Chelsea Transfers

[Tomo 21,752]

Hard to really think about the market until I know which system Alonso wants to play.

If he's sticking to a back 4 a CB is an urgent need, if he's going back 3 then wingbacks are the priority.

[OneMoSalah 9,111]

24 minutes ago, Tomo said:

Hard to really think about the market until I know which system Alonso wants to play.

If he's sticking to a back 4 a CB is an urgent need, if he's going back 3 then wingbacks are the priority.

I’d imagine James & Gusto will be more than sufficient on the right side regardless of the system. Left side is going to be the big issue though because we will really need to replace Cucurella who is likely off & decide whether Hato is going to be better suited to playing as a LB, LWB, LCB - again all depending on the system. Lewis Hall seems to be mentioned a lot this week. The Barco deal is also sounding like a formality. Both players who are versatile.

For CBs - I would say at least one quality centre back will have to come in either way given the collection we have. I’d like us to get 2. If we go to a back 3 I think we would probably need to get 2 CBs in then anyway given the likelihood that players like Badiashile & Tosin are probably (& deservedly) goners & you will need to have options. Maybe we could get away with Fofana being put in as that right handed CB in a back 3 but still wouldn’t trust him in a pair. 

Granted our options will be limited. Plus still have serious doubts the recruitment will be any different to how it has been so we will see.

[Tomo 21,752]

23 minutes ago, OneMoSalah said:

I’d imagine James & Gusto will be more than sufficient on the right side regardless of the system. Left side is going to be the big issue though because we will really need to replace Cucurella who is likely off & decide whether Hato is going to be better suited to playing as a LB, LWB, LCB - again all depending on the system. Lewis Hall seems to be mentioned a lot this week. The Barco deal is also sounding like a formality. Both players who are versatile.

For CBs - I would say at least one quality centre back will have to come in either way given the collection we have. I’d like us to get 2. If we go to a back 3 I think we would probably need to get 2 CBs in then anyway given the likelihood that players like Badiashile & Tosin are probably (& deservedly) goners & you will need to have options. Maybe we could get away with Fofana being put in as that right handed CB in a back 3 but still wouldn’t trust him in a pair. 

Granted our options will be limited. Plus still have serious doubts the recruitment will be any different to how it has been so we will see.

Unfortunately I fear James' knees won't be able to cope with the wingback demands now (maybe once in a while, but not consistently) and I'm not particularly convinced Gusto can give us an attacking output that we'd need in that position (maybe as a backup).

Hato would for sure be better as a LCB in a back 3, probably also a back 4 tbh (two left footers can work there if we do the back 3 in possesion thing Maresca did) so recruitment needed there for sure.

Quenda could do really well there. I know there were the rumours he avoided United/Amorim because of that, but Amorim uses his wingbacks really conservatively whereas Alonso feeds them really well, Frimpong and Grimaldo were genuinely amazing under him, so that may be able to convince him.

Edited 11 hours ago by Tomo

[maxlev 56]

I did a little comparative research between Xabi Alonso and Enzo Maresca's style of play and below is what I got. I am impressed with Alonso's style because it should positively benefit the current crop of players we have instead of limiting them like Maresca's style did. 👇

Xabi Alonso: Relentless Verticality & Flexibility

• Style: Proactive but dynamic. He blends controlled build-up with aggressive transitions.
• Tempo: Faster. Alonso aims to deliberately draw out the opposition press, compress them, and use quick vertical passes to attack destabilized defensive lines.
• Attacking Shape: Extremely fluid. Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen frequently shifts shapes in-game—often rotating into a fluid 3-2-5.
• Pressing: Elite counter-pressing. The system is built on intense pressing and recovering the ball high up the pitch. 
  SoccerTutor.com +6

 

Enzo Maresca: Methodical Squeeze & Structure

• Style: Patient and methodical. The primary goal is to control the game by holding the ball.
• Tempo: Slower. Maresca dictates the pace through short, stable passing sequences. His teams prioritize exhausting opponents through long periods of possession rather than risky early forward passes.
• Attacking Shape: Structured. At Chelsea, his base 4-2-3-1 morphs into a reliable 3-box-3 or 3-2-5 shape, relying heavily on inverted full-backs.
• Pressing: Regroups with the ball. The structure is designed to limit the opponent's chances of counter-attacking when the ball is turned over. 

[Duppy Conqueror 1,584]

One issue that needs fixing that is flying under the radar is the lack of defensive aerial ability in our squad. It's basically all on our CB's and GK. Cucu is decent for his height on attacking aerial ability because he attacks the far post when the ball is dropping in height.Gusto turns into Dracula at any cross.RJ doesn't have much spring. Pedro and Palmer are tall enough but even if they improve in that department then it limits us for fast break outs.

As much as I like our CM's.nobody really stands out in the air.Barco certainly isn't going to improve the situation unless he turns out to be the second coming of David Speedie.

[mkh 779]

💥🔵Mike Penders is particularly enthusiastic about returning to Chelsea, believing he is ready for this new stage of his career and to integrate into an environment as demanding as Chelsea's.

Chelsea's plan is clear: to allow Mike Penders to gradually integrate into the first team with a genuine role in the goalkeeping hierarchy. 

Chelsea initially intends to offer him the status of the main competitor for the starting goalkeeper before, potentially, entrusting him with the position in the coming years.

(@sachatavolieri)

😶😦That means Ben Roberts and his son will remain the number 1s.

And Penders, as the number 2, will get a few chances to play!!!

Edited 10 minutes ago by mkh