Rumoured Xabi Alonso

[Special Juan 28,156]

They're different types of players and Alonso is younger. He's still a fantastic player who can spray the ball around from midfield better than most. People have been saying we should get Benat because he could be the 'next Alonso'...well why don't we just get the original for a couple of years with the plan that McEachran or Oscar takes over after that?

That would be planning and we don't want to do that now do we? If Frank goes, he goes, no bigee we will deal with it and I am sure the board will act accordingly. The club won't suddenly stop Frank or no Frank, don't be frightened of change, it happens so embrace it and move on.

[OneMoSalah 8,887]

Take this offer and never look back Roman. Imagine getting Jose and Alonso... would be dreamy... anyone who thinks he is too old well why do yous want Lampard to stay then???????????

Would honestly prefer to see Lampard break Bobby's record and move on tbh. Hes not useful in a 4-2-3-1, where as Alonso has played in such a formation since what 2004 basically?

Mikel - Alonso

or

Romeu - Alonso

is miles better than

Mikel - Lampard/Ramires

or

Romeu - Lampard/Ramires

We won't change from 4-2-3-1 if we are to build our team around Hazard and Mata etc. so buying Alonso for 2 or 3 years before Josh or Oscar can take over seems reasonable. Or do some people just not want Alonso because he APPARENTLY doesn't like Lampard? Jesus what idiots.

[Styles 9,790]

No more ex-Liverpool players. I bet he earns way too much for this to ever be a serious option for Chelsea anyway.

I thought we moved away from signing 30+ year olds on massive fees/wages so can't see this happening.

[OneMoSalah 8,887]

No more ex-Liverpool players. I bet he earns way too much for this to ever be a serious option for Chelsea anyway.

I thought we moved away from signing 30+ year olds on massive fees/wages so can't see this happening.

I don't think he'll earn that much compared to Ronaldo, Di Maria, Benzema, Casillas, Ramos, Marcelo, Higuain, Kaka etc. He'll probably be on the same wage he was on at Liverpool or just a tad more. Can't see that being any more than what €100,000-€110,000 p/w which we can afford easily. If Lampard leaves then that is if you believe everything said about his salary then £150-175,000 p/w off the wage bill... Malouda released too, probably about £90-100k p/w off the wage bill, Benayoun off the wage bill and we can also get Essien off the wage bill too.

[Special Juan 28,156]

Probably best if we get Essien back then who can't pass to save his life and is half the footballer he used to be.

People need to see a bigger picture, there is more to life than signing players that cost 25M plus, a bit of thought is needed.

[The only place to be 11,313]

No more ex-Liverpool players. I bet he earns way too much for this to ever be a serious option for Chelsea anyway.

I thought we moved away from signing 30+ year olds on massive fees/wages so can't see this happening.

The point is that the fee is reported to be somewhat cut-price.

Plus buying 30+ year old midfielders from Real Madrid worked out well the last time we did it, didn't it?

[Sheva. 5,373]

Too old, he's part of the main reason Madrid got demolished at Dortmund, couldn't keep up with their young energetic players. Reminds me of Lampard in a lot of games, early on in the season.

[Styles 9,790]

I don't think he'll earn that much compared to Ronaldo, Di Maria, Benzema, Casillas, Ramos, Marcelo, Higuain, Kaka etc. He'll probably be on the same wage he was on at Liverpool or just a tad more. Can't see that being any more than what €100,000-€110,000 p/w which we can afford easily. If Lampard leaves then that is if you believe everything said about his salary then £150-175,000 p/w off the wage bill... Malouda released too, probably about £90-100k p/w off the wage bill, Benayoun off the wage bill and we can also get Essien off the wage bill too.

I think you're being naive. First of all you don't move from Liverpool to Real Madrid for 30m and not get a massive increase in salary. If we were to sign him it would be his last 'big' contract in football considering his age so it would be more than what he's on now. Why not invest that money into a younger player that could be here for the next 6+ years?

The point is that the fee is reported to be somewhat cut-price.

Plus buying 30+ year old midfielders from Real Madrid worked out well the last time we did it, didn't it?

I really doubt it'd be a cut-price deal when you factor in his salary. Makelele was great but we were desperate for instant success then and money didn't matter then (no FFP). I'd like to think we're thinking long-term now and a soon to be 32 year old player on big wages doesn't fit into that scenario for me.

[Styles 9,790]

Too old, he's part of the main reason Madrid got demolished at Dortmund, couldn't keep up with their young energetic players. Reminds me of Lampard in a lot of games, early on in the season.

He lacks the athleticism and mobility. We complain about that regarding Mikel/Lampard. Alonso is a great passer but we need to be more competitive physically in midfield than we are now.

[Strike 7,511]

Pros: DLP. Stop gap before we consider KDB, Oscar and McEachran for the role. Experienced. Great passer

Cons: His massive wages has not been brought up enough imo. I know Lampard leaving will create a vacancy but 100k p/w is 5.2 mil per annum and with other marquee players are bringing in, I'd like someone who's yet to peak but I wouldn't mind (at all) if Xabi Alonso comes to the club

also, The "ex-Liverpool player" argument should have no bearing in this imo. It's not like Chelsea fans hated him when he was at Liverpool

edit: Styles brought it up

[Styles 9,790]

Pros: DLP. Stop gap before we consider KDB, Oscar and McEachran for the role. Experienced. Great passer

Cons: His massive wages has not been brought up enough imo. I know Lampard leaving will create a vacancy but 100k p/w is 5.2 mil per annum and with other marquee players are bringing in, I'd like someone who's yet to peak but I wouldn't mind (at all) if Xabi Alonso comes to the club

also, The "ex-Liverpool player" argument should have no bearing in this imo. It's not like Chelsea fans hated him when he was at Liverpool

edit: Styles brought it up

And even 100 p/w is a conservative estimate. I would think a 31 Spanish international playing for Real Madrid would be on far more than that.

[Special Juan 28,156]

He lacks the athleticism and mobility.

Jon Obi Mikel is waving.

[BOSS 372]

I want Modric instead of him.

[Styles 9,790]

Jon Obi Mikel is waving.

Yep, you'd think we'd want to improve on that not bring more of the same.

[ulsterchelsea 3,221]

They're different types of players and Alonso is younger. He's still a fantastic player who can spray the ball around from midfield better than most. People have been saying we should get Benat because he could be the 'next Alonso'...well why don't we just get the original for a couple of years with the plan that McEachran or Oscar takes over after that?

they may be but they play the same position and I know where my loyalties lie

[ulsterchelsea 3,221]

That would be planning and we don't want to do that now do we? If Frank goes, he goes, no bigee we will deal with it and I am sure the board will act accordingly. The club won't suddenly stop Frank or no Frank, don't be frightened of change, it happens so embrace it and move on.

no biggie...fuck me

[Special Juan 28,156]

no biggie...fuck me

No thanks, I will stick to women.

[ulsterchelsea 3,221]

No thanks, I will stick to women.

hilarious

[Leif 6,006]

I remember people saying Pirlo was too old when we nearly got him...

[The only place to be 11,313]

they may be but they play the same position and I know where my loyalties lie

They play slightly different positions.