Champions of Europe Thread [2012-2013]

[Mandieta6]

Not threatening, no, but it's solid. People don't seem to rate them, but they are excellent players, but they lack that worldclass quality in playing the ball out, other than that, they're excellent, and to be fair, there are onlya handful of players with that quality in the world.

 

[Mus]

I've actually watched every Chelsea game so far this season (barely watched any last season so bare with me), has Mikel been playing a lot better than he used to? To me he's been quite an improvement this season on what I remember/seen previously

 

[Arnau]

Mikel - Romeu

 

[Sir Calumn]

I tell you guys, Ramires will come to dominate that role.

---------Torres----------
Mata----Hazard----Oscar
---------Ramires--------
----------Mikel----------
Cole--Luiz----Terry---Iva

 

[Mandieta6]

I think we might see more of the 4-3-3. Both Romeu and Ramires would be better there and you courd argue Lamps too. I personally think he's good at the double-pivot, and don't think he should be playing such a high-energy role anymore, but there's also Oscar who could use the formation as a stepping stone before being pushed further back.

Mikel has improved, but I think he's been this good ever since Essien's injury pretty much. He stepped up and has been a very underrated member of the squad, including by the fans. Especially by the fans. I actually know two seperate Chelsea blogs who have written pieces about this.

This is a series by the best tactical Chelsea blogger on Mikel's ability.

This is a piece by Stephen Schmidt (who, with his partners at WAGNH are probably the best Chelsea bloggers right now) on the phenomenon.

Personally, a few years ago when Malouda finally came good, I remember saying that Kalou and Mikel were the next 2 who needed to come good. Kalou never quite made it, but Mikel did. Can he improve? Of course, but he's a brilliant player who doesn't get the recognition he deserves.

EDIT: Mikel-Romeu could work, I'd definitely like to see it, but I'm not sold.

And I'd switch Oscar and Ramires in that formation, Sir_Didier_Drogba. Ramires can play anywhere on the field and perform admirably, but I like him best as a winger.

 

[Mandieta6]

So, Terry, Sturridge, Cole all with knocks, fun stuff.

Eddie Newton, a Chelsea coach, has said that Oscar can play, to use his terms, as a 7 or as a 10, and that he can play as a 6 or an 8, but not currently. So the staff seem to see his future at the double-pivot but not at present. Our midfield depth worries me more.

And in fun news, Fellaini apparently wants to leave, and could be gone this season. I want this. There's talk of Lukaku on-loan plus cash for Fellaini which would be awesome. Dunno if we could do it in January, but I would hope that we have some sort of call-back clause for him, although using it this way is kinda rough on West Brom. I'd hope by the summertime, Lukaku would be regarded as an important part of the squad, but a good year at West Brom and another good year at Everton could be good.

Bring me the Fellainis!

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Loaning out Lukaku again next year sends a pretty clear message that he isn't wanted in the squad IMO. I don't get that at all because I would want that kid on my bench every game right now. What a beast.

 

[Sir Calumn]

Rumour circulating heavily that Romeu wants out and Valencia have been scouting him......... would be a shame to lose him I think, RDM could definitely afford to throw him some more games.

 

[Sir Calumn]

Do I stump up £100 to see the Juventus game?

 

[Mus]

Hard question, I don't think we'll come out and attack as much as we normally do, given it's our first CL game in a while, away and to the defending champions - But you never know Conte is pretty ballsy

 

[Sir Calumn]

Yeah I would like to see this Juventus team but the annoying thing is for £100 a couple of weeks ago I could have bought a membership and a ticket and then had the membership for the rest of the season so now it would grate me to spend that just on the ticket, I didnt bother getting a membership because most CL group matches havent been selling out before going on sale to non members in the last couple of years and I assumed this one wouldnt either, guess Juventus is still a big draw though...

I might just go to the Shakhtar game instead because they have some players I would like to see also.

 

[Juventino]

I'm looking to attend a match at Stamford Bridge this year with a friend. What's the best way to get tickets? We were looking at Chelsea - Man U at the end of October, but that's probably going to be difficult if you need a club card or something similar (if it's possible at all to to get tickets for a game like that as an 'outsider').

 

[Mandieta6]

I got Spurs - Chelsea a few years ago from a Spanish website, but they were massively overpriced.

 

[Sir Calumn]

I'm looking to attend a match at Stamford Bridge this year with a friend. What's the best way to get tickets? We were looking at Chelsea - Man U at the end of October, but that's probably going to be difficult if you need a club card or something similar (if it's possible at all to to get tickets for a game like that as an 'outsider').

It is practically impossible to get tickets for any EPL home match direct without a membership, and for that match you would need a) a membership b) to get on the phone or online the minute tickets go on sale to members c) a lot of luck. However it is possible to resell tickets so you can buy them from third party though not really allowed. Let me know when you know for sure and I will try to find some options for you but it wont be cheap.

EDIT: The other option is to buy a "matchday package" from a holiday company - for this you pay for a package containing a hotel for the night, match tickets, transport, maybe a meal etc - so it's quite pricey but if you are travelling from Aus you might be needing those things anyway in which case it might be sensible for you?

 

[Arnau]

If you have the money go to juve game

 

[ShiftyPowers]

EDIT: The other option is to buy a "matchday package" from a holiday company - for this you pay for a package containing a hotel for the night, match tickets, transport, maybe a meal etc - so it's quite pricey but if you are travelling from Aus you might be needing those things anyway in which case it might be sensible for you?

He's in Amsterdam, that's why his location says "Amsterdam".

 

[Sir Calumn]

I do have the money but I could spend it elsewhere...... I will lay a few bets this weekend and buy a ticket if I win and not if I lose.

 

[Sir Calumn]

He's in Amsterdam, that's why his location says "Amsterdam".

Ha I thought he was Mus

 

[Juventino]

Yeah, the travel costs won't be much and I have a friend living right in the centre of London, so the sleeping accomodation is covered too. That does make it possible to shell out more for third party tickets. I'll definitely ask again when I know for sure. Thanks!

Can't make it to the Juve match unfortunately, but it's more about visiting a Premier League match anyway. I'm in London regularly and regret not visiting a match every time.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

If it's just about visiting a match, I'm sure you could get tickets at Craven Cottage pretty easily.