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In terms of DMFs First type: the great ones, but ones who are very unrealistic for multiple reasons, especially as we missed out on CL, but not just limited to that, as some simply will not want to leave their club for Chels, or are simply too expensive Sandro Tonali Adam Wharton Aleksandar Pavlovic Aurélien Tchouaméni 2nd Type: DMFs that we probably have a shot at Carlos Baleba Amadou Onana Nico González Morten Hjulmand Angelo Stiller Boubacar Kamara James Garner Alan Varela Marc Bernal Máximo Perrone Hayden Hackney Aleksandar Stanković Leon Avdullahu Mandela Keita

In terms of CMFs I rate first type the great ones, but ones who are very unrealistic for multiple reasons, especially as we missed out on CL, but not just limited to that, as some simply will not want to leave their club for Chels, or are simply too expensive Federico Valverde Elliot Anderson Bruno Guimarães Warren Zaïre-Emery Tijjani Reijnders Nicolò Barella Eduardo Camavinga Frenkie de Jong 2nd Type: CMFs that we probably have a shot at (bold ones I really rate): Pablo Barrios Ayyoub Bouaddi Felix Nmecha Senny Mayulu Tom Bischof Lucas Bergvall Johan Manzambi Lamine Camara João Gomes Archie Gray Alex Scott Mateus Fernandes Habib Diarra Hugo Larsson Victor Froholdt Noah Sadiki Yegor Yarmolyuk Mamadou Sangaré Jobe Bellingham Assan Ouédraogo Nathan De Cat Christos Mouzakitis Lewis Miley Kees Smit Javi Guerra Quinten Timber Breno Bidon Thiago Pitarch Patrick Zabi off the board now, will move this summer to Paris FC Christ Inao Oulaï Rodrigo Mendoza Ezechiel Banzuzi André Sport Club Corinthians Rudy Matondo

Interesting way of thinking about it... I think about it rather differently, if we play a back 4, we need to sign 2 top CBs. If we play a back 3, we need to sign 3 top CBs. The higher the % of the XI that is a CB, the more extremely high quality CBs we need in the squad. Otherwise we're just putting out more mediocre players in an XI and taking room away from better players we have in CM and elsewhere. You can argue that by having 3 of them out there they can be mediocre and cover for each other better, but really it just means in the aggregate you are a worse, more defensive team that can't attack or defend well imo. I don't think Alonso is wed to a particular formation or is limited to a back 4 or back 3 specific setup tho like an Amorim. He will play various systems depending on opponent like Maresca did imo.

LBs to replace CuCu Nico O'Reilly Nathaniel Brown Alphonso Davies Lewis Hall Davide Bartesaghi Dayann Methalie youth Vinicius Lira

Pretty sure though that no one has a read on Chelsea's transfer plans yet. Lot of names being circulated but it could change once Xabi takes charge.

when healthy (a big if) he is a goal machine 8 goals, 2 assists in only 896 minutes

I don't know about Emegha, was unavailable every time I saw Starsbourg this season(so was Anselmino). Diego Moreira turned out to be a surprisingly good player but still not our (wannabe) level. I can only see him in the squad if Xabi opts to play 3-4-3 with wingbacks, still not the best choice defensively.

Agree. Penders 2nd. Emmanuel Emegha probably 3rd.

A great start would be sacking ALL the directors and ball-gagging Egg Balti.

They have a real shot to become a dominant team for years to come if they get some of those. They and (even more atm) PSG are loaded AF (Arse if they upgrade at CF and winger).

He is by far the best player at RSC. Pretty sure he will play as midfielder, and he will be great. Andrey Santos is okay but this guy offers much more.

I've got candy and a van...

Does Palace potentially winning the Conference league not have any impact? There isn't one rule for all. We have no idea what will happen, and I'm sure we will outspend (or wish to) both of those sides during said periods. Also, are you forgetting they have drastically bigger stadiums than us?

More than anything this summer I just hope we target ONLY highly technical ballers. Whether they’re “big” names or not, we need to stop going after players who are nothing but runners or physical specimens like Delap or Garnacho. I’m sick of seeing our rivals going for super skillful, classy wizards like Cherki, Eze, Wirtz etc whilst we get dudes who can’t dribble past a training cone and whose only abilities are running in a straight line when theres’s a mile of open space. We have enough big and strong or powerful players. I’m hoping that with Alonso now here we target EXCLUSIVELY highly skilled players who can’t dribble past excel in one touch, fluid football. It’s why I’m actually warming to the idea of us going for Alex Scott from Bournemouth. Whilst our rivals are going for the bigger names like Anderson/Wharton/Tonali etc I feel like Scott is much more easily attainable for us. Has been one of the best CM’s in the league this season and fits that deep sitting Xhaka role Alonso loved at Leverkusen.

I remember standing in the away end at Roker, people pissing behind you and the piss running between your legs and down the steps. Great times.

Don't have money to splurge either. Have to be smart about recruitment. Can't waste another year in a league where standing still is as good as falling behind

Depressing to read who Arsenal are targeting - Kroupi, Alvarez, Kvicha, Barcola, Nico Williams, Gordon, Tonali.

I would say im worried about the names we are being linked with but im not surprised at all. We are looking to buy players from relegated teams. No money to do anything else.

Many a miserable day/night spent in Sunderland at Roker and SoL with Chels and they currently have their best team in about 40 years. Sunderland often reminds me of Rotterdam minus the weed and worthwhile hookers.

Sanchez isn’t our biggest problem anymore. He’s been alright. Im looking forward to Penders. we need to address CB and LW first

I think Xabi could live with Sanchez as the number 2 but not as a 1. Xabi doesn't like the keeper kicking long balls and his short and medium range passing would give him a stroke.

Maignan and Penders I'd be happy with or Penders and Sanchez I'd be fine with. I like Roefs but 50m for someone that would block Penders because of his fee and age whilst could argue isn't even being an upgrade. Roefs does make some wonder saves but alot of his saves are a combination of miskicks and him just making his body big.a good value to have but would like to see more saves through controlled agility. Like I said I do like Roefs,if we didn't have Penders I'd be all over him.as we do,I'm not.

Make use of him staying relatively fit and healthy for the season by selling him. He's been decent the last few games but we've seen this before from him.motivated briefly when new coach incoming or playing a big opponent that would humiliate him if he isn't switched on but too many times he's too weak for a team with aspirations to be a true contender. We have wasted this season having him playing so many times when we should have been blooding Acheampong and Sarr instead in their true position.

Just sell this player. Total bust. Doesn't know who to cover. Sick of seeing him jogging while others are trying to cover for him not being where he is supposed to be. By this time a ham sandwich will net a profit.