Mario Mandzukic

[Pizy 18,419]

Well one thing is for sure, if Mandzukic comes here then we 100% need to bring in a new LB. He's awesome in the air and we can't have Azpi on one side who very rarely gets into crossing positions and Ivanovic on the other side who sails 80% of his crosses into the stands. Willian is just about the only attacking player who crosses the ball.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Well one thing is for sure, if Mandzukic comes here then we 100% need to bring in a new LB. He's awesome in the air and we can't have Azpi on one side who very rarely gets into crossing positions and Ivanovic on the other side who sails 80% of his crosses into the stands. Willian is just about the only attacking player who crosses the ball.

Willian crosses the ball alright but it's mostly cross field passes. He hardly puts in quality balls into the box.

[Styles 9,790]

Madnzukic seems to score most of his goals from crosses in open-play, which is unsurprising considering Lahm and Alaba are the players picking him out.

Our crossing is an absolute disaster, it's unlikely to improve for as long as we have Ivanovic at RB and a right-footed LB.

Just look at the accuracy on these crosses. Our attacking players aren't even that precise let alone our fullbacks!

[Joker10 946]

Couldn't we just ask for Javi Martinez?

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Couldn't we just ask for Javi Martinez?

We don't need him, do we?

[Styles 9,790]

40m + Luiz for Lahm, Alaba and Mandzukic

[Nike 373]

We don't need him, do we?

So, Jose can play 4-3-3

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

So, Jose can play 4-3-3

Has Mourinho expressed any desire to play a 4-3-3 as his main formation?

[Nike 373]

Has Mourinho expressed any desire to play a 4-3-3 as his main formation?

Him vs the good teams....

Also, Martinez is a mourinho type of player. Strong, hard working and a leader.

[Joker10 946]

We don't need him, do we?

Matic+Martinez midfield would be monstrous.

And no before you ask a Martinez+Matic is not too defensive. I covered this with another poster a few months back, and WEAINTGOTNOHISTORY did a good piece on it also recently.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

Madnzukic seems to score most of his goals from crosses in open-play, which is unsurprising considering Lahm and Alaba are the players picking him out.

Our crossing is an absolute disaster, it's unlikely to improve for as long as we have Ivanovic at RB and a right-footed LB.

Just look at the accuracy on these crosses. Our attacking players aren't even that precise let alone our fullbacks!

Its how Bayern set up not the only way for him to score though.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Madnzukic seems to score most of his goals from crosses in open-play, which is unsurprising considering Lahm and Alaba are the players picking him out.

Our crossing is an absolute disaster, it's unlikely to improve for as long as we have Ivanovic at RB and a right-footed LB.

Just look at the accuracy on these crosses. Our attacking players aren't even that precise let alone our fullbacks!

Chicken or egg?

Is our crossing so bad it makes our strikers look mediocre or are our strikers so mediocre that they make the crossing look bad?

Azpi and Ivanovic are both more than capable of putting in a good cross - who are they supposed to aim for?

[petre.ispirescu 4,928]

I'm not his biggest fan, but to be honest a strikeforce of Diego Costa, Mandzukic and [pick a CF] sounds so good.

But this has to be a "Mandzukic plus money" deal. He will be 28 in a few days and he should be worth around €20m I guess.

Mandzukic plus €15m.

[Billy. 2,742]

Mourinho is prepared to sell Luiz, and Bayern believe they can see off Barcelona to grab the £30m rated Brazilian defender (Mirror) #CFC

Mandzukic has two years left on his current £3m per season contract and could look to double his salary on a five-year deal. #CFC (Mirror)

Chelsea set to transfer David Luiz for Bayern Munich's Mario Mandzukic plus £15m (Mirror) #CFC #FCBayern

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

I'm not his biggest fan, but to be honest a strikeforce of Diego Costa, Mandzukic and [pick a CF] sounds so good.

But this has to be a "Mandzukic plus money" deal. He will be 28 in a few days and he should be worth around €20m I guess.

Mandzukic plus €15m.

Sounds more like Mandzukic for Luiz.

[Styles 9,790]

Chicken or egg?

Is our crossing so bad it makes our strikers look mediocre or are our strikers so mediocre that they make the crossing look bad?

Azpi and Ivanovic are both more than capable of putting in a good cross - who are they supposed to aim for?

Both in my opinion, so we need new forward(s) and at least one LB capable of delivering the crosses a player like Manzdukic thrives on.

I'm more than happy to give Azpi the benefit of the doubt, I think he'd be capable of delivering quality balls on his stronger side.

[Special Juan 27,439]

Just get a striker that actually works a defender, so that when a cross comes over he is spinning the defender or darting across him to win the crossed ball.

Torres looks like he can't be arsed to do any of that. Then we will see a difference in the department alone.

[didierforever 7,349]

NOOOOOOOOO... i would have taken him before costa-deal but definitely not now. would mean the end of lukaku.