Strike

Pretty stupid of Cavani to sign those terms last year if he really wanted to move. He's probably stuck at Napoli until there's 1-2 years left on the deal. Only Real Madrid can maybe afford him now

Oscar should be our playmaker CM if we don't sign any clear-cut midfield starters this summer. A midfield duo (because I hate that p-word people use too much) with Oscar will work well because he has the foot-work and balance to get past opposition mids and run at their defence. If we don't get an established playmaker, I think signing a DM and pairing him with Oscar can work. He's not in the Isco/Gotze mould who can be effective on the flanks. He's more in the Modric/Thiago mould who can operate well in a CM role

That Champions League QF's vs Arsenal was great. Wayne Bridge thumping in the winner but we lost our bearings in the semis. Should have killed Monaco off

Emergency keeper from Ivory Coast playing for Ivorian Premier Division club Jeunesse. He has played a few matches for our reserves and U-21's on non-contract terms. Seems like a weird signing but as long as he can do a steady job in goal, i wouldn't mind this. With the departure of stalwarts Hilario and Turnbull, the club is short of depth in the GK department. Other internal options are Jamal Blackman, Matej Delac and Sam Walker. Maybe the club wants an experienced backup to add to our young prospects Angban on his experience training at Chelsea "This is a good experience for me. This is very important to rub [elbows} with big guards like Petr Cech. We work together all the time. I've learned a lot from him. Afterwards, I must work individually to be a top keeper."

Rise of Bundesliga/Dortmund

true. actually the club needs both a beast DM and a playmaker but may have to compromise for a hybrid. someone established would be great but I have a sneaky feeling van Ginkel is the kind of player we will sign now

well.. you had a good run Tancredi. Now you are back to being one of those shit transfer accounts on twitter

firstrow is one of the few places who don't charge anything. but it's like the time mininova torrent site was closed. if one closes, 2-3 others will come up. I doubt the Premier League can do anything to stem the rot completely.

True.but this is based on what i think might happen rather than what i think should happen. van ginkel is a good midfielder but most importantly he's available for peanuts and he's at our feeder club

If we sign a major striker, Lukaku will be a great impact substitute to change the game. Maybe even play 4-4-2 with Cavani(?) and Lukaku. Imagine that!

Don't think he'll leave. He's our only proper DM right now

Pretty good to have a German International winger as 6th choice

Cavani - van Ginkel - Schurrle won't be a bad summer

Omeruo and Kalas may be candidates for a spot in the defence once Terry leaves. I think they should be given a much tougher loan assignment this time - Premier League perhaps

True. Keep forgetting that it's still June.

No news about a backup- GK coming in. A promotion for Blackman?

Pace whores work in the Premier League. Walcott/Bale are big examples

I think everyone always assumed that Cavani will go for a bit lesser money than his release clause. Now I don't think we should spend 63mil on this guy. We might have the cash but in deals like this with such huge amount of money involved, the price tag can weigh on the player

Confederations Cup starts today. This feels like Tahiti's year

Liverpool fans - Coutinho > Oscar

Chelsea have done well in the transfer market but not that well in terms of negotiating contracts. 77 is a lot first-up. Chelsea have let quite a few backup players get away with high wages - Cahill, Demba Ba, I think wages should always start low and then increase depending on the players' value to the team, his overall output etc. Mata is not the only example of a player on a lower wage here. Oscar, Azpilicueta, Ramires, Ivanovic etc are other examples of good players on lower wages. his wages should have been closer to the 50k mark imo but nonetheless, I'm glad he has signed

maybe a bit harsh but i generally feel we need decent backup would look to scavenge the Scandinavian or such unpopular leagues for good backups. Someone like Lindergarrd, Kuszscak, Szczesny, Pantilimon or the like... edit: I like Cavani. Back on topic

that's an ideal way of looking it. what if Cech is out for longer than 20 mins? Can't make assumptions in that way. Should atleast have a reliable 2nd choice

I think he's looking at Villa as a spring-board to a bigger club.

An Italian team also dropped their shorts to distract opposition as part of a free-kick routine. I think it was Catania.