Jon Stakes

Bonucci will not move. He has declined wads of cash and Man City. No way we can sway his mind.

Fabregas... We need a box to box there. Or even Mikel. Preferably Chalobah.

Why are we subbing out the frontline? We need defensive changes. Pedro and Kenedy don't seem to have a place in this squad save for the deep bench.

Werder has no metal in midfield. Several new players aren't playing, whilst the defensive line from last season shipped 65 goals. Neither of their best defenders from last season are still here, whilst the new defenders aren't playing, save for Moisander, who is probably more as a backup anyway. The only decent players in this lineup is Pizarro, Junuzovic and Kruse.

Can't be any more frustrating than last season. Honestly, coach after coach and we still can't get rid of Matic and Ivanovic from the starting line up. Great creds for the past, but this is now destroying their legacy.

Matic looks no better with or without Kante. Matic and Ivanovic out. Plus never again the Terry / Cahill combo.

With Bonucci off the table as well, I don't see any alternatives that Chelsea is in for... Except for Mustafi. If we are with Terry / Cahill till Zouma gets back, then that spells trouble.

They must have really liked Djilobodji, becaue they brought in Lamine Sane and Fallou Diagne, two pretty respected Ligue 1 defenders that offer a beast mode center pairing, Plus the experienced Finnish CB Moisander. Basically a wholesale change of their trouble area, as in defence. They also brought in Max Kruse, who has been mostly great in the Bundesliga (not so much last season). As well as Florian Kainz, who is pretty much unheralded, but highly regarded. They have lost Djilobodji, their standout player in the second half of the season, Oztunali and Ujah, but they made like for like replacements. So actually they did a lot of changes from last season, we will see if it changes anything.

No, we don't. But ok.

We should have bought Sadio Mane...

Maybe being one of the best defenders during the spring of the Bundesliga may have had something to do with that.

August. Etebo looked class, but I really like that forward up front. Had shades of Drogba, albeit he's much taller, lankier and technically not as strong. The player however that stood out for me is Rivaldo Coetzee of South Africa. Bit short, but what a defender.

Based on today's game - it was money badly spent. Based on today's game: I would love if we bought Rivaldo Coetzee. Outshined Marquinhos in the battle of the U23 defenders.

Of course, but if Pedro or Kenedy hardly get a sniff in 4-5 friendlies, then it can't be good for them,

Looking at pre-season it seems there is no space whatsoever for Kenedy.

I think no one doubts his talent, but the guy can be a bit brainless at times, which can be frustrating. Can equal Messi one game (just so I'm not misunderstood - I'm directly referring to the Nigeria vs Argentina game at the 2016 WC), then mess up the simplest of chances the next game or fail to make a simple, obvious chance. He's basically Aubemeyang, but without the finishing.

After pre-season I can't see Pedro ahead of Curadrado or Moses. Looks like the first out the door, Pedro has looked bad when played and so far Conte prefers the Nigerian and the Colombian to him. Not sure why we are holding on to Matic. Or Ivanovic. First team on form after pre-season seems to be: Courtois, Aina, Terry, ?, Azpi, Fabregas / Chalobah, Kante, Cuadrado / Moses, Batshuayi, Willian, Hazard The second centerback is the obvious problem area. Terry and Cahill are snails, you can't have both on field at once.

He has three good seasons in Germany, albeit one in the second division.

Minor correction: Europa League.

Overall with all these massive signings by Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man United, not to mention Leicester, Tottenham and West Ham obviously with ambitions who knows what will happen next season...

Fully agree. They need serious upgrades in defensive positions, but instead at buying Nolito, Sane, Gabriel Jesus, Gundogan, Zinchenko and Moreno... partially save for Gundogan all attacking players. Looks like they intend to sport a defence with the likes of Mangala or Kolarov... We're in exactly the same position, but at least we seem to be linked to defenders (not so much full backs which is the primary need).

Very good player, but... he's another right footed right back whose secondary position is left back.

and Pogba...

Looking at the transfer of Man City, Man Utd, Liverpool,... they seem to be doing some serious bulking up. Batshuayi and Kante are great purchases, but honestly we need much more than that... The entire defence minus Azpi needs an overhaul.

Funnily enough the move means he'll be seeing European action unlike the rest of his Chelsea mates...