I agree with the sentiment, but this is why I appreciate the Premier League rule prohibiting it outright, not leaving it up to the parent club's discretion. I think it protects the player. What if a Courtois howler allows Chelsea to advance over ATM? He may be subjected to unfair speculation and potential criticism at his club, football fans being what they are. If its up to CFC, its a lose-lose imo - we look bad if we refuse, but may put the player at risk by allowing it.
Although he got injured early on I truly think we played better without hazard on the field. I feel that we rely on him too often to be the play maker and just give him the ball. Once blondie came on we were more dynamic.
http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/voetbal/champions_league/140409_Zulte_Waregem_Chelsea_CL Thorgan Hazard was at SB for the PSG game, he had three Essevee team mates with him.
If it is up to us, I'd imagine the same… not that I agree. I would prefer he plays just so we don't have to hear shit from the entire planet about how we couldn't beat Atletico full strength.
Hmm... maybe! Maybe it was more a matter of covering the one or two matters he could in the appropriate time and leaving it to the general principles he'd already covered in training. But I DO think his attitude to the mental approach is significant and light years better than most other managers.
We will give control again. It will just piss him off more and will be difficult to retain him if we bar him from playing a CL semi-final.
Yeah, good shout... if we stop the guy appearing in a CL semi-final it could prove DISASTROUS for our relationship with him.
Wow, that game reminded me so much of the Napoli game a few years back and coming back from 2-goal deficit. Mates and I went got tickets for the game and no words to describe the emotion and euphoria during that 87th min. I done near got trampled and hugs all around and been celebrating all night and this morning. Went to work this morning hungover and half asleep. Gratz to all the Chelsea fans and looking forward to the next draw. Lower West Stand, Row 4. I WAS THERE!!!
I agree and if we didnt it would look churlish. Besides didnt we let him play against us in the SuperCup? It wont be down to Courtouis whether or not we get to the finals. Our deficiencies in midfield/strikers will count much MUCH more than that IMHO.
all of it if they want him to play he will if they do not he wont also interested to see what UEFA have to say but IIRC they have allowed other players to play against their parent clubs
But it raises an interesting point, doesn't it... if he DOES drop a clanger, there will be claims of something unrderhand happening. I mean, the tin-foil hat brigade are out in force anyway... they don't need any encouragement.
So much pessimism with this Courtois semi-final talk. It'll be the final where a call will have to be made by Chelsea on Courtois
Atletico has already said that the fee for Courtois playing is too much. So if you play them then he won't be playing. A source for you: https://twitter.com/OndaCero_es/status/454022680803811328 translation: "if we draw Chelsea, Courtois won't play"
If we DID face them in the final and he made a blunder for us to win, can you imagine the screaming and shouting there'll be? Still, I'm sure we can expect a warm welcome when we go up to get the cup...
What is the fee out of interest? It must be a whopper if it's even remotely close to the difference in prize money that's at stake. NB: Difference in winning a semi and losing is at least EUR1.6m. Difference between winning and losing the final is EUR4m.
Surely you're not suggesting that twitter might have information that's not correct, are you? NAH! I'm not having that... that can't be right
Haha. My Spanish is a little rusty so relying on our new friend to elaborate on the reference to a fee being the reason. If there is a clause where he is outright not allowed, that's one thing, but this latest implication is that any drive to not play him would be financially driven, which was news to me and interesting if true.
http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation....cant-afford-courtois-fee-if-they-draw-Chelsea fee is allegedly 6 mil
Thank you sir. And yes, that fee is a whopper!! Still it does mean that Chelsea haven't outright banned it and that Atletico will have elected to choose money over a greater chance of success. Blimey, not often one has one's questions answered on this site. I normally only come here for the abuse.