Chelsea Transfers

[ZAPHOD2319 4,814]

These were the people involved in the meeting. 

 

 

[LAM09 7,050]

1 hour ago, Magic Lamps said:

Surely, the ppl in charge were insanely incompetent but nonetheless when Madrid came through the door with those crazy wages the ship had sailed. If Rüdiger really would have wanted to stay the final offer was still good enough. But he wanted that extra 100 pw which is legitimate albeit disappointing. He chose money over becoming a legend. Given how early Madrid went in for him and how long Rüdiger kept his options open, I doubt he would have signed any earlier extension anyway. as soon as TT took over Rüdiger's stock rose so rapidly, his brother and agent Sahr Senesi saw the opportunity to monetise the situation

The issue is not Rüdiger anyway but our overall contract strategy. Not extending Christensen and Rüdiger earlier, even under Lampard was stupid. The club should make an assessment somewhat independent of what the current manager thinks of players. You jsut can not afford to lose proven players for zilch. Even if Lampard had stayed as coach we could have easily prolonged those contracts and sold them at the next opportunity for more than with shorter contracts.

In the current market environment when players try to run down contracts when their stock is high you just can not afford to just sit there and let it happen. The board has to anticipate the squat situation in 1, 2 years and plan their contract management accordingly, not lose 2 players for one position during their best years for free.

 

That might be the case, but we allowed this to happen by trying to lowball our best defender. 

I completely agree with the second part and I have commented on it previously; it wasn't something that greatly affected us previously whilst Arsenal were/are notorious for letting it happen. Saying that, this sort of thing is starting to become a trend allowing players more options to choose their own career path. We need to tie some of our key players down (James being the standout) instead of this becoming all too common within the club.

[OhForAGreavsie 6,072]

5 hours ago, Vesper said:

the only things we have over Citeh atm are that we have won multiple CL's (they have none) and a world club championship, we have a better academy, and we are in London (as opposed to the shithole Manchester)

London over Manchester no argument but there is a compensation. No problem with a stadium and training facilities. Quite the opposite, the city was begging them to take it. Plenty of room to expand if they should ever need to and even on site parking for fans.

In terms of PL capable graduates our academy has done better than City's in recent years but I don't agree that ours is better. The two are both excellent. The level of player emerging from an academy is dependent on their individual quality as much as it is on their education. As I put it, the only way for a Lionel Messi to come out of an academy is for a Lionel Messi to have walked in some years earlier. Supporting evidence for this point; despite the processes at Cobham being honed and mature the depth of quality there currently is as poor as it's been for a decade. Cobham and The CFA can give players everything but talent*.

I like Bellingham, Dembele, Gavridol, Gnarby, Koulibaly, and Nkunku. If we asked them all to choose Man City, with one European trophy, or Chelsea with eight plus a world championship on top, how many would vote for the nine over the one?

 

*Despite what I said above I think you are actually right about the academy being something in our favour.

The impact of an academy comes down to perception. You'll remember that Cobham was heavily criticised for years because it was not seen to be producing any first team ready players. This was a stupid and ill informed opinion. As I argued in those days it was far too early to judge Cobham since it was new, needed a few years to settle down, to get the right people in the right places and to form the right partnerships with local institutions. Most of all it takes time to turn eight-year olds into twenty-year olds with no shortcuts available.

For a time there was no shortage of know-nothing ex-footballers telling people; "I wouldn't send my son to Chelsea." The foolish perception that our academy was bad impacted our recruitment. Many of the better youngsters, those with a choice of more than one offer, were choosing to go elsewhere. The upshot of this undeserved reputation is in the fact I mentioned above. Our current crop is not good because, with a few exceptions of course, we didn't attract the best of their age group. There is every chance however that the lads we are recruiting now, when Cobham's reputation is very high, will be good. It will take many years until we know however.

Edited June 17, 2022 by OhForAGreavsie

[Strike 7,489]

10 hours ago, ZAPHOD2319 said:

 

We are lucky there is a buyer in the market for him. 

[Pizy 18,897]

Really failing to understand all these links to Dumfries. For the prices that are being reported as well it seems ridiculous. We have the best RWB in the country and we’re interested in another right sided fullback for a reported €40m? One that’s Azpi levels of poor on the ball going forward?

Reading what Inter supporters think of him he sounds like someone you’d want in your squad but maybe for like 20m, not huge money. He’s apparently a big time workhorse but is very technically limited which is the last thing we need.

 

[milka 3,393]

 

[King Kante 1,643]

24 minutes ago, Pizy said:

Really failing to understand all these links to Dumfries. For the prices that are being reported as well it seems ridiculous. We have the best RWB in the country and we’re interested in another right sided fullback for a reported €40m? One that’s Azpi levels of poor on the ball going forward?

Reading what Inter supporters think of him he sounds like someone you’d want in your squad but maybe for like 20m, not huge money. He’s apparently a big time workhorse but is very technically limited which is the last thing we need.

 

We do need another RWB. Last season showed that the way two get the best out of TT's system is to have two flying WB's who overload the box. The problem with this is that you need four players for it as it is a demanding position. A RWB is potentially even more important as James is also capable of playing RCB and if we struggle to get our targets at CB he may be moved there.

That said, I agree €40m is too much for him and that there are potentially better options. 

[chelsea_4_eva 1,182]

53 minutes ago, Pizy said:

Really failing to understand all these links to Dumfries. For the prices that are being reported as well it seems ridiculous. We have the best RWB in the country and we’re interested in another right sided fullback for a reported €40m? One that’s Azpi levels of poor on the ball going forward?

Reading what Inter supporters think of him he sounds like someone you’d want in your squad but maybe for like 20m, not huge money. He’s apparently a big time workhorse but is very technically limited which is the last thing we need.

 

I havent really watched him before... How technically limited are we talking about here.. Lukaku, Werner, Bakayoko bad?

[Blues Forever 1,232]

Barcelona would like to offer money around €60m + player for Kounde, although the offer would be lesser than Chelsea’s. Personal terms won’t be a big issue for Barca.

[Blues Forever 1,232]

Barcelona are waiting on the economic levers to be activated, then will pursue 3 targets. Lewandowski, Bernardo Silva, and Kounde. Barca still want to sell De Jong.

[Pizy 18,897]

21 minutes ago, chelsea_4_eva said:

I havent really watched him before... How technically limited are we talking about here.. Lukaku, Werner, Bakayoko bad?

Like I mentioned, he looks like Azpi level on the ball. He’s not going to dribble past anyone with high level skill or burn anyone for pace. He’s just serviceable and nothing more.

Inter supporters really seem to like him because he works his socks off for 90 minutes, but for me a modern fullback needs to have more to his game than that.

[Blues Forever 1,232]

Summary:

Mendy: Extension not a priority.

Kepa: Will listen to offers, even a loan for him to get rid of his wages.

Baxter: Could be a back up to Mendy.

James: Extension should happen this season.

Azpilicueta: Has a gentleman's agreement with Chelsea to move to Barcelona. Impression is that Azpilicueta wants to leave Chelsea for Barcelona this summer. Could be forced against his will to stay, but won't cause a problem if so.

Sterling: Could stay at Chelsea to provide cover for James. Is highly regarded and impressed in pre-season last year.

Chilwell: Contract expires in 2025, so nothing should happen.

Alonso: Barca wants him, now seems a good time for Chelsea to sell.

Silva: A leader and is loved by Tuchel. Could be allowed to stay at Chelsea for as long as he wants to.

Chalobah: Will be attentive to what happens to Kounde this summer and what that means for him. Could leave if Chelsea sign Kounde.

Sarr: A loan move is likely

Colwill: Very highly rated. Tuchel will take a close look in pre-season. Will be watching if his pathway is blocked by any new signings, if blocked he could leave permanently.

Ampadu: Will be decided in pre-season.

Jorginho: Could leave to Italy, but Tuchel rates him and replacements wont be cheap.

Kante: Tuchel wants to keep him, but extending isn't easy decision

Kovacic: No talks to extend contract that expires in 2024. If he doesn't renew soon there will be no shortage of interest for him.

Barkley: Has seemingly no desire to move somewhere he might feature more regularly, contract expires next summer.

Gilmour: Happy with Chelsea activating a clause for one more year, his contract now expires in 2024.

Gallagher: Should be in position to play a lot of minutes next season. Likeliest to be given a real chance of all the loanees.

Mount: Contract expires 2024. Clock is ticking, because elite clubs in England and Europe are already monitoring his situation.

Pulisic: No prospect of Pulisic extending his contract that expires in 2024. Tuchel doesn't regard Pulisic as a starter, but as a impact sub. Would be best to sell him this summer.

Hudson-Odoi: Big season for him now. Contract expires 2024.

Ziyech: Doesn't have a productive relationship with Tuchel, doesn't fit in Chelseas system. Selling him could be the best for all parties.

Werner: Lots of admirers in Germany, but he's on big money, so no club there can buy him other than Bayern who are prioritizing a move for Mane. Werner likely will stay.

Havertz: Nothing expected to happen. Still has time to prove himself.

Lukaku: A move to Inter would be very bad for Chelsea's financials, but keeping him isn't an option.

Broja: Could offer a low-cost, high-upside option to helping Tuchel move on from the Lukaku mess without suffering on the pitch.

Edited June 17, 2022 by Blues Forever

[Blues Forever 1,232]

 

[MoroccanBlue 5,381]

2 hours ago, milka said:

 

This is probably the best thing I've read in a while. 

No more downing tools. The moment that happens, players are gone. 

[Clockwork 1,794]

Why do people want Jesus? He is reserve quality, we are only aiding City in upgrading.

 

Not enough blames is going around Tuchel regarding Lukaku, he convinced Lukaku to move to Chelsea according to the player himself. Let’s also not forget he froze out Tammy, who provides much more to the team. 

Edited June 17, 2022 by Clockwork

[milka 3,393]

 

[MoroccanBlue 5,381]

Ummmmm, if it isn't an obligation to buy than this will never come to fruition. 

We will turn that down immediately. 

[Fernando 6,585]

Option to buy? They will never buy him, it will be like all the Italians did with Bakayoko. 

Dumb move me thinks from us. 

Edited June 17, 2022 by Fernando

[DDA 9,937]

Just straight swap the cunt for Skriniar

[Superblue 6,372]

11 hours ago, OhForAGreavsie said:

*Despite what I said above I think you are actually right about the academy being something in our favour.

The impact of an academy comes down to perception. You'll remember that Cobham was heavily criticised for years because it was not seen to be producing any first team ready players. This was a stupid and ill informed opinion. As I argued in those days it was far too early to judge Cobham since it was new, needed a few years to settle down, to get the right people in the right places and to form the right partnerships with local institutions. Most of all it takes time to turn eight-year olds into twenty-year olds with no shortcuts available.

For a time there was no shortage of know-nothing ex-footballers telling people; "I wouldn't send my son to Chelsea." The foolish perception that our academy was bad impacted our recruitment. Many of the better youngsters, those with a choice of more than one offer, were choosing to go elsewhere. The upshot of this undeserved reputation is in the fact I mentioned above. Our current crop is not good because, with a few exceptions of course, we didn't attract the best of their age group. There is every chance however that the lads we are recruiting now, when Cobham's reputation is very high, will be good. It will take many years until we know however.

Completely agree with this assessment but I think we should also try to exploit the current reputation of the academy not just with kids coming into the very junior ranks but there seem to be more and more players now moving clubs between the 16 - 18 age bracket. I know we recently signed the player from Charlton and we look to be signing a highly rated keeper from Southampton too. It's definitely an area to see if we can cherry pick a few talents from.

Like you said on current assessment the current crop of academy talent coming through probably won't be up to Chelsea standard but let's see. Some develop later and I think to get one or two players in from the academy to perform squad roles is almost as big a success as a first choice player coming through as it still fills needs and potentially saves the club a lot of money. I think few felt Chalobah would be capable of stepping into the role he did last season and whilst the debate is still there whether he can develop further into a first team regular, he's definitely a solid and reliable squad option. It'll be interesting to see how Tuchel views a number of players coming back for pre season like Colwill, Gallagher, Ampadu, Broja, Sterling, Gilmour, etc. Some of these may well fulfil roles in Tuchel's eyes just like Chalobah did last summer. With the World Cup mid season and the introduction of 5 subs, we may find a club such as ours may feel more confident with retaining a couple of extra players next season as more options for playing time may be readily available and squad rotation more prevalent. It may open some doors of opportunity for some players.