The Liquidator

Loves himself does ol Jose... Hope the Hotel will be comfortable. I dont see how he has improved the team other than Matic and he isnt the player he was and wont have Kante running behind him covering his slow ass. No excuses for Pogba, he has had his year to settle. The media will get him if he does not show worth. Lukaku better than Zlatan? ... I think Big nose is the better player in a crowded box, so all those games teams defend on the half way line will allow Lukaku to excel. I wonder how many games teams will set up with a high line? United must be better this season and will finish above 6th

I hear what you say Luke and yes I had noticed Willian's workrate had dropped, but I will cut him some slack after the death of his mother during last season. It hasnt been widely documented by the media how big a blow it was for Willian & how poorly he felt when he returned to England. It wasnt till the end of last season when we saw some return to form. I felt he worked very hard during the games I saw pre season and while he can be bloody frustrating losing the ball during attacks, he is a fine player, one we can not afford to lose. The news of United interest in him is old news. Willian said at the end of last season he had no interest of following Jose and I would suggest, as per normal, the media are looking for anything negative they can print about the club. It does not help when our manager looks like he needs 1000 volts put through his body when being interviewed. I understand he is like this every pre season with all clubs he has managed, but to be frank, I am getting pissed off with him. Stop crying the bitch and get on with it or we find someone else.

Interesting story making the rounds about the exit of Matic these past few days. There is no doubt watching the manager this morning on the Sky new season preview he isnt trying to smoke screen, but continues to mention the "Jose season" when Matic is asked about. For me that pours more strength on the story making the rounds, a story I am sure you are aware of. It will be interesting how Matic gets on without Kante doing his running behind.

Talk that PSG will be looking to offload a few players before the close of the window. Serge Aurier has been linked with us a number of times, but there are one or two others in their squad who would be a better fix for us. I guess it could be more than a few being moved out if its true what the Sun are leading with tonight. PSG agree personnel terms with Kylian Mbappe

Wasnt great yesterday. For long periods we bossed the game with ease without looking like we were going to score anytime soon. As much of a fan I am of Fabragas, playing as a two with Kante does not work against teams who are top 6 material. When Musonda came on the pitch it was amusing watching him making himself available for the ball in the same area as Fabregas. I am sure its been a long time since he hasnt been given the ball. There is no doubt in my mind there is a player in him. Seeing the guy signed to take over from Matic, yet again sitting on the bench has me scratching my head when we will see him on the pitch? Dave and Moses got caught again with the ball over the top which for my mind makes the new German penciled in to RCH. You dont have to be Brian Clough to see we are light. I heard Simon Johnson state on the radio that Conte, privately with the serious Chelsea jurno's, is talking as many as 5 new signings needed. Still over 20 days to go, but I would settle for 3 good ones now.

Well its taken a few days of head scratching at Spurs to try and think of a comeback to Conte praising Harry and it looks like they have got in touch with their Saatchi & Saatchi blood brothers to come up with a line which makes them out to be on the same path as Arsene Wenger. Spurs, the new nearly club who nobody believes

Hmmm.... Danny Drinkwater being linked... So say Sky Sources... I guess its that H/G thing

Hello Mate, No not worried as there is still a long time left in window. It's not like any of those wanted to leave, they have all been deemed not good enough by the manager, including your signing today. You must bare in mind when evaluating Matic this season, you are not getting 2015 player. He will get caught out on his one foot and find running around that big pitch of yours a real pain when quicker players run past him through the middle, but he is an upgrade on what you have and for me, its the first signing you have made this window which upgrades the team. Like the Chinese, You do like our reserves I have raised here and elsewhere over the past weeks since the season ended, the manager said on the pitch while celebrating our PL winning season we needed to get better players. I felt it was a huge statement at the time. A squad of players who had won 2 of the last 3 PL, who downed tools in the other are being told they are not good enough. Time will tell if Matic replacement is as big a upgrade as most seem to believe. We can hear from the manager that he truly believes he is. For me we have dodged a few bullets this window and with a calendar month to go we need to be patient and leave it to the club to do what they have proved in the past to make good moves. This money for a 28 year old is good business and will help with better younger signings. Outside of City spending a fortune on the leaves of their tree, a tree to be seen if it bends in the wind or snaps like last season, there has been NOTHING other clubs have done so far that paints a much stronger chasing pack.

So Matic is deemed as unworthy by our manager and is added to the very long list of professionals Conte has allowed to leave the club. The length of contract he has signed at Manchester United obviously takes into account the length of time Jose is expected to be in Manchester. I have not seen enough of Bakayoko to say how much of an upgrade he is over Matic, but peoples who's opinion I respect have all said we will notice the way he gets about the pitch compared to Matic and his ability on the ball with both feet. Matic was outstanding in the season Jose returned and won the league, but he was very much found out by opposition teams with his constant turning one way and losing pace since that season. I think it would be a fair statement that he was one of the weaker players in last seasons winning team, but I would like to thank him for his time at the club. We must move on to, what I would say is a complete giveaway by Jose in welcoming Matic.... talking of loyalty... Confirms what we all knew, Matic was one of very few at the club who stuck by Jose during, what is now being referred to as the "Jose Season" in defense of the title.

How many players can one premiership team take on loan from another premiership team? Huddersfield already have Kasey Palmer from us, so maybe that is the reason. -------------------------------- On Izzy.... Congrats Brighton.....he is a real thinker about the game and this is a good loan for him. Of the youngsters going out on loan from Chelsea, Brown would easily be in my top 5 of talent.

Well the youngsters are spread all over the place at the moment. Some on the first team tour, those who have been away with their England age groups will still be on holiday or off to their loan clubs and any who have not played in those International competitions could also be on loan. Whatever the make up of the team it sounds like a close game unlike the game against Fulham a week ago.

Congrats Danny ~ I am amazed we had enough players left at Cobham to forfil this fixture ~ Judging by the pictures I seen, a mixture of under 16's n 18's?

Damn, I have wasted 30+ years then. Well Hernan wore it as well and very much at home.

Jimmy Floyd and Kerry also wore the 9, anyone here want to call them slouches in front of goal?

Wow, a signing that actually improves Liverpool ~ Congrats

Sorry Spike, you couldnt be more wrong. He is one of the most hands on owners in the PL and in my humble opinion, the best.

I dont know mate. It's a pretty powerful statement to make if he is just trying to save face. To mention Costa's agent, and we all know who that is, stating everyone knew where we was in January, I think is the clearest indication its the truth. There would need to be something from Mendes, something substantial to entertain the words of Conte to be untrue. We must also remember what happened in January. Chinese bid, Costa dropped from first team followed by a huge drop in form where we played with 10 men for about 2 months. The rumour mill was all over the story and as it turns out, its very much in line with how Conte described it. I am told where Costa may have been mislead in his own mind was by the celebrations laughter n cuddles he got from Conte when his form turned around again April time. Costa took this as a clean slate. But if you remember, its around this time the Chinese tax was announced and suddenly Costa's move there vanished. Just like magic Costa returned to the outstanding performances of earlier in the season and as the media have constantly reported of late, he didnt want to leave Chelsea, even for Athletico. It really is time for him to go. He was a major factor in the team nosediving the year before and getting Jose out of the club. His child like attitude has found a manager who wont stand for it and just like Jose, wants him out after one season. A wonderful CF who on his day is as unplayable as any striker given that top praise. It's just his baggage has got to heavy to carry anymore. -------------------------------------------- Looks like just like Arsenal, Roman does not look at United as a threat anymore with the possible truth he is allowing Matic to move North.

Sky News Breaking News 22:03PM Chelsea set to begin negotiations to sign Alex Oxlade Chamberlain from Arsenal. --------------------------------- The Ox has told Arsene Wenger again this week he has no intention of signing the new contract offered to him. We shall see

Conte today "I don't like to talk about players who are not here,' said Conte, speaking for the first time since the infamous text message sent to Costa at the end of the season to inform him he would be allowed to leave. 'In January, the Costa situation was made very clear. For the club, for him and his agent and for me the situation is closed.' -------------------------------------- So the famous text was conformation that nothing had changed, & nothing new to Costa

Our Tammy Abraham scored on his debut for Swansea and earned praise from his new manager. I wonder how much damage he will do to our rivals this season?

Would be a VERY popular signing

Oh, by the way... The 9 shirt after Ossie..... Jimmy wore it well

Yeah, that's the big question mate. First up, two completely different types of CF. I very much doubt Morata will be as successful as Costa leading the line on his own. One would expect him to more often than not have a partner up front. Do we already have his partner at the club? You can be sure Hazard to have his hand up to be that partner. Morata, up too now hasnt been the most prolific CF, so he has that to prove over Costa. However, he is known for being a 100% trier in every game, so that is for sure one up on Costa who picks and chooses his games. Morata was one of two players originally asked for by Conte (He got neither) before he was announced as Chelsea manager and you can be sure Morata is Conte's choice a year on. Lukaku was NEVER Conte's choice, so he must be a happy boy now he has his new improved contract and his first choice CF. Price is very different to Real's opening asking price said to be closer to 90M. Depending which media outlet you read, the price is anything between 65-75. Now if we can just get Muller out of Munich as a partner.

Sky Sources yellow breaking news strip ~ Chelsea close to agreeing deal with Real Madrid to sign Alvaro Morata As close as signing the Yellow strip claiming we were close to signing Alex Sandro? We will see

With the news City are about to sign Danilo. We are either dodging some bullets this window or the media are just linking us with everybody, just to get one deal right. That's two I didnt want gone elsewhere for a room full of Budget!