nadavTKL

I think Yaya might have enough power on city to decide where he'll play. But you also might be right yourself.

Im probably Yaya's biggest critic here but you could see some logic in getting him. (Although im 80% sure the Express report is nothing to care about). It seems like it will be hard to get a top CM this summer, Pogba, Koke, all others, it looks like we're not getting them (and the club already knows the situation with every player, if its possible or not, fans are just guessing right now). Yaya, when he wants to play fully seriously, is still one of the best players in PL as an attacker. Not in a Double Pivot, but as the 3rd midfilder i think with the right attitude he can help any club. If Jose thinks he can get him to be hungry again, maybe for CL glory, and while we might cant get any top CM to partner Cesc and Matic, i can see why we could want him. Like a stop-gap option, while we still have Willian and Oscar off course.

I dont think he's "just pace, no technique", he's not a headless chicken, but his ball control is lacking compare to the very top wingers and AMs.

A discassion about Thiago is not relevant to Chelsea, but anyway... I dont think Thiago is very different from Verratti, maybe Verratti is more like a little bulldog off the ball, but Thiago works hard as a CM, and on the ball they are similar. Who cares if his "possession talent" would be wasted under Jose? thats really not something a team should be thinking about when buying huge talent. Thiago could move the ball quick and direct just like any other CM, and a lot better than Pogba and Koke. Lets say Mourinho could have stayed at Real Madrid, and Modric would be his player for more seaons, you would say Modric talent is wasted because he plays under Jose? i think this way of thinking is too systemic. People think Mourinho is more square than he is. He likes different kinds of players, and he wants his team to have possession in a lot of games, probably most games. I think we could have used this kind of players in our system, because they are so talented they could fit anywhere. Injury prone? it was one injury. You can be worry about another one but he cant be called an injury prone.

I think the first idea was to play Gotze as the false 9, maybe Pep understood its not right and than they got Lewandowski. Yes, i can agree with that. I believe Willian could do a better job than Oscar in the #10, but than i doubt it will be enough strength for Mourinho in the big games. The best solution is like you mentioned - Pogba/Koke to partner Cesc and Matic. both can play in the pivot (not sure about Pogba) , in the 10, and so does Cesc. I think Cesc could be great at #10 with better pivot behind him, one which doesnt include Ramires. I agree it looks next to impossible to get one of them, let alone Thiago or Verratti. So my first idea is to get Gundogan, who is a gamble but in his prime he's exactly the player we need i think. if we dont want to take that risk, than its more complicated. I think the solution will be to get someone like Schniderlin, who would probably play next to Cesc and Matic in most of the big games. Than in other games we could play Willian or Oscar (in case Griezmann is coming and make the RW role his). Mou will have the choice between those 3 (Schniderlin, Wiilian, Oscar) for every game. I would be more comfortable with this option if we'll ship out Oscar to get someone like Gotze or Isco, but getting Gotze/Isco, Schniderlin and Griezmann sounds like too much. Maybe Cesc-Matic-Gotze/Isco can be enough dominant on the ball in the big games? (so we could do without Schniderlin) if so, maybe Willian can do it too? i really dont know. I just hope in this window that the club and Jose will do their best so we'll have solutions for every situation.

I think the big problem in the big games was the partner for Cesc and Matic, Oscar/Ramires. Cesc can't control a game by his own against strong opposition, they press him hard and than we have nothing in central midfield. That's why imo the need is to partner him with someone better than Oscar. Modric and Verratti are better CMs than Cesc I think, Cesc got his weaknesses like intensity and physicality (although he's a better creator than them in the final third), BUT those CMs are not regularly controlling big games alone. We saw Modric in Spurs, he was never so dominant like in Real in the last two seasons, he now have some great playmakers besides him, Kroos, Alonso, Isco, that made his job easier. Cesc have Ramires in the big games, while Oscar can't stay consistent. In Barca, I think he never had a big role in central midfield. And tbh Iniesta and Xavi were better than him.

Can be an intresting option, i think he could play only in the CAM role, which also means working hard. Question is if he's willing to work hard, he didnt seem to like it in Bayern.

Just to be clear, im not saying Juventus are going to fall again.. i just dont think their future is to "only get stronger" like LAM09 said. First thing i need to say, i dont think this current Juventus are a GREAT side. They are a very good team, the best in Italy by miles and one of the 8 current best teams in europe, but I think they've been quite lucky in their CL campaign, i dont think it reflected their quaility. But its not the issue, draws and luck are a part of the game and they did great overall. I believe they'll keep their position around the 8-10 best teams of the continent, but not more than that. I dont think they'll get to many semi finals and finals. The current side lacks significant amount of creativity and flair, and those kind of flair and creativity players cost a lot of money in todays market. Im not sure they can compete with other top clubs for the signature of those players. For example, for two windows they wanted to sign a #10, they were looking and trying to get many players, in the end they got Pereyra (the 2nd choice was Wesley Sneijder). Pereyra is a good player, but not what they were aiming for, they couldnt get expensive players so they had to compromise. With their ageing squad, in a short time they'll need to make many changes - Pirlo, Tevez, Bufon, Chiellini, Evra, Lichtsteiner. The sell of Pogba would help them doing that, but im having it hard to believe they would compete with Europe's elite on a regular basis, like more than what they're doing now - 2 seasons ago 16 stage, last season group stage, this season final... i can see it going in a similar way. As opposed to them, Bayern, Barcelona, PSG, Chelsea, Real, United, City all have the huge resources. Thats 7 clubs. I think they'll need to be extremely smart, and others to be stupid (which happens), to be better and more dominant than what i expect from them. I think money talks, and even if its not always the case, in the end its the issue that stops the less-wealthy clubs from being consistent.

Because there are at the very least 10 clubs in Europe with deeper pockets than Juventus. Bayern are one of them. im not an expert so i dont know what changed for them since 2008. Think they were always a rich club but never spended a lot for players. They grow this WC winner generation of Muller, Lahm, schweinsteiger, Neur etc. Im not sure Juventus could follow the same path, they'll need some very smart signings while not losing their stars for big wages elsewhere.

You can have all the doubts you want, its your call. Like i said, what Jose supposed to say? he won the league, you cant expect to hear things like "Next season, we want to win CL, we're going to do everything for that". Maybe thats what you want to hear, but he have no interest of giving this kind of info. "only a couple of new players to motivate the squad" - that could mean 2-3 players, that could also mean Griezmann+another top CM. He's not saying anything in this sentence. And yes, maybe we wont be after Pogba, maybe the club think he doesent worth the money, and you can get other top players for less, and without any bidding-war. Though until now, Pogba is the only "available" big name, so if we're not after him it proves nothing.

who said we've been "priced out" for a player? who's talking about "conservative approach"?

Jose can say whatever he wants, after a winning season he wont be saying anyhing other than "i love my squad". Doesnt mean anything. This "City and United going to spend 200m, oh no" talk is nonsense. First of all, on which players? if they target players like Bale, Pogba, Sterling and they pull it off - they're getting all of their targets - than yes, its huge game changer. But its almost impossible. Other clubs wants those top players, you can have all the money you want, but you need the player to want to come to your club. That means beating other clubs. United will imo get Depay, Hummels, Clyne, maybe Gundogan, cant see them getting a real superstar other than those players. A lot will need to happen so they could sign Bale or anyone of this status.. City's biggest signing will be KDB, maybe Sterling,,, something like that. Cant see them getting to 200m unless they'll continue to sign squad players like they've been doing for the last few seasons.

I didnt say we cant spend a lot, i just think you're being crazy optimistic about Varane and Koke, like you've been about Messi. btw, we dont have "the best economic balance of the big teams in Europe". Real, Bayern, United and Barcelona can spend more than us.

Suggestions on the Telegraph that Cech is wanted by MUFC if De Gea leaves. If they give us Di Maria for 30m+Cech thats a deal for me. Im not a huge ADM fan but i prefer him over Oscar. And we already see there isnt a big market for CMs/CAMs, who could complete our midfield with Cesc and Matic. wont happen off course...just mumbling shit.

I hate to be this guy but thinking we should get Varane, Koke and Griezmann is being unrealistic. How can Varane be a "mandatory" signing when he gets starts in the CL semi finals for Real Madrid? they obviuosly want him to stay and they're not suckers, they would let Varane know he's wanted. I know you think Atletico are a small club compare to others, but how can you possibly think we "Should" sign Koke and Griezmann? it means 120m euros, it means Atletico have to build their midfield in one summer, it means two of Atletico big stars wants to leave in the same summer, when we're talking about a very unified side. Sometimes people talk like Chelsea are the only club who wants to improve, and its all about us. Out of those three, i would be happy with Griezmann. Cant see us getting the other two. The 2nd mission is to get the right CM, which i dont really know who could that be, Schneiderlin is the only name i got. And for CB, Terry anyway will start the season as a starter, think Stones will be enough to compete with Zouma and maybe Cahill if he stays.

why? its not like we already closed the deal and we know we paid that amount. Atletico have good reasons to put a quite high buy out clause, as a club Cheslea dont have to pay that if they think its too high. If Chelsea dont want to pay it, and the player wants the move, its up to everybody involved to negotiate with ATM for a lower price. ATM just makes sure they'll get some serious money for their players if they dont want to lose them. Maybe they placed this high buy out clause on Griezmann because of how we took Costa and Luis.

Spanish teams would keep holding both trophies i reckon. I would even say the finals will be quite easy for both Barcelona and Sevilla.

Varane will stay (even started before Pepe yesterday), Koke will stay. Just my opinion.

If you cant be a part of a certain discussion - you dont have to. Wtiring those posts of "you make me laugh, hahaha" just make you look foolish. Sometimes i dont take a part in a discussion because i know i dont have the patience, so im just leaving the topic, or just reading without writing.

My guesses - Di Maria would go to PSG or Bayern, but i dont know if United can get Bale, only if Real gets Pogba/Verratti.

1. I think that your problem is thinking Yaya Toure is that good. Again and again he proved his disadvantages against different elite CMs. yaya in City was always lazy, and never managed to be the dominant playmaker City needed against the top teams in europe. He was unplayable and dominant in the PL, but mainly in the final 3rd. Calling him "one of the most dominant figures in the modern era" is something only a huge PL fanboy would say imo. As a CM, I would rate him way below Alonso, Xavi, Schweinsteiger, Pirlo, Modric, Iniesta and even Vidal is not below him imo. His contirbution is lacking against great midfields, and i think Pogba could follow the same path if he doesnt improve his overall game. 2. Pogba so far doesnt even do what Yaya did in his best. He cant be dominant during games, and it seems like he doesnt really know what to do in high profile games, how to be dominant. He doesent have a plan, there isnt enough things he can do constantly during the game. 3. Thiago is a few steps further imo, he can be the heart of a team right away. he works, he's brilliantly smart, he passes, he dribbles, for me its not even a contest, Thiago can contirbute a lot more to a top team and he's way more mature, especially in high profile matches. If you put Pogba in a team where he'll be The Star, like idk... Tottehham, and let him play against WBA and Newcastle, he'll look more impressive than Thiago, but if you put Thiago in Barcelona, Bayern or Real, Thigo would smoothly fit in and contirbute. Pogba is more like a soloist imo, and its not always works in the top teams.

Its really not the case for me at least, I never seen a great game by Pogba. And its not about having a "Great game", i never seen him play and thought "thats a wc midfielder right there". Koke isnt one either imo. I think both have some serious improving to do in their overall game. Non of them is a 'must signing' for me, but i would be happy with both.

I just cant stay consistent in my opinion about him. Every time im not seeing him for a while, im following the hype, enthusiastic about his potential and think about what he'll bring to Chelsea, but every time i see him my opinion changes. So thats my verdict - Big talent, not a world class player right now by any means. Need to grow and i dont think Juventus and Seria A is the place for him to grow.

To be fully honest, i dont think this Juventus side is a great one. This semi final (Juve-Real) didnt go to very high levels imo, from neither of them. Dortumund-Bayern, Real-Atletico, the finalists from previous seasons showed greatness imo, i dont think Juventus or Real showed it. Juventus are a bit like us in 2012, but much better. I cant see this side going to semi-finals season after season, but they can improve maybe. Real on the other end, this season they're so vulnerable, it seems like you can get a win against them any day of the week, so many upsets it seems. Juventus did what they can do, which is not a lot, but it was enough.

This penalty is a little reminder on what the CL is all about. Swedish referee... porque?