Chelsea Transfers

[ZAPHOD2319 4,477]

Unless Felix starts finding some shorting boots that don’t hit the cross bar and go in, I’m not sure he is worth the price we would pay. He looks great out there, but our attack still has no finishing.

[OhForAGreavsie 5,892]

16 hours ago, OneMoSalah said:

Another attacking midfielder? What the actual fuck is the clubs transfer strategy honestly 😂 Are they forgetting Nkunku’s already coming? I mean really the only way I could see it coming is if Mount is 100% gone and Felix isn’t going to happen either.

If true, this suggests the club has lost hope that they can complete a deal for Zakharyan anytime soon.

Edited March 4, 2023 by OhForAGreavsie

[OneMoSalah 8,776]

53 minutes ago, OhForAGreavsie said:

If true, this suggests the club has lost hope that they can complete a deal for Zakharyan anytime soon.

Even Zakharyan seems a bit of a pointless move unless he was going to be loaned out/signed for the multi club model. The others ie Nkunku, Felix and Szoboszlai are definitely more capable at this moment in time. Again though begs the question, what are the club looking to prioritise this summer? Positions we already have multiple players in and neglecting areas we urgently need more options ie. Long term Kante successor and a CF? 

1 hour ago, LAM09 said:

A creative one. If Ziyech goes, we won't have one in our squad, so this move would make sense.

Perhaps but would of said Szoboszlai is definitely more of a 10 than someone who plays out wide. But hes played both positions for Leipzig this season although again, is his signing particularly a high priority? 

[LAM09 6,744]

1 hour ago, OneMoSalah said:

Perhaps but would of said Szoboszlai is definitely more of a 10 than someone who plays out wide. But hes played both positions for Leipzig this season although again, is his signing particularly a high priority? 

As things stand, I'd lean towards no, but a lot depends on our outgoings. If we don't sign Felix permanently and Ziyech moves on, signing him would be high on the list.

However, a CF is a must, no matter what.

[Vesper 28,795]

Fabrizio Romano's Daily Briefing

🚨 Christian Falk's Fact Files 

Chelsea

https://caughtoffside.substack.com/i/106192385/Chelsea

Manu Koné is a player every league has an eye on (his contract is still until 2025). Everybody knows there that there is a big chance for other clubs to get him, so that’s why they’ve come up with this price-tag. £26.6m sounds like a crazy amount in England with the pound valuation and in Germany you say it’s €30m, which sounds normal for such a player.

PSG also has an eye on him. We’ve asked him about his future and he told us that it would be interesting to play with Kylian Mbappé (but they can always play together in the national team). He’s been always dreaming of two clubs: one is Real Madrid and the other is Chelsea!

Kone brought up Chelsea because he was a big fan of Didier Drogba, which explains his fascination with the London-based club. There’s nothing concrete at the moment but you see that he’s potentially going to leave in the summer. He’s already talking openly about new clubs and you see he’s interested in England, and there are many clubs that would be on the table. With Chelsea, he’s put another one himself in.

[Pizy 18,368]

Koné and Lavia are two midfielders who we should 100% be after to partner Enzo. Exactly the sort of style we need in there. Super comfortable on the ball but also very athletic and powerful.

My preference would be Lavia because he’s doing it in the PL already. 

[Vesper 28,795]

Fabrizio Romano's Daily Briefing

 

🚨 the Daily Briefing - Caicedo contract won't change summer transfer situation, Arsenal interested in Dortmund star, truth behind Firmino exit decision and more

https://caughtoffside.substack.com/p/the-daily-briefing-caicedo-contract

Good morning guys! Welcome to my latest Daily Briefing, hope you enjoy today’s updates 🙂

Today’s top stories:

• Updates on Arsenal targets Caicedo and Brandt

• Why Firmino decided to leave Liverpool

• Plus stories on Chelsea, Man Utd and more

Arsenal

Julian Brandt has always been tracked by Arsenal. I’m not aware of fresh contacts at this stage, nothing new; also because Borussia Dortmund have still not decided on Brandt’s future. New attacking signings will depend on many factors, nothing is decided on summer plan yet.

Arsenal offered Moises Caicedo a huge salary in January, which is why Brighton have given him a new contract with a pay rise, but it won’t stop top clubs being there for the midfielder in the summer.

Mikel Arteta: “Saliba had instant impact. First two training sessions, we looked at him and thought: there’s huge potential here. He came in and said: I’m going to prove that I’m very good, I deserve to be here. He took out every question mark that we could have with him.”

Bayern Munich

Joao Cancelo was left on the bench for 90 minutes last night after playing just 12’ last game vs Union. Julian Nagelsmann: “Joao’s handling the situation well. I don't have impression that he’s breaking off. Stanisic is a bit more defensive, that’s the reason.”

Borussia Dortmund

Marco Reus on his contract expiring in June: “Of course I can’t imagine myself not playing for Borussia Dortmund, in this stadium… I hope not.”

Contract talks are ongoing in order to make internal decision soon.

Julian Brandt has always been tracked by Arsenal. I’m not aware of fresh contacts at this stage, nothing new; also because Borussia Dortmund have still not decided on Brandt’s future.

Brighton

I’ve been asked a few times about Moises Caicedo surprisingly signing a new contract with Brighton, but it’s not about being persuaded; Caicedo deserved a pay rise after £70m turned down by Brighton and a huge salary from Arsenal, so it was absolutely normal to accept. I think top clubs will try again to sign him in the summer, contract extension helps Brighton for sure but there’s no release clause in the deal and it doesn't change the situation for the summer: top clubs will be there.

💬 Where will Moises Caicedo be playing next season? Give me YOUR predictions in the comments!

Bristol City

I can’t mention the clubs at this stage but I can confirm there is interest from Premier League clubs in Alex Scott. Bristol City won’t negotiate for less than £20-25m.

Chelsea

Graham Potter: “If results aren't good enough… then you know your job is in danger. That's our [coaches] life. I just have to do my best, try to improve the situation until there’s a point where we’re not able to go forward — that has not been the case, we keep fighting.”

Potter: “The players fought for the win and it allows us to keep moving forward. Players with me? It needs to manifest itself in wins. Talk is cheap. The results haven't been good enough and that is my responsibility. We have to try to improve and win.”

📰 AC Milan are interested in signing Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who could cost around €25m (Calciomercato)

Inter Milan

Hakan Calhanoglu’s new deal with Inter will be valid until June 2027 and it’s almost done, just waiting to get it signed in the next weeks. Inter are also in talks with Alessandro Bastoni in order to prepare new contract proposal soon.

Liverpool

There were talks between Roberto Firmino and Liverpool over a one or two year deal but then he decided together with his family that he wanted to try a new challenge, new experience, and probably a new country. For sure clubs are monitoring him but there is nothing advanced yet. Liverpool’s priority for the summer will be new midfielders and then a centre-back. Signing a striker will depend on the opportunities.

Roberto Firmino’s agent Roger Wittmann: “He told us: I don’t want to talk to any other club, he wants to give his best for Liverpool until the end. This was the first time in my life he’s a free agent player and he said there was no need to talk to others!”

Not just Roberto Firmino. There are currently no talks between Liverpool and Naby Keita over new contract and he could be next one to leave on a free, together with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Arthur Melo is also expected to leave at the end of his loan. Liverpool are not planning to trigger the buy option.

💬 How much will Liverpool miss Roberto Firmino? And would you want him at YOUR club?

Lyon

Houssem Aouar has many proposals and possibilities for the summer. Eintracht Frankfurt want him but Aouar has not decided yet, he wants to take his time. I think he’s a very good player, and looks a good opportunity on a free.

Manchester United

Despite strong claims about Manchester United edging closer to signing Jeremie Frimpong, I’m told there’s nothing concrete on this one. Manchester United are following Frimpong, their scouts have been monitoring him since October as stated many times... but nothing else. No direct talks with agents or Bayer Leverkusen at this stage. The priority is to extend Diogo Dalot’s contract, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka has also improved a lot and ended up staying in January.

📰 Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is still a target for Manchester United ahead of this summer (Guardian)

PSG

Kylian Mbappe becomes PSG’s all time leading goalscorer with 201 goals, surpassing Edinson Cavani. Mbappe - still only 24 years old making history as a Paris Saint-Germain player.

Mbappe: “It’s a privilege to play for Paris Saint-Germain. It’s special to be PSG player as this is my city. I’m here to write history — in France, in the capital, in my country, in my city. It’s beautiful — but I want also collective achievements. Ballon d’Or? For sure it’s a mission for me to win the Ballon d’Or one day.”

Real Madrid

Carlo Ancelotti on Luka Modric almost being out of contract: “Modric will do what he thinks he should do, he's talking to the club. It’s not a problem for me or for Luka. He will make the most appropriate decision. It’s not a problem.”

Wolfsburg

Dutch centre back Micky Van de Ven has now signed a new long-term deal with Wolfsburg valid until June 2027. It’s been confirmed by his agency team and a club statement.

[TheHulk 1,855]

Good.

[TheHulk 1,855]

Puke inducing.

[Mário César 975]

What we will do with odoi?

he is barely playing in leverkusen.

probably we will sell him for a middle club 

[OneMoSalah 8,776]

10 minutes ago, Mário César said:

What we will do with odoi?

he is barely playing in leverkusen.

probably we will sell him for a middle club 

Personally, think he could have had a role here as Sterling’s understudy but think with the Mudryk signing his fate is sealed. Shame because if we hadn’t gone OTT with that contract offer back under Frank and he knuckled down he could of been of use here IMO. Probably sell him now though. And for maybe 15-20m max. 

[Vesper 28,795]

Chelsea agree deal to hire Man City talent spotter Stewart Thompson

https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-Chelsea-agree-deal-to-hire-man-city-talent-spotter-stewart-thompson/

Chelsea have agreed a deal to hire Man City talent spotter Stewart Thompson, sources have told Football Insider.

City’s head of UK academy scouting is heading to the London giants as they continue the huge overhaul of their entire transfer set-up.

Thompson, 58, has agreed terms with Chelsea and will complete a period of gardening leave before joining them. 

It is believed that Chelsea’s co-director of recruitment and talent Joe Shields has recommended the move for Thompson, having previously worked with him at City.

Chelsea’s Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital owners have been working hard to build a new recruitment team since their takeover last year.

Christopher Vivell joined in December as the club’s new technical director with recent recruitment hires Paul Winstanley, Kyle Macaulay and Shields, as well as various scouts, feeding into him.

The capture of Thompson is the latest planned appointment by Boehly and Clearlake as they look to build the strongest possible recruitment team, rather than hiring one or two individuals to take on the bulk of the responsibilities.

City’s national youth scout manager is heading to the north-east giants to be head of UK scouting at Under-13-18 age groups and he will be working under head of youth recruitment Paul Midgley.

Edited March 5, 2023 by Vesper

[ulvhedin 507]

CHO contract is up in 2024, he failed badly in bundesliga, let's hope we can get 15m for him...

[ZAPHOD2319 4,477]

 

[Pizy 18,368]

I can’t decide which is more implausible, Osimhen choosing us with no CL football when he’ll be coveted by every big club around or us agreeing to pay £150m for a striker after being burned time and time again by big money strikers. 

I cannot imagine us spending that kind of cash after what we’ve already spent. Not on one player. 

[MoroccanBlue 5,296]

Truly worried we might be hit hard by FFP. 

[TheHulk 1,855]

6 minutes ago, MoroccanBlue said:

Truly worried we might be hit hard by FFP. 

Can't be hit by not being in the competition.

[Mário César 975]

maybe we can include lukaku in this deal and low the price