What needs to be done in January

[Wilson 358]

I can't believe people are dissing Lukaku already, give him a break he's only played about 4 games and being subbed. Plus he's only 18.

[Kez 2,727]

I can't believe people are dissing Lukaku already, give him a break he's only played about 4 games and being subbed. Plus he's only 18.

The unreasonable demands from Chelsea fans these days. He should be starting every game & scoring hat tricks week in week out.

[Kieran. 6,317]

That just doesnt make any sense. He is too raw for 18m. You cant buy a player that is not ready yet for that price. The reason is simple: he is so "unfinished" that you just dont know whats is gonna happen to him, this is the kind of player you have in the academy, not the kind os player you buy for that price.

Im pretty sure you, people that wanted him before and AVB trhough he was alteady better than he is right now.

You're right. I thought he would be better than he is right now. But he is only 18.

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

Lukaku is fucking 18 years of age, he is one of the youngest players in the entire league. Torres is 27 and he is in his prime years, he needs to start producing now because time is not on his side.

Hang on a minute. We keep complaining that the likes of Josh and Bertrand are not developing by being stuck on the bench. So we pay £18 million pounds for a youngster to stay in the reserves and not develope. Doesn't make much sense.

Also if we are going to complain about Torres not living up to his price tag and blaming him for every defeat. Then I see no problems complaining the fact that we paid £18 million pounds for a fucking reserve player who currently has the first touch of an elephant hooked on drugs. £18 million pounds to do nothing. Does not matter if he is 18, you don't pay £18 million pounds for potential.

[Henrique 9,133]

The unreasonable demands from Chelsea fans these days. He should be starting every game & scoring hat tricks week in week out.

Im know you are smarter than this.

Hang on a minute. We keep complaining that the likes of Josh and Bertrand are not developing by being stuck on the bench. So we pay £18 million pounds for a youngster to stay in the reserves and not develope. Doesn't make much sense.

Also if we are going to complain about Torres not living up to his price tag and blaming him for every defeat. Then I see no problems complaining the fact that we paid £18 million pounds for a fucking reserve player who currently has the first touch of an elephant hooked on drugs. £18 million pounds to do nothing. Does not matter if he is 18, you don't pay £18 million pounds for potential.

Perfect, perfect !!!

[LDN Blue 7,903]

That just doesnt make any sense. He is too raw for 18m. You cant buy a player that is not ready yet for that price. The reason is simple: he is so "unfinished" that you just dont know whats is gonna happen to him, this is the kind of player you have in the academy, not the kind os player you buy for that price.

Im pretty sure you, people that wanted him before and AVB trhough he was alteady better than he is right now.

We're a backwards club, we buy heavy for the academy

In all seriousness, he is most definitely still raw. We paid a extortionate price for him, but at least this way André gets to mould him, his way. At 18 he's still learning and it's a perfect opportunity to embed the true philosophies Villas-Boas holds, without a questioned judgement.

That's what makes Lukaku a worthy investment. We paid a lot, but what's done is done. Treat his development irrelevant of this tag, as André does.

[Kez 2,727]

Im know you are smarter than this.

Obviously it was sarcasm.

Hang on a minute. We keep complaining that the likes of Josh and Bertrand are not developing by being stuck on the bench. So we pay £18 million pounds for a youngster to stay in the reserves and not develope. Doesn't make much sense.

Also if we are going to complain about Torres not living up to his price tag and blaming him for every defeat. Then I see no problems complaining the fact that we paid £18 million pounds for a fucking reserve player who currently has the first touch of an elephant hooked on drugs. £18 million pounds to do nothing. Does not matter if he is 18, you don't pay £18 million pounds for potential.

This is a great point tbh. He couldn't do a worse job than Torres right now. It would be a risk playing him first team, but like most Chelsea fans I want to see why we paid so much for him.. I'm sure he will get his chance soon. I'd like to see 4-4-2, with Lukaku being an occasional striker alongside Sturridge.

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

We're a backwards club, we buy heavy for the academy

In all seriousness, he is most definitely still raw. We paid a extortionate price for him, but at least this way André gets to mould him, his way. At 18 he's still learning and it's a perfect opportunity to embed the true philosophies Villas-Boas holds, without a questioned judgement.

That's what makes Lukaku a worthy investment. We paid a lot, but what's done is done. Treat his development irrelevant of this tag, as André does.

Then how comes we only paid £4.5 million for Romeu. Considering he also has "potential" and has league experiance with the B side. But most astonishing is he seems to have gotten a place in the first team. You see where the logic sort of fails?

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

Obviously it was sarcasm.

This is a great point tbh. He couldn't do a worse job than Torres right now. It would be a risk playing him first team, but like most Chelsea fans I want to see why we paid so much for him.. I'm sure he will get his chance soon.

Like Torres I want him to do well, mainly becuase we paid a lot of money like Torres lol. But seriously, if we decided to buy him for £18 million pounds then I see no reason why we can't just sell Anelka and Drogba in January and promote Lukaku to a regular starting place. Like Torres he has got to prove his worth even if his only 18.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Then how comes we only paid £4.5 million for Romeu. Considering he also has "potential" and has league experiance with the B side. But most astonishing is he seems to have gotten a place in the first team. You see where the logic sort of fails?

Of course there's a failure of logic, but look at our board! The word 'logic' is completely backwards for them.

It's not their fault what our club stupidly pays. Especially when they're unproven talent. We can't judge them based on that, compare every performance to that. Before you mention Torres, we compare him to his old performances that did warrant the £50million. Not the price itself.

[termninja 5,290]

Then how comes we only paid £4.5 million for Romeu. Considering he also has "potential" and has league experiance with the B side. But most astonishing is he seems to have gotten a place in the first team. You see where the logic sort of fails?

Because Barcelona can buy him back if he succeeds here? They wouldn't even think about selling unless they had an option to bring him back if he does well.

[Kez 2,727]

Then how comes we only paid £4.5 million for Romeu. Considering he also has "potential" and has league experiance with the B side. But most astonishing is he seems to have gotten a place in the first team. You see where the logic sort of fails?

Possible that Anderlecht wouldn't let Lukaku leave for any less, other teams were after him & we may of finally learnt from past mistakes of not buying players before another team snatches them then we end up buying them for over the odds when they are past it. We will struggle to keep Romeu if he continues to show his worth because of the buy back clause Barca have.

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

Possible that Anderlecht wouldn't let Lukaku leave for any less, other teams were after him & we may of finally learnt from past mistakes of not buying players before another team snatches them then we end up buying them for over the odds when they are past it.

Then we shouldn't have bothered. It just confirms my fears that we only bought him becuase he was hyped as some sort of Drogba mark ii, and that it was that comparison with Drogba, coupled with certain sections of the club thinking selling Drogba will mean that the sky will fall, that we baught him for that price. Not based on his own abilities but simply becuase of Drogba.

[manpe 10,861]

Then how comes we only paid £4.5 million for Romeu. Considering he also has "potential" and has league experiance with the B side. But most astonishing is he seems to have gotten a place in the first team. You see where the logic sort of fails?

There are many aspects why Romeu's and Lukaku's prices were so far apart. Firstly, Romeu is a defensive mid.. they aren't close to strikers' price range. Lukaku was sought after by many top clubs, automatically making his price go up if you wanted him for "buy now" price. There was much difference in hype, for example I hadn't heard Romeu's name before the summer, as I'm sure many of you hadn't also. Plus, Lukaku is an international, Romeu is far from that. There didn't seem to be much interest in Romeu, it seemed it was only us.. and Barca has the option to buy him back.

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

There are many aspects why Romeu's and Lukaku's prices were so far apart. Firstly, Romeu is a defensive mid.. they aren't close to strikers' price range. Lukaku was sought after by many top clubs, automatically making his price go up if you wanted him for "buy now" price. There was much difference in hype, for example I hadn't heard Romeu's name before the summer, as I'm sure many if you hadn't also. Plus, Lukaku is an international, Romeu is far from that. There didn't seem to be much interest in Romeu, it seemed it was only us.. and Barca has the option to buy him back.

See previous post on this page. I will admit that the positions have an effect, but it still does not change the fact that we spent a lot of money for someone who I guess the board new would stay in the reserves. If Sturridge is destined for the wings and Dorgba/Torres can't get a run of form. Then surely Lukaku should be considered for the role. Like I said if we complain that Torres needs to live up to his transfer then Lukaku should be under the same pressure, getting games and showing he is not a bench warmer. But since the board thinks he is not ready then they should never have considered paying the money they did. Go for a lower price or not bother at all.

[GodZola 630]

Roman to take a big dump.........over Gourlay's head! :-)

Seriously its not what needs to happen in January but what are they doing NOW is the real question? We must be one step ahead of our rivals & for a change not wait til the last poxy day of the month to acquire our transfer targets, AVB should be on the ball, give the hierarchy a wish list for both Jan & the summer & let them get on with it - how it was with Jose, Kenyon had his faults but he got it right with transfers. I concur with RZA & can see us buying a couple of players to strengthen as our metamorphosis will be a gradual one rather than a complete overhaul.

[Kojo 4,676]

Why can't we buy at least 3 players in January?, it needs to be done.

[teignman 441]

What needs to done in January is a continuation of what was started in the last window. We need to buy young, PL-ready players (Romeu, Mata) that fit into AVB's system. Also, we need to get players that have a high upside, i.e. they have the potential to perform greatly over their market value, and are on the verge of their prime. Also, get some players with some pace and stamina. If were are going to press it is crucial that we have players with these attributes. I think it is unrealistic to expect a January overhaul, but we need to make some steps in the right direction.

[Tomo 21,751]

A complete overhaul is needed IMHO.

We need to get rid of the well fed "superstars" and bring in young, hungry and vibrant players, fuck the slow evolution lets do it all in one go.

Malouda, Kalou (i don't think he is as bad as others make out but not needed anymore), Anelka, Drogba (legend but can;t afford any sentiment), Alex (sorry) Bosingwa, Hilario, Torres (bash me but it's clear Chelsea and Torres is a match made in hell), Cole (sorry but clearly on the decline) OUT.

De Bruyne, Kakuta (loan return), Hazard, Albrighton, Moutinho Cavani, Van Der Wiel, Courtious (loan return), new left back, Cahill, Bruma (loan return) IN

We have stood still for too long it really has to be done if we are to move forward, bring them in, give them a year to integrate into the team and the club (aswell as more youth promotion Josh, Ryan, Conor etc etc, need a true blue core there too) then in 2013-2014 we will be in as good a position as we have ever been.

Edited November 30, 2011 by Tomo-91

[Blue Armour 4,477]

Why can't we buy at least 3 players in January?, it needs to be done.

Well, we definitely need one, like Modric..(but if December doesn't go well, then he won't have any incentive to join us)..hope Essien's return (however long it lasts) can take care of whatever else we're lacking in midfield,