Pizy

Feels like last summer before Sarri came in all over again. We all knew deals were being worked on but we moved at glacial speed. Fabregas said his public goodbyes a week ago and that deal isn't done yet. We've known that we need a striker for months and still haven't done anything. Ironically enough, we were able to immedietly tie down Pulisic who would be the most expensive of any target we would be after.

I really think that the club view Willian on the same level as Hazard. That he is untouchable.

With Pulisic coming in the summer I would much rather we just offload Willian and let them send Malcom elsewhere. He's no better than Willian. We wouldn't need Pulisic, Pedro, and Malcom.

So very strange that Barca are so enamoured by Willian. He's so clearly not top level anymore. If he was any other nationality than Brazilian I don't think they'd have a second look.

Can't compare Higuain to Giroud. The former is a modern, all around striker who can finish from anywhere around the box and carries the ball in space well. Can also make runs off the shoulder of defenders and spin in behind onto a through ball. Giroud is the classic target man #9 who will only really score from inside the box these days. Higuain isn't ideal but let us not forget that he has been a world class #9 in recent years and done the business at multiple big clubs.

So in other words nothing this week.

This seems to have gone pretty quiet. Very strange that Cesc hasn't been announced either when everyone and their mother knows he's signed his contract with Monaco.

Higuain is an excellent finisher from pretty much all ranges. One of his best characteristics is his powerful long shot.

Would be very Chelsea-like, wouldn't it?

When he was first trying to establish Chelsea as an elite club I'm sure he was very hands on and wanted the hot new toy. I think he's way more hands off these days when it comes to player personnel. Probably only gets involved in approving high priced buys and hiring/sacking managers. I doubt he instructs the board to buy specific players.

Any time I see headlines stating that "Abromovic wants so-and-so" I laugh. As if he's a transfer muppet like we are who watches individual players at other clubs. I doubt Roman is involved even a little bit in identifying players. Only time he becomes involved is when he gives the okay to splash huge money.

Benitez will once again have them set up extremely deep and ready to spring on a counter. Remember how embarrassing they were the last time we played yet still almost stole a point? Hopefully no false 9 because it simply doesn't work when the opposition is crammed in their penalty areas. Giroud must start.

A striker I'd love for us to splash 100m on. Monster.

You'd have to assume that with Bayern's director and coach talking about him so openly and brazenly that they're confident he's moving. He and his agent have made it clear. At this point it's just about milking them for as much as possible.

Last thing I'll say about this match. Kante is getting better and better going forward. He's now a legitimate threat on goal and is ever improving at surging forward with the ball. Even beating players with a dribble. That's great to see. He was great today.

Not the ideal striker but couldn't possibly be worse than Morata surely. If he were to come in and even just feast on the small teams it would be a huge bonus, nevermind the elite sides. Still, I'd only have him either on loan or a very short term contract.

We've spent £70m on a top keeper, £60m on Pulisic. Why can't we go out this month and pay literally whatever it takes to sign a striker? Icardi or Cavani, fucking someone who will finally settle the position for years to come. We can push Spuds for that 3rd spot if we do that. We will really struggle to fend off Arse and United if we don't.

Actually encouraged by a lot of what I saw today. We were completely dominant in the second half. Impressed we were able to totally dominate all areas of the pitch against a strong Spuds side. Kane, Alli, and Eriksen did nothing at all, not even a sniff of danger for 99% of the game. But once more we show our board and owner that we are desperate for a top striker. That would literally transform the whole side. Will they act?

I like Ross but he's just not right for certain matches and I've said this before. He's not proactive enough and he's not quick-thinking enough. Kovacic is miles better than he is. He should only be starting against small teams.

Well, who could've foreseen this happening? Almost no threat going forward, Willian and Barkley continuing to be bang average, and Alonso absolutely dreadful. Painful to watch us when it's plain to see the obvious voids in our XI that are crying out for signings.

Much as I'm glad to see CHO start, I think we may struggle in the final third today. Also, Morata out of the squad completely after just actually doing something useful for once. Offski?

Premier League is literally the only league I pay any attention to.

I could be reading too much into this, but it seems as though Willian only tweets out his "come on Chelsea" messages when he's starting. So I think we can expect him straight back into the XI tonight in place of CHO.

The hell would I read about the French league that PSG will win by 30 points or somethings? 😂 I get all my football news via journalists on Twitter, almost all of which is PL focused.

Mate, I don't live in Europe! Ligue 1 gets absolutely zero play here in the States. Only time I see French teams is in the CL.