Riyad Mahrez

[Tomo 21,751]

44 minutes ago, Styles said:

Conte can be as demanding as he wants but if we're short on offensive quality (which we are) it will not amount to much. We don't have enough goals or creators in this team. Absolutely agree that Hazard > Mahrez despite last season, but then Mahrez is a better attacking player than all of our AMs and by a huge distance.

The best teams in the world have high quality attacking players and then figure out ways to make it work. We need to get away from this Mourinho mentality of limited offensive power.

If we were on 4-3-3 with three solid midfielders then fair enough, but if both are wingers are incompetent defensively in a 4-2-4 we are asking for trouble, especially if Ivan or Baba start the season in the team, not even Kante will be able to cover that much ground to make up for it.

If we can build a great attacking team in the future im all for it, but after last season thrash we need to go back to basics first and foremost imo, and that's starting with a solid defensive system, even if we have to grind out wins at the beginning, it's easier to grind 1-0s and 2-1s consistently than 3-2,4-3 etc.

[Styles 9,790]

4 minutes ago, Blue_Fox_ said:

lol. You can think what you like buddy, it's a free country, doesn't make it true.
But I don't think Conte is a magician, nor do I think he will give up, just like TSO didn't, on winning matches.
And yes, I'm actually saying that buying Mahrez won't achieve all that much in our attacking play, simply because our current team still won't have that much of an attacking play on the right side of the pitch.
Actually it could become a very weak link in our team if things stand as they are.

True true, maybe we can play Azpi at RW.

[Styles 9,790]

4 minutes ago, Tomo said:

If we were on 4-3-3 with three solid midfielders then fair enough, but if both are wingers are incompetent defensively in a 4-2-4 we are asking for trouble, especially if Ivan or Baba start the season in the team, not even Kante will be able to cover that much ground to make up for it.

If we can build a great attacking team in the future im all for it, but after last season thrash we need to go back to basics first and foremost imo, and that's starting with a solid defensive system, even if we have to grind out wins at the beginning, it's easier to grind 1-0s and 2-1s consistently than 3-2,4-3 etc.

We have one game a week for most of the season so there's no midweek games to worry about. Conte has the perfect conditions to sign quality players (in all areas of the team) and work on them throughout the year. No CL is potentially a blessing in disguise.

All that time to prepare, train and coach shouldn't be wasted on keep it tight, try nick a goal, shit on a stick football.

[Last Sicarius 610]

Eh, i would rather buy one good RW once for ever than buying players like Cuadrado(sorry Willian but he isnt as good as Mahrez) and waste 30mln for them...

For me we can buy RW and CB in this window. And also striker. When rumours start about Kante in Chelsea nobody give it chance and it happens, we still can pick great players.

[Diego 433]

I don't mind us paying over the odds for him just to piss off the arsenal fans! 

[Barbara 15,149]

I wouldn't mind him here, it just doesn't look like the board wants to splash money like it used to, so if Conte really gets the numbers (4-5), I don't think he'll get all the names and in such scenario I don't see us breaking the bank for a position that while needed isn't one of our biggest issues. Which just tells a bit about how much rebuilding this team needs. It's not that don't need am efficient attacking mid, it's just we need other positions mroe.

[WeHateLiverpool 0]

Number 6 is an ice hockey player called Jamal . Oh... I hate the algerian national cup in Turkey. Russija, Russija!

Every hour, every minute and every second is a countdown and I keep hoping. .. I think you've been mislead. My great hope is as vain as nothing.

[Styles 9,790]

2 minutes ago, Barbara said:

I wouldn't mind him here, it just doesn't look like the board wants to splash money like it used to, so if Conte really gets the numbers (4-5), I don't think he'll get all the names and in such scenario I don't see us breaking the bank for a position that while needed isn't one of our biggest issues. Which just tells a bit about how much rebuilding this team needs. It's not that don't need am efficient attacking mid, it's just we need other positions mroe.

In terms of importance, how do you rank our needs for the 16-17 season?

[WeHateLiverpool 0]

Mahrez the same thing as you burger top.

Just finished 30? the last counts as Manchester. 

[Tomo 21,751]

14 minutes ago, Styles said:

We have one game a week for most of the season so there's no midweek games to worry about. Conte has the perfect conditions to sign quality players (in all areas of the team) and work on them throughout the year. No CL is potentially a blessing in disguise.

All that time to prepare, train and coach shouldn't be wasted on keep it tight, try nick a goal, shit on a stick football.

Don't get me wrong I'm not advocating Conte going down that route full time far from it, but if he has to grind out the games to start with while our new signings gel and last season's players get their confidence back, it won't be the end of the world.

I think no CL might be a hindrance at the start, I remember Pep saying once that two games a week helps build motivation and momentum, however at the business end is were the extra break could work in our favour.

One advantage Conte has got is after last season the pining for Mou and Hiddink if things are going wrong will be a thing of the past, also all the old guard apart from Terry are gone, so Antonio has almost got a blank canvas.

[blues.bridge 343]

we should sell first! moses , pedro , Piazon , atsu , mikel , remy , cuadrado etc ! and with the money to make purchases 2-3 : as Mahrez and CB

[Blue Colored Sky 1,807]

41 minutes ago, Tomo said:

If we were on 4-3-3 with three solid midfielders then fair enough, but if both are wingers are incompetent defensively in a 4-2-4 we are asking for trouble, especially if Ivan or Baba start the season in the team, not even Kante will be able to cover that much ground to make up for it.

If we can build a great attacking team in the future im all for it, but after last season thrash we need to go back to basics first and foremost imo, and that's starting with a solid defensive system, even if we have to grind out wins at the beginning, it's easier to grind 1-0s and 2-1s consistently than 3-2,4-3 etc.

Are Chelsea some underdog ? Or they're paying the highest wages in this league ?

Yet Pep will field against us KdB, Aguero, Silva, Nolito etc. And we have solitude Hazard in response.

For a guy like Mahrez there's always a space. Finally we can have upgrade over Kalou !

[Peace. 4,352]

12 minutes ago, Blue_Fox_ said:

lol. You can think what you like buddy, it's a free country, doesn't make it true.
But I don't think Conte is a magician, nor do I think he will give up, just like TSO didn't, on winning matches.
And yes, I'm actually saying that buying Mahrez won't achieve all that much in our attacking play, simply because our current team still won't have that much of an attacking play on the right side of the pitch.
Actually it could become a very weak link in our team if things stand as they are.

In a theoritical point of view I am agree with you : as long as we do not improve our defense and our central-midfield — both in terms of attack and defense —, buying quality attacking players will not change a lot of things.

Yet on a practical point of view, things might be more complicated. First, as I have mentioned it yesterday on this thread, we are seemingly not interested in buying a central playmaker. All central defenders of quality are unattainable for us — either they are too expensive, their club are not selling, they signed a new contract or are not interested in us. As for the full-back, we seem to be happy with what we have.

So indeed it would have been perfect if we could have bought Modric, Bonucci and Alaba (random names), but as of right now, it appears that it will be very, very difficult to dramatically improve our back line and our central midfield (at least for the short/med term).

Thus we have to think in terms of opportunities. The advanced-midfield is not the priority yet it still has to be improved — actually, all our departments, bar the goalkeeping position, need to be improved. Therefore, if very good defenders are not available but we have the opportunity the sign a very good attacking player, we should do it even if it is not the priority.

Furthermore, mediocrity all over the pitch — or "balance" if we want to be polite — should be avoided like the plague. Pep's Barcelona was that good because Xavi-Busquets-Iniesta was out of this world ; Enrique's Barcelona because Neymar-Suarez-Messi is out of this world. We have to take a clear stance a decide to overpower one of our departments, be it our defense, our midfield or our attack. Yet today all of them are mediocre.

Finally, our attacking department is not good enough and there is only Hazard that can make things happen. So having someone else that can share Hazard's burden would not be a lust but a necessity (I am waiting to hold judgment in regards to Batshuyia, but the more the merrier).

For all these reasons, if we have the opportunity to sign Mahrez — or any "very" good attacking player —, we should grab it. Of course if the choice is either Bonucci/Modric or Mahrez, we should take the former(s), but I doubt very much we will have this choice.

[Last Sicarius 610]

6 minutes ago, WeHateLiverpool said:

Chelsea are dog shit. Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham are better.

You all plastic glory hunters who don't know anything think about football.

Chelshit Fc established 2004

You have racist fans.

Fuck off 

 Sleep good Angel.

I like see shitty post about us, ah some fans of other clubs are still mad 

And u sound like 4rsenal fan, nothing new that u are piss off, every good players dont want to join to your club. 

[Tomo 21,751]

5 minutes ago, Blue Colored Sky said:

Are Chelsea some underdog ? Or they're paying the highest wages in this league ?

Yet Pep will field against us KdB, Aguero, Silva, Nolito etc. And we have solitude Hazard in response.

For a guy like Mahrez there's always a space. Finally we can have upgrade over Kalou !

 

5 minutes ago, Blue Colored Sky said:

Are Chelsea some underdog ? Or they're paying the highest wages in this league ?

Yet Pep will field against us KdB, Aguero, Silva, Nolito etc. And we have solitude Hazard in response.

For a guy like Mahrez there's always a space. Finally we can have upgrade over Kalou !

If we signed Nolito this forum would moan because he's nearly 30 and not world class.

I can't pretend I've watched much of Nolito but I'm guessing he's good at tracking back and the off the ball stuff? Which would offer vital balance to Peps side.

Also Pedro was a important player for Pep, that alone should suggest he can be useful if utilised correct.

We don't have to make yourself underdog, but we also by equal measure dont have to go all Real Madrid and chase Galaticos/flavour of the months.