Chelsea Transfers

[Jase 43,479]

12 hours ago, Puliiszola said:

Honestly can't understand how anyone can claim that Emerson/Alonso are "fine" as back up options. No sense whatsoever

Just before I get to my next point, I did remember debating about this with you although it was about us unlikely to sign 2 new LBs in the same window. Now that we've gotten 1, we should be going after a new one next summer or if possible, in January.

That aside, what's even more bizarre is that there were people, at some point last season, who thought Alonso would be just fine remaining as our #1 LB and because he scores goals. But guess what, Chilwell is scoring goals and our attacking play in general has also been transformed by having a more mobile, dynamic left back and one who is decently quick and can defend as well. We haven't had any height issues at defensive set pieces either.

And speaking of Emerson and Alonso, it seems like the former is ahead of the latter in the back-up pecking order right now.

[Vesper 28,864]

Father claims agent blocking player’s move to Chelsea – Message sent to Granovskaia

Anel Ahmedhodžić has ended up on Chelsea’s radar following his impressive performances for Malmö FF in 2020.

http://sportwitness.co.uk/father-claims-agent-blocking-players-move-chelsea-message-sent-marina-granovskaia/

The west London club’s interest in the defender has been reported in the Swedish press since the start of this month.

Ahmedhodžić and Markus Rosenberg, his agent, have both refused to comment on the recent reports linking the centre-back to the Blues.

The 21-year-old’s father, Mirsad Ahmedhodžić, has taken to social media to criticise his son’s representative.

“Markus Rosenborg separates the child from the father and the mother… for money. Markus wants to fool Anel,” Mirsad said.

Mirsad has also given an interview to Sportbladet explaining Rosenberg doesn’t want to take Anel to Chelsea.

“He’s [Rosenberg] not doing his job. He has told Marina [Granovskaia, Chelsea director] at Chelsea that Anel is not going there,” Mirsad said.

According to Ahmedhodžić Sr, Italian agent Fredrico Pastorello was the one who established contacts with Chelsea, Milan and PSV Eindhoven, which is why Rosenberg has put an end to any potential deal with these clubs.

“He [Anel] wants to go abroad after the season. Markus doesn’t fix this; he doesn’t have those contacts. I have tried to inform Markus that Pastorello wants to cooperate with him,” he added.

Kvällsposten interviewed Anel after his father made these comments about his agent.

“I can start by saying that I am very disappointed. To write things like that on social media and call other people idiots, not to support me,” Anel stressed.

“I’ve always felt a love for him. But I haven’t felt any support, he hasn’t supported me properly. Especially now that I’m doing so well.”

Chelsea and Milan are believed to have Anel on their transfer lists, but the latter isn’t bothered about the recent reports linking him to top European clubs.

“It helps me positively. It raises the confidence to know that I have such big clubs after me. I will always be interesting if I play this well, especially at Malmö FF which is such a big club,” he said.

“I focus on my matches and my football, nothing else. I try to be as humble as I can, I try to do everything in a positive way, I try to be mature in my answers and my thoughts.

“But as you can see. My old man’s not there. He writes different stuff, especially on Facebook. It’s not the first time he’s [done something like this]. He was at it too when I played at Nottingham Forest, he wrote in some forums there and it has always affected me negatively. I’ve always been criticised for that.

“But I will still help my family in every possible way I can. I always have. I will always, as long as I can, help my family financially, especially my mother. My mum’s always supported me. It’s because of her that I feel good in my head.”

Anel also dismissed that his agent has tried to create a divide within his family.

“That’s absolutely not true. I have chosen Markus Rosenberg as my agent because I trust him fully. I have played with him. I have had conversations with him both as a player and as an agent and in the little time I have had him as an agent he has helped me massively in developing. Both as a player and as a human being,” the 21-year-old added.

“Markus is an amazing person. He’s smart, he’s patient, and he knows what he’s doing. I have chosen him because I like him as a person, because he is positive and because I can trust him. That’s a person I want around me.”

[Tomo 21,733]

Apparently Sergio Romero is training alone and will be leaving United on a free in January.

If he's happy to do another stint as a number 2 we should be all over that!

[Tomo 21,733]

6 hours ago, Jason said:

That aside, what's even more bizarre is that there were people, at some point last season, who thought Alonso would be just fine remaining as our #1 LB and because he scores goals.

I think that was used more as an argument as why he should be above Emerson as opposed to being numero uno.

[Jase 43,479]

1 hour ago, Tomo said:

I think that was used more as an argument as why he should be above Emerson as opposed to being numero uno.

No no no, pretty sure it wasn't that. His goals contribution was used as an excuse, even though he rarely scores in a back 4 especially. 

[Puliiszola 519]

12 hours ago, Jason said:

Just before I get to my next point, I did remember debating about this with you although it was about us unlikely to sign 2 new LBs in the same window. Now that we've gotten 1, we should be going after a new one next summer or if possible, in January.

That aside, what's even more bizarre is that there were people, at some point last season, who thought Alonso would be just fine remaining as our #1 LB and because he scores goals. But guess what, Chilwell is scoring goals and our attacking play in general has also been transformed by having a more mobile, dynamic left back and one who is decently quick and can defend as well. We haven't had any height issues at defensive set pieces either.

And speaking of Emerson and Alonso, it seems like the former is ahead of the latter in the back-up pecking order right now.

I remember. I could obviously understand the club not able to get 2 new LBs, but the stick I got for saying (not from you but others) that we needed 2 LBs and that Alonso/Emerson were NOT even a workable (forget okay/decent/good) 2nd LB, I just could not understand that. But well, each to their own.

For me, a 2nd LB is paramount. Chilwell has been great, but he will have a dry period which might actually be a result of overload. And God forbid there is an injury.

I mean just look at TAA, out for a month. Can you imagine what we would have to deal with if chilwell got a month long Injury. Back to conceding 3 goals a game. Our left hand side becoming a free way for opponents. Just can't let that happen. 

[Vesper 28,864]

Inter Milan 'want THREE Chelsea fringe players in January' as Antonio Conte eyes a reunion with Marcos Alonso, Olivier Giroud and Emerson Palmieri... 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8920939/Inter-Milan-want-THREE-Chelsea-fringe-players-January.html

Antonio Conte could reunite with Marcos Alonso, Olivier Giroud and Emerson Palmieri as Inter Milan plan a potential swoop for the Chelsea trio. 

Inter Milan's CEO Beppe Marotta has expressed his desire to sign at least two new players during the January transfer window. 

The club are determined to sign a new striker and a full-back, but have declared N'Golo Kante as an 'impossible target' as they look to reinforce their squad.

Giroud has been a long-term target for Inter and it is believed the France striker tried to push through a move to the San Siro in January after a frustrating first half of the season with Lampard's side.

According to Football Italia, Conte is keen to sign Giroud as a back-up to Romelu Lukaku who is currently out injured.

The Italian boss seems to have little confidence in Andrea Pinamonti as the former Genoa striker has been benched for their last two games against Parma and Real Madrid.

Alonso has been heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge as he looks to gain more pitch time after enduring a stop-start season under Frank Lampard.

The Chelsea left back previously played in Serie A and his father has hinted at his son's return to the Italian league. 

He said: 'He always talks about his legendary three years in Florence, says that Serie A is a beautiful championship and continues to be very close to Italy because he has many friends there. He has a very good memory.' 

Alonso's contract at Chelsea expires in 2023, but Conte will look to reunite with the defender in January instead.  

snip

[Vesper 28,864]

Enough is enough – It’s time for Chelsea to part ways with their £100k-a-week outcast

https://www.mediareferee.com/2020/11/11/enough-is-enough-its-time-for-chelsea-to-part-ways-with-their-100k-a-week-outcast/

[Vesper 28,864]

Jadon Sancho's form is labelled a 'CRISIS' in Germany with the press fearing he's switched from 'high-flyer to problem child' after Borussia Dortmund rebuffed Manchester United's interest

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8932881/Jadon-Sanchos-dip-form-labelled-CRISIS-Germany.html

[Jase 43,479]

10 minutes ago, Vesper said:

Inter Milan 'want THREE Chelsea fringe players in January' as Antonio Conte eyes a reunion with Marcos Alonso, Olivier Giroud and Emerson Palmieri... 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8920939/Inter-Milan-want-THREE-Chelsea-fringe-players-January.html

Antonio Conte could reunite with Marcos Alonso, Olivier Giroud and Emerson Palmieri as Inter Milan plan a potential swoop for the Chelsea trio. 

Inter Milan's CEO Beppe Marotta has expressed his desire to sign at least two new players during the January transfer window. 

The club are determined to sign a new striker and a full-back, but have declared N'Golo Kante as an 'impossible target' as they look to reinforce their squad.

Giroud has been a long-term target for Inter and it is believed the France striker tried to push through a move to the San Siro in January after a frustrating first half of the season with Lampard's side.

According to Football Italia, Conte is keen to sign Giroud as a back-up to Romelu Lukaku who is currently out injured.

The Italian boss seems to have little confidence in Andrea Pinamonti as the former Genoa striker has been benched for their last two games against Parma and Real Madrid.

Alonso has been heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge as he looks to gain more pitch time after enduring a stop-start season under Frank Lampard.

The Chelsea left back previously played in Serie A and his father has hinted at his son's return to the Italian league. 

He said: 'He always talks about his legendary three years in Florence, says that Serie A is a beautiful championship and continues to be very close to Italy because he has many friends there. He has a very good memory.' 

Alonso's contract at Chelsea expires in 2023, but Conte will look to reunite with the defender in January instead.  

snip

Conte is one strange manager...

[Vesper 28,864]

6 minutes ago, Jason said:

Conte is one strange manager...

he is bizarro world!!

[King Kante 1,484]

12 minutes ago, Jason said:

Conte is one strange manager...

Tbf, a number of places in the press said this in the last window along with Kante and Inter didn't sign any of them. 

[Vesper 28,864]

Danny Drinkwater commissions his own highlights reel in his desperate bid to earn a January move away from Chelsea after the £120,000-per-week outcast was left to play with the kids

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8930429/Danny-Drinkwater-commissions-highlights-reel-hope-securing-away-Chelsea.html

Chelsea outcast Danny Drinkwater has commissioned his own showreel featuring some of his finest finishes as he looks to attract interest before the January transfer window.

The £120,000-a-week midfielder was well down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge even before Frank Lampard’s summer spending spree, having fallen out of favour under Maurizio Sarri.

And Drinkwater has been completely cast aside after a £120million summer spree which saw the likes of Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz arrive at the club - only for his own exit to fail to materialise.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CHXpOPtlDBw

[Vesper 28,864]

Manchester United target Ousmane Dembele could be forced to STAY at Barcelona with Ansu Fati facing four months on the sidelines... as they 'prepare to give out-of-favour forward a starring role in the coming months'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8929107/Manchester-United-target-Ousmane-Dembele-forced-STAY-Barcelona-Ansu-Fati-out.html

[Jase 43,479]

1 minute ago, King Kante said:

Tbf, a number of places in the press said this in the last window along with Kante and Inter didn't sign any of them. 

That's probably because Marina played hard ball over Alonso/Emerson, which forced Conte to look elsewhere. 

Anyway the main point is, Conte seems to have a thing for old, average, over-the-hill players as seen with many of his transfers at Inter. If he had still been here, you can bet that we wouldn't have signed Werner, Ziyech, Havertz, Chilwell etc. 

[Vesper 28,864]

15 minutes ago, Jason said:

Conte is one strange manager...

Legendary AC Milan Coach Arrigo Sacchi: “Inter Coach Antonio Conte Has A Long Term Plan”

https://sempreinter.com/2020/11/11/arrigo-sacchi-inter-manager-conte-is-a-great-coach-i-think-he-had-to-compromise/

Legendary Italian football manager Arrigo Sacchi is convinced that Antonio Conte had to make a compromise and accept some players arriving at Inter in the Summer transfer window that were not necessarily players that suit him and his style.

“He has a long term plan. The question is, did Antonio get functional players? It’s as if the writer and director had a comedy film in mind and the producer brought in great dramatic actors,” he began an interview with Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera, which appeared in yesterday’s print edition.

“He is a great coach, he lives for football, he has one certainty: you can always do more and better. He can seek perfection although he will not achieve it. He asks for the maximum, he gives it.

[Jase 43,479]

We may well have dodged a bullet here...

 

[MoroccanBlue 5,306]

12 minutes ago, Jason said:

We may well have dodged a bullet here...

 

Blessed be the day we remember last January and the absolute outcry on this forum when we weren't making any panic buys.