King Kante

In the UK, older teens have only been getting a vaccine for one or two weeks (correct me if I am wrong someone) and I am pretty sure athletes do not have priority. Obviously he probably could have had it in that time but it may have been too late anyway. Furthermore, Scotland are based in the UK and are very likely not to play a game outside of the UK (they're going out tomorrow) so I can imagine, with the short window he had, he and Scotland/his team thought get it after the Euros in case you're one of the very unlucky ones who has a side effect. Sounds pretty likely and logical to me. I think he has just been a bit unlucky.

Personally, I was anti-Rice for most of last season, got caught up in the hype last Summer and have progressively gone off him again the more I watch him. For me, if he was an academy player that was kept you'll be delighted and if you could get him for £30m-£35m you would say, fair enough, he brings attributes that we lack and would be a handy squad player. £50m+, I am out. Being a Chelsea CM requires you to be able to break the lines with your running and passing and he just doesn't do it enough. I do actually feel a bit bad about saying this as he is clearly a massive Chelsea fan (to the extent that it feels like he is one of us who can actually play pro-level football), however I just don't think the figures add up. Best thing now would be for him to run his contract down and we either get him with a year left and/or when he is out of contract. He is young enough to do this so that isn't a issue. The problem may be if we actually still need a CM by that point.

Wasn't it because he was 19 and so he was in a lower category and wasn't classed as someone who met the criteria to take it?

If Inter really do need the cash by the 30th June, this will be done shortly. I'd imagine both Chelea and PSG will offer something similar i.e. something in and around €65-€75m (of equivalent with players) and then have then leave it with them and allow time to do its business. I mean what is their other solution?

Well, then my confidence is misplaced! As I am just basing it on my hunch/own limited reading of the situation.

But why do we want to move him on? He is a handy player for certain situations. I would say all the following players need to go before him: Emerson Zappa Barkley RLC Baba Drinky Baka Batsh*t Kepa While there are also arguments that the following are also less useful: Giroud Zouma Tammy For me, if we plan on having a LWB2 he is by far and away the best we're going to have as we are not going out and getting a Gosens for instance. Only way it makes sense is if the plan is to have Hakimi as RWB1 and LWB2.

I hope it is either Zappa or Emerson, Alonso is handy and losing AC would just be pure madness.

Haven't I? I thought the question was why I was so confident about it? If the question, is what if the PSG rumours are true, then firstly, that is a hypothetical, secondly, then it means I am wrong. Sorry if I am being slow, it has been a long day!

Well I am confident because the noises out of Italy is he prefers to play here and the reliable UK journos for Chelsea have said he is a big target for us. Additionally, hasn't Romero linked us more? That gives me confidence has that is up against a couple of French journos. I also think for a 22 year old, we offer more as well. I mean Mbappe is looking more and more likely to feck PSG off with every day he doesn't sign a contract. Of course PSG could give him insane wages and he goes there, but with what I have read and cutting out the white noise, I am confident we're the preferred destination.

What if they are not? For me, it is always wise to see the fit as we never hear from players themselves but rather idiots posting on twitter seeking clicks and followers. From a footballing perspective we win hands down. That should mean a great deal. Of course, I know nothing, however I am fairly confident we can get it done.

I'd rather buy no one if it means Traore and Icardi/Jovic.

I actually think we'll get him. I mean, we're actually a much better fit for him as we play a pretty pure 343/3421. Furthermore, if the Håland stuff is true, who do you want to be crossing into? Håland/Giroud/Havertz/Alonso (when he plays) or Neymar/Mbappe/Icardi? If he goes to PSG, he will have to pretty much play everything to feet. Personally, I think the reason it is taking a while is that Inter are milking the offers. PSG are clearly interested so they'll ride us for all we're worth.

Well for sure, against some teams in the league we can play with only two players back essentially as teams drop so deep in a low block against us. When I say back 4, I mean lining up with only two CB's and FB's that are instructed not to push up as far. I don't see that happening for a while. I think we're on the same page. I completely agree it has to be the right club and situation. For me personally, I would say Brighton under Potter in the Premier League or a team like Real Sociedad/Real Betis/Villareal (Villareal may be a push) in Spain. I completely agree that if his options are: Newcastle/Burnley/some sort of Fat Sam team then he needs to stay at the club. Only one that I may consider that is a little outside of that is Rangers if they get CL. However, with the Scottish Prem being League One level with some of the teams, I wouldn't probably be keen on that unless he really, really wanted it.

We aren't going to a four, I wish people would stop saying this is even some sort of remote possibility. I say this for two reasons: 1) We haven't played well in a four since 2015. 2) We aren't buying Hakimi or looking at that sort of player to then move to a four. Well, yes we will need another CM. However, what we don't want to do is have him knocking around the squad not getting any real minutes until he is 22. That is what happened to RLC and what that does is: A) Create a load of people (fans and pundits) who then say they're better than they are/a great player but have little evidence to prove it. The player doesn't develop.

Gosens would be great, he was who I wanted last season. However, such a deal would require Atlanta taking Emerson if we have Alonso go to Inter in the Hakimi deal. Not sure the club would want to do this as Chilwell would then become a £50m LB2.

For sure, the hype is overblown. Imo, I haven't changed my opinion that he is a very promising player, but one that needs minutes, hence a loan away next season would be the best for all parties. Hopefully, we get the club we send him to right i.e. not a Burnley.

Barca keep going like this, they'll be a Spud level team soon.

For sure, also what is being forgotten is he is barely 21. So, he has plenty of time to iron that sort of stuff out, especially as the cup final was virtually his first time playing that role in men's football. For me, James as a big future with us, but it will be in a more central position than in a wide position.

See in a year or two imo. Think he will need to bulk out a bit for the PL, could see teams kicking him up in the air.

Mendy is shot after his injuries, so not sure that is a good example. Problem with James is that I don't think he is that quick (he isn't slow, but he isn't quick) whilst I also question his stamina. I am not sure he doesn't do the running because he isn't bothered, rather he hasn't enough in the tank to do it enough. Furthermore, I think he is better for the centre because he is actually pretty strong, even if he isn't the tallest. Tbh, I think TT moving him about and our apprant hard push for Hakimi shows he thinks similar.

Tbh, I think most of our money goes on Hakimi and Håland if we get them, not sure how much dollar is floating around after that. As for CB, the way I see it is we can roll with Silva, AC, Rudi, James and Guehi to at least Jan. For me, Guehi would only be getting the odd game out of that five. If there are issues then, I reckon you can go in January. As for CM, I am still of the opinion I want a goal scoring No.6 rather than a defensive one. If we go there, I want SMS. I admit I haven't seen much of Locatelli or Tchou so I cannot make an opinion. However, I want to see strength, height and goals from our next No.6 and he is one of the few that I think can do all three. Pace of the league is the only issue with him. As for Alonso, as I am sure you're aware, I am a big supporter of his, so ideally we keep him. For me you only consider letting him go is if their is an offer (or eqivilent) of over €20m.

Don't care how long it takes this summer, but, if the club can do it, I want to see this by the end of the window: GK: Mendy, Areola, Kepa/GK3 CB: Silva, AC (new contract), Rudi (New contract), Dave, James*, Guehi WB: Hakimi, James*, Chilwell, Alonso CM: Kante, Kova, Jorgi +1 (James*?!?) AM: Havertz, Mount, Puli, Werner*, CHO CF: Håland, Werner*, Giroud *denotes player that can play multiple positions. For me Gilmour has a chance at CM4 but I really think he would be better off getting some real minutes. Brighton would be ideal, if not there then Spain or something.

It is why I have always felt he would end up as a DM/RCB. Not quick or tricky enough to play WB. Maybe if we switch back to a 4 he can play RB but his attacking game is too limited outside of his crossing.

Personally, I am not buying the PSG stuff. I reckon we'll get him done for something like €55m-€65m plus one or two of Emerson/Alonso/Zappa.

Pogba turns up for about five games a season, so lets not do that.