Just whiling away the hours until the match tonight...

MARKO MARIN

Chelsea's newest signing had been talking to Germany's Kicker magazine and expressed support for still-interim manager Roberto Di Matteo. The Guardian has translated the key part as such:

I had good talks with Di Matteo and I hope he stays.

Marko also speaks of how he did "research" by talking with one-time Chelsea man Claudio Pizzaro (remember him? Me neither, really) and that he believes Chelsea is a good fit. But if any of all y'all speak Marin's adopted language, maybe you could help us by translating his full interview?

ALAN PARDEW

Newcastle's manager apparently had a thing for Jose Mourinho and was even allowed at past Chelsea training sessions?

I can't quite decide how I feel about this, but it's not helping that I do not find Alan Pardew very sympathetic at all. My guess is that Pardew was just looking a tad bit homeless as he was ambling around Surrey, and Jose took pity on him and invited him in for a cup of soup.

SALOMON KALOU

Is very happy:

...I'm very happy.

That makes DPeezy very happy.

Love is all around!