Pizy

Said this a coup,e of days ago and I'll say it again, I can't imagine Rüdiger coming here for a bench spot. He's at a nice club already where he can play every game. He's trying to earn a starting spot for the full German team for the World Cup. He'd be dumb to come to Chelsea and jeopardize that by being a squad player like Zouma is getting a rare appearence here or there. Likewise, I can't imagine the club paying £30m on a backup. People here can say "£30m is cheap" all they want but that's bullshit. Azpi and Cahill were cheap. I think £30m is a lot no matter what the market is. I just can't for the life of me figure out who he replaces in our XI. Azpi and Luiz are obviously nailed on starters, surely. Cahill seems to be somewhat of the club's new poster boy. JT's English successor, captain, etc. I wonder if we'd just bench him for Rüdiger straight away. Could Conte be thinking of him as a RWB? Just can't figure it out.

Everyone seemed pretty certain that it was done yesterday. Not sure I believe what the Mirror. Doesn't seem like Pep's ideal type of CB.

Looks like the sort of Wing back that Barca would sign. Excellent going forward but not so great in defense. The biggest appeal of Alex Sandro is that he's great both ways and is also physically powerful. Having two LWB's who are great going forward and suspect defensively doesn't make so much sense, does it?

All kidding aside, I think he may actually be a better backup than Begovic. He's more used to being a backup and did a decent job for City despite playing behind headless chicken defenders. Begovic clearly needs to play regularly to be at his best because he wasn't anywhere near as good for us as he was for Stoke when he was the #1.

I can't really give any specific examples but it was generally the feeling that this weekend was going to be the start of "a new Chelsea era" with Nike and that some serious movement would start. I'm not stupid enough to think that we were going to unveil 5 new superstars or anything like that like all those Twitter muppets, but I honestly did expect some super cheesy, cringey Nike video with a couple of new players being unveiled wearing the new kit. Do expect something to happen at some point this next week, just not this weekend like many suggested.

So....no new signings holding up the new kit like all the media hyped?

Just have to have faith he'll pull an Alonso and surprise all of us and win us over. Many were puzzled when we signed him like we are now.

You really think we'd pay 35m or whatever it is for a bench warmer who will make the odd sub appearence and cup lineup? No chance, imo.

Jesus Christ that Juve kit is awful. Their new badge is disgusting as well. They're old badge was one of the best in Europe I thought. That looks like it was designed by a little kid.

Some of you are crazy. Everything I'm seeing from Nike looks amazing. Beauty in simplicity. The opposite of the shite adidas have served up for us recently.

Seeing this a lot on Twitter. That Rüdiger is best in the right. Could we maybe be switching to a back 4 as our main formation with Azpi as RB? Would sort of negate Luiz's best role as a libero.

Think we can officially disregard this dude. Basically a preteen trying to get followers.

I honestly wonder what we'd do if this doesn't happen. Monaco apparently says they won't sell anyone else after Bakayoko and Bernardo so Mendy won't be going. Even if he did City would probably immedietly snap him up. No one else really comes to mind. Seems kinda all or nothing with Alex Sandro.

Still wayyyy too much for a rotation player. We have Christensen, Zouma, and had Aké if all we wanted was depth. Rüdiger must be thought of as a starter for this price.

£30m for a squad player? Hmm. Not sure about that. That's the sort of money you pay for a starter.

There is no such thing as a player not for sale at a small club like Southampton. It's just a matter of offering them money they can't say no to.

You know exactly what it means. Marko Marin, Djilobodji, Miazga, Kenedy... Players that the board buy regardless of the manager in hopes that they turn out well. Mourinho publicly admitted he'd never even heard of Djilobodji, ffs! Of course, Rüdiger is well known and Conte will have seen him before, but surely he isn't/wasn't out top CB target this summer. Not at the level we need to join Europe's elite level.

100% smacks of a board signing after they failed to secure what Conte really wants, which is a ready made, top class, veteran CB that will slot straight into the side. Bonucci, Van Dijk, and Boateng are exactly that. I'm not sure Rüdiger even pushes Cahill out of our XI. General consenus I'm seeing around is that he's just solid and nothing great or special. Very underwhelming.

Literally linked with a different CB everyday. Bonucci, VVD, Manolas, Boateng, Rüdiger...

Agreed. Lotta heartbroken transfer muppets come Saturday on Twitter I think.

Looks like the intern got into the official Premier League website code...

All gone silent since the Textgate, hasn't it? Wouldnt be surprised if he and Conte kissed and made up. New contract on the way!

Why does what this dude says matter, lol? He could've just read a few tweets from a week ago when everyone was reporting that it was basically done.

Has he fully recovered from his injury? He was amazing before that and if we were getting that Boateng I'd definitely be happy with him. One of the best CB's in Europe.

I'd probably destroy quit a few things in my direct vicinity if he went to Man fucking City.