melo is a brilliant player and wuld giv the team more in 1 match then eboue has in his arsenal carrear. neve mind about back up players if the back up players are dreadfull, alex song is a good player but y not play him at the back. gallas has long had his day as for has toure.
i know it is a typo but after reading your post i think slop should replace slot when talking about football. it just sounds amazing.
e.g
"Jonny Evans slopped in brilliantly whenever Ferdinand and Vidic were out"
brilliant