Chelsea Transfers

[Vesper 27,718]

3 hours ago, Magic Lamps said:

How are araujo and hummels interchangeable? Completely different types of CB

Hummels is finished. He has had one last good season after years of decline. Hummels is now super slow probably slower than 40yo Thiago who was rapid when young while Hummels was always a snail 

It is not a vintage year for German cbs but if I needed to pick one apart from Toni it would be Tah and maybe koch. Both not perfect but one is a commanding presence, leader and good tactical brain, the other is PL proven, versatile and cheap 

Edit; just in, tah has agreed to join Bayern who ofc want to poach their main rivals leading figure. 

 

My top 3, in order, in terms of best now would be Rüdiger (along with VVD one of the 2 best 31yo and older CBs on the planet, with Alaba 3rd, when recovered), Nico Schlotterbeck and probably Tah, but none are availabe, obviously

in terms of buying, perhaps Malick Thiaw from AC Milan

[Strike 7,067]

1 hour ago, Vesper said:

I would wager around £10m to £15m, as, like you said, his contracr expires at the end of next June and his agent says he will not renew

any preference between Valles, Jorgenson and Marmadashvili?

[Vesper 27,718]

5 hours ago, Strike said:

any preference between Valles, Jorgenson and Marmadashvili?

Mamardashvili

Vallés

Jörgensen

in that order

my number one overall choice is, of course, Diogo Costa, who is, after Ederson, the best ball playing GKer I have seen out there atm

 

BUT

if Mamar or Costa cost so much it blocks us on buying an elite CB, then I go with Vallés

 

Álvaro Vallés: The Modern Sweeper Keeper

https://breakingthelines.com/player-analysis/alvaro-valles-the-modern-sweeper-keeper/

Club: Las Palmas

Nationality: Spain

Position: GK

Preferred Foot: Right

Height: 6’3”/191cm

Age: 26

Strengths: reflexes, speed, line-breaking passes, composure, technical security, claiming crosses

Areas for Development: top-flight experience

It has been quite the arduous rise for Álvaro Vallés. After honing his trade at the academies of Real Madrid and Real Betis, Vallés plied his trade on loan at fourth-tier Gerena before making the move to Las Palmas in 2018. He would cut his teeth with their B team in the third division before eventually competing for a first-team place, solidifying a starting spot in goal in 2022/23 and leading the Canarian side back to the top-flight.

Las Palmas have impressed in their first La Liga season in six years thanks in large part to Vallés, who has made the most of his first Primera season and emerged as one of the standout goalkeepers in the division. A 6’3″ shot-stopper with incredible reflexes, Vallés is a ball-playing goalkeeper who passes every test: the eye test, the data test, the mentality test and the price test.

Whenever he has to make a quick decision, Vallés can react well and scan the scenario at a moment’s notice, boasting solid awareness and capable of anticipating where the shot is travelling. He’s skilled at altering his body orientation and reaching the optimal position to make the save. He boasts a save percentage of 74.2%, whilst he is also saving an astonishing 37.5% of the penalty saves that he has faced this season.

Under the reign of García Pimienta, Las Palmas have adopted a fearless approach in their return to La Liga and have heavily prioritized having the ball — only Barcelona (64.6%) averaged more possession than Las Palmas (59.8%) this season. They tend to build in a hybrid of a 3-4-1-3 / 3-5-3, with Vallés pushing up and operating as an extra center back in order to create a numerical overload at the back and play through the opponent’s pressing structure.

Vallés has the confidence and pausa to manipulate the press, waiting until the opponent rushes forward before playing a clever pass through the lines, remaining calm and composed and dictating the play with his passing like a press-resistant midfielder. Comfortable in possession, Vallés is a two-footed player who can receive the ball under pressure from either side and execute passes to perfection, and his teammates are always willing to give him the ball and entrust his technical security in dangerous situations.

It should come as no surprise that Vallés ranks in the 99th percentile for touches (56.71) and defensive actions outside the penalty area (2.65) as well as the 96th for average distance of defensive actions, per FBRef.com. Moreover, he ranks in the 91st percentile amongst goalkeepers in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year when it comes to Post-Shot Expected Goals minus Goals Allowed (+0.21), perhaps the most reliable metric when it comes to determining a goalkeeper’s shot-stopping ability.

The Las Palmas goalkeeper acts as a sweeper for the team and is often positioned higher up due to Las Palmas playing a higher defensive line. Similarly to Manuel Neuer, he’s somebody who always backs himself to take risks, come off his line, and make crucial interventions in order to prevent the opposing attack from getting into a dangerous goal-scoring scenario.

Despite a dreadful run of form that saw them close out the campaign with one win, six draws, and 10 defeats, Las Palmas managed to finish 16th in the table, seven points clear of the drop. Now, it’s time for a major rebuild at the Estadio Gran Canaria. García Pimienta will depart his post and become Sevilla’s new manager, and it seems that quite a few key players like Alberto Moleiro and Saúl Coco will follow him out the exit door.

With a contract until 2025, it seems a matter of time before Álvaro Vallés becomes the next player to depart Pío Pío. A 1v1 specialist who is quick off his line and skilled at maneuvering past the pressure, he has emerged as one of the finest goalkeepers in Spain this season, and he could very well end up surpassing Pedri (€23m) as Las Palmas’ club-record sale this summer.

[Superblue 6,347]

7 hours ago, Vesper said:

I would wager around £10m to £15m, as, like you said, his contracr expires at the end of next June and his agent says he will not renew

Like Tosin, this could be a very sensible signing to fill a need in a cost effective manner. We can't continue to spend money like we have over the last 2 years and if there is a player or two we do want to buy which are going to cost a pretty penny this window then we have to learn to get more creative in other areas.

The one slight concern is he's in his mid 20's and only played one season of top flight football so was last season simply a purple patch a la Mendy or is he just now showing progression and development which could easily be the case for a 26 year old goalkeeper. 

For the likely transfer fee he'd be available for, he could well be worth the risk to find out.

[Pizy 18,001]

The thing we have to remember about our keeper situation is how difficult it will probably be to get rid of Kepa & Sanchez. And then we still have Petrovic and Slonina who were presumably bought as young, future starters.

I can see this being the one position where the club have told Maresca “we know it’s not ideal for your football but you’ll have to work with what you’ve got there.” 

I can genuinely imagine Kepa getting a 3rd lifeline.

[Mhsc 735]

1 minute ago, Pizy said:

The thing we have to remember about our keeper situation is how difficult it will probably be to get rid of Kepa & Sanchez. And then we still have Petrovic and Slonina who were presumably bought as young, future starters.

I can see this being the one position where the club have told Maresca “we know it’s not ideal for your football but you’ll have to work with what you’ve got there.” 

I can genuinely imagine Kepa getting a 3rd lifeline.

I think GK is the only position we HAVE to make a move in, it is almost unforeseeable to enter season trying to play that style of football without a new GK, sets new manager up to fail.

I don't see why it would be hard to get rid of Kepa with his contract being so short - surely at this point a sale on close to nothing is good for all sides. And he did just win the champions league and played a bunch of games for Real Madrid. Teams will want him at the right price.

One of Petro or Sanchez to stay and compete after that. Don't really see it as some kind of huge drama or problem tbh

[Pizy 18,001]

12 minutes ago, Mhsc said:

I think GK is the only position we HAVE to make a move in, it is almost unforeseeable to enter season trying to play that style of football without a new GK, sets new manager up to fail.

I don't see why it would be hard to get rid of Kepa with his contract being so short - surely at this point a sale on close to nothing is good for all sides. And he did just win the champions league and played a bunch of games for Real Madrid. Teams will want him at the right price.

One of Petro or Sanchez to stay and compete after that. Don't really see it as some kind of huge drama or problem tbh

For Kepa I was thinking about his wages and how after being at Chelsea & Real Madrid his ego may not allow to go to a smaller club. 

[bluesman2610 1,287]

2 hours ago, Mhsc said:

I think GK is the only position we HAVE to make a move in, it is almost unforeseeable to enter season trying to play that style of football without a new GK, sets new manager up to fail.

I don't see why it would be hard to get rid of Kepa with his contract being so short - surely at this point a sale on close to nothing is good for all sides. And he did just win the champions league and played a bunch of games for Real Madrid. Teams will want him at the right price.

One of Petro or Sanchez to stay and compete after that. Don't really see it as some kind of huge drama or problem tbh

The problem is Petro is better than Sanchez but Sanchez counts towards HG and I don't know if we have a problem for HG status in the squad.

[MoroccanBlue 5,251]

14 minutes ago, bluesman2610 said:

The problem is Petro is better than Sanchez but Sanchez counts towards HG and I don't know if we have a problem for HG status in the squad.

I think we have all been blinded by Sanchez's passing blunders to accept the notion Sanchez is a better shot stopper than Petrovic. I think Petrovic ranks the lowest in almost every goalkeeper data metric in the Premier League. 

I think we will be fine selling Sanchez (who in reality would be quite easy to sell) and keeping Petrovic as a #2 (Perfect for League Cup/Conference League matches). HG quota I am not fussed about at all as the club are clever enough in working around that. 

[bluesman2610 1,287]

 

10 minutes ago, MoroccanBlue said:

I think we have all been blinded by Sanchez's passing blunders to accept the notion Sanchez is a better shot stopper than Petrovic. I think Petrovic ranks the lowest in almost every goalkeeper data metric in the Premier League. 

I think we will be fine selling Sanchez (who in reality would be quite easy to sell) and keeping Petrovic as a #2 (Perfect for League Cup/Conference League matches). HG quota I am not fussed about at all as the club are clever enough in working around that. 

Seems the club thinks differently as he(Sanchez) has been transfer listed

 

Edited June 3 by bluesman2610

[Mário César 903]

petrovic is fine for league cup and conference league and even fifa club world cup

it is fine for second choice but we need to sell sanchez

[bluesman2610 1,287]

6 hours ago, Vesper said:

Mamardashvili

Vallés

Jörgensen

in that order

my number one overall choice is, of course, Diogo Costa, who is, after Ederson, the best ball playing GKer I have seen out there atm

 

BUT

if Mamar or Costa cost so much it blocks us on buying an elite CB, then I go with Vallés

 

Álvaro Vallés: The Modern Sweeper Keeper

https://breakingthelines.com/player-analysis/alvaro-valles-the-modern-sweeper-keeper/

Club: Las Palmas

Nationality: Spain

Position: GK

Preferred Foot: Right

Height: 6’3”/191cm

Age: 26

Strengths: reflexes, speed, line-breaking passes, composure, technical security, claiming crosses

Areas for Development: top-flight experience

It has been quite the arduous rise for Álvaro Vallés. After honing his trade at the academies of Real Madrid and Real Betis, Vallés plied his trade on loan at fourth-tier Gerena before making the move to Las Palmas in 2018. He would cut his teeth with their B team in the third division before eventually competing for a first-team place, solidifying a starting spot in goal in 2022/23 and leading the Canarian side back to the top-flight.

Las Palmas have impressed in their first La Liga season in six years thanks in large part to Vallés, who has made the most of his first Primera season and emerged as one of the standout goalkeepers in the division. A 6’3″ shot-stopper with incredible reflexes, Vallés is a ball-playing goalkeeper who passes every test: the eye test, the data test, the mentality test and the price test.

Whenever he has to make a quick decision, Vallés can react well and scan the scenario at a moment’s notice, boasting solid awareness and capable of anticipating where the shot is travelling. He’s skilled at altering his body orientation and reaching the optimal position to make the save. He boasts a save percentage of 74.2%, whilst he is also saving an astonishing 37.5% of the penalty saves that he has faced this season.

Under the reign of García Pimienta, Las Palmas have adopted a fearless approach in their return to La Liga and have heavily prioritized having the ball — only Barcelona (64.6%) averaged more possession than Las Palmas (59.8%) this season. They tend to build in a hybrid of a 3-4-1-3 / 3-5-3, with Vallés pushing up and operating as an extra center back in order to create a numerical overload at the back and play through the opponent’s pressing structure.

Vallés has the confidence and pausa to manipulate the press, waiting until the opponent rushes forward before playing a clever pass through the lines, remaining calm and composed and dictating the play with his passing like a press-resistant midfielder. Comfortable in possession, Vallés is a two-footed player who can receive the ball under pressure from either side and execute passes to perfection, and his teammates are always willing to give him the ball and entrust his technical security in dangerous situations.

It should come as no surprise that Vallés ranks in the 99th percentile for touches (56.71) and defensive actions outside the penalty area (2.65) as well as the 96th for average distance of defensive actions, per FBRef.com. Moreover, he ranks in the 91st percentile amongst goalkeepers in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year when it comes to Post-Shot Expected Goals minus Goals Allowed (+0.21), perhaps the most reliable metric when it comes to determining a goalkeeper’s shot-stopping ability.

The Las Palmas goalkeeper acts as a sweeper for the team and is often positioned higher up due to Las Palmas playing a higher defensive line. Similarly to Manuel Neuer, he’s somebody who always backs himself to take risks, come off his line, and make crucial interventions in order to prevent the opposing attack from getting into a dangerous goal-scoring scenario.

Despite a dreadful run of form that saw them close out the campaign with one win, six draws, and 10 defeats, Las Palmas managed to finish 16th in the table, seven points clear of the drop. Now, it’s time for a major rebuild at the Estadio Gran Canaria. García Pimienta will depart his post and become Sevilla’s new manager, and it seems that quite a few key players like Alberto Moleiro and Saúl Coco will follow him out the exit door.

With a contract until 2025, it seems a matter of time before Álvaro Vallés becomes the next player to depart Pío Pío. A 1v1 specialist who is quick off his line and skilled at maneuvering past the pressure, he has emerged as one of the finest goalkeepers in Spain this season, and he could very well end up surpassing Pedri (€23m) as Las Palmas’ club-record sale this summer.

Links are gaining more traction 

https://www.football.london/Chelsea-fc/transfer-news/enzo-maresca-targeting-star-arsenal-29284262?utm_source=linkCopy&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar

[Superblue 6,347]

23 minutes ago, MoroccanBlue said:

I think we have all been blinded by Sanchez's passing blunders to accept the notion Sanchez is a better shot stopper than Petrovic. I think Petrovic ranks the lowest in almost every goalkeeper data metric in the Premier League. 

I think we will be fine selling Sanchez (who in reality would be quite easy to sell) and keeping Petrovic as a #2 (Perfect for League Cup/Conference League matches). HG quota I am not fussed about at all as the club are clever enough in working around that. 

I think Petrovic would benefit from a loan if he's no longer going to be first choice.

He's still very young to really make decisions on him yet, and going out playing regularly for a couple of seasons would hopefully allow us to then make a decision on him at a later date.

Perhaps if we're after this keeper from Las Palmas, we could offer them Petrovic on loan in the deal? 

Sanchez is pretty decent as a backup keeper, he's just not first choice quality.

Anything we can do to move Kepa on will be deemed a 'win'.

[TheHulk 1,560]

 

[TheHulk 1,560]

 

[MoroccanBlue 5,251]

8 minutes ago, Superblue said:

I think Petrovic would benefit from a loan if he's no longer going to be first choice.

He's still very young to really make decisions on him yet, and going out playing regularly for a couple of seasons would hopefully allow us to then make a decision on him at a later date.

Perhaps if we're after this keeper from Las Palmas, we could offer them Petrovic on loan in the deal? 

Sanchez is pretty decent as a backup keeper, he's just not first choice quality.

Anything we can do to move Kepa on will be deemed a 'win'.

Rather keep Petrovic and give him league cup and conference league. 

Sanchez, although a better keeper, has this calamity about him that unsettles the entire back line. 

[Pizy 18,001]

Told you guys not to expect a new keeper. Maresca fancies Sanchez apparently.

I think we’re going to have to wait until next summer for a new starting keeper. He’ll have to assess first hand whether Sanchez or any of the others we currently have can play his way.

[Mário César 903]

Lool