Supermonkey92

Kovacic has been quality so far

I was laughing my was of at that. He was probably happy he had Palmer and Gilmour next him thinking he's look better than next to Jorginho and Kovacic. Think again bro

Fuck him if he doesn't sign by September. He's too entitled. Obviously potential to be a great player but it's not even set in stone. He's not an Mbappe, Neymar or Hazard level player. He could end up around Rashford/Zaha level. Good player but not worth the fucking hassle. If the guy wants to leave knowing he's been looked at as a damn Prince by the club then he has no loyalty, no fucks given to the club. Or he's stupid. Or his ego is huge. Or all of the above.

Could you screenshot the article

Plus the kids we played we dross and have been sent back. Let's see Mount and Abraham. Gilmour caught by eye as did Maatsen.

We already have mount, kovacic, Barkley and RLC fighting for the attacking mid position as well

Did anyone watch the match. How was he against a good team?

He should stick with the 433 but have have the LCM as the most attacking with Kante a little more reserved. He wasn't that bad, people were more concerned with Jorginhos weaknesses

I think it would be interesting for people to debate which youngsters are ready, which aren't yet but should definitely be kept hold of and which shouldn't waste space. I'm already sold on Reece James mate. I legit think he can have a similar progression to TAA. And I'm a pessimistic moaner so that's a lot coming from me. I'm actually counting down until he's no. 1 rb. I hope he is by end of next season the latest. RLC made enough improvement last season that I think he's good enough. I was glad to see him score more and dribble more direct. Still has to improve his decision making and his movement (and his whole defensive side the lazy bastard) but I consider him a legit part of the squad. CHO I think will be good enough for his. It's too early to tell how good though, I agree. Very well might not be the star man we think. Obviously needs a chance this season. But then there's a massive gap. No other youngster screams out. Mount has to continue his development, I would try and pick a premier league team where he'd start. We just don't have the room for him. He'd compete with Barkley and Kovacic before RLC gets back as well. It would do him and us harm if he stays with us. Abraham has never impressed me but what the hell we are fucked up front. Have at it mate, take your chance if you're good enough. I probably wouldn't give him another. I'll keep an eye on Castillo but he's still young, a good 2 years at least away. So there you are. I'd only consider James, RLC and CHO as academy products to be included. Pulisic doesn't count. because money.

Exactly. Integrating youth in itself can't be the number one priority, surely the overall plan for the squad should take priority with youth facilitating the main goal. Last year we added Jorginho, Kepa and Kovacic to the first 11. We got rid of Cahill, Bakayoko and Morata. Moses too. We've now got Pulisic. The overall aim is towards a possession based team. Comfortable in possession and more creative. We can't just say fuck it let's play Abraham and Mount because youth. They have to be ready, they also at least need the right characteristics to fit in the squad.

Michy and Abraham

I'm sold

He'll be fat. Doesn't take care of himself now lol the fatty boom boom. Cheeseburgers will make that arse gigantic

If anyone compares him to Courtois, show them this.

If we get kovacic it won't be disastrous. I still expect top 6. We must have a limit to how poor next season is even if it is a write off. We should still be in the top 6. That's basically it lol. We should aim for sorting wheat from chaff too. CHO and RLC should still get around half a season. Emerson should be finally start the season as number 1. Reece James should be given league cup and FA Cup games at least. I guess Abraham should be given the chance. Plus Castillo. Next season we should have a good idea over which youngsters are good enough and which are not. This will help when we can go into the transfer market again. We should also look to see what players in the squad are good enough. There's still questions over Barkley, Christensen, Batshuayi, Giroud (I've already written of Alonso). This season should be an audition for the hopefully rebuild next summer. Willian and Pedro are ticking away. Fuck the happy clappy good vibes. If you aren't good enough this season you go next summer. Of course 'good enough' is case by case. Castillo and Reece James will be judged to a different standard than Emerson and Azpi. Pulisic and CHO will be held to different standards to Willian and Pedro as will Abraham be judged differently to Michy. Nonetheless, we aren't a fucking charity. You make hard decisions, and if a youngster is Luke warm make no bones about selling him.

It's not like we won't support him as manager. We're realists. Good vibes and memories don't translate to a good coach. It's not like we are going to be unhappy if he wins. But if shit hits the fan because we relied on youth in a premier league with a reinvigorated City, Liverpool and Spurs, we can't his our heads in the sand.

Yes. July 8th.

Is it obvious I'm ready to pounce?

It's fucking ridiculous. Morata €70m? Jorginho 50m Bakayoko 40m Drinkwater 35m Kepa I won't begrudge. It's too early to shit on Pulisic (those two combined for €140m?)

C'mon rafa!

But it was against pub players

Let's get Eddie Howe

Zouma hopefully back too.

This guy has Moratas petulance and the athleticism of Alonso lol

Whilst it's not official I'll be brutally honest - if he had no history with the club he wouldn't even be considered. Does anyone think his showing last season is good enough for Chelsea? Let's call it what it is. Next season is a right off. Top 4 can't be expected. It's as the rumours say, he's here to boost morale and for the 'feel good factor'. Lampard will be coming to be successful, but for the more sober people not personally involved it should be obvious this is a ploy to keep the fans happy at least until the ban is over. Then we can look to our next fucking rebuild (what's that 4 in 8 years?). Good thing for frank is that there isn't much pressure. Take it from a pessimist like me, as long as we don't finish 7th or below, frank can hold his head high.