Chelsea Transfers

[Superblue 6,372]

10 minutes ago, Vesper said:

Aké turns 26 in the middle of next season, so he damn well better be developed at that age.

As to who should be replaced, it simply must be Zouma, Everton will be even more desperate for him, so £40m is hardly a stretch. There si zero chance we can win the league or go deep, deep in the CL with Zouma as a mainstay CB. He is simply not up to the grade on ball handling and passing.

That probably came out wrong. I think he has developed, the question mark on him will be can he make the step up from Bournemouth to Chelsea and possibly kick his career on further playing with better players at a better standard. 

A number of players can do this, but there's always the risk that for some players their 'level' is that one slightly below what we need.

[the wes 7,212]

15 minutes ago, Vesper said:

Aké turns 26 in the middle of next season, so he damn well better be developed at that age.

As to who should be replaced, it simply must be Zouma, Everton will be even more desperate for him, so £40m is hardly a stretch. There si zero chance we can win the league or go deep, deep in the CL with Zouma as a mainstay CB. He is simply not up to the grade on ball handling and passing.

Romagnoli is ripe for the taking next year. AC Milan are pure shit atm, and at his age, in his prime years (he is 5 weeks older than Aké) he simply needs to be convinced to not have a decent team around him until he is possibly 30 years old.

The other main option (Skriniar is going to be a huge target of Shitty, and I finally found confirmation that José Giménez does indeed now have a 120 euro release clause, so no go there) is one I prefer even more, the beast (1.94m pure slab of muscle, super pacey, 21 years old the end of May 2020)  named Ibrahima Konaté of RB Leipzig. He is Zouma on steroids, with a far better ball playing and passing ability. Koulibaly (and is 6 or 7cms taller than KK) level potential (KK turns 30 right after next season, so not worth the insane money Napoli and the poison dwarf will still demand next summer) and already has years of starting and playing in the CL.

The only other truly WC CB's who would be remotely available would be Marquinhos (intriguing as he is also a great DMF) , Rúben Dias, and the hardest to pull of all of these, Raphaël Varane (who does turn 28 near the end of next season, and propbaly only could be pulled if we had some sort of swap (Varane plus another player) deal for Kante (and even that is doubtful, as Real are pure Cunts when it comes to selling.

Ibrahima Konaté

 

24 minutes ago, Vesper said:

Aké turns 26 in the middle of next season, so he damn well better be developed at that age.

As to who should be replaced, it simply must be Zouma, Everton will be even more desperate for him, so £40m is hardly a stretch. There si zero chance we can win the league or go deep, deep in the CL with Zouma as a mainstay CB. He is simply not up to the grade on ball handling and passing.

Romagnoli is ripe for the taking next year. AC Milan are pure shit atm, and at his age, in his prime years (he is 5 weeks older than Aké) he simply needs to be convinced to not have a decent team around him until he is possibly 30 years old.

The other main option (Skriniar is going to be a huge target of Shitty, and I finally found confirmation that José Giménez does indeed now have a 120 euro release clause, so no go there) is one I prefer even more, the beast (1.94m pure slab of muscle, super pacey, 21 years old the end of May 2020)  named Ibrahima Konaté of RB Leipzig. He is Zouma on steroids, with a far better ball playing and passing ability. Koulibaly (and is 6 or 7cms taller than KK) level potential (KK turns 30 right after next season, so not worth the insane money Napoli and the poison dwarf will still demand next summer) and already has years of starting and playing in the CL.

The only other truly WC CB's who would be remotely available would be Marquinhos (intriguing as he is also a great DMF) , Rúben Dias, and the hardest to pull of all of these, Raphaël Varane (who does turn 28 near the end of next season, and propbaly only could be pulled if we had some sort of swap (Varane plus another player) deal for Kante (and even that is doubtful, as Real are pure Cunts when it comes to selling.

Ibrahima Konaté

Him and Werner would be a nice double signing in the January transfer window but I think every big club will be after Werner tho 

[Jase 43,479]

1 hour ago, Superblue_1986 said:

I keep debating to myself whether buying back Ake would be a good idea. He has improved a lot during his time at Bournemouth and looks a real talent at present.

Given the current market (Maguire being the ridiculous benchmark now) I think theres a lot of value if we do as reported hold a £40m buy back on him.

Is he a big improvement on what we have? I'm not sure if he is right now, but I think potentially he could continue to develop to be. And at the moment I dont see many stand outs to buy at centre back for a reasonable price. Theres some very good, young options abroad but that in itself is a risk too.

The other question to be answered would be if we brought a new centre back, who is replaced. The assumption is if Rudiger can get back to full fitness his spot shouldn't be questioned. So is Zouma now ahead of Christensen in the pecking order?

The question here is, how committed is Lampard to our current 4 center backs? Is he committed to them? Is he happy with them? Because if he is, then I don't see the point of going after Ake, especially when he doesn't scream immediate upgrade on our center backs a la Van Dijk at Liverpool. There is also the issue of keeping everyone happy and that position is not one you want to constantly rotate. Will Ake be a guaranteed starter? Will he be happy to be rotated around? Will he be happy to be a backup? 

[Vesper 30,088]

1 hour ago, Superblue_1986 said:

That probably came out wrong. I think he has developed, the question mark on him will be can he make the step up from Bournemouth to Chelsea and possibly kick his career on further playing with better players at a better standard. 

A number of players can do this, but there's always the risk that for some players their 'level' is that one slightly below what we need.

I think we need to reach higher than Aké and go for a killer, truly WC CB

I do not want to start to worry that Rudiger is headed down the path to multiple injuries year after year that clog his career (I will be fucking gutted, he is one of my favourite Chels players in the last 10 years), but it still makes sense to grab a top CB, and Aké is not that, he is a 'settle for'

Zouma is a disaster waiting to happen against a very strong pressing team, and he utterly lacks the passing skills as well, save for a VERY rare occasion

he is a very large physical lad, and offer aerial skills (to a point, he is NOT a Terry, not even close) but he simply is not top class and if we can get around £40m for him from Everton, then we are mad as ass to not bite their hand off IMHO

my number wants, crucial needs (with my dream signings for each)

are

CB (Konate or Romagnoli)

Winger (Sancho, and unless you count the pure pipe dream (I could make the money work, lolol) of Mbappe as a winger, then it is a huge drop off after Sancho as I no longer trust Ousmane Dembélé atm )

LB Chilwell (I have went from open to him to now a must must buy, only other truly class option who will not be outrageous price (think Alaba and Gaya) would be Alex Telles, and this coming summer is the last go round for him in my book, as he turns 28 in the middle of next season and I refuse to recco fullbacks who we will not get at least 3 full or partial under 30yo seasons out of, as 95% of them drop off the edge once they hit 30, as I have documented multiple times since I joined the board) BTW, Alaba (very near same age as me) is 6 months older than Telles, so he is probably off my board for a 2021 move along with Telles (unless they were offered at a superb price, which is a zero chance with Alaba, because BAYERN, roflmaoooo).

then 2 positions that are not CRUCIAL for next year, but do need to be addressed very soon (surely by 2021)

CF (I am wide open as to whom to go after, and a lot depends on what we do with Bats (seems to be becoming the eternal question, lolol) If we could pinch Vardy for 2 years that would sort it, but he will not want to give up being the man at Leicester, and we simply cannot spend a lot on a soon to be 33 year old player IF Watford get relegated, I would make a play for João Pedro (18yo Brasilian wunderkind on Fluminense, who they (Watford) own the rights to) or Donyell Malen (20yo from PSV Eindhoven, 16 goals, 7 assists in 19 games, including Europe) or maybe 22 yo 1.92m beast  Jean-Philippe Mateta from Mianz (14 league goals in only a little over half a season) or finally Pedro (Guilherme), a 22yo 1.85m very skilled young Brasilan striker from Fiorentina. ...............................In terms of NOT completely super young and and already HQ, Werner is 95% going to Bayern, so he is off the board, Piatek has fallen back down to earth, Iñaki Williams has a 130 million euro release clause now, so that leaves a reach like Richarlison (and he will NOT sit on the bench) or maybe Lautaro Martínez (will cost insane quid to prise him off of Inter)  or Moussa Dembélé from Lyon or finally, wild card,  Andrea Belotti, who is ON FIRE again for Torino

DMF (Thomas Partey of Atleti is a STEAL at his £45m release clause and is WC now, at peak now, or go full massive superstar youth potential and grab Camavinga from Stade Rennais (my number one choice) or Florentino (Shitty all over him) or Sandro Tonali (he WILL move this summer, Brescia may well get relegated).. Any of those 4 is a HUGE and smart buy

 

Watford teenager Joao Pedro granted work permit year after signing

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50229832

 

 

 

 

[Tomo 21,751]

13 hours ago, 1905didierblue said:

Which ones though? Rb is set. Cm/cam has jorginho, kova, Kante. Rlc yet to come and gilmour and Gallagher might be able to take a step up.

Wingers we have Cho, puli, willian. A Sancho type player (100mil expense) would mean an automatic starter. 

Same goes for ST. Tammy has earned a starting position for the next year. 

I see a lot of posts saying we need 3-4 big players which seems heavily exaggerated. This is not a squad of 26+ players. It's a young squad which will get better on its own. Tammy, Reece, Cho, puli, mount will get better which will improve the team too. 

My only buys would be a LB (selling Alonso) and a 2nd striker/competition for tammy. While keeping the core same, and selling Alonso, Pedro, Barkley, giroud, batshuayi from the current squad and baka, Baker, miazga, baba, drink water, Zappa, etc from the loan army.

I feel a dynamic left back is an urgent need. I'm still not as sold on Emerson compared to others (he's improved a lot but his attacking decision making still isn't great in my opinion) and I think a left back in the mould of Andrew Robertson or pre injury Danny Rose would transform us going forward. Who? Who knows but there's surely one of them type around somewhere, case in point Robertson himself in 2017 came under the radar.

I've got a feeling contract talks will break down with Willian and I feel a marquee signing Is needed there, even if it was Sancho at £100m the intensity of our game will require a lot of rotation and 3 into 2 will go fine, even 4 in 2 with Willian staying.

Regarding striker Tammy has took away the need for a statement signing but a alternative who offers a different skillset can come in handy (to not only keep him on his toes but potentially partner him), Martinez would be an example of a player that would fall into that category but I imagine Conte would rather sleep with Mourinho then let one of his big assets come here.

I also feel a back up keeper is needed as Willy is getting on a bit and even they in this market will likely cost a good £15m.

Given our current CB options and the fact we look to have two very promising ones in behind, I would put those positions above CB now unless as I said a bonafide top level one is attainable.

[the wes 7,212]

Chelsea have Crystal Palace's Ivory Coast forward Wilfried Zaha, 26, and RB Leipzig's Germany international striker Timo Werner, 23, on their wanted list as they prepare for potential January bids if their transfer ban is lifted. (Express)

[Nicco 927]

37 minutes ago, the wes said:

Chelsea have Crystal Palace's Ivory Coast forward Wilfried Zaha, 26, and RB Leipzig's Germany international striker Timo Werner, 23, on their wanted list as they prepare for potential January bids if their transfer ban is lifted. (Express)

No way we get Zaha, I absolutely refuse to believe this club can be this dumb again after Drinkwater, you only need to look at this stats to see this guy is an overhyped dud.

[King Kante 1,643]

11 hours ago, 1905didierblue said:

So we don't have experienced pros? Jorginho, kovacic, Kante, willian, azpi, kepa, Emerson, Rudi, zouma. If those teams were never just kids, even ours is not. Infact our first team would have atleast 6 players above 24/25 (willian, Kante, jorginho, azpi, rudi, Emerson, kepa).

Stop making comparison with arsenal because our youth are way more talented than them. We have the perfect mixture of youth and experienced players. Tell me the names of arsenal youth and what they had won when they were introduced into the first team. Also most of our youth have seasons of loan experience under their belts and they have proved themselves in various stages of football. 

Our problem with set pieces has nothing to do with height. It's more a system issue which lamps seems to have addressed. Now we are a mixture of zonal and man marking rather than just zonal. 

The point is not to buy for the sake of it. Buys which would stop the coming of youth players. For eg players like Barkley and Pedro, who are senior pros but have no use to the squad. 

A LB, a 2nd ST like Werner while giving youth like puli, Cho, Reece, tomori, Tammy, mount time to improve will be more than enough.

Of the experienced players you list. Azpi is limited and not really a RB for the modern game, whilst it would not be surprising to see Willian leave either. Rudi is a concern with his injury record and Zouma splits opinion on his ability level. You appear to see Zouma as a world class CB, whilst I see a good PL defender who isn't taking us to league titles and deep into the CL. 

As for CM, I do not disagree we have good players but rather that the balance in there is not right as it is currently dominated by small technical players. I do not see that selling Barkley and getting in one of the players I listed is such a crazy idea. 

RE: youth. Yes, we have talented players but as you point out one of the reasons ours have done so well is due to their loan experiences. Tammy for instance had three years out, and Mount two. The players you are talking about such as Gallagher and Gilmour have has a quarter and zero, so it is a leap to say they are ready to go at this point. The real player we have on our books that could come in is Ampadu but he seems to have problems with growing pains and isn't getting time in Germany. So again, a further year or so of loans may be best for him so that he can play. 

Lastly, I do not disagree with your last paragraph. However, with Pedro gone and maybe Willian we will need another AM, as we cannot just have CHO, Puli and if brought, Werner as our AM's for a season. At CM we agree that Barkley needs to go so it is just a case of who do you replace him with, another youth, who currently have minimal loan experience (your idea) or a player whos qualities we do not have currently to prove more balance (my idea.) The only thing we seem to really be disagreeing on is CB as you seem comfortable with Rudi's injury record and appear confident that Zouma is world class, or will be shortly. 

[King Kante 1,643]

6 hours ago, Nicco said:

No way we get Zaha, I absolutely refuse to believe this club can be this dumb again after Drinkwater, you only need to look at this stats to see this guy is an overhyped dud.

I would not go so far as dud but he is a player we should be avoiding. He is cost us a lot as he is Palace's best player and they do not need to sell. He will want massive wages as it will be his last contract and after a couple of seasons his resale value will be zero as he is 27 in a few days and he is a AM who relies on his pace and physical attributes. 

[Jase 43,479]

8 hours ago, Tomo said:

I've got a feeling contract talks will break down with Willian and I feel a marquee signing Is needed there, even if it was Sancho at £100m the intensity of our game will require a lot of rotation and 3 into 2 will go fine, even 4 in 2 with Willian staying.

Rotation is one thing but how much can you really rotate if it's 3 young players vying for 2 starting spots? At some point, they would want to nail down a starting spot for the benefit of their own development as a player. 

Also as much as the novelty of playing young (and English) players is nice, we need to be careful not to lean too heavily onto that side. We need to make sure that there's a nice balance of experience and youth in the squad, a bit like now. 

[Pizy 18,852]

Seems like I'm the only Zaha fan here. I'd love him in Chelsea blue. He'd be super motivated after a big move and will actually have players around him at or above his talent level so he doesn't have to shoulder as much responsibility as he does at Palace. Watching him against Leicester the other day and saw him rage at his teammates about 4 different times because their lack of quality couldn't get him the ball. You can tell he's hungry and aggressive which would suit us well. He's direct as hell and skips past players at will. I'll take him in a heartbeat as a long term Pedro and eventually Willian replacement.

If not Zaha, the Sancho rumor sounds nice. Maybe we could offer Dortmund a similar deal as we did with Pulisic. Buy him in Jan, let them keep him til the summer, and then he moves here. Win for all parties.

Can't believe I'm saying this after being terrified of how we'd do this season back in the summer, but I'm not sure we even need any January signings otherwise. We're well stocked in all areas. We're at least 2 deep in every position when everyone is fit. Makes more sense to buy next summer when Giroud, Pedro, maybe Alonso and Willian are gone than to buy for the sake of it in January.

[ulsterchelsea 3,221]

Zaha... Nope! Werner chillwell and Sancho sounds like good business but honestly I'd be happy seeing no one else arriving till the summer. 

[MoroccanBlue 5,375]

Werner, Sancho, and Chilwell would make a fantastic summer window. 

Just need a natural DM

[1905didierblue 748]

5 hours ago, King Kante said:

Of the experienced players you list. Azpi is limited and not really a RB for the modern game, whilst it would not be surprising to see Willian leave either. Rudi is a concern with his injury record and Zouma splits opinion on his ability level. You appear to see Zouma as a world class CB, whilst I see a good PL defender who isn't taking us to league titles and deep into the CL. 

As for CM, I do not disagree we have good players but rather that the balance in there is not right as it is currently dominated by small technical players. I do not see that selling Barkley and getting in one of the players I listed is such a crazy idea. 

RE: youth. Yes, we have talented players but as you point out one of the reasons ours have done so well is due to their loan experiences. Tammy for instance had three years out, and Mount two. The players you are talking about such as Gallagher and Gilmour have has a quarter and zero, so it is a leap to say they are ready to go at this point. The real player we have on our books that could come in is Ampadu but he seems to have problems with growing pains and isn't getting time in Germany. So again, a further year or so of loans may be best for him so that he can play. 

Lastly, I do not disagree with your last paragraph. However, with Pedro gone and maybe Willian we will need another AM, as we cannot just have CHO, Puli and if brought, Werner as our AM's for a season. At CM we agree that Barkley needs to go so it is just a case of who do you replace him with, another youth, who currently have minimal loan experience (your idea) or a player whos qualities we do not have currently to prove more balance (my idea.) The only thing we seem to really be disagreeing on is CB as you seem comfortable with Rudi's injury record and appear confident that Zouma is world class, or will be shortly. 

If willian leaves, then yes, we need a replacement. But in my assumption, willian will get an extension making the whole point moot. Azpi is a multiple pl winner, El winner etc etc. Even if his attacking leaves things to be desired, he is a brilliant right back and player to have. 

It's not a crazy idea, just a redundant one. Because simply put, CMs are the one position we don't need reinforcements. Just because someone is 6foot 5 does not mean we should buy and play. And over whom? Kante? Jorginho? Mount? It's not going to happen and I can bet that we are not buying a CM this window or next sunmer unless we have a departure of one of Kante, jorginho, kova.

Gilmour and Gallagher can be included in the squad next year in place of Barkley. But in no way would they be the reason of how we perform. I am here talking about the core of Tammy, mount, Reece, Andreas, Cho, tomori. Who have shown they belong at this level. They will improve which will help us improve. And that's the main point. 

I think the main difference is that for me there are only 2 compulsory buys - LB, 2nd ST. I would keep the starting 11 the same as it is now. For me, it's about improving the quality in depth. Whereas you want a CM, St, cb, am , fb (rb and lb). Which is 6 players and 1/4th of the whole squad. I don't feel our squad is anywhere near as bad.

[petre.ispirescu 4,928]

Chilwell, Sancho and Werner would be insane!!!