Strike

Fabrizio yesterday saying Caicedo is still in Chelsea’s list and he expects a big revolution in midfield. If Kante and Kova both go I can see Ugarte and Caicedo being signed as the replacements.

Speaks volumes about the levels of the players we signed from 2019 onwards.

RLC close to agreement with AC Milan

I doubt it - Lukaku himself pushing heavily to stay on at Inter. I don't see Lukaku being at the club next season. The market is thin for a top striker but I would rather roll with Nkunku, Havertz than have Lukaku around again

Good call from Poch. Some 12 players need to go before we think of the signings.

Record saying Chelsea have matched the release clause and made an offer

Record saying Ugarte prefers Chelsea. Club offering around the release clause + DD Fofana on loan

De Zerbi has confirmed Caicedo is leaving Brighton

with all the HG players leaving I think we need to retain Colwill We can have 17 non-HG players + there's Reece, Chilly, Sterling, Colwill, Bettinelli, Hall, whoever else stays

Reports that he prefers the Premier League. Was hoping for more clarity from someone who has watched him lots, is Ugarte a strong enforcer in midfield. He looks very tidy on the ball

Then its a worry that the thing Lampard claims to be focusing on is now in this stage

I think it is reading too much into the interview, tweet. What was Chelsea for him - a year ago - has completely changed. He's had minimal interaction with the new set up and we still have a manager, coaching staff coming in. They need to get in his ear quickly and integrate him into Chelsea again

I couldn't relate to the Chelsea XI that started yesterday. Hoarding the club with talent has made us lose the collectiveness we had a year ago with Tuchel. We were a limited team but at least the players cared and fought their way to 2 cup finals and went down fighting in Madrid.

Many on here saw this coming. Lampard is a terrible organiser. His only real plus point as a manager is he has been able to convince players to join because players respect his work ethic as a player. I will be surprised if another club gave him a chance but you never know what good connections can get you in life.

Caicedo- Slightly more experienced.

Its the wrong idea to load the squad with people like Felix and Neymar. They would be putting the manager under pressure to be starting even when their form is not the best. Their pressing and aggression is also not elite - so they affect the team overall too. Trust the recruitment, target attackers like Nkunku and we will improve. I would rather have 6-7 hungry players challenging for positions (like City attack now) than having to manage 2 people like Felix and Neymar.

for all his technical gifts, its a bad idea to sign neymar. The tradeoff on pressing and aggression is way too much

Reliable journos have shot it down now I think

Liverpool appear to be prioritising MacAlister, Arsenal are after Rice. There is an opening to target Caicedo now - if there is a release clause in his new contract or Brighton willing to do business in the 65-70m range they were talking to Arsenal in January about.

I've come around to Caicedo now. It's been a long time since we have had a beast DM. I almost don't remember the last time the team's midfield was not regularly by-passed. Only for a little period during Tuchel-ball was the team compact.