So, what money that the traditionally rather ruthless Benitez sells Torres come January....

Some have suggested that Torres played better football under the FSW so if Torres does turn it around why sell him?
Strange game eh
Arsenal not doing great in the PL qualify for next stage in CL
Citeh current PL champions and top of the PL crash out again in the group stage
Chelski current CL holders look like they wont qualify
Utd have qualified but not playing great football

Always the sign of a good team they say if they win and play below par. FSW ?

If Abramovich thinks reuniting him with Rafa is going to spark him back to life, well, good luck with that.
Torres is done, hes like Joe Cole, simply not the player he was 3 or 4 years ago. Confidence is shot, body is creaking. But he is very clearly the owners pet player, like Shevchenko was. Benitez had better drop him early on, while he's still relatively bulletproof in the job, and hope that plan B works.

Rafas biggest problem is that hes already a lame duck as the owner has made it clear they want Guardiola to come in in the summer. Why should the players buy into someone who is probably just passing through?

Mind you, I cant see Guardiola actually taking the poison chalice, everyone will want him and there are better, more stable places for him to go work than working for Abramovic... The City job might be open by then as Mancini seems incapable of making it come together in the Champions league, even SAF may decide to step asside if he thinks its the best chance for Man U to find the right man to replace him, some people in north london seem to be loosing patience with Wenger too, and thats just some of the better jobs in England.


What Rafa will do for chelsea is firm up their defence, introduce a bit more tactical discipline, they will likely be a better team for him being there if the players buy into it and the fans can be convinced.

Interesting times....

FSW = Fat Spnish Waiter a term given to him by some Utd fans when he was at Liverpool in his Facht rants.
I know some Liverpool fans still want him back there and look on him as a God.
Apparently outside of the game he is a decent bloke and still likes Liverpool.
I enjoyed his rants and some of his interviews. As a manager I dont really consider him to be bad or great just a manager but in these days that description doesnt cut it.
I was baffled that Pardew at the barcodes was given an 8 year deal.
Im giving it this season and one more for SAF before he steps down though you just never know.

He has done a lot of work for Hillsborough even after he was let go and still has a residence on Merseyside I believe. Good manager, not great.

Caldy, Huge house on Kings Drive. I dont blame him for not wanting to move.


I used to walk past it on the way to school, not that he lived there back then.

Used to be L48, now CH48

Is it near Caldy Grange Grammar School ?

Calday Grange, why yes it is.

Wow memories. They were one of our opponents when I played rugby for St. Edward's in Sandfield Park on the 'right' side of the river

Funnily enough I was reading that while the Russian has owned Chelsea that they have won more, one more, trophy than Man U. So perhaps not quite so crazy.

Regarding Chelsea fan hostility "At the end of season they will be really pleased, I am almost sure," said the 52-year-old Spaniard.


Presumably because by then he will be on his way?

I hope he gets them off to a winning start on Sunday

I'm hoping for 3 draws and a Newcastle win on Sunday..........

That's very decent of you. On current form though....