Sideshow Luiz

What happened with the Telles rumours anyway. I guess it was just for appearances for Juve "Look, we're looking around, we'll move on from Sandro if you don't accept the deal". They called our bluff.

they can ask

When Real used to buy new toys, you could get one of the old toys at a good price (Robben, Sneijder off the top of my head). Wonder if we can get anything from PSG

I really can't see this one. Drinkwater is more likely than this and I think that's total nonsense (wishful thinking?).

I thought that Conte used this formation a few times last season (the regular Pedro for Fabs switch). We get linked with a lot of versatile players, it looked to me like Conte wanted some flexibility. There were a lot of matches where we didn't control the midfield very well and in the CL, that would be magnified. Even in his 352, the combination of players would often be suited to the match at hand. We'll see what happens. I have to assume that there was a plan before selling Nate and Matic.

Conte was able to keep Vidal + Marchisio + Pogba + Pirlo happy.

With Matic being sold and us being short of midfielders, maybe we could go after this guy. Seems to be well liked, sticks up for his teammates when butt-hurt City players try to injure our players, best as a CM, not a CDM or a CAM, HG.... the list goes on

Aurier might be a good signing for Spurs, actually. Reasonable price, they swap out Walker for Aurier and pocket 20odd Mil. Shrewd move, can see them or Liverpool making a move for him.

I think he'll move to RCB and Azpi will move over to RWB if we continue with 3/5 ATB. The crosses in from the right half space (our left) to the far post gave us issues last season.

WTF!?!

No Hazard and no Pedro = 352 for me. Not sure who the other CM would be though....

I hope we have another midfielder lined up and that's why this is finally going through. Also, I don't get all the hate. Matic was a big part of our 2 league wins in the past 3 years. Sure, he has his limitations, but he gave as much effort on the pitch as anyone else during that time. Personally, I'll remember him fondly and wish him all the best.

Loan with option to buy would be great, IMO. I'm certainly more excited about this rumour than I am about Barkley. In fact, when the stories started going around that Bayern may let Sanches leave, I was a little disappointed that we weren't among the teams interested. Kante, Baka, Sanches, Fabregas feels a bit like Vidal, Pogba, Marchisio, Pirlo. Flexibility for a number of midfield shapes and formations.

And Coman. That was a really good piece of business for Bayern too.

Who replaces Alonso's left footed FKs? I must say, I will miss having those around on the right side of the box. I know we need depth at both WB positions, I just thought that if one of them was going to be a big money spend (assuming a smaller fee spend on the other), a RWB for Moses would be the more impactful upgrade.

This guy seems to think it's still happening. Edit: There's some language, if your ears are sensitive.

We ever going to see this guy again?

I've often thought, if I was a professional athlete, I'd just not have any social media. More headaches than upside. Dick pic posted = "hacked", why did you "like" this? Only an opportunity to say something stupid. No one cares about the 1000s of non-offensive tweets/posts. But, just 1 wrong one....

Not sympathy, really. Also, I think there's more to it than just on the pitch. If Cahill was VC last season, and he doesn't appear to be that vocal on the pitch, then he must be a very respected figure in the dressing room. I just think, in this particular situation, since Cahill has been captain (all of last season) and is a likely starter, that giving it to someone else is the same as stripping it from him. I just don't like the idea of taking it away from somebody.

I thin Luiz would be a great Captain. In fact, I selected him in the "next chelsea captain" thread a while back. Back in his first stint here. But, I you can't jump the queue. Cahill was vice last season, and wore the armband every match when Terry wasn't playing. I love Luiz, but you can't rock the boat with that stuff. Giving it to Luiz this season is like stripping it from Cahill.

I think he has some great potential. But, it would be a stupid move for everyone. He's not ready for our level yet and he won't get the playing time that he will at Everton.

He's going to Madrid. City can gazump us, but you can't do that to Madrid.

I can't see us getting him. I just don't see the need. Not that he isn't better than Cahill. But, we have lots of cover at CB and virtually none at CM and WB. If we are going to spend this kind of money it really should be to shore up those positions.

Hahaha. Classic Jose. 200M on Pogba and Lukaku don't count then?

Can't see the point in selling Matic to get him.