I can agree on some of what you said, however, I think that it's just as vitally important for a side like Chelsea to get their strikers in order before anything else. One could argue that Arsenal have had no shortage of playmakers in their midfield over the last few years, the Cesc's, the Nasri's, etc, etc but it's led to little result because other then Van Persie, no one will consistently put those great passes in to the back of the net.

I think they are in danger of turning in to Man City of the last few years. Too many players and not finding the right mix to get optimum results. Sure, they could play Mata, Lampard, Torres, Drogba, Meireles, Malouda all at once but I don't think the balance would be right.

What Man City have done right this year is found a real formula for success: Strikers who can come back and get the ball (Which Tevez did do), midfield wizards in Silva and Nasri, defensive players who keep the middle clean in De Jong and potentially Hargreaves, width with Adam Johnson and Clichy when he bombs up the side and a strong defensive core. That's what has won Man Utd championships and what also makes Barcelona a damn perfect team (Having Messi, Xavi and David Villa certainly helps too).

I don't know if adding another creative midfielder to the mix in Chelsea is the best idea when they need to sort out their strikers first. Mata, Meireles, Lampard and company can all play great in the middle but if Torres remains off form, if Drogba begins to slow, if Lukaku isn't ready yet... they turn in to Arsenal, but with a much better defense.

Granted, I get why they made the move. Like you said, coverage and to rotate. However, if some other club had signed someone for 12 million pounds and he wasn't going to be any every week sort of player for them, I'd said they overpaid. Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, even Utd have drastically changed what it means to be a savvy buyer when it comes to price.

As for Tevez, I really don't think money is the issue. Man City have enough money to let him rot of they want. If he cleans up his act, shuts his mouth and plays, then Mancini will play him. However, if he keeps making statements about how he's "resigned to stay" or has a "love-hate" relationship with his own manager, his butt belongs on the bench.

I get why teams are stockpiling players, but it seems to me that at the end of each season, you have at LEAST 3 or 4 players who won't feature enough and were brought in only to be sold later. That's how I see Meireles. If someone gets injured, sure, he is a great signing, but it gets crazy when a team can literally field another starting 11 off the bench and this is coming from a NY Yankee fan.

Wow, I just compared Chelsea to both Man City AND Arsenal. The international break has to end soon.

Take care all.