Sideshow Luiz

http://www.calciomercato.com/en/news/former-bayern-munich-chelsea-target-to-have-e30m-release-clause--88628

Was hoping that this thread would be bumping today.

I know he can be a bit crass, sometimes. But, he makes me laugh.

Christiansen for Zouma is better too

I've actually been a fan of Matic. I don't think he should get the stick here that he does. I didn't say anything like why did we sell Matic and get Drinkwater in respect to their qualities. Personally, I think they're pretty similar, which is why I scratch my head. So, my question was more like what's the point? Isn't it a bit like selling a Honda Civic, then stressing about trying to find a Toyota Carolla? Why bother? I've said numerous times that Bakayoko + Drinkwater >>> Matic + Chalobah. I agree that the narrative that we've sold Matic to buy Drinkwater isn't exactly the correct narrative. Bakayoko is going to get Matic's minutes which is a better fit for us. But, for a time, we had both Matic and Bakayoko. Which is what Conte wanted, apparently. So, on the other hand, the narrative that Bakayoko is Matic's replacement and Drinkwater is in for Chalobah is true, it's not the full story either. This assumes that having Bakayoko and Matic wasn't an option. Now, maybe it wasn't an option. I'm not too involved in the homegrown status of our squad, I don't know if it absolutely needed to happen. To go back to a previous analogy, I can understand selling your Civic for a Carolla if you live in a town that will only let you drive a Toyota. But, if it's not necessary, then what's the point of doing all the work?

We didn't even really pocket any cash. I'm sure there's a difference in wages, but I don't know how much. We also did spend 40M odd net in our midfield. People seem to be forgetting about the new stadium. Spending has dried up since we started working on that. It's going to be Arsenal-esque for the next few years. I'm okay with it, really, as long as we bounce back. Unlike Arsenal who haven't changed. Their fans understood it at the time, now they're pissed because they've moved and nothing has changed.

I understand that in terms of minutes, Bakayoko will be taking Matic's, or at least most of them. I understand that Drinkwater has HG status which Matic did not and he is definitely an upgrade over Chalobah. What I'm saying is that we already had Matic and Bakayoko at the same time. If it was a situation where we had to sell Matic to get Bakayoko, sure, I'd understand. But we obviously didn't as we spent the Matic fees on Drinkwater. Personally, I don't see much difference between Bakayoko + Matic vs Bakayoko + Drinkwater. It seemed like a lot of work to make that happen and it's more or less the same. Now, I haven't play Football Manager in a while so I don't remember the HG rules and what our squad looks like in regards to meeting that criteria.

Adds much needed depth in CM. Anyone saying that we didn't strengthen the squad is crazy: Bakayoko + Drinkwater >>>>> Matic + Chalobah However, selling Matic for 40M then buying Drinkwater for 35M doesn't make a ton of sense. Not much money earned through sales, not sure what the difference in wages is. Seems like a lot of work for basically the same.

15M sounds like a good number for a 4th choice midfielder. Should have just skipped the middle man.

That 360sources "shockwaves" guy says it's Belotti Don't bother with the link because it says 62M, which we know wouldn't work even if true. If you're a masochist, here it is: http://www.90min.com/posts/5431670-chelsea-reportedly-make-massive-62m-bid-for-torino-striker-andrea-belotti?a_aid=40837

Wait until July 1st when the Nike deal comes in to place.

I haven't felt any shockwaves

They know they aren't really good enough in the end. We don't really offer stupid wages anymore so sitting on the bench isn't as appealing as it used to be

Ha. Fax Machine broken

It's Hulk

Also too good to be true

From BBC feed: Posted at13:33 Paris St-Germain have now signed Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in the space of a few weeks. Arsenal may have targeted the only Monaco player in the squad (Thomas Lemar) who is going to stay!

Okay. 10M less than OX, 100K (ish) less per week. Not terrible.

He certainly can cross. Watching that video, I think: I wish we were getting Belotti

So, I got in late, what happened with Llorente? I know he's off to Spurs, but did he reject us like Ox? Or did we not get a fee agreed with Swansea and Spurs did?

It's baffling. We won't show interest until he's made the next jump and is wanted by the big teams, at which point we will have no chance.

I woke up hoping to see some exciting names. Instead I see that we got beaten by Spurs to "done deal" Llorente. This whole window has been awful. A lot of talk, a lot of monitoring, but for al of that, we're in the same boat (if not worse). We have 1 for 1 replacements, some depth gone in CM (added at CB), net spend of about 20M? What was the point of it all?

I'm sure he's paying for some of it, but it's going to be about 500M

Stadium isn't going to pay for itself.