The Skipper

I don't know. I think you're severely underrating Verratti and Griezmann/Dybala's work rate. You have to think about how the dynamic of the team changes with these sort of players in your side. More quality means more control, more time on the ball. Verratti can do Matic's job no? We have Matic for these big difficult games and he does okay, but you honestly don't think someone like Verratti who usually plays well in the very big games can perform his role in Conte's system? Why? You say we need a worker but someone like Verratti has a very high work rate anyway but also adds real quality to the midfield. We haven't been that defensive in big games this season. Not in every game any way. I think you're over exaggerating how defensive we are or how defensive Conte sets us up and you're over exaggerating how much Conte wants work horses first. To me it sounds like you think we can't fit in more top players in the side. Just because we sign a top player doesn't necessarily mean they're all getting free roles either. Griezmann doesn't really have a free role at Atletico. He has set instructions and does very well defensively for Atletico, who are more defensive than us, but you still don't think he'd fit into Conte'a system. Regardless, these players are quite unattainable anyway. In the Conte thread I came up with some alternatives who might be more satisfying, check it out.

Only 4?

We have an amazing opportunity to grow into a true European elite for the next 5 years if we get our signings right this summer. Conte has been a magnificent appointment, and I genuinely can't wait to see what he can do when he has better players in the side. It's truly incredible how he's managed to guide the team 10 points clear. Absolute winner. He's managed to do so whilst sort of integrating some of the academy guys as squad players as well. At managerial level we're truly set with one of the best. Now it's time to give him the right players. In my opinion, we need to upgrade on 4 positions next summer. CM, LWB, RWB, RF. So essentially an upgrade on Matic/Fabregas, Alonso, Moses and Pedro. We do this successfully and we're set. Realistically, there are a few options for us this summer. There seems to be a mix of top players and up and coming superstars available next summer from particular leagues and teams that I feel we should raid. Specifically the French league which is bursting full of talent right now. At CM, I would look into getting Kante a partner that is a lot more complete defensively and offensively. I would rather them be more inclined towards the latter though due to Kante's defensive ability in midfield. The players I have in mind that are possibly attainable are Tolisso, Naby Keita and maybe Bakayoko. Maybe a cheeky bid for Renato Sanches who hasn't settled at Bayern at all? The pipe dream would be Verratti though. At WB, Alonso and Moses have done very well this season as a couple but they aren't good enough if we want to be a top European side. Of course, they stay and provide crucial squad depth (which we severely lack in the position). I would look at getting in Semedo from Benfica the most, he is a top top full back. Maybe look at other options like Aurier? Cancelo? On the left, again there aren't that many exciting players available but I heard we're interested in Lemar, who plays LM at Monaco. Maybe could be converted into a LWB, would be a very interesting option. We can also possibly take a plunge on one of the best young English talents to come through recently, Ryan Sessegnon, who at 16 would need a few years to bed in but he is doing very well at Fulham at the moment and starts regularly now. Maybe Grimaldo from Benfica is an option too. RF is where it gets fun. We have loads of options here, there are many young talents or even superstars available that we could get. Pedro is doing a magnificent job this season, close to being CPOTY for me. However, he is 31 later this year and we need to invest into that position for the future. If we could manage to steal Alexis, that would be fantastic. Bernardo Silva would be excellent too. Then you have someone like Mbappe which would be a ridiculous statement. Maybe make a huge offer for Ousmane Dembele. The sort of player we need to have there needs to have the 'Pedro profile' if anything in my opinion. You can even look at possibly getting in strikers like Lacazette or Aubameyang who could perform really well in that Pedro role, Anelka style. So someone with a goal scorers mentality when in the box and good off the ball movement. That potentially gives us a team of: Courtois Azpi Luiz Christensen Semedo Kante Tolisso Grimaldo Mbappe Costa Hazard That above is a truly exciting side, and should be pretty achievable next season in my opinion. Hopefully we can make even bigger signings though, you never know. The squad depth would be ridiculous as well with guys like Fabregas, Pedro, Willian, Moses, Ake etc. to call on. Good times ahead hopefully, as long as the board and Conte don't mess up the summer transfer window. We need to spend big, because our competitors will. City and United, and Arsenal and Liverpool potentially too. The PL is going to be exciting next season. This is highly optimistic and idealistic but don't see why we can't be. We'll be champions with a lot of cash to spend.

What Jose is trying to do is very simple. His comments are designed to get us to maybe come out maybe more offensively so that his team has more spaces to play the ball into on the counter (Martial, Rashford, Mkhi). Conte isn't stupid however, and we have nothing to prove. We beat them 4-0 earlier this season.

We aren't exactly an offensive team though are we? We score lots because we are ridiculously clinical compared to other teams. We don't actually create that many clear chances. I mean, Jose shouldn't really be talking like this obviously, but there is a slight grain of truth in there.

It's not the same pragmatism as Jose's. It's different. I wouldn't necessarily call Conte pragmatic per se. Fancy football isn't just possession football. Conte implements Juego De Posicion very well at CFC, and with more quality players we'll be able to play better football, it's simple. You look at Napoli or Dortmund this season for example. Not possession based or fancy sides at all but they have one of the best transition football in Europe. And it's mostly based on Juego de Posicion. Their attacks can be stunning. This is what Conte is trying to implement. You can certainly have superstars that play in this way. You're seriously under rating the likes of Verratti and Dybala if you think they can't play well in Conte's system. Also, seriously demeaning Conte's philosophy. That Juve team Conte created was amazing and he wanted to push it even further with more superstars, but couldn't, hence resigned. Even Griezmann. You're totally ignoring that he plays for the most pragmatic top team in Europe. Of course they'd thrive under Conte.

Nowhere close. Only bonafide world class players we have are Courtois and Eden. Costa, Azpi and Kante are just the level below but we need more players like Eden or Courtois who are or have the potential to be at least top 5 in their position. If we look at Mourinho's CFC, we had bonafide world class players all over the pitch. Cech, Cole, Terry, Carvalho, Essien, Makelele, Lampard, Drogba, Ballack when he joined. 9 top top players. We need at least 3/4 bonafide stars before we can compare it to the best CFC team.

Ibra is an enigma. Guy makes a team so dependant on him, that its almost bad. His positioning and off the ball is still world class. He gets himself into many, many great positions but isn't clinical enough. I think he has a conversion rate of like 13% at the moment which is really bad. If he scores more of the chances he's missed United could've been even been 2nd right now. I think I'd rather play vs. Ibra tbh, I have more faith in our defenders handling him than handling Martial or Rashford. Not to discredit Zlatan who is of course a threat, I just feel like our back 3 struggles more against pace/trickery.

Guys like Pep, Conte, Klopp, even Pochettino will do their upmost to improve their teams and bring it in line with Europe's elite. They're all too good as managers for the top teams in the league to stay behind Europe's elite for too much longer. United will continue to spend heavily too. Next season we'll see the quality of the PL evolve as it's a big big transfer window for a lot of clubs. Honestly, if Eden went to a club with top class quality forwards and midfielders and the right manager, he'd probably still have kept up. It's up to us next transfer window to bring in these sort of players.

I agree with all of this and know that, wasn't disputing otherwise tbh. My main point was more about the quality in the top teams of each division I mentioned. They're ahead of the top teams in the PL. Also agree with the fact that Neymar has had better conditions which I did state. It's unfortunate but it's one of the reasons why Hazard is behind.

Are you having a laugh? Don't confuse me with someone else. Have a look through the Mourinho thread. I have argued with lots of people over Mourinho for a long time. Don't let the truth get in the way though. I know the truth hurts but it is what it is. Literally, quick search brought up this. Been criticising Jose since 2014, boy.

I definitely wasn't an ardent Mourinho supporter... doesn't suit your narrative unfortunately. If Neymar isn't an alpha what's Hazard then? You're saying Neymar isn't PL material just because the truth hurts. Wow. Almost as bad as those that think Messi can't cut the PL. PL isn't superior to La Liga at all. Even German and Italians clubs have been consistently doing better in Europe for years now.

But he isn't in that Barcelona team. It's part of the reasons why Neymar is a level ahead of him now. We have forums to debate things like this. It's not that deep. Nothing wrong with me comparing a player to Hazard in the Hazard thread, to open a debate up. Hazard hasn't had a performance like that in his CFC career yet and he won't have the opportunity to till next season so...

Eden hasn't dominated the PL like Henry yet though. He's been the best player in the EPL but he's never been as clear as Henry was at his best.

Every night before I sleep I thank God for us not buying K2.

I think he's no slouch on the defensive side of his game though. He affects both sides of the pitch very well. He's a complete midfielder, can do everything at a good level. He wouldn't be shackled in the system imo.

+1

I actually disagree. I would rather play against Ibra because I know we can contain him. Martial/Rashford however is another story. Martial's ability and Rashford's pace could be more of a problem.

Eden is very good domestically. He needs to elevate his level in very crucial games though. Like Didier, Lamps etc. used to do. Like Messi does. Like Suarez does. Like what Neymar just did. Eden hasn't done that here yet. @DYC. said it perfectly in his earlier post, Eden is basically still a 'talent' who still needs to add more to his game to get to that level. Neymar has already reached that though. Neymar has evolved his playmaking skills and tactical discipline, whilst retaining his goalscoring ability (not so much this season) and dribbling ability. He's complete now. Eden still isn't due to various reasons (not talent per se though). I wouldn't say either were so poor particularly either earlier in the season on Busquets and Neymar. Barcelona have had lots of ups and downs, and their form have both reflected that. They've both also had some injuries so that affects form naturally too. Their latest down was a bit longer but they've roared it back now, and are in contention to actually win the treble.

This is probably true, but he's at Chelsea, and sadly Neymar has left him.

Right now? It's difficult outside the top 3 [Messi, Neymar, Ronaldo, in this order], as it gets quite close in terms of ability then. For me I'd probably complete it with any of Suarez, Kroos, Modric, Lewandowski and maybe Neuer, Busquets or Ramos, and then you have the likes who are on a similar level as Eden like Alexis, Bale, Griezmann, Thiago, KdB, Courtois, De Gea etc. In fact, some could argue he's not even top 10.

I'm saying this because Hazard hasn't had anywhere near as many great European performances against top teams as Neymar has. Also, internationally we know who's better. Neymar has better team mates yes, Hazard is supremely talented, and they used to be on the same level until about 2015. Since then Neymar has left him. The biggest thing Eden had over him was playmaking ability but now Neymar is better than him in that regards too it seems. Better goal scorer, better creator... It isn't a debate at the moment in my opinion. Neymar is arguably the 2nd best in the world right now, due to Ronaldo's decline. Hazard isn't even top 5 at the moment.

He obviously didn't read your post properly. Some are very offended by the truth. You represented your argument well.

@Blue-in-me-Veins I think Oxlade's greatest strength lies in his 1 v 1 dribbling ability. He uses his pace, power and good ball control well to evade challenges. Not too much unlike Victor Moses. My thoughts behind him possibly being an option an option at RWB doesn't just restrict him playing there. Of course he'd be an option at CM and RW as well. Particularly at CM as well as you mentioned. IMO he'd essentially be a rich man's Moses on the RWB if he could learn the role defensively well. Oxlade would utilise the space given to our WBs a lot better than Moses would. I think he has the tools for the role anyway. On Willian, always thought he could possibly do a job at RWB but I'd let him go if it meant signing Ox.

Does anyone think he could do a good job at RWB here?