Chelsea Transfers

[OhForAGreavsie 6,092]

54 minutes ago, Pizy said:

Scorer of a lot of great goals but it’s good that Alonso is moving on. I’m sure he’ll be good for Barca and I wish him well as he’s been a solid player for us.

Good luck Marcus whenever you leave, and wherever you go. Congratulations on all of the titles, and thank you.

[Superblue 6,372]

I'm happy with Cucurella, ended up a little steep on the price but I think he'll prove to be an excellent player here.

As been mentioned a few times, it's dangerous territory to rely on Chilwell to just slot back in like it's nothing after a serious injury. I know it's pre season and everybody looks somewhat rusty but he is one in particular that has and Tuchel has also used him fairly sparingly which would tell me there's still a way to go in his full recovery.

Would have been pointless just looking at a reliable back up for Chilwell as we already have about 15 left backs on the books that could fulfil that role at wide ranging effectiveness.

The only solution was to get someone starter quality and I fully believe he's that player. The best run Chilwell has had here was last season when he seemed to have a point to prove because at the time he looked like second fiddle to Alonso and had been shunned by Southgate in the Euros. For all we know, that extra competition and point to prove was a driver for him and this should do the same. If we now have two left wing backs that if playing to their potential, are both starting quality here then it'll hopefully push both on and we reap the benefits of that.

Happy a deal has been struck to keep Colwill too. I wouldn't have been opposed to the sell and buy back if the buy back was as fair as had been mentioned in the media. But from the outside looking in, so far Chelsea look like they've gone to a lot of effort this summer not to lose the likes of Broja and Colwill, and then also made some significant investments in young players also. There definitely looks to be a plan there that the new ownership wants young talent to thrive here and be seen to get opportunities if they earn them. 

I've been a massive proponent for years that the academy should be providing the first team with players capable of filling backup squad roles in the team, rather than the need to go out and buy these players which is becoming a progressively worse situation when the most average of players now seems to be upwards of £20-25m. The transfer budget each summer should be put aside for improvements to the starting XI or at worst, a top 15 player place within the squad. 

Aside from the younger players we've purchased, so far our signings have at least fallen into that bracket in my opinion which is a positive as it would have been easy this summer to fill some holes in the squad with essentially 'squad' players.

[Blues Forever 1,232]

 

[Strike 7,533]

 

 

[Special Juan 28,187]

Looks like Cucurella is going to be announced before 12pm today

[Superblue 6,372]

Just now, Special Juan said:

Looks like Cucurella is going to be announced before 12pm today

I think he needs to be registered by noon to be able to be in the squad tomorrow.

Tuchel's comment suggests that is in their thought process, even if it's as an option on the bench.

[YorkshireBlue 3,299]

18 minutes ago, Superblue_1986 said:

I think he needs to be registered by noon to be able to be in the squad tomorrow.

Tuchel's comment suggests that is in their thought process, even if it's as an option on the bench.

Well 30 mins to go so let's see

[Superblue 6,372]

Looks like Chelsea twitter admin is trolling Brighton a bit here.

[Special Juan 28,187]

Great signing, new kit announced and Chelsea Twitter admin having the Brighton FC Twitter pants down.

Now for Everton

[Clockwork 1,794]

Surely Cucurella will be starting at LWB? No way you pay 62.5m to play him out of position.

[Special Juan 28,187]

If he's fit he plays, and that is probably fine because he has been training with Brighton

[Pizy 18,994]

Get in!

But I’d actually wait until next match to play him. I’m sure his fitness levels are fine but I wouldn’t throw him straight in. 

[Superblue 6,372]

6 minutes ago, Clockwork said:

Surely Cucurella will be starting at LWB? No way you pay 62.5m to play him out of position.

I think it'll be predominantly wing back but with the knowledge that in a situation where the team needs to rotate or due to players missing he can also fill into the back 3.

[Alabama 1,992]

Wesley Fofana and De Jong next...

[Superblue 6,372]

1 minute ago, Pizy said:

Get in!

But I’d actually wait until next match to play him. I’m sure his fitness levels are fine but I wouldn’t throw him straight in. 

Tuchel has pretty much confirmed that Chilwell isn't where he needs to be yet and will take time.

Alonso won't play if his move to Barca is nearly done.

I'd much rather him play than Emerson or Kenedy.

[chelsea_4_eva 1,182]

Also an indication of Chilwell being not ready yet was when we played Udinese and he was on the 2nd squad.

[Blues Forever 1,232]

 

[Strike 7,533]

 

 

[Pizy 18,994]

Hopefully Leicester’s cash problems are a big enough issue that if we bid £80m they can’t really say no. Because otherwise this Cucurella fee may have priced us out of Fofana who they may suddenly quote us £100m now.

Would also be beneficial if Fofana himself pushes for the move and forces the issue.

[OhForAGreavsie 6,092]

42 minutes ago, Superblue_1986 said:

Tuchel has pretty much confirmed that Chilwell isn't where he needs to be yet and will take time.

That might be the simple truth or it might be a way to avoid saying that he isn't fully sold on Ben. Either way I doubt many doubt that we're in a better place at LB/LWB than we've been for a while.

Edited August 5, 2022 by OhForAGreavsie