Chelsea Transfers

[OneMoSalah 8,887]

2 hours ago, Jason said:

That's the price Milan agreed on when they made the loan deal. If they can't afford him, they should just F off!

Theres still a huge chance we would be open to negotiations on that I would think. Say structuring it as 20m upfront and 6m in add ons or something.

Unfortunately selling him would be a huge mistake but we have got Azpi, Rudiger, Christensen, Silva, Zouma who can all play as a CB in a back 3 and back 4 (maybe not Azpi but has done so for Spain IIRC and would be a last resort anyways). 

There is still a lot of talk we want to buy a CB so I wouldnt be surprised if Tomori and another CB are sold this summer. I wouldnt be surprised if Tuchel persists with a back 3 either based on the immediate improvement although he will undoubtedly do other systems as he is flexible. 

Edited March 6, 2021 by OneMoSalah

[King Kante 1,643]

2 hours ago, OneMoSalah said:

Theres still a huge chance we would be open to negotiations on that I would think. Say structuring it as 20m upfront and 6m in add ons or something.

Unfortunately selling him would be a huge mistake but we have got Azpi, Rudiger, Christensen, Silva, Zouma who can all play as a CB in a back 3 and back 4 (maybe not Azpi but has done so for Spain IIRC and would be a last resort anyways). 

There is still a lot of talk we want to buy a CB so I wouldnt be surprised if Tomori and another CB are sold this summer. I wouldnt be surprised if Tuchel persists with a back 3 either based on the immediate improvement although he will undoubtedly do other systems as he is flexible. 

Zouma is surely a goner. He isn't getting away with his passing and lack of reading the game under TT. Fortunately, he has quite a big market and we should be able to get £30m+ for him. I can imagine a number of PL teams would take him. 

Depending on what happens and what TT wants to do next season, we have a few options in a 3atb. 

CCB: Silva, AC 

RCB: Rudi, Dave, Amapdu, Zouma, Tomori

LCB: Guehi, Sarr

For me, if AC continues as he has for the rest of the season and Rudi/Silva also continue to play well, we are going to have some tough decisions to make. 

The only real gap I see is a left footed LCB, but that is depends on how you're rating Guehi and Sarr. 

In my opinion, we may do something like: 

Sell

Zouma 

Tomori - I think he gets sacrificed owing to our need for some funds in. Further, AC may be trying to drive the cost down but I think if push comes to shove they activate his clause. 

Loan 

Guehi - Could do with a PL loan. Swansea would be ideal if they come up. 

Amapdu - Loan, he still needs minutes as he lost two seasons. 

Sarr - I think he may end up one of those forever loaned players unless we get a quick flip. 

Buy 

LCB - God knows who. 

Edited March 6, 2021 by King Kante

[Strike 7,522]

11 hours ago, OneMoSalah said:

Theres still a huge chance we would be open to negotiations on that I would think. Say structuring it as 20m upfront and 6m in add ons or something.

Unfortunately selling him would be a huge mistake but we have got Azpi, Rudiger, Christensen, Silva, Zouma who can all play as a CB in a back 3 and back 4 (maybe not Azpi but has done so for Spain IIRC and would be a last resort anyways). 

There is still a lot of talk we want to buy a CB so I wouldnt be surprised if Tomori and another CB are sold this summer. I wouldnt be surprised if Tuchel persists with a back 3 either based on the immediate improvement although he will undoubtedly do other systems as he is flexible. 

You'd think Tomori and Zouma are out the door based on selection but Silva, Rudi and Chris have contracts running down. I think there might be a surprise call here especially if we are bringing in someone like Konate

Edited March 7, 2021 by Strike

[King Kante 1,643]

6 hours ago, Strike said:

You'd think Tomori and Zouma are out the door based on selection but Silva, Rudi and Chris have contracts running down. I think there might be a surprise call here especially if we are bringing in someone like Konate

I don't know, I reckon we can sign AC and Rudi to new contracts if they continue to play well. If they do, then a CB I would be looking at is Torres as we could do with a left footed CB. 

[Vesper 30,260]

1 hour ago, King Kante said:

I don't know, I reckon we can sign AC and Rudi to new contracts if they continue to play well. If they do, then a CB I would be looking at is Torres as we could do with a left footed CB. 

ever game I have watched Pau he has had a shitter

only left-footed CBs I truly rate

  
Aymeric Laporte   (they will NEVER sell him to us until he is on verge of retirement)
David Alaba   (he demands to play CMF and  some DMF at any club he goes to) 
Alessandro Bastoni    (hard hard pull, he is class AF though)
Sven Botman very good 21yo, huge 1.95m
Evan N'Dicka  big, fast (1.92m)
David Carmo (youth wild card, huge 1.96m, and pacy)
 

[Vesper 30,260]

1 hour ago, King Kante said:

I don't know, I reckon we can sign AC and Rudi to new contracts if they continue to play well. If they do, then a CB I would be looking at is Torres as we could do with a left footed CB. 

Dont forget Malang Sarr, he is left footed

[Vesper 30,260]

wrong thread

Edited March 7, 2021 by Vesper

[Jase 43,479]

Chelsea’s in-form defenders are giving Tuchel a welcome problem

https://theathletic.com/2429314/2021/03/08/chelseas-in-form-defenders-are-giving-tuchel-a-welcome-problem/

Chelsea’s defenders are giving coach Thomas Tuchel a problem.

Normally making a statement like that is due to a string of poor performances and/or a lack of clean sheets. But Tuchel’s issues are actually being caused by personnel performing so well.

Why is that a cause for concern? While Tuchel’s primary focus right now is getting Chelsea in the top four as well as sustaining their challenge in the FA Cup and Champions League, the German has one eye on plans for next season too. Tuchel will be assessing in his mind who he wants to keep and let go, especially as the club are also laying down the ground work for any potential transfer targets.

It is understood that signing an imposing centre back, one that can lead and dominate the backline, is on the wish-list. Bayern Munich’s Niklas Sule, RB Leipzig’s Ibrahima Konate and Atletico Madrid’s Jose Gimenez, who they have admired since 2016, are three of the names under consideration. As revealed by The Athletic, Chelsea made an enquiry for another Bayern Munich player in David Alaba last summer, but he made it clear he wasn’t interested in a move to Stamford Bridge. His wage demands would be an issue regardless.

The centre half department is already a congested part of the squad, particularly when you take into account individuals out on loan too.

When Chelsea were struggling to win games and keep opponents goalless under coach Frank Lampard, some of the decisions seemed easier to make than others. After going 10 games unbeaten under his replacement and conceding just two goals, it is far more complex.

The displays of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen in recent weeks is one of the reasons why. Both weren’t regulars under Lampard, who pushed the board to get rid of the former last year.

In the 10 matches played under Tuchel so far, Rudiger has featured in all 10, Christensen seven. Both men are out of contract in 15 months’ time and will be able to talk to foreign clubs in January about a free transfer the following summer.

Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia won’t want either man to leave for nothing and there have been suggestions that the club are planning to offer the duo new deals. That makes perfect sense but The Athletic has been told that this is news to those close to the pair. It is understood no discussions over an extension have taken place with either of them and neither camp has been given any indication of their intention to do so yet.

There is a possibility to sell them this summer because the duo have their fair share of admirers at top clubs throughout Europe. But if they continue to perform at the high level they demonstrated in the 1-0 wins over Atletico Madrid and Liverpool, do Chelsea or Tuchel really want to let them go? It is not as if they will be able to demand a large fee due to their deals only having 12 months left. Mind you, the players themselves might want to pursue a move themselves should an attractive offer come in, especially if they have any doubts about how much Tuchel will use them in future.

Christensen has been regarded as the back-up to Thiago Silva, who is training again after a thigh injury. The latter has thrived since joining from Paris Saint Germain last year and the intention on both sides is to trigger an option so the Brazilian stays for next season too.

Silva turns 37 in September, but the standard of his displays means age isn’t a concern. The positive influence on the camp is another positive factor. His games will have to be managed, which is why keeping someone like Christensen around would be smart.

The situation of club captain Cesar Azpilicueta also needs thinking about, as like Rudiger and Christensen, his contract expires in 2022. The 31-year-old’s fortunes have also improved by starting nine matches since Lampard left and he continues to lead the group on and off the pitch.

Chelsea tend to discuss only one-year extensions with players over 30 — David Luiz (signed a two-year deal before being sold to Arsenal in 2019) and Willian (rejected two-year deal before joining Arsenal) are recent exceptions. Azpiliceuta’s long-term future, just like the others, may also be tied into whether Tuchel persists with three at the back and using him as a right-sided centre half where there isn’t as much running involved as at back or right wing-back. If there is a switch to a back four next season, there will obviously be less places available in the starting XI.

One sellable asset is Kurt Zouma. Chelsea have considered it in 2019 and 2020, but Lampard wanted him to stay. Now a departure in 2021 could be on the agenda, especially if things continue as they are. Tuchel is clearly not too enamoured with the Frenchman having picked him just twice. He is fifth choice, which is some fall from grace because he’d featured in more games than any of the centre backs this season before Lampard was dismissed.

The Frenchman is 26 so would command a good sum. There are two years left on his agreement and perhaps after spending seven campaigns trying to prove he’s worthy of a regular spot, he will decide the time has come to leave Chelsea and find an opportunity to do so elsewhere. Tuchel likes his defenders to be comfortable on the ball and play out from the back, which is not one of Zouma’s attributes.

Then there are the loanees to consider. Fikayo Tomori is impressing at AC Milan having joined them in January. The situation is not clear cut because the Serie A club have an option, not an obligation, to buy the England international at the end of the season for £24.2 million.

They had a similar agreement in place for midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko (the option was worth £31 million) in 2018-19, but there was a suspicion they never intended to trigger it due to lack of funds. There is a possibility history could repeat itself.

Tomori is a 23-year-old England international, who has played 27 times for Chelsea. It’s some call to let him go with the best part of his career still ahead of him.

Mind you, as The Athletic revealed in December, Marc Guehi was being closely monitored at Swansea in view of a possible squad place. Sources suggest he is rated higher by some within the club than Tomori despite not playing in the Premier League yet.

Naturally the departure of Lampard and assistant Jody Morris, two men keen on giving academy players a chance, may have affected things somewhat. However, Guehi continues to be a major asset in Swansea’s bid to win promotion from the Championship and his progress is hard to ignore.

Others that shouldn’t be forgotten about are Ethan Ampadu and Malang Sarr. Like with the other loanees, pre-season training could be vital to their hopes of making an impression on Tuchel.

Ampadu has had his moments at Sheffield United. The fact he has played 30 senior games (including five caps for Wales) this season, which already dwarfs the totals he’s managed in previous campaigns, is a good sign. But the 20-year-old’s cause hasn’t been helped by being at a team that has sat in the bottom three of the Premier League throughout.

Sarr, who joined as a free agent from Nice last year, has been on the losing side twice at Porto, the first of which was his debut in the Champions League at Manchester City and the second came in the Portuguese league cup semi-final second-leg against Braga. Unfortunately, the Frenchman has just 18 appearances to his name. One would think that’s not enough to convince Tuchel.

Clearly all nine options to play centre back that have been discussed here can’t be a part of Tuchel’s plans and the possibility of the manager bringing his own man in further complicates matters.

Tuchel has a lot of thinking to do.

[MoroccanBlue 5,385]

One thing that desperately needs reminding is how average all of our CB's are in  a back 4 (bar Silva).  Not going to let this change in system that protects our back line immensely, sway my perception again. Some could even be argued are mid table level. 

An Elite CB is still needed, preferably Konate. Sell Zouma. Keep those on loan still on loan. 

[Vesper 30,260]

Most promising youngsters: England well represented

 

Issue number 328 of the CIES Football Observatory Weekly Post highlights the most promising youngsters worldwide according to the capital experience approach. The latter weights domestic league minutes played by footballers with the sporting level of their teams of employment on a global level. The greatest capital experience since January 1st 2020 for players born in the 2000s was calculated for Borussia Dortmund’s winger Jadon Sancho.

Two other German Bundesliga players complete the podium: Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies and Sancho’s teammate at Borussia Dortmund Erling Haaland. Two Englishmen are at the top of the table for 2001-born footballers: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) and Mason Greenwood (Manchester United). This suggests good prospects for the English national team in the coming years. At the top of the rankings for players born in 2002 is Barcelona’s Pedri González ahead of St. Gallen’s Leonidas Stergiou.

For footballers born in 2003 or after, the highest experience capital gained since a bit more than one year was recorded for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz. At second position is another German Bundesliga player eligible for England, Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, while two additional Englishmen are in the top six positions: Harvey Elliott (Blackburn, on loan from Liverpool) and Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich). Should the latter finally opt for England to become world champion?

 

[Jase 43,479]

 

[Blues Forever 1,232]

6 minutes ago, Jason said:

 

Got the feeling it's between Konate and Sule, i don't see Alaba or Gimenez come here.

[Azul 1,615]

What worries me is that Süle, Gimenez and Konate are all injury prone. Look at their injury history on transfermarkt.com, and you'll see what I mean. 

We should be looking at someone like Pau Torres, who's: cheap, fast, technical, strong and very intelligent. He would work very well in Tuchel's system in my opinion.

 

[Blues Forever 1,232]

1 minute ago, Azul said:

What worries me is that Süle, Gimenez and Konate are all injury prone. Look at their injury history on transfermarkt.com, and you'll see what I mean. 

We should be looking at someone like Pau Torres, who's: cheap, fast, technical, strong and very intelligent. He would work very well in Tuchel's system in my opinion.

 

Pau Torres isn't cheap, he has €65m release clause.

 

[Azul 1,615]

7 minutes ago, Blues Forever said:

Pau Torres isn't cheap, he has €65m release clause.

 

Damn, I did not know that. I saw his worth was €50m on transfermarkt, hence why I though he's cheap. Nevertheless I still think he's worth it, especially in todays market. 

Another thing to look at is the fact that he's only missed 21 days due to injury in his whole career, which is unheard of.

[Jase 43,479]

46 minutes ago, Blues Forever said:

Got the feeling it's between Konate and Sule, i don't see Alaba or Gimenez come here.

 

17 minutes ago, Azul said:

What worries me is that Süle, Gimenez and Konate are all injury prone. Look at their injury history on transfermarkt.com, and you'll see what I mean. 

We should be looking at someone like Pau Torres, who's: cheap, fast, technical, strong and very intelligent. He would work very well in Tuchel's system in my opinion.

 

We should just convince Tomori to come back. Money saved! 👀

[Azul 1,615]

6 minutes ago, Jason said:

 

We should just convince Tomori to come back. Money saved! 👀

Tomori is superb defensively, I only worry about his ball distribution. Guehi looks like a serious player in my opinion, so do we really need Tomori right now?

[Jase 43,479]

4 minutes ago, Azul said:

Tomori is superb defensively, I only worry about his ball distribution. Guehi looks like a serious player in my opinion, so do we really need Tomori right now?

The only issue with Guehi is he's still only 20 years old and still untested in the Premier League. Tomori is a few years older and has more experience at the highest level.

[coolhead23 1,147]

20 minutes ago, Jason said:

The only issue with Guehi is he's still only 20 years old and still untested in the Premier League. Tomori is a few years older and has more experience at the highest level.

Well that cannot be the bar to judge a player. If he is good, he will come through ... Mount, James, Odio all were untested but are part of the squad today. So if a player is good and has the determination & attributes, he would succeed ... would need to take a risk. 

[Vesper 30,260]

1 hour ago, Blues Forever said:

Got the feeling it's between Konate and Sule, i don't see Alaba or Gimenez come here.

Alaba has a demand that if the club will not play hi as a MFer in a pre-agreement, he will not come.

Sule is meh meh meh atm, every time I watch him

I do not rate Konate all that much post massive injury

I want Fofana

or

really liking lately

Sven Botman