Virgil Van Dijk

[Artandur 939]

31 minutes ago, lucio said:

Christensen has excelled at a higher level than VD, good performances v Bayern, Juventus, City

Barca...

[Bulshizza 15]

Ake and Zouma are not good enough.

VVD-Christensen are surely better than others.

[Fernando 6,456]

2 hours ago, The Skipper said:

The Hazard/Kakuta comparison is off because these guys are a lot more proven than Gael. Someone like Christensen has a market value of at least £25m imo already. 

Well then we can use other example. 
I remember people saying oh let's not get so and so because we have mceachran, Bruma, piazon etc etc

If Ake, and Christensen are good they will make it with competitions on our team. 

But we need this guy for the height. And not just buying because of height sake but because he's good!

Otherwise we should just get Peter Crouch, having a very physical player like VVD that is good is very hard to find. 

[The Skipper 20,593]

3 minutes ago, Fernando said:

Well then we can use other exmample. 
I remember people saying oh let's not get so and so because we have mceachran, Bruma, piazon etc etc

None of these guys were even at Ake's level, never mind Christensen. None of them even played regular PL/Bundesliga football like the other two. Andreas has even played in the CL. Can't compare. It's not the same - if these guys weren't at our club they'd definitely be looked at by other big clubs imo. Including us. 

[Fernando 6,456]

10 minutes ago, The Skipper said:

None of these guys were even at Ake's level, never mind Christensen. None of them even played regular PL/Bundesliga football like the other two. Andreas has even played in the CL. Can't compare. It's not the same - if these guys weren't at our club they'd definitely be looked at by other big clubs imo. Including us. 

True point. 

Well we shall see. 

To be fair with Ake to me he's more of an utility player like Azpi. He might grow into different roles. 

I will hold my judgment of Christensen till he's back and playing with us for a couple of months. 

That being said I will find it foolish if we still don't decide to buy another CB. And this is the only guy available out there that would suit us good. 

[The Skipper 20,593]

6 hours ago, Fernando said:

True point. 

Well we shall see. 

To be fair with Ake to me he's more of an utility player like Azpi. He might grow into different roles. 

I will hold my judgment of Christensen till he's back and playing with us for a couple of months. 

That being said I will find it foolish if we still don't decide to buy another CB. And this is the only guy available out there that would suit us good. 

Personally? I'd much rather see our funds distributed in other areas of the team. We need a new CM, new WBs and a new RF before even looking at CBs. Also, need a new CF most likely since Costa is probably off. We can't really afford VVD if we're going to spend big in these areas. 

[marflow 39]

5 minutes ago, The Skipper said:

Personally? I'd much rather see our funds distributed in other areas of the team. We need a new CM, new WBs and a new RF before even looking at CBs. Also, need a new CF most likely since Costa is probably off. We can't really afford VVD if we're going to spend big in these areas. 

We have had an amazing run before christmas, but in the last 11 league games we have conceded atleast one goal, wich is a cause for concern. I don't think there is a problem to buy what we need, if we sell Costa to China, sell Batshuayi, add the transfer fee from Oscar and our increased income from sponsors, CL money etc. 

 

[The Skipper 20,593]

5 minutes ago, marflow said:

We have had an amazing run before christmas, but in the last 11 league games we have conceded atleast one goal, wich is a cause for concern. I don't think there is a problem to buy what we need, if we sell Costa to China, sell Batshuayi, add the transfer fee from Oscar and our increased income from sponsors, CL money etc. 

 

Christensen and Ake are essentially new signings. Lets put some faith in the youth that have proven themselves at relatively high levels. People moan about giving guys from our academy a chance, but when the opportunity arises we want to spend millions on a player who just 2 seasons ago was at Celtic.

[marflow 39]

33 minutes ago, The Skipper said:

Christensen and Ake are essentially new signings. Lets put some faith in the youth that have proven themselves at relatively high levels. People moan about giving guys from our academy a chance, but when the opportunity arises we want to spend millions on a player who just 2 seasons ago was at Celtic.

Dele Alli came from league one two seasons ago, so I don't think it matter that much where VVD came from. He has been one of the best defenders in PL these last two seasons, he has superior physical attributes compared to our defenders and he is comfertable with the ball.

I don't mind Christensen comming back and I think he has a good chance to win one of the starting spots against Azpilicueta, Cahill and D.Luiz next season. I don't think it would be wise to fill our squad with "academy products" in desperation of having one make it though, the timing have to be right, like it was for Courtois.

[The Skipper 20,593]

6 minutes ago, marflow said:

Dele Alli came from league one two seasons ago, so I don't think it matter that much where VVD came from. He has been one of the best defenders in PL these last two seasons, he has superior physical attributes compared to our defenders and he is comfertable with the ball.

I don't mind Christensen comming back and I think he has a good chance to win one of the starting spots against Azpilicueta, Cahill and D.Luiz next season. I don't think it would be wise to fill our squad with academy products in desperation of having one make it though, the timing have to be right, like it was for Courtois.

And the timing is right for Ake and Christensen. Let's put faith in them. My point with Celtic-VVD is that just two seasons ago he was playing his football in Scotland, now he's considered by many as a top CB. Ake and Christensen are ready to make that step up, especially the latter. I think it's unrealistic to expect a big money signing at CB unless we sell Christensen and/or Ake, which will be difficult because of HG rules. 

Physicality is overrated. It's important but people overstate it. If it was so important, Zouma would be a vital cog in the system. 

[marflow 39]

12 minutes ago, The Skipper said:

 

Physicality is overrated. If it was so important, Zouma would be a vital cog in the system. 

The problem for Zouma is that his positioning, awerness and technical ability is very limited. VVD has alot more to his overall game and he uses his size to better effect.

[Fernando 6,456]

Antonio Conte demands Chelsea spending spree with Virgil van Dijk and Romelu Lukaku the priorities

Everton striker Romelu Lukaku and Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk top their summer wish list and would cost in excess of £120million

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/antonio-conte-demands-chelsea-spending-10281173

[zekinjo 449]

[The Skipper 20,593]

4 hours ago, zekinjo said:

Doesn't mean anything at all. All of our CBs stats are distributed a lot more because we play with a back 3, not a back 4 (2 CBs). 

[Artandur 939]

8 hours ago, The Skipper said:

Doesn't mean anything at all. All of our CBs stats are distributed a lot more because we play with a back 3, not a back 4 (2 CBs). 

Plus the less shots the opponent has, the less blocks there are to make, etc...

[milka 3,346]

Chelsea have beaten Arsenal to the £50m signing of Virgil van Dijk. We've offered Andreas Christensen to Southampton in return [Mail]

 

Chelsea beat Arsenal to £50m Virgil van Dijk after Blues offer Andreas Christensen to Southampton in return (via @neilashton_) #CFC #AFC

[Special Juan 27,424]

Fucking madness if true, absolute stupid.

[Mufassir08 2,400]

I really hope its just a loan for Christensen or else we'll end up buying him back for 45m in a couple of years.