Virgil Van Dijk

[Dazzy_Vance 454]

Don't need anymore CBs. An upgrade on Alonso and Pedro will do us.

[Fernando 6,585]

These are the buys that are much easier to get, then instead of trying to buy from Atletico or Juventus. 

I'm down for this one if Conte likes it. 

[the wes 7,212]

2 hours ago, Fernando said:

These are the buys that are much easier to get, then instead of trying to buy from Atletico or Juventus. 

I'm down for this one if Conte likes it. 

 On 7 May 2016, Van Dijk signed a new six-year contract with the Saints I don't think Southampton will give in that easy in selling him

[DYC. 7,542]

18 hours ago, BlueLyon said:

Why is everyone talking about Christensen like he is the next Thuram?

He wont just walk in our first 11 and start performing brilliantly. If anyone expects that, he will be dissapointed come next season.

At best, he will get slowly in the team and will have to put good performances for Chelsea. I honestly dont care if he was best player at Monchengladback in bundesliga. Its great he has improved, but I wont get hyped until I see him play well in Chelsea shirt.

Honestly, I think he is very good for his age, but he would probably get skinned by stronger, faster or good tecnhical players. He doesnt strike me as reliable CB, hence he likes to keep the ball alot and physicaly, he is no where near the level of what CB should be in PL IMO. He will need damn great tactical atributes to cover up for his physique.

Football is evolving yes, but PL is PL. And I would still chose Terry or Vidic over ball playing CBs (JT is actualy very good on the ball, but he is still a no nonsense CB first) everytime.

He can't be the next Thuram because Thuram was a right-back (who could play in the centre but a fullback first).

He shouldn't walk into the side but he deserves a chance. He's HG and he's an academy graduate. Players like him should be coveted as he could be the first graduate to make it in the starting XI since JT, who made his debut almost 20 years ago. Look at how Stones' Englishness and HG status made him so extremely expensive and receive more praise than he deserved.

Chelsea already have 'no nonsense defenders' in Azpilicueta, Zouma and Cahill. Even David Luiz fits that bill in a way with his physical and aggressive style of defending. A trio of Azpilicueta, Luiz (in his current level-headed form), Christensen (if he does well) is pretty complementary. And Christensen is at that age where he can still be molded in his style of defending and grow physically. Conte should love that as he seems to be a genuine coach.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

1 hour ago, DYC. said:

He can't be the next Thuram because Thuram was a right-back (who could play in the centre but a fullback first).

He shouldn't walk into the side but he deserves a chance. He's HG and he's an academy graduate. Players like him should be coveted as he could be the first graduate to make it in the starting XI since JT, who made his debut almost 20 years ago. Look at how Stones' Englishness and HG status made him so extremely expensive and receive more praise than he deserved.

Chelsea already have 'no nonsense defenders' in Azpilicueta, Zouma and Cahill. Even David Luiz fits that bill in a way with his physical and aggressive style of defending. A trio of Azpilicueta, Luiz (in his current level-headed form), Christensen (if he does well) is pretty complementary. And Christensen is at that age where he can still be molded in his style of defending and grow physically. Conte should love that as he seems to be a genuine coach.

What you said is very true, but I find it funny when people automaticaly throw Christensen in our next year lineup even tho he hasnt played a single game here in two years. He is a big prospect, but saying we shouldnt look for other CBs because we have Christensen is wrong IMO...I agree we shouldnt look for young defenders, but if lets say Bonucci comes available, it would be stupid to say no because we have Christensen.

Im not entirely convinced by him yet, but he deserves chance. However he should get Chalobah treatment, get chances slowly and see how he does. If he shines, it wont be problem to play him, if not we have other options. But it would be stupid to go into next season with Azpi, Cahill, Luiz, Zouma and Christensen IMO. Only reason that might work is because of Conte who would figure it out, but I think if we want to target trophies, thats not enough I think.

Just because of last 4 games, it doesnt mean Cahill is world class and will do fine for another year and half. Thats wrong thinking.

If anyone deserves to get any kind of chance soon is Zouma who actualy played brilliantly till his injury. To throw Christensen instead of Zouma in that 3 man defense is plain disrespect. No way is Christensen deserving chance more than Zouma and from pure football perspective; Zouma is the better defender than Christensen.

Anyway things could change alot in next few months. This season we will see if Luiz can hold it together on consistent level, same with Cahill and how will Zouma react after injury. If everyone plays brilliantly, no way will Christensen get in team next year and if Luiz and Cahill cant remain consistent, we will definately need experienced CB.

And about Thuram, we can argue if he was rb or cb whole night haha. He played both roles great, but he was always more CB to me than RB. If I remember correctly, he played CB in monaco, RCB in parma and then RB at juve, but in france he played CB sometimes, RB sometimes. In barca he was CB too, no? Anyway even at RB he was always the one who defended on par for a CB, which is not common for fullbacks.

[DYC. 7,542]

3 hours ago, BlueLyon said:

What you said is very true, but I find it funny when people automaticaly throw Christensen in our next year lineup even tho he hasnt played a single game here in two years. He is a big prospect, but saying we shouldnt look for other CBs because we have Christensen is wrong IMO...I agree we shouldnt look for young defenders, but if lets say Bonucci comes available, it would be stupid to say no because we have Christensen.

Im not entirely convinced by him yet, but he deserves chance. However he should get Chalobah treatment, get chances slowly and see how he does. If he shines, it wont be problem to play him, if not we have other options. But it would be stupid to go into next season with Azpi, Cahill, Luiz, Zouma and Christensen IMO. Only reason that might work is because of Conte who would figure it out, but I think if we want to target trophies, thats not enough I think.

Just because of last 4 games, it doesnt mean Cahill is world class and will do fine for another year and half. Thats wrong thinking.

If anyone deserves to get any kind of chance soon is Zouma who actualy played brilliantly till his injury. To throw Christensen instead of Zouma in that 3 man defense is plain disrespect. No way is Christensen deserving chance more than Zouma and from pure football perspective; Zouma is the better defender than Christensen.

Anyway things could change alot in next few months. This season we will see if Luiz can hold it together on consistent level, same with Cahill and how will Zouma react after injury. If everyone plays brilliantly, no way will Christensen get in team next year and if Luiz and Cahill cant remain consistent, we will definately need experienced CB.

I disagree with that Chalobah treatment part. Chalobah was/is a nobody. Failing to impress in his time away at the club. Christensen is a player who has impressed and has performed better than all the defenders at the club, bar Azpilicueta (maybe Luiz too, don't know), since 15/16.

Cahill is fine as a back-up. He always should've been a back-up.

Zouma wasn't brilliant at all. He only escaped criticism because he is young and fresh. He was slightly better than JT and Gary but he wasn't good enough either. Very good athlete but so much to learn tactically and his distribution is not good (Cahill is better than him on the ball yet he gets ridiculed for it). And he's returning from a major injury. There's a pretty big chance he won't be the same since his physical shape plays a big part in his game.

Only a world-class defender should be bought. But I don't believe in the likes of Bonucci joining at all. Chelsea are better off trusting and investing in their own defenders than buy a CB like Van Dijk, Manolas or Rudiger. That's how I see it anyway.

Getting back to the top and is a process and it's going to take a while. Chelsea will need to develop players (and buy smart). Look at Juve. Chiellini, Barzagli, Bonucci, Lichsteiner Vidal, Marchisio, Pogba were not top players when Conte arrived. Buffon and Pirlo were legends but not at their best. Same with Simeone at Atletico with the likes of Courtois, Godin, Miranda, Juanfran, Luis, Gabi, Tiago, Koke, Turan, Costa. We can only hope to see the same at Chelsea.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

6 minutes ago, DYC. said:

I disagree with that Chalobah treatment part. Chalobah was/is a nobody. Failing to impress in his time away at the club. Christensen is a player who has impressed and has performed better than all the defenders at the club, bar Azpilicueta, since 15/16.

Cahill is fine as a back-up. He always should've been a back-up.

Zouma wasn't brilliant at all. He only escaped criticism because he is young and fresh. He was slightly better than JT and Gary but he wasn't good enough either. Very good athlete but so much to learn tactically and his distribution is not good (Cahill is better than him on the ball yet he gets ridiculed for it). And he's returning from a major injury. There's a pretty big chance he won't be the same since his physical shape plays a big part in his game.

Only a world-class defender should be bought. But I don't believe in the likes of Bonucci joining at all. Chelsea are better off trusting and investing in their own defenders than buy a CB like Van Dijk, Manolas or Rudiger. That's how I see it anyway.

Getting back to the top and is a process and it's going to take a while. Chelsea will need to develop players (and buy smart). Look at Juve. Chiellini, Barzagli, Bonucci, Lichsteiner Vidal, Marchisio, Pogba were not top players when Conte arrived. Buffon and Pirlo were legends but not at their best. Same with Simeone at Atletico with the likes of Courtois, Godin, Miranda, Juanfran, Luis, Gabi, Tiago, Koke, Turan, Costa. We can only hope to see the same at Chelsea.

Zouma was very good in defending, young or not. Especially considering the state of team. His distribution is poor i agree. But from defensive point, I saw him as very good, but obviously can improve since he is young.

That said, it will be interesting to see him after injury, hopefuly he comes back even  better.

[quickpassnmove 924]

Christensen can play as a CB or CM and Terry is done after this season. I see both Christensen and vanDijk as good choices for our future. 

Hard to tell with Zouma. Athletic, but we'll see about poise on the ball and passing decisions as he gets his chance to grow under a better manager (Conte).

[BoyBlue96 990]

Reading so many reports that he only has a release clause of 25(!!!) million pounds.

 

Holy hell, Chelsea sign this guy up! Would improve our defense instantly. 

[OneMoSalah 8,883]

Wouldn't be against a move for him. He really has come on a hell of a lot since I seen him play for Neil Lennon's Celtic side. Wouldn't go overboard and say he's best CB in the PL, would still rate Alderweireld and Koscielny ahead of him but he's been the most improved CB in the last 2 years in the PL no doubt. 

Has a good presence, doesn't dive in, brilliant in the air, calm and composed on the ball... would really suit our team.

[BoyBlue96 990]

5 minutes ago, OneMoSalah said:

Wouldn't be against a move for him. He really has come on a hell of a lot since I seen him play for Neil Lennon's Celtic side. Wouldn't go overboard and say he's best CB in the PL, would still rate Alderweireld and Koscielny ahead of him but he's been the most improved CB in the last 2 years in the PL no doubt. 

Has a good presence, doesn't dive in, brilliant in the air, calm and composed on the ball... would really suit our team.

He would be perfect to get Cahill the fuck out of the squad. Alderweireld won't leave Spurs and Poch, so I think Van Dijk, as proven PL defender, would be the best to go after in the january transferwindow. 

Koscielny is a handballing fraud. 

[Rekin 835]

The Times are reporting that Chelsea, together with several other English clubs, are after him. If the price is reasonable, it should be a no-brainer. I have previously mentioned that we shouldnt fix what isnt broken but Cahill is not first team material, we should look to substitute him asap. a back 3 of VVD - Luiz - Azpilicueta would be very strong.