Chelsea Transfers

[Tomo 21,733]

1 hour ago, Pizy said:

Biggest difference is that Liverpool had absolute assassins across their attack that could score at will. We’d be living on a prayer that Werner and Havertz score 20 each to have a chance at challenging for the league.

At the very least we need a new striker even if we don’t strengthen anywhere else.

But the problem with that is, we committed big sums last summer to attacking talent, (probably) part of the reason Lampard was sacked is because he didn't know what to do with them.

Getting a new forward player in a year after committing big money in that area less than a year ago is bordering fantasy football stuff..

[Superblue 6,372]

1 hour ago, Pizy said:

Biggest difference is that Liverpool had absolute assassins across their attack that could score at will. We’d be living on a prayer that Werner and Havertz score 20 each to have a chance at challenging for the league.

At the very least we need a new striker even if we don’t strengthen anywhere else.

 

10 minutes ago, Tomo said:

But the problem with that is, we committed big sums last summer to attacking talent, (probably) part of the reason Lampard was sacked is because he didn't know what to do with them.

Getting a new forward player in a year after committing big money in that area less than a year ago is bordering fantasy football stuff..

As @Tomosays, a huge amount was committed last season to the attack and there were a number of factors which could have contributed to them all not performing as well as expected (adapting to a new league, moving countries during Covid, no fans in stadiums, managerial change). Sometimes a bit of patience is needed and trust in the scouting and recruitment that we've already done. Not everybody hits the ground running, some transfers take more time. There has at the very least been glimpses or periods where these signings have looked very good last season which makes me willing to trust the process that there is more to come from not just all of them, but the likes of Pulisic, CHO and Mount too.

If somebody like Haaland is available and we have the budget to use on him then let's go and get him. He could well be a generational talent in the early stages of his career. But if he's not available and literally one or two others at the top end of the market, there's then a huge drop off in striking options we could sign. We may also have the same issue as the likes of Werner and Havertz - a new signing may need time to settle in. When people are talking about players like Andre Silva, Vlahovic, Isak, etc - are they really improving on what we already have? I have my doubts which is why we would be better taking the 'risk' that our current attackers can produce better numbers next season. 

Chance creation, expected goals, etc hasn't been a problem it's converting them. But as long as the chances are being created you have to be confident that those conversion rates will come good. We don't necessarily need a 20+ goal striker, we just need our entire attack to step up with 5 more goals each. 

[MoroccanBlue 5,320]

I think if we take last January 2020 into reference, the club held back on stop gap signings. 

[MoroccanBlue 5,320]

3 minutes ago, Superblue_1986 said:

Chance creation, expected goals, etc hasn't been a problem it's converting them. But as long as the chances are being created you have to be confident that those conversion rates will come good. We don't necessarily need a 20+ goal striker, we just need our entire attack to step up with 5 more goals each. 

This is a risk, but the only way I would consider that risk is if Kane stays put. This will then leave all Top 4 clubs without an all an out #9. 

[whats happening 1,542]

lukaku is the best striker outside of haaland who we can realistically get. i would like him here. guaranteed 20-25 goals. i am seriously disappointed that we are not after haaland all the way. we are wasting this perfect opportunity to get him before everyone else.

 

 

[Tomo 21,733]

19 minutes ago, Superblue_1986 said:

 

As @Tomosays, a huge amount was committed last season to the attack and there were a number of factors which could have contributed to them all not performing as well as expected (adapting to a new league, moving countries during Covid, no fans in stadiums, managerial change). Sometimes a bit of patience is needed and trust in the scouting and recruitment that we've already done. Not everybody hits the ground running, some transfers take more time. There has at the very least been glimpses or periods where these signings have looked very good last season which makes me willing to trust the process that there is more to come from not just all of them, but the likes of Pulisic, CHO and Mount too.

If somebody like Haaland is available and we have the budget to use on him then let's go and get him. He could well be a generational talent in the early stages of his career. But if he's not available and literally one or two others at the top end of the market, there's then a huge drop off in striking options we could sign. We may also have the same issue as the likes of Werner and Havertz - a new signing may need time to settle in. When people are talking about players like Andre Silva, Vlahovic, Isak, etc - are they really improving on what we already have? I have my doubts which is why we would be better taking the 'risk' that our current attackers can produce better numbers next season. 

Chance creation, expected goals, etc hasn't been a problem it's converting them. But as long as the chances are being created you have to be confident that those conversion rates will come good. We don't necessarily need a 20+ goal striker, we just need our entire attack to step up with 5 more goals each. 

Yep I remember there was a lot of whining in January 2020 because our rivals were "getting business done" (that business being the likes of Bergwijn, Minamimo, Ighalo, Cedric and Pablo Mari) but instead of going there we waited and were rewarded. Even with the first season settling in period of all our signings they have all done more than any of them.

Bruno is the one from that window that did work well but put it this way, I'll be amazed if we currently had big ears in the cabinet if we had him in our side over Havertz, the guy chokes against big sides every single time.

Edited June 30, 2021 by Tomo

[Styl1994 188]

If we have a bad window fair enough but the window hasn’t even opened yet and we just won the champions League and their is so much negativity what your negativity and panic going to do? Do you think anyone from the Chelsea board reads talk Chelsea FFS sort yourself’s  out some of you what will happen will happen nothing you can do. 

[MoroccanBlue 5,320]

Declan Rice sort of feeling like an inevitability at this rate. 

Wouldn't oppose Traore but not a player I'd trust against tougher opposition. Alternating between James and him could work. 

[OneMoSalah 8,810]

31 minutes ago, MoroccanBlue said:

Declan Rice sort of feeling like an inevitability at this rate. 

Wouldn't oppose Traore but not a player I'd trust against tougher opposition. Alternating between James and him could work. 

I hope we look at alternative options over Rice, there are surely more technically proficient and progressive midfielders of a similar type.

I mean if it comes to it and Rice does come in fair enough but I cant help but feel anything over 50M will be far too much.

[MoroccanBlue 5,320]

7 minutes ago, OneMoSalah said:

I hope we look at alternative options over Rice, there are surely more technically proficient and progressive midfielders of a similar type.

I mean if it comes to it and Rice does come in fair enough but I cant help but feel anything over 50M will be far too much.

Agreed. Just hoping its all Matt Law speculation. 

[Styl1994 188]

57 minutes ago, MoroccanBlue said:

Declan Rice sort of feeling like an inevitability at this rate. 

Wouldn't oppose Traore but not a player I'd trust against tougher opposition. Alternating between James and him could work. 

I think Chelsea will sign Rice but next summer 

[Vesper 29,170]

Report: Chelsea put off by huge agent fees involved in potential deal for Hakimi

https://www.thechelseachronicle.com/transfer-news/report-Chelsea-put-off-by-huge-agent-fees-involved-in-potential-deal-for-22-year-old/

Reluctance to pay huge agent fees is one of the reasons why Chelsea took a step back in the pursuit of Inter Milan’s Achraf Hakimi, according to The Telegraph’s Matt Law.

As reported by Calciomercato.it last week, the Blues look to have been beaten by Paris Saint-Germain in the race for the 22-year-old.

Obviously, PSG’s reported €70million (£60m) offer’s being more attractive to Inter compared to Chelsea’s reported player-plus-cash offer may have been the biggest factor.

But that is not the only one, according to Law.

“I did some checking, and Chelsea’s interest in Hakimi has been real,” the journalist told London is Blue podcast.

While Law was unsure whether there was an official bid or not, he claims that there were indeed talks between Chelsea and Inter about Hakimi’s price tag.

“From what I’m told, there is basically large agent fees involved with Hakimi,” he added.

“We’ve been here before with Chelsea, they don’t like those massive agent fees.

“It seems like PSG are willing to pay the agent exactly what he wants and a huge amount of wages for a right-back.

“I think that has dimmed Chelsea’s interest slightly.”

[Vesper 29,170]

Law confirms Chelsea enquired about Adama Traore in 2018

https://www.thechelseachronicle.com/transfer-news/law-confirms-Chelsea-enquired-about-current-18m-target-in-2018/

Chelsea have been interested in Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Adama Traore for at least three years, Telegraph sports reporter Matt Law has revealed.

Speaking on the London Is Blue podcast, Law added that while Traore had been a Stamford Bridge transfer target for some time, Thomas Tuchel is also an admirer of the Spaniard and has recommended him to the Blues hierarchy.

Traore is viewed as an alternative to Inter Milan’s Achraf Hakimi, who Chelsea failed to sign earlier this month.

The speedy forward is also being considered as competition for Reece James in the Blues’ right wing-back position.

“There’s definite interest in Adama Traore,” said Law.

“The interest in him is very real. There’s a historical interest in him as well because Chelsea looked at signing him from Middlesbrough before he joined Wolves.

“When he left Middlesbrough after they didn’t get out of the Championship a few years ago, Chelsea for sure made an enquiry about him before he ended up joining Wolves.”

Traore joined Wolves from Boro for £18m in 2018 (BBC Sport) after an inconsistent spell on Teesside.

[Vesper 29,170]

Chelsea Star Enlists Help Of Super Agent Amid Exit Speculation

https://insidefutbol.com/2021/06/30/Chelsea-star-enlists-help-of-super-agent-amid-exit-speculation/515891/

 

Chelsea full-back Emerson Palmieri has decided to enlist the help of Israeli super-agent Pini Zahavi in order to sort out his future.

 

Emerson has a year left on his Chelsea contract and he has been heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer.

The Italy international is keen on returning to his homeland this summer after a season where he was nothing more than a bit-part player at Chelsea.

He is looking to move away from Chelsea in the ongoing transfer window and has decided to enlist extra help in order to plan his exit.

According to Italian outlet Tutto Mercato, he has sought the help of Zahavi, who is one of the most powerful agents in world football.

But it has been claimed was taken in consultation with his current agent, Fernando Malta, who has given his permission to Zahavi to manage Emerson for this summer.

He has several suitors in Italy with Inter, Lazio and Napoli interested in him.

[Vesper 29,170]

Chelsea: Can the Blues excel after a transferless window?

https://theprideoflondon.com/2021/06/30/Chelsea-blues-excel-transferless-window/

The question of whether Chelsea could skip the summer transfer window altogether and still thrive is one worth taking a look at for Chelsea Nation. As outrageous or repugnant as it may seem, there may be an argument that should Chelsea do absolutely nothing in the realm of player acquisition this summer, they may be just fine. So let’s take a look at this positionally and see if that proposition is completely ridiculous or just might be a legitimate if not exciting strategy. For the sake of this argument, let’s assume manager Thomas Tuchel sticks with his 3-4-2-1 formation.

Before commencing this evaluation, let’s put this on the table, this space has advocated quite vociferously for the acquisition of Erling Haaland at any cost, e.g. 150M pounds or so. That signing alone would make this summer window a super success. There are other transfers that could also improve the squad, but let’s just say that none of these opportunities or possibilities emerges. If not, what does the side look like in 2021/22, and could they challenge for the Premier League title and other silverware?

Let’s look at the positions. First, at the keeper, the top guy is clear with Edouard Mendy. Backing him up at present is only Kepa Arrizabalaga and no one else. While Arrizabalaga may be a decent backup he’s not up to snuff if he has to step up and step in as the starter. Since Mendy could be injured and will also go to the African Cup of Nations, this is a tough issue to face in this potential strategy. If there are no transfers to bolster this spot, then Chelsea will have to go to the Academy and bring up a third keeper to take the Willy Caballero spot. All-in-all, it’s not a great situation.

In the central defense, things look better but there are also issues. Three key defenders are in the last year of their contracts. Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen, and Antonio Rudiger are short-timers at present. If they are not signed to extensions, then they all should be sold. How would that impact the side? Dramatically, of course. It’s not going to happen. So, let’s assume for argument’s sake that all three are extended. Then along with Thiago Silva and Kurt Zouma this unit is set. It’s solid through and through.

In the defensive midfield, the team is stocked with stars. With N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, and Billy Gilmour on hand (if he is not foolishly sent out on loan), they are likely as deep as any club in the world at the position. No transfers? No problem at the defensive midfield. Chelsea is set there. At attacking midfield or wingback, the side has Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and at times Mason Mount. Again, there is a wealth of talent to employ and that’s not to mention the Academy players who could be inserted into the team. These include Tino Livramento, Lewis Bate, and the already Premier League battle-tested Conor Gallagher. This is solid depth, indeed. No worries there either.

Okay, so far so good, so let’s take a look at the forwards. Available at present at striker are Timo Werner (whose position is somewhat fuzzy at the moment), Kai Havertz who can function as a false nine, and the proven strikers, Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud. In addition, Armando Broja could be a nice addition for Cup games and as a substitute. He’s a superb young talent who scored 11 goals in 34 appearances for Vitesse on loan last season and is just waiting for his opportunity. All of those are under contract to Chelsea for next season. No dearth of talent there. None at all.

So, finally, let’s take a look at the wingers. First, Werner can also play on the left as well as in the middle. Then, you have Captain America, Christian Pulisic who is avoiding injury away from a breakout season on that side. On the right, there is also no lack of top talent. You have the Moroccan Magician, Hakim Ziyech, and Callum Hudson-Odoi who can also play at wing-back, if necessary. There is plenty of talent there, as well.

So, to conclude, should the Blues decide to sell fringe players perhaps, yet not buy any additional players, they still seem to be well-situated to do just fine with the talent on hand, thank you. New signings, especially big signings such as Haaland, are always exciting and welcomed. Yet, upon further analysis, this Chelsea side as currently constituted, in adding outstanding young players from their academy may very well be able to challenge if not win any and all competitions in which it will contend. This is just an exercise and not a suggestion. But, the bottom line here is, if the Blues stand pat with what they have, it seems upon further analysis that they will be just fine.

[Vesper 29,170]

Chelsea doesn’t necessarily need to sign a striker right now

https://theprideoflondon.com/2021/06/29/Chelsea-doesnt-necessarily-need-striker/

 

Chelsea won the Champions League for the second time one month ago today. Despite some underwhelming debutants, a managerial change, a domestic struggle and a few other hurdles during the campaign, the Blues managed to win club football’s largest prize. Thomas Tuchel will now be given a preseason to address any concerns he has in his side as Chelsea looks to defend its title. Part of this process requires the addition and subtraction of some first team players.

The transfer window opened up earlier this month and although the Blues have been relatively uninvolved thus far, that isn’t expected to be the case in a few weeks. The continent’s top players, and a plethora of Chelsea targets, are still involved in the 2020 European Championships. This means the transactions of said prospects are relatively impossible for the time being; that won’t be the case for long though. Roman Abramovich has reportedly given Tuchel a massive budget to work with as he chases more trophies. One of the main positions that Blues supporters have begged their team to address is the striker spot, but that might not be necessary right now.

Chelsea doesn’t exactly need a new striker at this moment in time.

Three names have been heavily linked with Chelsea, each would be dream signings. Those individuals are Harry Kane (Tottenham), Erling Haaland (Dortmund) and Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan). Each potential transfer poses its own unique challenges though.

The mountain to climb in the pursuit of Kane is Daniel Levy’s stubbornness. A deal for the English No. 9 is unlikely due to the rivalry between the two clubs, but there is no doubt Marina Granovskaia will try to work her magic regardless. Stubbornness presents itself as a worthy opponent again as it relates to the Haaland rumors. Dortmund has shown the world during the Jadon Sancho saga that it means business. When the so-called “world’s largest selling club” puts a price on a player, it stays true to that figure until the fee is paid or the window slams shut. Haaland’s price tag is massive, so it’s truly a question of whether or not Abramovich considers the striker worth the money. Lastly, Lukaku has publicly expressed his desire to remain in Italy, despite the departure of Antonio Conte. Any move for the Belgian forward would require a large fee, but at the end of the day, the player decides what his future holds.

If Chelsea is unable to secure the services of any of these strikers, it’s got a few more options. Alexander Isak and Dusan Vlahovic are two promising, young stars the Blues could pursue. They both enjoyed fantastic domestic seasons in La Liga and Serie A respectively, but there are questions about the longevity of their successes, unlike with the aforementioned trio.

Supporters of the reigning European Champions don’t always see eye-to-eye, they do all agree that Chelsea cannot revert back to its pre-transfer ban strategy though. The Blues purchased a handful of individuals during that period who are widely regarded as horrible deals in hindsight. For this reason, it’s not necessary for Chelsea to target a striker on the market should Kane, Haaland and Lukaku stay put.

The Blues had their fair share of attacking struggles last season. They didn’t always play the free-flowing, attacking football some have hoped for under Tuchel. Nevertheless, Chelsea got results. A top four finish, an FA Cup final appearance and a UCL trophy are nothing to dismiss. It’s easy to blame the No. 9s or a manager’s tactics when teams aren’t scoring, but perhaps it’s something more. It was recently concluded that the Blues’ problem is the fact they do not create enough chances; as opposed to the strikers’ play.

If Chelsea is unable to sign Kane, Haaland or Lukaku, it should focus its resources on identifying a proper playmaker. The Blues currently have a handful of players capable of playing striker in Werner, Kai Havertz, Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud. It must be said that until the latter two are sold, they are still a part of this teams’ plans. Out of those four individuals, Tuchel should surely be able to make something work given the fact they’re all proven goalscorers.

Having a world class No. 9 at your disposal never hurts. Elite goalscorers are a luxury in modern day football. That being said, it’s not required to succeed. One doesn’t have to look outside of England to see examples of clubs succeeding while lacking a traditional striker. Liverpool won the Champions League and Premier League with Roberto Firmino up top. Man City won the Premier League and made a UCL final last season playing a false nine for the majority of the campaign. As mentioned earlier, the Blues won the Champions League with Werner and Havertz rotating up top. A world class striker was nowhere to be found in any of these teams (at least not yet in the latter’s case), yet they achieved great success in the world’s two biggest leagues.

The Blues are still in a position to triumph if they don’t bring in a striker this summer. Havertz has seemingly found his form at Euro 2020, which is music to Tuchel’s ears. The 22-year-old is one of the most lethal finishers in England on his day and he played well whenever deployed up top last season. Many fans—myself included—would like to see the German get a run of matches leading the line because Chelsea may have itself a true talent already at Cobham.

All of this goes without saying the talk of strikers is contingent upon the outgoing moves and potential transfers. The discussion shifts to not needing a “starting caliber No. 9” if both Giroud and Abraham depart. Further, if any of Kane, Haaland or Lukaku become available, the Blues must act swiftly to sign them. If none of this happens, however, Chelsea will be fine with what it has up top so long as it creates more goal scoring opportunities.

[Vesper 29,170]

just tossing those articles out there for discussion, I am not endorsing their reasoning

[Vesper 29,170]

this is likely bollocks, but at this point, who knows

Tuchel blocks this 30-year-old star’s Chelsea exit against Granovskaia’s wishes

https://astamfordbridgetoofar.com/2021/06/30/tuchel-blocks-marcos-alonso-exit-from-Chelsea-despite-granovskaias-plan/

 

Transfer News: Thomas Tuchel blocks Marcos Alonso exit from Chelsea

According to transfer news from Express, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel blocked an exit for Marcos Alonso. The manager is said to have gone against transfer chief Marina Granovskaia, who wanted to sell the Spanish wing-back to Barcelona.

Alonso has had a stop-start career at Chelsea so far. The 30-year-old played his best football in the first two seasons after joining when Antonio Conte was in charge and used him as a wing-back. Over the next two years, Alonso struggled to play in a back four as a conventional full-back.

However, right in Thomas Tuchel’s first game, Alonso was restored not only to the starting XI but also to the wing-back role he flourishes in. Since then, he has featured for the side but not on a consistent basis due to Ben Chilwell’s presence.

It was looking as if Alonso was pretty much on his way out of the club as Barcelona wanted to sign him. However, Tuchel is said to have gone against Granovskaia as he wants to keep the defender at all costs. The manager apparently wants to keep him due to the flexibility he offers.