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- Romelu Lukaku (West Bromwich Albion): The 19-year old Belgian had another strong week for West Brom, despite a pair of disappointing results. He started and scored the only goal in the 3-1 loss to Swansea, and had a respectable cameo in the 1-0 loss to Stoke. At this point, I really think a recall is likely in January, as he's far better at the moment than any striker in the Chelsea squad.
- Yossi Benayoun (West Ham United): Since our last report, West Ham have played a pair of games that Yossi did not take part in.
- Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid): Courtois had a busy day as Atletico lost to Real Madrid on Saturday, and there really wasn't too much he could have done to alter the result. The loss will see Barcelona move into a fairly comfortable position atop the table.
- Michael Essien (Real Madrid): Essien was back in London being treated for his injury, suggesting to many that it may be knee related due to the familiarity with the injury of Chelsea doctors. Essien also turned 30 this weekend, so happy birthday Bison.
- Kevin De Bruyne (Werder Bremen): De Bruyne had an an interesting week. He was pretty average against Bayer Leverkusen before absolutely tearing apart Hoffenheim this weekend. Add another pair of assists to the season total for De Bruyne.
- Jeffrey Bruma (Hamburger SV): Bruma was a last minute substitute in the mid-week victory over Shalke before making a start at left back against Wolfsburg on the weekend. Surprisingly, he was very good in that role despite never having played there before. There has been talk this week of a possible move to the Eredivisie for Bruma, a move I'd wholeheartedly endorse if he's not getting regular starts for HSV.
- Milan Lalkovic (Vitoria SC): Lalkovic didn't do himself too many favors this weekend in Guimaraes' cup tie. He was generally quiet after coming on in extra time, and missed a penalty that would have won the game. They still won later on, but Lalkovic likely didn't earn himself too many minutes with that showing.
- Matej Delac (Vitoria SC): Number two keepers rarely get to play. This weekend was not a rare exception to that for Delac.
- Tomas Kalas (Vitesse Arnhem): Kalas started at right back against Roda, and had a pretty excellent game. He kept Amin Affane in his pocket, and his cross set up the final Vitesse goal.
- Patrick van Aanholt (Vitesse Arnhem): PvA was very good against Roda, something which is becoming the norm. I'm at the point where I'd be pretty comfortable with him backing up our starting left back next year, and it wouldn't surprise me if he pushes Ryan Bertrand pretty hard.
- Gael Kakuta (Vitesse Arnhem): Kakuta played the best game I've ever seen from him against Roda this weekend. It was just fantastic. It was the type of performance that Chelsea fans dreamed of after his sensational youth career at the club, and it should be a gentle reminder to everyone that has written him off that he's still a pretty excellent prospect. If he plays like this going forward, Vitesse are going to run away with the Eredivisie title even if they sell Bony in January.
- Kenneth Omeruo (ADO Den Haag): Omeruo played another 90 minutes in a 2-0 loss to Twente. He was pretty solid despite the poor outcome for the team.
- Amin Affane (Roda JC): Affane started for Roda against Vitesse, but Tomas Kalas just dominated him. I honestly can't say that was a shock, as Kalas is just much further along in his development than Affane at this point.
- Thorgan Hazard (Zulte-Waregem): Hazard didn't play during the mid-week cup tie, and he started on the bench during a scoreless draw this weekend. He came on as a late substitute in that one, but he was reportedly fairly quiet in his 15 minutes or so on the pitch. It sounds like it was more of a planned rest than anything performance related, so I'd expect him to be starting again this week.
- Josh McEachran (Middlesbrough): McEachran had mixed form this week, taking part in a pair of games for Boro this week. He was solid enough in the midweek tie, but his overall play was a bit sloppy on the weekend. I suppose those are the ups and downs to be expected with teenagers, and Josh is currently going through a few of those.
- Sam Hutchinson (Nottingham Forest): Hutch is still out with his injury, it looks like it will be about another month before he's set to make his return.
- Ben Gordon (Birmingham City): Gordon is still training and playing with the Birmingham U21 side, I'd fully expect a recall on January 1.
- Nathaniel Chalobah (Watford): Chalobah started both Watford wins this week, and frankly, he was awesome. His loan is up on January 1, and I'm starting to think he'd be ahead of Oriol Romeu in the Chelsea pecking order if he returned to Cobham today. It's probably still for the best that he remains out on loan for the spring, but if Chelsea get relegated to the Europa League, a recall might not be the worst option ever.
- Patrick Bamford (MK Dons): Bamford picked up a slight knock to his ankle this week, and wasn't used this weekend.
- Conor Clifford (Crawley Town): Clifford caught the flu, and did not play.
- Todd Kane (Preston North End): Kane started at right back, and played an excellent 90 minutes against Gillingham.
- Ulises Davila (CE Sabadell): Davila has worked his way back into the Sabadell starting lineup, but he was quiet this weekend. It's been a very boom or bust season for Davila, which isn't really all that surprising as he adapts to Europe.
- Archange Nkumu (Colchester): Colchester apparently had the weekend off. I guess that's a good reason for Nkumu not to play.
- Sam Walker (Bristol Rovers): Walker got another start in goal, and unfortunately it was another loss. He was actually fairly solid individually in the 2-0 loss, there really wasn't too much he could have done to alter the outcome.
- Anjur Osmanovic (Lärje/Angered): Winter break.
- Jhon Pirez (Leganes): Who?
