Wishlist Hulk

[Kojo 4,676]

Sturridge is actually a shit name for a player, oh and that Hulk thing is on Sky Sports now.

[Slam Dunk 1,442]

Maybe because naturally he's a CF?

Which is why he hasn't succeeded as a winger, because he hasn't adapted his game to the role.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I find it baffling that you've deflected my criticisms of Sturridge towards Torres in the first place, but hey-ho.

As I said, Sturridge needs to spend more time working on his game as a winger, which he doesn't seem to do. There was a reason RDM dropped him for the 2nd half of the season, he was a winger still playing with a centre forwards mentality.

I have given up on Danny on the wing and hope he becomes Nando's back-up next season.

Moving back on topic, I can definitely understand Kostas worries, but Hulk does offer something on the wing that none of the other players we have do, and with us playing in 7 competitions next season we will need all the squad depth we can get. But the question is: Is what Hulk adds to the squad worth the alleged 38m?

[MGuerreiro 252]

I find this baffling. Sturridge has never complained publicly. He has said that his preferred position was as a central striker and he'd rather be playing there. He never said "I hate playing RW" or "why do they make me play out of position"?Even when RDM came in and made put him in the midfield which was never going to work, he didn't publicly complain. What is most amazing about this to me is the insane difference between the way fans treat Sturridge and Torres. Torres has publicly complained. Within hours of winning the CL, he was whining. Early in the season, he complained that Chelsea weren't moving the ball quickly enough for him. He sulks when he's on the bench. Yet, fans don't care. Sturridge is young, led us in goals, and fans boo him and say that we should sell him. Torres is our most expensive player and has contributed virtually nothing in a year and a half yet fans sing his name. Yes, I get why Sturridge is frustrating, he is selfish and he has to learn discipline, but he's 22 and was our second best player in the first half of the season. Sturridge scored 5 match winning goals last season. Torres had none. As I said...baffling.

Actually there was A LOT of criticism on here against Torres after that interview, can't bother to find it though. I think the fans also get tired of Sturridge's attitude on pitch, he's way too selfish and while Torres is sulking, at least his work rate is extremely good. No, that is not an excuse or good enough for us - but fans realize that he is trying for the team, unlike Sturridge who plays for no one but Sturridge (seemingly).

[YouNameIt 1,511]

Which is why he hasn't succeeded as a winger, because he hasn't adapted his game to the role.

He shouldnt. I just hope he will get some playtime as CF with hulk coming and ramires also on that wing. It'll silence all sturridge-critique

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

Actually there was A LOT of criticism on here against Torres after that interview, can't bother to find it though. I think the fans also get tired of Sturridge's attitude on pitch, he's way too selfish and while Torres is sulking, at least his work rate is extremely good. No, that is not an excuse or good enough for us - but fans realize that he is trying for the team, unlike Sturridge who plays for no one but Sturridge (seemingly).

Except Sturridge's selfishness also helped. People talk about selfishness as purely a negative trait and for a striker it absolutely is both negative and positive. There is no top striker in the world who isn't always looking to shoot. Sturridge carried us in December when neither Drogba or Torres could score and he created goals out of nothing a number of times. While I don't particularly like selfishness, I'll take selfishness and production over work-rate and a complete lack of productivity every time.The amount that fans seem to value work-rate is so disproportionate to how beneficial it actually is to the team. The truth is that Sturridge while being selfish actually did much more for the team than Torres did while being a "team player". Then, if you claim that it' all about work-rate, you can then compare Kalou to Torres it also doesn't make sense. Kalou had a fabulous work-rate and never complained even when he was benched by AVB and was very solid defensively and had a better scoring record than Torres and yet many fans just loathed him. (And yes, I do understand why people were frustrated with Sturridge, I was too, but the negativity around him is ridiculous. He's 22 and led the team in goals. That should be something as a club we try to build on.)

[Kostas 1,468]

I agree, it's a lot of money and a big risk, but he's been a long term target of the club even before AVB arrived, and clearly the board sees him fitting into the team. Wide forwards is slightly ambiguous in my opinion, Ramires isn't a forward, Kalou will be leaving, as mentioned we have Sturridge who i've explained my concerns about, and nobody else for the right side. I don't buy the argument of the quality of the league he's playing in, he's succeeded in the Portugese league as far as i'm concerned, he deserves a chance to progress.

The players I included in my total were Mata, Malouda, Marin, Hazard, Kakuta, Sturridge, De Bruyne. Afaik all of them can and have spent a significant part of their careers playing wide. I didn't take into account which side they played at as it is IMO not so significant.

The argument about coming from a "weak" league is not one I'd ever take lightly.

In the case of Hazard, the French league has a history of providing PL clubs with vital players and Eden is at the perfect age to make such a career move. Had he moved earlier it would be an anomaly and he'd risk his development while moving later may have risked missing the ship for greatness.

On the other hand, Hulk who is about to turn 26 and is still on just 2 international caps (even taking into consideration that he plays fro Brazil that's just too poor) is now spending the peak of his career in the Portuguese league being known more for his physical attributes rather than his footballing ability. Forgive me for not believing that his being in Portugal is just due to Porto's crazy valuation.

With a transfer fee that is approaching that of our biggest flops, players who were established at the very top level of football, Hulk (while not a n9) is a risk that I can't see the reason to take.

[Kieran. 6,317]

The players I included in my total were Mata, Malouda, Marin, Hazard, Kakuta, Sturridge, De Bruyne. Afaik all of them can and have spent a significant part of their careers playing wide. I didn't take into account which side they played at as it is IMO not so significant.

The argument about coming from a "weak" league is not one I'd ever take lightly.

In the case of Hazard, the French league has a history of providing PL clubs with vital players and Eden is at the perfect age to make such a career move. Had he moved earlier it would be an anomaly and he'd risk his development while moving later may have risked missing the ship for greatness.

On the other hand, Hulk who is about to turn 26 and is still on just 2 international caps (even taking into consideration that he plays fro Brazil that's just too poor) is now spending the peak of his career in the Portuguese league being known more for his physical attributes rather than his footballing ability. Forgive me for not believing that his being in Portugal is just due to Porto's crazy valuation.

With a transfer fee that is approaching that of our biggest flops, players who were established at the very top level of football, Hulk (while not a n9) is a risk that I can't see the reason to take.

Hulk's played for Brazil ten times I think.

[Superblue 6,372]

Except Sturridge's selfishness also helped. People talk about selfishness as purely a negative trait and for a striker it absolutely is both negative and positive. There is no top striker in the world who isn't always looking to shoot. Sturridge carried us in December when neither Drogba or Torres could score and he created goals out of nothing a number of times. While I don't particularly like selfishness, I'll take selfishness and production over work-rate and a complete lack of productivity every time.The amount that fans seem to value work-rate is so disproportionate to how beneficial it actually is to the team. The truth is that Sturridge while being selfish actually did much more for the team than Torres did while being a "team player". Then, if you claim that it' all about work-rate, you can then compare Kalou to Torres it also doesn't make sense. Kalou had a fabulous work-rate and never complained even when he was benched by AVB and was very solid defensively and had a better scoring record than Torres and yet many fans just loathed him. (And yes, I do understand why people were frustrated with Sturridge, I was too, but the negativity around him is ridiculous. He's 22 and led the team in goals. That should be something as a club we try to build on.)

I can understand your viewpoint mate, but I think the fans as a whole could see that Torres was going through a difficult phase but was putting in a lot of selfless running down the channels, etc, working back, pressing, and most importantly, setting up a lot of goals. So although things were going dreadful from a goalscoring point of view, he was still contributing by making goals.

When Sturridge had his poor form, he would shoot from ridiculous angles rather than pass which contributed nothing to the team. When he was playing well the confidence could be seen taking shots on, but he also set some goals up by taking it on the outside of the full back and pulling the ball back (both Manchester clubs at home spring to mind). However when his dip came he seemed to refuse to do this and instead try to play for himself to get a goal. That is why the frustration mounted for the fans.

I've got no problem him taking on some difficult shots now and again because no doubt Hulk will if and when he joins. But taking a man on the outside is critical to keeping him unpredictable and difficult to play against. Hulk will bring that to the RW where he is comfortable.

Sturridge is now better off as Torres' understudy at CF, and if Torres isn't firing early in the season it is up to Danny to take his chances.

[Kostas 1,468]

Hulk's played for Brazil ten times I think.

Apologies if that is correct. Still not too strong on the recognition side although nowhere as poor.

[Sheva. 5,373]

Yes 10 appearances, 2 goals.

[MGuerreiro 252]

Except Sturridge's selfishness also helped. People talk about selfishness as purely a negative trait and for a striker it absolutely is both negative and positive. There is no top striker in the world who isn't always looking to shoot. Sturridge carried us in December when neither Drogba or Torres could score and he created goals out of nothing a number of times. While I don't particularly like selfishness, I'll take selfishness and production over work-rate and a complete lack of productivity every time.The amount that fans seem to value work-rate is so disproportionate to how beneficial it actually is to the team. The truth is that Sturridge while being selfish actually did much more for the team than Torres did while being a "team player". Then, if you claim that it' all about work-rate, you can then compare Kalou to Torres it also doesn't make sense. Kalou had a fabulous work-rate and never complained even when he was benched by AVB and was very solid defensively and had a better scoring record than Torres and yet many fans just loathed him. (And yes, I do understand why people were frustrated with Sturridge, I was too, but the negativity around him is ridiculous. He's 22 and led the team in goals. That should be something as a club we try to build on.)

I never claimed it was all about work-rate. Hence the sentence in my post straight after I mentioned work rate. I'm not even disagreeing with you, just pointing out hints to why people get more annoyed by Sturridge than Torres.

Everyone acknowledges Sturridge's ability, it's just his seemingly poor attitude that gets on people's nerves. While Sturridge was productive over a short period of time, he could have been ten times more productive if he had thunk about anyone other than himself at times and tried to pass the fucking ball. And yes, while selfishness (limited) can be a good trait for a striker, Sturridge was playing as a RW.

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

Sturridge is now better off as Torres' understudy at CF, and if Torres isn't firing early in the season it is up to Danny to take his chances.

I just hope he plays.I have a feeling Chelsea are going to go out and buy another striker which will bury Sturridge completely. We talk about developing Josh or Piazon or whomever, but if we can't even give opportunities to our leading goal scorer, what chance does any young player have to develop?

[Billy. 2,742]

http://www.teamtalk.com/news/2483/7791326/Hulk-Agent-handles-my-future

[manpe 10,861]

I just hope he plays.I have a feeling Chelsea are going to go out and buy another striker which will bury Sturridge completely.

I don't think we will. Since Roman personally gave Torres assurance that he's gonna be the top dog next season, then unless we are after another Pizarro, we won't sign any strikers. And I don't see why we need another Pizarro tbh. I think Hulk is being looked at with the purpose of killing two flies with one swing - to cover for ST while reinforcing RW. We'd have Torres, Studge and Hulk potentially competing and covering for the same position... and if Lukaku stays, then he'd be in the mix as well. For one striker's place 3-4 options are more than enough.

[Slam Dunk 1,442]

The players I included in my total were Mata, Malouda, Marin, Hazard, Kakuta, Sturridge, De Bruyne. Afaik all of them can and have spent a significant part of their careers playing wide. I didn't take into account which side they played at as it is IMO not so significant.

The argument about coming from a "weak" league is not one I'd ever take lightly.

In the case of Hazard, the French league has a history of providing PL clubs with vital players and Eden is at the perfect age to make such a career move. Had he moved earlier it would be an anomaly and he'd risk his development while moving later may have risked missing the ship for greatness.

On the other hand, Hulk who is about to turn 26 and is still on just 2 international caps (even taking into consideration that he plays fro Brazil that's just too poor) is now spending the peak of his career in the Portuguese league being known more for his physical attributes rather than his footballing ability. Forgive me for not believing that his being in Portugal is just due to Porto's crazy valuation.

With a transfer fee that is approaching that of our biggest flops, players who were established at the very top level of football, Hulk (while not a n9) is a risk that I can't see the reason to take.

I think you're talking about players in completely different moulds. Mata, Hazard, Kakuta, KdB all prefer to be the no.10, Sturridge a CF, meaning only Malouda and Marin are genuine wingers (I mentioned in another thread that there is a huge decline in the number of true wingers in the modern game). There is a huge difference between having a player that is able to cover a position, and having a player that naturally suits a role. Hulk provides a genuinely different option to any of the players mentioned above, I wouldn't say he's a true winger, but he is a different type of wide player than anyone else we have.

I'm not arguing with you, I understand your scepticism, I myself question his defensive abilities, but I think we need a genuine right sided player, and Hulk seems to be the most viable option for the club.

[Superblue 6,372]

I just hope he plays.I have a feeling Chelsea are going to go out and buy another striker which will bury Sturridge completely. We talk about developing Josh or Piazon or whomever, but if we can't even give opportunities to our leading goal scorer, what chance does any young player have to develop?

I must admit a couple of weeks ago I thought we must go out and get another striker knowing Drogba was going. However I do like the idea of Sturridge and Lukaku as understudy's to Torres. In what is likely to be a 60 game season you would hope for Torres 30-35 starts, Sturridge 20-25 and Lukaku 5-10. Sturridge and Lukaku should also get good game time however from the bench.

My biggest worry is if Torres picked up a long term injury, it is massive pressure on two young players to carry the burden of the central striker for the club through the bulk of a season. I think this is why Hulk is the best choice of signing because he will predominantly play RW when players are fit which means Sturridge and Lukaku will get chances at CF. However if Torres picked up a bad injury, and the pressure proves too much for Sturridge and Lukaku to stand up as first choice striker for the club, we have a fall back option of a player who has good experience and is used to carrying the burden of the 'go to' guy at a big club (and I know the Portuguese league isn't the strongest but Porto are a big club with big expectations).

[Kostas 1,468]

I think you're talking about players in completely different moulds. Mata, Hazard, Kakuta, KdB all prefer to be the no.10, Sturridge a CF, meaning only Malouda and Marin are genuine wingers (I mentioned in another thread that there is a huge decline in the number of true wingers in the modern game). There is a huge difference between having a player that is able to cover a position, and having a player that naturally suits a role. Hulk provides a genuinely different option to any of the players mentioned above, I wouldn't say he's a true winger, but he is a different type of wide player than anyone else we have.

I'm not arguing with you, I understand your scepticism, I myself question his defensive abilities, but I think we need a genuine right sided player, and Hulk seems to be the most viable option for the club.

Didn't Joey Cole prefer to be a no.10?

I agree that much of this depends on your general views on the modern game so we can agree to disagree on his uses.

To be honest, the thought of him being an additional cover for Torres puts me more at ease than all his stats with Porto put together.

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

I don't think we will. Since Roman personally gave Torres assurance that he's gonna be the top dog next season, then unless we are after another Pizarro, we won't sign any strikers. And I don't see why we need another Pizarro tbh. I think Hulk is being looked at with the purpose of killing two flies with one swing - to cover for ST while reinforcing RW. We'd have Torres, Studge and Hulk potentially competing and covering for the same position... and if Lukaku stays, then he'd be in the mix as well. For one striker's place 3-4 options are more than enough.

Lukaku should probably go on loan. We used only 2 strikers all of last season and we have 2 or 3 players ahead of Lukaku right now. It was actually quite wasteful of Chelsea to bring him to the Bridge last season. They should have done the De Bruyne thing (loan him back to his club so he can play.) He has some incredible physical skills but he needs to play to develop. Stoke makes sense as they wanted him last season and they play a physical style which I think would suite his development.

[bababoom 4,478]

Gonçalo Lopes ‏@_GoncaloLopes

Hulk almost done to #cfc , only clauses in the contract between clubs are delaying the announcement

Only has a 1000 followers but some journalists are following him like SKY'S Graeme bailey and BBC's Howard nurse