Rumoured John Stones

[Unionjack 7,531]

The way £34m is seen as outrageous for a defender while £40m plus for an attacking player is the norm highlights how undervalued defenders are. Defenders are every bit as important as attacking players even more so when you consider that their mistakes are more obvious and costly and put under critical miscroscope which puts greater pressure on them and a good defensive display could often be the difference between 0 pt and 3 pt. Take Carvalho or JT for example (and obviously i'm not saying stones is on their level), If we had spent eye watering fee on them back then, the furore would have been unbearable but they were every bit as in strumental in our success over the decade. The same goes for goal keepers as well.

So why is the contribution of a Willian or an Oscar more valuable to a team achieving success more than that of a JT? That's what the disparity between the transfer fee of Attacking players and defenders in general highlights or implies AFAIC.

I agree and hasn't that always been the problem? Keepers I put into the same bracket with defenders.

They don't get any of the headlines when we win but we soon hear about them if we lose.

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

The way £34m is seen as outrageous for a defender while £40m plus for an attacking player is the norm highlights how undervalued defenders are. Defenders are every bit as important as attacking players even more so when you consider that their mistakes are more obvious and costly and put under critical miscroscope which puts greater pressure on them and a good defensive display could often be the difference between 0 pt and 3 pt. Take Carvalho or JT for example (and obviously i'm not saying stones is on their level), If we had spent eye watering fee on them back then, the furore would have been unbearable but they were every bit as in strumental in our success over the decade. The same goes for goal keepers as well.

So why is the contribution of a Willian or an Oscar more valuable to a team achieving success more than that of a JT? That's what the disparity between the transfer fee of Attacking players and defenders in general highlights or implies AFAIC.

For me at least it's not the price, it's the fact we don't need another CB. Seeing Zouma's development stunted would be absolutely criminal.

[iseah100 5,612]

I mean, when people were so happy to see us spend £26m on Cuadrado, I don't understand why there's such upheaval about the potential Stones signing...

Most people weren't happy with that signing though.

[Unionjack 7,531]

For me at least it's not the price, it's the fact we don't need another CB. Seeing Zouma's development stunted would be absolutely criminal.

This is the only downside to getting Stones for me. We have got an amazing young CB already that we havent put in over Cahill so what would we do with him then? If you tell me send him out on loan Id go scatty.

I personally think if we get Stones we will end up losing Happy. And that would be a crime.

[lionsden 4,689]

For me at least it's not the price, it's the fact we don't need another CB. Seeing Zouma's development stunted would be absolutely criminal.

JT isn't getting any younger, he will be 35 in Dec, This is the ideal time to secure his longterm replacement and Cahill, many will argue is an average defender at best whose limitations are masked by Jose's tactics and the protection he receives from the midfield (same can be said for JT as well TBF as he's not the quickest nor the best at 1v1 situations against pacy players). Also I will argue that Cahill is one of the biggest reasons why we often struggle to build from the back and maintain posession sometimes against good teams because of his poor distribution and ability on the ball. John Stones is the ideal immediate Cahill replacement while Zouma could be groomed to replace JT longterm and the early signs look extremely encouraging.

[oldportblue 547]

Most people weren't happy with that signing though.

yeah now that he's playing like shite maybe, before the signing was made and as it was being made almost everyone was down for it

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

JT isn't getting any younger, he will be 35 in Dec, This is the ideal time to secure his longterm replacement and Cahill, many will argue is an average defender at best whose limitations are masked by Jose's tactics and the protection he receives from the midfield (same can be said for JT as well TBF as he's not the quickest nor the best at 1v1 situations against pacy players). Also I will argue that Cahill is one of the biggest reasons why we often struggle to build from the back and maintain posession sometimes against good teams because of his poor distribution and ability on the ball. John Stones is the ideal immediate Cahill replacement while Zouma could be groomed to replace JT longterm and the early signs look extremely encouraging.

See the Terry thread for my opinion. But the tldr is that JT had his best season yet last season, he is the best leader of men in the prem, he is showing no signs of decline, and I can't even think of the last time he was the worst player in our games, and that Zouma's physicality and pace and power can and will extend JT's career for at least 2 more years, so buying a new CB is redundant for me.

Of course, I do see your point, and it is totally valid, but I just see Happy leaving if Stones joins - I don't think there would be anything more demoralising for a player than doing everything you are tasked upon, stopping the best strikers in the league and then being dropped or loaned out because your club brought an English counterpart.

[iseah100 5,612]

yeah now that he's playing like shite maybe, before the signing was made and as it was being made almost everyone was down for it

Nahhh

[oldportblue 547]

Nahhh

lol just go re-read the thread if you dont believe me

[Unionjack 7,531]

JT isn't getting any younger, he will be 35 in Dec, This is the ideal time to secure his longterm replacement and Cahill, many will argue is an average defender at best whose limitations are masked by Jose's tactics and the protection he receives from the midfield (same can be said for JT as well TBF as he's not the quickest nor the best at 1v1 situations against pacy players). Also I will argue that Cahill is one of the biggest reasons why we often struggle to build from the back and maintain posession sometimes against good teams because of his poor distribution and ability on the ball. John Stones is the ideal immediate Cahill replacement while Zouma could be groomed to replace JT longterm and the early signs look extremely encouraging.

And how do you suggest we groom hm for JTs spot? I cant see JT leaving for 2 more seasons and with Stones coming in and Mous apparent love for Cahill it will put Zouma right down the pecking order.

Hes too good to be wasted like that. We will lose him IMHO.

[cfcs most wanted 657]

And how do you suggest we groom hm for JTs spot? I cant see JT leaving for 2 more seasons and with Stones coming in and Mous apparent love for Cahill it will put Zouma right down the pecking order.

Hes too good to be wasted like that. We will lose him IMHO.

' I can see JT LEAVING for 2 more seasons'

[didierforever 7,349]

I mean, when people were so happy to see us spend £26m on Cuadrado, I don't understand why there's such upheaval about the potential Stones signing...

http://forum.talkchelsea.net/topic/17998-john-stones/?p=884400

what has changed in an year. from "we dont need a CB" to its alright to spend 26mil to 34mil on a 21 year old. JT has shown himself to be capable of playing as well as he ever has. zouma has not proven himself compared to last april 2014. GC is still GC.

i am sorry but we still dont need him. what we need is a CM. rather spend 40mil on verrati or 30mil on witsel than stones.

[oldportblue 547]

http://forum.talkchelsea.net/topic/17998-john-stones/?p=884400

what has changed in an year. from "we dont need a CB" to its alright to spend 26mil to 34mil on a 21 year old. JT has shown himself to be capable of playing as well as he ever has. zouma has not proven himself compared to last april 2014. GC is still GC.

i am sorry but we still dont need him. what we need is a CM. rather spend 40mil on verrati or 30mil on witsel than stones.

JT, just today, said he'd be fine with being benched this season for the good of the team... seemingly opening the door for stones, letting him know he will have playing time. In any case, out of the 4 CBs if Stones comes, Cahill is the one at risk at the moment imo...

[The Skipper 20,609]

http://forum.talkchelsea.net/topic/17998-john-stones/?p=884400

what has changed in an year. from "we dont need a CB" to its alright to spend 26mil to 34mil on a 21 year old. JT has shown himself to be capable of playing as well as he ever has. zouma has not proven himself compared to last april 2014. GC is still GC.

i am sorry but we still dont need him. what we need is a CM. rather spend 40mil on verrati or 30mil on witsel than stones.

What has changed is that JT is a year older, Ivanovic is getting older, we have solidified our team with the Fabregas and Costa signings, and its now important to look at the future to ensure that we maintain an upper hand in the future.

Who says signing John Stones for £34m means we won't sign a midfielder? Who says that that will be the reason that we won't? The two aren't really related in my mind.

[didierforever 7,349]

What has changed is that JT is a year older, Ivanovic is getting older, we have solidified our team with the Fabregas and Costa signings, and its now important to look at the future to ensure that we maintain an upper hand in the future.

Who says signing John Stones for £34m means we won't sign a midfielder? Who says that that will be the reason that we won't? The two aren't really related in my mind.

the 2 examples that you gave just played 38 PL games last season. iva looks to be in as good a shape as he has ever been physically. JT has not played better. so unless, you know something which i cant watch on TV, i just dont see your point.

our future is a 20 year old CB who had aguero, sterling, eriksen and fellaini in his pocket. we are looking to buy another 21 year old LB. we have azpi who is 25. our future seems quite secure right now. atleast for 2 years. along with those we have some one like christensen, who would be ready for first team action in 2 years' time.

have you heard the comments that jose has made. i know we should not read much between the lines, but its quite apparent that we will be making just one "big signing". and i will be very worried if that is stones.