Clockwork

England is the biggest issue, the step from first team Chelsea and the reserves/development squad is immense. This is not only a Chelsea problem but England in general, it shows really if you look at low amount young talent that is produced in the PL and the England NT. Unless England changes its leagues setup everything else is secondary.

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/824592/Chelsea-Transfer-News-Antonio-Rudiger-Roma-gossip-rumours

Maybe it wasn't the English game, maybe it was Chelsea the reason he didn't realize his potential. Coutinho flopped at Inter, and became a star at Liverpool. Was it the league or he was a bad fit at Inter? Kevin De Bruyne had similar results at Chelsea, but came back to the PL and is one of the best in the league. Also you look at Cuardado who failed at Chelsea, but when he was at Juventus he put in really good performances in the CL against Man City. He would never put in that type of performance for Chelsea even with similar opposition. So i particularly don't like that logic, if a player fails at a new league/club then to conclude the new league he moved to is superior to his old one. Too many variables to reach such conclusion. I do believe though some players are better fit for certain leagues.

I don't particularly rate him, but fair enough if you prefer him over those payers. The part when you said "whoever" was over the top. He is a good poacher, and fits Spuds system really well. Doesn't create enough on his own, not particularly very technical either for me rate him.

You went full Wiz, never go full wiz. Overeating Dele like TheWiz overrates Matic.

He is going back on loan though. With all the signings they have made, none scream a Lukaku replacement.

Chelsea youth policy is a good business policy, but a horrible football policy.

What if say Mendy was interested in coming to Chelsea, and the board spent all this time pursuing Sandro who at the end never wanted to come to Chelsea. This pursuit of Sandro costed us the opportunity to sign Mendy. Of course there is blame. Ultimately the biggest issue with Chelsea recent transfer pursuits has been going after players that either didn't want to come or the club didn't want to sell.

Don't know who that is, but a lot people on this forum believed it. Kinda typical tbf, every fanbase create these type of delusions. ex; Club is waiting for stocks to raise before announcing new players, the club is waiting on the manager to return from vacation, new kits/sponsors, etc.

Tbf his contract expired yesterday with City, so him being announced today makes perfect sense.

He also said Alvaro Morata agreed terms with Milan, that never happen.

He is nothing like Daniel Sturridge, but sign me up for a better version of Sturridge in any case. Imo if Sturridge could have stayed healthy he would be one of the best strikers in the game.

Says there is a buy back clause in Traore deal, in France there is no such thing as a buy back clause. So i am not sure this article could be trusted regarding both.

I like Rudiger, not my ideal type of CB but i still rate him. Good addition.

I recall we were linked with him when he was at Stuttgart, yeah you are definitely right.

depth is important, 6 Cbs though? And every one of them was a starter last season. Not going to happen. CB is not a position you heavily rotate either.

Where would that leave Christensen?

Honestly if Conte and Costa can reconcile that would be ideal at this point. I was in favor of him of leaving when it looked like his sale would have funded his replacement. That is not happening with China out of the picture, and Alti are not paying big for a player that they know will only accept move to them.

The good news is Palmeri credibility is irrelevant since he doesn't work for Tuttosport, and he is only citing that newspaper. Tuttosport are Turin based that is the extent i know of them.

I think we have a great talent in Christiansen. If Christiansen is better then he will likely prove it and beat out Manolas. If both are great then both will play. 25m is not particularly that expensive in this market, at that price he is worth it.

Perez confirms it again, they are not negotiating with United. http://www.espnfc.com/story/3149656/real-madrid-not-negotiating-with-manchester-united-over-alvaro-morata-perez

I don't believe he ever said that, he said they received a big offer. Never mentioned an actual figure.

Dani Ceballos would definitely be a great signing, alternative to Cesc and long term replacement.

There aren't any reliable sources take everyone with a grain of salt and some with truck load. That is what i have learned over the years following transfers. I am certain we will sign him or we don't.

That interview seems to be root of that belief. But much reports and interviews contradict Romelu story. A few days before that interview his agent Raiola said Everton had not received any offer for Lukaku. I guess it depends on how much trust you put into that interview. Beside that interview nothing suggests this is a done deal. If you believe this is a done deal, then Chelsea have paid whatever Everton has demanded. That is unlikely for me from Chelsea perspective. We will see a week from now i guess.