quickpassnmove

Guarin supposedly OTW to Chelsea at the beginning of January. I already liked this player, so it makes me happy to see this--hoping it will be finalized quickly. Need to sign one more CM IMO, but this would be a good start to January. http://www.fcinter1908.it/in-evidenza/edicola-gds-accordo-inter-chelsea-guarin-parte-a-gennaio-col-milan-99940

The point that some of you are missing is the EVERY WINDOW is now a big transfer feeding frenzy. What do you think clubs like Monaco will be doing during and after the World Cup this summer? You see a target who can be bought in January, you take him. Guarin is a good player. no one knows how a player will adapt to the Premier League, but Fredy is roughly the build of Dembele with a wicked long shot. Guarin and Matic would be good January business if that's what is brewing (although I would prefer something like Matic and M. Diame). I doubt January is going to give Chelsea a top, big-impact striker unless Monaco agree to loan-out Falcao for some reason. The strikers at Chelsea are not great right now, but they are truly just part of a problem with this club's squad right now.

I like the thought that Chelsea are now working out a deal to get Matic back and another to sell Luiz in January. Matic might be the best choice of all the CMs to buy (aside from Pogba or 4th-best player in the world, Mr. Arturo Vidal). But, Chelsea might as well be buying an under-rated, under-valued 2nd center midfielder in January too. Next summer, after the WC, prices will inflate for the best players and Chelsea will NOT be able to fill all the holes in their squad that require better quality and depth. Why? Consider the following: From today, December 15th 2013, Chelsea should be planning for the future under the assumption that their only starting center midfielders are: Ramires and van Ginkel (Oscar as a possible 3rd in a 4-3-3, or backup). Assuming that Chelsea will play more of 4-3-3 next season, Chelsea should be looking for depth in center of a further 4 players, or 3 MORE experienced starters and one backup. Don't tell us here that Lampard qualifies as a backup for next season or that Essien qualifies for this future midfield either. Mikel should have been gone last summer (wish we would have got Paulinho myself). Here's the goal in my opinion: get a player like Matic in January and a cheaper player (on the level of M. Diame, just for example, who can play like the old Essien but with more skill and speed). Then, Chelsea would have: Matic+Ramires as the two top players, Diame as an experienced option, and vanGinkel as a developing Premier League player. Next summer, buy another top center midfielder and decide whether anyone like Oscar or another young player can play as a sixth option in center midfield. From what I've seen, Chelsea need to buy two in January, two in summer and this "TOP player" in the summer, following the World Cup is going to pricey, I imagine. I like Kurt Zouma as a defender but where does that leave Kenneth Omeruo? Zouma probably will become a better defender than anyone currently at Chelsea aside from JT. Maybe Gary Cahill is the one who will leave(?).

The bright side of this season's sum result could be that Chelsea do NOT make the CL, stuff starts to implode and changes are made for the better (I think I've been saying this for 3 years?). IDK what it will take, but after 10 years of Abramovich ownership, it's clear that Chelsea have glaring problems with transfer decision-making and squad building for the future. The top clubs in Europe (Bayern, Real, Barca, Juve for example) place an emphasis on quality and depth in center midfield (and, hopefully every position) , while clubs like Man City, PSG, and Chelsea should be building depth and prospects in center midfield with all the money they've invested. I haven't seen Chelsea doing this since I began watching Chelsea in 2005-2006-2007. Real Madrid could also be criticized for not building up their center midfield options enough too. January 2011 and probably the rest of 2011 set Chelsea back in a variety of ways. Still have not recovered. Matic could help, BUT the 2014-2015 season is going to require more than healthy Matic, healthy Ramires, and healthy vanGinkel. Meanwhile, Arsenal have built up some options in center midfield and ManUtd have failed in recent years. some contrast.

I can think of something hypothetically "positive" coming out of this season... 10 years into Abramovich ownership: the club learns how to build with balance in the squad without spending 30 million for some positions while other positions have poor quality.

I'm guessing that Tony Gale was speaking the truth then. can't wait to see it. another summer gone by, another crap Chelsea midfield for the season. can't wait to see what happens next.

Matic http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2522017/THE-TRANSFER-COLUMN-Rooneys-United-contract-update-Spurs-eye-Ince-Matics-agent-set-Chelsea-talks.html

Both England and Chelsea to need to get rid of F. Lampard as a starter... yesterday. well overdue. Lampard has been a poacher from midfield and excellent for PKs. BUT, in terms of moving the ball around the pitch quickly and driving past defenders, it's either been non-existent or been a long time since Frank has consistently done either. If you don't create space and pull defenders out of position with movement and passing, --and-- you no longer have the beast called 'Drogba,' how do you create any quality chances? On England, I would take Gerrard to Brazil but if Lampard goes, he's sitting on the bench. Gerrard keeps the ball moving quick, on the floor and is better all-around from deep positions. He's also better with FKs and almost as good on PKs. But, this is what any biased Chelsa fan would never admit: Gerrard is a complete midfielder whereas Lampard has rarely or never really shown himself to be an all-around CM. That's why Gerrard gets the nod in Brazil easily and can remain a top player at Liverpool. Chelsea need a couple of all-around center midfielders and BTW THEY NEED NOT BE ON THE LEVEL OF A. VIDAL!! although that would be nice, right? Chelsea need two solid CMs very soon; not just one. Mikel is just not good enough and Frank should be OTW out while being used mostly as a sub. Or, just kiss the top four finish goodbye in 2014. Hopefully the future is bright and BLUE for young players like Loftus-Cheek and Jeremie Boga, but Chelsea need players now to drive the team foward, keep the ball moving quick and aid the defenders.

We will see by August-September of 2014 if Chelsea have become any more coherent. My views are probably similar to many here: Bertrand should have played more already this season, Ivanovic not so much at right back. I have no problem selling David Luiz for a good price then buying a couple solid CMs.... center back is less-important, but Zouma is actually a very good defender. Some of the loans Chelsea did this season were dumb: Wallace at Inter Milan for example, Cuevas at Vitesse, perhaps. But the biggest problems for me have been: 1) Lack of quality in center midfield MORE THAN 3 YEARS (didn't have depth behind Ballack before 3 years) and 2) Lack of playtime for young players while the more experienced players have failed under pressure or under fatigue. Looking at center midfield, it is POOR JUDGMENT that has given Chelsea a choice of Ramires (our only quality CM), Lampard, Mikel, Essien while vanGinkel went down with an injury. So, in the summer window who at Chelsea Football Club ever discussed the plan for center midfield when Ramires is injured during the coming season? It has been perplexing that while Chelsea have spent so much money compared to other clubs in the U.K. and in Europe for years that CFC still have only Ramires as a standout center midfielder for the present and future. Every neutral fan in football with a good enough football I.Q. sees this AND they can see that Chelsea have no standout playmaker who passes from deep in midfield, nor a standout defending midfielder (regardless of Ramires' ratings or his effort); why does Chelsea not see it and how are Chelsea fans content with the situation (been going on for YEARS, not months)? At the very least, it would seem wise to try players like Loftus-Cheek in the first team under the current circumstances for this season (after vanGinkel was injured). For this reason alone (nevermind the defensive line problems for the moment), Chelsea do not deserve to be title contenders this season as an organization.

Sign center midfielders in January. Omeruo is a capable backup defender. Why is Bertrand getting no time on the field? absurd. Torres is still crap; he's not going to show up but every 6 or 7 matches. Sell.

Chelsea need more from the right back, centre midfield, and striker.

he can pass well enough --AND-- he can push past defenders with his speed and strength --while on the ball.

I would happily take M. Diame still, in January.

I have a bad feeling about this match but the wisest thing that could be done is just what DidierForever suggests above: play Ba with Mata and Hazard, same as last match. Willian or Schuerrle can start on the right side. I just wish Chelsea had another center midfielder. Seriously troubled by the thought of Ramires getting injured during December. Why not use Loftus-Cheek at little? Maybe we will see Essien again for the Stoke match. I'm guessing Ivanovic is starting this game too, just to mark on set-pieces.

good win, some good passing and movement in this match by Chelsea. keep moving, keep improving the pattern of play, keep going, keep pushing. can we get someone in January for centre midfield to give Ramires a break, please?

<exhale>

I like this lineup in a 4-3-3.

I like this lineup in a 4-3-3.

...and that's how support for Hazard from midfield works. gnashing my teeth over the double-team, then Frankie arrives and does that. beautiful. need more of that for the rest of the season!!!! DON'T LEAVE HAZARD HANGING TOO LONG!

"Torres" is back

I missed some of that half but I'm guessing that if Hazard is "ripping them apart" it also means that the midfielder isn't doubling up on Hazard quickly enough for Sunderland or that Hazard is getting good support. What do you say?

crossing my fingers that Chelsea finally begin playing some good midfielders aside from Ramires before his knee cartilage runs down to the bone.

I see they're playing 451 or 4411. Hope we can break them down in the first half and at least create some good chances, but most of all: not concede.... yeah, what am I saying? let's win this.

does your Star Sports HD give you clear HD from England, or is there a lot of digital noise/distortion showing up, especially in the sunlight or (players standing) in front of advertising boards? we have, of course, NTSC here in N. America, so I'm curious if there's a difference in quality. I know you have PAL

Robbie Savage on Mourinho's Chelsea and the Southampton match. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25179761