robsblubot

Kepa was a panic signing to replace a player who is in his last year contract and has told the club time and time again he wouldn't sign an extension. So, we are breaking the world record for GK to acquire a VERY promising young GK who is NOT proven at this level (from Bilbao). It is especially expensive considering the risk involved - alisson was less risky. Kovacic is a controversial one because of the buy option or the lack thereof, esp considering he's also unproven (many similarities with Morata for ex). In any other business, Marina would be in trouble for the complete lack of planning, but I guess football and Chelsea are different. Yes, we can be happy about the signings and NOT the way they've been done - different things. Also, She brought Bakayoko in, so until she sells him... it's on her.

hah during the game (against Lyon) RLC dropped back several times and every time he did, looked a lot better than both Drinkwater and Bakayoko.

and physically too, which surprised me actually. Now I wonder whether Tammy wouldn't be better served by hitting the gym hard and only then getting a loan once he bulks up a bit. Ampadu looks great but he's only 17, so not sure how much the club can count on him if any. Perhaps a PL loan is open to him given how well he plays, but he's so young that maybe he does not yet need it. I don't disagree with what people say of Emerson (and Alonso) just not sure how important having an attacking left-back is in Sarri's system. The fact that we have Azpi on the right may actually push Emerson ahead of Alonso since Azpi is terrific in defense and only decent going forward. That's on Sarri and I'm happy he has these choices for fullback position. There are other areas of far more concern than the fullback IMO.

we can't score goals with Tammy playing up front. It's not like he misses his chances, but rather he does not get anywhere near scoring most of the time. He pretty much does everything wrong and misses the simplest of passes. Tammy literally needs to learn to play in that position, like the basics, but luckily for him he's still 20. Would be very glad and surprised if he gets a loan offer from a PL club. BTW, Moses on either side produced closed to nothing - very poor as a winger.

Emerson looked very good going forward and did OK defensively. Alonso played fewer minutes and looked off, like many of the other starters who joined late. Defending is more important in this system (than with wingbacks) and Emerson had a couple of defensive horror shows last season. Hyperboles aside, good options for sarri and very different ones at that. Not terribly concerned about the fullback positions since Zapacosta looks better this season.

come on man seems like Eden came back from vac with the usual extra stones... good game by piazon, btw

Tammy is not usable at this time. Will not get a loan in the PL. bakayoko is the worst player on the pitch as usual. Danny slightly above that. RLC is playing well even when dropping back.

I could def agree with that if there is indeed an option to buy, otherwise sorry... no can do. We are not getting Luka Modric, but the aspiring player who hasn't got a game last season and that's the reason he wants out. I'm sure he's a good player, but he wasn't the starter for a reason. So, for us to be signing him on loan, there must be an option to buy. Otherwise we would just be improving a player for RM to use later when and if he's at his best. In other words, without an option to buy, we should have been looking at other targets as long-term replacements for fabregas.

Then it looks like a panic move, like most of our deals in the transfer window.

Same thing that usually happens when a manager does not play or appreciate a player. Willian was not playing because he was playing like shit and Conte was right in not wasting time with a player who produces so little in attack. Willian wasn't happy then and will become unhappy again as soon Sarri sees the same, and drops him. He was shit for Brazil too (had one good game) and has become too inconsistent at a time he should've been playing at his best. We are missing an opportunity to move on, or perhaps the other clubs just aren't as interested as Willian's agent claim?

That’s why I wrote that he will go awol for a while (please reread) and then come back when all else fails (at window closure). these guys have agents and lawyers at their disposal and do it all by the book. He will get paid just fine... there is no excuse for the club to be unprepared though. Ridiculous.

I do understand. He’s basically disappointed in Chelsea because we are holding on to him this late int eh window bc we suck in the transfer market. hes saying he does not really care if there is a replacement or not. Time is up and he has been warning and waiting for a long time. He will stay awol for a while and then if all fails will come back and coast receiving his fat paycheck until Jan... rinse and repeat. this club looks lost tbh

My guess is that ac had a particularly bad end of the season, which coincided with the time sarri started paying attention. And/or coaches game that info.

Some excellent points made on this thread, on both sides of the argument (the OK vs fucked). We prob lie somewhere in between the two.... Think we all can agree on a couple of bizarre signings (CMs) and the disappointment in the striker position, which I too am still hopeful of an improvement. Striker is a very difficult position to fix. The GK situation corroborates my reasoning as to why we are so slow, and frankly, bad at transfers. While I do believe resources aren't as abundant as they once were, the real reason for me is that this club is reactive and not proactive. In the world of business, it means the club is not doing well and is getting behind clubs who are more proactive, not only dealing with transfers, but marketing, PR, etc. Back to the GK, it's not just the fact his contract is ending soon, but the fact we currently have not one but two stopgap options as subs. We have no aspiring, younger player, like Courtois himself once was, to eventually take over and have a shot at turning into a great GK. We seem to be incapable of providing these opportunities to younger players, which to me also points to the fact the club just doesn't think long-term. The system/formation change may help certain players, including Alonso. Pace is more important to a wing back than it is for a LB, esp a tall one who can help out the defense by winning high balls (as he has done plenty of). Moses on the other hand will be hard to fit as I don't think he's good enough to play in attack. It will be an interesting season with many bets on young and establish players... can't wait. * Bakayoko needs leave the club though (he must not be in the team starting the season)

heh hope so. Still would rather have had David Luiz in midfield against Belgium than fucking Fernandinho (choke) or chinese Paulinho against Belgium.... that's over and now we are back to real football... with fucking bakayoko

haha I don't dislike DL, and think his technique is absolutely incredible. Pretty physical too, so definitely an interesting player. Just don't think he's mentally fit to be a great CB (again we are talking about 'great' here). I honestly think DL might have become a fucking great CM (not even DM) had he moved into midfield and applied himself. The skill and physicality were all there.

not sure it would've been enough - mikel was still a very simple player (in my view way too limited for a team like CHelsea). I was going to turn into jose mourinho and compare players with red wine (instead of eggs), but decided not to. Does it make a difference if you hand over the ball via a brain fart vs the inaptitude of making a simple pass vs being immobile (and easily skipped past)? Mikel is Cahill while Bakayoko is David Luiz. OK maybe Bakayoko is the worst of Cahill and DL?

It pains me to admit it, but you might be right.

ok so I'm going to just say it: Ramires had batter technique and better passing esp considering how quick he was. Considering how slow Bakayoko is, his technique is even more glaringly lacking. The player is not culpable; our staff is (esp scouts). He's such a poor player that he may still be a liability as a backup. He needs to go... just not good enough as a backup and blocks more promising younger players.

Last time I watched him play he was bakayoko kinda bad. Unplayable at this level. i have not been following him, but he is small and used to lack power big time. Not that pacey either:). Very hard to imagine he would do well in the PL.

Agreed and the same applies to other, more important players, in the squad. If he wants to leave, then why keep a player who’s mind is elsewhere?

all this drama ... https://www.premierleague.com/players/4503/Eden-Hazard/stats?co=1&se=-1 and an actual link too! Can filter by season and compare with other players to have an idea of effectiveness and characteristics. We all have eyeballs, so just additional info. The club will be just fine with or without hazard. For me it is simple actually: sign a new deal or fuck off.

now THAT's a proper transfer window!!! Only this much DRAMA can follow up the World Cup we just had.

190m euros?! Could someone please translate to a currency I can understand? So, exactly how many bakayokos can we buy with that? I’m half joking here...

Right, but it’s a bit of a requirement when he’s field so high up the pitch... to create or score. Because someone has to dot it... the whole point is to score goals. move him back a bit, perhaps at the tip of a 3-men midfield with freedom to roam when the opportunity arises. Similar to what fabregas has done in certain games. We would need, prob do anyway, more goal scorers in the squad. It can’t be all down to the striker.