alex54

Cole returning to left back and Ivanovic to replace Luiz. Sturridge has to replace Torres. He didn't make a single run and attitude stinks. Anyone performing like that during work get's fired. This team has lots of potential but i find it frustrating that the club did not forsee a plan B for the striker position. We don't have one and you need strikers to win a trophy, simple as that. You could have predicted Torres not being able to be the old one again after 1 year and a half. Also was mighty frustrated with the lack of penetration from the pivot, Romeu and Mikel being so static. They need to MOVE for the FORWARD passing game to work. Come on you chels'!

As mentioned earlier here, polish and dortmund right winger Blaszczykowski would be exactly the kind of player we need right now. Incredibly fast, quick feet, will widen the pitch. And of course will cost considerably less than hulk, who is only 1 year younger.

He definitely is a joy to watch control the midfield. Very much 'xavi-esque'. But it does seem we have made our choice with Ramires/KDB/Romeu and they too are and will become terrific players for us. Can't have them all can you

I didn't say he couldn't play left wing, it just isn't his 'natural' position. He played the number 10 position in the Lille's youth teams and Belgian national youth teams (so till he was about 17). When he plays on the left, he cuts inside and despite him being a tremendous dribbler he more then often looks to pass the ball after he cuts inside. Passing to the striker (torres) to start a quick combination, or to the advancing midfielders (mata, ramires). He creates a lot of scoring changes with this kind of quick, short passing through the middle after cutting inside. I'm sure mata will interchange lovely with this but I doubt torres' first touch is reliable enough for this to be fully effective. And then indeed it would be a great weapon if Cole could from time to time run down the left sideline so that Hazard, after cutting inside also has the option to pass it outwide to the running man for the cross.

Hazard is a natural number 10. It is not natural for him to 'hug the sideline'. We need a right winger who indeed provides width, is fast and allows us to play more vertical, so he can benefit from through passes by hazard and mata.

What about paulo ferreira? He is going to leave us this summer? I know he isn't the player he used to be anymore, he is getting older. But on the other hand he has been very loyal, he is a team player, he never complains in press and he can play on the left aswell if needed. When we sign a young rb back up, I fear he will eventually start complaining about playing time and also might not have the same professional attitude as paulo.

If we manage to sign Hulk, and things are suggesting we will, I think it would be a good move to include a Lukaku loan to Porto in the deal. Porto are a good passing side, they have a lot of technically gifted players. With the possible departure of Hulk and his physical presence, Lukaku could be an excellent addition for them. And for us, the football style of Porto will definitely benefit the development of our young striker.

Quick summary of conversation: He is in london now, says the weather is as bad as in Lille (North of france) Why Chelsea? He wanted to play in England. Players are going and coming in Chelsea, he liked the project of Chelsea. Chelsea always competes, playing time is important. CL win influenced him, he first thought chelsea wasn't gonna play CL next season, because of that he was first interested in going to 2 Manchesters. Lukaku was positive about dressing room atmosphere. Excited to start the season and he will proof himself in training so he can start. Didn't talk much to RDM, doesn't know if he is going to stay.

They're introducing him with; "the first time he is going to talk after his transfer to chelsea!"

I have read that Martin Jol was impressed by Kakuta in fulham (despite his injury) and that he wanted to loan him back for the forthcoming season. (http://www.goal.com/en/news/596/exclusive/2011/07/07/2564340/chelsea-manager-andre-villas-boas-weighs-up-fulham-approach) AVB rejected because he wanted to see what kakuta was worth in the summer. This insists maybe that he is willing to use the guy more than during previous years. I hope he does. By doing so i think the new 'chelsea-tactic' (give the players from the academy a decent chance to become a regular) would become more credible.

Ever since Robben left Chelsea, I haven’t seen an electrifying player (winger) again who with one ‘rush’ good change the course of a match. Those agile players with quick feet and wonderful dribbling technique are becoming a key element in modern football. They are also exciting players who bring the fans to the stadium. Nani in Manchester, Pedro and now Alexis Sanchez in Barcelona, Neymar (Real Madrid now?), Aguero,… What I think we lack the most in our squad today is a fast winger like that. I have seen some great flashes of Gael Kakuta last season and from what I hear he is an amazing talent. So could this explosive winger we are searching for already be in our team? Shouldn't we give him the chance to prove himself as a starter? And how did this 20-year old Frenchman fare during the preseason matches?

Chelsea pay 22 million for Ramires 02-08-2010 The Brazilian midfielder Ramires Santos do Nascimento, alias Ramires, exchanges Benfica for Chelsea. The club of Roman Abramovich pays 22 million euro. Benfica must cede 6 millions to an investment society. Benfica paid 7.5 million euro a year ago to Cruzeiro for Ramires. A part of its transfer rights are in the hands of the company media sport Investments with Kia Joorabchian as a commission agent. The clubs reached an agreement concerning the transfer price; Ramires can find themselves in its personal financial conditions. Now they have to wait for the Premier League organisation. Constructions with commission agents or investment societies have been prohibited in the United Kingdom. At Chelsea they count however on an approval. (Translated from Dutch to English using online translator) Source: http://www.voetbalbelgie.be/nl/article.php?id=33045