Axel Witsel

[The only place to be 11,313]

Read my post again. I didnt say we develop top players, but we should buy top players. Yes we have to spend money for that. We bought enough talent already, we need some quality aswell like.

Sturridge wouldn never work out here, its irony of our club. We buy/develp plenty of young future players, but we dont give them chance and trust.

Arsenal is on top, but lets see end of season. And overall, I realy dont want Chelsea compare to Arsenal, nor want Chelsea to follow arsenal steps, they are trophyless for ages...

Why don't we try and develop top players though? Why haven't we given the likes of Lukaku and Chalobah a chance to bed in?

There's such a desire for trophies that no-one really gives a fuck about the future of this club. They just want immediate success.

There's a middle ground between us and Arsenal, where we spend money and develop young talent - unfortunately Arsenal seem to have realised this as well which is why they're doing so well so far. There's so much more satisfaction to be had from developing talent rather than just buying it. Of course we could win the title this year just by throwing money at it and there would be plenty of supporters who would love that, but it's empty.

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

Why don't we try and develop top players though? Why haven't we given the likes of Lukaku and Chalobah a chance to bed in?

There's such a desire for trophies that no-one really gives a fuck about the future of this club. They just want immediate success.

There's a middle ground between us and Arsenal, where we spend money and develop young talent - unfortunately Arsenal seem to have realised this as well which is why they're doing so well so far. There's so much more satisfaction to be had from developing talent rather than just buying it. Of course we could win the title this year just by throwing money at it and there would be plenty of supporters who would love that, but it's empty.

The board should start a academy type of policy,where at least 2 players get the opportunity to make it in the first team with having played a minimum number of minutes each season.

[Tomo 21,751]

The board should start a academy type of policy,where at least 2 players get the opportunity to make it in the first team with having played a minimum number of minutes each season.

Maybe Uefa/FA make a rule where every club has to name a player that was at the club before 16 either in the lineup or the bench on a matchday? or even better let us have 11 subs.

[The Mak 4,459]

He's roughly the same age as Makelele was when we signed him. He's proven in this league and he's worked under Jose. I can't imagine he'd be much more than a quarter of Witsel's price too.

Nat should've been developing in the Premier League this season, and like Lukaku I think it should've been with us rather than sticking with Essien/Mikel/Ba/Eto'o. Instead we're being linked with Witsel and Falcao - the twin stars of the Russian and French leagues respectively (except they're not because Hulk and Ibra probably are).

He's a good player but he's in far too inferior a competition to say he's best in the world. Yes he's looked good for Belgium but they're an exceptional team right now. A few months ago you'd get a few people saying Paulinho was the player we needed but he's had a few struggles (he also cost £17 million which is less than HALF what Witsel is being quoted at - there's just no value in this transfer).

You're complaining about us buying players and loaning youth, but who are you complaining about exactly? If I was a lesser poster I would just resort to the 'Mourinho knows more about football than anyone here' argument...

Sometimes you just have to accept the nature of the business and the club. Abramovich is all about results and we all know what happens when he doesn't get them, so it makes it even less likely for us to gamble on youth - no matter the potential, there is still a risk. Right now we can only hope that they develop nicely somewhere else and that their position isn't overflowed when they return. Nat still has a great chance as long as he makes the most of his loans because the likes of Lampard, Mikel and Essien aren't getting any better. He is.

And until there is some rule that backs youth development, I don't really see things changing.

[The only place to be 11,313]

You're complaining about us buying players and loaning youth, but who are you complaining about exactly? If I was a lesser poster I would just resort to the 'Mourinho knows more about football than anyone here' argument...

I'm not sure who is to blame, but the culture at the club seems to be against promoting youth which is amazing considering the investment in the academy. At this moment in time, I don't think it's a stretch to say we have one of the best (if not the best) academies in terms of age-level teams. We seem to have a fear of throwing them into the team and I'm not sure where that comes from. There are a few posters who argue that players 'aren't ready' over and over so maybe the club is worried about losing fans if players under-

perform.....I'm not sure.

Sometimes you just have to accept the nature of the business and the club. Abramovich is all about results and we all know what happens when he doesn't get them, so it makes it even less likely for us to gamble on youth - no matter the potential, there is still a risk. Right now we can only hope that they develop nicely somewhere else and that their position isn't overflowed when they return. Nat still has a great chance as long as he makes the most of his loans because the likes of Lampard, Mikel and Essien aren't getting any better. He is.

And maybe this is what the modern Chelsea is....to me that's rather boring. There's nothing better than seeing young players come into the team and prove their worth, but if results are all that matter then that's a tough sell.

Personally I don't think results are all that matter and maybe I'm in the minority. Yes we won the Champions League, but I'm sure it would be more satisfying to show some ambition and try and be the best team in Europe rather than simply relying on luck to win a trophy.

Barcelona of the last few years will be remembered as one of the all-time great. Liverpool of the 80s and United of the 90s were all-time greats.....we have the infrastructure to build one of the great teams but I don't think we will until we actually have some patience, take some risks and BUILD something rather than buying it off the shelf.

And until there is some rule that backs youth development, I don't really see things changing.

Sadly I think you're right.

[Hostedenis 556]

A Witsel signing would be huge! He would play well in our pivot, has great passing (Mou's counter-attack) and holding abilities. I'm surprised this topic has been so quiet lately...

But it's not going to happen... Price is too high even though we need someone like him now that Lampard's injured for the next month and might retire, if not after this season then the next.

[didierforever 7,349]

if we can sell kdb for 25mil, add essien to that for another 2-3mil, kakuta for another 1-2mil and add 10mil more from roman's pocket, then we should be able to buy him. would be absolutely fab alongside rambo.

[Atholy 1,293]

Different media in Belgium are reporting that he has to leave Zenit St Petersburg because of de devaluation of the Russian Rouble!

Witsel (just as Hulk, Javi Garcia, etc...) have their contracts in €. At the current exchange rate... this is a big problem for the Russian Clubs.

I would take Witsel over Mikel/Ramires any day!!!

[Atholy 1,293]

a little extra that doesn't say anything about the total package. But a nice skill!

[OneMoSalah 8,889]

Different media in Belgium are reporting that he has to leave Zenit St Petersburg because of de devaluation of the Russian Rouble!

Witsel (just as Hulk, Javi Garcia, etc...) have their contracts in €. At the current exchange rate... this is a big problem for the Russian Clubs.

I would take Witsel over Mikel/Ramires any day!!!

If we sold Rami and he would sit on the bench I'd take him, no way he'd start over Matic or Cesc though. Think hes probably not even as good as Ramires but hes a bit more rounded in comparison to Rami.

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

That has to be a nightmare being paid in Rubles at this point.

[lucio 5,418]

reunite them

[Fernando 6,601]

Different media in Belgium are reporting that he has to leave Zenit St Petersburg because of de devaluation of the Russian Rouble!

Witsel (just as Hulk, Javi Garcia, etc...) have their contracts in €. At the current exchange rate... this is a big problem for the Russian Clubs.

I would take Witsel over Mikel/Ramires any day!!!

You think they will sell him in the January transfer window or wait till the summer?

If they selling at a bargain, Chelsea would be stupid not to go for it this January.

[killer1257 3,282]

He seems to be a better Mikel,but is he a real box to box player or does he not go that often forward?I have only seen him play for the national team.

I think that if we really want to buy a player,it should be a box to box player or a right winger.

Still,I prefer to give RLC a chance before buying a player we maybe do not need

[Thendo 1,088]

Not that much of an upgrade to Ramires imo, dont see any reason why we should be after him. Can't see Zenit selling him for a cheap price either.

[mediator 2,026]

I think it's too late now we've Matic and Fabregas.

He isn't homegrown i'd rather we give a chance to our youth

The only guy i would want us is Pogba

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Possibly the only midfielder in world football in that position that would be an improvement on a Matic-Fabregas pivot would be if we signed Paul Pogba. I like Witsel but is he better than Matic? Frankly, there isn't a DM in world football better than he is.

[Atholy 1,293]

You think they will sell him in the January transfer window or wait till the summer?

If they selling at a bargain, Chelsea would be stupid not to go for it this January.

They are not really stating when he should leave. The only thing media know is that due to this Rouble devaluation... The international players with high incomes are draining the clubs!

So they will probably all have to leave soon. As for Witsel... I think he's ready to leave Russia. The only thing now is that Zenit are on top of the league. Probably he would like to stay and become champions of Russia before leaving!

Skyport reports that the clubs will need to be honoured. But most likely will not be re-newed!

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9612468/decline-of-ruble-placing-huge-pressure-on-russian-football-clubs-to-meet-their-wage-bills

[Atholy 1,293]

He seems to be a better Mikel,but is he a real box to box player or does he not go that often forward?I have only seen him play for the national team.

I think that if we really want to buy a player,it should be a box to box player or a right winger.

Still,I prefer to give RLC a chance before buying a player we maybe do not need

The thing I like a lot about Axel Witsel is that he has a lot to offer.

• he's a technically gifted midfielder
• his best position is the n°6 position
• he can attack... he can score goals
• BUT he's a kind of guy that works for the team => he's a soldier in midfield area
• he's also the kind of player that can mark out the opposing main man. If he would play against Fabregas... I'm pretty sure he's capable of putting him out of the game 90 mins.
• he doesn't look really strong... but he and Fellaini on our NT midfield are 2 warriors. So many turnovers and supply to our creative attackers!

[Atholy 1,293]

I think it's too late now we've Matic and Fabregas.

He isn't homegrown i'd rather we give a chance to our youth

The only guy i would want us is Pogba

Possibly the only midfielder in world football in that position that would be an improvement on a Matic-Fabregas pivot would be if we signed Paul Pogba. I like Witsel but is he better than Matic? Frankly, there isn't a DM in world football better than he is.

I know what you're saying... BUT what if Matic get's injured? I don't really see a perfect back-up at the moment. Mikel nor Ramires are good replacements for me... So we need a good DCM imo. Pogba... of course. But that's easy to say seen he's one of the greatest stars of european football now. Which could be noticed if you turn around his pricetag !