsters integrate with the others.

The starting line up is full of new playing combos. Looking forward to this.

But they do so because people read and fall for such stuff