lionsden

History has shown that building a team for the future is more productive and rewarding than assembling a squad of predominantly expensive and established players. since younger players have something to prove and have the hunger and determination running through their veins. also they have enough time to gel together and become a solid unit. Ajax's team of 1994-97 and barca's team of 08-present typifies that. risk taking as its own benefit and when it does come off, nothing can beat that feeling of accomplishment one derives from it. Join the campaign for youth development at chelsea

We have been on this neymar saga since last year and his move to Chelsea looks increasingly unlikely. I can't believe this thread still exists.

Until the board change their mentality of "if he's not established, he can't be a first team/X1 material" this problem will persist and our youth project will continue to stall and remain unproductive.More importantly we would struggle to achieve our vision for the future without incurring crippling debts

If the rumors are anything to go by. Roman is acting on the advice/recommendations of Guus who's the hot favorite to become our new manager

Lukaku is skillful and has great link up play, He wouldn't hurt our vision for the future in terms of adopting a new style of play

It will be interesting to know what position he will play for Chelsea. I reckon his best position is behind the striker, Future chelsea line up could be . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ????? VDW/Hutchinson. . . .. . . Luiz. . . . . . Bruma/Ivanovic. . .. .. Betrand/Van Anholt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ramires. . . . . . . Mikel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lucas Piazon./Josh Kakuta/Lalkovic. . .. . . . Sturridge/Torres/Lukaku. . . . . . .Kevin Debryune/Arda Turan

It's sad isn't it. I'm the only one that feels Lukaku is not better than Sturridge yet we are willing to fork out £20 million for the unproven Belgian and in the process, we potentially lose out on two great prospects (sturridge and Kevin ) I'm curious to know on whose advice RA is acting on.

The only problem with that is. His buy out clause is a staggering £70 million. The fact that Sao Paolo are not willing to sell their most valuable asset means we have to pay the maximum fee to get him.Personally though, I feel Lucas is a better player than Neymar

I feel this kid's talent is being underestimated. His passing and shooting accuracy is exceptional. He is skillful and flexible enough to play as a winger and behind the striker. To think he's only 19 and has the scope and potential to become a world beater in the future makes him a must buy. if we let this one slip away, I will never forgive the board. it baffles me how we are hell bent on sending him out on loan.

Considering how Arshavin and Zhirhov flopped miserably in the epl, it will be a risky deal.

This kid plays exactly like kaka. so his tag as the new kaka is understandable.The same way Aguero reminds people of romario and messi of maradona

Wrong. supporting the club and players does not forbid raising concern about the club's flaws, it only shows you care enough and want the best for the club

Nzogbia >>>Zhirhov>>>>>Malouda

The noisy sheiks The way I see it. It's either Pastore is the best playmaker in the world or he's just ridiculously overpriced and overrated. I'm leaning towards the latter

I can't believe some people actually want us to buy neymar at the ridiculously expensive asking price. If we pay £40 odd million for him, that will clearly indicate that our board still haven't learned their lesson. I'm all for buying a young talent with potential to become world's best but our spending habit simply isn't sustainable in the long run and it's only a matter of time before Roman decides to sell the club and leave us with crippling debt.

Comprehension skills must be your problem. where in my post did I compare mikel to xavi?

What difference does it make if it was 90 years ago? My point is Mikel is capable of executing the skill being discussed as he's done in the past. you cannot convert a playmaker into a DM and not expect him to adapt his game. Mikel never lost his dribbling ability, he merely adapted his game to the new role as DM's role doesn't require flair and skills associated with creative midfielders

I will take playmakers in the mold of Xavi, Pirlo (in his prime), Paul scholes (in his prime) over the pastores of this world everyday of the week.

Even though he's shown that for the reserves. I'm basing my assertion on his first team.performances. And even if josh has shown enough ability, our board will still always prefer an £80 million pound established and experience player with similar ability to Josh That's the reality at SW6

Go and watch Mikel at the U20 championship 2005 and get back to me. it's pointless arguing over the obvious. you don't emerge as the second best player at a tournament behind the almighty messi without possessing some degree of technical ability. if he doesn't demonstrate his dribbling ability often enough, that's mourinho's fault who turned a very promising attacking midfielder into a DM. As for Ramires and Josh. I have seen enough of them to conclude that both players possess good/great dribbling skills Btw, The ability to dribble is not necessarily what makes a great play maker. vision, excellent decision making and passing are more important skill-set hence why Xavi is a better play maker than Okocha/Pastore.

Alright I've got the solution. Let's trade mikel, ramires, josh and sturridge for Sneidjer and live happily ever after. does that sound better

I disagree. Mikel, Ramires and josh have these qualities. What we lack in our midfield is pin-point, precise and defence splitting passes. hence the lack of creativity

Claiming "Mikel gives the ball away too easily" is aki'n to " messi has zero close control" or "xavi has poor passing ability".Ball retention is Mikel's biggest strength, no one on the team does it better than him and last season, Drogba, Essien and Lampard (in that exact order) were the most culpable for the team's lackluster ball retention.

There's shortage of quality full backs in the world tbh. I believe Bruma and Luiz have the skill to play that position.

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