Chelsea Transfers

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8 hours ago, TheHulk said:

 

It's hard to take anything at face value where Twitter is concerned. However, if there's an ounce of truth in this, I'd have the slightest bit of faith in those starting to make the right additions.

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12 hours ago, Reddish-Blue said:

I feel bad for both Caicedo and Enzo as they'll never live up to the price tags that were paid for them.

we do not, if we are being 100% honest, know this yet at all

[OneMoSalah 8,785]

15 hours ago, Reddish-Blue said:

I just think it was pretty poor squad planning to let 200+ games of experience walk out the door for minimal transfer fees and then put 200+ million into 2 talented but very young midfielders without any experience around them. 

I feel bad for both Caicedo and Enzo as they'll never live up to the price tags that were paid for them.   When you spend 100+ million on a mid, you're expecting goals or assists or something special every single game (like a Hazard or Bellingham or even at a stretch a motivated Pogba). 

Exactly.

But at this time last January, umpteen folk on here - some folk had wanted to sell Kante for years as he was “done” despite miraculously being 100% fit since leaving here (shock horror), some who didn’t think Jorginho and Kovacic had anything else to offer at all - were all sitting there thinking it was too good to not do what we started then.

Then to quote many on here this summer “Enzo, Lavia and Caicedo would be amongst the best MF 3 in the PL/Europe”. Now they’ve changed their tune and there is a lot of “we need to sign an experienced midfielder”? We had 3 of them that would of all done more than sufficient…. Poor planning from the board if we do go and recruit an experienced midfielder for a huge fee. 

2 hours ago, Vesper said:

we do not, if we are being 100% honest, know this yet at all

When you look at any player irrespective of their position, for fees of £105m and £115m - you are 90% of the time expecting goals and assist contributions and we all know this isn’t any of the reasons why we signed either of them. Or for them to be the very best in their positions. They may become very good players but it is very rare midfielders are ever going to be worth £100m+ particularly in this modern day and age.

The likes of Zidane, Modric, de Bruyne, Iniesta, Busquets, Gerrard, Lampard, Kroos, Scholes, Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Pirlo etc are amongst the very very elite midfielders who would be worth £100m + now from a period of the past 10-20 years. But these were/are the very best of the very best. Caicedo and Fernandez have literally 150 games between them and honestly I am not particularly impressed with the pair of them at all this season.

If I am honest, I do find it incredibly likely that they will never be worth the £225m we paid between them. But it’s hard to justify how they will ever be worth that based on what we have seen. They don’t score goals or get assists regularly, they don’t create a lot of chances, they don’t particularly function well as a pairing. Doing well in Portugal for Benfica and for Brighton who did excellent last season is one thing but to do what will be expected of them, for that price tag, year in year out, it will be tough for most players. Has been the same for Mudryk, as it was the same for Havertz. Was likely the same for Torres at the time in 2011 too. 

Price tags unfortunately dictate the expectations of players from clubs, managers and fans irrespective of if we want it to or not. Simple as that. You simply don’t drop £100m + on a player if you don’t expect them to do well from the off. Why would you?

Edited January 4 by OneMoSalah

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1 hour ago, OneMoSalah said:

but it is very rare midfielders are ever going to be worth £100m+ particularly in this modern day and age.

 
every one of these would cost £100m or more (or did)

most, if not all, are worth it

Jude Bellingham
Jamal Musiala 
Declan Rice 
Rodri 
Florian Wirtz   
Federico Valverde 
Pedri
Gavi  
Eduardo Camavinga  
Aurélien Tchouaméni 
Martin Ødegaard  
Warren Zaïre-Emery
 

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Most expensive players: Bellingham’s price soars

https://football-observatory.com/WeeklyPost445

The 445th issue of the Weekly Post presents the 100 players in the world with the highest estimated transfer values according to the CIES Football Observatory statistical model. English youngster Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) tops the list with a transfer value of €267.5m, ahead of Norway’s Erling Haaland (Manchester City) and his two Brazilian teammates Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo Goes.

As for the other leagues in the Europe’s big-5, Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich) heads the rankings for the German Bundesliga, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (SSC Napoli) for Italy’s Serie A and, despite a contract expiring in June, Kylian Mbappé (Paris St-Germain) for France’s Ligue 1. Outside the big-5, António Silva (SL Benfica) is ahead of Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting CP) and Endrick Felipe (SE Palmeiras, on loan from Real Madrid).

Compared to the estimates published last June, the number of players with a transfer value in excess of €100 million has almost doubled (from 20 to 39), reflecting the sharp inflation in player prices occurred during the summer 2023 transfer window. The value of the hundredth player with the highest estimated value is now €71.3 million, compared with €53.4 million in June 2023.

Based on more than 6'000 paying fee transactions, the CIES Football Observatory statistical model allows us to accurately predict the transfer fees that clubs are likely to pay, given the prices invested in the past for players with similar characteristics. The estimates do not take into account eventual buy-out clauses. They refer to 100% of the economic rights and include both fixed and conditional sums (add-ons).

CIES Football estimated transfer values (€ Million)

Date: 03/01/2024

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EXCL: Kylian Mbappe in no rush over decision, Chelsea's plan for wonderkid, latest Pedro Neto to Arsenal links, Jadon Sancho's message to Man Utd, and more

 

Today's transfer column, featuring Kylian Mbappe, Pedro Neto, Jadon Sancho, and much more

 

https://thedailybriefing.io/p/excl-kylian-mbappe-in-no-rush-over

 

Kylian Mbappe won’t rush decision on his future

 

We’re now entering into important months for Kylian Mbappe’s future. There is no concrete update yet, but of course he is now free to negotiate with other clubs, so the situation is quite open.

Paris Saint-Germain are still waiting for Mbappe’s communication, and they’re still hoping for him to sign a new contract, but at the moment it is not guaranteed at all. We know Real Madrid are also working on this behind the scenes, this is no secret and has been the case for a long time.

It’s on Mbappe now, so let’s see what happens. From his camp, it’s total silence, they’re taking their time. His mother, father and lawyers are working on it, discussing internally what to do, so let’s see what will happen, but I don’t think it’s guaranteed that Mbappe will decide his future in the coming weeks. I know there have been reports about deadlines, but I’m not sure there is a deadline and I think Mbappe will take his time before deciding.

Things can change quickly in football but Victor Osimhen still looks likely to stay at Napoli until the summer

 

 

 

Everything is possible in life, but I still don’t think the Victor Osimhen deal will happen at all this January. After what happened with Enzo Fernandez last year you have to say anything is possible, but in that case there was a release clause, whereas here the situation is different as the release clause is only for the summer, not for January.

I don’t see Osimhen leaving Napoli in January and I think his contract extension was part of the project between Osimhen and Napoli to continue together until the end of the season, and then to maybe leave in the summer.

Of course, it could be that clubs like Chelsea try to reach a pre-agreement on personal terms in January, but I don’t think it’s going to be easy, I don’t think it’s guaranteed that he will commit to anything in January. We know in football that six months is like six years in other sports - many things can change, such as the coach, the directors…so I think he is going to take his time and it’s not going to be that easy to reach an agreement with Osimhen in January.

Also from what I know about Napoli, I don’t think it’s going to be easy to negotiate with them this month, so I think this is a saga for the summer, and for the next few months leading up to it.

Conor Gallagher situation could be similar to Mason Mount

 

I think it’s possible that Conor Gallagher will stay at Chelsea this January, and that maybe a move is more of a possibility in the summer if they can’t agree a new contract. In that case, I think it would be a serious possibility for Gallagher to leave in the summer, but for January it will only happen if someone will put serious money on the table.

I saw some reports of £30-40m, but I don’t see Chelsea selling Gallagher for that sort of money. I think they will wait until the summer transfer window, in a similar situation to what happened with Mason Mount last summer. If he doesn’t want to agree a new deal with Chelsea, he can be free to leave, but only on Chelsea’s conditions.

Contract talks remain active, but it’s not something close at this point. I’m also told that, despite reports, there are no conversations between Tottenham and Chelsea over Gallagher at this stage. Tottenham’s interest is there since the summer, and Ange Postecoglou is a big fan of the player, but they are not negotiating to sign Gallagher now.

Another important story at Chelsea is Andrey Santos returning from his difficult loan spell at Nottingham Forest. The plan remains for him to go out on loan again for the next six months. There is interest from many clubs but loan spots situation is not easy so Chelsea will take some time before understanding how to proceed with that domino. As for when Santos could be involved in Chelsea’s first-team, their plans for next season plans are not decided now so Chelsea will see in May/June how’s the situation and then assess Andrey’s situation for next year.

Brentford know they’re in a strong position on Ivan Toney

 

I think there is a very good chance for Ivan Toney to stay at Brentford, honestly. This is the feeling, and only if they receive a really important proposal could this change. Rumours started in November about an asking price of around £60-65m, but then Brentford understood that there are no other top strikers available on the market, and so now the idea of Brentford is something more like £90-100m for Toney this January.

 

 

I don’t think it’s going to be easy, and any teams interested in Toney might have to be creative, so maybe a loan deal, but only if there is an obligation to buy. So, only if there is a guaranteed sale of Toney, and only for big money, otherwise I think he is going to stay at the club and then probably leave in the summer transfer window.

The idea of the player himself remains to leave and to try a top club experience. Still, he’s not in a rush to leave Brentford now, so he could wait until the summer transfer window.

Jadon Sancho wants Manchester United exit as soon as possible

 

Jadon Sancho’s return to Borussia Dortmund is gather pace - negotiations are going very well and moving very quickly because Sancho is pushing for the move. He has had a few difficult months at Manchester United as he’s been out of the team after complications with Erik ten Hag and his coaching staff.

Sancho also had an opportunity with Juventus, but in the end they were not willing to pay the loan fee or salary coverage, so Juve decided to invest in different players. Dortmund, however, need a player like this to make an impact now after some difficult weeks at the club, and Sancho is the player they want, and he wants to go back there.

Sancho has sent a very clear message to Manchester United - he wants to go as soon as possible, in the next couple of days, not at the end of the January transfer window. Important hours and days are ahead, with negotiations continuing over his return to Borussia Dortmund.

Staying with Man United, some fans have asked me about the Michael Olise story yesterday. I’m not denying any story at this point but it’s just too early to say for sure. INEOS will decide on the summer plans in the next months, not now. Obviously all top clubs in England are monitoring Olise - he’s doing fantastic at Crystal Palace, so I’m not surprised by the stories. But I’m still told that the time for decisions on summer moves is not now.

Radu Dragusin to Tottenham talks progressing well

 

I think Radu Dragusin moving from Genoa to Tottenham is now more than a possibility - it’s not done yet, but it’s progressing really well. There is a constant contact between the two clubs, the conversation is very positive, and the player has also said yes to Tottenham, while Ange Postecoglou is also a big fan of Dragusin.

We know that Jean-Clair Todibo was also a top target for Tottenham, but Nice are not open to selling the player in January, so that deal has basically collapsed now. The conversations between Tottenham and Genoa are more positive, with the Italian club looking for something like €30m, while Spurs are offering more like €23m, so it’s a verbal conversation, nothing official at the moment, so let’s see how it progresses in the next few days.

Pedro Neto deal looks difficult for Arsenal this January

 

 

 

Arsenal are being linked again with Pedro Neto, and it’s hardly surprising after his fine form for Wolves, while it’s also clear the Gunners are not quite clicking in attack at the moment.

Still, I think this is a difficult one for January, so it could be one for the summer. Neto was already on Arsenal’s radar years ago, he’s always been appreciated but there are also other clubs interested, so nothing is guaranteed.

Personally, I think Neto is a very, very good player, underrated at some points. He’d be a perfect fit for Arsenal, in my view. Let’s see how the situation will evolve in the next few months.

Saudi interest in West Ham star remains, but it’s not straightforward

 

There is interest from Saudi Arabia in West Ham defender Nayef Aguerd. There was already interest at the end of the summer, the beginning of September, but West Ham said no.

There is interest from Saudi again, but for West Ham the only way for this to happen is if it’s a permanent transfer, and if they can find a replacement. For example, Milan and Roma have also been interested in Aguerd and showed an interest in recent weeks over a loan deal, but West Ham said no, it’s only a permanent transfer or nothing.

Aguerd is very happy in the Premier League, it’s not about money, but he’s very happy playing at this competitive level, and so this is why he is not desperate for a move to Saudi, even if the interest is there.

 

 

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16 hours ago, DDA said:

Obviously that is not true. Badiashille and Colwill can both play out from the back. T.Silva also.

This season Badiashille? No, he cant.

Colwill is average at that so far - showed some glimpses, maybe as CB he would be better at that.

Silva is able to play very good long pass, but he is poor with playing short quick passes, he waits too long on the ball and is inviting too much pressure and the he is forced to play some panic pass. But he is so beloved by the fans that people are rarely calling him out for that.

[ulvhedin 508]

No more Matos on the bench:

So far loan moves in January:

- recalled: Zak Sturge, Andrey Santos

- loaned out: Alex Matos

 

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[King Kante 1,500]

1 hour ago, Vesper said:

I am not a massive fan of just looking at stats in isolation but those aerial duels stats are worrying. On of the reasons why it can be hard to judge a CB from other leagues is there ability to deal with aerial balls, so it seems he only has a small sample size on this in Portugal - which is to be expected -  but does a add an element of risk. 

Personally, I really like the kid from what I have actually seen but the stats would give me pause for thought - even if the rest of the stats are what I was expecting from what I have seen. Hoping the scouting team look at his aerial duels to see if it is due to the nature of the league he is playing in, or if he avoids them. 

Edited January 5 by King Kante

[ZAPHOD2319 4,519]

 

[ZAPHOD2319 4,519]

 

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32 minutes ago, ZAPHOD2319 said:

 

Signed for 12 m euros. No chance we are getting that money if this is a permanent deal

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1 hour ago, ZAPHOD2319 said:

 

drogba became nigerian?

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[ZAPHOD2319 4,519]

2 minutes ago, whats happening said:

drogba became nigerian?

Never question Fraz! 😆

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10 minutes ago, ZAPHOD2319 said:

 

Same with Lavia: