OhForAGreavsie

A reasonable, but scary, analysis.

I'm sure that sensible fans realise, just like we do, that it is monstrously hard to do transfer business in this climate. This is particularly the case when dealing with continental clubs. Clubs which, rightly, are as determined as ever to hold on to their good players, and who have learned that they can flog their cast-offs to the Premier League for stupefyingly large fees. I hope that the lack of activity in this window is a sign that our top clubs are becoming smarter at long last. Smart enough to keep their money in their pockets until the genuine article is available and to stop subsidising European clubs by paying superstar prices for less than superstar players. If that is true, if our clubs have learned this lesson, then good. If, however, they still haven't quite got it then I would ask how many more times they need to be quoted £40m for ordinary footballers before they wise up?

I think we need a minimum of four signings; LWB, RWB, CM, RF, but I suspect Antonio would like at least five since he does not seem to believe in our backup CF. All that is assuming there are no significant departures which, in respect of Diego & Thibaut, might be big assumptions. Six or seven new players in a single window is not a realistic expectation. That's why I hoped we'd make one or two captures in this window and eat into the problem a little bit. As it is, we have big needs and will face many more clubs, with more money than ever to compete for the players we want, or to fend off our interest in theirs. We are going to have to be patient and make ourselves as competitive as we can while building our strength over the course of a few transfer windows.

The wording of the report made it sound like Celtic were behind it. To my mind that stuff about being 'reluctant' to sell translates simply as yes we do want to sell and are trying to drum up business. You may be right though. Perhaps it was Sky inventing a story to provoke a response from Celtic. A response they could then run all day. If so they'd have had help from a friendly agent who would have 'tipped them off' so they had something to hang their tale on. I don't believe big organisations just make stuff up without some kind of back up. Have a story 'planted', yes; just outright pull it out of thin air without camouflage, no.

Antonio said in his post match press conference last night that we did not bid for Dembele.

Ah, I see. Thank you.

Has there been confirmation that his move to Zenit was completed before the cut-off, or is the Russian deadline today?

Fully agree but we do need a better player next to him.

1975 at the original Den was a good one. Three of us ended up in their end because ours was packed. A little bit scary, but I'm here to tell the tale. It was a Saturday afternoon game and Chopper came on as a half-time sub, having already played a full 90 minutes for the reserves that morning. Rotation, smotation.

I am, and of the manager.

Maybe we do have fewer weaknesses than other sides but their problems don't frustrate me so I can live with them. I think it is unarguable however that we need quality upgrades. For example, I may be alone but I'm utterly fed up with Matic. Swap him for Tottenham's Dembele and we are instantly a significantly better team. Dembele is not a world beater; he just possesses the kind of technical quality required for the level to which we aspire.

It pleases but does not encourage me. What would encourage me is better players in certain key areas.

Agreed but none of that hides the weaknesses in the team.

Really pleased with this team. The flaws are clear for all to see but they did what they do and grabbed a result. Squad improvements are desperately needed but I question whether we can get it done in the market come summer. That's for another thread however.

Bournemouth? Hope not.

Still 2 hours and 17 minutes to go. We can hope.

Turning down the supposed approach from Bournmouth for Nate is a must to start with. That gives us three senior players able to function at LB/LWB, plus Kennedy if things get desperate. Not ideal I agree, but adding a player who is, in my opinion, inadequate is not going to improve the situation. The immense difficulty recruiting players currently is highlighted by just how few Premier League deals have gone through since this window opened. Although there are a number of players who would be excellent Alonso upgrades, none of them are available so let's keep our powder dry for the summer. The market then will be even more competitive then than it is now so, if we plan signings, we are going to need powder by the ship load.

Worse.

Negotiation speak: "We understand Celtic are extremely reluctant to sell in this window and would not consider a bid below £40m." Translation: "Bloody hell, how much are they willing to pay for this bloke? Play it cool lads but don't blow it; let's squeeze every penny out of these mugs before they get away."

Too one-footed for me. Not the sort of player I would go to the market for.

I want Nat to add just a little urgency to his game. Make the pass you want Nat then stroll and look elegant. Strolling while you're in the process of getting it done sometimes causes you, or the receiver, to be hassled or closed down. That happened a few times today. Use the time your attributes give you to hurt the opponent, not to try to look cool.

Because he isn't good enough for the role you suggest. Personally I question the quality of his continuity play which makes it a struggle for him to be effective in the LWB role too. He can probably get away with the flashy stuff; the odd good run, the odd good cross and the odd strike on goal, but the vital basics of the position; gain possession, maintain possession, find a good pass, are going to catch him out I think.

OK, good suggestion. I will take a look at some all touches videos, if I can find any.

https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/PAWS/media_id_286710/stamford_bridge_stadium_report.pdf This is the report on the stage one judgement of the scheme by the Mayor's office. The report is strongly supportive of the plan but includes findings that the rebuild does not fully comply with regulations in a couple of areas. These concern match day safety issues at Earl's Court station, particularly for weekday games, and carbon reduction issues in terms of energy usage. A summary of these is in paragraph 93 but if you search the terms you'll find further details in the body of the report. I don't think these issues are insurmountable. If they can be resolved then Mayoral approval should happen pretty quickly but the report makes it clear that the club has to provide satisfactory answers, and agree to having the solutions written into the final conditions before they can resubmit the plan for stage 2 consideration.

Hopefully he can be persuaded to stay. Ghoulam as a starter, with Marcos as the backup gives the kind of depth we'd like our squad to have in every position. Whether he would stay depends on what options he might have and it's hard to guess what those would be.