nadavTKL

It's being reported that Imbula could go for less than 20m euros. I don't know about Kondogbia, I would guess 30m or more.

Explanation? imo we should already line up him or Imbula.

It doesnt seem like Bale and Reus are moving, while Isco and Gotze (another player who might cant leave) are not wingers.

Its either you pay the 60m euros or you go for other options, or you dont get a player at all. So you need to ask: 1) who are the other options? Sterling, Gaitan, D.Costa, who else can realistically come here? 2) its ok to not get a winger at all and stay as we were? The way i see it the answers are 1) no, there isnt, and none of the above is good enough. Some will think Sterling is but he'll cost the same amount 2) Its not ok, because we already know we probably wont bring a top top CM (Pogba, Koke). Sometimes you need to pay a lot to get the players in the certain level you want, sometimes you pay less than what they worth (Cesc). Very few clubs can be called suckers this days. If the club is ok with overpaying i dont mind that.

No way he's unhappy here? thats a bit condescending. As fans I think its pretty easy to see Mourinho doesnt rate him too much, and Cuadrado probably knows if its true or not since he works with him every day. You can say its because he just came to the club in the middle of the season, but thats what we said about Salah and it looks the same with Cuadrado. imo If Jose rates him he would have played more, he wouldnt prefer playing Remy on the wing a couple of times instead of him. Well did you really not see it coming? it was a bad buisness for a few months now, same as with Salah and Schurrle, our wingers signings were probably the worst thing we did over the last few years. We sold Schurrle for more than we paid for him, Salah would be sold for more also, but we'll lose some money with Cuadrado. I actually cant see the need in Cuadrado if we bring another RW and a CM. We'll have Hazard, Oscar, Wiilian, lets say Griezmann, Cesc, Ramires and Remy - All of them can play in the '3'. And Matic, Cesc, CM, LFC, Ramires in the '2'.

I agree, although Eto'o was never brought as a 3rd striker imo. with Torres and Ba i think Jose always intended Eto'o to share the position with Torres. But off course Eto'o agreed to it because he understands he past his prime. I think the situation with Falcao is different. Falcao knows that a top club wont bring him as a 1st striker right now, but i think he believes in himself too much to "give up" and take the easy option of AC Milan or anything like that. He probably believes that under a manager who likes him (Mourinho) he could might get to his best. Falcao, even with the heavy involvement of Mendes and Doyen in his career, always seemed to me as a unique winner and an exciting, moving player, maybe the perfect way to describe the striker he'll replace here if he'll come. I think the option of Valencia could also be seen as a great one for him, but he's been in those types of clubs and done everything in this level, at Porto and Atletico.

I think the source is this account https://twitter.com/RiverettiSports i follow a spanish ESPN reporter who follows him.

Chicharito in a Chelsea shirt... even his nickname is annoying. Im also pretty sure that for once in his career he would like to actually play every week.

Inter, Roma and Napoli made initial inquiries for him according to Di Marzio.

According to Di Marzio AC Milan and Inter are one of the clubs who want Kondogbia. Im the only one who thinks he could be a quality signing for us? young and yet quite experienced midfielder. He's like a less offensive-technical version of Pogba, but more aggressive and energetic. Great ball control too.

The first post i quoted was "No, no, no. At least 3 other positions need improvement". So my first question was "why it means we wont improve those 3 positions?". We dont have any idea if this signing would be in the place of a CM/RW, thats why i dont understand your first post. In English "A couple of" means 'some', 'a number'. "Couple" = pair. But anyway, read into Jose saying 2, 3 or 4 is stupid imo, he wont tell you exactly how many players he'll bring (why would he do it?). im pretty sure he dont know the nubmer himself. Players could leave and than you need more signings.

You're very naive if you think the club is working on one deal - close it - and than moves to the next one. Im sure right now we're working on a RW, a CM and at least one defender and GK. Today Falcao got the headlines, so what? it could be the first signing, because maybe its the most easy deal. For now its just another player we're reportedly interested in, like Griezmann, Koke or Stones. I dont get why would anyone listen to Mourinho when he's talking about transfers, if he said "a couple of signings" that could also mean 5 signings.

And getting Falcao on loan means we won't improve those 3 positions? The only reason you're saying that imo is because Falcao could be the first signing, if he was the last than people would go 'yay, another improvement'. I don't understand why people are surprised. this season we had Costa, Remy, Drogba, next season we'll maybe have Falcao. Why's that a problem if he accepts 100-150 on wages? Drogba was on 100 when he's 37 and was very poor the 2nd half of the season.

Diego Costa's injury curse appeared to strike again after a strong challenge from John Obi Mikel. (Mail) god damn obi

Di Marzio saying Benitez wants him in Real. City and Bayern also interested.

Raiola saying things like "he'll go to the club who offers the most". Rumors about asking Barcelona to be their best paid player after Messi. Rumors in France about him wanting Barcelona or Real, not PSG or the English clubs. Cant see us going for him anymore.

Yes, they update it after each round in the competitions. http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/uefarankings/club/index.html Chelsea are solid 4th btw.

Seeding is decided by Uefa Rankings right? if so, im sure they would, they're ranked 12 in europe, United at 10.

But are we sure it's possible? Aren't both going to be seeded clubs?

I would be ok with Costa, Remy, Solanke, but objectively its hard to see Mourinho going with this trio after a season we had Drogba as 3rd option, and we had some problems with injuries from the other two. It will be a gamble to go with only Costa and Remy. As fans we can say whatever we want but its Mourinho's concern. And lets be real, Solanke probably wont get to play more than 10 min from time to time.

Where did you see it?

You know N'Zonzi is french and grow in french football? There are no serious reports about CMs, but my guess would be Imbula, Schneiderlin or Kondogbia.

More about Doyen: http://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/1e8ncw/explaining_the_falcao_move_to_monaco

FIrst of all, i dont get that "semi retired" thing, he moved to Monaco, like James, Moutinho and Kondogbia, to a club who was supposed to continue getting top playes but things went differently. Than he got injured in January and his season ended. Until than he played and scored goals. Now, there are things you might dont know about Falcao. He never really "Chose" to move to Monaco. Falcao is owned by a group called Doyen - Doyen is a company who represents players and coches, and Mendes is apparently invloved in it (well, he is, but its not official), and they basicaly own and have a specific contract with some of their players - they tell the players where they'll play, in return the player gets amazing contracts and they push his career. Falcao is one of them. Doyen is also connected to Porto, Monaco, Atletico, some Chinese/Brazilian/Portuguese business men and investors. Media knows little about it, they are very protected, but the image is that its a dubious and fishy group, which tries to make the most money for their players and push everyone's interests. Falcao didnt have a choice, its his contract, Doyen told him where he's going to sign. Doyen wanted Monaco to get strong quick and reach CL spot. James, Moutinho and Kondogbia are also players Mendes represents and thats no coincidence that back than there were more Mendes's players who Monaco wanted.

I think Mourinho could want Schneiderlin (or another player with similar attributes) so he could play him next to Matic and Cesc in some games like he did with Ramires a lot. While he can also be Matic's back up.