Blue Armour

Seems to be a good header of the ball too., in front of goal. We haven't had that kind of threat since Giroud, and to a much lesser extent in Havertz So if nothing else, I guess Samu can provide a different option up front. And hopefully more. Let's see.

My only concern is that Sarri was working with much better quality at center back., and the back line in general. Maresca doesn't have those options. James, Fofana and Chillwell are returning from season ending injuries, Badiashile, Disasi & Tosin don't look convincing., and Colwill has been underwhelming so far. I hope a decision is made to bring in at least one quality CB option before the transfer window ends, but so far it looks like no real interest. Even if it's a question of players adapting to Maresca’s system, there are just some things you can't overlook. Like the poor performance in 1v1s.

Genuinely think he was the missing piece from our midfield last season. I'm not sure if it will be enough to trump the big sides, but it should make us more consistent for a top 4 finish. Barring a disaster at the back with our CB selection, of course.

Can't wait to see him combine with Palmer

Not sure how he played, but because he got an assist and a clean sheet, I'll assume it was a decent enough debut

I'll likely miss this match, but tomorrow might see KDH make his debut. Hope he has a solid, even if unspectacular, start. Just not a terrible one.

Strange to think that just a few years ago, the tables were turned. While I'll always question whether Chelsea really had to go this far backwards before going forward, I still hope all this long term investment really pays off in the form of real success for the club.

Hoping KDH can also surprise a lot of people by surpassing expectations. I think he will.

Hazard modeling the new kit http://youtube.com/post/Ugkx3F3yfy9mOKyOaCgGB9GacPFS1k1AOF1U?si=oYAIiyzaI14GEmGM

Going to contrast nicely with a blue kit on, lol

Too old for Clearlake unfortunately, and his likely wages won't fit the new structure. Even in physically declined state, I would love to have him as a squad option. Can't miss more games than our youngster Lavia did last season, lol.

Upto Maresca to sort it out, if other players take issue with this (very likely). Enzo has already given him an uphill task as a new manager.

Lol, just moments after mocking United for their transfer woes. I agree with @robsblubot. Ideally we need a mix of good youth talent, and a few experienced heads in the squad. The fact that Maresca has gone after players like KDH and Tosin, only solidifies that fact. Whether these players are good enough is a separate question., but they do fit the profile.

Always seemed a bit moronic. Definitely not captain material.

I see your point about the home kit, but I think it would be up to the club itself to tell Nike if they approve of the design or not. I don't think Nike in anyway can dictate a single design. I'm pretty sure they present a bunch of standard templates to their partner clubs, and whoever is in charge of that club's marketing department must approve.

Not to mention, our new manager utilized him effectively last season. All the more reason to think that this piece will have a good chance to integrate seamlessly into the team. Just hope people curb their expectations during pre-season. I'm not expecting him to output crazy numbers. Rather, he would provide a platform for the rest of the midfield to succeed in controlling the game.

I think he'll help get the best out of Enzo & Caicedo too. If he can be the solid, dependable, even if unspecatcular, CM, like Henderson was for Liverpool.

Disappointing, but I'll still maintain that central midfield is where we needed the big fix, and I think we've got that. Going to make a big difference in each game's result next season. With more draws turning into wins.

Or,.....we could have a balanced view and call them out on shit that could have been avoided, and give them credit when it's due?

Not to mention that goof-up against Arsenal at the Bridge. But...I'll reserve judgement for now. Let's see if Maresca can extract more from him. Still worried about the CB cover in front of him.

I'll double down on what I said next season. We WILL see the best of Enzo & Caicedo when they have an experienced no-nonsense CM playing along side them. I think KDH can be that missing piece.

Astute signing, in my books. Makes me optimistic for next season, already.

Same. I'm really pleased with this signing, my friend. I think you and I were one of the few on here who were complaining about the lack of an experienced head in the midfield last season. Happy to see that the club is going back to making more sensible signings.

KDH is exactly the type of signing we need atm. Whether he can deliver is another question., but that remains to be seen. A week or so ago I was ranting about how it was looking unlikely that the new regime would sign another CM, let alone an experienced one. I'm happy to be proven wrong. This signing has the potential to make a world of difference next season. If he can bring balance to the team in midfield, we will start to see a more consistently well-performing Chelsea next season.

It makes a lot of sense for me. The lack of an experienced CM in the middle of the park was why our games felt so unbalanced last season. Easy wins turning into draws or defeats. Adding a CM with the right profile to play in that 433 will bring out the best in Enzo & Caicedo next season., IMO.