Pizy

It would be utter insanity to even loan Broja until we sign another attacker, never mind sell him permanently. He’s the only actual striker in our squad, ffs! Are we complete idiots?! Imagine losing our two biggest prospects this summer again a year after having the same thing happen last year. This time both are on very long contracts too so we have all the leverage. So unless we’re being offered silly fees of like £50m we shouldn’t even be entertaining these offers.

Even though all the reliable reporters are still saying Tuchel wants both Koundé and Kimpembe, I too wonder how exactly that would work. In my opinion Thiago and KK are guaranteed starters in our best XI. So if that’s the case we would have a £50m+ CB on the bench at all times? Why would Kimpembe agree to leave the comforts of his boyhood club where he’s a regular starter to rotate in and out of our team? Likewise Koundé. Still only really makes sense to get one of those and in my opinion it should be the one who plays on the right which is Koundé. Koundé/Trev for the RCB position Thiago/Ampadu? for the middle position KK/Colwill for the LCB position I don’t see how you keep everyone happy if you bring in 2 more top CB’s.

If we can land Koundé and plug him into that right side I don’t think we’ll lament missing out in De Ligt. They’re basically the same age, they both have similar skill sets, and Koundé will more easily build a relationship with our other CB’s who may all be French speakers. Keeper, too. Koundé also wouldn’t have the colossal weight of expectation on his shoulders like De Ligt has/will have.

Just get him a PL loan.

I’d rather keep Billy in the squad rather than RLC and Barkley. Ruben may actually be fairly sought after by several clubs because of the flashes of talent he has shown. Perhaps Lamps could take him? Don’t know how we get shot of Barkley, though. His wages have to be pretty high and he already had a poor loan spell at Villa. RLC will show a flash of brilliance in one match and then disappear for several more afterwards. Don’t think he’s ever going to have the consistency to make it here. At least Billy has lots of room for growth.

Nothing we can really do this summer in midfield. Too many bodies there already.

Lots of complaints about Koundé’s height here and elsewhere but United have just signed a genuinely tiny CB for £55m. Koundé looks gigantic compared to Lisandro Martinez.

So many conflicting reports. After Dembele and Raphinha I’m not going to get my hopes up.

Feels like if we want Koundé still we’ll have to be super quick and Tuchel has to speak directly to the player to convince him. Otherwise, if we just speak to Sevilla and offer the money we risk Raphinha 2.0 where Barca will swoop in with their fake Monopoly money and hijack it. There have been reports over the past year that he was desperate to come here so hopefully that desire is still true.

If we can somehow land both Kimpembe & Koundé from here that would be an insane rebuild of our defense in a single window. And it would hopefully mean we never have to see Sarr in a Chelsea shirt again.

Good fitness exercise for the lads. Good to see several look sharp already like Mason and Conor.

Michy is dogshit 🤣 Who is even going to take him this summer?

Injured. Second half XI looking MUCH sharper and much tidier so far.

Even though they weren’t on the team sheet apparently Jorginho and Emerson are indeed playing today.

Looks like the exact same CHO we all were infuriated with the last time we saw him. Doesn’t really even attempt to take anyone on 1v1. There were about 4-5 players on the pitch that first half who will hopefully be sold so it was kind of a waste to even see them out there. Sarr, Barkley, and Kenedy are just taking up squad spots I’d rather have youth players in. Good to have Chilly get minutes in his legs. Looked like he’s understandably rusty and needs them.

Gallagher looks ace in this deeper role. He’s like the only player who looks sharp yet.

CHO looks huge! Like he put on 15lbs. Love the look of Conor already.

Seeing Kenedy and Sarr in Chelsea shirts again is just… 😩😩😩 even in preseason.

I think that was in Boston where the Patriots play which is real grass. This one is an indoor stadium with turf instead.

No Kova, Jorginho, Emerson, or Mendy in the squad at all.

I think what Tuchel really desires with the signings this summer are players who are clear and obvious upgrades on what we already have. I think any attacking signing we potentially do now should be like Sterling. With the exception of Leão, I’m not sure you can say that any of those names in blue will for sure be better than Pulisic/Werner/CHO/Ziyech in a Chelsea shirt. If West Ham weren’t such a pain in the ass to deal with I’d love to make a move for Bowen. But they’d probably demand £80m for him at the same time they’re trying to bid some derisory €30m for Broja.

But by then who will be available? It’s the right approach to take given our desperate need for CB’s, but the consequence of focusing all our attention there means that nearly all of the top class attacking talent has been scooped up already. Unless we can work out some sort of deal with Milan that involves Ziyech I’m not seeing anyone that’s worthy of going to get. We may have to stick with what we have until January when someone may become available.

Yeah, it doesn’t look like we’re going to be getting another attacker. Which is pretty worrying. What happens if Sterling picks up a freak injury in match week 3 or something and misses extended time? We’re down to the same super inconsistent attackers as last season. Looks like our entire season may hinge on all of our attackers taking massive strides forward in their statistical output.

Tweaked his groin apparently.

Barca apparently couldn’t stand Real Madrid leaving them behind and are now apparently mortgaging their whole future to buy their way back to the top. Hope it blows up in their faces within the next couple of years.