Vesper

I said their luck was up, and the only reason they won the big trophies was insanely good luck with injuries for 2 years nice to be proven correct zero chance they win the CL and they may be in deep shit with the EPL

Jamie Carragher lists John Terry with Leo Messi and Paolo Maldini https://www.chelsea-news.co/2020/11/jamie-carragher-lists-john-terry-leo-messi-paolo-maldini/ Jamie Carragher hosted TalkSport’s flagship DriveTime program this morning, and the former Liverpool defender didn’t disappoint, reeling off quotes and content to keep everyone happy during a dull international week. On the Chelsea front, the headlines were to do with John Terry. Carra named the former Blues centre back among the top 5 players he’d ever played against. You really have to look at the other names on that list to realise how much of a compliment that is – Paolo Maldini, Leo Messi, Thierry Henry and Xavi. You don’t really get much better colleagues than that in any list. Carragher pointed to Terry’s underrated footballing ability as one of the key reasons he rated him so highly, as well as his more obvious talents as an incredibly solid defender and brave leader. The pair came up against each other plenty of times over the years, and clearly developed a lot of mutual respect.

Everton and Tottenham ‘sent offers’ for player this summer – Club wanted close to €45m http://sportwitness.co.uk/everton-tottenham-kurt-zouma-chelsea-transfer-rejected-45m/ Everton and Tottenham ‘sent offers’ to sign Kurt Zouma from Chelsea this summer, but saw their efforts rejected by the Blues. That’s according to L’Equipe, who cover the player’s situation with France following his impressive displays for Chelsea. The French centre back has established himself as the first choice alongside Thiago Silva at the beginning of this season and, a couple of blips aside, has earned rave reviews. His displays have seen him return to the France setup for this international break and L’Equipe explain that the player knows this could be his last chance to impress, with a new generation waiting in the wings to replace him. He needs to leave his mark, ‘as he has been doing in his club for the past few months’ where he has ‘won over’ Frank Lampard. Things, though, could have been very different. The newspaper reveals that both Tottenham and Everton ‘sent offers’ for Zouma this summer and he would not have ‘looked unfavourably’ on ‘starting a new cycle’ at either club. However, these approaches were rejected by Chelsea, who made it clear they wanted ‘nearly €45m’ if they were to sanction a sale. That presumably never happened given he ended up staying, and it’s ended up working in everyone’s favour, with Zouma establishing himself with Chelsea instead. It’s not surprising to see both of these clubs linked, though. Everton remain admirers after Zouma’s loan spell there under Marco Silva, and Mourinho actually signed Zouma for Chelsea back in 2014. There’s an established relationship with both clubs, but given they got the centre backs they needed from the Championship instead – in Ben Godfrey and Joe Rodon – it would be surprising to see this rumour come back again.

Legendary AC Milan Coach Arrigo Sacchi: “Inter Coach Antonio Conte Has A Long Term Plan” https://sempreinter.com/2020/11/11/arrigo-sacchi-inter-manager-conte-is-a-great-coach-i-think-he-had-to-compromise/ Legendary Italian football manager Arrigo Sacchi is convinced that Antonio Conte had to make a compromise and accept some players arriving at Inter in the Summer transfer window that were not necessarily players that suit him and his style. “He has a long term plan. The question is, did Antonio get functional players? It’s as if the writer and director had a comedy film in mind and the producer brought in great dramatic actors,” he began an interview with Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera, which appeared in yesterday’s print edition. “He is a great coach, he lives for football, he has one certainty: you can always do more and better. He can seek perfection although he will not achieve it. He asks for the maximum, he gives it.

Manchester United target Ousmane Dembele could be forced to STAY at Barcelona with Ansu Fati facing four months on the sidelines... as they 'prepare to give out-of-favour forward a starring role in the coming months' https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8929107/Manchester-United-target-Ousmane-Dembele-forced-STAY-Barcelona-Ansu-Fati-out.html

Danny Drinkwater commissions his own highlights reel in his desperate bid to earn a January move away from Chelsea after the £120,000-per-week outcast was left to play with the kids https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8930429/Danny-Drinkwater-commissions-highlights-reel-hope-securing-away-Chelsea.html Chelsea outcast Danny Drinkwater has commissioned his own showreel featuring some of his finest finishes as he looks to attract interest before the January transfer window. The £120,000-a-week midfielder was well down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge even before Frank Lampard’s summer spending spree, having fallen out of favour under Maurizio Sarri. And Drinkwater has been completely cast aside after a £120million summer spree which saw the likes of Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz arrive at the club - only for his own exit to fail to materialise. https://www.instagram.com/tv/CHXpOPtlDBw

he is bizarro world!!

Aston Villa receive 'big fee' warning over permanent Ross Barkley transfer from Chelsea Ross Barkley has enjoyed an impressive start to life at Villa but Gabby Agbonlahor thinks the midfielder's form could work against Dean Smith's side when it comes to a potential permanent transfer https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/ross-barkley-aston-villa-chelsea-19258346 Gabby Agbonlahor has warned Aston Villa they face paying a huge fee for Ross Barkley if the Chelsea midfielder keeps playing the way he is. Barkley has enjoyed a fine start to life at Villa Park since his season-long loan move from Stamford Bridge, already underlining his status as a key player for Dean Smith. There is no option-to-buy included in the loan agreement, meaning the ball is in Chelsea's court when it comes to the 26-year-old's long-term future. Villa would love to keep Barkley if his partnerships with the likes of Jack Grealish and Ollie Watkins continue to blossom but Agbonlahor believes the former Everton player's early form could work against them. He told Football Insider: "There’s no rush. I think at the moment they’ve got him on loan for the season, they’ll see how he does all through the season and then judge the situation at the end of the season. "It might be something they want to make permanent at the end of the season. snip

Jadon Sancho's form is labelled a 'CRISIS' in Germany with the press fearing he's switched from 'high-flyer to problem child' after Borussia Dortmund rebuffed Manchester United's interest https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8932881/Jadon-Sanchos-dip-form-labelled-CRISIS-Germany.html

Enough is enough – It’s time for Chelsea to part ways with their £100k-a-week outcast https://www.mediareferee.com/2020/11/11/enough-is-enough-its-time-for-chelsea-to-part-ways-with-their-100k-a-week-outcast/

Inter Milan 'want THREE Chelsea fringe players in January' as Antonio Conte eyes a reunion with Marcos Alonso, Olivier Giroud and Emerson Palmieri... https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8920939/Inter-Milan-want-THREE-Chelsea-fringe-players-January.html Antonio Conte could reunite with Marcos Alonso, Olivier Giroud and Emerson Palmieri as Inter Milan plan a potential swoop for the Chelsea trio. Inter Milan's CEO Beppe Marotta has expressed his desire to sign at least two new players during the January transfer window. The club are determined to sign a new striker and a full-back, but have declared N'Golo Kante as an 'impossible target' as they look to reinforce their squad. Giroud has been a long-term target for Inter and it is believed the France striker tried to push through a move to the San Siro in January after a frustrating first half of the season with Lampard's side. According to Football Italia, Conte is keen to sign Giroud as a back-up to Romelu Lukaku who is currently out injured. The Italian boss seems to have little confidence in Andrea Pinamonti as the former Genoa striker has been benched for their last two games against Parma and Real Madrid. Alonso has been heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge as he looks to gain more pitch time after enduring a stop-start season under Frank Lampard. The Chelsea left back previously played in Serie A and his father has hinted at his son's return to the Italian league. He said: 'He always talks about his legendary three years in Florence, says that Serie A is a beautiful championship and continues to be very close to Italy because he has many friends there. He has a very good memory.' Alonso's contract at Chelsea expires in 2023, but Conte will look to reunite with the defender in January instead. snip

Thiago Silva says he hopes to renew his Chelsea contract https://www.thechelseachronicle.com/club-news/thiago-silva-says-he-hopes-to-renew-his-chelsea-contract/ Chelsea defender Thiago Silva said he is proud to play under Frank Lampard and hopes the club will renew his contract at the end of the season. Like many other older players at Chelsea in recent years, the 36-year-old will likely have to negotiate a yearly contract with the club. Silva joined the Blues on a free transfer and signed a one-year contract this summer, with the club having the option to trigger a 12-month extension — and so far it’s safe to say he has proved he deserves another year. Frank Lampard has repeatedly hailed the Brazil international’s influence on and off the pitch, having led Chelsea defence to five clean-sheets in their last six games. Speaking in his press conference for the Brazil national team on Tuesday, Silva also seems to enjoy the few months he has had playing under Lampard. “I am very proud to be coached by someone who has been one of the best midfielders in the world and to have faced him as a player,” the former PSG captain told the reporters about the Chelsea manager (via L’equipe). “We exchange our ideas in the locker room and that’s a very good thing. He talks to me a lot and I try to help my best, on and off the pitch, in order to keep playing in the best possible way.” Silva also sent a clear message to his boss — he wants to stay for another season at Stamford Bridge. “I have learned in [a lot of different competitions] and I use it to help young players,” he added. “This is my first experience in the Premier League. I hope to continue to play well and that my contract will be renewed.”

Chelsea could end up making big profit on £15m star Ross Barkley https://www.thechelseachronicle.com/news/our-view-chelsea-could-end-up-making-big-profit-on-15m-star-ross-barkley/ Chelsea have plenty of players out on loan this season away from Stamford Bridge, but Ross Barkley is arguably the one above any catching the eye. On-loan Blues star Barkley joined Premier League club Aston Villa for the season in search of regular minutes and he’s quickly become an important player for them. The attacking midfielder has already scored two goals in five appearances for the Midlands giants, which included a winner in a Premier League victory against Leicester City in October. He’s instantly become a nailed-on starter for Dean Smith’s XI, establishing a great partnership alongside Villa teammates such as Jack Grealish, John McGinn and Ollie Watkins. snip

13/03/2002 Flashback: Chelsea 4-0 Spurs A stunning hat-trick from Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink inspired victory in London derby Video : https://www.premierleague.com/video/single/347055 Chelsea thrash Spurs Hasselbaink ran rings around Tottenham Chelsea 4-0 Tottenham http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/1862266.stm Chelsea handed Tottenham their fourth defeat in five meetings and their second 4-0 trouncing in four days courtesy of a five-star display from striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. The Dutchman scored a hat-trick, with his head and both feet, to take his season's tally to 27 goals. "It's important we have the mentality to try and get into fourth place. Chelsea coach Claudio Ranieri The win also consigned Spurs' 5-1 Worthington Cup victory over Chelsea to memory. Chelsea are now just five points behind fourth-placed Newcastle, with Spurs a further 12 points adrift. The bad temper that marred Chelsea's triumph in the FA Cup continued, with Mauricio Taricco, who was fouled for Graeme Le Saux's red card at White Hart Lane, chopping down the full-back to earn his own dismissal. Tottenham manager Glenn Hoddle decided to bolster his team with battlers in Ben Thatcher and Taricco, but the ensuing display did little to show any fight. Tottenham enjoyed some early possession but Marcel Desailly was a rock at the back for Chelsea and sparked several counter attacks. Lampard scored the fourth Hasselbaink and Eidur Gudjohnsen squandered the first two chances but as Dean Richards back-pedalled, the Dutchman let loose from 25 yards for the opener. Richards gave Hasselbaink another opportunity soon after and earned himself an early bath at half-time when he was brought off. Soon after the break Taricco received his marching orders, sparking a small melee. We have to lift ourselves and show character Spurs manager Glenn Hoddle And ten minutes later Chelsea went 2-0 up when Hasselbaink headed home from Jesper Gronkjaer's cross. With 10 minutes left Hasselbaink produced a left-foot curler to round off his hat-trick. And to complete the customary scoreline, Frank Lampard struck the fourth from close range on the final whistle. Chelsea: Cudicini, Melchiot, Gallas, Desailly, Babayaro, Gronkjaer (Stanic 78), Petit, Lampard, Le Saux, Hasselbaink (Forssell 83), Gudjohnsen (Zola 73). Subs Not Used: de Goey, Dalla Bona. Tottenham: Sullivan, Taricco, Thatcher (Gardner 67), King, Richards (Perry 45), Ziege, Davies, Poyet, Sherwood, Sheringham, Ferdinand (Rebrov 82). Subs Not Used: Keller, Etherington. Sent Off: Taricco (60). Booked: Sherwood, Thatcher, Perry. Attendance: 39,652. Referee: A Wiley (Burntwood).

Father claims agent blocking player’s move to Chelsea – Message sent to Granovskaia Anel Ahmedhodžić has ended up on Chelsea’s radar following his impressive performances for Malmö FF in 2020. http://sportwitness.co.uk/father-claims-agent-blocking-players-move-chelsea-message-sent-marina-granovskaia/ The west London club’s interest in the defender has been reported in the Swedish press since the start of this month. Ahmedhodžić and Markus Rosenberg, his agent, have both refused to comment on the recent reports linking the centre-back to the Blues. The 21-year-old’s father, Mirsad Ahmedhodžić, has taken to social media to criticise his son’s representative. “Markus Rosenborg separates the child from the father and the mother… for money. Markus wants to fool Anel,” Mirsad said. Mirsad has also given an interview to Sportbladet explaining Rosenberg doesn’t want to take Anel to Chelsea. “He’s [Rosenberg] not doing his job. He has told Marina [Granovskaia, Chelsea director] at Chelsea that Anel is not going there,” Mirsad said. According to Ahmedhodžić Sr, Italian agent Fredrico Pastorello was the one who established contacts with Chelsea, Milan and PSV Eindhoven, which is why Rosenberg has put an end to any potential deal with these clubs. “He [Anel] wants to go abroad after the season. Markus doesn’t fix this; he doesn’t have those contacts. I have tried to inform Markus that Pastorello wants to cooperate with him,” he added. Kvällsposten interviewed Anel after his father made these comments about his agent. “I can start by saying that I am very disappointed. To write things like that on social media and call other people idiots, not to support me,” Anel stressed. “I’ve always felt a love for him. But I haven’t felt any support, he hasn’t supported me properly. Especially now that I’m doing so well.” Chelsea and Milan are believed to have Anel on their transfer lists, but the latter isn’t bothered about the recent reports linking him to top European clubs. “It helps me positively. It raises the confidence to know that I have such big clubs after me. I will always be interesting if I play this well, especially at Malmö FF which is such a big club,” he said. “I focus on my matches and my football, nothing else. I try to be as humble as I can, I try to do everything in a positive way, I try to be mature in my answers and my thoughts. “But as you can see. My old man’s not there. He writes different stuff, especially on Facebook. It’s not the first time he’s [done something like this]. He was at it too when I played at Nottingham Forest, he wrote in some forums there and it has always affected me negatively. I’ve always been criticised for that. “But I will still help my family in every possible way I can. I always have. I will always, as long as I can, help my family financially, especially my mother. My mum’s always supported me. It’s because of her that I feel good in my head.” Anel also dismissed that his agent has tried to create a divide within his family. “That’s absolutely not true. I have chosen Markus Rosenberg as my agent because I trust him fully. I have played with him. I have had conversations with him both as a player and as an agent and in the little time I have had him as an agent he has helped me massively in developing. Both as a player and as a human being,” the 21-year-old added. “Markus is an amazing person. He’s smart, he’s patient, and he knows what he’s doing. I have chosen him because I like him as a person, because he is positive and because I can trust him. That’s a person I want around me.”

Reece James quietly becoming one of Premier League’s most dangerous crossers https://theathletic.com/2182780/2020/11/06/reece-james-crossing-chelsea-alexander-arnold-england/ Back in January, after a convincing 3-0 win over Burnley at Stamford Bridge, Frank Lampard laid out the role he believed Reece James would come to play in Chelsea’s broader attacking scheme. “The way I want us to play, the full-backs are going to be huge for us,” Lampard said. “If I want to get it right, then they have to join in and be an attacking threat. And he (James) certainly is for us, he’s a big weapon at the minute that we have to use well. We have to anticipate those crosses now, because they are coming in with a lot on them and we have to be ready to anticipate and get across people and make goals.” Chelsea’s second goal that day felt like a sequence we might get used to seeing: James initiating a one-two with Callum Hudson-Odoi on the right flank, jogging to the byline and sending in a pinpoint cross to the edge of the six-yard box for Tammy Abraham to connect with. Abraham’s subsequent header was slightly fortunate to sneak between Nick Pope and Ben Mee on the goalline, but the pattern of play that created the chance was simple, repeatable and very difficult to stop. The only other assist of James’s debut Premier League campaign was also for Abraham: a scooped delivery from a deeper position to set up an unmarked header that broke the deadlock at home to Aston Villa in December. Taken together, the two goals highlighted the versatility as well as the quality of his crossing — the attribute that arguably does more than any other to separate the great modern full-backs from the merely good ones. Chelsea’s 3-0 dismantling of 10-man Rennes on Wednesday almost saw James match his entire 2019-20 season tally for assists in the space of 45 minutes. One first-time cross gave Abraham the simplest of near-post finishes early in the second half, and another would have presented Timo Werner with a tap-in at the back post were it not for some brilliant last-ditch defending by visiting captain Damien Da Silva. It was a virtuoso individual display from a player who has quietly become one of the most dangerous crossers in the Premier League. According to Opta, James’s average of 6.75 open crosses per 90 minutes so far this season ranks first among all regular starters in the division, as does his average of 1.59 successful open crosses per 90 minutes. Both are increases on a year ago, when James averaged 5.47 open crosses per 90 minutes (third-most in the Premier League) and 1.25 successful open crosses per 90 minutes (fifth-most in the division). Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold, arguably the best right-back in world football and the player to whom James is most frequently compared, led the way in the 2019-20 Premier League with an average of 6.74 open crosses per 90 minutes (among those who played 500-plus minutes) and ranked seventh for successful open crosses per 90 minutes (1.02). This season, his volume has dipped a little to 5.29 open crosses per 90 minutes (sixth-most), with an average of 1.0 successful open cross per 90 minutes (14th). The numbers from the early weeks of this season, although drawn from a relatively small sample size of minutes, indicate that James’s crossing threat is being featured as prominently in Chelsea’s attacking play as Alexander-Arnold’s consistently dangerous deliveries were in Jurgen Klopp’s spectacularly successful Liverpool system last season. Only time will tell if James is capable of emulating Alexander-Arnold’s remarkable tally of 13 Premier League assists in 2019-20, but he is getting the opportunities to do so. Those 13 assists significantly exceeded Alexander-Arnold’s expected assists (xA) rating of 9.6. Luck might have played a role in that over-performance, but Liverpool’s all-around excellence, seamless attacking chemistry and clinical finishing were probably bigger factors. Klopp’s team virtually broke Opta’s expected goals (xG) metric last season, finding the net 85 times against an xG rating of just 69.71. The more familiar Chelsea attackers become with James’ crossing tendencies, the more frequently they should be able to connect with and convert his deliveries. Abraham’s flashes of natural chemistry with his fellow Chelsea academy graduate are promising on this front, and summer signing Werner is more than capable of striking up a similar level of understanding in time. James’s current xA per 90 of 0.14 in 2020-21 is still some way behind Alexander-Arnold’s production (0.27 xA per 90) in 2019-20. If you isolate James’s xA for those chances he has created with crosses from open play, it is 0.1 per 90 since the start of last season, and that ranks him among the best in the Premier League (joint-fourth) in that time. And Lampard is convinced that James will only get better, to a level where he is challenging Alexander-Arnold. “His delivery is too good, and when I say ‘too good’, I’m joking, but we need to read what he’s doing,” he said in an interview with Sky Sports in February. “We need to get bodies in the box because that’s a huge asset. He’s a great kid who’s going to be a huge player for Chelsea. Without getting too far ahead, even though Trent is that good, he’ll be challenging him.” At an international level, the battle is already taking shape. Gareth Southgate likes James so much he included him in his latest England squad on Thursday despite the presence of three other nominal right-backs — including Alexander-Arnold — in the 29-man group, and despite the fact James is only available for one of England’s three matches in the upcoming international break because of the red card he got against Denmark last month. That camp yielded James’s first senior caps, and there are likely to be many more in his future. “What he did was grab the opportunity with both hands,” Southgate said this week. “Sometimes players do that and sometimes young players don’t necessarily have the confidence to come in and immediately play at their very best. He was comfortable enough to do that in every training session and in the games as a sub. Then, in the most impressive example, when he started the game against Denmark. “He’s continued that form with his club. He was a brilliant example to any player coming in that if you get the opportunity to train with the team, train well. If you get the opportunity to be on the field for 10 or 15 minutes, do that well. Then you gain trust and you get more opportunities. We think he’s a really strong contender with us.” James is 14 months younger than Alexander-Arnold, who has played an astonishingly crucial role in Liverpool’s dominant run of success over the past two years and arguably helped to redefine what elite teams expect from their full-backs. Both players are only likely to become even more valuable attacking weapons as they grow in experience, providing that their clubs and coaches continue to put them in the right tactical systems with complementary personnel to maximise their best qualities. Chelsea made significant progress in that regard in the most recent transfer window. Ben Chilwell appears to have immediately solved Lampard’s left-back problem and possesses all of the required attributes to provide a similar balance for James from the opposite side of the pitch as Andy Robertson does for Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool. Just as significant is the arrival at Stamford Bridge of Hakim Ziyech, who will spend most of his time operating in tandem with James on the right of the creative line. Ziyech is a prolific and deadly crosser from the right wing, averaging 9.72 crosses per 90 minutes for Ajax in the Eredivisie last season. The fact he is left-footed, however, means his deliveries often come from deeper positions as he cuts inside and whips the ball in towards the far post. If defences react to try to take those crossing opportunities away, James can exploit the attention the Morocco international draws to find space for himself on the overlap — just as he did in the lead-up to Abraham’s goal against Rennes. Asked in the build-up to today’s home game against Sheffield United if the Ziyech-James combination could give his team a unique threat, Lampard replied: “I hope so, and that was part of my thinking when Hakim Ziyech came to the club — the balance of the sides of the pitch is very important for us. We knew Reece’s quality last year, and then when you think you can have a winger in front of him who offers different angles and combinations, who can put balls into the box, it can be a big strength of ours. “When we look at the sides of the pitch, it’s something we want to exploit. At the moment, we’re getting some praise for the sides of the pitch, but as we move forward we can get better at it in terms of our execution and finishing in the box. It’s something I’m happy with, but also something I want to keep working on.” James has plenty of room to grow himself, but he is already emerging as another potential game-changer in attack for Chelsea.

Was out all day with wifey and friends, just sw the highlights of the Arse Villa game Barkley had a monster game (other than that dodgy offside VAR call that chalked off a goal) Grealish is a best, and Watkins is showing he is a viable EPL CF Terry has their defence playing well Arse look utter pants, they collapsed

Felipe passed him up in the pecking order often times It probably will not happen I cannot see us dumping out 90m, 100m on a CB all I am saying is that those two are the only ones I truly rate atm

ZERO chance Gimenez will cost 120m euros (£108m) (yes I know that is his RC, but Simeone has fallen out with him to a point and I think 90m (£80m) or so would take him, IF we were willing to drop that much) no CB on the planet would command that, now that VVD is out until he is 30yo (bad injuries and turning 30yo devalue a player badly) and I truly think we have a shot at Camavinga (he idolises Kante, and Kante is now not leaving next summer I wager, it is not worth the vastly reduced amount we will get for him, I think we just hold him until he is too old, as long as he stays healthy), and a shot at Marquinhos.(IF he puts in a request if most of their big WC guns leave) I am not going to lose my mind if we fail on them, but will be pissed if we do not a play for them all (well one of the 2 CB's) Time will tell. and I am only listing the players I actually rate as WC and who we at least have even a remote shot at. (I rate Mbappe, he isn't coming, I rate Laporte, he isn't coming, I rate Romagnoli, he isn't coming, I rate Saúl Ñíguez, he isn't coming, I rate Sancho, he isn't coming, I rate De Bruyne, he isn't coming (and we had him, gggr) I rate Kimmich, he isn't coming, I rate Alphonso Davies, he isn't coming, I rate Frenkie de Jong, he isn't coming, I rate Phil Foden, he isn't coming, I rate Rashford, he isn't coming, I rate Mason Greenwood, he isn't coming, I rate João Félix, he isn't coming, I rate Lukaku, he isn't coming, that ship has sailed, I rate Sadio mane, but he will never come and he turns 30yo next Season, I rate Ansu Fati, and he isn't coming, I rate Lewa and he isn't coming and is far too old to buy next year for what Bayern would demand to part with him., I rate de Ligt, he isn't coming, I rate Casemiro, he isn't coming, I rate Sandro Tonali, he isn't coming, I rate Saka, but I so doubt Arse would sell him, let alone to us. I rate Gnabry, he isn't coming, I rate Kane, he isn't coming (I can hear the rage now, lol) There is a name I did leave off the first list CMF Houssem Aouar, but we are a bit overloaded then at CMF/AMF Finally, 2 names, and because the only turned17 and 18yo respectively, several months back , we can wait, and who I DO want badly here down the road are Jude Bellingham and/or Ryan Gravenberch (both who can play DMF too)

I am sure we make a run at a WC CB and those 2 are the only ones I rate who can be possible taken. Marquinhos can be poached, PSG are going to be broken up in terms of pure WC (Mbappe, Neymar will leave, Di Maria is rapidly ageing, and I think one or more of the huge teams who are not named Chels (Barca, Real, Juve, Shitty, Pool, Manure, Bayern or maybe AM) make a move for Verratti. . I love Romagnoli too, but he is so not leaving AC Milan. Upamecano has looked shambolic as of late. Varane has fallen off a cliff overall, even with Ramos for some bizarre reason, Camavinga is also in the realm of possibility, IF he can sell him on the project.. We are still short a winger, and Dybala is the only left footer I really rate, plus we can pay all over the fronf and MF )amd or RMF/LMF) Dybala would be the last one in terms of my desire out of the 5 positions. There just are not a lot of wingers out there that are great quality and who are both available and who are not a huge dice roll (like Ousmane Dembele, who is a dice roll deluxe, BUT if he was cheap, (£40m or under) might be worth a shot) I said Håland was a dream shot and probably isn't moving next summer (although he might) ad I doubt would come, but he is too good to not list So I deffo think that one of those two CBs and Camavinga (plus Rice) can be done. We have a shedload of swap and sell bait. I will even back off selling Zouma and toss in Rudiger along with AC as one of the ones who need to be shipped. Thiago and Marquinhos (Gimenez as well, but not that those two's level) are so good on the ball that they can make up for that weakness in Zouma, plus Camaviga and Rice help as well. Ultra wild card play: IF we simply cannot do either Marquinhos or Gimenez, go for Ramos on a free! Yes he will be 35 then, but for 2 or 3 years he still will be WC. He probably will never leave RM though.

pass, he is not elite level only Norwegian I want down the road is Håland (I can but dream)

perfect comparison hard pass

It is insane that Thiago still has to play for the Brasil National team at 36yo or else the quality of their defence starts to go to shit. Lolol I mean it is fucking BRASIL, the biggest, best footballing nation and player factory in history.