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The defining trait of any proper deep midfielder is the ability to pre‑see the next phase of play, knowing where the ball should go before it even arrives. That demands elite positioning, the right passing choices, and constant scanning. In the Premier League, those qualities have to be 10x. It’s exactly why Mount, Gallagher, and even Kanté never looked convincing when dropped deep for us, whereas Billy Gilmour at least had some attributes required for that role and why he looked decent. And this is where the frustration comes in. A lot of fans seem convinced we’re going big for a CM in January or next summer, which leaves Alonso trying to steer the ship with what he has, AKA internal solutions, round two. We need to hope for a couple of things for our midfield to not be an issue. Barco, at the very least, is as good as Santos Lavia doesn't get his typical 3-month-out injury. Caicedo sorts out whatever is bothering him. It seems James is now more or less a CM in today's game in the club's eyes, so we'll see how that goes.

Don't think Alonso will be consulting you for any help with his pre-match pep-talk!!

That's the spirit!

Jesus Christ i thought i'd strayed into the Palmer or Joao Pedro thread for a minute there.

I do think Reggie Watson has a chance tbh, even at his age, if we use him and develop him correctly. Also he has a dad that knows exactly what its like in the blood and thunder of the middle of the park, to be bale to mentor/advise him.

Interesting notion, hmm

Media now reporting that he could be going to Fenerbahce. Monaco need to come up with some cash so if Chelsea or Liverpool really want him they might be greasing some palms in Turkey right now.

Liverpool fans don’t have a leg to stand on now their net spend bo**ocks is in the bin

You can do all manner of things if you have no bloody alternative. We are playing a RB made of biscuits and flake who wimps out of any physical challenge in there at the moment. Hato might not be the answer for the position but i would imagine his girlfriend is stronger than Gusto, let alone him. What do you suggest would be out best way forward in the circumstances? These are the free agent alternatives

There’s a video of Lampard talking with Rodri on the job of a midfielder. Fantastic video. I encourage people to watch it. You can’t simply take a defender and slot him in at DM without acknowledging the attributes a top holding midfielder needs to play in the Premier League.

I didn't think it possible to find anybody more incompetent and a bigger bellend than those imposters we have as Sporting Directors at this club. But...calling Thiago Scuro to the stage please. What a w*nker. Clearly Laurance Stewart was his mentor.

I think we have to accept James first position now and for the rest of this season will be midfield in that pivot. I'm of the belief Gusto was selected in the game against Brighton to send a message from Alonso that he needed another midfielder. After the international break I expect we are going to see Caicedo/Lavia + James/Barco play every game.

After the news broke last night, like everyone else, my pi$$ was boiling over it. But it has actually been a really good window for us, one of the best ever. Yes it would have been great to get a rangy box to box midfielder and i think the appeal to Alonso is getting someone who is good at shots form distance to counter the low blocks we may well come up against. I would have liked some of the youngsters getting slightly better clubs for their loans. I think the defenders should go to teams that will have a tough season, to help them man up and the midfield and forward players to go to those teams in and around the play offs to get good minutes but also be in a positive atmosphere. For Satpave (Burnley) Kavuma McQueen (Portsmouth) and Walsh (Wigan) i would have liked for there for have been a bit more due diligence in club selection to arrange loans for. Surprised we couldn't get anyone to West Ham or Southampton. But these are minor points. I am still generally happy though with what has been one of the most aggressive and best windows we have seen. One surprising point though. Like the film The Purge, as daylight broke after a massive night of drama and action, and we all picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves down and reached for our remote controls one note of wonder struck me immediately. How the hell did that fcker Gusto survive this window and stay here FFS.

We were also the better side with 10 after the red card.

Maybe it is a bit of shoehorning but why can't Alonso work on adapting Hato's game to a DM role until we can go into the market. The lad is strong, is defensively minded, can pick a pass (although maybe with some limitations). We need someone strong and press resistant in there. If he can keep it simple in possession and not try to break lines too much then I think Alonso could get a tune out of him in this role. I am not saying to be the answer or to be the main man, but with Caiceido, Lavia, Barco, Henderson, Gusto (haha), and Hato, there should be enough combinations to limit the possible holes in the position. Regardless of perceived quality and just working off of warm bodies, i am still a little surprised that we didn't recall Essugo from Strasbourg when Monaco flip flopped.

I'm totally indifferent about his departure. There would have been a time when losing a star player hurt, but here I think it's for the best for all parties.

If he does well I see Tottenham and De Zerbi convincing them to buy him.

CHELSEA WONT GET SCOTT OR WHARTON UNTIL NEXT SUMMER, NEITHER WILL BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE IN JANUARY

We slapped Arsenal at home last season until Caicedo decided he wanted a early bath and that was with Reece in midfield.

https://talksport.com/football/4553070/chelsea-mystery-deadline-day-transfer-james-garner/

If Caicedo is long-term injured we are completely f**ked. Without him we don't have a functioning midfield.

We have a international break coming up I think we should be back to full strength before too long. Alonso probably unhappy and the clowns will know the last thing they can do is piss of Alonso.

In my parallel universe there is only one rival, Liverpool.

If he was fine the club would have briefed it by now to appease the fans who are disappointed we didn't get a midfielder. I'm afraid he may be out for a while.