Sideshow Luiz

I think that this is hold-up with Willian and Barcelona. We're interested in Martial, Utd are interested in Willian. So, we have 2 suitors for Willian which means that Marina is going to play hard-ball (her only kind of ball). If Utd value Willian at 55M, but Martial at 80M, we've got a stand off.

Until Utd activate his option. He effectively has 2 years left.

At this point, all of the points have been made here.

https://statsbomb.com/2018/07/should-chelsea-sell-eden-hazard-to-real-madrid/

You're probably right. I suppose it all depends on what he thinks he has to work with. At Empoli, he played a 442 diamond (4312). This is not so different to a 433 with a CF who drops deeper. Everything I've seen of Fekir, seems like a slower Hazard, in a way. Really strong on the ball, great dribbler. Playmaker, first and foremost. Just not sure that he's got enough pace to be a full time winger.

Anyone know what happened with his contract situation? I believe a bunch of player have terminated their contracts, or something like that. I know that Atletico are sniffing around Gelson Martins (who looks very promising). Fernandes could be a good alternative to Golovin if we are looking for an attacking mid.

I'd rather go for Fekir instead of Higuain. I'm not sure that Fekir could play as an "8", but I think he could kill it in the Mertens role.

I'd think that AC and Rudiger are ideal. I really like Rudiger though, so I might be biased. We, of course, still have the best ball playing CB in football (Luiz) who can still do a job when need be. His defensive wanderings may be less of a liability if we have the ball 65% of the time.

Underwhelming. We've been spoiled for keepers. Haven't had to think about it in ages. Arsenal are in a better GK position than we are. ARSENAL.

Joe Hart? Really? Christ. Jorginho was a mirage, it's as shit as it was the past 2 summers. If we weren't trying to wrap up a manager's buy out clause Jorginho would be in Manchester.

I want him to stay, but it's really important that we decide what we're going to do now-ish. We need to see what we're working with. If we're going to sell, just do it (agree it confidentially) and get to work on what needs to be done.

If we are saying no, does this mean that we're selling Hazard? If Hazard goes, I can see Willian moving over to the left (where he's much better than on the right). I know he takes some shit, and trust me, I wish he was better, but Willian on the left cutting inside is as good a Hazard replacement as there is on the market. Bailey comes in and plays on the right. Of course, we could just sell Willian to Barcelona, turn around and buy Bailey and have Hazard and Bailey. It's such an easy choice, that I have to think it all relates to Hazard.

Do you guys think that we will ever hire a DoF? Luis Campos was supposed to be the man, but apparently didn't want to leave Lille in the state they got themselves in to last year. I know former players get these types of roles, but I feel like Chelsea need someone who can identify targets.

the fee's getting a bit ridiculous for a player that no one is convinced that we need.

Maybe the Lucas Paqueta rumours have more truth in them. I think Golovin turned us down, to be honest. Right from the start, there was talk that he wanted Juventus. I was looking forward to all that energy in midfield. Who's up next?

There's a lot of upside to selling him next summer. 1. Mbappe is about to be the main man at PSG. Neymar might not like that so much. Neymar and Madrid are a match made in heaven, they should just get a room together, already. 2. Other clubs can turn his head (if he doesn't sign a new deal). His price won't be terrible if Barcelona + Madrid both want him. If we do sell him this summer, I hope to god that the club have been lining up deals. Nothing like getting a cash inflow and everyone's price goes up.

What's Fekir's defensive side like? Can he play as a number 8?

I get the feeling that Pjanic is looking for a new contract. It makes 0 sense to get him. We just bought a deep lying playmaker.

Noooooooooo. That would hurt more than Hazard.

Could be a true. However, we were forced into this predicament unlike last season God knows what really happens. For all I know, we heard the price, said forget it. Then Roma said "We'll have our guys keep your name in it to keep the price up for Liverpool. Don't deny anything. Cool?" Us: "Yeah sure, fuck those scousers" Maybe we were really in, topped Liverpool, then they matched and Alisson picked them. (actually, this sounds most likely).

I think Fekir is quality, but I see him as a central player (I know he can come in from the wing). More of a Mertens type. I don't know what his defensive side is like, so I don't know if he can play as an "8". I've seen a few things where Sarri liked to play a 442 diamond (4312) at Empoli, maybe that's the spot for him? I was pretty confident that Eden was staying and that Madrid really wanted Neymar, but I'm not so sure anymore. It's an odd feeling, I don't remember having a player that we couldn't keep. But, when we got Eden, he was a promising player, not the pseudo-galactico that he is now. When we got Drogba he was unproven. Same for Lampard, Cole, Robben, the list goes on. On to the next one, I guess. Fekir, Baily, Guedes, Coman, Pulisic, Asensio ? If Hazard is sold (I'm going to be in the minority here), I think keeping Willian and moving him over to the left is a good option. I think he's much better there or centrally where he can cut inside. Still hope he stays.

I kind of had the impression that we Lukaku'ed that, and came in late.

Not having a keeper lined up is really worrying me. Not necessarily in regard to having a keeper this season (don't get me wrong, we need one), but for possibly losing Hazard. There is no replacement, but I hope we're not left holding our dicks if he gets sold. Should have 3 players ready to go for the money that we'd receive, Not having a keeper lined up looks like the club haven't been planning for this (which is crazy).

I'd go for Coman + Bailey + an attacking mid of some sort. Don't really know SMS except for the hype that's been around his name. God, I hope that they've been checking out targets. Ones that we don't know about, not just the ones that the Italian media are telling us about.

Aside from Ake and Chalobah, I've been quite impressed with the money that we've been able to receive from the players we've sold. 170M doesn't seem right.