Chelsea Transfers

[Tomo 21,753]

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 9,112]

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 21,753]

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 21 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 1,585]

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 hours ago by mkh

[Duppy Conqueror 1,585]

Maignan and Penders I'd be happy with or Penders and Sanchez I'd be fine with.

I like Roefs but 50m for someone that would block Penders because of his fee and age whilst could argue isn't even being an upgrade.

Roefs does make some wonder saves but alot of his saves are a combination of miskicks and him just making his body big.a good value to have but would like to see more saves through controlled agility. Like I said I do like Roefs,if we didn't have Penders I'd be all over him.as we do,I'm not. 

 

Edited 8 hours ago by Duppy Conqueror

[Duppy Conqueror 1,585]

I think Xabi could live with Sanchez as the number 2 but not as a 1. Xabi doesn't like the keeper kicking long balls and his short and medium range passing would give him a stroke.

[DDA 10,270]

Sanchez isn’t our biggest problem anymore. He’s been alright. Im looking forward to Penders.

we need to address CB and LW first

[DDA 10,270]

I would say im worried about the names we are being linked with but im not surprised at all. 
 

We are looking to buy players from relegated teams.

 

No money to do anything else.

 

[Strike 7,822]

 

Depressing to read who Arsenal are targeting - Kroupi, Alvarez, Kvicha, Barcola, Nico Williams, Gordon, Tonali. 

 

[Strike 7,822]

57 minutes ago, DDA said:

Sanchez isn’t our biggest problem anymore. He’s been alright. Im looking forward to Penders.

we need to address CB and LW first

Don't have money to splurge either. Have to be smart about recruitment. Can't waste another year in a league where standing still is as good as falling behind 

[Pizy 19,317]

More than anything this summer I just hope we target ONLY highly technical ballers. Whether they’re “big” names or not, we need to stop going after players who are nothing but runners or physical specimens like Delap or Garnacho. I’m sick of seeing our rivals going for super skillful, classy wizards like Cherki, Eze, Wirtz etc whilst we get dudes who can’t dribble past a training cone and whose only abilities are running in a straight line when theres’s a mile of open space.

We have enough big and strong or powerful players. I’m hoping that with Alonso now here we target EXCLUSIVELY highly skilled players who can’t dribble past excel in one touch, fluid football. 

It’s why I’m actually warming to the idea of us going for Alex Scott from Bournemouth. Whilst our rivals are going for the bigger names like Anderson/Wharton/Tonali etc I feel like Scott is much more easily attainable for us. Has been one of the best CM’s in the league this season and fits that deep sitting Xhaka role Alonso loved at Leverkusen. 

[Vesper 31,137]

8 hours ago, Duppy Conqueror said:

the second coming of David Speedie.

I've got candy and a van...

[nyikolajevics 2,842]

On 18/05/2026 at 23:57, Mário César said:

he is any good or another potential player from strasbourg?

He is by far the best player at RSC.

Pretty sure he will play as midfielder, and he will be great. Andrey Santos is okay but this guy offers much more.

[Vesper 31,137]

4 hours ago, Strike said:

 

Depressing to read who Arsenal are targeting - Kroupi, Alvarez, Kvicha, Barcola, Nico Williams, Gordon, Tonali. 

 

They have a real shot to become a dominant team for years to come if they get some of those. They and (even more atm) PSG are loaded AF (Arse if they upgrade at CF and winger).

[Vesper 31,137]

4 hours ago, Strike said:

Have to be smart about recruitment.

A great start would be sacking ALL the directors and ball-gagging Egg Balti.

[Vesper 31,137]

14 minutes ago, nyikolajevics said:

He is by far the best player at RSC.

Agree.

Penders 2nd.

Emmanuel Emegha probably 3rd.

 

[nyikolajevics 2,842]

23 minutes ago, Vesper said:

Agree.

Penders 2nd.

Emmanuel Emegha probably 3rd.

 

I don't know about Emegha, was unavailable every time I saw Starsbourg this season(so was Anselmino).

Diego Moreira turned out to be a surprisingly good player but still not our (wannabe) level. I can only see him in the squad if Xabi opts to play 3-4-3 with wingbacks, still not the best choice defensively.

[Vesper 31,137]

37 minutes ago, nyikolajevics said:

I don't know about Emegha

when healthy (a big if) he is a goal machine

8 goals, 2 assists in only 896 minutes