OneMoSalah

Niver mind 21st century, what about in the last 10 transfer windows alone. Likes of Papy Djilobodji has to be a shout (only signed as deemed 37m for Laporte too expensive despite bidding 40m for Stones...). Or Bakayoko bar one game v United. Or Torres yes. Or Falcao. Or Pato. Or whoever. Weve had some absolute shite players when weve been at very high levels and been successful.

Notice all the big games in the 13/14 season bar Liverpool he played next to Matic though, someone who was actually disciplined enough to actually sit and be in position. Matics influence and what he gave the team when he arrived in 2014 to 2015 is hugely forgotten. He allowed Luiz and Ramires to recover and play higher up.

If Emerson is fit he will play every week. Alonso will play cup games. So he wont play at LB. Willian, Pedro, Pulisic and Callum will soon all be avaliable to Frank so again, plenty of options. Even then Frank has used Mason and Barkley on the left too. Its a waste of our time and a waste of his if he sits about not making the matchday squad or playing to progress his career.

Imagine the irony if he did. The whole him getting playing time thing is pretty obvious now as the least important thing regarding his contract negotiations of late. Its money. Usually wage demands are the only makes these things an issue. Fair enough I am sure he will get what he wants as Frank is desperate for him to stay but its about time the club put a timeline on this renewal.

If we dont get out of that group, then fuck knows. Valencia and Ajax shouldnt be underestimated though.

Aww I see. Yeah would be good. Be a tough match though.

I dont think the fans would do that at the game tbf. Wouldnt like to see us against Inter either.

He never said anything directly or handed in a transfer request but I feel he wanted the move, like most who Barca try to buy, but didnt want to push it through so the club could be in a good position to get a good fee. Similarly to Edens situation this summer although he had asked to leave last summer and did talk about Real Madrid and his future a lot on international duty over the years.

If we are to get a winger, get someone in their prime say 27 or 28 who can come in and deliver. So the young guys can still get minutes and that we dont just have 4 wingers who are still learning and need to develop. Then sell one of Will/Pedro and phase out the other.

I still think a safe (although unpopular in some folks eyes) bet would of been with Luiz's sale, keeping Cahill as a back up (although we knew he was going last season) and loaning Tomori but it didnt happen. Gaz struggled in Sarris system (well technically he rarely played so harded to judge as Sarri decided he didnt suit it without really giving him a fair crack In think but again Luiz, Rudi and Andreas were always his preferred 3 ahead of him) and under Conte in his 2nd season but in a back 4 he would of still been capable enough for rotation I think. Dont think Zouma is that much better than him or even at all.

Either that or go 433 and push the front 3 right up on their 3 at the back like City and Roma did to us under Conte. Interesting to see how it goes but think it will be 4231 still. Be a tough game too as they always look to switch the ball fast to create overloads out wide.

Not neccessarily true. Oscar played as a 10, Mourinho saw de Bruyne as a wide player. Im sure the games he played he was always on the right side on the 3 in a 4231. So it was really more Willian and Mata (although both him and Kevin left same window). It was a mistake but again, I think Kevin needed the move to fully progress and you never know what might have happened had he stayed. He might not have gotten to the level hes at now, he might have been better, its hard to judge. A mistake though to get rid of him but thats just how it was. Looking back on it, at the time, dont think anybody really seen Kevin going to one of the top 5 attacking midfielders in the world back then or complained after Matic came in because we really needed that sort of player in midfield to build the team up. Then we built on it the next season. Short termism but thats how the clubs run and how Jose thought. But even then a few additions to our 14/15 team and we would of been in a better position. Doubt anyone seen the next season coming, I certainly didnt think we would be miles off, just wasnt the same calibre of players in as the previous summers to refresh the team. I mean if a top winger, another more combative midfielder at a good level and a good striker came in to compete with Diego, we could have easily gone and probably been up there to possibly have won the league again I think. We were horrible but I dont think we would have finished so low if we got a few good players in.

Again think its odd to just throw in Gilmour and Gallagher are already better when really they all play different positions to Ethan and even then, Gilmour hasnt played first team at any level and Gallagher is only just starting to now. Ampadu played first team football when he was 15. Think Bundesliga loan at a team with good players already in his position automatically puts him in a much more difficult situation/position, similarly to like when he was here, good players in the positions he plays already. Doesnt make him any less of a prospect. Everytime I have seen Ethan play, except one Europa League game last season, he has impressed me, even playing for Wales. He has such a maturity, assuredness and calmness than you dont see in many 18 year olds. He doesnt get flustered in a game even if he makes a mistake. Technically he can play easily off both feet and is very tenacious and physical for a slightly built guy. Connor Gallaghers started well but that form and goal return will tail off at somepoint as the physical demands of playing actual football that isnt u23s will get to him eventually as will inconsistencies with being a youngster as I am sure it does to most players who come out of u23s/youth team football. The intensity and physical demands arent of the same level, the championship is a brutal league as well because some teams just sit and play direct longball, very physical and a much more aggresive style of football. Rate Billy highly but again, no first team football that isnt u23s at a really competitive or much more demanding level. Again they need to be gauged and either introduced into the group or loaned to gain some experience. I think Connors got a good move and I hope Billy could follow in January or next summer as getting used to the more physical demands of professional football in a league like the championship or league 1 would be benefical to him progressing. Dont want to start putting too much pressure or expectation on these kids coming through though, since Lamps came back I have seen stuff like sell Alonso and use the youth team LB as a back up to a player whos suffered 2 or 3 big injuries in 6 seasons or it was we shouldnt buy Kovacic and use Billy or someone else instead. And it will be the same while Franks here as there is this weird sort of ideology that Chelsea are all of a sudden going to be like Ajax, when we realisitcally wont, 7 academy kids in the squad though (AC & Ruben in there too) who youd imagine will all get sufficient minutes is a good start with our youth record and a sign to show other groups that the chances are there. I do think Tammys been very lucky in the way that Franks got his hands tied behind his back with the transfer ban and the standard of more senior options upfront so he really has nothing to lose giving Tammy a proper chance to prove his worth. Having worked with Mason and Tomori he will be able to trust and gauge them more as he will be more than aware of their capabilities from last season as well as Reece James who he will have undoubtedly seen in the Championship some weeks. Think when Callum and Reece are back fit along with Tammy, Tomori and Mason those 5 (plus AC, RLC and Pulisic) give us enough of a youthful injection into the squad along with keeping experienced players around them that will undoubtedly aid and help with their development along with the coaching staff. Next summer as well I think Frank will be a bit more likely to look to the market than to some of the other younger guys on loan because there are some obvious areas we are lacking real quality in, positions that to be competitive in title challenges/cup competitions you want or need that little bit more. Its strange and encouraging at the same time that hes giving these guys a chance and there seems to be a clearer path so it seems but again we have played 4 games. We could hit a really bad run for instance and he might go for the tried and tested for a while to get the job done. Theres just so many different variables and with FLs inexperience as well, it will be interesting to see if he will stick to his guns and do it his way or maybe adapt a bit like previous managers have. We have to remember hes still learning too.

The fact Luiz said he probably would have left if Conte had stayed and the multiple stories around Conte's future deciding whether or not Eden would look to move to leave to go to Real Madrid after the world cup. Lets not forget Joses final season when shit didnt go well Cesc, Eden and Diego Costa were branded as rats as they were apparently disruptive and disillusioned with Jose too although was never actually confirmed or not. But thats never mentioned but one thing with Willian and he gets crucified despite showing examplery behaviour throughout his time here bar one incident which was a frustrating season for more than just him too. Yes what Willian did was poor but it was one thing and the fact the club knew Conte would be leaving and in what the 5 years he had been here before it was the only incident regarding his behaviour, where still yes it was a mistake and if Conte remained he would have had to apologise or get sold but he should hardly pinned to a cross for it now should he? If the club sticked with that manager and he still stayed I would think differently. The feeling I get is people just like to make him out as a really bad guy to justify selling him. We all know he is below average but fucking hell, the extremes some people go to is mad. Youd think he was running around the training ground missing training sessions, bad mouthing people, being a bad influence in the dressing room etc.

Its the same with the disruptive influence in the dressing room crap that is always posted as a reason to sell him.... there was one incident, which if Conte had stayed he would of probably sold him along with Luiz and Hazard as they were all at odds with Conte and wanted to leave if he stayed. But nobody said Eden and Luiz were disruptive.... it just suits some people that Willian is this bad guy as a reason to sell him. Hes not. Hes not a great player but he deserves a bit more respect from the fans over something that is far from the truth.

A mixed bag. I can see arguments for keeping or selling come next summer as hes at an age where he should be deciding/affecting games more. Connor Gallagher is nowhere near ready for even being considered a squad member either....

Tbf, I wouldnt say that Mount has exactly been consistent in every game for the 90 mins but hes a young player, still learning and adapting to a higher standard. Hes shown huge glimpses in moments in some of the games he has played though which is promising. Some people are just morons too, social media is full of them, hes rated highly for a reason. I think people wanted him in the squad last season but he wasnt ready for that, hes closer now and his ability to get in and around the box will bear fruit for us so to speak as we lack goals from midfield. I doubt Frank would keep him and play him if he wasnt ready to contribute in some way. I am not saying he is an excellent player at the moment but he can go far.

But you have to look at the majority of South Americans who played in the PL or even here. Rarely have we had an issue. But again yeah the right players have to be signed regardless of nationality.

I dont think thats necessarily true. Sure Neymar, Tevez, Icardi to name a few and theres maybe others that have had bad press but I dont think that they are any more difficult to handle than any other group of players. Its largely down to attitude.

I dont think there are many realistic English players we can go and get except maybe Chillwell, Jadon Sancho and possibly Declan Rice (although not sure he is at the required level like youve said). Sure theres other good English players but we will never get Kane or Sterling or Joe Gomez or whoever else. Weve got a good number of young English players to be honest, Reece James, Callum Hudson Odoi, Ruben Loftus Cheek, Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount... throw in Ross Barkley as well although I am unsure where he lies here in the long run and hes not exactly young so to speak. I dont think we need to have like neccessarily 10 or more English players in the squad plus the value for money for English players definitely isnt there and the calibre of players from other European/South American players is much better I feel. The additions have to be the right ones.

We must of watched different games then. Norwich played through us but its more tactical and a collective problem as we seem to press in a group of 4 or 5 with 5 behind the ball as opposed to as a team. Thats why the spaces are too big. 4 or 5 go and then theres lots of room for teams to utilize and youve basically got Jorginho and Kovacic, who both arent amazingly defensively but again arent exactly piss poor, trying to defend in a situation where they will be outnumbered or isolated more than often. If you want your team to be progressive and dominate the ball, Jorginho is an essential out of squad. Thats why I dont get why you are insistent on dropping him. Last season was the same, it was a collective issue than individuals with regards to defending and pressing.

Played a lot better today I think. We have to be careful though he has a lot of work to do still but 2 goals will give him a huge confidence boost.

Perhaps but we need pace on both sides to stretch teams and be more effective in offensive transitions, Mason is quickish but not as fast as you'd want a winger to be. Also Willian, despite his huge inconsistency and lack of end product is probably better going the otherway when we drop into a shape out of possession. We do need to upgrade on him but I think Lamps already has a preference of using Ross and Mason ahead of him even if it means shoehorning them in the team which hasnt really been a success so far for me but I would expect that to change when Callum is ready. Its a work in progress and I think a striker, a wide player (Pedro replacement) and left back will be the top 3 positions we look to strengthen when our transfer ban is done.

Is this a joke? How many times did he pick the ball up and play a 20 or 30m pass outwide, through the lines or directly to the frontman today? Kovacic doesnt do it enough. In a game where your going to have all off the ball Jorginho is essential. He wasnt all that bad defensively for me its more a collective issue than individuals.

Yeah far too many touches after getting in promising areas. Hopefully we go back to a 3 man midfield as opposed to 2 screening and one more advances think it suits everyone better. Particularly Ruben who although I think he can play as a 10 but like Tomo said in a thread when we discussed it, his drivings run from there slightly more deeper are very effective. Still dont get why he never put Willian in on the wing ahead of using Ross and shifting Mason outwide but hey ho not the first time FL has used 2 10s in that 3 and it hasn't exactly worked too well.