Blue Colored Sky

Hmm, I just finished watching today's presser and I really liked it. The same for last week press conference. Those two beat majority of last season press conferences when Jose was there just not to be punished. Yes, he doesn't have this charm/mojo anymore or uses it very little (after COC final e.g.) but he talks a lot of deep-thought inside stuff that you can conteplate over. I hope he continues like this, definitely better than grumpy man, who rejects questions about everyone and everything. For example he came from the situation with doctors very elegentaly saying that he has to make a decison every week, about players, assistans, kitmen, doctors and every week someone is left out because there's no space for everyone on the bench. And leaving out Jon and Eva is just another decision to make. Very nice. He also said that we maybe won't sign anyone 'big' in this transfer window and just do Diego Costa and wait for the right moment which maybe isn't now. I was thinking about the exact same thing few days ago, Jose just confirmed it, definietely I would gladly wait instead of settling for some cheaper alternative.

Why would Chelsea send him on loan after securing work permit ? Otherwise they would just send him somewhere weeks ago and give him more time to acclimatise in the new team before the season starts. Unless they think about some Premier League loan but it seems unlikely. I think they genuine want to have him in the first team. It's heartbreaking though that as talented players as Musonda, Boga and probably Traore will be left out because of the new signing. I would understand that if we talk about senior, established player, but seemingly one kid is preferred to the other and it's a shame, Chelsea Football Club really suck in promoting their own youngsters.

It's true, he also took the blame for Newcastle game that season saying that he made "11 mistakes" or congratulated Crystal Palace for beating us. But when he fielded Azpilicueta as a right winger in Champions League semi-final, at home, there was Hazard to blame who didn't pick fullback runs. I maybe write something longer where we stand with Mourinho now, but I'm so torn on this one because I love the man but simply can't ignore many things glaring in the face.

1) As I wrote in Pasalic thread, I assume that they tried to get him a work permit but failed and Pasalic himself said that he trained 2 weeks with Mourinho who was optimistic about him and personally advised him to go to Spain. Shame that I don't have access to Chelsea TV because I would find one of last pre-season press conference when Jose speaks about him and can't find anything in written version which usually is just a highlight. Also Eddie Newton, who takes care of the loanees, spoke highly about his last season that he showed great maturity at this age, playing in defensive midfield position. And finally Chelsea didn't agree to set buy-option for Monaco at 15m€ (it was reported by Di Marzio) which is very high price for 20 yo bought for 3m€. 2) Mourinho said about Van Ginkel that he and his people were scouting him months before he signed (which also confirmed that deal between Mourinho and Chelsea was agreed months before it happened) and that's why they're convinced about his quality/potential. So I think chances of either of them are higher than 0.01% ... IMO it's 50/50 that at least one of them will be in the squad in the coming season.

42m€, that's the cost of prime Thiago Silva in 2012. We could land Arturo Vidal for that and improve the first XI infinitely. Dunno, if we wait for Pogba/Koke kind of signing next summer due to theirs unavailability this time, then signing Stones now and be done with CB for years is a smart move, I'm all for that, but if we hamper our chances of strengthening in midfield by spending big here I think it's stupid. Having said that, doubt that's the case. As Martinez said, they want to sign 3 new players by the end of the month and Bill Kenwright is really unwilling to make funds available (I read the last part on Everton page). They still pay up for Lukaku and selling Stones for big seems the way to have funds in this window - I'm confident we will sign Stones.

Well, but what were Mourinho's options on the bench in each of the game ? For example he didn't play against Man City away last year (of course he didn't) but played whole match at home because we had RLC, Brown, Ake and Christensen on the bench. For me two omissions in semi-final against Atletico tell you the story that Oscar's position in the team is far from certain and pretty much there for the taking.

He will be top player. Too talented, too skilful, too tactical aware, too intelligent and too willingness to work hard not to be. Whether it will be at Chelsea, that's a different matter. I wonder if Chelsea didn't hold his loan to Marseille to see what changes happen over there.

What a joke, I remember Di Marzio reported that we offered 15m€ for him in early July and they wanted 20m€, we dragged this with shitty add-ons letting Roma do their talking too. Since then we sold Filipe and now Augsburg want 30m€ seeing our desperation. Well done lads. 30m€ for no-name is a robbery, nowadays every young player who played semi-decent season has doubled normal price based on 'potential' and 'longevity'. We eventually land him I think, we add Marin or some youngster to the deal and 25m€ is too much money for Augsburg to reject. But I think there's good warning for the club that it's better to develop own youngsters with all the factors that heavily influence final price for other young players, who were simply given a chance.

Tbf, I don't think that's an exaggeration. We often use a phrase "one of the best EVER", "one of the worst EVER" too lightly but in this case I agree, regarding modern history of Chelsea I can't simply remember worst showing of a player. On purpose I won't use a phrase "worst player" because he isn't that, he's good player but what he shows is the most disappointing displays I've seen. One pretty decent play against Everton, without that it's nothing short of nightmare. Strong words but it's true. I'm very confident we get rid of him by the end of the month.

Was very impressed by him in the second leg against Young Boys Berno. So composed, balanced player whether it is going forward, passing or tracking back and tackling. Watched him a few times in Elche and even managed to watch a couple of games for Hajduk. He's two-footed on Cazorla level. Really can predict big season for him and when he comes back he takes RLC place (very likely with how RLC is going nowadays) but he can actually take over Ramires and Mikel. Reminder that Chelsea didn't agree to set a buy-option for Monaco at 15m€, which is very high price for 20 years old especially when you consider that we bought him for 3m€. That means Chelsea rate him very highly. Also remember that in one of last year pre-season friendlies press-conferences, Mourinho was asked about Pasalic and said that they will patiently wait for him to come back, 12 months will go quickly, and he will gain experience in a good league, which was personal recommendation from Jose, because for some reason Croatian players are still strangers in England even though they are part of European Union now (and it will remain like that till 2018 until free movement between Croatia and EU countries will start, so until then Croatian player will need work permit and I think they tried but couldn't get one for Pasalic last season). I will finish it off now because I have Ballack-esque vision of him when I think about it, so let's not get carried away and just patiently wait another 12 months.

The Brazilian starlet is poised to sign for Chelsea ! Sorry but nothing about that. Just thought there were reports that Lazio was refusing to sell any of their players to fight for the Champions League. As they are unseeded in tomorrow's draw they can face United or Valencia. If they can't make it to the Champions League group stage, then there's still a week in the transfer window so they can actually sell someone. And I thought why not Felipe Anderson ? We're talking about 40-50m€ though so not a bargain but that will be entirely offset when we sell Salah and Cuadrado next summer. I really like him. One of the fastest players with the ball in Europe, he has amazing acceleration with ball at his feet, has technique, trickery and shoot in him. He reminds me of Reus in his style of play, he likes to receive the ball at full speed to get past people by one touch. Actually he is the player we were looking for in Salah and Cuadrado. He can take tackles at least.

I think they're looking for 2 CB's. From various sources they're linked with many defenders, I count 5-6 names. Read at good source that Everton are still owing Chelsea around £15m from Lukaku. And to be fair how they're in position to reject £30m bid ? That's 1/4 of their turnover.

It was clear we're still in a pre-season. Tired legs and all this, I looked on the match and felt that everything was in slow-motion, weather didn't help either. It was clear plan by Mourinho to start pre-season later and give as much break to the players as possible. Loosing 6th Supercup match in the row isn't good though. I'm not fuming by this streak is very annoying and my frustration is only growing. Last Super Cup match we won was back in 2009, then we lost 2010 Community Shield, 2012 Community Shield, 2012 UEFA Supercup, 2012 Club World Cup, 2013 UEFA Supercup and now 2015 Community Shield. Are we even planning to win some Supercup games at all ? They are glorified friendlies but they counts as trophies anyway and many clubs, therefore fans, counts them and name them. Hopefully we will have another opportunity to end this series soon. The game was very even. Very even. It's only piece of brilliance by OX that separates the two sides, we may as well put those Ramires and Hazard chances in the net and be ahead. It wasn't meant to be though. But I'm worry because Arsenal start to play tactical football. They will beat those small sides and can actually win against big boys as well. They are serious contenders, very serious, if one dismisses them is too cocky. About us and how we stand, I can't get around this, it's crystal clear, more than that, that we need a ball-playing centre-back and quality midfielder as well as right winger. 3 positions, 3 players. I hope we win this all but if we won't don't look beyond this summer transfer window as a reason. How the hell we still try something with Ramires and Mikel as a solution I really don't know. Ramires was good btw and it was Fabregas who was really bad especially in the first half when there was still decent tempo to the game but CM is too much of an issue to overlook. We work something on Stones so things are in motion in this department but nothing about midfielder and right winger. And look how much faith Jose has in Cuadrado, when Moses is a better option in his eyes. It's weird to accuse Jose that he does not see an obvious problems but so far we don't do things to solve them. I will wait till the last day of the transfer window.

Better in the second half, two fantastic balls. But you have to keep in mind that tempo dropped and Cesc has all time in the world to make those passes. The problem is his poor showing has much bigger impact on the whole team than let's say winger or no.10 because Cesc's lack of athleticism and laziness creates huge spaces between defence and midfield, sometimes it's comical to see this in Mourinho's team. I don't know how we can get around this problem without dropping him. He is simply not suited to the games when he's pressed by opposition, he has no pressing-resistent technique and can be very sloppy in passing. Let him do flat-track bulling and try to extend his amazing ability in doing so beyond December.

We still have to talk about Cesc ... He's so shit in big games, it's beyond me. Yeah, yeah scapegoat Ramires but this guy is literally invisible, his passing is bad, he can't keep up with tempo, can't help with pressing, he does nothing. Feel like we're playing with 10. Every big game is the same, he has to be benched, simple as that. I'm very much looking forward to see Oscar in the middle (!).

http://gianlucadimarzio.com/en/eng/juventus-interested-in-alex-sandro-but-face-competition-from-man-city-while-cuadrado/ Probably because of the asking price, 25m€. I want Alex Sandro for 2 years. Really like him. Personally think he's better than Danilo as a full-back. Edit. Oh, saw this on Twitter :

This player looks good ! You can clearly see he has lots of talent going forward, the way he controls the ball, is able to turn, can play pass in tight space, he has lots of technical quality in him, much more than Azpilicueta and Ivanovic. He is super fast as well I see, he can lose anyone when he accelerates. Really exciting player. And has good size too. But looks suspicious in defence. Too easily dives into tackles and is "all-or-nothing" type of defender. He won't be starting full-back here for 2 years anyway so let's hope that he improves and maybe until then Chelsea change their style of play, drop few players that needs as much protection as possible, and will rely on pressing in defence rather than challenges. Then his defensive aspect of the game shouldn't be much of the problem.

Romagnoli is available for 30m€ (21m£) and how he's not on the level of Stones ? I haven't watched him much but people in Italy say that he's really good, hot prospect. For what price would Stones go ? I'm good with Stones joining but for what price. And people saying that he will eventually be worth it, I listed 6 defenders born in 1994 and 1995, add Zouma to that and we have 7. Everyone is destined to be "world class" and worth to overpay because at the end he will be worth it, well how many world class/brilliant defenders are currently in Europe ? Not more than 15 and they're from Varane to JT age-span, so during those 13 years (JT and Varane are 13 years apart) we have only let's say 15 Chelsea level defenders and now ask how many "world class prospects" was in that time, over 50 ? The thing is, the young top class prospects I listed maybe have a potential but most of them won't fullfil it and settle for less eventually, that's the nature of things. On which side will be Stones and how we can be sure about it ?

Aymeric Lapote, Inigo Martinez, Samuel Umtiti, Jose Maria Gimenez, Alessio Romagnoli, Marquinhos. I don't think that John Stones is better than anyone of them. It's good to buy Stones but for what price when you have these options.

He is so useless now, not saying that he's bad player though, I remember his last game in Fiorentina shirt against Roma and he was flying in a free role, but he hugely relies on confidence and very much doubt that he regains his confidence with limited playing time and growing frustration. Gianluca Di Marzio reported early in the month that Chelsea gave green light for him to leave and Inter and Juventus are interested. Loan with "forced option" to buy for the same amount as Salah and we have nice 45m€ to collect next summer. Chelsea could actually spend this money now though but if we miss out on Pedro I don't know on who so maybe better to wait.

Secure him on long-term contract but please let's add proactive, ball-playing centre-back and some good CM who can pass forward and be compatible with Matic when inevitable he's put into the squad in every big game. It's crystal clear even for unarmed eye and yesterday just brought the same vibes like from every game Chelsea played last season against good, pressing midfield. And get shot of Cuadrado. Yes but I remember when Azpilicueta came back last season and straight away played 90 minutes and Mourinho said on Chelsea TV "Every player played 30, 45, 60 minutes apart from Azpilicueta but he has different physical body". Azpilicueta is ultimate athlete in Chelsea squad even better than Ramires and it seems he can play full-stop. When you see he's pressing the opposition in 88th minute don't tell him to stop ...

Really can't understand why Chelsea can't go all out (aka pay 22m !!!) for him. If he signs for United in the next week or so then we have 1 month to find another RW. Or maybe we stick with combination of Moses and Cuadrado and see how they manage. I hope at least that new RW won't be rushed in January but we actually take our time and identify the elite player we will bring in the next summer. That's not a bad idea to be honest.

Italian journo wrote on Twitter that when Stones moves to Chelsea, Everton will try to sign Thomas Heurtaux from Udinese. They already have a replacement in mind which mean that they are prepared to lose Stones.

Well, you can look at my signature and there's quote from Jose who said that Ruben will be ready also from a mental point of view. Now he's saying that he's far from ready. The guys that hasn't watched him at youth level think that he's some kind of dirty-worker, limited player who's big and like to get into tackles. That's not Ruben but so far he only looks like that player. Hasn't showed too many positive things to be honest. Not adventurous at all. I really do think that Mario Pasalic would be better option than Ruben but he isn't HG. Charlie Colkett would have bigger impact and I'm sure of it. But he's not that big though. Let's face it, Ruben is here because he's HG and big. Let's look what youngsters Jose took on tour this year : Ola Aina, Jake Clark-Salter, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Dominic Solanke all big, physically dominant players and the likes of Charly Musonda and Charlie Colkett were left out. Bias towards size is clear here but now it doesn't matter, Ruben is here to stay for now and what he's showed so far, that's not Ruben, it's not good enough. I had to recently explain to my friend that he isn't the player we saw so far, he isn't Mikel, he's adventurous, strong, fast, powerful box-to-box player who is very positive in what he does, my friend has doubts about it and after each game I have my doubts too. Hopefully he will get more and more comfortable playing around this players because I think he's not there yet like Jose predicted he'll be.

Only yesterday I was watching Jose press conference when he clearly said that they will bid for another LB when Filipe goes. Now he says that they don't need backup LB because they have Azpilicueta which coincide with the fact that Augsburg president said that they don't need millions for Baba and he rather watch his beautiful team play football with beer in his hand (which of course is a nice phrase, but false). Only few days ago Jose said that they will bid for John Stones until 31st of August and will improve every bid even by £10 and now he says they don't know if make another bid for Stones which coincides with the fact that Everton owner said that Stones is the best CB in England and will cost as the best. They play hard-balls and what Jose can do is not spill out anything and every help he can give, if any, is dismiss any bids/interest. It's abundantly clear for me. We're in 2015 and it's Jose Mourinho and it's regarding transfers. And it works, so many people believe it. Also it's quite funny when we're in misery and Chelsea don't have money to spend yet in few weeks time they will smash transfer record for English defender. Chelsea also made enquiries about Griezmann and Pogba which surely they wouldn't do if they had £10m to spend ... Calm down then, Chelsea will make signings. At least 3 (LB, CB and CM) but hopefully 4 if they can move Cuadrado back to Italy.