Chelsea Transfers

[MoroccanBlue 5,375]

Just now, Superblue_1986 said:

Will be interesting to see how the recruitment guy coming over with Potter fits into things.

I'm not sure what his exact role was with Brighton but I guess there's a chance he could take over from McLachlan and work alongside the new sporting director.

Potter brought over the assistant of recruitment with him. Does he now become head scout?

[Superblue 6,372]

4 minutes ago, MoroccanBlue said:

Potter brought over the assistant of recruitment with him. Does he now become head scout?

I don't know his exact role at Brighton but my understanding is he's been with Potter before Brighton and is being credited with them signing the likes of Cucurella and Caicedo.

To be honest, I'm not even sure what the position of a head scout would exactly entail when a director of football sits above them on the totem pole. We haven't had anything like that since Emenalo, so you wonder just how much power and influence was held by McLachlan at Chelsea. 

If this guy is trusted explicitly by Potter and he seems like he's going to be handed an incredible amount of influence, you have to believe his role is going to be amongst the highest of influences within the recruitment/scouting network the club plans to build.

[NikkiCFC 8,286]

3 hours ago, Blues Forever said:

We might have other targets with Tuchel gone. No idea if we are still pursuing the likes of Gvardiol, Nkunku, Leao, and Alvarez.

None of the players that come under TT were good. Saul and Lukaku disaster. This summer also plenty of scepticism about all of them but jury is still out. 

[YorkshireBlue 3,264]

9 minutes ago, Hermione said:

Tuchel didn't even want Alvarez and the board we're having discussions with Kovacic a couple days ago about Gvardiol, you'd have to believe most of the targets remain the same.

Potter has brought his scout/recruitment or what ever u wanna call it with him, if this is the project we have all been told it is, targets will 100% change maybe not all but deffo most.

[Vesper 30,090]

Chelsea eye Josko Gvardiol as Graham Potter's first signing

https://www.espn.co.uk/football/blog-transfer-talk/story/4742668/transfer-talk-Chelsea-eye-josko-gvardiol-as-graham-potters-first-signing

TOP STORY: Chelsea to try again for RB Leipzig's Joško Gvardiol

After failing to secure a deal for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol this summer, Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Chelsea will make another attempt for the 20-year-old in the winter transfer window, as shared by Bild's Christian Falk.

The Blues reportedly offered up to €90 million for the Croatia international, who instead signed a one-year extension to remain in Germany. However, Gvardiol is tipped to become the first signing of Graham Potter, who replaced Thomas Tuchel at the helm on Thursday.

Chelsea have already acquired the services of Kalidou Koulibaly and Wesley Fofana in central defence this summer. Still, the west London side are set to reapproach the centre-back in January and implore him to reconsider a move to the Premier League. The young defender, who made 29 Bundesliga appearances last season, could have a long-term future at Stamford Bridge, with Thiago Silva set to turn 38 years old this month.

 

[Blue Armour 4,436]

12 hours ago, Vesper said:

Chelsea eye Josko Gvardiol as Graham Potter's first signing

https://www.espn.co.uk/football/blog-transfer-talk/story/4742668/transfer-talk-Chelsea-eye-josko-gvardiol-as-graham-potters-first-signing

TOP STORY: Chelsea to try again for RB Leipzig's Joško Gvardiol

After failing to secure a deal for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol this summer, Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Chelsea will make another attempt for the 20-year-old in the winter transfer window, as shared by Bild's Christian Falk.

The Blues reportedly offered up to €90 million for the Croatia international, who instead signed a one-year extension to remain in Germany. However, Gvardiol is tipped to become the first signing of Graham Potter, who replaced Thomas Tuchel at the helm on Thursday.

Chelsea have already acquired the services of Kalidou Koulibaly and Wesley Fofana in central defence this summer. Still, the west London side are set to reapproach the centre-back in January and implore him to reconsider a move to the Premier League. The young defender, who made 29 Bundesliga appearances last season, could have a long-term future at Stamford Bridge, with Thiago Silva set to turn 38 years old this month.

 

Hope Turbo Timo can put in a good word.

He might have disagreed with Tuchel, but I'm sure he appreciated how the stadium going fans had his back even when he went through tough times.

[Vesper 30,090]

Chelsea boss Graham Potter has already unearthed perfect N'Golo Kante replacement

Chelsea are set to back Graham Potter with the signing of another midfield in the January transfer window...

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1667853/Chelsea-news-Graham-Potter-N-Golo-Kante-replacement-Moises-Caicedo-Brighton

Chelsea boss Graham Potter won't have to look far should he wish to find a long-term replacement for N'Golo Kante at Stamford Bridge. The destructive World Cup-winning midfielder was once considered untouchable in west London but with contract discussions yet to reach a successful conclusion, there is every chance the Blues may have to consider what life will be like without their relentless 31-year-old.

In truth, Kante has not been able to offer the full package in recent times under Thomas Tuchel due to his questionable fitness record, which appears to suggest the hard yards are finally taking their toll on his body and legs.

That said, Kante remains an integral player to Chelsea and he is one they would undoubtedly like to keep at the club. With his current deal due to expire at the end of the season, the Blues will have to act fast before he is free to sign with foreign clubs on a pre-contract agreement in January.

While unquestionably, Kante would be a devastating loss for the Blues, there is one player well known to new head coach Potter that has the quality and capability to fill any void left behind.

Moises Caicedo has taken the Premier League by storm since breaking into the Brighton first-team earlier this year and now he looks set to make the Seagulls another killing in transfer fees.

Potter may have caused himself his own problems though should Chelsea wish to push ahead with a move - either in January or further down the line.

He recently said amid reports in South America of a £42.5million bid from Liverpool: “I think you’d probably get his boots for that, maybe, knowing the chairman! It’s not for me to talk about. It is what it is.”

Brighton know how to play the game - perhaps better than anyone on English shores. They secured a £50m premium for Ben White when selling the England international to Arsenal in 2021 before encouraging Chelsea to pay £62m for Marc Cucurella.

Chelsea know that if they are to firm up their interest, Caicedo will certainly not come cheap. Particularly given this would be Potter raiding his former club.

Yet he knows better than anyone that the 20-year-old is destined for stardom. What he is currently doing - is not normal for someone of his age, who has just moved across the world away from his family to pursue his dreams.

Potter added: “It doesn’t surprise me that people are looking at him because he is playing at a fantastic level.

"As soon as you do research on him you realise he is a top kid, great person, young, playing in the Premier League, has all the attributes to play at the very, very highest level.

"But we know the position he is in and we know the position the club are in, which is why we don’t want to lose him.”

Caicedo can do it all. He's an all-action midfielder who can affect the game at both ends of the pitch. He will break up play in his own half and also has the ability to finish when required - as seen in the 5-2 win over Leicester.

Kante's role at Chelsea has very much changed in the past three or four years since Maurizio Sarri began to play him further up the field.

At Leicester and in his first few seasons at Chelsea, the France international was effectively operating as an extra layer of protection for the defence.

Now Kante has been given more of a license to get forward, although his main strength remains winning back the ball and moving it forward with simple passes for others to do the damage.

That is Caicedo's game to a tee but he is already proving there is much more to his game in an attacking sense having netted two Premier League goals in just 14 outings.

In Potter and Tuchel's 3-4-3 system, the central midfielders need to be well-rounded in order to succeed as they're fundamental cogs in the system. Chelsea are currently lacking standout performers in that department.

Jorginho flatters to deceive while Mateo Kovacic cannot seem to stay fit. Kante has also been experiencing similar problems.

Chelsea need some fresh blood in that department and they are expected to push ahead with the signing of a midfielder when the January window opens - despite signing Denis Zakaria on loan from Juventus.

Before his sacking, Tuchel hinted Kante may have to lower his salary demands in order to remain at Chelsea, who have placed a competitive offer on the table.

Tuchel said: "You have to consider everything that is on the table. And on the table is his potential, on the table is his influence and his quality.

“But on the table of course is his age, his salary and his injury rate, of course. From there you build a whole picture and try to find a solution.”

Should Chelsea be unable to find a solution - Caicedo could prove to be the answer. Prising him away from the Amex will not prove easy though. It could now take silly money.

Edited September 11, 2022 by Vesper

[OhForAGreavsie 6,058]

3 hours ago, Vesper said:

Chelsea boss Graham Potter has already unearthed perfect N'Golo Kante replacement

Chelsea are set to back Graham Potter with the signing of another midfield in the January transfer window...

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1667853/Chelsea-news-Graham-Potter-N-Golo-Kante-replacement-Moises-Caicedo-Brighton

Chelsea boss Graham Potter won't have to look far should he wish to find a long-term replacement for N'Golo Kante at Stamford Bridge. The destructive World Cup-winning midfielder was once considered untouchable in west London but with contract discussions yet to reach a successful conclusion, there is every chance the Blues may have to consider what life will be like without their relentless 31-year-old.

In truth, Kante has not been able to offer the full package in recent times under Thomas Tuchel due to his questionable fitness record, which appears to suggest the hard yards are finally taking their toll on his body and legs.

That said, Kante remains an integral player to Chelsea and he is one they would undoubtedly like to keep at the club. With his current deal due to expire at the end of the season, the Blues will have to act fast before he is free to sign with foreign clubs on a pre-contract agreement in January.

While unquestionably, Kante would be a devastating loss for the Blues, there is one player well known to new head coach Potter that has the quality and capability to fill any void left behind.

Moises Caicedo has taken the Premier League by storm since breaking into the Brighton first-team earlier this year and now he looks set to make the Seagulls another killing in transfer fees.

Potter may have caused himself his own problems though should Chelsea wish to push ahead with a move - either in January or further down the line.

He recently said amid reports in South America of a £42.5million bid from Liverpool: “I think you’d probably get his boots for that, maybe, knowing the chairman! It’s not for me to talk about. It is what it is.”

Brighton know how to play the game - perhaps better than anyone on English shores. They secured a £50m premium for Ben White when selling the England international to Arsenal in 2021 before encouraging Chelsea to pay £62m for Marc Cucurella.

Chelsea know that if they are to firm up their interest, Caicedo will certainly not come cheap. Particularly given this would be Potter raiding his former club.

Yet he knows better than anyone that the 20-year-old is destined for stardom. What he is currently doing - is not normal for someone of his age, who has just moved across the world away from his family to pursue his dreams.

Potter added: “It doesn’t surprise me that people are looking at him because he is playing at a fantastic level.

"As soon as you do research on him you realise he is a top kid, great person, young, playing in the Premier League, has all the attributes to play at the very, very highest level.

"But we know the position he is in and we know the position the club are in, which is why we don’t want to lose him.”

Caicedo can do it all. He's an all-action midfielder who can affect the game at both ends of the pitch. He will break up play in his own half and also has the ability to finish when required - as seen in the 5-2 win over Leicester.

Kante's role at Chelsea has very much changed in the past three or four years since Maurizio Sarri began to play him further up the field.

At Leicester and in his first few seasons at Chelsea, the France international was effectively operating as an extra layer of protection for the defence.

Now Kante has been given more of a license to get forward, although his main strength remains winning back the ball and moving it forward with simple passes for others to do the damage.

That is Caicedo's game to a tee but he is already proving there is much more to his game in an attacking sense having netted two Premier League goals in just 14 outings.

In Potter and Tuchel's 3-4-3 system, the central midfielders need to be well-rounded in order to succeed as they're fundamental cogs in the system. Chelsea are currently lacking standout performers in that department.

Jorginho flatters to deceive while Mateo Kovacic cannot seem to stay fit. Kante has also been experiencing similar problems.

Chelsea need some fresh blood in that department and they are expected to push ahead with the signing of a midfielder when the January window opens - despite signing Denis Zakaria on loan from Juventus.

Before his sacking, Tuchel hinted Kante may have to lower his salary demands in order to remain at Chelsea, who have placed a competitive offer on the table.

Tuchel said: "You have to consider everything that is on the table. And on the table is his potential, on the table is his influence and his quality.

“But on the table of course is his age, his salary and his injury rate, of course. From there you build a whole picture and try to find a solution.”

Should Chelsea be unable to find a solution - Caicedo could prove to be the answer. Prising him away from the Amex will not prove easy though. It could now take silly money.

Let's at least look at Zakaria first.  As for this potential move costing silly money, when it's Chelsea the bidding starts at silly or even very silly.🙂 

[OhForAGreavsie 6,058]

On 10/09/2022 at 06:40, Vesper said:

Chelsea eye Josko Gvardiol as Graham Potter's first signing

https://www.espn.co.uk/football/blog-transfer-talk/story/4742668/transfer-talk-Chelsea-eye-josko-gvardiol-as-graham-potters-first-signing

TOP STORY: Chelsea to try again for RB Leipzig's Joško Gvardiol

After failing to secure a deal for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol this summer, Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Chelsea will make another attempt for the 20-year-old in the winter transfer window, as shared by Bild's Christian Falk.

The Blues reportedly offered up to €90 million for the Croatia international, who instead signed a one-year extension to remain in Germany. However, Gvardiol is tipped to become the first signing of Graham Potter, who replaced Thomas Tuchel at the helm on Thursday.

Chelsea have already acquired the services of Kalidou Koulibaly and Wesley Fofana in central defence this summer. Still, the west London side are set to reapproach the centre-back in January and implore him to reconsider a move to the Premier League. The young defender, who made 29 Bundesliga appearances last season, could have a long-term future at Stamford Bridge, with Thiago Silva set to turn 38 years old this month.

 

Has only started two games this season and was subbed at halftime in one of those, though this may have been an injury for all I know.

[Vesper 30,090]

2 hours ago, OhForAGreavsie said:

Let's at least look at Zakaria first.  As for this potential move costing silly money, when it's Chelsea the bidding starts at silly or even very silly.🙂 

Chalk and cheese for me, Caicedo is a much different type of player than Zakaria.

For me, Caicedo is more like Barella than Zakaria.

Zakaria is the one who (I will do a fortnight of dancing if this happens) could put paid to us having to (well choosing to) plonk down £130-150m for Rice.

Edited September 12, 2022 by Vesper

[YorkshireBlue 3,264]

18 minutes ago, Vesper said:

Chalk and cheese for me, Caicedo is a much different type of player than Zakaria.

For me, Caicedo is more like Barella than Zakaria.

Zakaria is the one who (I will do a fortnight of dancing if this happens) could put paid to us having to (well choosing to) plonk down £130-150m for Rice.

Not sold on rice so far this season, but then again alot of teams/players struggling this season apart from man city and Brighton before we took potter lol 

[Vesper 30,090]

a great young manager to watch

Matthias Jaissle

[Strike 7,474]

 

 

[MoroccanBlue 5,375]

Bye Felica. 

[Special Juan 28,100]

Based on how injury prone he is now we won't get 50% of this season from him.