Chelsea Transfers

[Reddish-Blue 2,503]

39 minutes ago, OneMoSalah said:

Ffs what is with the constant links again to kids. The window just shut and we are linked to some Brazilian kid. We will be the most expensive version of Shakhtar/Ajax/Leipzig in footballing history at this rate. Absolutely pathetic strategy. Even Nusa. Fuck me. 3 transfer windows, £1bn & gone so far backwards it’s laughable.

If the plan is going to be more u21s as opposed to some more ready made dependable players, we should sack those 2 co sporting directors before its far too late.

I do wonder how this sporting director setup actually works. 

Surely there is someone in that group with previous experience at a top club who would push for experienced players (i.e. players in that 25-28 age group) to be signed to help these youngsters. 

 

[OneMoSalah 8,886]

11 hours ago, Vesper said:

The only names I want to see as main targets (if we are going after these positions. some of which are VITAL)

I am listing almost no youth/inexperienced players

GK

Diogo Costa
Jan Oblak  

Left Footed CB 

Right Footed CB

António Silva
Bremer 
Jean-Clair Todibo
Mohamed Simakan   '
 

LB

Alphonso Davies
Nuno Mendes
 

RB?

Achraf Hakimi (only IF Reece leaves for RM)

 

DMF? (doubtful we make a move for one, other than the 17yo, soon 18yo Gabriel Moscardo )

Aurélien Tchouaméni
 

CMF

AMF

Jamal Musiala 
Florian Wirtz
Lucas Paquetá 
Xavi Simons  

Winger

Kylian Mbappé  (LOLOLOL)  
Vinicius Junior   (only way this EVER could ('could' meaning 2 or 3% chance) work is Real Madrid  get Mbappe as LW (Mcappe hates CF and RW, same as Vini does) and we use Reece as partial payment to RM for Vini, BUT Vini likely would say fuck no to us)
Rodrygo (also a pipe dream)
Rafael Leão
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

SS

CF

Victor Osimhen
Lautaro Martínez
Dusan Vlahovic
Jonathan David
Ivan Toney (£70m is too much IMHO)   
Evan Ferguson (I want to see his full season play)

Antonio Silva isn’t young/inexperienced although he has less than 60 club games to his career to date? 

Then Xavi Simons again who has 1 full season of first team football? In Holland?

Even Wirtz is debatable, and after the Havertz signing, would avoid him. Muisala is the real deal but will never ever happen anytime soon.

Our next few key signings needs to be guys with 150-200 games in the tank. Easy.

2 hours ago, Reddish-Blue said:

I do wonder how this sporting director setup actually works. 

Surely there is someone in that group with previous experience at a top club who would push for experienced players (i.e. players in that 25-28 age group) to be signed to help these youngsters. 

 

You’d hope so but bringing in these pair who are predominantly used to working for development clubs such as Brighton & Monaco, I don’t think that will fit their remit. The manager needs to have an input though - was Poch strong enough to say no to the likes of Lavia or Palmer, who were 100% more club driven signings and request we pursued more proven players just passed and at CF? No he wasn’t. So I am hoping he will be a bit kore insistent come the next windows as Palmer and Lavia whilst may be good long term, weren’t urgent needs, more so when you consider we sold/let go of better players in their positions.

Edited September 18, 2023 by OneMoSalah

[Reddish-Blue 2,503]

12 minutes ago, OneMoSalah said:

Antonio Silva isn’t young/inexperienced although he has less than 60 club games to his career to date? 

Then Xavi Simons again who has 1 full season of first team football? In Holland?

Even Wirtz is debatable, and after the Havertz signing, would avoid him. Muisala is the real deal but will never ever happen anytime soon.

Our next few key signings needs to be guys with 150-200 games in the tank. Easy.

You’d hope so but bringing in these pair who are predominantly used to working for development clubs such as Brighton & Monaco, I don’t think that will fit their remit. The manager needs to have an input though - was Poch strong enough to say no to the likes of Lavia or Palmer, who were 100% more club driven signings and request we pursued more proven players just passed and at CF? No he wasn’t. So I am hoping he will be a bit kore insistent come the next windows as Palmer and Lavia whilst may be good long term, weren’t urgent needs, more so when you consider we sold/let go of better players in their positions.

For me personally I just don't get where the Palmer signing came from on like the last day of the transfer window...surely the priority would have been to get that experienced attacker to come in and play alongside Sterling/Jackson/whoever else we plan on throwing up front until Nkunku recovers. 

It's just a shame that with all this investment we seemed to jump after all the wonderkids hoping they pan out rather than going after players with 2-3 seasons of football in them.   If the directors made signings like Gabriel, Washington, Ugo among others at their previous clubs they'd be absolutely delighted at getting top young talent through the door as they'd be able to develop and essentially flip the asset for a massive profit in 2+ seasons time but that doesn't really work for Chelsea unless our model has changed from going after titles to being a talent id factory. 

[milka 3,393]

James Madison was available, but we said no, he's too old for our new project, let's get some Brazilian kids for our Multiclub project and Cole Palmer instead. We have Chalobah nahh let's freeze him  if he won't leave and get Disasi.

Cucurella frozen , get rid of Hall , Colwill LB  , Chilwell winger .

This club is chaos . 

 

 

[Vesper 30,151]

2 hours ago, OneMoSalah said:

Antonio Silva

he is the best CB available already IMHO, despite his young age, and is right -footed

he is likely going to be a world class star

he gives me Tchou vibes

I did also list some other right footed CB options as well, older and more experienced, but Silva is going to be special I reckon

As I have extensively shown,, in great depth, there is thus myth that there are all these great experienced older (over 26) players out there for the taking who are actually available and good enough to drop big money on

it is bullshit to be blunt

one of the very few happens to be the exact same position as Silva (Skriniar)

we could have had him on the cheap (and earlier we could have had him for around the same as we dumped on the likely permaonjured Fofana. who I said hell no to) and fucked it off

my track record for players I say buy buy buy over the past few years is far more hits than misses, and many of them are big hits

all of these were targets/major wants in most cases of mine before they blew up or when we could have swooped for them as a major buy (Skriniar is a perfect example of the latter)

    
Jude Bellingham 
Victor Osimhen 
Jamal Musiala (was so unhappy when he left us)
Rafael Leão  
Eduardo Camavinga 
Florian Wirtz  (I was the first one here to mention him, over 3 years ago)
Aurélien Tchouaméni    
Josko Gvardiol 
Nicolò Barella  
Bruno Guimarães 
Ronald Araújo 
Nuno Mendes  
Achraf Hakimi   
Theo Hernández  
Alessandro Bastoni   
Dominik Szoboszlai 
Sandro Tonali  
Moussa Diaby 
Milan Skriniar 
António Silva 
Lucas Paquetá  
Bremer  
Nico Schlotterbeck 
Federico Chiesa  (from Fiorentina days)
Jan Oblak  (for ages)  

[Vesper 30,151]

Chelsea

https://thedailybriefing.io/i/137138156/Chelsea

• Chelsea had a busy summer and there were even more players they nearly signed!

• Chelsea remain on just six wins in all competitions in 2023 following yesterday’s 0-0 draw away to Bournemouth.

• Mauricio Pochettino: “The fans are disappointed because of the situation but I am not worried about that. I say that because we really know what we are doing — we deserved to win.”

• Pochettino on Moises Caicedo not featuring yesterday: “Caicedo arrived back with a knock in his knee. We need to assess him in the next few days but he wasn’t available for today, that’s why he not here.”

• Pochettino on other players not selected: “So, Cucurella was not available due to fever. He was ill. Noni Madueke came from the national team with a muscle problem.”

• Pochettino on Mykhaylo Mudryk: “He is improving. He still needs to learn, he needs time. Mudryk needs to understand the game better — and try to be more connected sometimes with the team. We need to give the time and tools for him to improve.”

[Vesper 30,151]

Chelsea and the deals that nearly happened

https://thedailybriefing.io/i/137138217/Chelsea-and-the-deals-that-nearly-happened

We know it was a very busy summer for Chelsea, with a number of young players coming in for the long-term project. We know it will take time for the club and for Mauricio Pochettino to build a squad and to have the results they want.

On top of that, many players were offered to Chelsea this summer. It is absolutely normal for clubs to offer players to other clubs, or for this to be done via agents and intermediaries. Many deals were proposed to Chelsea in terms of ins and outs, for example - Marcelo Brozovic was one player offered to the Blues before he moved to Al Nassr. There were some conversations between Chelsea and Inter for Andre Onana, before he went to Manchester United, as he was one of the players discussed as part of a possible deal for Kalidou Koulibaly. In the end, Chelsea decided not to proceed, and both Brozovic and Koulibaly ended up making moves to Saudi Arabia.

Marco Verratti was also a possibility for Chelsea - he was discussed with many clubs around Europe, but because of his salary and because PSG wanted really important money, something close to €45m, Chelsea decided to go for a different kind of midfielder, both in terms of skills and in terms of age - they preferred to go for Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, while they also had Enzo Fernandez.

We also know that Dusan Vlahovic was offered to Chelsea in the month of July and Chelsea said no, but then in August Chelsea decided to think again about that in a swap deal for Romelu Lukaku, but Chelsea decided against paying €40m plus Lukaku for Vlahovic. Mauricio Pochettino was also not entirely convinced about this deal, so not just the board but also the manager decided against this deal.

Towards the end of the summer, AC Milan approached Chelsea over a potential loan deal with buy option for Armando Broja, but the decision from Chelsea was to keep the striker and to have him and Nicolas Jackson together in the squad in that position.

We also know that Liverpool and Brighton wanted Levi Colwill. Liverpool were prepared to make an important proposal for Colwill in case they had a green light from Chelsea, but that was never a possibility because from day one of the transfer window Chelsea made it very clear that it was not possible to negotiate for the player, who was not for sale. And in the end he extended his contract at Stamford Bridge.

Away from Chelsea, another deal that nearly happened this summer was Lucas Paqueta, who was targeted by Manchester City. Of course clubs are now waiting to see the end of the investigation story. Newcastle were also interested back in May, but then they never sent proposals as their focus was on Sandro Tonali. Manchester City always appreciated Paqueta but they invested money on Matheus Nunes, big money; so at the moment they’re not planning for that move in January.

 

 

[Vesper 30,151]

On 02/09/2023 at 00:13, mkh said:

It was a pity that the following players could no longer be sold or loaned out.
Cucurella, Chalobah, Washington, Sarr, Bergström, Cumming, Gilchrist, D.Williams, Tauriainen

Alfie Gilchrist signs new Chelsea contract ahead of potential January exit

Sheffield United were keen on move for 19-year-old this summer

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/alfie-gilchrist-Chelsea-fc-transfer-news-2023-b1107835.html

Chelsea defender Alfie Gilchrist has extended his contract at Chelsea by a further year until June 2025.

The 19-year-old was an unused substitute on Sunday as Chelsea drew 0-0 with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

Mauricio Pochettino is well aware of his Blues Under-21s captain already having taken him on a pre-season tour of the United States.

Gilchrist has yet to make his debut in an official senior match but played around 75 minutes under his new manager in warm up matches this summer.

Chelsea have opted to tie down Gilchrist to a new contract having fielded interest from Sheffield United over a permanent transfer this summer.

READ MORE

• Chelsea have long-term promise but not suited to deal with short-term demands
• Axel Disasi outlines what Chelsea are missing after forwards misfire again
• Chelsea injury update: Moises Caicedo, Noni Madueke, Reece James latest news and return dates

Gilchrist also had loan interest and could look again at a temporary move in January when the transfer window opens.

The central defender was signed from Queens Park Rangers at Under-11 level and comes from a family of Chelsea supporters.

He was nominated for PL2 Player of the Year last season and was first named on the bench for the first team under Frank Lampard last season, at Old Trafford.

Edited September 19, 2023 by Vesper

[Vesper 30,151]

 

[Vesper 30,151]

 

[Vesper 30,151]

Chelsea view Giorgi Mamardashvili as top target

https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2023/09/19/Chelsea-view-giorgi-mamardashvili-as-top-target/

Chelsea maintains an interest in Giorgio Mamardashvili, as they could reportedly target a new goalkeeper in the new window.

According to 90 Min, Chelsea are increasingly looking likely to target a new goalkeeper and have added Giorgio Mamardashvili to their shortlist. The 22-year-old La Liga star who plays his trade with Valencia remains a possibility, but any move will depend on his asking price.

Giorgio Mamardashvili has silently made his mark as an important player for Valencia since joining the club. The Georgian has had a good spell with Los Che, which attracted the interest of many top-rated clubs during the recently closed summer window.

Mamardashvili packs energy into his game and could bring the quality of modern keepers. Top teams are increasingly looking for stoppers who have more attributes in them than only the basics. Chelsea was keen before the summer window but chose to take a different path.

In fact, they chose to overhaul their goalkeeping personnel after selling Edouard Mendy to Saudi Arabia and sending Kepa Arrizabalaga to Real Madrid on loan. The latter departure wasn’t planned, and in the aftermath, they signed Djorde Petrovic.

Robert Sanchez arrived from Brighton in a £25 million deal. He replaced Kepa as Chelsea’s No.1. However, the Spaniard has been far from convincing so far, as Chelsea have struggled for relevance since the start of the current season.

The report names many keepers as part of their potential shortlist. The story increasingly points at the possibility of a new keeper arriving in the next window. Coincidentally, the Daily Mail’s Sami Mokbel also linked them with a move for Arsenal star Aaron Ramsdale, with the England international’s place now threatened by David Raya.

On Mamardashvili, the 22-year-old La Liga star attracted the interest of top clubs. Those included Real Madrid, who reportedly failed with a move in the aftermath of Thibaut Courtois’ injury. However, Chelsea are also keen on the Valencia star.

Valencia reportedly put him up for sale in a bid to generate funds during the previous window. For their asking price, no club showed an interest in signing Mamardashvili, but the possibilities of a future departure remain intact.

Chelsea could explore a move for the Georgian in the next window, but that will depend on his asking price. Moreover, they could also evaluate how Sanchez performs between now and January to determine if signing a new stopper is an absolute necessity.

[Vesper 30,151]

Thomas Frank says Brentford would be open to selling Chelsea target Ivan Toney ‘if the price is right’

https://metro.co.uk/2023/09/18/brentford-boss-thomas-frank-sends-message-to-Chelsea-over-ivan-toney-transfer-19519291/

Thomas Frank admits Brentford would be open to selling Chelsea target Ivan Toney in the January transfer window ‘if the right price is there’.

Toney scored 20 goals in the Premier League last season but is currently serving an eight-month ban after he accepted 232 breaches of the Football Association’s rules on betting.

The 27-year-old returned to training with Brentford on Monday but is unavailable to play until January 16, 2024.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are considering a move for Toney as they look to provide a another boost to Mauricio Pochettino’s attacking options in the January window.

And Frank believes Brentford would be open to a deal if Chelsea meet their asking price.

‘So far we’ve only sold one in the Premier League, that was David Raya – or that’s a loan but probably will be a sale in the future, I guess,’ Frank said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.

‘I think every club in the world are a selling club except five or six clubs. We are a selling club, if the right price is there.

‘I think if it’s the right time for the player to go, from my perspective that’s not my decision that would be Phil [Giles, director of football] or Matthew [Benham, Brentford’s owner] in the end, then I think if they have developed well with us, been on the journey, and now they’re proven good enough to go to the top clubs, then I think it’s the right thing, if it’s the right price.’

Asked if that applies to Toney, Frank replied: ‘Yeah, I think so. I understand why there are a lot of rumours out there about him.

‘For me he’s one of the best strikers, as a striker No.9, I don’t see many out there who is better in the world than him, of course you have [Harry] Kane, [Robert] Lewandowski, [Erling] Haaland and these types, but not many.

‘He scored 20 goals in the Premier League last year, in, of course, a very good Brentford side but of course we are not creating as many chances as the top six or seven teams.

‘So imagine him in a top team, he’d easily score 20, 25 goals, for me. I think he’s composed, he’s a good finisher, top mentality, so I understand why clubs are looking at him.

‘But he’s a Brentford player now, and if people want to come… in today’s market, the price for No.6 position players, we all know goalscorer or attackers are the most expensive ones. I guess that would be very expensive, unless it has changed and you pay more for a No.6 than a striker, I don’t know.’

Asked if he expects to receive offers for Toney in January, Frank replied: ‘Yeah, again, I’m just focusing on him.

‘I had a long meeting with him today, first day back in training so good to have him in. We just presented the plan for him and try to create the Ivan Toney 2.0, the beast, he’s on board and he’s looking forward to it.’

[Blue Armour 4,438]

15 minutes ago, Vesper said:

Chelsea view Giorgi Mamardashvili as top target

https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2023/09/19/Chelsea-view-giorgi-mamardashvili-as-top-target/

Chelsea maintains an interest in Giorgio Mamardashvili, as they could reportedly target a new goalkeeper in the new window.

According to 90 Min, Chelsea are increasingly looking likely to target a new goalkeeper and have added Giorgio Mamardashvili to their shortlist. The 22-year-old La Liga star who plays his trade with Valencia remains a possibility, but any move will depend on his asking price.

Giorgio Mamardashvili has silently made his mark as an important player for Valencia since joining the club. The Georgian has had a good spell with Los Che, which attracted the interest of many top-rated clubs during the recently closed summer window.

Mamardashvili packs energy into his game and could bring the quality of modern keepers. Top teams are increasingly looking for stoppers who have more attributes in them than only the basics. Chelsea was keen before the summer window but chose to take a different path.

In fact, they chose to overhaul their goalkeeping personnel after selling Edouard Mendy to Saudi Arabia and sending Kepa Arrizabalaga to Real Madrid on loan. The latter departure wasn’t planned, and in the aftermath, they signed Djorde Petrovic.

Robert Sanchez arrived from Brighton in a £25 million deal. He replaced Kepa as Chelsea’s No.1. However, the Spaniard has been far from convincing so far, as Chelsea have struggled for relevance since the start of the current season.

The report names many keepers as part of their potential shortlist. The story increasingly points at the possibility of a new keeper arriving in the next window. Coincidentally, the Daily Mail’s Sami Mokbel also linked them with a move for Arsenal star Aaron Ramsdale, with the England international’s place now threatened by David Raya.

On Mamardashvili, the 22-year-old La Liga star attracted the interest of top clubs. Those included Real Madrid, who reportedly failed with a move in the aftermath of Thibaut Courtois’ injury. However, Chelsea are also keen on the Valencia star.

Valencia reportedly put him up for sale in a bid to generate funds during the previous window. For their asking price, no club showed an interest in signing Mamardashvili, but the possibilities of a future departure remain intact.

Chelsea could explore a move for the Georgian in the next window, but that will depend on his asking price. Moreover, they could also evaluate how Sanchez performs between now and January to determine if signing a new stopper is an absolute necessity.

Should have got him in this past window itself.

[Strike 7,486]

More often the data gives you athletic players who play safe, have high pass % not necessarily the players who try risky passes and have the ability to weigh it just right and create chances. 

[DH1988 1,348]

Quite a few of us have said about Toney multiple times, we’d be mad not to get him in but I do have concerns over the price and it being dragged out over the whole of Jan. £60m is a fair price considering what’s happened, age etc.

That said, his attitude is questionable off the pitch of course but on the pitch I think he brings the bite we need to our young squad. Desperately missing leaders.