NikkiCFC

I am sure if we are after Coutinho, Frank is planning to play him as AM in 4-2-3-1 or LCM in 4-3-3. LW only if Ziyach is playing as midfielder. Having both Ziyach and Coutinho as wingers would be very bad. And yeah with Puli and CHO here no chance we ever do that. I remember in our national team we played some games 4-2-3-1 with SMS as AM and Ljajic and Tadic as wingers. All 3 players have characteristics to play AM and all do not have any pace. It is so frustrating to luck pace in this positions so that is why I never want to see something similar in Chelsea. Ok one slow winger but two? Please no. But like I said if we end up with both Coutinho and Ziyach I am sure one will play as midfielder.

Because clubs from Italy, France, Spain are doing it. Roma players without salary for 4 months.

Can someone explain to me why all this drama over money if league is going to resume? Clubs will not lose TV and sponsor money just money from tickets for 4 or 5 home games which is like 10m so no issue there.

You are right. After Higuain left and Milik got injured experiment with Mertens as number 9 went very well so they continued with it for years. For Belgium he still plays as RW.

I personally don't. First FFP is still a thing. And secondly top players won't want to go there. Maybe some of them for crazy money like James Rodriguez or Cavani...

Would rather have him than Coutinho.

It is fair. He is not registered for this season. Imagine Newcastle buy tomorrow 10 players for 500m and can play them all last 9 games of the season? Also it is more than likely he will play here earlier than in Netherlands. If I understood, you think this season will continue in June but next season wont start till end of the year? This season has to end by August 3rd and next season will start like 2 weeks later. Bundesliga starts again in two weeks.

Expected and I am happy about this. But we need to replace Willy with good GK who will push Kepa.

Great. Had no idea we have that option. He would want 2 or 3 years extension so this is perfect for us!

Add backup keeper and that should be it. Also in January Frank was very specific that more than anything he wants striker so it is hard to imagine we will not go for some typical striker. Coutinho not sure it is real thing probably media bs... Also if I have to bet Chilwell before Telles. (not for me) People need to forget Sancho. We offered 2 years extension to Willian and we already have CHO, Pulisic and Ziyach. So no chance club is thinking: Oh Willian does not want 2 year lets sign instead 120m player. No chance.

I disagree and I explained in his thread why it would make sense. With Giroud staying, who knows, maybe we will not sign new striker. And Mertens primary position is still RW. So with CHO, Pulisic (young), Ziyach (prime) it would make sense to have older and experienced 4th winger to replace Willian/Pedro. Also it would be great option because Sancho is I think staying in Dortmund one more season so next season we can go for him and get rid of Dries.

ESPN Brazil

Coutinho can get back to his best at Chelsea, says Rivaldo https://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/coutinho-can-get-back-to-his-best-at-chelsea-says-rivaldo/1mm53r3z5awxk1bvohntp2jts3

I really rate this guy.

I rate this dude over Tammy and Dembele. If not Werner we should try with him. He suits our style. I think big future ahead. Cech, Drogba, Essien, Malouda, Azpi all came from Ligue1.

Agree with this. People who criticized him do not understand his role. My favorite was: he and Kante should switch positions

Agree with this. Even if our academy players do not become top players it is still great to have them all because they fill the squad numbers. Basically 1/3 of our squad can be filled with academy players no matter what. This system is saving us a lot of money. So no more spending 25m, 35m for squad players like Zappacosta, Drinkwater... But now speaking of improvement we need to be careful. Easiest way to improve and reach City and Liverpool level is with buying world class players. With our academy we can focus on buying them. Instead of buying four 40m players it is better to buy two worth 80m. Look what Alisson and VVD did for Liverpool? So for example our CBs... It is expected that we sell one of our CBs and buy new one. Fans want Zouma or Rudiger sold and we may buy Gabriel. So that is risky and long term project we do not know how would end. Instead I think we need to operate like City or Liverpool. Frank needs to decide who of our 4 CBs is the worst and replace him with someone who is better than all we have like Romagnoli or KK...

This is still open. Rashford, Greenwood, Williams, McTominay all look very good and all can be world class players.

Captain.

Arsenal and Atletico Madrid would be the BIG winners if UEFA uses controversial coefficient system to decide next season's Champions League places, while it would be DISASTER for Chelsea and Inter Milan... so, what are the alternatives? https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8244639/Arsenal-Man-United-Atletico-Madrid-Roma-big-winners-UEFA-coefficient-plan.html UEFA would lost any credibility if this happens.

Can not see this happening. Arsenal is to small for him. Why would he leave Atletico for them?

He has 12 goals and 6 assists this season in 1787 minutes (less than 20 games). Very good stats. Scored twice against Liverpool in CL. After Lewa and Haland best goalscorer in CL. I also think that club is looking for more experienced players (Ziyach, Coutinho, Mertens...) because we already have a lot of young players especially up front. Someone has to replace experience of Giroud, Pedro and Willian. With CHO and Pulisic it make sense not to go for another youngster. If it is not Sancho ofc. Also it would save club money because Mertens is for free but also with him we would have one less player to pay since he would cover two positions. It would be something like this: Wingers: CHO, Pulisic, Ziyach, Mertens. Strikers: Abraham, new striker, Mertens. So Giroud, Willian, Pedro, Michy out. Mertens, Ziyach, new striker in. This is what I expect to happen. Mertens as an option from the bench is not so bad. Boga said he wants to stay in Sassuolo and Sancho is just a dream in this climate and I think he will stay in Dortmund one more year.

Full 3rd kit.