Butch

Lampard is a world class player in his own right. To the subject of Kaka though, does anyone feel that something is happening behind the scenes there? Maybe it is a bit of wishful thinking, but what if: [a] AC Milan are privately resigned to allowing Kaka to leave for (1) a huge transfer fee that would wipe out their debts and (2) allow him to play in the Champions League; Thus, the decide they need a replacement and have a serious look at Ronaldinho - here's a player who is looking to get back to his best, would cherish the chance for a change of scenery and would not yet at this juncture mind too much about the lack of CL football for a season; and [c] Chelsea also have the trump card of two players Milan covet - Didier Drogba and Andrei Shevchenko, players that either want out of Chelsea or are pretty much "not needed". The Blues could therefore easily include them in the deal to sweeten the package. The thing about Kaka publicly stating he doesn't want to leave is that considering his demeanor and class, it is unlikely he would publicly angle for a move in the same way Drogba has. But privately, he must question where he is at the moment. The project at Chelsea must be one of, if not the, most exciting projects in club football. With Scolari here, there must be some pull. I'm also trying to understand something - IF we aren't interested (and feel we have a good chance) in landing the likes of Kaka, why wouldn't we be interested in Ronaldinho. Sure, he might not be quite the same player he was a year or so ago, BUT for someone of his class and availability, I am certain that under normal circumstances we'd be interested. It thus only makes sense that we have a bigger project going and feel optimistic of seeing it reach fruition. Cheers, Butch

Aye...I getcha! No, I've gone off him completely. Clearly, he isn't thinking straight. One of the "tragedies" of football, if you ask me. Such potential, gone to waste. Cheers, Butch

I'm not at all sure about Eto'o. If push came to shove, I think I'd be happier with Huntelaar, as unproven as he may be on the big stage. What do you think? Pizarro, Sheva, Di Santo and Eto'o, or Pizarro, Sheva, Di Santo and Huntelaar? Talking about a group of strikers, Eto'o certainly brings that "been there, done that" element to the group (I guess Sheva also does). The second group, which I somehow prefer, seems a little "light weight". Cheers, Butch

Sadly there doesn't seem to be a genuine hot shot striker from the land of the Copa Cabana as that is what we're going to need if we transfer Drogba away. I mean, I rate Anelka more than many on this site, but a strike force of he, Sheva and Pizarro certainly doesn't get the juices turning, at least not in the way you'd want anyway. Don't get me wrong, I'd be happy with Kaka, Ronaldinho, Robinho and whatever-he-ho, but I do believe we'd need an accomplished finisher to get on the end of things, don't you? Cheers, Butch

I think he has the raw talent and audacity of a Zola. Clearly, he needs to develop further as a player but if ever there was someone worth taking a bit of a gamble on, I think he's it. I have a feeling this could turn out to be the buy of the season, potentially. And yes, I think Joe needs to be a little worried, but then why not? Cheers, Butch

Well, my argument is that those two are ready, to come on relatively regularly for us. Cheers, Butch

Some counter-rumors ( <_< ) going around that he's staying. Cheers, Butch

Great post, Dorset. Two points: (1) I'd be really surprised if we did anything that would "undo" our work at the youth level. So, a few to further develop under the watchful eyes of talented coaches like Harry would not be too disappointing. I understand the "better to be under the watchful eyes of our own management" argument, but at some point they need to be tried for real and let's face it, how many games could we risk them not performing on the big stage? (2) I'd be very happy to have Di Santo and Sinclair on our bench for most matches. I think those two, more than any other of our youth players, are "ready" to be involved. I mean this from both a "stage of development" and "quality" perspective. Cheers, Butch

The reason I posted those line-ups was: (1) to show you what a problem Deco would be bringing to the team (and although he is a skillful player, it would be quite an upset to the applecart unless we sold Lampard); and (2) to show you that we lack speed in our "spine-of-important-players-who-we-may-be-tempted-to-fit-into-our-starting-line-up" and that includes Deco who we are strongly rumored to be after. Of the "wide" players we have: (1) Kalou - probably has the most potential, with a good combination of speed, trickery and control, but awful in front of goal; (2) Joe - no speed, but clever (when he's on his game); (3) Malouda - needs to step up (he's really our number 1 winger on paper); and (4) SWP - all speed and no control. I firmly believe that in the EPL, having a wide player who can beat his marker, get to the byline and cross/pass accurately is a huge asset. Cheers, Butch

So, we all assume Felipao will be lining us up in a 4-2-3-1 formation then? I'm not so sure myself. But, if we did, how will that look? Cech Bosingwa Carvalho Terry A.Cole Essien Mikel Ballack Deco Lampard Drogba or Cech Bosingwa Carvalho Terry A.Cole Essien Lampard Ballack Deco Ronaldinho Drogba Personally, for a wide left player, I'm thinking either van der Vaart or Ronaldinho would be the best available choices. However, I really like Schweinsteiger. It's just I don't know where he'd fit into this team. He certainly is not a left-sided player (except maybe for those rare occasions you want him to do nothing but cut inside and shoot on goal). Cheers, Butch

According to Milan, and this may just be a bit of gaming, Chelsea have taken Drogba off the market. Like I said, I really hope Scolari has a chance to speak with Didier and see where his heart is before we even think of allowing him to leave. Cheers, Butch

Not in any way to be construed as my "I want him back" "doomed for failure" pleas, I just thought I'd post something that does have to do with us as well. I thought Jose mad another very witty and really very cutting statement that while he is working hard to secure new signings that will improve his team, he is not desperate and that his squad is already a very good one. He said he is working for the long term and he is not looking to be "champions of the summer". My understanding of that quote is that while it would be nice to make some top quality signings, making changes for the sake of it would not be wise. These signings have to come in and really improve the quality of the squad so they can attain success at the end of the season, not just so the club can say they have made the most number of signings during the summer. Food for thought for Chelsea as well (or should I say Chelsea fans) ;) Cheers, Butch

I'm quite certain he won't be going to Spurs. Having said that, I am also thinking it is very unlikely he will be coming to Chelsea. With Barcelona selling their forwards left, right and center, I have to think they must be one of the favorites to sign him. He strikes me as having a traditional Spanish mentality - "...I'd rather remain here in this league..." - kind of guy. So, provided Barca don't offer too much less than us, and I'm thinking they'd be favorites even if they did as ultimately Villa will go where he wants, I think they will get their man. This is all purely conjecture on my part though. Cheers, Butch

I want him to come in and sit down and talk with the players who are thinking about leaving to convince them to stay. that is more important than comings ins. This really can't wait. Cheers, Butch

I've been thinking about something for a while, and everytime we have a new manager the topic come to the fore: as fans, we write off our own players too quickly. I'm sure there must be a bit of pent up frustration within our ranks and that must play a big role in the way we think. I know Drogba burns hot and cold, while showing his "ugly" side more often than not. I know Lampard has half a foot in the grave at 30. I know Anelka couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo, etc... Many will say this is the best time to make whole-sale changes. A new manager will want to mould the team to his philosophy, including bringing in his own players. "Old" players should be moved on rather than given contracts that would see them sitting on the sidelines, or not featuring at all, picking up their "draining" salaries. We need to make space for "better" players. We need to weed the dressing room of "negative" forces, etc... I've said this before and I'll say it again, while all the big, and small, clubs around the world are fighting tooth and nail to keep their assets, and let's face it, the calibre of player that could improve us are going to be the creme de la creme and nobody wants to give up that kind of player, we really need to take stock and be absolutely sure we can do without the players we are thinking of off-loading. Of course, to a certain extent, I am glad it is Scolari and not some of us that is charged with making these decisions. I am sure a man of his pedigree and experience will exactly how important players such as Drogba, Lampard and Carvalho are to the club. And I trust that a man who commands respect, and has supposedly mercurial powers of persuasion, will be able to (1) get these players to remain, and (2) get their heads screwed on the right way. More than anything else he can do, that is what I really hope he actually does. I maintain that this squad of players is one of the best, if not the best, on the planet. We're missing a creative element, and some speed, in the final attacking third, but from the middle down to the back we are solid. So, while like most of you, I'd be excited by announcements such as Chelsea are actively pursuing Rafael and Jan, I'd be even more ecstatic to hear that Scolari has got all the players pulling in the same direction again. Quite aside from the obvious qualities of these players, I also have a nostalgic side to me and I feel we've only just established an identity. You know, when Roman had just arrived and we were buying right, left and center, it was difficult to (1) identify with the players, and (2) feel like any success wasn't bought. I say difficult, not impossible. And for me, a season ultimately devoid of success has kind of given me this feeling that any success we garner with this squad in the future will be all that much more "deserved" rather than "bought". There is no question that we need to tweak the squad a bit. Players who get no game time whatsoever like Sidwell and Pizarro, possibly SWP, and one of Paulo or Belletti should be allowed to move on somewhere where they will regularly get a game. And I've already said we need a few creative, speedy players. But I would, if at all possible, like to keep the core of the squad as is. I still see an amazing amount of quality here, and while I thought Drogba was a goner, the longer his future is undecided, the more I feel this was a premature conclusion. I think the players lost their "guiding light" and their "focus" when Jose left. They probably also felt like the carpet was taken out from underneath them a little bit. I think they just need Felipao to come in and re-establish that. I don't see why we should allow our squad to weaken in the process of trying to strengthen it. We need a bit of stability, and with our management changing from season to season, a stable squad would go some ways to providing this. A simple change of playing philosophy could make a huge change to our effectiveness, without having to change 3-4 first team players to achieve it. I actually expect that 1, at most 2, changes to the first team is (are) needed, and not to the "spine" of the team but to the wide areas or the role supporting the striker. That is my firm belief.

I still am of the opinion that the one signing Grant made while at Chelsea was a good one. Nicolas Anelka has the attributes we need in a forward, except the vision for goals at the minute. Of course, it has also not helped for him to be stuck out on the wings, but although I am all for signing an exciting young players like Huntelaar, I also think we should not be overlooking this ex-phenom. What he needs is a run in his favored position, supported by ball-passing midfielders, and I think he could regain his confidence and goal-scoring abilities. The one thing I hope Scolari brings is a flexibility in our attacking third, as well as a plethora of attacking schemes. I am still a big fan of Mourinho, and while I guess I am one of the few who kind of liked the "strangulating" style of football we played, I have to admit I sometimes wished we attacked with more gusto and speed. Once Duffer and Robben started on their never-ending journey to the land of the red cross, we lost our speed up front and became more and more labored. So for me speed is the name of the game. Of course, I'm not for re-signing Jesper, but I think you know what I mean. Speed of though and vision from the middle and flight of foot while maintaining control up front will be features of a much more exciting attacking Chelsea. Cheers, Butch

Quite apart from the obvious quality we would be losing in Lamps and Drogba, quality that we might not be able to replace, we need to be very aware of what is happening around us. Players we're purportedly being linked with are coming out right left and center telling the world how happy they are at their clubs, and their clubs are apparently holding the fort. If it turns out to be as difficult as it is being made to look to improve our squad, we need to make sure we don't weaken it. I'm sure this goes without saying, but just thought I'd chime in with my thoughts. I'd be seriously frustrated to lose a personal favorite in Lampard, but I'd be absolutely stark raving mad if we were unable to bring in a decent replacement. Cheers, Butch

You're most definitely not the only one Qaz, but I'm sure you knew that already :lol: Cheers, Butch

If ever there was a player worth his demands, Lamps is it. Cheers, Butch

You know, with all the rumors of them leaving, if we were able to keep Lampard and Drogba, it would be like signing two new players, and of the quality you couldn't easily find elsewhere! Cheers, Butch

Probably Villa and Kaka. Cheers, Butch

Ballack? He and Lampard are going to be fighting for a spot in our midfield. Also, if Deco comes, just think what that will do! I'm also wondering about Joe's place - how secure it is, I mean. Cheers, Butch

I sincerely doubt Villa (if we signed him) would be the furthest man forward. I am thinking we'll be going with a two man forward line with wide players supporting. I have a feeling my line-up will be changing a lot as we move forward through the off-season, but at the moment, if I had to hazard a guess, I think it may be something like this: Cech Bosingwa Carvalho Terry A.Cole Essien Lampard J.Cole Ronaldinho Villa Anelka Again, this could change depending on how much faith Scolari has in players such as Sheva, Anelka and Pizarro. I have a feeling players such as Eto'o could be real targets. I'm less certain if long-term targets such as Huntelaar and van der Vaart will be pursued. Cheers, Butch

Torres is not going to happen; we're just putting ourselves up for a big disappointment. Unsurprisingly, the rumors are just going a bit overboard at the moment. We'd do well to relax a little, at least until the end of the Euros. I have a feeling the merry-go-round is still waiting on a few players involved there to begin. Cheers, Butch

We will have a 3rd yellow and blue kit. Cheers, Butch