akgw13

I will believe the transfer when it is announced and he holds up the jersey. He isnt the end all be all of RWB options but he was a very good option for us. I hope we can do something to steal the deal. If not i wont be terribly upset but I think he has something to offer and will be a good player wherever he goes.

I will be 100x more relaxed once we close and announce a deal for Morata(or any striker really) I think Morata will be great for us in a lone roll or a partnership. Morata/Michy could play really well together or a 3 of Hazard/Morata/Pedro could be deadly with interchangeable movement and runs. Conte has made his affection known for Morata over the years so I think he will be happy (also the assurance of the deal made him sign his pay raise) This ends the nightmare of the striker search and now we can focus our energy on the rest of the summer!

Now I agree with you, even i have my limits aha i am very concerned about our striker situation. Conte did not handle it well but writing was always on the wall over his situation. Rudiger/Bakayoko/Hopefully Danilo are good business but if we don't get a top line striker (Morata/Belotti) in we are in some real trouble. I, like you, am very disappointed in how this is being handled. I am not as frustrated as you or most are but i am quickly joining haha.

Would be a very welcomed addition. Think we would be getting a motivated talented player who wants to prove he belongs in the Brazil squad heading for the WC. Id expect Conte to be the ideal coach for him and get the best out of the player same way as Moses. Would be thrilled if he signs here.

Do you find this helps the team, your attitude? We have announced Rudiger, Bakayoko should be today. Working on other targets such as a striker/LWB/possibly a CM. I never said July 19th would be some massive signings just that Conte wanted some in before then. It's not an easy market, unless you're apparently AC Milan aha

Is it July 19th yet? Aha I feel like whatever the board does this summer isn't going to satisfy you, regardless of date.

@Leif for you what players should we be targeting this summer? what is your ideal summer transfer window look like? It is a genuine question, I am curious to see who you want.

http://www.espnfc.us/english-premier-league/story/3155266/premier-league-clubs-failing-financially-losing-an-average-of-876,000-per-day-study Interesting article which could help explain some of the Boards actions perhaps? We all think these prices are ridiculous, with the ever changing landscape TV will no longer be dominant in 5-10 years. Something to keep an eye on.

Yes sorry I should clarify, my projections were based off of PL and Cup matches. Its a similar output to what Diego has done just without the headache and I think he will help get more goals but not be credited by opening up the play with a smart pass which leads to another pass for a goal. You are correct.

I could see Morata getting 18-22 Goals and 8-10 assists next year while making Hazard/Pedro/Bats more dangerous with proper technique and runs. That is probably best case scenario in my head, he seems to be too unselfish to be a 25+ a year guy.

For Tammys sake lets hope Swansea holds firm! Gylfi feeding Tammy could be great for his development.

I agree on pricing, I am just discussing Morata because that is the loudest striker links at the moment. I prefer Belotti personally due to a variety of factors but I think Morata can be great for us.

I still favour Belotti personally but I think Morata will fit nicely in a fluid attacking sense. I think this gives Bats a lifeline more than any other striker, Morata has the skill and experience playing in a 2 man striker system. I am not entirely sold on him but he has the best pedigree (from a team/high level competition perspective) and the best technical skill. He also is the most versatile which is something Conte values, He can play in any system which will be helpful for other signings. I think in 2 years Belotti will be one of the best 9's out there but i have high hopes for Morata.

Monchi said Roma was done selling. They are just taking comments out of context to create a story.

I think Belotti is the closest thing to Costa there is personally. Lukaku might have similarities with Drogba but not the similarities that count. I was open to Lukaku joining us but now that he is gone i am extra excited about the possibility of Beloit/Morata. That being said it wil come down to who we want and if we will actually pay. If i had to place a bet today I would on Morata joining us, but I also would have placed that bet on Lukaku and lost

Ahaha that's the first hurdle! July 19th my friend it's a long summer, let's see what we've got in the door by then(if any!) Conte is back tomorrow, the players are back Monday. Some action should start happening!

Oh my the things I'd do to see Bale blistering down our right side and cutting in on that left foot

Pure hypothetical but a 352 with Morata/Bats up top with James operating in behind while Hazard is hurt is a vey interesting lineup. Also when Hazard comes back a lot of times last year his average position was higher up the field than Diego. James could drift in from the right and act as a link between hazard/morata and the rest? I know he isn't the most defensively inclined player but I think he will do enough running and put his body in the way similar to fabregas?

Seems like a relatively low cost high reward player. 16 Serie A goals at 22? Pacey winger/striker? Could be worth a punt?

I agree, I'm a big fan of Llorente. I was more so just discussing a lineup with Morata/Batman and hazard floating around. I think that Morata could really be a great partner for Bats. Both seemingly play better with a partner than alone and hazard would have the ultimate freedom to roam. Could be dangerous

I'm exactly a "meh" ahah if he comes great, if not okay. He is a talented player and would surely be great for us but I'm not killing to have him. Strange feeling

If we do end up with Morata I am very intrigued by a strike team of Batman/Morata. I think they could be really dangerous together. Morata has a nice handle and makes the proper runs. Could be the lifeline for Batman a lot of us have been hoping for. Anyone else feel the same way or am I off?

I might be in the minority here but I really think any of the 3 strikers would be successful here. All offer something different, but I think all could fit and do well here. Maybe that says something about our flexibility or maybe I'm just optimistic! Would be an interesting saga until the end

I agree completely with your review of the player. The thing that i love is how hard he goes after the ball while heading it, I love watching Vidal and he just absolutely throws himself at the ball with complete disregard for injury or well being. I see the same thing with Belotti and I just love that mentality, especially from a striker. In the FourFourTwo article about him the quote i love is: “My father told me: 'If you don’t leave the pitch absolutely exhausted, it means you haven’t given it your all,'” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I like to work hard.” Every player has their shortcomings but this is a guy I want to succeed, hopefully with us!