danpetrescu

If Rice is who Tuchel wants, then we should go out and get him. Yes, he'll likely have an inflated transfer price due to Premier League + English tax. But we've seen what happens if we get this wrong, £75m spent on Bakayoko + Drinkwater. And Chelsea haven't bought a midfielder since Kovacic joined in 2019. If we get Rice this summer, he'll be a mainstay in our side for the next 7/8 years minimum.

I won't lose any sleep if he does leave in the summer. I'd much rather see Chelsea operate with a cut your losses mindset, rather than hanging on in the hope it may work. Fundamentally, for me, it comes down to whether Tuchel wants him and thinks Chelsea are a better side with him in the starting eleven or squad. If not, sell up, even if at a loss. The counter-argument to this is, do we have a replacement lined up? And if yes, will this impact other areas of the squad that also need addressing?

Looking at the positives: Great form for Barcelona since January Naturally two-footed Free Immensely talented Tuchel has worked with him before and is an admirer Re-sell value Looking at the negatives: Rumoured to have an attitude problem Injury problems High wages Inconsistent form whilst at Barcelona Overall, I'd argue the pro's outweigh the con's here, particularly given that Chelsea need to invest in multiple areas this summer and it would a free transfer.

Eriksen - Available on a free. Dembele - Available on a free. Cucurella - Back up LB/LWB and LCB in a back 3. Wouldn't be cheap for a rotational player. Raphinha - Depends if Leeds can stay up or not, and what Barcelona do. But has been Leeds best player by far this season with a consistent goal threat. Offers something our wingers don't at the moment, and PL proven. Olise - Very talented young winger. May be a bit early for him to come in a be a regular starter, especially considering the inconsistency of our wide options upfront. But one to watch. Max Aarons - Can play rb and lb, played a lot of senior football considering he's only 22 years old.

Does anyone have a compilation of opposition players falling off Reece James? Last night vs Rabiot, Soyuncu at the weekend. If one doesn't exist, can someone more technically minded than me create one?

I mean this in the nicest way possible but I hope Senegal go out very early in the African cup of nations.

If he keeps playing how he has done against Burnley and Leicester yesterday, the goals and assists will come. Especially with Rom coming back into the side.

Very impressed with Jorginho yesterday. On another day could easily have had two assists (Chilwell hitting the bar, and Kante run where he missed the lob). Seems to be a tactic this season to have more runners in behind, and not just from the front 3.

Unsure if confirmed yet, but all over twitter. The AFCON rumoured to be cancelled. Good news for us to have Mendy available. Bad news that Liverpool will keep hold of Salah.

Obviously great moments from Mendy on Saturday, but I was hugely impressed with his game management. Taking some minutes with the physio after taking the ball to the face completely took the sting out of the game, and allowed us to settle and regain some composure.

Great start to the season from Chalobah. Hugely impressive defensively, and chipping in with a few goals too. I'd agree that he's currently 4th/5th choice, but it's players like Chalobah that help teams go far domestically. Someone who can slot in for 20/25 games a season, allow for rotation and not impact the quality of the starting eleven. Fergie relied on these type of players for years, Park, Fletcher, O'shea.