SW6Blue

Obviously not as clever as you, Einstein. I said 'likely to sign' not 'are going to sign'. I suggest you get your facts right before insulting people for having a diifferent opinion to you.

I clearly remember finishing second though in Roman's first season with these 'second-rate' players. And finishing above 'the likes of United' who we couldn't 'sign guys over'. Funny that. I still maintain that those signings were of better quailty than we're likely to sign in this window.

Exactly. https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1633581/Chelsea-transfer-news-Raphinha-Barcelona-request-Leeds

Well I'm sure we used to be. And it's not just those two, even bloody Spurs look a better bet than us now. Look at the players we signed when Roman first came here. We'll never attract that quality now. The EPL is widely regarded as the best league in the world, so why wouldn't the best players want to play in the best league? I just don't get it, and if Raphinha or anyone else prefers some other club to us, then they can f**k off there as far as I'm concerned. I'd rather we sign no-one if they don't really want to be here, and we just stick with our youngsters.

https://metro.co.uk/2022/06/30/raphinhas-agent-meets-with-barcelona-again-ahead-of-new-chelsea-talks-16919235/ Bloody hell, does anyone actually want to come here? It seems all the players we've been linked to 'prefer' other clubs. Maybe we're not the attraction we think we are?

Seems like we're being linked with every central defender on the planet now.

Juventus chief gives Chelsea major hope of completing Matthijs de Ligt transfer https://metro.co.uk/2022/06/30/juventus-chief-gives-chelsea-major-hope-of-completing-matthijs-de-ligt-transfer-16916685/

https://www.90min.com/posts/torino-meeting-with-arsenal-chelsea-tottenham-discuss-gleison-bremer

Probably not, more's the pity.

Chelsea will get ‘discount’ for Serie A star https://www.football365.com/news/chelsea-get-discount-skriniar-inter-milan-contact-koulibaly-napoli-transfer

I'm disappointed we haven't been linked with any midfielders. I think that's the main area we need to upgrade/strengthen after central defence. Oh, for someone like a Fabregas.

"Errrrm..........excuse me. Where's the nearest burger van please?"

🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣🤣 🤣

I used to watch Ake a lot when he played for our youth and I always thought he was a class act. Not sure if he's at the standard we need now, but if the reports are true, TT rates him and I'm sure he knows a lot more than me!

I would prefer to keep Werner personally. It is a good idea to use one of our unwanted players as a makeweight, but I would rather it was someone else. If he could just learn to time his runs better, I think he could be the player for us we thought he would be. He's also had some unbelievable bad luck, so surely it's got to turn sometime, and I don't want another club to benefit from that. Also, with that fat lump Lukaku gone, that could also have a positive effect on him.

Posted last night:

I'm hoping we'll finally see some action next week when the Lukaku loan deal is completed. Come on Todd, we're counting on you.

From The Telegraph: Thomas Tuchel has been promised as many as six summer signings by Chelsea’s new owners who have set Champions League qualification as a minimum target for their first season in charge in which they aim to close the gap on Manchester City and Liverpool. Head coach Tuchel has held transfer summits with co-owner Todd Boehly and key staff this week to finalise Chelsea’s transfer plans after agreeing a deal to loan Romelu Lukaku back to Inter Milan. A big-money move for Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt has been boosted by reports from Italy claiming the Dutchman will not sign a new contract and is ready to move to the Premier League. Chelsea need to sign at least two new central defenders, with Sevilla’s Jules Kounde also high on their list, and could additionally move for greater cover at wing-back in the form of Jonathan Clauss. With top-class strikers at a premium, Chelsea may not sign a like-for-like replacement for Lukaku but have identified attackers such as Raheem Sterling, Ousmane Dembele, Richarlison and Arsenal target Gabriel Jesus who could add goals and assists. Tuchel has in the region of £200million to spend, although that figure could be further boosted by sales and a senior source told Telegraph Sport: “The key is to basically work with Tuchel to come up with the best players that are available. We really want to make sure we have a good defence. We've got depth in midfield. We're not desperate for an out-and-out striker. “Fortunately, there's reasonable opportunities in the market right now in order to satisfy the fans' desire to be competitive. I think it's a combination of moves and there's five or six that we're going to look to make.” Despite offering Tuchel, who the Boehly-Clearlake consortium believe is “super talented”, greater power, Chelsea’s new owners have made their ambition clear to the German. “I think table stakes is Champions League qualification and then everything beyond that,” said the source. “Obviously from the English fans point of view, winning the Premier League is extremely important, and then from a global perspective, winning the Champions League is extremely important. Being in a position year in and year out to be competitive.” With Marina Granovskaia following Bruce Buck out of the exit, Boehly is, for now, filling both the chairman and sporting director roles. As well as working on transfers, he has this week made the first move to instigate talks over a new contract with England international Reece James. Boehly’s decision to name himself part-time sporting director has surprised some of Chelsea’s rivals who have questioned whether or not he is qualified to take on the task. But insiders insisted this is an “interim situation” and that the club will get a new full-time sporting director, with a check set to be made on whether or not Liverpool’s outgoing Michael Edwards could be tempted to Stamford Bridge. Doubts remain over the futures of captain Cesar Azpilicueta, who Tuchel wants to keep, Marcos Alonso, Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic and Kepa Arrizabalaga, but Chelsea’s head coach has discussed the need for a large squad because of the change in rules that will allow five substitutions. “Obviously with five substitutions coming, there's more and more opportunities for players to get minutes, which makes depth even more important,” added the source. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/06/24/thomas-tuchel-promised-six-summer-signings-new-chelsea-owners/?utm_content=football&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1656070150-1 Just wish they'd get on with it!

True. He has a release clause of €120m (£103m) which is due to expire in 2024. Juventus will only listen to offers close to that figure apparently.

On the Mirror website: Chelsea are in pole position to sign Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus, according to Calciomercato. https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/transfer-news-live-mantd-liverpool-27276917

Some crazy wages being paid by us that's for sure.

Apparently prefers us if he stays in the Premier League, but his overall preference is Barcelona. (Course it is!) https://metro.co.uk/2022/06/21/arsenal-bid-for-raphinha-rejected-as-winger-prefers-chelsea-move-16869047/ Definitely too good for Leeds.

That's exactly what I'm saying. I'm not suggesting he should start every game, but he would be a brilliant option to have on the bench if we need a goal. Even more so now that we can use 5 subs. Just my opinion and I knew it wouldn't be well received.

Well, I was expecting a response like this. You don't fancy a proven PL goalscorer then, especially after last season's failings? As I said, I know he isn't the greatest footballer, but he knows where the goal is and that is exactly what we need at the moment.

Right, now for something controversial. I’m going to mention a name that I think should be part of our squad for this coming season (especially now there will be 5 subs) and will cost us nothing. Michy Batshuayi. Now, before you all roll around the floor in hysterics, please take a look at his stats. According to Transfermarkt, he has only played 2,428 minutes for us, which is the equivalent of 27 games playing the full 90 minutes. In those 2,428 minutes, he has scored 25 goals and has made 6 assists. That is a goal every 97 minutes and a goal or assist every 78 minutes. Impressive figures in anyone's book. He has also scored some very important goals for us and I think he was discarded too easily. His stats playing for Belgium are pretty impressive as well. I realise that apart from his goal-scoring feats, the rest of his game is not the best, but isn’t that what we need? A goalscorer? A finisher? Someone who knows where the onion bag is and doesn’t turn into Jonny Wilkinson when attempting a shot on goal? A top footballer he may not be, but my God, can he finish? There, I’ve said it.