Rekin 835 Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 If we look at our squad it is extremely clear who the preferred options of Conte are. I also think it is clear by the players we targeted during the summer what the pattern is. Summer 2016 we wanted to have two good strikers. Bats seemed locked on early, but in case Diego left there was interest in Morata and Lukaku. Now, I do not know how highly Bats is rated considering him basically not playing, but we need to remember that Costa is currently in an unreal form, Bats is not going to ever get priority over him as it is now (except for cup games). If Conte rates Bats, then we are unlikely for now to be working the striker angle. For the winger positions we did not really do much. We kept the previous players, and werent really linked with others in those positions. Hazard is untouchable, while Pedro has been in a somewhat good form. Willian and Oscar have lately seen their opportunities limited, and specially Oscar seems to be out of favour. I think we can do better than Pedro as RW for sure, and selling Oscar is also something that needs to happen. There is no rush with this at the time though. Star wingers are rarely available in January, and we have acceptable depth for now. I really doubt anything will happen in January there. Midfield is a more interesting position. We secured Kante early on, and it was a great purchase. But even after that, we were still looking for additions. Either because Matic was close to leaving, or because Conte had his eyes on someone he considered better. He might have been convinced by Matic now, regardless players like Nainggolan will not join in January. The City game showed us the lack of depth though. Fabregas does not work in our current formation, and I have my doubts about Chalobah. Even if both stays, it is a false type of depth. Fabregas is a tactical option, not a direct replacement for Matic or Kante. We need to make sure we can put on someone who can do a relatively similar job to either of those two. I strongly suspect we will move for someone like Badelj or Brozovic during January. In the defence, the purchase and great performance from Luiz has plugged some holes. Cahill is doing better, and letting in 2 goals in 8 games is something we need to remember. One does not jump in and start changing too much in those circumstances. Even though I do not consider our defence to be individually amazing (Cahill, Alonso and Moses all have their weaknesses) I would honestly not change it right now. You do not fix that which is not broken. Unless we start letting them in again, January should be quiet for us. Let Conte assess Christensen and Zouma, and if he dislikes both, then we should look at replacements in the summer. GK is fine. TLDR: My opinion is that the only thing we need in January is a CM that has his main strengths in passing and defensive capabilities. For the summer we should look at RW, LWB and CB options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petre.ispirescu 4,928 Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 21 hours ago, Mufassir08 said: Can Auba really play the RF role for us effectively? I mean he has been playing all his life as a center forward and now all of sudden if he's played as a RF, would he able to adjust? He a right winger, turned centre forward at Dortmund after Lewandowski left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
It's too big 625 Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 No payet please. I think he would be a flash in the pan, and by next season he would have lost his appeal. He's nearly 30 and only had one impressive season (last season) so it's not a wise signing. MefiX19 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mufassir08 2,400 Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 1 hour ago, petre.ispirescu said: He a right winger, turned centre forward at Dortmund after Lewandowski left. Didn't he play as a striker at St Etienne? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petre.ispirescu 4,928 Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 3 minutes ago, Mufassir08 said: Didn't he play as a striker at St Etienne? Only as a winger, Brandao was the centre forward. The Skipper and Mufassir08 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mufassir08 2,400 Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 6 minutes ago, petre.ispirescu said: Only as a winger, Brandao was the centre forward. Then I think the RF role would suit him perfectly over here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akgw13 867 Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 I much prefer Auba to Payet, His speed could really unlock another layer to our attack and such a clinical finisher. Im not so focused on him being able to play Right attacker so much as being able to be work with Costa and Hazard. As we have seen this year hazard switches sides with pedro quite often and is higher up the field than costa. I view the front 3 as all fluid attacking players not set positions. Will be quite the interesting summer for us, Very tough decisions ahead. kellzfresh, Fernando, MefiX19 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petre.ispirescu 4,928 Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 Aubameyang or Alexis Sanchez. Deluded gooners think the club is at fault for Alexis and Ozil not singing new contracts already, but I'd bet my house that the main reason for this is the players. Both want to see if come May this team is the real deal or another season when they win no important trophies and finish top 4. Don't think money is a problem for Alexis. Guess that in the summer he'd even sign a similar contract to the one he has now should Arsenal win the title. This is why IMHO he stalls the negociations - to see if that club is capable of challenge the likes of Conte, Guardiola, Klopp to the title. But, if come May, Arsenal win jack shite (again) and he's still not signed the new deal, I'd jump right on with with both feet. Imagine Chelsea league winners with Alexis Sanchez our first signing of the summer. Haha. Goonettes going to burn Emirates down hahah kellzfresh and Fernando 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DYC. 7,542 Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 1 hour ago, petre.ispirescu said: He a right winger, turned centre forward at Dortmund after Lewandowski left. Actually he's a striker turned winger turned striker. I remember him as a youngster at Milan, he was a striker back then. Aubameyang lacks skill for a wide forward role. Neither does he offer Pedro's work rate. Get someone with real star quality or potential, suiting that role, or stick to Pedro and Willian. Griezmann in 2017 is never happening because of Atleti's transfer ban. You could make an attempt to buy Dybala but that's an extremely difficult one to pull off. It's hard to find the right player for that position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueLyon 9,359 Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 15 minutes ago, DYC. said: Actually he's a striker turned winger turned striker. I remember him as a youngster at Milan, he was a striker back then. Aubameyang lacks skill for a wide forward role. Neither does he offer Pedro's work rate. Get someone with real star quality or potential, suiting that role, or stick to Pedro and Willian. Griezmann in 2017 is never happening because of Atleti's transfer ban. You could make an attempt to buy Dybala but that's an extremely difficult one to pull off. It's hard to find the right player for that position. If we cant get any of the top dogs, I would think of Promes who is certainly a player who should be in bigger club. But its a gamble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoyBlue96 990 Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 On 6-12-2016 at 4:35 PM, BlueLyon said: If we cant get any of the top dogs, I would think of Promes who is certainly a player who should be in bigger club. But its a gamble. Quincy Promes? No mate let's not do that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eidur the Spider 4,515 Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 Chelsea want Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez to form dream strike partnership with Costa #CFC #AFC (via @MirrorDarren) Chelsea are the latest club to join the queue of interested parties monitoring the situation of Sanchez (Telegraph) #CFC #AFC #Fiorentina duo Milan Badelj and Federico Bernardeschi are also both reported to be on Conte's wish list. #CFC (Express) Muzchap 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fernando 6,743 Posted December 10, 2016 Share Posted December 10, 2016 Giving that Everton are doing crap this season do you think we should go for any of their players? I imagine now they want out..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the wes 7,212 Posted December 11, 2016 Share Posted December 11, 2016 On 27/11/2016 at 1:14 AM, Leif said: On 05/12/2016 at 3:15 PM, Fernando said: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang uncertain about future at Borussia Dortmund http://www.espnfc.us/story/3012354/pierre-emerick-aubameyang-uncertain-about-future-at-borussia-dortmund Should jump on this. Muzchap 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the wes 7,212 Posted December 11, 2016 Share Posted December 11, 2016 On 10/12/2016 at 1:58 PM, Fernando said: Giving that Everton are doing crap this season do you think we should go for any of their players? I imagine now they want out..... Lukaku just but Everton are nightmare to negotiate with Everton always look for crazy money for their players Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post! Rekin 835 Posted December 11, 2016 Popular Post! Share Posted December 11, 2016 The WBA game today showed us that we lack creativity in the middle. The trio upfront cant do much if they have to drop down to receive the ball. Matic and Kante can play great balls occasionally, but we need a consistent passer that can find the trio upfront in semi-dangerous situations. Kante is way too good to be replaced, but I seriously think Matic will hinder us from taking the next step. Blue-in-me-Veins, The Skipper, Muzchap and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzchap 8,966 Posted December 11, 2016 Share Posted December 11, 2016 51 minutes ago, Rekin said: The WBA game today showed us that we lack creativity in the middle. The trio upfront cant do much if they have to drop down to receive the ball. Matic and Kante can play great balls occasionally, but we need a consistent passer that can find the trio upfront in semi-dangerous situations. Kante is way too good to be replaced, but I seriously think Matic will hinder us from taking the next step. Agreed - I was screaming for Matic to be replaced by Cesc. I also think Verrati Kante would be a nice midfield pairing - Verrati has some nice passing on him and can run at players - Matic looks a bit gangly and not very confident Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickpassnmove 924 Posted December 11, 2016 Share Posted December 11, 2016 Something more for LWB/LB and something more for CM, plus the CB transfer that seems to be looming.... we're on a way to being a top European side again. I've no recommendations on the new potential forward/winger, but I believe one of our young players can make it into the 1st team at some point. Save the big money forward transfer for later; add the quality in CM and LB now --and maybe the CB, if it's the right deal. However, someone like Sanchez is interesting. I just wish that we had made that move for Alexis at the same time we grabbed Frabregas from Barca. Alexis Sanchez will be 28 this month. Aubemeyang will be 28 in the summer, but I believe Pierre will maintain his acceleration and top speed longer than Sanchez after age 30. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the wes 7,212 Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 £60m in the kitty if the Oscar deal goes through . But something tells me chelsea won't be spending it all in January transfer window probably keep most of the Oscar money for the summer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fernando 6,743 Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 27 minutes ago, the wes said: £60m in the kitty if the Oscar deal goes through . But something tells me chelsea won't be spending it all in January transfer window probably keep most of the Oscar money for the summer Of course we can't get Verrati in january. Other then Van Dyk, I don't see much. jernej93 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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