Blue Armour

Can see your point. Comparing the squads, Rudiger has been replaced by Koulibaly, we traded Lukaku for Sterling, and we traded Saul for Connor. Only question is whether Colwill can step up to provide an adequate replacement for Christensen. EDIT: the question is whether Tuchel will use Colwill to replace Christensen, instead of Saar.

If Emerson leaves Alonso stays.

The lack of any consistent transfer rumors in the past few days makes it feel even more likely that the club wasn't prepared with a plan B following the failure of the Kounde bid. The only hope is the club gets its act together fast because other clubs will become less likely to part with their players after the season begins., especially if they need replacements.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/jul/26/football-transfer-rumours-Chelsea-milan-skriniar-josko-gvardiol

Yeah. Probably the club was taken aback by Barcas poaching of Kounde, and were not expecting it to happen a second time. Hopefully they always had a plan B and won't scramble at the last minute

Just saw a recent article based on info from Nizaar: https://theprideoflondon.com/2022/07/20/significant-Chelsea-renewal-updates/amp/ Apparently the contract talks should begin once the transfer window ends. So it's very likely you are right.

Fuck. I hope we upgrade the contacts of Mount and James sooner rather than later. Hope the club doesn't take their loyalty for granted and wait till the last minute to discuss contract extensions. Even if he can't bring in more targets, this is one thing Boehly HAS to get right.

Rumors of Spurs entering the race for Skriniar. Also rumors of him wanting to renew his contract at Inter. Not sure if they can.

Miazga is still here? Imagine if Djilobodji were still here too. A back line of Miazga, Saar and Djilobodji

Emerson is a fraud. A lot of people give him leeway because of the misconception that he is a better defender than Alonso.

You're referring to Batman, clearly.

I've been saying this before. Getting rid of Marina/Cech to start from a clean slate is one thing. Doing it in a season where extensive repair is needed and piling additional responsibilities on the manager is another. If this ends up being the straw that causes Tuchel to up and leave, that would be infuriating. We have 2 weeks before the season begins and are short of at least one attacker and CB from the looks of things. My only hope is that in next week's friendly Tuchel puts together a team complete with first teamers (like @Superblue_1986 suggested), and at least THAT team can play with good cohesion. No more of Saar, Batshuayi or Emerson.

Interesting comments. Probably not happy with how the transfer situation is panning out, with Sterling the only incoming attacker and no striking replacment in sight. Then again who isn't happy. The problem is Tuchel doesn't have much of a leg to stand on, seeing as he would have had a big part in moving the only striker option we had in Lukaku on for peanuts. Horrible situation exacerbated by defenders leaving. This window we're being forced to dip into the market to reinforce several areas simultaneously, and it also happens to be the same season we get new ownership. Perfect storm brewing and no Abramovich to bail us out.

Yes, youre right. Snapped up by PSG. I had hoped we would go fo him. Now I'm just hoping we go for someone like him.

Players already thinking about the 2nd day of the two day Universal Studios pass.

Hope he stays fit. Already see it. Koulibaly is going to be key for us.

On a positive note. Koulibaly. Immense. At least in the limited minutes.

Bit disconcerting that the deadwood like Batshuayi Emerson & Saar are eating away the preseason minutes, while players like Colwill and Broja are sitting in the bench

And now Batshuayi. Again. Feelinng that Tuchel is slipping into the madness that eventually eats away at every Chelsea manager.

Would like for us to try for a goal scoring winger/SS like Hugo Ekitike, but that's a pipe dream.

Yes that's right, but that CB/RB area was perpetually exposed. Because we couldn't hold on to possession for long nor could we break up their play in the middle. Anyway it's been poor all over the pitch. No point in nitpicking.

I think the blame is more on the midfield 3. If we want to do that, this isn't the lineup.

TT probably thought Mount and Gallagher would make up for Jorginhos lack of combativeness. Gamble failed spectacularly. Solace is that he learned this in a friendly and not a match that matters.

Selling Alonso and Azpi, but keeping Emerson and Saar. Masterclass.

Neither is Emerson. But none of those players have anything to do with the poor midfield