Axel Witsel

[bethos1 802]

No thanks, don't like him at all. It would make our midfield less creative

[Mechromancer 262]

Meireles is very creative. Just look his body. : (

[iseah100 5,612]

I've seen him in European matches as well as with Belgium. Never impressed me.

[MCM4PR3Z 411]

Lol, he went from Standard to Benfica and he was the best player there since the first training. He could go to a lot of teams in the summer after but chose for the money and the false promises (they wanted to built a team to win the CL) in Russia. The first 2 seasons there was a bad atmosphere in Zenit, and he had to play as a DM, which is his worst role in midfield. He also couldn't show his creativity in that role. So things didn't work out in that period. This (third) season, he played as CM and many Russians say he is the best player in Russia now.

People that are comparing him to Matic and Mikel obviously don't know him. Witsel has an insane technique in the first place, he has a lot of creativity despite the fact he wasn't able to show that in his first 2 Zenit seasons due to a restricted role. He is strong, has an excellent vision and passing, he defends very well, recovers a lot of balls. He can do everything, in Benfica he was the most all round midfielder in the world for me.

Matic

------------Witsel

---Fabregas----

In midfield would be insane. Never thought of Fabregas playing as a 10. That role would also fit him very well.

[Fernando 6,484]

This would be a good signing to me.

Before going to Zenith I wanted him from Benfica.

If he comes he won't be a hit right away since he has to get used to EPL coming from a weaker league. Kinda like Willian.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

He's a versatile box-to-box who is technically excellent and defensively solid. Comparing him to Mikel is insulting. They're both strong, tend to slow down play and often play it safe, that's about where the comparisons end.

I'm not saying he'd be an ideal signing, but for the reported 18M fee he'd be a steal and we would finally have some cushion in midfield and wouldn't have to rely on Ramires or Mikel.

He provides the same stuff Mikel did but on a higher level. Mikel had very good technique as well he just never got forward enough to display it. Its astonishing how similar their career paths are, both very promising youngsters who never really kicked on and lived up to the hype.

I know Witsel is an upgrade to Mikel but I really don't see where he fits into our XI. He looks like our depth signing(if we get him) who will take Mikel's minutes and also the ones given to Zouma in the midfield, aside from that its hard to see him displacing Ramires, Cesc and Matic if we do go with three in the middle.

Some might argue he is better than Ramires but he doesn't really offer the ball winning ability and counter attacking pace. He probably is the better footballer but I don't see him as a better box to box mid.

[obiwan92 217]

1 thing's for sure: Our afro ratio is about to explode.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Our midfield was overpowered against the better teams. Additions are needed

More than covered? in the big games Mourinho doesnt play with Cesc-Matic in the pivot, so he plays with average players such as Ramires or Mikel (or Zouma in DM), so how is it well covered? it is awfully covered imo, its our biggest disadvantage in the squad.

Right now we have four CMs on 2 positions, thats enough, but the thing is that Mikel has to go, he has to go to make place for a new CM, someone who is also better than Witsel imo.

And if it wont happen i see no reason to think we're going to improve next season.

"Spending the money elsewhere"... RW is also important, you could say that, but we're short of options to really improve what we already have. Not the same case in Midfield.

We did well towards the end of the season when we played with Rami to help Cesc and Matic with Willian further up, instead of trying to play Cesc up the pitch which did not work regardless of who was playing behind him simply because Cesc does not have the pace and physical strength to play that role.

No great player will accept to come here just to be a backup player especially with Jose's rotation policies. At the same time, we can't pay those ridiculous amount for a squad player. Mikel is our least expensive first team player (RLC aside) on our FFP books, Ramies our fifth least expensive. We need squad players like that.

We need an attacking midfielder first and foremost, we need a CB because we only have one of those and he's 34! We need a good back up keeper, we need someone to replace Luis if he leaves and we need a striker, two if Remy leaves as a result of us signing Falcao.

Also signing a central midfielder means burying RLC's Chelsea career. Witsel or almost any new CM would get more minutes than what Mikel is getting, minutes that will most likely be cut out of RLC's time.

[TheIceMan 596]

Come On Get In!!! It's about fucking time we are 2 years late!

[Pizy 18,415]

We did well towards the end of the season when we played with Rami to help Cesc and Matic with Willian further up, instead of trying to play Cesc up the pitch which did not work regardless of who was playing behind him simply because Cesc does not have the pace and physical strength to play that role.

No great player will accept to come here just to be a backup player especially with Jose's rotation policies. At the same time, we can't pay those ridiculous amount for a squad player. Mikel is our least expensive first team player (RLC aside) on our FFP books, Ramies our fifth least expensive. We need squad players like that.

We need an attacking midfielder first and foremost, we need a CB because we only have one of those and he's 34! We need a good back up keeper, we need someone to replace Luis if he leaves and we need a striker, two if Remy leaves as a result of us signing Falcao.

Also signing a central midfielder means burying RLC's Chelsea career. Witsel or almost any new CM would get more minutes than what Mikel is getting, minutes that will most likely be cut out of RLC's time.

Not signing a new CM could potentially be suicidal.

Not even taking into account how much all of our rivals will strengthen, imagine if Matic suffered a long term injury. We'd be totally fucked. Ramires and Cesc as a partnership would get torched, Mikel is far too limited to be any sort of solution over a lengthy period, and no chance is RLC ready to step in for big minutes.

We should ideally have 5 options for CM. Matic, Fabregas, Ramires, RLC, and a new one. Witsel, Schneiderlin, Song, whoever.

[mediator 2,026]

I like him but if i had the choice, i would pick Nainggolan before him

[oldportblue 547]

I've loved this guy for a while and he's been solid for zenit, if unspectacular.... truth is the russian league is below his level and he probably isn't as motivated there as he would be in a real top european league like the premie league. I rate him much more than schneiderlin who has only been somewhat ok at a midtable club, witsel has european experience with zenit and benfica as well as with belgium. would love to have him here to replace mikel, he is like mikel but with better attacking prowess and overall more dynamic.

[nadavTKL 1,787]

We did well towards the end of the season when we played with Rami to help Cesc and Matic with Willian further up, instead of trying to play Cesc up the pitch which did not work regardless of who was playing behind him simply because Cesc does not have the pace and physical strength to play that role.

No great player will accept to come here just to be a backup player especially with Jose's rotation policies. At the same time, we can't pay those ridiculous amount for a squad player. Mikel is our least expensive first team player (RLC aside) on our FFP books, Ramies our fifth least expensive. We need squad players like that.

We need an attacking midfielder first and foremost, we need a CB because we only have one of those and he's 34! We need a good back up keeper, we need someone to replace Luis if he leaves and we need a striker, two if Remy leaves as a result of us signing Falcao.

Also signing a central midfielder means burying RLC's Chelsea career. Witsel or almost any new CM would get more minutes than what Mikel is getting, minutes that will most likely be cut out of RLC's time.

Witsel is not a GREAT player, not considered one at least, he plays for Zenit and he's 26. He can sit on the bench and replace Ramires in the amount of games he gets, and if he'll be great he'll get more games. i didnt say we should bring him specifically, but i assume he'll be happy to come here from Russia where he played for 3 long years, same goes for other options for this role - Kondogbia, Imbula, Allan, all come from 2nd-3rd tier clubs.

Wages? im not getting into that, i dont know how much can we pay and how much those players asks.

I dont think we ever did good enough with Cesc-Matic-Ramires-Willian/Oscar-Hazard, i dont think this line up will take us far in CL or even be impressive enough in our big games in PL. And the main problem is Ramires who's terrible on the ball.

Ramires imo cant be a key player in a top 4 team in Europe (where we want to be). I cant think of any reason why he should keep getting all those crucial minutes in the big games.

If we bring a box-to-box midfielder who can pass the ball good enough, Cesc can stay as the DLP or turn into the #10, i dont see a problem, and i dont think Ramires is the only solution possible to add more balance to the Matic-Cesc midfield, like it seems you're suggesting.

I think the main issue is a CM. A top Right Winger would be nice but it looks too difficult to find someone.. looks like Sterling and Griezmann are the only viable options and i wouldnt say either is a safe bet for 40-50 million pounds.

Also there's Cuadrado who maybe Jose wants to give him a real chance, and Oscar that Jose probably thinks he can be great.

I agree we need another CB. Luis and Remy? i dont know what will happen, but if they leave we'll get decent money for them and use it on their replacements... shouldnt stop us from improving other positions we certainly need improving.

CM for me is the most crucial for our progress.

[Stingray 9,441]

He didn't develop as well as he would have in a better league, he's stalled his progression a bit. He's still a top midfielder in my eyes who could suprise many when he finally comes out of obscurity

I 100% agree with this. He has stalled a bit, but he could turn out to be one hell of a deal imo. Entering his prime under Mou in the EPL. I think it is just the boost he needs. He got the skills for it too.

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

He's a good holding mid. Doesn't win the ball enough. He'll be an upgrade over Mikel and Ramires though, so won't complain. I rather have Schneiderlin though, he's a better ball winner.

[johnnythefirst 1,076]

If you ask me, he'll go to Juventus.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Not signing a new CM could potentially be suicidal.

Not even taking into account how much all of our rivals will strengthen, imagine if Matic suffered a long term injury. We'd be totally fucked. Ramires and Cesc as a partnership would get torched, Mikel is far too limited to be any sort of solution over a lengthy period, and no chance is RLC ready to step in for big minutes.

We should ideally have 5 options for CM. Matic, Fabregas, Ramires, RLC, and a new one. Witsel, Schneiderlin, Song, whoever.

Suicidal? We're talking about a slightly better backup player!

5 players for 2 positions would be a total waste. May I remind you that throughout lasts season we had 3 CBs for 2 positions. The third CB was Zouma who barely got a few matches at CB. Jose does not rotate or change his team.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Witsel is not a GREAT player, not considered one at least, he plays for Zenit and he's 26. He can sit on the bench and replace Ramires in the amount of games he gets, and if he'll be great he'll get more games. i didnt say we should bring him specifically, but i assume he'll be happy to come here from Russia where he played for 3 long years, same goes for other options for this role - Kondogbia, Imbula, Allan, all come from 2nd-3rd tier clubs.

Wages? im not getting into that, i dont know how much can we pay and how much those players asks.

I dont think we ever did good enough with Cesc-Matic-Ramires-Willian/Oscar-Hazard, i dont think this line up will take us far in CL or even be impressive enough in our big games in PL. And the main problem is Ramires who's terrible on the ball.

Ramires imo cant be a key player in a top 4 team in Europe (where we want to be). I cant think of any reason why he should keep getting all those crucial minutes in the big games.

If we bring a box-to-box midfielder who can pass the ball good enough, Cesc can stay as the DLP or turn into the #10, i dont see a problem, and i dont think Ramires is the only solution possible to add more balance to the Matic-Cesc midfield, like it seems you're suggesting.

I think the main issue is a CM. A top Right Winger would be nice but it looks too difficult to find someone.. looks like Sterling and Griezmann are the only viable options and i wouldnt say either is a safe bet for 40-50 million pounds.

Also there's Cuadrado who maybe Jose wants to give him a real chance, and Oscar that Jose probably thinks he can be great.

I agree we need another CB. Luis and Remy? i dont know what will happen, but if they leave we'll get decent money for them and use it on their replacements... shouldnt stop us from improving other positions we certainly need improving.

CM for me is the most crucial for our progress.

Sorry I don't have enough time now to answer this point by point, but generally, why would Witsel come here when he can have a much bigger role at Juventus who are already a top European team.

Ramires won't lose his role in the team. There has been no such indications at all and Jose is obviously a very big fan of his.

Can't see how CM is the main issue when we are only talking about possibly signing a backup player. Even Jose has said that this the area where we are most stable in.