King Kante

Erm, no. Yaya Toure was a great player and did a lot of work off the ball, with tracking runners and also moving around to create space to receive the ball. RLC on the other hand literally just strolls around and only wants the ball played to his feet i.e. very few off the ball runs to open space up for himself or others. I am taking it you have only watched him on TV so this isn't as obvious, but he is incredibly lazy (or his back injury is so chronic he has preserve himself for when he is on the ball.)

If we switch to a 2 up top formation, we will most likely go 352 and not 442. RLC's work rate off the ball is dire. Have you actually ever seen him put a shift in? I have a season ticket and have watched him extensively and I tell you now, outside of the final 1/3 or when on the ball, he is our laziest player bar none. Literally walks around like he is playing a game in the back garden with his kids. Sancho isn't happening. The Werner/Ziyech combo put an end to that. Further, I am not convinced he will actually move this Summer as the smarter financial move for him is to run his Dortmund contract to a year or less. Harvetz however, makes some sense as he can play in a midfield three and would bring goals. I know he plays as a WF/CF at times also but that is partly due to him being an insane talent. However, if we were to buy him I would say we would need to shift Barkley plus one of Kante/Jorgi to not end up with far too many CM's.

This is an important factor that I think is being lost with Werner. A lot of people are talking about him as if this season has been some sort of one off where he has come out of the blue. In fact if anyone has watched him they will know he has been improving year on year now since he was 19. For me, he is someone that will continue to improve and work hard at things if he comes in and it does not quite work out, which is the opposite of say a Morata who just went home to cry to his wife. That said, I am not certain he will be a hit the ground running type of player and he will probably need 6-12 months to adapt. Further, people need to stop thinking of him as a CF and instead think of him as a No.11 who can play as a No.10 in a 352/442 formation. For me, I am very happy with this transfer as I think it is one where it is a no brainer, I say this because: a) his fee is under his market value, b ) he is incredibly hard working c) he has a great attitude, d) he has been scoring and assisting in a top 3 league and the CL at a very good rate. Now what we need to do is to sort out other areas of the team. For me, we still have a lot of work to do as I would say we still have a few players to shift and probably need 4-5 players still (GK, CB, LB, CM (one full sized CM as all of our useable ones are pretty much funsized) and a CF. In a perfect world I would chop the following: Kepa - Too small and simply not good enough. Emerson - Doesn't want to be here Zouma - cannot pass and if he wasn't such a physical specimen would probably be a Championship player Barkley - Cannot make the right decision to save his life. Willian - decided he was going elsewhere a while ago Pedro - will miss him but his time is up Batsh*t - somehow still doesn't know the offside rule. Buy: Oblak - this is only possible if AM do not get CL and cannot stump up the Morata money. Upcameno/Romagnoli - Both tough but I struggle to see another CB of the required level that is more likely than either of these two. Telles - Better and cheaper than Chilwell and the Ajax one who's name I cannot spell. SMS - I think SMS would be perfect for us as a No.6 as he has great technical ability in both feet and can provide us with more muscle in the middle. That said one of Kante of Jorgi would also have to go. Cavani - a 12-24 month contract is a no brainer to me.

People need to realise that Ziyech is Willian's replacement and Werner is Pedro's. Probably means no Sancho but I do not think he is moving this summer anyway. Next important areas to sort are: CB, LB, GK and a strong No.6.

Pretty much this, Werner is not perfect but as a No.11 in a 433 or as a No.10 in a 442 he is pretty much the best we can get. As I said, one thing with Granny, if there is a good deal to be had with a buyout, she is pretty much all over it.

My opinion with transfers at Chelsea are that they are done on a consensus basis with Granny having the veto power. In my opinion, it is likely that the Scouts, those responsible for the youth set up, the manager, Emenalo (when he was here) and maybe certain agents (this is more for transfers like Maigza/Pasalic/Hector etc.) From everything I have seen and heard (Cesc's comments last year about the TC and Costa situations with Granny where particuarlly interesting) I think the coach gets to say what types of players he wants and names a few names, but Granny has the power to change the names depending on what the others say. My main assessment of Granny is that she is a great sales women but a poor buyer. This can be seen with her getting good fees for the likes of Oscar, Morata etc but she gets too stubborn on buying if the figure goes slightly higher than what she has in her head. That for me is why all her best signings have been buyouts (Kante, Costa etc) or players with gentleman agreements to leave (Ziyech, Cesc etc.) as these have all involved very little need to negotiate a fee.

I love Harvetz. I would probably take him over Sancho as I really think he will be a leader in future years for any team he moves to. However, lets be honest. A player of his caliber and profile is going to end up at either Madrid or Bayern, even if that means waiting another season at Bayer.

RE: Ethan, I also have to disagree. Everything I have seen from Ethan tells me he is a very good passer for a CB/DM and is also highly composed for his age. Further, he also seems to read the game well and doesn't get dragged out of position too much. However, there are concerns with him but I would list these as: 1) Injury record - looking like he could be another RLC. 2) Height/build - think he will have to play DM (or a middle CB in a back 3) in the PL unless he bulks up/has a late growth spurt. I say this as he is quite slight and reckon he would suffer similar issues that afflict AC and Tomori. 3) Tackling- lunges in a bit. This I am not so concerned about as it is teachable skill that should come with experience, however he will go for it in a 50/50 more than he should.

Interesting. I rate Ampadu as one of our top three prospects. His loan at RB was very poorly handled by the club as they have their own good CB's and he has been struggling with growing pains for the past few years. In my opinion, he should've been loaned to Villa or Brighton. So, do you not rate him at all? Only issue I have with him at CB is his height 5'10-11ish, but if he plays in a three it shouldn't be too much of a worry.

If I were in charge of transfers this is what I would go for as our first team squad: GK - Oblak/Willy - (Oblak is probably the biggest pipe dream. However, AM could be in a lot of financial trouble so it may just be that we could say forget the Morata money and also take Kepa for Oblak) RB - James/Dave CB1 - Rudi/Tomori or Zouma CB2 - New CB/AC (I cannot pick a new CB as all the available ones either have flaws or seem impossible to get, however a new one is urgently needed) LB - Telles/Alonso No.4 - Jorgi/Gilmour/Ampadu* No.6 - SMS/Kova No.8 - RLC/Mount No.7 - Ziyech/Puli No.11 - Werner/CHO No.9 - Tammy/Giroud/Cavani (CF is difficult atm as there are not many about and players such as Haaland are not going anywhere. In my opinion we should take Cavani for a year or two then reassess, also such a signing allows dollar to be spent elsewhere.) *also can be used as the central CB in a 343 which gives us tactical flexibility if needed. For me the only unrealistic one is Oblak, as all the others appear to be available (Werner will also be impossible if the Dippers go in.) As for players such as Harvetz and Sancho, I think Harvetz is now at a stage where he will be Bayern/Madrid bound and I really do not see Sancho leaving Dortmund this year.

I have been on the Harvetz bandwagon since last season. I think he has been rated by a few people for a while but as his form dipped a little in the first half of this season, people went a little quiet as they were worried that he wasn't quite as good as they thought he is.

A lot of players get there stats boosted, especially those that play in or have played in Italy. A prime example is Kouliably who was stated to be something like 6'4"/6'5" for years when he is actually 6'0" or 6'1". For instance, no way is Tomori 6'1", I have a season ticket in the MHL and he is shorter than a lot of other teams midfielders. My guess is he is actually 5'11" but I said 6'0" to give him the benefit of the doubt. Same goes for Kova, no way is he 5'10" maybe he just shades 5'9" but I would say he is 5'8". Look at him next to Dave who we all know is 5'10"ish. Anyway, I should state that my issue isn't really just height (I am only 5'8" myself) but it is also to do with the players build and desire. For instance, Dave is around 5'10" but I am fine with him in a back 3 as he doesn't get physically bullied. Aguero is another player, he is what 5'7"ish?, but he is fine because you cannot bully him. However, sometimes 8 out of our 11 players on the pitch are: Kepa, AC/Tomori, Emerson, Jorgi, Kova, Kante, Pedro/Puli, CHO/Willian. As a collective unless the ball is dropping to Giroud/Tammy, Dave/James or Rudi/Zouma we are being beat to the ball and people wonder why we cannot defend set pieces and complain about Alonso being slow. All that aside, the single biggest problem is Kepa who short, not very good and a massive p*ssy at coming for the ball. TC used to cover a lot of our faults up as he would just pluck the ball out of the air and stop dangerous attacks in their infancy. However, because he didn't pull off hollywood saves everyone thought he was alright but not great and could be replaced easily.

Difference is we are not Barca, so no La Liga teams to play against week in, week out and no refs on our side. Apples and oranges.

To be honest, I do not really buy the rumours. The agent goes to say, I do not know if he is choice a, b or c. So hardly convincing. Further, he isn't the profile of player we usually target which has always generally fallen into two categories (expect when we have had to act really late) which is: a) players U26 or b ) players who are value compared to the market (Ziyech, Costa, Kante, Cesc, Pedro etc.) However, if it is the case that this is serious then the Granny/board supporters are going to start running out of road quickly when it comes to their defence of her/their competence. I say this as I do not believe any manager since Jose MK1 has had much control over who is brought.

I would agree normally but look at the rest of the squad. It is really small and lightweight. That is the reason why so many mid table teams have been able to roll us over as they just bully us. We are quickly becoming like Wenger's Le Arse in the second half of his time there. If we go out and start buying players like SMS, Oblak, Mahgalhaes, Harvetz etc, then sure small technical FB's aren't a problem. However when your GK is 6'1 with weak t-rex arms, your three main CM's are 5'9 (Jorgi), 5'8 (Kova) and 5'5 (Kante) and all lightweight and your CB's are 6'0/slight (Tomori) 6'2/ Slight (AC), 6'1"/average (Rudi) and 6'3/stocky (Zouma), you have a problem.

Either doesn't really bode well. The first is yet another small/lightweight player to go into a squad that is really too small and lightweight and the second is bang average and will be over priced no matter what as he is English.

I hope this is not true. We are already too lightweight as it is.

I said it a while when the news that Newcastle were being brought was good news for us as a player like Dross Barkley is the type of signing that they will likely target i.e. English player who is hyped that they think the natives will like.

I have always maintained that the problem with Granny is that she appears to be someone that goes out with a set figure in her head and will only play ball if that figure is met. This works to a degree on sales as other teams will relent and pony up as they are desperate for the player; just watch Sunderland til I Die to watch how transfers are actually conducted and how desperate some chairmen/women get. However, her biggest problem is with oncoming transfers. People say look at Cesc/Costa/Kante/Ziyech etc but everyone of her 'great buys' either a) had a set buyout clause or b ) a gentleman's agreement to leave. Hence, no/very little negotiation with a club and just convince the player which I would imagine she has less to do with as for top level players it is not completely about the money. However, when it comes to negotiating she will low ball and not come up from there. I know a lot of people think Conte was at fault for Summer 2017 and I agree that his targets are not great long term investments but for me asking for Vidal/Naggolain and getting Drinky/Baka or asking for Candreva and getting Zappa is not the same thing. However, even if you do not buy the Summer 17 being Granny's fault, there is no getting away from probably the single worst transfer deal of the last ten years which was the midget, weak wristed, t-rex armed Kepa for £72m smackers and a £170k wage for seven years. People blame TC but I seriously buy his story that he got told he could leave in the early part of 2018 then Granny told him no after the WC. I mean, at which point of negotiating with a player for the best part of two years and not getting him to re-sign, do you think the game may be up? Also, if Kepa was a well thought out plan why not move for him in Jan 18 when he had a £18m buyout and was on peanuts? My theory is she thought she would get Alisson then bulked at £54m, then thought she would strong arm TC into staying then when that didn't work, panicked as the house of cards started falling in over her head.

Willy signs an extension.

Makes me laugh that some people are saying 'if he has done this he will have to be sacked', because if he has done this he is going to be banged up for a good 3-7 years (or even longer), depending on the severity. This isn't snorting a little colombian marching power and banging groupies as if you're Rick James. The only good thing about this case is that the poilce/medical teams where able to get to the crime scene very quickly. This should allow for solid evidence so if he did do this then they can bang him up no problems, while if he didn't then he should be able to clear his name quickly.

Source is rubbish so I wouldn't believe it. Further, is there any reliable source that quoted those figures for Bats and Alonso? I know Palace were interested in Batsh*t in the Summer but I didn't see any reliable sources quote figures.

I do not disagree that Alonso and Maatsen wouldn't be great and that we need a LB. However, I am also of the opinion Chilwell is not better than Alonso and probably worse. Therefore, any situation that see us buying Chilwell is bad business. That said, I am of the opinion that Alonso isn't anywhere near as bad as some people make him out to be. Sure he is real slow, but he also scores and assist at a pretty decent rate for a LB/LWB that doesn't take pens/corners and is probably only 2nd in free kick duties when in the first XI.

Couple of observations reading the last few posts. 1) Mertens is not a glamorous signing but there are worse options. If the fact of the matter is we have no money, I'll accept it, if it is the club thinking he is one of our best options, I will be worrying. 2) F*ck Ben Chilwell. I honestly prefer to go with Alonso and Maatsen next year than blow any of the budget on him in this environment. 3) If either of Pedro or Willian get extended, I would say it would be Pedro. I really cannot see how Willian signs again from here.

I think that is the only article that has Alonso at £150k a week, lets hope for our sakes that figure is something the DM have made up. Zappa got his wages covered this year, but what about next when he is coming off an ACL and a football economy that has had a massive shock? Baka has been linked to PSG by sites like Goal/Daily Express etc, I am not too sure to believe them. However, what we do know is that Monaco aren't taking their option up. Moses will probably end up at Inter again, but I will bet that is for another loan and not a sale (unless we do some swap deal). Drinky is now a complete loss. Pasalic is not an issue as he is both on reasonable wages and had a good year or so. Personally, I still think we are not going to have much to spend as the loan army still needs their wages covered and a lot of our dead wood, are essentially unsellable in this market as no one is going to pay them their current wages (ok, maybe Emerson, but what his fee will be is anyones guess.) This situation sort of reminds me of 2004-07 where we had a lot of players on high wages but not good enough for the first team squad who we either had to loan and cover their wages or either released them/saw them see out their contracts.