Non-Chelsea Transfer Pub

[Blue Colored Sky 1,807]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/03/27/southampton-eye-mamadou-sakho-chelsea-bound-virgil-van-dijks/

Chelsea are in pole to sign Van Dijk. As I said we will sign centre-back because Conte wants him. Ake will probably go, Zouma may leave on loan. It's so obvious yet I see some people say we're set and we won't add in the back. Conte wants it. Van Dijk or Koulibaly most likely, then Manolas, Rudiger or De Vrij as an outside options. 

[Blue-in-me-Veins 4,067]

Like what im seeing on Twitter/Telegraph that Chelsea are closing in for Van Dijk.. 

Adding Van Dijk and Bakayoko into the team. As cliche as it may sound, but that's some insane physicality & power we're looking to bring. And now when we go up against Zlatan's/Llorente's/Lukaku's/Kane, we'll have a CB trio that can reciprocrate that physicality and not have them pick on Azpilicueta. 

Over at Southampton, Van Dijk gets incredible license to join in on attacks, but that appears to be an instruction given from the manager, and not him doing his own thing. Conte has shown he can harness Luiz, so I think he'll do the same to Van Dijk. He has fantastic touch when on the ball/passing ability, which should increase the fluidity of CFC's build-up play next season.

i think it's clear Conte WANTS a new CB. So he'll get his wish in the summer. 

Van Dijk/Christensen/Luiz/Cahill/Azpi is good enough cover. 

So excited all-ready for the summer transfer window. Gonna be a lot of moving parts. 

Edit: @Blue Colored Sky Beat me to it 

[DYC. 7,542]

Signing an expensive or fancy name CB effectively means the end of Zouma, Christensen and Ake at Chelsea (in the near future at the very least). They won't hang around to sit in the stands, which is the fate of 5th choice CB. There's only room for one rotational player at the back and with a manager like Conte, even fourth choice won't receive significant game time.

So that would mean signing another CB for cover. Unless he's planning on using Chalobah at the back next season in a dual backup role.

^^ I find Van Dijk's ball-playing ability to be overrated but I guess that's just me. He's a good defender but a 60 mil CB? Never. He's not better than David Luiz and he was half the price.

I personally don't see the point in investing such extreme amounts in CBs. Unless you're talking about the next Alessandro Nesta.

[Blue-in-me-Veins 4,067]

@DYC. didn't even read the article to see the price being quoted.. Nah he'll never cost that much, better yet, Chelsea would never pay that much (unless it's Lukaku). £32M is the magic price for all CFC transfers. 

Probably right about Christensen/Zouma/Ake.. Will be sad to see Christensen follow the path of KDB/Lukaku, but "the game is the game." In a perfect world he leapfrogs Cahill (even if not next year, then the season after), but that's never going to happen to our current: Captain-Leader-Legend. 

Agree w/ Blue Colored Sky though that's its clear Conte WANTS a new CB, so we're getting one regardless. 

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Dijk is awesome player, but if it means end of Chelsea career for Zouma, I will be dissapointed with Conte.

Zouma is one young player that has all the quality to be a real top player for us and we are about to throw it away. 

Once he goes out on loan, even if he impresses, he will return with Dijk, Luiz and Azpi, possibly Cahill cemented for upcoming season. Either he will again sit on bench, putting him in same situation as this year, or simply leave.

And Conte doesnt like to rotate either, so its not looking good. Zouma will have to have absolutely brilliant season on loan, but that is the problem for us and how we deal with youth. We give them that one chance and if they do it themselves, ok, if not no bother. Make it or brake it. Absolutely no faith and trust in them, just business because we can always still buy foreign star if things dont work well. 

But hey if there is money for CM, two fullbacks, winger and striker, fine, buy a CB too. If not, then I dont see point of spending all that money on position where we have Zouma and Christensen ready to get a chance when we realy need to strenghten other areas.

[quickpassnmove 924]

3 hours ago, Blue-in-me-Veins said:

@DYC. didn't even read the article to see the price being quoted.. Nah he'll never cost that much, better yet, Chelsea would never pay that much (unless it's Lukaku). £32M is the magic price for all CFC transfers. 

Probably right about Christensen/Zouma/Ake.. Will be sad to see Christensen follow the path of KDB/Lukaku, but "the game is the game." In a perfect world he leapfrogs Cahill (even if not next year, then the season after), but that's never going to happen to our current: Captain-Leader-Legend. 

Agree w/ Blue Colored Sky though that's its clear Conte WANTS a new CB, so we're getting one regardless. 

I think the casualty is more likely Ake and we will see between Zouma and Christensen, I guess. I am in the the Christensen camp because I've seen his skill and poise. The only thing Zouma has on him is strength and jumping --which we can replace with vanDijk in the lineup (and adding more skill and poise along with it).

I feel certain that Dave will not be a centre back unless required for backup, so we're left with Cahill, Luiz, Zouma (Ake gone, Terry done). vanDijk will replace one of Zouma/Cahill and it might not be Cahill, so...  Still, I am suggesting that Ake leaves and we get a big CB like vanDijk and no one else moves.

With Diego leaving, I imagine chelsea get more than 5 new players in the summer. So it's nice to see rumours of early business being done for a CM and maybe a defender or two. Probably be spilling the big cash later for the next forward while getting the strength and speed we need in the back and middle first; the RIGHT way to build a squad  

So happy to have Conte and I hope CFC support him fully.

[blu35_army 551]

Conte is just like another ambitious manager. if we can get the PL this year, so the next 2-3 season he would be pushed the team into CL finalist. of course no time gambling with our youth program. but,,in the long term project when he satisfied with the trophy that he get with us, i can see we can give more our academy the place to growth as a regular team...

obviously the condition if Roman changed his attitude to be more patient as an owner....

[Blue Colored Sky 1,807]

Anyone thinks that Willian can leave? He looks so silk and pretty on the ball, he's Brazilian so he'll surely have an enormous offer from China. I think he may leave, not that I'm pushing him out but there's bound to be considerable offer for him and Chelsea. 

[Blue Colored Sky 1,807]

8 hours ago, BlueLyon said:

Dijk is awesome player, but if it means end of Chelsea career for Zouma, I will be dissapointed with Conte.

Zouma is one young player that has all the quality to be a real top player for us and we are about to throw it away. 

Once he goes out on loan, even if he impresses, he will return with Dijk, Luiz and Azpi, possibly Cahill cemented for upcoming season. Either he will again sit on bench, putting him in same situation as this year, or simply leave.

And Conte doesnt like to rotate either, so its not looking good. Zouma will have to have absolutely brilliant season on loan, but that is the problem for us and how we deal with youth. We give them that one chance and if they do it themselves, ok, if not no bother. Make it or brake it. Absolutely no faith and trust in them, just business because we can always still buy foreign star if things dont work well. 

But hey if there is money for CM, two fullbacks, winger and striker, fine, buy a CB too. If not, then I dont see point of spending all that money on position where we have Zouma and Christensen ready to get a chance when we realy need to strenghten other areas.

I understand you but I said it previously, Conte likes experienced defence, our current options are 29 years old on average, then you have Ake, Christensen and Zouma who are 21 years old on average. This gap is too big and I can understand also why club want a middle man, aged somewhere in the middle of 21 and 29 years. That's actually reasonable. Not that I think it's the first priority, but if you think that Chelsea will sell Ake, Kalas and Omeruo for combined 30m£ then we can have a new defender for 20m£. Not bad. 

[Yeboii 1,844]

17 hours ago, OhForAGreavsie said:

Nothing special there at all. No special touch, no exceptional balance, no outstanding body control, not even any particular pace. Just a fairly ordinary lad getting away with some awkward looking moves because of the level he is playing at.

If people want to see lads exhibiting genuinely exceptional talent at youth level they should check out Phil Fallon or Brahim Diaz at Man City. People would also see many better players than Gilmour if they watched our youth team. 

For 500k the scouts are seeing something you don't.

[OhForAGreavsie 6,073]

1 hour ago, Yeboii said:

For 500k the scouts are seeing something you don't.

Assuming that scouts working for any big clubs are recommending a move to acquire young billy, and assuming the clubs are  indeed offering  £500,000, then yes they must be. 

[Unionjack 7,531]

The pressure on the managers of the top clubs in PL (apart from the red north London team obviously) to win silverware must be enornous. So I can totally understand how their preference would be to buy in a skilled,finished player that he can trust to do the job he needs him to do.

IF we was a steady mid table club with no strong ambitions apart from putting out good football for the fans and maybe making up ne spot from previous season then we could take risks with bringing into the starting XI our young good talent.

But we cant make a serious strike for the CL with a team full of Mussonda,Ake,RLC,Chalobah,Brown,Andreas. Whereas if we was that mid table club I would be more than happy with them all as starters.

So Conte has to do all he can to try to please everyone. He brings back loanees to see how well they fit in. He brings in lads from the academy to reach HG figures and fit them in here n there. And he does his best to buy the best players he thinks will fit the positions we need upgrading.

And tho it makes me sad it will probably mean losing Happy, a player I've always loved, then I'm still behind Conte. He just wants whats best for THE TEAM.

[akgw13 867]

I think we are all aware of the rumours for who we want as a club to bring into our team. My question is who do we think will no longer be with us next year? I am just going to throw names out with some basic thoughts and am curious to here what people think. Obviously JT will be moving on so I didn't include him. 

Costa: I think he is gone, i dont want him to leave but Conte will want someone committed moving forward who is a good soldier, Diego will finally get his wish for a large fee i think.

Willian: I can't see him staying, bumped down the pecking order and Conte has made it known he wants to sign at least one attacker this summer. Could be sold for big cash to China or abroad in europe. If Mourinho wants to give us 50m i would let him go.

Bats: I think this will be a loan to a PL side, doesnt have contes trust, needs minutes.

Zouma: I pray its just a loan and hopefully to an Italian/German team who plays a similar style, I love happy but i fear for his place in the squad(especially if we bring in a CB and bring back Christensen)

RLC: PL Loan, mid table side, benefit us both in the long term.

Begovic: Was a good soldier, I respect he wants to play, sell him.

Matic: Would we move on from Matic if Conte gets the central midfield destroyer he wants(Bakayoko/Radja)? I dont think Fabregas is leaving anymore, and Conte seems to value Chalobah. For the right price would Conte sanction a sale?

 

[the wes 7,212]

12 minutes ago, akgw13 said:

I think we are all aware of the rumours for who we want as a club to bring into our team. My question is who do we think will no longer be with us next year? I am just going to throw names out with some basic thoughts and am curious to here what people think. Obviously JT will be moving on so I didn't include him. 

Costa: I think he is gone, i dont want him to leave but Conte will want someone committed moving forward who is a good soldier, Diego will finally get his wish for a large fee i think.

Willian: I can't see him staying, bumped down the pecking order and Conte has made it known he wants to sign at least one attacker this summer. Could be sold for big cash to China or abroad in europe. If Mourinho wants to give us 50m i would let him go.

Bats: I think this will be a loan to a PL side, doesnt have contes trust, needs minutes.

Zouma: I pray its just a loan and hopefully to an Italian/German team who plays a similar style, I love happy but i fear for his place in the squad(especially if we bring in a CB and bring back Christensen)

RLC: PL Loan, mid table side, benefit us both in the long term.

Begovic: Was a good soldier, I respect he wants to play, sell him.

Matic: Would we move on from Matic if Conte gets the central midfield destroyer he wants(Bakayoko/Radja)? I dont think Fabregas is leaving anymore, and Conte seems to value Chalobah. For the right price would Conte sanction a sale?

 

I totally agree every word u wrote there . But what players would u like to see come into the club in the summer?? 

[ulvhedin 526]

27 minutes ago, akgw13 said:

Matic: Would we move on from Matic if Conte gets the central midfield destroyer he wants(Bakayoko/Radja)? I dont think Fabregas is leaving anymore, and Conte seems to value Chalobah. For the right price would Conte sanction a sale?

 

I would be very surprised if Matic is gone while Cesc and Chalobah stay. Conte prefers him over both of them

[akgw13 867]

2 minutes ago, the wes said:

I totally agree every word u wrote there . But what players would u like to see come into the club in the summer?? 

Whoever Conte wants! haha Based off what we have all been hearing and reading about what Conte wants from his team I think he does want to move to a 2 striker system or at least have the flexibility to play both 343/352. 

Morata: He seems to be Contes #1 guy, linked in every window and seemingly the key piece for his 352. I do not think he can lead the line full time like Diego does but he is a great team player who offers something Conte has been seeking. Will score low double digit goals and link up beautifully. I think we on the board are under rating him.

Lukaku: Assuming Diego moves on Conte will want a goal scorer to match, I know we are split on him here but I can't get around the fact he is a proven PL goal scorer, Incredibly Athletic, Wants to prove he can lead Chelsea. He is still so young and I think he will be willing to learn under Conte. 

Bakayoko: Young, Physical, Talented, Familiar with the position. Bakayoko/Kante would be the most secure central midfield in the world, all while each can continue to improve under Conte. 

Van Dijk: PL Proven, Physical Beast, Comfortable with the ball. A back 3 with VD, Luiz, Azpi(Christensen) is secure and talented on the ball. Conte seems to want a stud CB and I prefer him to K2 from Napoli.

Left Wing Back/Ghoulam?: I admittedly know very little about the LWB options available, but I do know we need one. Alaba is the pinnacle but I feel unattainable, Sandro is great but expensive, Ghoulam seems to be highly rated and available (I cant speak to his skill as i havent watched him enough)

Still feels like we need one more wide attacking option, especially if Willian leaves. 

I do not think Sanchez will come to us, I would LOVE for him to join but Arsenal will be extra difficult to deal with. I am a big fan of Radja, but I can't see him leaving Roma and he is obsessed with nice weather apparently plus he would be extremely expensive. I have made my love of Verratti known many times over but I can't see him coming to us either sadly. 

 

[akgw13 867]

2 minutes ago, ulvhedin said:

I would be very surprised if Matic is gone while Cesc and Chalobah stay. Conte prefers him over both of them

He prefers him in certain styles of matches 100%. But say theoretically we sign Bakayoko who is the same player as Matic. Would Matic want to stay? Chalobah feels to me like the new Mikel, Will always be around and a squad player. Fabregas has more than earned my respect for his professionalism and play this year, plus he offers something Matic/Bakayoko/Kante dont.  

I would love to keep Matic but Conte seems to want a new CM option and Matic might be the odd man out.

[JuveChelsea 7]

My preferred summer:

Lukaku - I think he'll fit this Chelsea team better than Morata but Morata would be a decent choice too. (If Costa leaves)

Bernardo Silva or Sanchez (if Willian leaves)

Loftus-Cheek, Baker and Chalobah hopefully to be given a more significant role next season. I hear Conte is big on Baker but if he's not ready for Chelsea just yet -- I wouldn't mind Ross Barkley either in the mean time as I hear Conte is big on him too. 

Maybe a Dasilva bump to reinforce the wing back positions? But that might be reaching too much. 

Christensen to return. Ake most likely out.

Loan out Tammy to a top flight team. He's too good for the second division.

Cahill isn't going anywhere. He's staying as a starter and will be our captain. I don't see our back 3 changing next season. Christensen is probably going to be groomed to take over Luiz one day.

No to Bakoyoko. Overrated, bandwagon, impulsive summer target. 

Unless Azpi and/or Zouma is leaving I don't really see why we need Van Dijk. Our back 3 has been amazing - will Van Dijk improve it? I don't think so.

Break the bank on Lukaku and Silva/Sanchez in my opinion and promote and groom youth. That's my idea of a great summer. 

[The Skipper 20,609]

On 3/28/2017 at 0:10 AM, DYC. said:

^^ I find Van Dijk's ball-playing ability to be overrated but I guess that's just me. He's a good defender but a 60 mil CB? Never. He's not better than David Luiz and he was half the price.

Preach. Ball playing ability vastly overrated because he was dribbling past some Scottish farmers a few seasons ago. No disrespect to Scotland obviously, I'd say the same about the Dutch league.

[The Skipper 20,609]

Think we should go for Oxlade-Chamberlain this summer, especially if we don't manage to pinch Alexis from Arsenal and sign another RF. Best young English talent out there that can actually contribute well to the squad. Could play at RWB imo.