quickpassnmove

Exactly the point that Andy Jacobs just made --which I agree with. Only thing that Fabregas has over Oscar is more success in the PL and a better shot on goal. Ironic that Chelsea would buy Fabregas while not yet having given Oscar enough minutes in centre midfield instead of in an advanced position. -Ironic- as it seems to me that Fabregas was not given enough chances to play in a deeper role at Barca.

didn't really rate him too highly aside for about 18 months at Arsenal.

I will admit that he can prove me wrong. He seems capable and also, it may have been the case of bad squad politics at Barcelona--as in: 'we prefer to play with proven Barca players in centre midfield. this is our established starting center midfield." My problem with this transfer is that a player like Koke is younger, about as equally skilled (dunno on the goalscoring as much), and Koke is a STRONGER, MORE ATHLETIC physical presence than Fabregas in centre midfield. I would prefer the stronger player with more youth and about the same amount of skill. Football demands the strength and speed of Koke more nowadays. I hope Cesc just blows my perception away if he comes to SB.

He had ONE very good season with Arsenal and I don't think he is as dedicated to football in his life as he needs to be. But that's just a feeling I have while watching him and it doesn't surprise me that Barca fans don't care for him. Hard to know what he would do back in England. Maybe he will find a better role at Chelsea and impress us all.

Koke.

get it over with. move on. no more. don't need him next season; CFC need to move on. only reason he gets in England this year is his outlook/experience, leadership, and for someone who can knock a goal in with 10-15 minutes left as a sub. But Paul Scholes is correct on the England squad: none of them can play the Gerrard role if Steven gets hurt, so why was it not Carrick instead of Lampard in there? Guess it would be Henderson.

bunch of nothing going on right now. disappointing to see news/rumours of Moreno or Sevilla negotiating with Liverpool though.

good player in CM at Arsenal, but I would rather have someone different.

Hiya. I wonder how well google translate works for Bengali. ঈশ্বর ইচ্ছুক আমরা আরো ভালো কেন্দ্র midfielders এবং একটি ধর্মঘটী, হয়তো নতুন পাউণ্ড আছে.

yeah, I would say that someone can make a good argument for getting a guy like Ivan Rakitic instead of Tiago (for how much?_) because Rakitic can take killer free kicks like no one.

at this moment, Costa, Pogba, Tiago, and a LB like Moreno or Rodriguez would do it for me in this window. Let a Chalobah replace Jon Obi Mikel, let Frank go too. One can make an argument that it would be better to take Rakitic from Sevilla instead of someone like Tiago on a free just for the sake of having a top-notch FK-taker. good link from bleacherreport. surprised someone on that site wrote a piece good enough to read.

Well, this rumour is probably just more newsroom B.S. but Benatia is one of my favourite players at the moment. Even so, I have mixed feelings at best on buying him from Roma because he has been a little bit sheltered in Serie A and Chelsea have a lot of options at center back. There's no denying that Benatia is one of the best center backs right now and that he has excellent technique, positioning, tackling, timing, physique, etc. If I continue to imagine that Mourinho thinks like I do, it would not be too surprising to see this transfer, but I just don't believe Chelsea need to buy another CB at the moment. This is probably the most confusing transfer prospects for me, personally. I love this player. fact for you: Mehdi used to play striker in his youth. http://metro.co.uk/2014/04/29/mehdi-benatia-i-turned-down-chelsea-transfer-after-living-with-didier-drogba-and-claude-makelele-4712262/

worst rumours so far: Lavezzi and Filipe Luis.

Not sure about that; thinking Chelsea bought MvG

He has abilities in front of the centre backs that every player at CFC could only dream of having aside from Matic. If CFC DON'T get better quality in center midfield this summer, regardless of the striker position changes, Chelsea run the risk of falling out of the top four. The 2013/14 saw the stumbling Manchester United along with the oft-mentioned inability of Chelsea to kill-off lower and mid-table sides who pack it in defensively. You Chelsea fans can console yourselves with ideas that Liverpool will inevitably fall back down due to pressure and fixtures next season, but they're not the ones who've had difficulty passing, nor with attack speed, let alone the benefit of having Europe's top striker. The young players at Chelsea don't even need to enter into this conversation if we know that Luiz is gone, Essien left, vanGinkel is an entirely unknown quantity (compared to one who was NOT unknown in Strootman), Lampard has never been an all-around player for CM (as in a traditional 4-4-2, or even the popular 4231) in front of the CBs and is just slowing down, and Mikel is leaving. Sure, it's good to get someone like Chalobah match time, but the first question should be: "who are the pillars of our center midfield?" There's only ONE right now. Chelsea need more pillars in the spine of the team; quality and depth, experience and capability. Tiago is a good fit for the the need. The striker position's lack is only one dimension of the lack of confidence, speed of attack play, and frequent impotence of Chelsea's overall attack and I know Jose sees this. I feel he will be doing the right things with this squad. Hopefully the transfers go well this summer, both INS and OUTS.

I'm happy to see the Chelsea youth get a chance, but I have doubts on Chalobah while McEachran and Ake don't look like players who will make it in the top tier of football. I think Boga and RLC have a better chance than any of the other three. Tiago has better pass accuracy (or, he chooses the better ground passes from deeper areas) and better rhythm than anyone in CFC's squad aside from Matic in his role in front of the centre backs. And he's more experienced in this role than anyone CFC have.

Ready to return on a free transfer apparently. Makes me HAPPY!!! http://www.marca.com/2014/05/27/en/football/spanish_football/1401192876.html http://www.itv.com/sport/football/update/2014-05-27/mourinho-eyes-tiago-deal/

Luke Shaw is over-priced. Seems a sure thing that Chelsea will be buying: 1. striker, 2. CM, 3. CM, 4. LB, but I feel a little bit crazy checking the rumours and news every single day before the WC while discussing potential targets.

Seems to me Cahill, Terry, Ivanovic, and Kalas should be our CBs next season while Omeruo and Zouma continue playing elsewhere. Keep clutching at those Champions League spots while not having the guts or confidence to play at all tempos--including quick and incisive, then it's hard to see Chelsea evolving. If Chelsea get some more quality all-around centre midfielders to sit in front of the CBs along with a superb left back, then I think Chelsea will improve their overall play (and tempo) and be willing to use young players more readily throughout a season. Chelsea have been shaky going forward well before Drogba left and I see them still unable exhibit the kind of killer transition play and build-up play that scares opponents. If this lack of attacking confidence or rut is overcome in the next season, I think Mourinho should more readily give young defenders and center midfielders more time on the pitch. The question is whether Mourinho is the manager to take Chelsea beyond this rut, because IMO, it's not just about a damn striker; striker is only part of Chelsea's problems.

Great news! Getting rid of inconsistent player who isn't great in any position! Money for transfers in! Dump Torres, Moses, Marin, Mikel, Lampard, etc; BUY better quality in center midfield (at least TWO), left back, and striker.

Here's another example of the type of player Chelsea should consider (I'm NOT suggesting that he's DEFINITELY a good buy, nor the next big thing) before he goes to a big club or another PL club: Victor Ibarbo @ Cagliari Calcio and the Colombian national team. 188 cm with excellent touch, all kinds of skill. Ibarbo might be an excellent addition despite scoring few goals in Serie A. Cagliari have struggled terribly in Serie A. I don't see any reason why Chelsea always need to be the club that buys a big name striker from another big club for big money every year or two. Could have had Bony last summer and he would have helped greatly during the season wherein strikers did not do enough for Chelsea (of course, I blame the center midfield too).

Should we be encouraged? I would be so happy to see Bamford break into the 1st team at SB. http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/477454/Costa-Mandzukic-and-Bamford-Chelsea-s-striker-plans-spell-EXIT-for-Torres-Lukaku-and-Ba

Despite the explosion of Costa excitement in recent months/weeks, I wouldn't mind if CFC just got Mandzukic, brought Drogba back as a player+coach, Lukaku, then spent the money for two good center midfielders and maybe a left back (if one is desired and available for a good price). I guess Patrick vanAanholt and Ryan Bertrand get no chance then; I wonder if this is just 'the way it is at a big club' or there's something wrong with this picture.

the 2012-13 season of Bayern... yeah, it's a nice idea generally, which is also the reason I was laughing last year when they switched their manager. good job on that one, Bayern. lmao.

that's good news. I was sleeping when it happened. thanks