Viper22

That's because Ramires shouldn't even be defined as a footballer the way he's played this year. No decision making ability, no skill, no quality, just a big engine. He's our own Dirk Kuyt.

Agree with all of that tbh. World class CM is priority. Especially with Luiz gone, Mikel half out the door and Lamps' future up in the air. Pogba, Koke, Vidal, Rakitic or Gundogan. If there isn't the money for Shaw and we can't make it though transfers then I agree with shelving the bid. I hope you're right and we do start to use our youth more. But that will come when we have managerial stability (now with Jose, I hope). I have high hopes for the future if we do.

Richards was crippled by lots of serious injuries and a lack of desire due to too much too early. Shaw might well be the same, but I think we have to take that chance, it'd be the same with any player we signed.

1) That was the impression I got when I read the last 3 or so pages of this thread, for what it's worth I agree that the transfer fee is high. Rodriguez will be at least £20M, probably £25M. Wolfsburg know how to get a good deal. They got £27M for Dzeko and Rodriguez is better now than Dzeko was then. Why would they let arguably their best player go for anything less than £20-25M? Moreno might be as good. Bernat, no, not a fan. 2) £30M is extortionate yes, but I think this (admittedly large) con, is balanced by all the pros and leaves it still as a good bit of business overall. 3) While you are right, and I myself do judge players on their ability, not their nationality, the fact is that we are an English club. The fans will lose identity with the club if it is full of foreign players. I like the influx of foreign talent into the PL, I think it brings a great diversity to the game and make the league what it is: in my opinion the best league in the world. But I don't think it's unreasonable for the clubs around the world to have local/national players as the backbone of their club. It pains me that Chelsea are the first English club to field and entirely non-English starting XI. It's a record we'll hold forever. And that's not even going into the home grown player quota we need to fulfil. And I for one don't want to see players like PVA, Josh and Chalobah rotting on the bench or worse just so we have to fill our quota.

Not yet. Has the potential to be though .

True, but if we want to win the league we need top class players in every position, and a smattering of home grown players good enough for the first team included within that. Bertrand and PVA unfortunately don't fulfil either quality...

Bertrand is almost definitely as good as he's ever going to be i'm afraid. Shaw has the potential to be as good as Ash. Homegrown and good enough for the first team is so much better than homegrown bench/squad player.

So many people against Shaw here! What the hell happened? Has everyone forgot how good he's been the last year/18 months? Rodriguez/Moreno and anyone else from foreign leagues are as big a risk as Shaw, maybe even more as they are PL unproven. Shaw is younger, proven in the PL and above all else, English, which will help fill our quota over the coming years. An English player that is good enough to be in our first team squad is not to be sniffed at. While he might be expensive (~£27M), Rodriguez (the only player better than Shaw) will nearly be as much and Moreno and others just aren't as good.

Anyone else find it ironic that he's going to PSG to replace Alex, who we sold them in the first place?

We all get excited then you come and shoot everything down with stuff like 'logic' and 'intuition'. Damn you .

Hindsight makes everyone a genius eh? The fact that you think Griezzman, Robben or Sanchez are as good as Hazard suggests that you would have made many MANY more mistakes than have been made at this club. "We need a striker! Quick, sign Soldado!"

Don't know if you meant fans of other teams there, but I don't think he should go. I think he's about as good as Shaw atm, Shaw is better going forwards and Cole better at defending (as you said), but seeing as Baines would start over either one of them, I think it'd be good experience for Shaw to go to the world cup, even if he sits on the bench. The atmosphere will be one of phenomenal pressure, and i'd rather than he first became exposed to that without the pressure of having to play on top of that. He can get used to the system, and get used to the pressure. Taking him over Cole was always going to be the logical choice in my mind. I understand your sentiment of wanting a reliable 2nd choice at a major tournament, but you've got to bring the kids through at some point, and it's hardly like we're going to the world cup to win it.

Anyone else having problems with the megastore online? Look like the website has expired... Wouldn't think this would happen at Chelsea

Bang on.

IF Luiz, Mikel and Lamps leave. Next time read the OP.

Hence the wishlist tag!

Might not be a popular thing to say, but I really do rate Phil Jones. Thought he was excellent at Blackburn and hasn't been too bad at United. Obviously his versatility is a good thing (RB, CB, DM) but I also think that this has harmed him at United when he couldn't nail down a single position. Heard it mentioned that we're after him here: http://www.caughtoffside.com/2014/05/17/chelsea-linked-with-surprise-move-to-sign-man-united-defender/? But i'm not sure if this is a reputable source (I got linked to it through BBC Sports gossip) so i've tagged this as wishlist for now. I think as a CB he'd be a great buy, and would be one of those perfect all round players to have on the bench. We could have him and Iva on the bench and be able to cover RBx2, CBx2, LB (putting one of them on at RB and shifting Azpi to LB) and DM). All depends on his price, but as a CB I think he's a very good player, and would be a great addition to the team if we're going to sell Mikel and Luiz (and only then). We shouldn't be paying too much for a bench player but we're going to need squad players if Lamps, Luiz and Mikel all go. What's people's general opinion? My money on there being a lot of people totally against the idea.

One of the only. I didn't say THE only.

Most of your list aren't cunts. No more than standard footballers. Only Busquets and Suarez then maybe Costa and 'What Tax?' Messi. The others are just arrogant or cocky, which may be annoying in it's own way, but they're not cunts.

I can deal with Costa. Busquets... Just no. He's the worst person in world football. Suarez a close second. Saying that I won't be overly keen on Costa if he does stupid shit like spitting in his hand and wiping it on someone's face. That's just pointless douchebaggery.

One of the only Arsenal players I ever really rated. Was a shame to see him go to Barca to waste away on the bench. He's a good player, and I think would go well with Matic or take on his role if Matic got crocked. Not entirely sure, but for only £10M it's definitely worth a punt.

I hate Busquets with a passion usually reserved for journalists that ask stupid questions. The man is an overrated cheat who's one of the worst divers in world football. He makes Suarez seem like a pleasant guy. I want him nowhere near this club.

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/476374/I-will-succeed-at-Tottenham-Paulinho-pours-cold-water-on-Chelsea-switch Phew.

I heard he was going down in wages rather than up. 60k p/w was being thrown around. Anyone got an idea of the true number?