The Skipper

What do you think he does better than Hugo? I think Ekitike is far far better than Woltemade tbh, like his ceiling is way higher. Much better technical base, much better locomotion, one of those wing forward like strikers, a lot like Isak. Woltemade reminds me of a slightly more technical Weghorst/Fullkrug. I don't think he scales up too well in the PL personally.

Watched some more Gittens tapes, he's actually a very interesting prospect. I think he's probably a year or two away from blowing up.

What do you think he does better than Hugo? I think Ekitike is far far better than Woltemade tbh, like his ceiling is way higher. Much better technical base, much better locomotion, one of those wing forward like strikers, a lot like Isak. Woltemade reminds me of a slightly more technical Weghorst/Fullkrug. I don't think he scales up too well in the PL personally.

What do you think he does better than Hugo? I think Ekitike is far far better than Woltemade tbh, like his ceiling is way higher. Much better technical base, much better locomotion, one of those wing forward like strikers, a lot like Isak. Woltemade reminds me of a slightly more technical Weghorst/Fullkrug. I don't think he scales up too well in the PL personally.

Watched some more Gittens tapes, he's actually a very interesting prospect. I think he's probably a year or two away from blowing up.

Good evening Chelsea family, glad to see this place is still alive and kicking. Small thoughts on our transfer window so far.
I think the Delap signing is great value for money, and in today's market where your young talented CFs are going for 90m-100m+ euros, it's a snip. Of course he isn't a top 9 yet, but low risk high reward imo. Quenda, just watched him in the France u21 v Portugal u21 matchup. Kid's legit. Elite winger in the making, great weight of pass, great football IQ, great athleticim and a nice technical floor. Wish we could bring him in a bit earlier because I think he's ready to start in the PL tbh. Essugo seems like a raw guy, so really looking forward to see *how* raw exactly. Seems like a good dude to bring off the bench to add beef into the midfield. Sarr seems like the type of CB we need - strong, athletic, front footed. He is still a bit raw though it seems. Interested to see how he cooks in the CWC. For me the priorities now are, bring in Maignan if you can and run a 2 man rotation between him and Sanchez (Maignan as the no. 1 of course). Looks like they're hellbent on selling Petrovic and he seems to be ready to go anyways. I don't think Jorgensen will ever be good enough (happy to be proved wrong) and I don't think Penders needs to sit on the bench here - Maignan can be a perfect in between.
I would also look at an elite right footed winger - so someone like Rodrygo, Barcola, Leao or maybe even Nico Williams. If possible, let's grab also a 10/wing hybrid type player too so we can actually rotate Palmer or not be too effected if he goes missing through injury/form. I really like Ekitike as well but I think that's more of a luxury signing tbh, not essential. Also heard we might be after Hato at LB, wouldn't be so mad at that.
So for the rest of the window if you bring in:
Maignan Rodrygo/Barcola/Leao/Nico Williams Hybrid 10/LW or maybe just another right footed left winger (Gittens is ok if they can get a reasonable price) Ekitike Hato I think we have a top window here. Then it's about selling. Whether they can pull that off, I don't know. The owners and SDs so far have looked very amateurish in general. They've done some good stuff but done a lot of bad stuff as well. 

So:
Dembele: signed at 26. Hakimi: signed at 22 Donnarumma: signed at 22 Marquinhos: signed at 21? Fabian: 26 I think there's not much wrong with signing young guys, because all of these bar say Marquinhos still had loads of experience when signed (I think experience rather than age is important here - how many top flight games have they played). I think the key really is to sign real quality with experience, regardless of age. We have guys like Enzo, Caicedo, Reece, Cucurella seriously coming of age now in that sort of bracket imo. Pretty much core guys in our 11. We need a few more absolutely, and this is where you get guys like Maignan to come in and bridge the gap, but imo football is turning into a sport where youth are going to prevail. You don't want to wed yourself to "older" players too much, you are better off building them up yourself as PSG have done. We do lack that balance a bit, but I don't think signing older players for the sake of it, unless they actually bring in real quality like Maignan, is a great idea. 
Hopefully the whole CWC deadline thing was a ruse and we actually do end up grabbing him, and a top quality left winger who does have that experience, minimum. Then you have a core of top LW, Maignan, Reece, Cucurella, Enzo, Caicedo which is over half of the starting 11 now. Surrounded by young guys with top character like Colwill & Palmer, that's 8/11. The rest can be managed imo. It's a good base. They just need to add the crown jewels now.

Good evening Chelsea family, glad to see this place is still alive and kicking. Small thoughts on our transfer window so far.
I think the Delap signing is great value for money, and in today's market where your young talented CFs are going for 90m-100m+ euros, it's a snip. Of course he isn't a top 9 yet, but low risk high reward imo. Quenda, just watched him in the France u21 v Portugal u21 matchup. Kid's legit. Elite winger in the making, great weight of pass, great football IQ, great athleticim and a nice technical floor. Wish we could bring him in a bit earlier because I think he's ready to start in the PL tbh. Essugo seems like a raw guy, so really looking forward to see *how* raw exactly. Seems like a good dude to bring off the bench to add beef into the midfield. Sarr seems like the type of CB we need - strong, athletic, front footed. He is still a bit raw though it seems. Interested to see how he cooks in the CWC. For me the priorities now are, bring in Maignan if you can and run a 2 man rotation between him and Sanchez (Maignan as the no. 1 of course). Looks like they're hellbent on selling Petrovic and he seems to be ready to go anyways. I don't think Jorgensen will ever be good enough (happy to be proved wrong) and I don't think Penders needs to sit on the bench here - Maignan can be a perfect in between.
I would also look at an elite right footed winger - so someone like Rodrygo, Barcola, Leao or maybe even Nico Williams. If possible, let's grab also a 10/wing hybrid type player too so we can actually rotate Palmer or not be too effected if he goes missing through injury/form. I really like Ekitike as well but I think that's more of a luxury signing tbh, not essential. Also heard we might be after Hato at LB, wouldn't be so mad at that.
So for the rest of the window if you bring in:
Maignan Rodrygo/Barcola/Leao/Nico Williams Hybrid 10/LW or maybe just another right footed left winger (Gittens is ok if they can get a reasonable price) Ekitike Hato I think we have a top window here. Then it's about selling. Whether they can pull that off, I don't know. The owners and SDs so far have looked very amateurish in general. They've done some good stuff but done a lot of bad stuff as well. 

Good evening Chelsea family, glad to see this place is still alive and kicking. Small thoughts on our transfer window so far.
I think the Delap signing is great value for money, and in today's market where your young talented CFs are going for 90m-100m+ euros, it's a snip. Of course he isn't a top 9 yet, but low risk high reward imo. Quenda, just watched him in the France u21 v Portugal u21 matchup. Kid's legit. Elite winger in the making, great weight of pass, great football IQ, great athleticim and a nice technical floor. Wish we could bring him in a bit earlier because I think he's ready to start in the PL tbh. Essugo seems like a raw guy, so really looking forward to see *how* raw exactly. Seems like a good dude to bring off the bench to add beef into the midfield. Sarr seems like the type of CB we need - strong, athletic, front footed. He is still a bit raw though it seems. Interested to see how he cooks in the CWC. For me the priorities now are, bring in Maignan if you can and run a 2 man rotation between him and Sanchez (Maignan as the no. 1 of course). Looks like they're hellbent on selling Petrovic and he seems to be ready to go anyways. I don't think Jorgensen will ever be good enough (happy to be proved wrong) and I don't think Penders needs to sit on the bench here - Maignan can be a perfect in between.
I would also look at an elite right footed winger - so someone like Rodrygo, Barcola, Leao or maybe even Nico Williams. If possible, let's grab also a 10/wing hybrid type player too so we can actually rotate Palmer or not be too effected if he goes missing through injury/form. I really like Ekitike as well but I think that's more of a luxury signing tbh, not essential. Also heard we might be after Hato at LB, wouldn't be so mad at that.
So for the rest of the window if you bring in:
Maignan Rodrygo/Barcola/Leao/Nico Williams Hybrid 10/LW or maybe just another right footed left winger (Gittens is ok if they can get a reasonable price) Ekitike Hato I think we have a top window here. Then it's about selling. Whether they can pull that off, I don't know. The owners and SDs so far have looked very amateurish in general. They've done some good stuff but done a lot of bad stuff as well. 

Good to see you around mate, stay tuned

Good evening Chelsea family, glad to see this place is still alive and kicking. Small thoughts on our transfer window so far.
I think the Delap signing is great value for money, and in today's market where your young talented CFs are going for 90m-100m+ euros, it's a snip. Of course he isn't a top 9 yet, but low risk high reward imo. Quenda, just watched him in the France u21 v Portugal u21 matchup. Kid's legit. Elite winger in the making, great weight of pass, great football IQ, great athleticim and a nice technical floor. Wish we could bring him in a bit earlier because I think he's ready to start in the PL tbh. Essugo seems like a raw guy, so really looking forward to see *how* raw exactly. Seems like a good dude to bring off the bench to add beef into the midfield. Sarr seems like the type of CB we need - strong, athletic, front footed. He is still a bit raw though it seems. Interested to see how he cooks in the CWC. For me the priorities now are, bring in Maignan if you can and run a 2 man rotation between him and Sanchez (Maignan as the no. 1 of course). Looks like they're hellbent on selling Petrovic and he seems to be ready to go anyways. I don't think Jorgensen will ever be good enough (happy to be proved wrong) and I don't think Penders needs to sit on the bench here - Maignan can be a perfect in between.
I would also look at an elite right footed winger - so someone like Rodrygo, Barcola, Leao or maybe even Nico Williams. If possible, let's grab also a 10/wing hybrid type player too so we can actually rotate Palmer or not be too effected if he goes missing through injury/form. I really like Ekitike as well but I think that's more of a luxury signing tbh, not essential. Also heard we might be after Hato at LB, wouldn't be so mad at that.
So for the rest of the window if you bring in:
Maignan Rodrygo/Barcola/Leao/Nico Williams Hybrid 10/LW or maybe just another right footed left winger (Gittens is ok if they can get a reasonable price) Ekitike Hato I think we have a top window here. Then it's about selling. Whether they can pull that off, I don't know. The owners and SDs so far have looked very amateurish in general. They've done some good stuff but done a lot of bad stuff as well. 

Good evening Chelsea family, glad to see this place is still alive and kicking. Small thoughts on our transfer window so far.
I think the Delap signing is great value for money, and in today's market where your young talented CFs are going for 90m-100m+ euros, it's a snip. Of course he isn't a top 9 yet, but low risk high reward imo. Quenda, just watched him in the France u21 v Portugal u21 matchup. Kid's legit. Elite winger in the making, great weight of pass, great football IQ, great athleticim and a nice technical floor. Wish we could bring him in a bit earlier because I think he's ready to start in the PL tbh. Essugo seems like a raw guy, so really looking forward to see *how* raw exactly. Seems like a good dude to bring off the bench to add beef into the midfield. Sarr seems like the type of CB we need - strong, athletic, front footed. He is still a bit raw though it seems. Interested to see how he cooks in the CWC. For me the priorities now are, bring in Maignan if you can and run a 2 man rotation between him and Sanchez (Maignan as the no. 1 of course). Looks like they're hellbent on selling Petrovic and he seems to be ready to go anyways. I don't think Jorgensen will ever be good enough (happy to be proved wrong) and I don't think Penders needs to sit on the bench here - Maignan can be a perfect in between.
I would also look at an elite right footed winger - so someone like Rodrygo, Barcola, Leao or maybe even Nico Williams. If possible, let's grab also a 10/wing hybrid type player too so we can actually rotate Palmer or not be too effected if he goes missing through injury/form. I really like Ekitike as well but I think that's more of a luxury signing tbh, not essential. Also heard we might be after Hato at LB, wouldn't be so mad at that.
So for the rest of the window if you bring in:
Maignan Rodrygo/Barcola/Leao/Nico Williams Hybrid 10/LW or maybe just another right footed left winger (Gittens is ok if they can get a reasonable price) Ekitike Hato I think we have a top window here. Then it's about selling. Whether they can pull that off, I don't know. The owners and SDs so far have looked very amateurish in general. They've done some good stuff but done a lot of bad stuff as well. 

Good evening Chelsea family, glad to see this place is still alive and kicking. Small thoughts on our transfer window so far.
I think the Delap signing is great value for money, and in today's market where your young talented CFs are going for 90m-100m+ euros, it's a snip. Of course he isn't a top 9 yet, but low risk high reward imo. Quenda, just watched him in the France u21 v Portugal u21 matchup. Kid's legit. Elite winger in the making, great weight of pass, great football IQ, great athleticim and a nice technical floor. Wish we could bring him in a bit earlier because I think he's ready to start in the PL tbh. Essugo seems like a raw guy, so really looking forward to see *how* raw exactly. Seems like a good dude to bring off the bench to add beef into the midfield. Sarr seems like the type of CB we need - strong, athletic, front footed. He is still a bit raw though it seems. Interested to see how he cooks in the CWC. For me the priorities now are, bring in Maignan if you can and run a 2 man rotation between him and Sanchez (Maignan as the no. 1 of course). Looks like they're hellbent on selling Petrovic and he seems to be ready to go anyways. I don't think Jorgensen will ever be good enough (happy to be proved wrong) and I don't think Penders needs to sit on the bench here - Maignan can be a perfect in between.
I would also look at an elite right footed winger - so someone like Rodrygo, Barcola, Leao or maybe even Nico Williams. If possible, let's grab also a 10/wing hybrid type player too so we can actually rotate Palmer or not be too effected if he goes missing through injury/form. I really like Ekitike as well but I think that's more of a luxury signing tbh, not essential. Also heard we might be after Hato at LB, wouldn't be so mad at that.
So for the rest of the window if you bring in:
Maignan Rodrygo/Barcola/Leao/Nico Williams Hybrid 10/LW or maybe just another right footed left winger (Gittens is ok if they can get a reasonable price) Ekitike Hato I think we have a top window here. Then it's about selling. Whether they can pull that off, I don't know. The owners and SDs so far have looked very amateurish in general. They've done some good stuff but done a lot of bad stuff as well. 

Good to see some of the OGs are still kicking it on here! Good to see you too Vesper!

Good evening Chelsea family, glad to see this place is still alive and kicking. Small thoughts on our transfer window so far.
I think the Delap signing is great value for money, and in today's market where your young talented CFs are going for 90m-100m+ euros, it's a snip. Of course he isn't a top 9 yet, but low risk high reward imo. Quenda, just watched him in the France u21 v Portugal u21 matchup. Kid's legit. Elite winger in the making, great weight of pass, great football IQ, great athleticim and a nice technical floor. Wish we could bring him in a bit earlier because I think he's ready to start in the PL tbh. Essugo seems like a raw guy, so really looking forward to see *how* raw exactly. Seems like a good dude to bring off the bench to add beef into the midfield. Sarr seems like the type of CB we need - strong, athletic, front footed. He is still a bit raw though it seems. Interested to see how he cooks in the CWC. For me the priorities now are, bring in Maignan if you can and run a 2 man rotation between him and Sanchez (Maignan as the no. 1 of course). Looks like they're hellbent on selling Petrovic and he seems to be ready to go anyways. I don't think Jorgensen will ever be good enough (happy to be proved wrong) and I don't think Penders needs to sit on the bench here - Maignan can be a perfect in between.
I would also look at an elite right footed winger - so someone like Rodrygo, Barcola, Leao or maybe even Nico Williams. If possible, let's grab also a 10/wing hybrid type player too so we can actually rotate Palmer or not be too effected if he goes missing through injury/form. I really like Ekitike as well but I think that's more of a luxury signing tbh, not essential. Also heard we might be after Hato at LB, wouldn't be so mad at that.
So for the rest of the window if you bring in:
Maignan Rodrygo/Barcola/Leao/Nico Williams Hybrid 10/LW or maybe just another right footed left winger (Gittens is ok if they can get a reasonable price) Ekitike Hato I think we have a top window here. Then it's about selling. Whether they can pull that off, I don't know. The owners and SDs so far have looked very amateurish in general. They've done some good stuff but done a lot of bad stuff as well. 

Good to see some of the OGs are still kicking it on here! Good to see you too Vesper!

hejsan m8! long time no see
hugzzzz,
Vesper

Just want to bring some perspective to yesterday's goings on....We knew the window was short and what annoyed me the most was the fact the deals/players we were going for were not 70/80M players, they were players who both wanted to come here, had relatively low values based on the current market and we still couldn't get it done. Right, so I hear the window opens Monday again..so does that mean our targets are going to go from Gittens and Maignan to Donnuruma and Williams? Not a fucking chance, we went low for players and will remain at that price level and that player level, the pattern over the last two seasons tell you all you need to know.
I'm hearing and reading I maybe unrealistic....nah I have been around Chelsea since the mid 80's, seen the bad times, seen the better times, seen the incredible times and seen the decline again, but what was the most stand out thing about all the times I have supported and followed the club is we always, always had a smattering of young but with experience wrapped around it, whether it be the mid 80's or 2025 you need this, and this is what this board are not getting. An arm round a shoulder is as key as a bit of flair skill, a low moment was where players were judged, where leaders and figure heads came in..years ago it was Bumpstead, Speedie, the baton was then passed to the Zola's and Poyet's, then we had the Terry's and Carvalho's, Coles and Lampards, these were your leaders and the ones that took things on the chin and galvanized the group.
What we are seeing now is Tosin and Bettinelli's (gone) spoken about being the leaders and the characters in the changing room...nah fucking nah, we have a captain that is injured all the time, a dud keeper, mis mash centre backs, wingers that don't work anywhere near as hard as they should and meant to be flair players but offer fuck all and still years on pining for a striker we still have not got. Drogba passed the baton but it was dropped a million times between Torres, Morata, Higuain.. picked up by Giroud, dropped again between Lukaku and so on and so on without any order, Drogba and Hasslebaink with a smattering of Gudjohnsen to add flair.....
The point Im trying to make is sign experience, do not cut corners, do not discard experience and this club deserves to have these calibre of signings which is why I am not having these owners and SD's one bit, they have no clue what they are doing and the direction is non existent. What we seen and witnessed yesterday was shambolic, whether it be only for a few days until the window opens again, this was about, and lets solely focus on the keeper for one second, an experienced and very good shot stopper for a car boot price, someone the manager wanted, forget the briefs, he wanted him because he plays well with his feet and we went in for him with a reason, we failed, we failed the manager because the club is obsessed with penny pinching, yet the graphs and data tell you we are way above the PSR curve, with ease. 
The direction is rotten, the outlook is rotten, the club has lost it's way, I love Chelsea always will but the faith is slowly draining from me because the people in charge are a disgrace.
Seen the good seen the bad, this is really bad, but always Chels
 

Good evening Chelsea family, glad to see this place is still alive and kicking. Small thoughts on our transfer window so far.
I think the Delap signing is great value for money, and in today's market where your young talented CFs are going for 90m-100m+ euros, it's a snip. Of course he isn't a top 9 yet, but low risk high reward imo. Quenda, just watched him in the France u21 v Portugal u21 matchup. Kid's legit. Elite winger in the making, great weight of pass, great football IQ, great athleticim and a nice technical floor. Wish we could bring him in a bit earlier because I think he's ready to start in the PL tbh. Essugo seems like a raw guy, so really looking forward to see *how* raw exactly. Seems like a good dude to bring off the bench to add beef into the midfield. Sarr seems like the type of CB we need - strong, athletic, front footed. He is still a bit raw though it seems. Interested to see how he cooks in the CWC. For me the priorities now are, bring in Maignan if you can and run a 2 man rotation between him and Sanchez (Maignan as the no. 1 of course). Looks like they're hellbent on selling Petrovic and he seems to be ready to go anyways. I don't think Jorgensen will ever be good enough (happy to be proved wrong) and I don't think Penders needs to sit on the bench here - Maignan can be a perfect in between.
I would also look at an elite right footed winger - so someone like Rodrygo, Barcola, Leao or maybe even Nico Williams. If possible, let's grab also a 10/wing hybrid type player too so we can actually rotate Palmer or not be too effected if he goes missing through injury/form. I really like Ekitike as well but I think that's more of a luxury signing tbh, not essential. Also heard we might be after Hato at LB, wouldn't be so mad at that.
So for the rest of the window if you bring in:
Maignan Rodrygo/Barcola/Leao/Nico Williams Hybrid 10/LW or maybe just another right footed left winger (Gittens is ok if they can get a reasonable price) Ekitike Hato I think we have a top window here. Then it's about selling. Whether they can pull that off, I don't know. The owners and SDs so far have looked very amateurish in general. They've done some good stuff but done a lot of bad stuff as well. 

Hi Skipper,
As a Dutchy it´s always great to welcome other Dutch people on this fantastic forum.
Enjoy your stay here,
Vincent

People don’t realise that we’re looking incredibly liquid in attack at the moment because Callum is conducting a lot of the play. He’s doing a lot of good things when it comes to creating, dictating the tempo in the final third, making the right decisions in the final third. 
Just needs to sort out his finishing in general, and be given more game time so he can increase his risk appetite… 
He’s still not anywhere near his best imo. Still has a lot of room to grow. 

Alonso is genuinely the worst player in the squad imo. 

No they didn’t . Alonso made a stupid mistake just before the goal we conceded and got breezed past multiple times.
maybe we could play CHO as left wing back. Has a decent left foot and bags of energy. Seems like the best solution to me of chilly really is out atm
shame Saul is a dud. He was brought exactly for that situation and has played last 2 years as lwb for tletli 

You could use a number of superlatives to describe that performance. Almost perfect & that was without three of our main attackers.
We are playing some of the best football I've seen at the club in my lifetime, with everyone chipping in, especially upfront. Top spot in our hands now.

There are very few. But players with cesc type passing abilities appear to be a thing of the past. But i dont think we need those. We need someone who is somewhat strong and athletic, can hold his positions and play long and through balls between the lines to complement kovacic. The only players who are available and come remotedly close are neves, zakaria, rice and manuel locatelli who i am becoming increasingly convinced by. maybe tielemans, bentancour or camavinga if they develop a more reserved style of play.
But we are not making the most of our attackign players in the system we are currently playing. only CHO and Alonso really profit from the way we are playing. Our three most talented, technically gifted attackers Pulisic, Havertz and Ziyech being marginalised is not gonna be helpful in the long term. this is why i do not think this 3-4-2-1 is the way to go. It only works when we monopolize posession which in turn hurts werner who is near on useless in a non-counter attacking system or with players who can play through balls. I still think Lampard was on the right track strategically with the 4-3-3 which Rice would have completed. It is a shame it will never come to fruition partly due to his tactical incapability.
The chance i see for Tuchel if he is hellbent on sticking to 3-4-2-1 is to replace Jorginho in the starting lineup with Mount and play Ziyech, Pulisic or havertz in the AM positions. maybe even 2 if the opponent is not that physical or parks it really deep.
--------James----Silva---Zouma----
CHO----Mount-----Kova----Chilwell-
----------Ziyech/Kai---Werner/Puli-------
------------Tammy/Kai/Giroud----------
would be worth a try IMO.