Pizy

I've been trying to think where he'd play under Mourinho there and I'm struggling. Think it's impossible, actually. Unless Mata is fine now with being a reserve player which we know he isn't. I figured José would make nice initially and play him but thinking about it more, nope. He'll obviously buy a new, top striker (Zlatan) and his captain who he's always loved as a player in Rooney will likely be his #10 which is by far Mata's best position. Martial will be his Hazard and he'll likely buy a new player for their right side. Zero chance Mou plays Mata out wide and he isn't great there anyways. There is no spot for him once again. He's got to flee Mourinho again. Back to Spain or to a smaller PL club. Can't see him fitting a Conte side either.

I unblocked you. Sorry for overreacting the other day. As for Rüdiger, I'll reserve judgement. Wouldn't be my ideal signing at CB but he's obviously very talented.

I just don't think that'll happen there. They have such a bottomless pit of cash they can simply throw money at superstars if things start getting stale. Top players will always be attracted to and want to play for Mourinho. I think this appointment for United will finally bring them up to where they "belong" when it comes to the transfer window. Paying silly Real Madrid/Barca prices for players. Can't see anything other than success for him and United. My hope is that Conte is given every opportunity to make sure he isn't too successful. Purely in terms of coaching skill and management Conte is every bit the equal to Mourinho. If the owner gives him the means we can compete with Mou and Pep. Anyways, this will sting for a while for me. Probably for the entire '16/17 season. If Chelsea struggles next season whilst Mourinho wins or almost wins the title in his first year it'll be torture. I've finally come around to the thinking that I refused to believe before; that he only ever came back to Chelsea because he had no alternatives. If Man United had offered him the job instead of Moyes he'd have taken it. The love affair for me is forever over. Forza Conte!

What the fuck is this? lol

That video from his post trail press conference makes him look like a scary dude! Imagine being a player getting screamed at by that! Looks like and Italian gangster straight out of the movies.

Apparently being linked with Arse now. Watching his YouTube montage he seems just the sort of monster of a CB they've needed for ages.

I too think Diego is currently the better player, but to be honest I think Lukaku would get a similar goal return if given a full season here. They're so similar as players, though, which is why this doesn't make sense yet until we know what's happening with Costa. By all accents and rumors I've seen Conte is keen to keep him.

So they're gonna sell both of their starting CB's and potentially their star midfielder? Hard to believe.

Jesus, mate!

You know, you would think that signing the new managers supposed "#1 target" signed would be straight forward and quick. Guess not.

Seriously! This is about the 4th or 5th player we've been linked with that I've literally never heard of. Are we trying to compete for 6-7th or a CL place and the title!? Hope these are all bullshit or we're in trouble.

With Everton about to get a new manager (potentially a top class one) and with the new ownership money and the new PL money they have no reason at all to sell him for less than whatever silly valuation they place on him. Whoever wants him will have to pay up massively. Even if he were desperate to leave and hands in a transfer request Everton proved with us last summer that they'll deny it and hold a player hostage. They aren't really a club that can easily go out and recruit a 20-25 goal a season striker so they won't want to lose him.

Hope it doesn't happen, but imagine Costa back at Atleti. He and Griezmann together under Simeone. Fucking hell what a duo. They'd be CL favorites. If only we could see that partnership here...

Emenalo probably jerks himself to sleep thinking of masterminding Lukaku's return. As long as we address all of our other needs in addition to signing Lukaku I won't care. If we go and spend a ridiculous amount on him and it means we can't sign midfielders and defenders of a certain level and instead have to settle for average ones I'll be livid.

Agreed. On his day he's unplayable and bullies teams like Drogba. Other days Everton looked like they were playing with 10 men. I'm so conflicted on this. If he wants so badly to return to a club that got rid of him then I suppose it shows he truly loves Chelsea like he said he did. Him returning and fulfilling his potential under Conte sounds romantic. That would be cool to see. On the other hand, £65m is a mental amount to pay for him.

Certainly seems to be heating up. It just makes no sense at all unless the club have decided to sell Diego Costa. Don't see how their styles and qualities mesh together and neither would be happy or willing to not start every week. They'd both benefit from having a technically gifted "second striker" style player partnering them. They're too similar to one another to play together.

Another lazy media link I think. It's like they think Conte has only ever watched Serie A football and nothing else.

My thoughts as well. If Matic goes it can't be to another English club. Far too risky and could easily bite us in the ass. Give him until at least January to see if he can return to the real Matic.

Imagine some of the players we could get with that money... Could surely sign anyone outside of a handful of players in world football with that much money. Even our board aren't this mad.

Yep. Also those same fans over on RedCafe by the hundreds who made fun of us Chelsea fans for "accepting" his shit football. They would always say "sure, he wins, but I wouldn't want to trade exciting, attacking football for shit, defensive football even if we're winning." Now they're desperate for him.

Bullshit, Gil. He's not world class anymore like he was when he was here but he's several levels better than Aaron Ramsey. Only thing that holds him back is his lack of versatility. When he isn't played in a very specific position his effectiveness drops dramatically. I 100% believe that if he goes to a club and plays strictly behind a prolific striker he'd put up silly numbers.

If Mata wasn't right for Mourinho-ball there's no way he would be for Conte's style of constant pressing. Similarly to José, it seems Conte prefers his midfielders to be powerful and athletic and able to get around the pitch. The exact opposite of what Mata is in other words. Honestly feel bad for the guy. He has probably made a nice life for himself and settled perfectly in Manchester after being put out of the club and city he appeared to love when he was here. Now the guy who sold him is coming and will probably sell him again. He's going to have to uproot his life once more. I think José will play nice with him initially and say he'll use Mata, but after a couple of months of Mata being unable to play to Josés liking he'll be gone in the January window after riding the bench for a while.

I notice the inevitable Zlatan rumors are heating up alongside the Mourinho news. Would be a shame to have to hate one of my all time favorite players if he signs for them. Hopefully he'll find the PL much more difficult to succeed in than Ligue 1. Who am I kidding, though. He'll terrify most sides here before even stepping on the pitch.

Wonder if the tiger will be able to change his stripes. When he comes up against the other big sides will he set out to play attacking football or will he do what he has always done and play the pragmatic, counter attacking style?

Man City used it to great effect just before Pellegrini went there with Agüero, Dzeko, Negredo, etc. A more traditional #9 (Dzeko) paired with a supremely gifted and technical one in Agüero. Liverpool used Suarez and Sturridge very effectively together. Two technically gifted strikers can work too.