nadavTKL

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He'll flop big time if he's going to end up in Barcelona. I will bet on that. I mean he'll be good, but will not get anywhere near the hights people expected him to reach. Seriously i cant see how he'll do it next to Messi, Iniesta, Neymar and Suarez.

Pizy's right that the number of 'potential targets' for midfield is getting shorter. Some of them are not done deals but - Imbula, Kondogbia (off to Inter), Witsel (Milan), Song (West Ham), Schneiderlin says he's close to join a club, who knows. But Allan and Moutinho are indeed excellent options, imo better than the midfielders above. Dont think we'll be in for someone like Moutinho though, if Mikel leaves he cant be a back up for DM, so he'll just compete with Oscar.

'Eventual replacement' depends on how he'll preform, hard to believe Pep looked at Costa and said "Thats Robben's successor". I think Bayern are in such a need of cover for Ribery/Robben, that they had to act even in those prices, when it seems like every AM costs 30m euros and more. With the very few available wingers in the market, Costa is a decent option, but surely he wasnt the 1st choice. Reports saying they were interested in Sterling, Griezmann and Di Maria, probably they didnt want to spend so much on the first two, and Di Maria seems like staying put. For now they'll probably stay with Muller, Gotze and Costa... we'll see about the future. We're in the same boat, although we're not desprete for wingers like them (because Ribery and Robben are injured so much).

Telegraph: West Ham are close to agree a free transfer for Song. Bacrelona wants some bonuses included in the contract.

In the current market, he could be a decent back up for Robben at RW. They had to bring someone when Robben is injured so much and Ribery looks like he's done. they're in a real problem. I dont think Costa could be a star in Bayern, they'll probably look to add more wingers next summer or even now.

I think the main improvement in Song over Ramires is that we'll keep possession better with Song. I think that is the big problem with playing with Ramires, especially against good-great teams, thats what we need to address imo. Getting a CM who will provide the protection for Cesc in those sort of games, while contribute to create possession. I dont know if Song is good enough for that role in Chelsea, but thats what we need.

Im starting to think City wont bid the 50m for him... they're trying to close it for less. If we really want him maybe there's a chance there.

I agree. when we're playing Cesc-Matic for most games, £20m-£25m for another CM is a lot and i dont think Schneiderlin is that good for this price. Kondogbia was also too expensive. But can we expect a good enough improvement from Song-Matic-Cesc over Ramires-Matic-Cesc? There are also cheaper options like Allan, Imbula (off to Inter for a loan and a forced option in 18m Euros), maybe Witsel. It doesnt look like we're going for any of them.

Which CM is above Schneiderlin that we could buy? except Pogba.

It's Arsenal, United or us.. there was a report from France a month ago that United agreed a fee but nothing since..

If Pogba is asking wages of 10m euros a year net, that means 148k pounds a week net. I dont know the exact taxes in UK, but lets say its 40%, that means we need to pay around 245k pounds gross. Hazard is on 200k gross. If we want to sign Pogba, he'll have to come down from 10m Euros a year, while other clubs probably offering him that.

You might be right. I just really dont rate Cuadrado, and i cant see him succeeds here. Its always a lose-ball wating to happen with him.

I agree about not buying for the sake of it, I just think Turan is a great player, i certainly wouldnt say no to a deal involving Salah or Luis for him + the sell of Cuadrado. Fekir would be a smart and a great buy, though he wants to stay in Lyon for another season. He said it, and the lack of rumors might show his intentions...

You're gonna spend 50m pounds on Sterling? thats his way out.

Those are your examples? honestly i wouldnt take any of them to our first XI. Moutinho is very good though. Vidal? Pirlo and Pogba would probably leave Juventus this summer or the next one, Juventus wont sell. Otamendi? sure, if you want to spend 50m euros on a 27 yo CB when we already have a very good back line. Imo that would be silly.

I think "another" Willian or Oscar is better than Cuadrado for this team, he'll add more competition. He is a top RW/CAM, creative, experienced, Mourinho surely like his work-rate. I cant see any better options, so it will be a great buy imo.

But i can easily see Griezmann not fitting in at all, or just disappoints. For 60m i think it would be an awful bet by the club. Turan is not a scorer, but at least he'll provide another quality option. And he's just a better AM. Griezmann is a better 2nd striker, not sure that would work here.

I prefer Turan over Griezmann.

Yes, but we'll go for him only if Cuadrado will leave imo. I would do that. Turan as the 4th option for Hazard, Oscar and Willian. He'll probably start for us unless Oscar up his game.

Ben Jacobs ‏@JacobsBen My @AlAinFC source has confirmed John Obi Mikel will join from @ChelseaFC subject to medical. Echoes @ASAMOAH_GYAN3's comments on TV. All that's left to be determined is whether he'll have Obi Mikel or Mikel Obi on the back of his shirt @ChelseaFC @alainfcae One more bit of info on John Obi Mikel @AlAinFC move. Don't be surprised if it's a loan move. He's only 28 and Mourinho happy to keep him. He writes for ESPN, and he's "Middle East correspondent" for TalkSport.

The source is the Gazzetta btw.

I've seen him mosly in Brasil, Oscar and Willian are looking like the better players overall. Maybe he's more creative, i didnt see it, but to spend another 40m on a bit more creativity? Firmino is also not someone you should pay 40m euros to be our right winger. So i can see why we didnt go fot this...

Arda Turan's agent says on AS that he wants to leave to the PL, with 3 PL clubs, PSG and Milan already shown interest.

If Sterling is about to leave, his replacement is the most urgent area i think. They already got Milner, and Bogdan for back up GK. They are trying to get Clyne. For CB they have Skretel, Sakho, Toure and Lovern... they can improve on that but i dont think they'll try again after Lovern failed and the big money they spent on him. I think they'll count on Skretel-Sakho.