manpe

It's been widely reported that Chelsea has a ~£200 million transfer budget this summer, and it also has been widely reported that Conte wants ~5 new players. Divide 200 by 5 and we may understand why the board doesn't want to splash too much on one player, considering the average price for those 5 players must be 40 million. Put 90 mill on Lukaku alone and the rest must come at 27,5 million average, for which you can't even get decent squad players anymore. Add in our stadium expansion plans and this could very well be the reason why we have been penny pinching despite all the money being thrown at us. Either that, or we have incredibly shit negotiators. I hope this situation will be resolved quickly. If not and Conte walks, then Marina Emenalo (widely reported to be the main people behind transfers) must be fired ASAP. They are replaceable, King 'Tonio isn't.

What's the verdict on this hypothetic situation? Is Insigne too big of a downgrade or will we surive?

Incredible goal!

And now he is looking to replace Rashford with Morata and Belotti. Rashford was ostracized before Zlatan's injury, at best being played on the wing which is not his position. He needed Rashford, but won't need him the moment he gets his strikers.

For this formation to work we would need very good wing-backs on both sides. At the moment I don't think 3-5-2 is a viable option.

In a 3-4-3 as RAM (Pedro's position) In a 3-5-2 as CAM. He would fit in nicely in both formations. 3-4-3 Kante - Bakayoko James - Lukaku - Hazard 3-5-2 Kante - Bakayoko James Lukaku - Hazard I'm liking that. Baka and Kante shielding everything that passes by the front 3, get creative wing-backs and watch us destroy teams with physicality, flair, pace and creativity. Retaining Fabregas, Pedro and Matic as stand-ins would be ideal, our midfield would be set with adequate quality and depth.

"Ship him abroad", "send him to a mud league"... some people seriously think that players are slaves that must do everything we say

Trades don't happen in real life.

Let's enjoy all the great things he did this season and the great goals he scored. It's easy to forget just how good he was for that first half a season, absolutely monstrous. Have a look... THAT Diego is better than any other striker in the EPL. I will miss that guy.

Some impressive finishes there.

What makes you think either Bonucci or Luiz can't play on the sides if Cahill and natural full-back Azpi can? Are they so untalented in your opinion? If there is any chance we can get Bonucci there is no question. When people are complaining that we are not making first class signings and only penny pinching with B-class stars, well you can't go much higher than Bonucci in that regard.

Where do you get this information?

Oh, okay. I was already ready to pounce on Costa for this

Source? I read that Costa replied something, but where did you see it was "mind your own business"?

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Have to admit I'm getting excited over the idea of Lukaku playing for us. The main thing being that he sincerely wants to be here, unlike Costa. That and his amazing scoring record. He has all the tools to become better than Costa, if he isn't already. We'll finally have an aerial threat we haven't had since Drogba. He's only 24 but has been a prolific goalscorer since 16. Sign him up.

Okay. If those opinions on Matic are your sincere views and you aren't taking the piss out of him and us, then I apologize for calling you a troll.

You can't hide behind the "English isn't my first language" excuse. You get your points across very clearly despite broken English. Like for example claiming Matic to be the best midfielder in our history after "maybe" only Zola And not to mention other gross overestimations of Matic. You barely speak about other subjects if at all, which leads me to believe you aren't a fan of Chelsea, but of Matic. You are either a troll or a Matic fanboy, which is very unusual and would explain your skewed understanding of our club and its history.

The guy is clearly trolling despite claiming he isn't. We've seen a few like him here before, they are pretty good at convincing people they aren't trolls, you just have to pay attention to the ridiculous things they're saying to realize it. No reason to be upset, this place can use some humour.

The timing of this makes me think that we have now clinched the Lukaku deal (or someone else?) and Conte simply gave Costa a timely heads-up so he can start looking for a new club immediately. Hence the SMS, not in person, because they probably won't be meeting face-to-face for some time and it would not make any sense to waste this time just to preserve the "dignity" of saying this in person. Plus is it some kind of soap opera for some people here that the most intriguing discussion is about the sms? It's not like a boyfriend and girlfriend in Home&Away are breaking up ffs He conveyed his professional message to his player, let it be via text, call, MORSE code or bloody messenger pigeon for all we should care as long as Diego got the hint.

Is this his first major injury at Chelsea?

What a fucking beauty that was from Mandzukic!

Maybe this is the real reason we're looking at Lukaku?

R.I.P. Lampard