Thought that'd be the case mate. Sounds about right.

That's true, I suppose if we had been talking about Valencia of a few years back the valuation would be a lot lower.

On youtube there is a clip of the England under 21's having a 2 touch game in training for the tournament, which consists mainly of the players taking a touch and then blasting the ball towards goal. None of the coaches seemed to be encouraging them to move into space to receive a pass and it was just like watching football played on a school playground. No wonder they were so poor.

no mate ,you are quite right



after watching top flight football for 50 ish years I really don't have a clue - well done

Reports Chelsea have agreed to pay Porto 15m euros for Villas-Boas.

Would be depressing if Chelsea ruined another top manager's reputation. If AVB has sense, he'll stay away, particularly if Chelsea bring in Hiddink over him.

I can understand why you have special affection for Ancellotti, seeing as he threw away the 3 goal lead to let you take the Champions League, but which other top manager's reputation have we ruined?

Liverpool are far more guilty of ruining Hodgson's reputation than we are with any of our managers.

Well, if you've been watching 50 years you must know it all





If you think Fellaini is rubbish, you haven't watched that much top flight football.



Good to see you've ended his career before it's really taken off. Fellaini is class, he can play at the highest level and he wouldn't be out of his depth but seen as you've seen him play twice you must know all there is to know about him

of course he still needs to improve his game, every player does but right now Essien is 28, I think, in the next 5 years I do think we could be talking about Fellaini in the same way as Essien or Viera. I know he needs to show his ability in a better midfield or in a higher level but, not just because he plays for Everton, he is a class player.

Jack Warner resigns and all ethics committee procedures against him are halted and the presumption of innocence is maintained (So they say!!) news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13845203.stm

Jack Warner resigns and all ethics committee procedures against him are halted and the presumption of innocence is maintained (So they say!!) news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13845203.stm

Quote airliebird9="airliebird9"Jack Warner resigns and all ethics committee procedures against him are halted and the presumption of innocence is maintained (So they say!!) news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13845203.stm'" what a dodgy organisation they are. sounds a bit like they are having to be seen to do something, and have told him to 'fall on his sword' and they'll keep it all schtum

Quote airliebird9="airliebird9"Jack Warner resigns and all ethics committee procedures against him are halted and the presumption of innocence is maintained (So they say!!) news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13845203.stm'" what a dodgy organisation they are. sounds a bit like they are having to be seen to do something, and have told him to 'fall on his sword' and they'll keep it all schtum

exactly, if there was nothing to worry about, why not allow the investigation to proceed?

nothing gets answered and it just leads to more speculation and further demolition of FIFA's credibility

That disappeared over the horizon a long time ago.

What reputation?



Mourinho - sacked, left some questioning his ability to manage without completely outspending everybody.

Scolari - a world cup winner, yet is now regarded as a laughing stock.

Avram Grant - almost achieved unparallelled success in the few months he was there.

Ancelotti - one of Europe's best managers over the past decade, yet was sacked without any grace or gratitude towards his double winning season.

Let's be honest, the real problem at Chelsea over recent seasons has been the bloated dressing room. Too many players 'turn it on' when it suits them, often leaving managers looking a lot worse than they actually are. Is it any coincidence that Chelsea looked most motivated when Hiddink was there? He was Roman's best pal and they knew there was no getting away with it with Guus. They had their 'last hurrah' in Ancelotti's first year, but went back to their old ways in the second season.

IMO, AVB couldn't find a poorer suited club for himself at the moment. He's at the right club in Porto, he needs to guide them through the CL, experience the highest level of football and then look to make the step up. If he walks in that changing room now, half of the egos in there won't give him an ounce of respect. Chelsea should stick to Hiddink, but I personally liked the idea of Mark Hughes there. I'd love to see another top club fail with a media darling in charge.