Non-Chelsea Transfer Pub

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

If we do sign a DM in Jan, he will not be Mikel's replacement but rather his cover. We will not pay more than 10-15m when we already have 2 young great DMs.

It doesn't really make sense to buy any defensive midfielder in January unless he's very cheap. We're talking about spending millions of pounds on a player just to play for a handful of games while Mikel and Romeu are gone. (And that's if we make the buy as soon as the window opens) Then what? We have a third choice DM? Much better to just go without for a few games and spend the money on long-term needs.

[Rmpr 8,977]

It doesn't really make sense to buy any defensive midfielder in January unless he's very cheap. We're talking about spending millions of pounds on a player just to play for a handful of games while Mikel and Romeu are gone. (And that's if we make the buy as soon as the window opens) Then what? We have a third choice DM? Much better to just go without for a few games and spend the money on long-term needs.

Well, let me introduce you: "LOAN"...

However, Mikel might not be the man for our future aspirations!

[The only place to be 11,313]

It doesn't really make sense to buy any defensive midfielder in January unless he's very cheap. We're talking about spending millions of pounds on a player just to play for a handful of games while Mikel and Romeu are gone. (And that's if we make the buy as soon as the window opens) Then what? We have a third choice DM? Much better to just go without for a few games and spend the money on long-term needs.

I'm sure you're well aware that a lot of supporters think the new DM should replace Mikel. To use a term you like, there are questions over his ability to help us be an 'elite' team.

Romeu will have a fairly long road back - this was a great opportunity for him to try and establish himself, but football history is littered with players who miss those opportunities through no fault of their own and never get back.

[OneMoSalah 8,886]

Ryan, that's quite a shopping list for the January window...

No more of these please. We have them coming out the wazoo. Moses and Marin should be enough to rotate. Plus, the one's you've mentioned would be ridiculously expensive for just a rotation player.

A striker and defensive-mid are top of the list and are of equal, crucial importance in my eyes. If we just get them, i'll be a very happy bunny indeed.

Quite a shopping list, but we have Roman Abramovich and his desire to make Chelsea the best club in the world. Also we have tonnes of money haha. Never know we could sign 8 players in January. Chelsea just keep surprising people, including their own fans!

[CHOULO19 24,332]

It doesn't really make sense to buy any defensive midfielder in January unless he's very cheap. We're talking about spending millions of pounds on a player just to play for a handful of games while Mikel and Romeu are gone. (And that's if we make the buy as soon as the window opens) Then what? We have a third choice DM? Much better to just go without for a few games and spend the money on long-term needs.

That's why I said "if we buy a new DM". Our best option will be a loan till the end of the season but I can think of no DM that would be available for loan. Our next best option would be recalling either Chalobah or Josh (it would actually be not extending the loan in the case of Nathanial), but that might be damaging to their development since both are doing excellent at their loan and will probably only manage to play 8-10 games with us that is if they make it into the team. As much as I hate the idea and find it disastrous, I think moving Luiz up is probably the most probable option. The only other option I could think of is buying a CM (since we are lacking in that area) who is capable of covering at DM.

I'm sure you're well aware that a lot of supporters think the new DM should replace Mikel. To use a term you like, there are questions over his ability to help us be an 'elite' team.

Romeu will have a fairly long road back - this was a great opportunity for him to try and establish himself, but football history is littered with players who miss those opportunities through no fault of their own and never get back.

Well those supporters should be aware that the club will not be looking to replace Mikel anytime soon. The club and every manager that has come in has been happy with him, so he is not going anywhere. And although, unfortunately, Oriol might not make a full recovery, it would not make sense to buy a DM who will replace him without seeing whether or he does return as good as new.

[Rmpr 8,977]

Well those supporters should be aware that the club will not be looking to replace Mikel anytime soon. The club and every manager that has come in has been happy with him, so he is not going anywhere. And although, unfortunately, Oriol might not make a full recovery, it would not make sense to buy a DM who will replace him without seeing whether or he does return as good as new.

Mikel will not leave, he will be benched.

Just wait, neither Pep, Jose nor Klopp will be happy with Mikel.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Mikel will not leave, he will be benched.

Just wait, neither Pep, Jose nor Klopp will be happy with Mikel.

You say this based on what exactly?

Managers like Carlo, Hidink...etc showed complete confidence in him. Even Mourinho himself was the one who bought him and moved him to DM. Not once during his time here did we hear even murmurs that the club or manager are looking to sign any DM to take Mikel's place.

[Superblue 6,372]

Mikel will not leave, he will be benched.

Just wait, neither Pep, Jose nor Klopp will be happy with Mikel.

Not sure about the others but Jose brought Mikel and had already began the process of him replacing Maka long term. He obviously saw something in him for that position.

As Choulo said he's only 25. A lot of people forget how young he is given his experience.

[Rmpr 8,977]

You say this based on what exactly?

Managers like Carlo, Hidink...etc showed complete confidence in him. Even Mourinho himself was the one who bought him and moved him to DM. Not once during his time here did we hear even murmurs that the club or manager are looking to sign any DM to take Mikel's place.

I aint discussing this, there are already a lot of members doing so. All I am asking you to do is wait...

Mikel can handle himself, but he is not exceptional.

[OneMoSalah 8,886]

If Pep comes Busquets will be top target and will play ahead of Mikel if hes signed. How do I know this? Pep rates Busquets that highly and sees him as a vital part to his philosophy. Boom. Wherever he goes, if he has enough funds to try and tempt Barca to sell, I would bet my house on it that he would try and buy him

[The only place to be 11,313]

Well those supporters should be aware that the club will not be looking to replace Mikel anytime soon. The club and every manager that has come in has been happy with him, so he is not going anywhere. And although, unfortunately, Oriol might not make a full recovery, it would not make sense to buy a DM who will replace him without seeing whether or he does return as good as new.

Those supporters will just have to live in hope that the club does move on from a player that many educated supporters who have watched the club for many years simply don't trust.

[The only place to be 11,313]

You say this based on what exactly?

Managers like Carlo, Hidink...etc showed complete confidence in him. Even Mourinho himself was the one who bought him and moved him to DM. Not once during his time here did we hear even murmurs that the club or manager are looking to sign any DM to take Mikel's place.

I like all these coaches who favoured him were sacked - not saying that was his fault but let's not pretend their judgment is infallible.

Actually we were linked to Fellaini in 2010 when he was playing in the DM position at Everton.

If Pep comes Busquets will be top target and will play ahead of Mikel if hes signed. How do I know this? Pep rates Busquets that highly and sees him as a vital part to his philosophy. Boom. Wherever he goes, if he has enough funds to try and tempt Barca to sell, I would bet my house on it that he would try and buy him

I agree and I hope that comes to pass. Busquets is younger than Mikel but so much better in almost ever regard.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I like all these coaches who favoured him were sacked - not saying that was his fault but let's not pretend their judgment is infallible.

Just saying that there is nothing, from past experiences with managers, to suggest that the next manager will not put his trust in Mikel.

Actually we were linked to Fellaini in 2010 when he was playing in the DM position at Everton.

To replace a finished Essien which we eventually did by buying Oriol.

Those supporters will just have to live in hope that the club does move on from a player that many educated supporters who have watched the club for many years simply don't trust.

And they have every right to do so. I was not in any way disregarding the opinions of those fans; was just saying that at the end of the day the club and manager are the ones who make the transfer decisions.

And what does the level of education or how many years they have supported the club have to do with anything? They have a right to form and voice an opinion regardless. Surely you're not insinuating that Mikel fans are uneducated or know nothing about the club?

[robsblubot 3,595]

Is Mascherano a realistic target right now? He's part of rotation at Barca, so perhaps offering a staring position would entice him to return to the BPL.

Plus his buddy Benitez is the manager now, at least for a while.

[The only place to be 11,313]

To replace a finished Essien which we eventually did by buying Oriol.

Ramires, surely?

Surely you're not insinuating that Mikel fans are uneducated or know nothing about the club?

I'm saying that the people on here who think Mikel is the answer at DM obviously see something that most of the people I see at matches don't. Take that as you will.

Like I've commented in other threads, I've not seen a player divide opinion like him. All those matches, all those managers and still he's yet to convince a lot of people who understand the DM role and don't think he's up to it.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

I know Mvila has bad attitude, but for low price we could get great CDM. Im not following him recently, I heard his progress stalled, is it true?

Or Capoue, Bender, Luiz Gustavo, Fernandinho (even he is more CM).

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Ramires, surely?

We were short on CDM/CM with Essien's injury and the departure of Ballack and Deco. I don't think there was an intention of replacing Mikel because he was a starter throught the 2010/11 season.

I'm saying that the people on here who think Mikel is the answer at DM obviously see something that most of the people I see at matches don't. Take that as you will. Like I've commented in other threads, I've not seen a player divide opinion like him. All those matches, all those managers and still he's yet to convince a lot of people who understand the DM role and don't think he's up to it.

He certainly divides opinions, but so many DMs often do. Tiote, for example, is regarded by many as the best Dm in the league while others, myself included, think he is slightly above average. Even Maka didn't wasn't fully appreciated till after he was gone.

[Strike 7,489]

He certainly divides opinions, but so many DMs often do. Tiote, for example, is regarded by many as the best Dm in the league while others, myself included, think he is slightly above average. Even Maka didn't wasn't fully appreciated till after he was gone.

Mikel is good. but hardly world class. he does the job expected off him although he's no Essien or Yaya Toure if you will. Passing is not a big concern as he is tasked with just keeping possession but he's not the beast of a midfielder we want in CDM. he rarely ventures forward and that's because his movement is not as good as Essien or Yaya. he plays well with Ramires. Rami's movement and his strength make a good combo but with Mikel and Ramires, we basically have 2 DM's and Ramires' passing is pretty poor. Mikel is a good option to have in the squad - to throw on if we lead.

[Strike 7,489]

Outs

Sturridge - 13mil - looks like he's leaving

Ins

Replacement for Sturridge. If i was a member of the Chelsea staff, i would have Walcott at the top of the list.

Walcott and another striker among - Ba (7.5mil) Huntelaar (7mil) Bony (again, cheap) or Bent to have some options in attack. we wouldn't be making a loss as well

if possible - a decent cover for Romeu

[Madmax 9,219]

Mikel can handle himself, but he is not exceptional.

Not every player on the team needs to be exceptional.

Essien has a call back clause. I'll be surprised if we don't use that.