Chelsea Transfers

[Jase 43,479]

Chelsea make Chilwell their No 1 target to solve Lampard’s dilemma at left-back

https://theathletic.com/1412623/2019/12/04/chelsea-make-chilwell-their-no-1-target-to-solve-lampards-dilemma-at-left-back/

Sooner or later Frank Lampard is going to have to start making decisions over transfers at Chelsea and one pressing problem which needs to be resolved is at left-back.

Chelsea’s head coach has revealed that the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision on whether to cut FIFA’s two-window embargo to one is just days away. If it is reduced then the club will be free to spend in January.

Even if they are still prevented from recruiting until the summer, the process of deciding how the squad can be strengthened has begun.

With plenty of money at their disposal, Chelsea will be looking to improve their defence, midfield and attack but one of their main priorities is at left-back.

Leicester’s Ben Chilwell is their first-choice target. He is an England international, who turns 23 this month, and is arguably the best player in this position in the country. Chilwell certainly won’t be cheap and other big clubs will want him too, but Leicester have shown by selling N’Golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez and Harry Maguire in recent years that they will sell their best talent for the right price.

Another player to catch Chelsea’s eye is Valencia’s Jose Gaya, who played against them home and away in the Champions League this season. Gaya, 24, has a massive release clause of £89.5 million, although that does not mean he will be sold for that figure.

Youcef Atal has made his name as a right-back at Nice but has shown he can play in a variety of positions, including left wing. His remarkable speed and value of £35 million might prove decisive even if he’s not regarded as a natural left-back.

Should any of the above (or someone else) arrive then a player within the current squad will have to make way. At the moment, Lampard has four left-backs to choose from: Emerson Palmieri, Marcos Alonso, Cesar Azpilicueta and Ian Maatsen, the 17-year-old academy player. However, none of them are assured to be the long-term solution.

Take Emerson for example. He appears to be the first choice having started nine of the 14 matches in the Premier League and a hamstring injury sustained in September is the main reason why he hasn’t featured more.

But his future at Stamford Bridge is by no means certain. Talks over a contract extension were opened three months ago and yet no agreement has been found.

This isn’t normally the cause for too much alarm especially as his current deal, which is worth around £67,000 a week, still has two and a half years to run. However, Emerson is wanted by Juventus, who are managed by former Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri. The defending Serie A champions have Alex Sandro in that position, but Sarri is looking to add another option.

Emerson joined Chelsea from Roma for £17.5 million in January 2018 and while he hasn’t given any indication of struggling to adapt into life in England, a return to Serie A would obviously be tempting, especially as he has ambitions to add to his seven caps for Italy. It is unlikely he will be prepared to be a back-up for an expensive Chelsea recruit.

Lampard hasn’t been completely happy with Emerson of late either. He was substituted early in the second half during the 2-1 loss against Manchester City after poor defending for both of the goals and was subsequently dropped to the bench against Valencia in the Champions League last week.

Still, he is more in Lampard’s favour than Alonso, who hasn’t featured since being substituted at half-time against Ajax four weeks ago. Chelsea were 3-1 down at the break but fought back to draw 4-4. The 28-year-old has not been named in Chelsea’s past four matchday squads despite being fully fit.

“I have got a squad to select from,” Lampard explains. “I have options in different positions and it is just my choice, that is all it is.

“It is sometimes a difficult part of my job because I can only pick 11, the subs and I have to make those choices. It doesn’t mean anyone is out of the picture, ever.

“It is how you train here daily, how you perform when you play. We need the squad and some periods players will, of course, be disappointed they are not in it. They must keep working.”

No matter how Lampard tries to defuse the situation, this is some fall from grace for the former Real Madrid trainee.

In October 2018, Chelsea confirmed that Alonso had signed a new five-year contract and Sarri told the media how he could become the best left-back in Europe.

But Alonso isn’t even the best in his position at Stamford Bridge anymore. Some sources in and around the camp point to how the start of his decline coincided with agreement of his long-term deal, which is worth in excess of £100,000 a week, suggesting motivation levels dropped.

However, that might be unfair. Alonso, like Emerson, thrives more as a left wing-back where defensive abilities aren’t quite as exposed due to the presence of three central defenders behind him.

Alonso excelled there during Antonio Conte’s reign between 2016-18, playing a significant role in the 3-4-3 formation which helped Chelsea win the title in 2017.

But Sarri, and now Lampard, play with a back four, so Alonso has been employed as an orthodox left-back. This was always going to put Alonso under greater scrutiny anyway, but Lampard’s more expansive style has left all his defenders more exposed to their opponents’ counter-attacks too.

Alonso turns 29 later this month and so his age, plus high wages, make him less of an attractive proposition on the market than Emerson, who turned 25 in August. Should Chelsea opt to sell one of them, one might assume that Emerson would attract the higher bids.

Statistically, in the Premier League and Champions League, where they have both made 11 appearances, there are factors which separate them.

Alonso has the better return offensively: one goal, ten shots, two assists and 34 touches in the opposition box, compared with Emerson’s no goals, no assists, five shots and only 14 touches in the opponents’ penalty area.

But Opta’s data perhaps highlights Alonso’s weakness at the other end. He has lost 51 of 117 duels, attempted 17 tackles and managed 12 interceptions. Meanwhile, Emerson has won 53 of 77 duels, put in 20 tackles and made 15 interceptions.

Perhaps surprisingly, Alonso has made 329 passes in the Premier League this season, with an accuracy rate of 80.9 per cent, compared with Emerson’s 512 passes at 86.1 per cent. It points to Emerson being significantly more involved in Chelsea’s moves.

One thing is for sure, switching Azpilicueta to left-back — where he first earned a spot in the Chelsea XI as Ashley Cole began his decline six years ago — can only be regarded as a quick fix.

It was noticeable how much Chelsea improved on that flank when the Spaniard was put there during the second half against Ajax and Valencia. But as he is right-footed, the team will lose part of their threat in the final third should he get chosen in that role on a regular basis.

“Of course I feel I am confident I can play there,” Azpilicueta says. “One of my characteristics is that I can play in different positions. 

“I have played there a few times this season and I don’t have any problem with it. I am always ready to help the team. Whatever the manager thinks, I can do it. Obviously it’s just a chase of changing sides and getting a relationship with the players I have around me.”

Azpilicueta turns 31 soon after the next campaign gets under way so some will begin to question how long he has left in west London anyway.

Maatsen is another one of the academy prospects who has been tipped to progress to the senior squad. The Netherlands Under-18 international has already made his professional debut against Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup.

Chelsea are going to offer him a new contract to extend his stay beyond 2021, but a loan elsewhere is more likely to be the next step. Maatsen is clearly a player with potential, but it’s far too early to promote him into a first-team regular.

Those youngsters who have been given regular game-time this season — Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Reece James — have gained a lot of minutes elsewhere before getting a chance at the highest level.

Some people may dismiss the importance of what Chelsea do regarding this position, but they have short memories.

Cole’s arrival from Arsenal in 2006 provided reassurance and quality there for the best part of eight seasons. Chelsea have spent around £75 million trying to replace him — Filipe Luis and Abdul Baba Rahman were signed before Alonso and Emerson — and nobody has come close to matching Cole’s standards.

Lampard has got a lot of things right after taking over at Chelsea in July, but what he decides to do at left-back will be a real test of his judgement.

[1905didierblue 748]

5 hours ago, communicate said:

The time for traditional dm is almost over??? 

Who is playing dm for city and pool? 

 

 

By traditional DM I meant someone who is solely focused on breaking up the play. I don't see gubdogan/rodri as traditional DMs. If they are then they can hold a candle to the makeleles and essiens of the world. Jorginho is good enough. Kova as a back up is more than good enough. 

[milka 3,344]

 

[Vesper 28,767]

CHELSEA READYING CLUB-RECORD BID TO SIGN JADON SANCHO

https://readbundesliga.com/2019/12/04/chelsea-readying-club-record-bid-to-sign-jadon-sancho/

Chelsea are reportedly readying a club-record bid to sign Jadon Sancho ahead of their Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool.

According to Goal, the Blues are preparing to break the bank in order to bring Sancho in during either the January or summer window.

Any January move will, of course, depend on Chelsea being cleared from their transfer ban, with a decision believed to be imminent from the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Chelsea are described as ‘feeling confident’ about their chances of winning the race to sign Sancho.

A wealth of clubs have already been linked with a move for the player, who looks destined to leave Dortmund in the very near future.

Clearly unhappy in Germany, Sancho’s fallouts in Dortmund have been made very public this season – adding fuel to the fire that a Premier League return is imminent.

Chelsea’s current transfer record stands at £72 million after they brought in Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao.

snip

 

 

not convinced we do this (or even can if the ban stands and Sancho leaves in January)

[Vesper 28,767]

Just now, milka said:

 

lol, jinx

[ulsterchelsea 3,221]

Are goal any more reliable now than they used to be?

[Vesper 28,767]

29 minutes ago, ulsterchelsea said:

Are goal any more reliable now than they used to be?

probably not, lolol

it is all a crap-shoot

although I sometimes get a 'feeling' that some deal rumours are completely legit

Pulisic, Kova and unfortunately Bakadonkeyoko and Morata (we basically broke even so he was not a complete disaster) are good examples

and the Barca £65m offer for Willian we turned down

[Vesper 28,767]

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard to make Leicester star top transfer target if ban is lifted

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1212990/Chelsea-Frank-Lampard-Leicester-Ben-Chilwell-transfer-news-rumours-gossip

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is reportedly targeting a move for Leicester star Ben Chilwell if the Blues get their transfer ban lifted. Chelsea cannot make any signings currently though are believed to be hopeful that the ban will be lifted ahead of the January window.

 

snip

[Miguelito 459]

Are goal any more reliable now than they used to be?

It all depends on the journalist. Nizaar Kinsella has actually been very reliable for Chelsea stuff in the past year or two. So this is really good news.

Most other journalists on goal are completely useless.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[Rapkun 668]

17 minutes ago, Miguelito said:

It all depends on the journalist. Nizaar Kinsella has actually been very reliable for Chelsea stuff in the past year or two. So this is really good news.

Most other journalists on goal are completely useless.
 

He has been very reliable indeed.  I think the only time he got it wrong was when he called the Golovin transfer a done deal, but even then it was partially true as the club had slowed down the negotiations(possibly to look at other targets like Kovacic) while Monaco decided to up their bid and convinced him to join them. I guess he wanted to be the first one to break the news, only it backfired on him.

With that said, the article is not very convincing. It's all empty talk. Chelsea "very confident" to beat Man Utd is just speculation at this point. The only good bits of information is that he's a real target for the club(hopefully ahead of Zaha) and that we're ready to pay a big fee to get him which is only logical if we're serious about him.

[Jase 43,479]

36 minutes ago, Miguelito said:

It all depends on the journalist. Nizaar Kinsella has actually been very reliable for Chelsea stuff in the past year or two. So this is really good news.

Most other journalists on goal are completely useless.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 

Same fella who claimed Golovin to Chelsea was a done deal, only for Golovin to end up going to Monaco. 

[Jase 43,479]

6 minutes ago, Rapkun said:

He has been very reliable indeed.  I think the only time he got it wrong was when he called the Golovin transfer a done deal, but even then it was partially true as the club had slowed down the negotiations(possibly to look at other targets like Kovacic) while Monaco decided to up their bid and convinced him to join them. I guess he wanted to be the first one to break the news, only it backfired on him.

What are the other exclusive examples he got right? Reporting what has been covered elsewhere first doesn't count.

9 minutes ago, Rapkun said:

With that said, the article is not very convincing. It's all empty talk. Chelsea "very confident" to beat Man Utd is just speculation at this point. The only good bits of information is that he's a real target for the club(hopefully ahead of Zaha) and that we're ready to pay a big fee to get him which is only logical if we're serious about him.

I'm sure he's on the club's targets list but whether we actually go for him is another question. The reasons mentioned in the article are rather obvious and have been mentioned by like most Chelsea fans. 

[milka 3,344]

Sancho would be a huge statement from Chelsea, bring in Chilwell and a world class centre back and we’re challenging for the league next season . 

[Rapkun 668]

16 minutes ago, Jason said:

What are the other exclusive examples he got right? Reporting what has been covered elsewhere first doesn't count.

I'm sure he's on the club's targets list but whether we actually go for him is another question. The reasons mentioned in the article are rather obvious and have been mentioned by like most Chelsea fans. 

I don't remember who broke the news for every particular situation, I only remember the one from Golovin because it turned out wrong. Otherwise he publishes the news at the same speed as the likes of Simon Johnson or Matt Law, sometimes earlier sometimes later. Wasn't he the first one to call the CHO contract extension?

[Jase 43,479]

2 minutes ago, Rapkun said:

I don't remember who broke the news for every particular situation, I only remember the one from Golovin because it turned out wrong. Otherwise he publishes the news at the same speed as the likes of Simon Johnson or Matt Law, sometimes earlier sometimes later. Wasn't he the first one to call the CHO contract extension?

I can't remember either but generic, new contract deals etc aren't as big/exclusive as transfer targets.  

[Strike 7,217]

1 hour ago, Jason said:

What are the other exclusive examples he got right? Reporting what has been covered elsewhere first doesn't count.

I'm sure he's on the club's targets list but whether we actually go for him is another question. The reasons mentioned in the article are rather obvious and have been mentioned by like most Chelsea fans. 

Everytime I see Jadon Sancho comment on Tammy Abraham's Instagram, I am convinced this is happening 

[Jase 43,479]

11 minutes ago, Strike said:

Everytime I see Jadon Sancho comment on Tammy Abraham's Instagram, I am convinced this is happening 

As convincing as Player X following Player Y on Instagram? 🤔

[Vesper 28,767]

2 hours ago, milka said:

Sancho would be a huge statement from Chelsea, bring in Chilwell and a world class centre back and we’re challenging for the league next season . 

Striker needed, Tammy cannot play 5200 minutes and Bats is pants