Chelsea Transfers

[Hashishi 148]

1 hour ago, Vesper said:

who do you want as our manager?

and NO, Tuchel is not an option, he is not coming back and we were playing dreadful football under him at the end

we have (minus the final piece, a sporting director) a whole new, top class management team in place, and are going to a multi-club level

I highly doubt we will do several stupid buys like we did in the chaos after Roman was forced out and Boehly had to wing it

https://www.squawka.com/en/outright-markets/top-10-best-out-of-work-managers/

According to this article on squawka, best free agent managers atm are:

1.Zidane (questionable whether he should be top of the list)

2. Tuchel

3. Poch (please no)

4. Bielsa (my absolute favourite manager of all time, maybe apart from mourinho)

5. Benitez (wouldn't be popular here)

6. Lopetgui (now at wolves)

7. AVB (tried and the shoe doesn't fit)

8.Quique Setien

9. Sean ducking Dyche 

10. Javi Garcia

Honourable mentions from a quick scan of transfrmarket: Luis Enrique, Roberto martinez, Joachim Low, Jurgen Klinsmann, Roy Hodgson, Gio Van Bronkhorst, Steven Gerrard ( please god no), Di matteo ( god bless his soul for our first CL), Andrey Shevchenko and Henk Ten Cate( LOL)

We should not have sacked tuchel. End of. That was a mistake. The dreadful football was down to the mediocre players not the manager at the end of the day. There was no synergy between the players because half our team was new. We should've stuck with him like arsenal stuck with arteta. Arteta is half the manager tuchel is and potter is a quarter. Tuchel should've been given time and resources to transition the team to 433. 

To answer your question though, I would've gone for bielsa. He managed to implement an amazing style of play at LEEDS. With Bamford leading the line!! Imagine what he could've done with our resources. Even guardiola sings praises for him.

Edited December 24, 2022 by Hashishi

[Vesper 30,224]

1 hour ago, TheHulk said:

We're strongly linked to Badiashile and Rice, so yeah several more stupid buys are likely. Nkunku might be the odd one, think he will be a star.

we have been linked to Rice for years

Badiashile to this level of linkage is new

 

I think (as Gvardiol is not leaving this summer barring some insane £130m or more bid, so why would RB take £100m or 105m now when they will bet close to £100m in 2024 with his €110m release clause which kicks in then?) that the smart play is to lock up Evan N'Dicka on a free THIS summer (or even see if we can pull him in January for a small fee)

BUT we will have to scupper Arsenal, as they have already agreed to terms with him

 

we also should REALLY be trying for Skriniar, another freebie in June 2023 (it so far looks like he is not going to renew with Inter)

we will be fighting at least PSG, plus others there, but if we go all in now, we could lock it up, and we have a real piece of bait: Koulibaly, who Inter still rate a lot

 

THEN, we trying in 2024 to pull Gvardiol (hopefully we have CL to offer for the 2024/25 season)

The main problem with him will be Real Madrid and Citeh

Piero Hincapie is in the left-footed CB mix as well, as is Gonçalo Inácio

 

these are the top valuation CBs

 

Gvardiol in 2024 and then Skriniar, Pau Torres (hell no) Timber (not sold on him and he is short) and Badiashile now are the only ones available, and we are in for them

zero chance Bastoni leaves if/when Skriniar does and ATM Skriniar is a better CB IMHO, Bastoni has stalled out a bit, and is not the paciest, and makes positional errors at times

there seems to be this huge myth (and not just with CBs) that there are all these available WC players that we are just ignoring

it just isn't true

the main one I wish he had been successful with (we tried hard but he loves Barca) is Ronald Araújo

WE pulled out of the deal for Kounde (thank fuck), and injury or not, Fofana was a top ranked CB, still is (for now, let's all hope he truly recovers)

Marquinhos, de Ligt (not sold on him) and Kimpembe (no chance he is leaving PSG and after this summer he is too old to buy for big cash, as in 2024 we would be buying a player who will only give us ONE sub 30yo season) all said nope

 

ranking 26 to 60 for CBs, only the following are available  

José María Giménez (always injured)
Aymeric Laporte (he turns 30yo at the end of next season)
Min-jae Kim  (poison dwarf time and not sold on him atm)
Robin Le Normand 
Evan Ndicka  left footer
Edmond Tapsoba   not sold on him atm 
Mohamed Simakan 
Piero Hincapié  left footer
Gonçalo Inácio   left footer
Merih Demiral (knee inflammation injury atm)

same names as I have been saying for ages

 

 

 

Edited December 25, 2022 by Vesper

[Vesper 30,224]

1 hour ago, Hashishi said:

1.Zidane (questionable whether he should be top of the list)

2. Tuchel

3. Poch (please no)

4. Bielsa (my absolute favourite manager of all time, maybe apart from mourinho)

5. Benitez (wouldn't be popular here)

6. Lopetgui (now at wolves)

7. AVB (tried and the shoe doesn't fit)

8.Quique Setien

9. Sean ducking Dyche 

10. Javi Garcia

Poch would be the only viable one

ZZ will likely never be a manager in the UK, he doesn't speak English well at all and has said he doesn't want to learn it, nor manage in the UK

the rest are retreads

Bielsa?????? HELL NO

as for these

1 hour ago, Hashishi said:

Luis Enrique, Roberto martinez, Joachim Low, Jurgen Klinsmann, Roy Hodgson, Gio Van Bronkhorst, Steven Gerrard ( please god no), Di matteo ( god bless his soul for our first CL), Andrey Shevchenko and Henk Ten Cate( LOL)

Roy the fossil????

of the rest

Enrique is overrated IMHO (but not a disaster), so is Martinez 

maybe Löw

Tuchel had to go, he was fighting with the owners and playing dreadful football

I loved him as a manager, but this is Chelsea

we chop heads

Potter will be chopped eventually

I rate

Julian Nagelsmann (if he is sacked at Bayern, which is unlikely atm, he has only lost one league game all season and won his CL group with ease) He was my number one choice here for ages

Lionel Scaloni

Diego Simeone (but a bad fit for us I wager)

plus

2 Danes

Kasper Hjulmand

Thomas Frank

plus

Abel Ferreira (I posted about him when he was still at a smaller Portuguese club (Braga), he went on to win back to back Copa Libertadores with Palmeiras)

Zlatko Dalic 

Roger Schmidt (Benfica)

Stefano Pioli

Christian Streich (Freiburg, 2nd in the table)

Franck Haise (Lens, 2nd in the table)

Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)

Oliver Glasner (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Régis Le Bris (Lorient)

Hansi Flick

Urs Fischer (Union Berlin)

Sérgio Conceição (Porto)

Philippe Clement (Monaco)

 

and one to watch

Karel Geraerts (Royale Union Saint-Gilloise)

 

 

[Vesper 30,224]

Chelsea: Koulibaly can leave

https://www.calciomercato.com/news/Chelsea-koulibaly-puo-partire-11258

[Vesper 30,224]

[Vesper 30,224]

Newcastle United considering Romelu Lukaku move

https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2022/12/25/newcastle-united-considering-romelu-lukaku-move/

 

Newcastle United are reportedly planning to launch a shock bid for the out-of-favour striker Romelu Lukaku, who flopped for Belgium at the World Cup.

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, Newcastle United are plotting an ambitious approach for Chelsea flop Romelu Lukaku next summer. However, the report adds that any prospective move for the Belgian hinges on Newcastle finishing in the top four this season.

Lukaku originally joined Chelsea from Anderlecht back in 2011 and had promising loan spells with West Bromwich Albion and Everton before joining the latter in a permanent move in July 2014.

A high-profile switch to Old Trafford three years later proved disappointing for the Belgian striker, but he rediscovered his shooting boots in Serie A after joining Inter for around £70 million in the summer of 2019.

An impressive output of 64 goals in 95 appearances not only helped Inter land their first Serie A title in over a decade but he was being regarded as one of, if not, the world’s best strikers during that period before he moved back to Chelsea for in a reported £97.5 million deal in August 2021.

And although he scored 15 goals in 44 appearances, the Belgian striker endured a tough time and largely struggled to make a serious impact during his second spell at Stamford Bridge. He subsequently returned to Inter in the summer on a season-long loan deal, with niggling injury issues and a lack of fitness limiting his minutes.

Off the back of a calamitous World Cup outing against Croatia that saw Belgium crash out of the tournament in the group stages itself, Lukaku is desperate to return to being a star man for Inter in the second half of the season to boost his chances of securing a permanent exit from Stamford Bridge next summer. And Newcastle United have now emerged as a possible option.

Newcastle looked a little under-strength upfront earlier this season, with new boy Alexander Isak, Callum Wilson, and Allan Saint-Maximin all picking up muscle injuries at various points, but Howe will soon have a multitude of options battling it out for only three starting slots in his favoured 4-3-3 formation.

Add to that an in-form Miguel Almiron, and Joelinton also competing for wing position, the Magpies have wealth of attacking options these days. While Howe could benefit from adding another versatile striking option, signing a 29-year-old out-of-sorts striker, Lukaku, on massive wages is exactly the polar opposite of the canny recruitment they have carried out as of yet.

His failure in Qatar with Belgium perfectly epitomizes all of Lukaku’s limitations as a target man. He looked exhausted and he no longer has the power or durability of his prime years.

The Inter Milan striker’s first touch has been publicly criticized for being a letdown, affecting his link-up play, which is crucial for Eddie Howe’s system. Furthermore, adding another out-and-out striker could hinder club-record signing Isak’s progress at St James’ Park.

While there’s no denying a confident and motivated Lukaku can well resurrect his flailing career, Newcastle would do well to dodge this expensive bullet, especially now that they are under the close watch of FFP following their splashing in the last two windows. To that end, 25-year-old Borussia Monchengladbach and France attacker Marcus Thuram would be the perfect low-cost versatile striker option.

[Hashishi 148]

4 hours ago, Vesper said:

Newcastle United considering Romelu Lukaku move

https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2022/12/25/newcastle-united-considering-romelu-lukaku-move/

 

Newcastle United are reportedly planning to launch a shock bid for the out-of-favour striker Romelu Lukaku, who flopped for Belgium at the World Cup.

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, Newcastle United are plotting an ambitious approach for Chelsea flop Romelu Lukaku next summer. However, the report adds that any prospective move for the Belgian hinges on Newcastle finishing in the top four this season.

Lukaku originally joined Chelsea from Anderlecht back in 2011 and had promising loan spells with West Bromwich Albion and Everton before joining the latter in a permanent move in July 2014.

A high-profile switch to Old Trafford three years later proved disappointing for the Belgian striker, but he rediscovered his shooting boots in Serie A after joining Inter for around £70 million in the summer of 2019.

An impressive output of 64 goals in 95 appearances not only helped Inter land their first Serie A title in over a decade but he was being regarded as one of, if not, the world’s best strikers during that period before he moved back to Chelsea for in a reported £97.5 million deal in August 2021.

And although he scored 15 goals in 44 appearances, the Belgian striker endured a tough time and largely struggled to make a serious impact during his second spell at Stamford Bridge. He subsequently returned to Inter in the summer on a season-long loan deal, with niggling injury issues and a lack of fitness limiting his minutes.

Off the back of a calamitous World Cup outing against Croatia that saw Belgium crash out of the tournament in the group stages itself, Lukaku is desperate to return to being a star man for Inter in the second half of the season to boost his chances of securing a permanent exit from Stamford Bridge next summer. And Newcastle United have now emerged as a possible option.

Newcastle looked a little under-strength upfront earlier this season, with new boy Alexander Isak, Callum Wilson, and Allan Saint-Maximin all picking up muscle injuries at various points, but Howe will soon have a multitude of options battling it out for only three starting slots in his favoured 4-3-3 formation.

Add to that an in-form Miguel Almiron, and Joelinton also competing for wing position, the Magpies have wealth of attacking options these days. While Howe could benefit from adding another versatile striking option, signing a 29-year-old out-of-sorts striker, Lukaku, on massive wages is exactly the polar opposite of the canny recruitment they have carried out as of yet.

His failure in Qatar with Belgium perfectly epitomizes all of Lukaku’s limitations as a target man. He looked exhausted and he no longer has the power or durability of his prime years.

The Inter Milan striker’s first touch has been publicly criticized for being a letdown, affecting his link-up play, which is crucial for Eddie Howe’s system. Furthermore, adding another out-and-out striker could hinder club-record signing Isak’s progress at St James’ Park.

While there’s no denying a confident and motivated Lukaku can well resurrect his flailing career, Newcastle would do well to dodge this expensive bullet, especially now that they are under the close watch of FFP following their splashing in the last two windows. To that end, 25-year-old Borussia Monchengladbach and France attacker Marcus Thuram would be the perfect low-cost versatile striker option.

Callum Wilson is better than him. I don't see why they would want him. We're going to have such a problem unloading this piece of crap.

[NikkiCFC 8,336]

8 hours ago, Vesper said:

 

 

 

 

8 hours ago, Vesper said:

 

Funny how Southgate didn't use two highest value CBs. 

Btw wtf happened to Soyuncu. He was at one point highly rated. 

[bluesman2610 1,418]

1 hour ago, NikkiCFC said:

 

Funny how Southgate didn't use two highest value CBs. 

Btw wtf happened to Soyuncu. He was at one point highly rated. 

His partner at the back left and came to us 🤷🏿‍♂️

[Hamilton 2,120]

9 hours ago, Vesper said:

 

and one to watch

Karel Geraerts (Royale Union Saint-Gilloise)

 

 

Doing a good job for his inexperience.

Vrancken (Genk) also doing a great job, had couple smaller clubs and got the most out of it. Now looking good to go for the title with Genk.

your thoughts on Kompany? Doing a good job at Burnley with great possession based football I hear. (Guardiola based style?)

[maxlev 54]

6 hours ago, Hashishi said:

Callum Wilson is better than him. I don't see why they would want him. We're going to have such a problem unloading this piece of crap.

What makes you think Cullum is any way near Lukaku. Lukaku even with his flaws have proven to be 10 times better than Callum. The records are there to see especially in goals. Callum ain't a kid that is coming out of the block. He has been around for some years now.

[maxlev 54]

There is this Chelsea fc boy that amazes me with his skills everything I watch our u18 game highlights. His name is Tudor Mendel-Idowu. An amazing player we should watch out for.

[DDA 9,941]

1 hour ago, maxlev said:

There is this Chelsea fc boy that amazes me with his skills everything I watch our u18 game highlights. His name is Tudor Mendel-Idowu. An amazing player we should watch out for.

I was watching a video if him the other day and have to say his skill set is pretty impressive 

[Blue Armour 4,448]

19 hours ago, ZAPHOD2319 said:

 

Please keep him here. Don't loan.

[Vesper 30,224]

9 hours ago, NikkiCFC said:

 

Funny how Southgate didn't use two highest value CBs. 

Btw wtf happened to Soyuncu. He was at one point highly rated. 

he regressed

[Vesper 30,224]

7 hours ago, Hamilton said:

Doing a good job for his inexperience.

Vrancken (Genk) also doing a great job, had couple smaller clubs and got the most out of it. Now looking good to go for the title with Genk.

your thoughts on Kompany? Doing a good job at Burnley with great possession based football I hear. (Guardiola based style?)

I almost listed Vrancken, who is doing great, like you said, with Genk.

I think Kompany will be a solid manager, he is another one to keep your eyes on.

[Vesper 30,224]

Report: Chelsea make £35.5m bid for aggressive 21-year-old

https://www.thechelseachronicle.com/transfer-news/report-Chelsea-make-35-5m-bid-for-aggressive-21-year-old/

Chelsea have already submitted an offer for AS Monaco centre-back Benoit Badiashile, whom they consider as an alternative to RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol, according to Foot Mercato.

The Blues were reportedly very close to signing Gvardiol, with whom they had personal terms in place, last summer but eventually could not get the deal over the line.

The 20-year-old, who was mostly seen as an elite talent, has since established himself among the top defenders and generated even more interest.

His stellar performance in the 2022 World Cup only sees the Croatia international rise in value, and as a result according to The Athletic, Chelsea are considering alternative options for January or next summer with Badiashile on top of their list.

The report added that Chelsea are already in talks with Monaco over a potential deal for the 21-year-old which is expected to cost around £31million.

However, French outlet Foot Mercato now claims that Chelsea have already made an offer worth €40m (roughly £35.5m) for the player.

Monaco are also said to be open to selling the France international, whose contract at the club expires in the summer of 2024, and see this would be the best time to cash in on the player.

Chelsea may be in pole position but they are not the only horse in the race.

Foot Mercato mentions that Manchester United are closely monitoring Badiashile, while Newcastle United and Sevilla have shown interest in the past.

Sevilla, in particular, had reportedly prepared a bid worth between €20-30m (£17.7-26.5m).

Similar to Gvardiol, Badiashile mostly plays as a left-sided centre-back in a back four.

Compared to the Leipzig man, however, Badiashile is a far more aggressive defender. This makes him prone to making fouls, but at the same time, his tendency to chase the ball can lead to counter-attacking threats as well.

He also likes to play diagonal passes from deep, averaging almost four long balls per game in the Ligue 1 this season.

[Vesper 30,224]

Chelsea target Rafael Leao confirms his desire to play in England, but in the future

https://astamfordbridgetoofar.com/2022/12/Chelsea-target-rafael-leao-confirms-his-desire-to-play-in-england-but-in-the-future-latest-news/

Speaking to RDP Africa (h/t Metro), AC Milan forward and Chelsea target Rafael Leao has expressed his desire to play in England and the Premier League, but in the future.

The Portugal international, who was part of the national team World Cup but did not get much game time in Qatar, has been linked with the Blues for some time now.

Leao’s contract at Milan expires in the summer of 2024 (Transfermarkt). There have been plenty of rumours surrounding his future in Italy. A few days ago, Express reported that the player is not prepared to sign an extension with the Rossoneri.

Here’s Leao when asked if he desires to play in the Premier League (h/t Metro😞

“Yes, in the future. But now I’m 100 per cent focused on Milan. I’m at a top club and I’m under contract. I also like the city of Milan.”

Make of that what you will from this quote. It shows that the player has his mind set on playing in England, but had to rightly include a sentence of committing his focus for his current club.

Leao has had an excellent last 18 months for Milan. After his impressive outing last season where he helped the club win the Scudetto, he made a great start to this campaign before the World Cup break kicked in.

The 23-year-old scored seven goals and assisted nine in 20 appearances in all competitions for the Rossoneri. As a player, he is more than just about goals and assists though. His overall threat sometimes creates space for others in the team to cause trouble for the opposition defence.

 

[Vesper 30,224]

Chelsea could sign Lampard 2.0 with transfer lunge for Arsen Zakharyan

https://www.footballfancast.com/Chelsea-transfer-rumours/Chelsea-arsen-zakharyan-transfer-focus-frank-lampard-dynamo-moscow-premier-league

Chelsea unearthed a diamond this summer, but failed to get their hands on their gem when the transfer of Dynamo Moscow’s Arsen Zakharyan to Stamford Bridge collapsed due to external forces.

Indeed, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the consequent sporting sanctions imposed on the country and Russian athletes, the acquisition slipped into the puddle after agreeing upon a £12.6m fee.

Since then, the Evening Standard recently revealed that the Blues have maintained their concrete interest that arrived in the summer.

Speaking to Sport24, the player said: “I immediately discovered that I wanted to go. “I do not dismiss the option of returning [to Dynamo] on loan but at least I would try myself [at Chelsea], then I’ll be back. Maybe it would be possible to start playing there right away.

“I hope that the negotiations will continue in the winter and they will lead somewhere.”

The blistering form that struck Zakharyan into prominence like a lightning bolt truly took shape last year, when the ace struck nine goals and nine assists from 34 appearances in Russia, earning plaudits for his destructive nature despite his tender age.

This season, the 19-year-old has plundered three goals and six assists from 22 appearances, and the offensive-minded midfielder is beginning to display the promising signs of a world-class budding talent.

With that in mind, one can only imagine the creative energy he might nurture and develop at Chelsea, perhaps emulating the iconic success of another forward-thinking midfielder named Frank Lampard.

Lampard, who went on to have a managerial stint with the Blues after his tremendous playing career, scored 211 goals and assisted 145 more across 648 appearances for the west London giants, basking in a prosperous footballing journey that left him with a wealth of major honours including three Premier League trophies, the Champions League and four FA Cup triumphs.

If Zakharyan can harness his “exciting potential” – as lauded by Bence Bocsak – then he could go on to forge a very successful career indeed with the Blues, flourishing under the tutelage of Graham Potter, who knows a trick or two about man management.

As per Sofascore, the maestro has recorded an average rating of 7.33 in the Russian Premier Liga this term, taking 1.3 shots per game and displaying his creative flair with 2.7 key passes.

Creative and possessing a dangerous eye for goal, Zakharyan certainly shows plenty of shades of Lampard, arriving late in the penalty area from his central berth to beat the goalkeeper on an all too regular basis.

Quite simply, he would be a fine addition to a Chelsea team at the beginning of a new dawn, an offensive centrepiece from the middle of the park to craft a career that could ascend him to the very top, with Chelsea reaping the rewards.

Edited December 25, 2022 by Vesper

[Vesper 30,224]