Strike

Who is a viable replacement though?

How is the club planning to replace Werner, Ziyech and CHO? None of the alternatives seem like upgrades.

City alternative to Cucurella is a former Borussia Dortmund attacking mid who converted to wing back.

The wage isn't an issue according to one report. Chelsea was footing 70% of the wage. The issue between Napoli and Kepa was about image rights.

An elite athlete like Fofana will allow the team to play a high-line attacking game. Fofana - Koulibaly as the outbacks gives insane recovery pace and allows the whole team to confidently push up. Playing with a Pavard or any of the alternatives, wouldn't give that security

Nice profit if it works out

If Werner and CHO are on the way out, then Ziyech's Milan move must be off.

2-0 Sacked in the morning chants

Surely there will be a sale if this De Jong deal works out. The midfield options are loaded - Carney didn't make the bench vs Everton Jorginho Kante Kovacic Gallagher RLC Carney with Barkley, Gilmour also around.

The new signings give me hope. Koulibaly and Sterling had a good game. Cucurella showed a good eye for a pass out of trouble. There's a zip to his game that is missing from many in the XI

This guy is not human. MOTM yesterday

Excited about this signing because I really did not expect a left-wing back upgrade. Was resigned to the fact that it would be Emerson/Alonso or at best Maehle type of signing. Will be a huge leap from Emerson/Alonso to having a fit again Chilwell competing with Cucurella.

My guess is the market for RWB was expensive. The club explored Kyle Walker Peters 30m + and Dumfries 30m + and decided that it is better off to continue with Azpi for another year. Allows to concentrate funds on Fofana + Livramento is an option next summer. He may be tempted to join knowing he and Reece could share gametime.

I love Azpilicueta but re: this extension - I don't see how he agrees to being phased out to a Milner type role when he is starting for Spain and there's a World Cup he is trying to play in.

He was being talked of as the next surefire thing from the academy after Reece. This covers the prospect of him having a monster season and looking ready to come back and start for us next season when Silva/Azpi futures will be up for discussion again.

The goal threat from Alonso came at a big cost to the team balance and defensive solidity imo. Credit to him, he put in good shifts in the two cup finals but he lacked pace which makes a big difference in this wingback system. I feel Cucurella even without similar assist/goal numbers - will help the team progress the ball up-field and maintain possession there. Should improve our attack as well with his mobility, passing.

Cucurella for 30m + Colwill with a buyback. That's a good deal. I would overlook the lack of height if the player has the technical ability, ball progression of Cucurella. With another CB (Fofana), we won't need Cucurella starting every week at LCB either since Fofana, Silva, Koulibaly can be fielded. This is actually a massive Alonso/Emerson upgrade and one that we were crying out for since the Chilwell injury derailed our season.

There was word that he was not open to United but interested in a Chelsea move. If he was going to United, wouldn't he have signed already?

This is a shrewd pickup from West Ham.