Record points total

[stevenage_kop]

then they will draw barca again and get knocked out again.........hehehe

[Rich]

I still can't see how a team containing:

Lampard - Ballack - Makelele - Essien

can win a game!

[Ryan]

I still can't see how a team containing:

Lampard - Ballack - Makelele - Essien

can win a game!

No Robben or Cole?

It's gonna be difficult to accomodate all of them, and maintain their enthusiasm. Personally, I feel over time he's gonna try and move Essien into Makelele's position.

[univofchicago]

then they will draw barca again and get knocked out again.........hehehe

Hopefully the Champions League will become a real energy sapping distraction...I'll let them reach the Semi-Finals, and then leave it to Barcelona to do the hard work again... hehehehe

[Rich]

Makelele is the best in the business at what he does - he's one of the reasons why Lampard performs for Chelsea and not for England. From what I've seen of Essien, I don't think he has the capacity to replicate Makelele's game.

I think Mourinho's first choice midfield has three certain starters in Makelele, Lampard and Ballack - I don't know who the fourth player will be, but if it is Essien, I can't see where the width comes from in the team. (Unless Ashley Cole signs!)

[univofchicago]

I think Mourinho's first choice midfield has three certain starters in Makelele, Lampard and Ballack - I don't know who the fourth player will be, but if it is Essien, I can't see where the width comes from in the team. (Unless Ashley Cole signs!)

I've discussed in this thread why Chelsea will start with three CM. I reckon the fourth player will be one of their wingers (Robben, Cole, Wright-Phillips) but Mourinho has shown the propensity to play all four centre-midfielders at once which is good news for us . Let's hope that Mourinho does not learn from his mistakes and continue to play all four CM at once...