Your ideal team for next season ?

[DYC. 7,542]

We'd be absolutely unstoppable domestically if we signed Bale and Varane. This team would score 100+ goals and no one would dare say we're boring again.

I really hope José begs Roman to allow him to sign Bale. The funds are there. Like GNev said yesterday, we'd dominate English football for years with him in our side.

Bale would be wonderful but he's too expensive. You're fooling yourself if you think he's going for anything less than €100 mil. Real sells for top dollar, even their fringe players go for top prices (Morata to Juventus for €20 mil for example).

[Pizy 18,994]

Bale would be wonderful but he's too expensive. You're fooling yourself if you think he's going for anything less than 100 mil. Real sells for top dollar, even their fringe players go for top prices (Morata to Juventus for 20 mil for example).

That's true. But is it not worth it? We walked the league this season without a tremendous amount of firepower up front. Imagine if we added another 25 goal scorer.

The trophies we'd win and the TV money that'll be kicking in will make up for the huge transfer fee. He's also a super marketable player. He'd have one of the highest selling shirts in the world and would elevate our global profile even higher. It would be a signal of intent to the rest of Europe that we're ready to join the Real Madrid's, Barca's, and Bayern's of the world.

Hazard is the most fouled player in Europe and wins us so many free kicks around the box. Imagine Bale taking those and scoring loads of screamers instead of floating in a hundred aimless crosses. Imagine a counter attack with Hazard, Bale, Willian, and Costa running at teams with Cesc spraying the ball up to them.

He's homegrown, still young, proven that he can dominate the league, and is the absolute model of a José Mourinho player. No brainier.

[didierforever 7,349]

Courtois

Clyne - Varane - Terry - Azpi

Matic - Fabregas

Sterling - Willian - Hazard

Costa

Begovic, Loftus-Cheek, Luis, Lacazette, Zouma, Ramire

clyne - 20mil

varane - 30mil

sterling - 50mil

begovic - 10mil

lacazzete - 20mil

130mil pounds easily!!!!!

[bababoom 4,478]

If we get Bale -

Courtois

Clyne - Verane - Terry/Zouma- Azpi

Schneiderlin - Matic

Bale - Fabregas - Hazard

Costa

Subs - RLC, Willian, Terry, Lacazette, New GK.

Alternative

Courtios

Coleman - Stones - Terry/Zouma - Azpi

Koke - Matic

Sterling - Cesc - Hazard

Costa

Subs - Willian, RLC, Icardi, New GK, Terry/Zouma

[DYC. 7,542]

That's true. But is it not worth it? We walked the league this season without a tremendous amount of firepower up front. Imagine if we added another 25 goal scorer.

The trophies we'd win and the TV money that'll be kicking in will make up for the huge transfer fee. He's also a super marketable player. He'd have one of the highest selling shirts in the world and would elevate our global profile even higher. It would be a signal of intent to the rest of Europe that we're ready to join the Real Madrid's, Barca's, and Bayern's of the world.

Hazard is the most fouled player in Europe and wins us so many free kicks around the box. Imagine Bale taking those and scoring loads of screamers instead of floating in a hundred aimless crosses. Imagine a counter attack with Hazard, Bale, Willian, and Costa running at teams with Cesc spraying the ball up to them.

He's homegrown, still young, proven that he can dominate the league, and is the absolute model of a José Mourinho player. No brainier.

I don't know if he's worth it. 100+ mil is crazy money (and that's without wages, signing and agent fees, bonuses). Can the club afford it?

And how would it affect the funds for other additions to the squad? You mention Varane. If Varane would sign, and that's a big if, you're looking at another major price. Real player, French international, signed a 5 year contract (2020), hottest young defender on the planet. That's €50/60 mil. And there would still be a need for some additional squad options.

Bale's a fantastic player but looking for a player with potential, a new star for less money might be the way to go here. I would support the signing of Bale but I don't think it will happen.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

It seems unlikely we would sign Bale. Sterling more likely imo. Clyne in means we will sell Luis. 2 HG players, sounds good to me.

[Rom2013 446]

If Bale is available we should buy him no matter what. In my opinion I wouldn't care if we don't buy a CB or a CM if we only can get Bale. Bale and Neymar are the "new" Cristiano and Messi... they are worst than those 2 but they are special, they have "similar" numbers, they are that kind of player. If we can get Bale and Varane would be magnificent.

My team in that case would be:

-----------------Courtois-------------------

Iva----------Varane--------Terry---Azpi

---------------Matic--------Fabregas----

Bale------------Willian--------Hazard---

-------------------Costa--------------------

But again, if Bale is available he should be the main target, don't really care about the rest.

If Bale is not available my main target would be Pogba for the same reason, The only player comparable to Yaya, young, strong, can play everywhere in the midfield. He is the perfect midfilder. Again after that if we an get Varane would be perfect.

-----------------Courtois-------------------

Iva----------Varane--------Terry---Azpi

---------------Matic--------Pogba---------

Willian------------Fabregas----Hazard---

------------------- Costa--------------------

I would have more doubts about this because I don't like Fabregas that much in the 10, but I think we would play a 4-3-3 and that would give the defensive stability we miss, and the players can change positions all the time. A pivot Matic Pogba seems so tough.

If we don't have money to buy a super star like those 2, or Madrid don't let Varane go I would go for players like Kondogbia/Schneiderlin to replace Mikel, for Sterling and a good CB I (don't really know who would be but a good CB of any great team in Europe that would cost something like 20Mpounds - Pique seems that he is not going anywhere, we would have been a great option)

[DYC. 7,542]

clyne - 20mil

varane - 30mil

sterling - 50mil

begovic - 10mil

lacazzete - 20mil

130mil pounds easily!!!!!

No one is paying 50 mil pounds for Sterling. If Liverpool won't accept less, strike a deal with Sterling to join when his contract runs out.

Sam Wallace of The Independent suggests Sterling could utilise a controversial ruling to secure a transfer away: "One option that is open to Sterling is the invoking of FIFA's Article 17 governing transfers which would allow him to buy out the final year of the two left on his deal."

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2338671-raheem-sterling-liverpool-contract-latest-news-and-rumours-on-anfield-star

Of course, Chelsea would give him the money (indirectly) to do so. He'd be public enemy #1 in Liverpool though.

[jeronimo 130]

Courtois

Azpi Varane Terry Luis

Koke Matic

Bale Fabregas Hazard

Costa

Or replace Bale with Griezman/Reus

[Pizy 18,994]

I don't know if he's worth it. 100+ mil is crazy money (and that's without wages, signing and agent fees, bonuses). Can the club afford it?

And how would it affect the funds for other additions to the squad? You mention Varane. If Varane would sign, and that's a big if, you're looking at another major price. Real player, French international, signed a 5 year contract (2020), hottest young defender on the planet. That's €50/60 mil. And there would still be a need for some additional squad options.

Bale's a fantastic player but looking for a player with potential, a new star for less money might be the way to go here. I would support the signing of Bale but I don't think it will happen.

Oh, there's no way we'd pay £100m for him that's for sure. I think if we were indeed after him we'd first sell a couple to partially fund it.

As for Varane, I'd be shocked if we got him. Or any CB for that matter. Can't see José just dropping Cahill after the way he has rebounded this season and regained from. If we bought a world class CB this summer Cahill and Zouma would never play.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Courtois

Ivano Terry Cahill Dave

Matic Cesc

Willian Oscar Hazard

Costa

That team would be amazing, one can dream

No way we could win PL and one cup with that line up

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

And I don't think we need Varane when Cahill, Terry and Zouma still in the squad for next season. Varane too good to be benched, and basically it will 'kill' Zouma. Next year maybe.

[DYC. 7,542]

Oh, there's no way we'd pay £100m for him that's for sure. I think if we were indeed after him we'd first sell a couple to partially fund it.

As for Varane, I'd be shocked if we got him. Or any CB for that matter. Can't see José just dropping Cahill after the way he has rebounded this season and regained from. If we bought a world class CB this summer Cahill and Zouma would never play.

What are the chances of the likes of Real, Barca, Bayern, Man Utd, Man City going crazy and offer huge money for Cahill, Ivanovic, Oscar, Mikel and Ramires, the undisputed Chelsea stars?

[Madmax 9,219]

4-3-3

Courtois

Azpi----Zouma---JT-----Luis

Matic

Pogba/Koke----Cesc

Reus/Bale-------------Hazard

Costa

That's a workable balance between being realistic and taking the next step from this season, imo.

[Leif 6,006]

Courtois;

Dave, Zouma, Terry, Luis;

Fabregas, Matic;

I really don't care, someone good; Willian, Hazard;

Costa

I'm not about to move Fab from his preferred position and remove all the great things Willian brings to a team just because it's another transfer window. We could use a right winger but only if Willian is central. If Willian goes back wide, we either pursue with Oscar which I'm sure will suffice, or, we go for some big name in the centre. But besides that I think our squad already has the potential to field a perfect XI.

We should focus on solid back-ups. Back-ups who aren't actually expecting to be starting 20+ games a season for us, a-la Schurrle or Lukaku. Sort that out and we will be rosy.

[Blue Colored Sky 1,807]

And I don't think we need Varane when Cahill, Terry and Zouma still in the squad for next season. Varane too good to be benched, and basically it will 'kill' Zouma. Next year maybe.

So you actually think that Varane would be on the bench because Cahill is here ?

Zouma is 20 years old kid with still much to learn about positioning. He has his time. Varane is way ahead of him in his development.

If we really want to subdue to any big side we face, let's not sign fast, proactive, ball-playing CB. But if we want to really go toe to toe with them and play like a comparable side, then CB is no 1 priority.

[bethos1 802]

I just hope I don't have to see another season of Azpi at LB, other than that I expect Mou to make the right buys in the summer.

[Ollie 4,400]

I'd simply add Bale ahead of Oscar. That's all we need to do.

[Kieran. 6,317]

I'd simply add Bale ahead of Oscar. That's all we need to do.

Agreed, maybe Pogba if he wants to come but Hazard - Willian - Bale would be amazing.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

clyne - 20mil

varane - 30mil

sterling - 50mil

begovic - 10mil

lacazzete - 20mil

130mil pounds easily!!!!!

Hm. I'm inclined to give the club the benefit of doubt on striking good bargains, on the evidence of Mourinho's return. Clyne & Sterling will be on their last year of their contracts so they could be brought down.. Clyne is perhaps accurate but not Sterling. I'm sure we can get Begovic for a bit under if Mourinho can convince him.