Chelsea Transfers

[OneMoSalah 9,089]

35 minutes ago, Pizy said:

Mainoo for £30m and I’d say it’s a stupid buy for us. Mainoo for £70m and there should be protests at the Bridge. That would be malpractice. Andrey Santos is better than Mainoo and won’t cost us anything to bring back.

As for City, it seems they’re going to start their rebuild now rather than waiting for the summer. Looks like they’re going to completely refresh their squad in many key areas. All of the players they’re currently negotiating with are ones who would help us too.

It wouldn’t be malpractice at all, thats a huge stretch. And not only that, they are 2 completely different styles of players….

Doubt there would be protests if we got him at all - think he did pretty well for United and even England when he played last season/in Euros, altho struggled this season as have Utd - but yes we should maybe look to use that money elsewhere. £30m though would be a steal 😂 

I know Santos has scored some goals and maybe played a bit more box to box at times this season but he is still primarily more of a defensive/disruptive midfielder. Obviously he isn’t just that plain and simple but thats simplifying it. Mainoo plays a bit higher/advanced, drives forward with the ball, bit more forward thinking and more press resistant, sort of like a poor mans Luka Modric (not as complete or at same level obviously - likely never will be - but that sort of profile). They’d potentially be a good pairing in all honesty. I don’t think there is any chance we could make a deal for him anyway despite our interest - mainly because it would mean dealing with United. He definitely would be someone we would be interested in irrespective given his potential, profile, age etc. If he was playing in Spain, Italy, France or some South American league or in a team doing what he did last season, Clearlake would have signed him already.

And re City, it is frightening thinking that City may spend big on 2-4 players this January given how close they are to us now. And they generally tend to recruit well 80-85% of the time. 

 

Edited January 9, 2025 by OneMoSalah

[Vesper 31,037]

28 minutes ago, Pizy said:

Mainoo for £30m and I’d say it’s a stupid buy for us. Mainoo for £70m and there should be protests at the Bridge. That would be malpractice. Andrey Santos is better than Mainoo and won’t cost us anything to bring back.

As for City, it seems they’re going to start their rebuild now rather than waiting for the summer. Looks like they’re going to completely refresh their squad in many key areas. All of the players they’re currently negotiating with are ones who would help us too.

all of the following are 30yo or older

Scott Carson
Kyle Walker 
İlkay Gündoğan  
Kevin De Bruyne 
Stefan Ortega 
Ederson 
Mateo Kovacic 
John Stones 
Bernardo Silva 
Nathan Aké  (30yo next month)
Manuel Akanji   (30yo in July)
Jack Grealish  (30yo in early September)

on loan

Kalvin Phillips (30yo in December)

[OneMoSalah 9,089]

49 minutes ago, Vesper said:

all of the following are 30yo or older

Scott Carson
Kyle Walker 
İlkay Gündoğan  
Kevin De Bruyne 
Stefan Ortega 
Ederson 
Mateo Kovacic 
John Stones 
Bernardo Silva 
Nathan Aké  (30yo next month)
Manuel Akanji   (30yo in July)
Jack Grealish  (30yo in early September)

on loan

Kalvin Phillips (30yo in December)

IMO from that list, the 4 in bold would definitely be considered key players still though from that group for various reasons. Be it for on the field or off the field. Maybe Stones & Walker as well for squad depth, experience in the squad too. Couldn’t see Pep or City being ok with those in bold going so easily though 100%. Some of the others, definitely see them moving on.

- Ederson & Ortega still as good a number 1 & 2 duo as you’ll get and top GKs seem to play very well into their 30s. Not many GKs better than Ederson still. Ortega as a 2 also, more than reliable.

- KDB’s contract is up in the summer but it would be madness if they didn’t try renew him. Even for 1 more season. Still just as good as anybody in terms of being a playmaker/creative player. Injuries have affected his minutes but still think going to the MLS as reported, is a waste. Saying that, be a big plus for teams if he left City, who will inevitably bounce back and be competing for titles after this season.

- Bernardo Silva, again, madness if they let him leave. Similar to KDB. But again, would weaken them definitely.

Keep seeing they want Reis, Khusanov & Marmoush this month though. And they have been notoriously ruthless at squad building in the past too. So we need to watch as them and even Newcastle aren’t miles away from us.

Hopefully we can get a good CB in this month and some guys out that have no future here (Chilwell for example). Not sure if it’s worth us signing another central midfielder over looking at recalling Santos to cover for Caicedo (given Lavia’s issues fitness wise). Caicedo getting a knock/the amount of minutes he’s playing currently is a huge concern for me, could really be a disaster given how he has become so important.

Suppose then outgoings for us will dictate where we go next in terms of signings, likes of Nkunku, Felix, Veiga leaving would mean we could look at other options.

Edited January 9, 2025 by OneMoSalah

[NikkiCFC 8,516]

5 hours ago, Vesper said:

Toss in Felix as makeweight

Kepa is the only player possible from us for Bilbao even without talking about football qualities.

[whats happening 1,660]

i would love us to sign mainoo. 40-45+ addons is a fine number. 

 

[mkh 748]

Chelsea like Bournemouth's centre-back Illia Zabarnyi but don't see a deal being done for him this month. Chelsea have also looked at Ronald Araújo but also don't see that being done this month either.

(via@Matt_Law_DT)

😒😒

[Reddish-Blue 2,663]

6 hours ago, OneMoSalah said:

Keep seeing they want Reis, Khusanov & Marmoush this month though. And they have been notoriously ruthless at squad building in the past too. So we need to watch as them and even Newcastle aren’t miles away from us.

Romano just posted that City has agreed personal terms with Reis.  They're hoping to get it done before other clubs come in at that price point.  

[Reddish-Blue 2,663]

2 minutes ago, mkh said:

Chelsea like Bournemouth's centre-back Illia Zabarnyi but don't see a deal being done for him this month. Chelsea have also looked at Ronald Araújo but also don't see that being done this month either.

(via@Matt_Law_DT)

😒😒

It's just a shame, we really need a CB to help out Colwill.  

[mkh 748]

I'm also told that it's very unlikely that Chelsea will get Marc Guehi this month without outgoings or doing something in the other direction.

via@Matt_Law_DT

[mkh 748]

Matt Law: "Definitely, have an eye on Liam Delap, I would suggest a heavy one."

@LondonBluePod

[bigbluewillie 1,974]

England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, 19, and Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho, 20, both still have a future at Manchester United, despite concerns about breaching profit and sustainability (PSR) rules. (Sky Sports)

[mkh 748]

There is a good chance that Lesley Ugochukwu will return.

@Matt_Law_DT

 

🎙️Matt Law: "I have always been told that Andrey Santos would spend the season at Strasbourg and come back at the end of the season as a first team squad player.

 

Oh well🫥

Edited January 9, 2025 by mkh

[Special Juan 28,730]

27 minutes ago, mkh said:

Matt Law: "Definitely, have an eye on Liam Delap, I would suggest a heavy one."

@LondonBluePod

Noises are getting louder around this one

[mkh 748]

I have been told that depending on outgoings, Chelsea could look to accelerate transfer plans, they might be able to do things now rather than in the summer. It also depends on opportunities.

(@Matt_Law_DT)

 

Guehi & Delap👀

 

West Ham are interested in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and are pushing for a loan deal with Chelsea.

(@Independent)

Edited January 9, 2025 by mkh

[Pizy 19,250]

Don’t really see the point in Ugo returning from loan. He’s not top PL club level and would only be playing during the other competitions where we already play a fully rotated team. 

As for Delap & Guehi, I still just find it impossible to think their clubs would sell such key players mid-season. Delap in particular is pretty much their only goal scorer. They’d be toast if they sold him.

[JFKvsNixon 61]

2 hours ago, Pizy said:

Don’t really see the point in Ugo returning from loan. He’s not top PL club level and would only be playing during the other competitions where we already play a fully rotated team. 

As for Delap & Guehi, I still just find it impossible to think their clubs would sell such key players mid-season. Delap in particular is pretty much their only goal scorer. They’d be toast if they sold him.

I'd imagine that Delap would sign now and join in the summer. Guehi has less than 18 months left on his contract, so arguably he's be cheaper in the summer, which may motivate Palace to sell in this transfer window.

[lluubbeenn 188]

Are you guys all ok with Delap. He has the City connection and looks to be comfortable battling for every ball, but I still have a lot of questions on his technical ability. There is a chance he flops making the jump to a top team this early and under a considerable amount of pressure (top 4 race). 

January is always a tricky period for transfers as everyone who is remotely available has some kind of a drawback. It seems it is the 10th window in a row we need to deal with many outgoings first... I believe we need a body in defence, midfield and attack. Do we recall someone from loan or loan someone or buy someone I am not so sure. 

[Pizy 19,250]

20 minutes ago, JFKvsNixon said:

I'd imagine that Delap would sign now and join in the summer. Guehi has less than 18 months left on his contract, so arguably he's be cheaper in the summer, which may motivate Palace to sell in this transfer window.

Buy now and get later does us no good when we badly need another striker ASAP. With Guehi, I don’t see him being cheap even in the summer with a year remaining because there will be multiple big clubs vying for him which will drive up the price.

[lluubbeenn 188]

As for concrete targets by position:

- CB - with Fofana and Badi we are ok, without them- not so much. It will be hard to buy someone outright as we already have 5-6 players here. If possible, recalling Chalobah seems the only logical solution for this window. I don't think Skriniar loan deal is possible. Big statement signing here is needed, but It will be better for both the player and the club for the said player to have a complete preseason first. 

- CM - Caicedo and Enzo are left all alone with about 30-40 games to go(depends how well the cups go). Lavia is a huge liability fitness wise. Rumours surrounding KDH, Carney and Casadei. Who will play? Again I cant see a permanent solution here as Santos will be in the squad next year. Ugo is a possibility. He should be ok for the Conference and has the characteristic of a great squad player, if he can improve and simplify his game. 

- ST - We absolutely NEED a backup striker. I hope to never see Nkunku in this position ever again. Theoretically Guiu can fill the role. We haven't seen enough of him in the pl to be sure if he can do at least a bit. Signing a big striker in January seems impossible. Players like Delap, Ferguson on loan or Cunha are probably not good enough and will more or less block the development of Guiu and the possibility of a top striker in the summer. If City really are after the Marmoush deal, we should do everything to hijack it. He looks like a player entering his prime and diverse enough to do well. He should fancy his chances against Jackson a lot more than against Haaland. The other problem except competing with the champions for him is that he is African and we will be without any strikers for a month or two next year...   

[LAM09 7,085]

32 minutes ago, lluubbeenn said:

As for concrete targets by position:

- CB - with Fofana and Badi we are ok, without them- not so much. It will be hard to buy someone outright as we already have 5-6 players here. If possible, recalling Chalobah seems the only logical solution for this window. I don't think Skriniar loan deal is possible. Big statement signing here is needed, but It will be better for both the player and the club for the said player to have a complete preseason first. 

- CM - Caicedo and Enzo are left all alone with about 30-40 games to go(depends how well the cups go). Lavia is a huge liability fitness wise. Rumours surrounding KDH, Carney and Casadei. Who will play? Again I cant see a permanent solution here as Santos will be in the squad next year. Ugo is a possibility. He should be ok for the Conference and has the characteristic of a great squad player, if he can improve and simplify his game. 

- ST - We absolutely NEED a backup striker. I hope to never see Nkunku in this position ever again. Theoretically Guiu can fill the role. We haven't seen enough of him in the pl to be sure if he can do at least a bit. Signing a big striker in January seems impossible. Players like Delap, Ferguson on loan or Cunha are probably not good enough and will more or less block the development of Guiu and the possibility of a top striker in the summer. If City really are after the Marmoush deal, we should do everything to hijack it. He looks like a player entering his prime and diverse enough to do well. He should fancy his chances against Jackson a lot more than against Haaland. The other problem except competing with the champions for him is that he is African and we will be without any strikers for a month or two next year...   

I feel Guehi will be signed one way or another. Not exactly thrilled by the prospect, especially at the rumoured £50m price tag.

I'm sure Marmoush will start one way or another for City, as a WF or alongside Haaland. At £50m, it seems like a smart move, and it doesn't surprise me that most top sides in the EPL have some interest in him. The timing of the next AFCON (starts in Dec '25 because of the CWC) could certainly be an issue considering how our squad is, though.

Edited January 9, 2025 by LAM09