King Kante

Wouldn't say he was saying nice stuff about Utd. In that interview he admitted to being a Chelsea fan, not wanting to leave leave West London, chose Gerrard and Messi over Scholes and CR7 and had JT as his all time idol that he now speaks too constantly. Nothing in that interview was pro-Utd other than it being held by Neville. As for Rice the issue is that he signed effectively a 6-year contract and is only three years' through it. West Ham are talking crazy money for him and hold all the cards. In my opinion they'll probably make him do another year as they won't impact his value unless he gets a bad injury. Only way he may leave this season is if they get CL football, as at that point they may be able to attract some players they wouldn't be able to normally and may want to raise cash as it is unlikely they'll do it two years in a row with this squad.

I am at the stage where I simply do not trust the board to sign the right players. I mean, let's be serious, the mouth breather who signed off such transfers as Kepa, Lukaku, Bakayoko and Drinky etc is most likely still at the club and making decisions. I for one am tired of seeing absolute trash can fires coming from a mile away and the club signing the players anyway. Personally, I was kind of relieved this window when we didn't sign anyone for the first team as I knew it probably would've been awful. Hi I am now at the stage where I will prefer to go with the young boys' from our academy or out on loan/with buybacks'. Only area that really needs addressing this Summer outside of those llayers is LWB/LB as, to be fair, we don't even have much cover in the development sides there. Another option is Rice but only if we do plan to move back to a 4 (I am not convinced this is the case.) He gets an exception as, whilst I am still not completely sold on his technique, I am convinced he would die for the club.

It is complete and utter madness when you consider that the reason is principally due to having to shoehorn Lukaku into the team.

Granny: Hello, can I please speak with Mr Pizy? Pizy: Yes, this is Mr Pizy, could I ask who is speaking? Granny: This is Marina Granovskaia, Director of Chelsea Football Club. As you may have noted, we are currently short on left backs and was wondering what your availability was for the next five months? Pizy: (speaking excitedly) I am most certainly free if you need me! Granny: Fantastic news! Well then Mr Pizy, grab your boots and let's blow some minds; let's blow some minds.......

Not true. The muppet pulled a Harry Kane when signing his contract and allowed West Ham to insert a one year extension option when it gets down to two years'; so in reality he has three years' left.

Think there is some truth in this but I kind of straddle both. I have had a ST over nearly 25 years' now (and do away games) and always support the boys' in the ground, but use the forum as a means to debate. I find however from doing this, that it is quite easy to determine who actually goes to games and who doesn't. For instance, with players like Mount, Alonso, Kai and Werner, I give a lot of leeway too as I am able to see what they do off the ball a lot more than those watching on the TV. Werner in particular is a good example of this. Online people seem to focus a lot more on his finishing and touch (which are issues) however those that go seem to appreciate his off ball movement and assisting ability. The others' are similar in different ways. I do however, on here, become hypercritical of players who don't have a work rate/have glaring weaknesses (if here; Kepa for example ended in this category as I hadn't seen him prior to signing) and/or are clearly not going to fit our system before signing, if I have seen enough of them before they sign (Lukaku/Baka/Cuadrado - players I all called busts well in advance of signing; although the latter two were principally on CFCNET which is where I used to post before finding this forum.) This said, in the online world it is a lot easier to be critical as you can actually outline your issues in detail, whereas in the ground you can only really provide snippets to those around you as I am too engaged/busy singing/supporting.

Yeah, whilst I don't think he is turning into a world beater, he has the biggest quality you want from someone like him in that CB5 role which is commitment.

I still have a feeling Dave will re-sign late and one of AC/Rudi will do also. Let's see how CB plays out. Personally, I am still of the opinion that if 3atb continues James may end up there and Livra may come back. However, that'll be another 18 mouths minimum.

Colwill. However, Colwill riding the bench until a number of injuries isn't great.

Yeah, from a squad depth view he is a good option. I mean, I rather have him sitting about to be CB5/LB3 than have no one. Only issue is our academy players who could potentially also fill that position; although you're then equally at danger of restricting their development through lack of minutes.

Or one seasons wages for Lukaku.

Agreed.

Not being funny, but the fact of the matter is that he has had good chances and he doesn't take them. Yesterday, got cross, miskicks. City away, clean through hits it too close to the keeper, Spurs CC games two headers puts them wide. Sorry, but the only way you get away with his work rate is if you convert like Crespo, Pipo or Van Nistlerooy or equivalent. Zero work rate and poor to adequate finishing just means the player is poor. I mean, what chances do we need to provide him exactly to get him scoring? Taps like against Le Arse, Zenit away and Chesterfield?

I honestly think PSG are the only hope.

Juve can't, that is why they forged documents to the stock market and sold CR7. AM maybe, but I cannot see a Spanish team looking at his technique and thinking 'you know what, let's buy him'.

Nah, we seen this before with Torres and Kepa. He'll play until there is zero hope in even the people that still defend him/wanted him in the first place. He'll get a minimum of two seasons unless he gets an injury.

PSG or Newcastle are the only hope. Lukaku moved purely for a new contract and wants that money. Only those two would be able to pay it. However, even then Newcastle may not be able to do it due to PL FFP which you know 18 of the 20 PL clubs would force on them if they spend too much (City are the only ones who wouldn't.)

And that goal was against a particularly disjointed Le Arse who looked completely unprepared for the start of the season. Additionally, the goal was a tap in so not exactly one where you have to take your hat off and say well played. Surely got to be on the bench soon. My hope is Kai plays against Plymouth, gets a couple and then TT can just say he has to play owing to him having taken his chance.

Looks like one of those punts we like to take on young players. Probably do 6 months in the academy and then go out on loan next year or we may even keep him at Derby.

People are down on him now, but Kai was one of the most sought after young talents when brought too.

I am expecting a rough ride for him from the MHL. One thing about us in there, we'll always stick by a trier (see how much love Alonso and Werner get or even how much support players like Torres or Kezman got.) However, if you do not give 110% when being inconsistent/poor then expect a verbal battering.

I can see us getting Dembele even if it is for his last six months and we go from there. Barca look like they want him gone now. Six month loan is a possibility imo. Not sure he is what we need as he makes Pulisic look like Superman with his injuries.

Don't play Lukaku. That is all.

He is never getting the physical disadvantage he got in Italy over here and as for that France performance he won't get that time in club football (whilst it should also be remembered that is probably his only decent performance against a decent International side for them.) People can say what they want but the fact of the matter is that the way he is looking at the moment is exactly the way he looked at Utd, try and slice it how you want but he is a donkey.

Sorry Lukaku is worse than Torres. At least Torres had the excuse of being broken from injuries to his hamstrings and anyhow continued to run around and work off the ball. Lukaku is simply sh*t technically and has no desire to do anywork off the ball other than point. As for Kepa, @NikkiCFCyou can't be serious that you wouldn't take £50m. I know he is one of your favourites, but yet again against City we saw the reasons why he got dropped. I mean KDB's shot wasn't even in the corner and he had a good sight of it but still let it in (I mean, hasn't he still failed to save a shot going towards the top right hand corner from open play, which is why Tielemans was shooting on sight in the FA Cup final?) Additionally, he was rooted to his line for the corners and wasn't commanding his area. Yeah, he has improved his confidence a little and is making a couple of decent saves again that look great. However, he still has a lot of the deficiencies that got him dropped, it is just that aren't being exposed as much atm.