Helmett

3rd time in a row we've failed to upgrade a title winning team. Makes me miss Kenyon.

I made a correct prediction, I'm chuffed, I'm usually wrong about these things nowadays. People may view this as underwhelming signing, but it gives us more depth in midfield and let's get behind him.

Glad its confirmed done, now I can go to bed! Didn't expect at the start of the summer I would be staying up at the end of the transfer window to make sure we got Drinkwater confirmed. Welcome to him, hope it goes well, could see him playing a good role now he is here, can have Kante bring him up to speed on how it is being part of the Chelsea team!

Ok, Danny is in the fold and the transfer door is shut. Whew! Crazy past 72 hours. Now, let's see if everyone can calm down, relax and assess what we did and did not do.
Only assessing the transfers after the start of the PL season here. We were rumored with a few big names, even if just fleeting, such as Mahrez, Sanchez and Van Dijk. None came anywhere near. I do not honestly think many in here actually expected us to sign any of those big names this late in the window. 
The rumored three (in the media) were Llorente, Drinkwater and Oxlade-Chamberlain, with others like Barkley in the mix.
Let's start with the first news of the week, Ox. It was very clear quickly in here once the news was breaking Monday we had agreed fee with Arsenal for Ox that opinion was mixed at best on him. He is great physically, and when his head is into the match, can be productive, but often was an under-performer at Arsenal. With good coaching from Conte, perhaps his potential would become reality, but who knows. The loss to Liverpool in my opinion is just a shoulder shrug and "meh". 
Llorente to Spurs was a disappointment for me. Thought he could provide depth to striker for us with the same style as Morata. Kind of shaking my head with this one. Not sure what happened. Wish we had his depth for all our upcoming games. Not sure he really improves Tottenham, but oh, well.
As for Barkley,  who the heck knows what really happened here. I have no idea where he would have really fit into our squad. I have never been a fan of his and not worth the fee. When I heard the news he changed his mind, I was relieved
Davide Zappacosta. That's right, not Frank Zappa, but Davide freaking Zappacosta!! Welcome to the Bridge. Ok, seriously, how many even knew who he was 24 hours ago? I did not. BUT I have been reading some views of his ability and how he will fit in with squad and watched YouTube highlights. I actually like this signing from the hinterland as I now know he has a prior stint with Conte (Italy) and is highly rated for his crosses from the RWB position. I think he gives us much needed depth behind Moses. Not a bad add, much like Alonso last year perhaps.
Now for Drinkwater, you know, I think all and all, a good signing. Brings experience and has worked with Kante at Leicester in midfield. Good addition for depth. Not Messi , but good add.
We can now move forward a prepare for a busy September fixture list.
Come on you Chelsea!! 
 

Sky reporting that Barkley was at Cobham today after fee was agreed and still rejected. I don't want him but bloody hell.

It's not. He's overrated and injured.

Excellent news if we don't sign a crocked average player no club seem to want. Apart from, another doubtful  "headline".

Wins the f**king league and still can't get backed with a proper squad. Amazing window.

Makes me wonder why some of those who are online are so defensive of the Board even when they make huge mistakes.  I bet your government would love its populace to be just like that.

I'm going to reserve any comments until after the window closes then address those who go ballistic if anyone criticises the board. So far not looking too clever. 

Maybe Roman stole his lunch once. He'd rather sell a player to United for 10 mil than sell to us for 100 mil.

Isn't 4/1 more likely?  
I don't get how other clubs, i.e. Liverpool with Ox, have completed the deal in about 24 hours while we fanny about over a couple of £mil and lose out.  

I like bats I really do but I don't think he's a good enough footballer to play up front for us. He's a natural finisher and a great personality but I feel he can't bring others into play well enough. Take the easy pass to willian against Everton with no pressure on him.

Sagna or Clichy?!

Well no, I thought we had bid though?  I'm working under the assumption they are choosing to sell to Spurs rather than us.  There's too much going on and I'm losing track! 

the fans will be a bit vocal at the next home game if we don't bring anyone in..........even more so if especially if Conte walks after this mess..........still many hours left yet to get it sorted.

The next few hours will define, top 6 or title tilt again, no pressure!! Look on bright side, if it goes pear shaped, easier to get away tickets!!!

Definitely.
I cannot work out the logic.
Don't let any player over 30 have a deal longer than one year in order to keep the squad young and fit. Check. Develop an academy of youngsters coming through that can save fortunes in the transfer market and take the club forward as they have been committed for longer, but then don't let them break through. Chelsea most successful academy over the last 5-6 years. Check. Don't pay exorbitant agent fees over inflating player prices. Check. So, in essence, older players are uncertain about us due to short term contracts, players in their prime are not attracted because the agents steer them towards the better personal deals and we can't develop any of our youngsters because we don't trust them enough and so we loan them out constantly or move them on.
How can Conte possibly work successfully with this model. It's ludicrous. If this gut is not properly backed and supported by the senior executives there must surely be a reckoning at some point.

If only a certain London club had been desperate for a LB/LWB all summer...

.... so you must mean conte is also a spoiled brat coz he also asked for more bodies ..... if the board thinks like you then not only players would abandon blues but also the manager .... am betting that without wins the board would blame conte and off he goes

West brom are trying to get Krychowiak on loan
Why does the board never do something?
Damn this transfer window has been a total bust

Nah, if we jump in right now with a £75m offer then that'd seal it imo. Imagine the scenes, Chelsea hijacking City's Sanchez deal.
MARINA WHY AREN'T YOU EVEN TRYING!

I truly dgaf anymore. Just get some depth before a similar situation like the Spuds one arises. f**king shameful that a club of our stature has to scramble around for players to field.

Reading a piece in sky sports about what the top teams need to bring in, according to Paul Merson we need a CF and a CB, no mention of a wingback or a CM, how do these c**ts have jobs...why  would he think we need a CB our only position that's well represented other than to allow Dave to play RB, even then we have 4 CB's, he mentioned johnny Evans ffs, good thing we have a forum. 

Let it be then if chelsea does not win enough games conte will be sacked .... mid table for chelsea again .... for what