Star

Ok, so we used to wave 'loadsamoney' at away games in our first year of Roman's leadership but this was a bit rich coming from a lifelong City fan I met today. I quickly reminded him that his team will always live in the shadow of their Manchester rivals, whoever they buy or whatever they win in the next two or three years. I also pointed out that we are now regarded as the biggest team in London, both in recent history and to Europe as a whole and rightfully regarded to any player in the World as the best team currently in the Premiership. I'm not denying, City's fans deserve success, the are one of the most loyal around, but to shout about before they have actually won anything or even reached a major final is asking for trouble, if that gets through to their management or players they are on another hiding to nothing. Pressure comes with money and boy have we suffered yet delivered on that score - as I rammed that home. Pointing out the last time they went head to head with us on a player in Robinho, he celebrated in front of our fans and we then dicked them in their own backyard! Back came another 'Well we done the double over you last season' to which I replied ... "Yeah but who won the 'kin double!" Only Tevez would get a sniff of our starting eleven as it stands, Silva would make a Joe Cole type contribution in Carlo's eyes, as for the rest not a chance. A Terry, Lampard, Drogba, Essien - I see not, a class keeper in Given with a back up in Joe Hart maybe stronger in depth than ourselves, but that's about it. They are not far off from being title challengers, but if the scraps are what's left i'm happy. Had they busted the bank to sign Schweinsteiger, Ozil and Aquero i'd be worried, Milner and co. in the pipeline is hardly inspiring!

It's a done deal if Carlo's interview after the Ajax game was anything to go by. He stated Aquero was not coming to Chelsea, Ashley Cole was not going anywhere or Drogba but hesitated when it came to Ramires, a shrug of the shoulders in fact and rambling on about the transfer window having time for developments. I'm making an educated guess here, Carlo is happy with his strikeforce but realizes Sturridge apart, we have nothing to speak about coming through the ranks, Borini maybe but the rest not a chance. That's why the Neymar link is probably true, a young player with real talent and transfer value to boot. I wouldn't be surprised if these proposed moves, along with Beneyoun are our only signings, cannot say I'm truly inspired but Carlo has my trust, after last year it would be a madman to think otherwise.

Ramires is a mix of a Frank Lampard with the potential of a Patrick Viera twist to his game, an attacking midfielder with a fair scoring record. My reservation would be simply, how many attack minded Brazilians have made it in English football? At 23, he is of the right age and he is fairly good in the air, but for me there are far better options out there. At the moment our squad is worse than last year, with Alex and Cech injured ( Ray Wilkins ... Yossi likes the training here, we use the ball all the time - er Ray - surely pre-season is about fitness??) we have problems to face allready. To kick on from last year is crucial with Man City like a pack of wolves, the waiting game in the transfer market is nerve tangling stuff, let's hope we don't have a Kenyon type bloomers on the way.

This seems the way the Club are operating regardless of the pitfalls involved Butch. It's clear, Man City are acting the way we did in the early days of Roman. I'm sure within 3 years they will be champions, however a time will come when they will have to take stock and realize the money they are splashing out on transfers and wages makes no real business sense. Generally people who make huge money in business take risks yet crucially are not fools. We spent money and got there, there where in history through trophies won the likes of Liverpool became famous. We had to pay to ultimately get there. Now we are trying to bring young players through, a little like in the years after Ossie and Co but the difference is we have that 'aura about us now, we are fashionable because we are winners, the swagger is still there but the big difference is that financially we are a million miles away from those days and held on to key players that won us major prizes. This attitude is holding out in Europe and across the world, because we are becoming famous because we are winners, not now because we pay daft wages and mental transfer fees. The pitfalls are obvious, you risk losing players like Frank Lampard when contracts run to the wire, you hope that their love for the club or what experiences they have had makes them stay at a cost to suit your business. You risk losing targets at the last hour as Robinho, or being guzumped by the likes of Man City or Real Madrid. You could be right here ( if this happens and he is in our starting 11 v WBA I will be happy as Larry) , but I'm thinking 15 million for Oezil is a snip and we should be in the box seat negotiating.

http://therepublikofmancunia.com/reflections-on-former-chelsea-players-decision/ This may not change the way I feel about Joe, what he brought to the table in our glory years etc I've made no secret that I'd rather have him here than Beneyoun, two years older and a transfer fee, time will tell who got the best deal, I'm sure it's them though. But, when his interview came on Sky, he made a mockery of his love for Chelsea - we as fans deserve better.

and that's our goal and the ageing players cemented in our history like Lamps, Terry and Drogba.

Think I went on record a few weeks back saying this transfer could happen, recent press speculation is worrying. Ashley's actions off the pitch, as JT have nothing to do with Football, what we do know is the Press (especially due to their Anti-Chelsea bias) will do all they can to unsettle our players, god forbid Chelsea dominating at home and Europe. Ok, he has been a tit in his personal life, but his performances since he wore the blue of Chelsea have been nothing short of top drawer. I may be slaughtered for saying this but I strongly believe he is England's only true World Class player. As for Real Madrid, well the Robinho fiasco surely puts negotiating between the two parties at a uneasy level to say the least. What I could see though, if Ashley is determined to bottle it and quit the UK for personal reasons, something he is in the main, forget the press for a moment, is responsible for, Carlo will ask Roman push for Kaka as part of the deal. He's the best left back in the world, was when he came part of the G****s deal and still is. IF, he has no desire to leave, the Club should fight tooth and nail to hold on to him. F**k Real Poxy Madrid!

Think signing him could be a very good idea. There is no doubt our game over our Championship years has reflected in the way Drogba plays, to have someone in the ranks in the reserves in the same style would help those on the verge of a first team call up, thinking Kakuta and Matiic here. He could only learn from the 'Big Man' both i'm sure would thrive on it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=br4j5r4mf-c&feature=related

Blimey a blast from the past, Your rant about Spuds were the best around in your day! Up there with Jonesy

Ozil is your man, Aquero at the right price too.

This guy has a pretty good record on the inside stuff at Chelsea ..... http://transparentsport.com/cfcuk/story.php?id=101833

Though I tend to agree Loz, it's clear he was born and bred on the doorstep of SW6, guess he was kid when we won the league in 1955, what I do know is that when he was Chairman of the British Horseracing Board he was a Chelsea season ticket holder and not a johnny come lately or one of those that disappeared in the mid 70's and got the retro kits out in 2005!

First Yossi signs for us, even though I would be staggered if we were prepared to meet the asking price or even consider buying Torres. If it was you and Roman came calling would you ensure you did everything to persuade everyone around you that it was in the best interests to take his money ? Just a thought.

Along with Bruma and Kakuta, he looks to be our best prospect. I'd like us to sort of follow the Arsenal route in this years Carling Cup, unlike the Wenger all youth policy though, blending the kids with experienced squad players and two or three first teamers ... something like .... ...................................... Cech .................................... Bosingwa .................. Terry Bruma ............................ PVA ............................... Mikel .............................................. .......... J Sala ........... Lampard ........ Josh M .......... ............................................. Kakuta ................................. Drogba ................................................

Good point Gulllit, think your formation would work. I'm kinda thinking Lamps, Essien, Schweinsteiger and Ozil would interchange like the way the Dutch have played in the World Cup, the only time I saw us playing that way last season was at Sunderland last season early doors, to me it was one of our best performances of the season. That would mean of course the width being provided by Ivanovic and Cole, but as we all know Ozil has caused loads of problems for defenders ( notably Ashley ) drifting wide and inside. These Ashley to Real Madrid stories are worrying, wish the club would just come out and say he signed a new deal here not so long ago and he is not for sale. Real Madrid usually get what they want that's the big problem.

............................................ CECH ............................................ ............IVANOVIC .............. TERRY ...... ALEX .................... COLE ................................ESSIEN ...... SCHWEINSTEIGER ...................... .................. LAMPARD ......................................OZIL .....................................................AGUERO (In No.10 Role) .......................................... DROGBA Thou shall not pass, thou will deliver, thou can pass and boss teams off the park !

Kinda agree, Avram Grant recommended him to Roman as a summer signing before the axe fell. He had him as skipper of the Israel team whilst manager of the national team. I remember a piece in the mail before we played Liverpool that year in the Champions League, with Grant saying "Yossi is a compatriot I admire and respect, he has that ability to pop up behind the striker and unlock the door." That was two seasons ago, since then he has failed to hold down a regular place in the Liverpool side, though I know Liverpool fans who rate him highly, he wouldn't get into Man Utd's, Barcelona or Real Madrid's squads, let alone their starting eleven and that has to be our benchmark for buying players at the peak of their careers (at 30 i'm not certain that applies anyway) He left West Ham to join Liverpool on less money he was getting at the Spammers, think on memory it was around 50k a week. Like our signings over the past few years, he comes on the cheap, on a three year deal close to 70k a week I would imagine, a price around 80k a week we are now looking to pay players in the quest to become self efficient. What I would say is we have lost a hell of a lot of experience in releasing Joey, Ballack, Deco and Belletti, maybe there is a bit of sense in signing someone with Champions League and Premiership experience. I could also see him as an impact player during the later stages of a game if we were struggling to break down an opponent. Welcome Yossi, good luck, think you will need bucket loads. All I hope is our next signing is Schweinsteiger or Ozil, players better than those departed and more than capable of wearing first team shirts of Man Utd, Barcelona, Inter or Real Madrid.

More like concerns that he might be too fat to get down the chimney!

Some great points here. I fully agree on your Tevez point, though I'd go a bit further and say we should have signed him and not Shevchenko when we had the chance. Though I still believe with all the players they are buying, a core of 16 wiill eventually make it a certainty they will challenge us for the title, if not next year but most definately the following year presuming they are in the Champions League. Their defence though as you say is not good enough and that German left back they bought is a liability in my book. Jose's ability to get the right players in, whilst ousting the donkey that went the other way to Barcelona was another masterstroke on his behalf. What we do have now is a Manager in Carlo that has buried Jose's ghost and proved what a Top Manager he is, to win the double and pick up the team after losing to Inter was an incredible achievement, with the majority of Jose's team at Chelsea, years older, even more amazing. The respect between Carlo and Roman is there for everyone to see, what Roman needs to do is get the players Carlo wants and sharpish, because the big hitters are in town for sure. With Joey Cole, Ballack, Belletti and Deco's wage bill evaporated and Matic and Kakuta to come into reckoning, it leaves two big holes and another striking option we needed last season. Carlo wants Pato, though i'd love Ozil, I believe he wants Schweinsteiger. Aquero would be his second choice for Pato if the media reports I am getting are correct. I also heard we were talking to Toure's agent before he decided to join Man City. As i've said we have some great young players coming through, Bruma is ready for certain. But to take that step into greatness we need Roman and the board to get this quality of player. I posted quite a while back we should snap up De Maria sharpish, had we done so then he would have not been Jose's first signing for Real Madrid. Timing is crucial and that time is now. C'mon whoever is negotiating, lets hope it isn't that non executive board member I despise!

With Man City about to sign Toure and Silva on four year deals. Barcelona signing Villa, bidding for Fabregas and looking at Ozil as an alternative. Real Madrid already snapping up Di Maria and make no mistake gunning for Ashley Cole - a deal that looks more likely since the latest press revelations this morning. These three clubs stand between us and challenging seriously for the Champions League and regaining the title. I really believe Man City cannot fail with their financial muscle in the future, to win the Premiership. I've had a monkey with Corals at 7/1 for next year, started to lay back on betfair at 7.2 already, they will go a lot shorter, use the spare to back Chelsea ... happy days ! I'm excited by our young players coming through, but i'd love to see JT lifting the jug with big ears, he and Lamps deserve the financial backing in the transfer market to keep us at the top. For me, we are still finding it hard to tie up deals because of the scars in place from the inept negotiating skills of Peter Kenyon. The daft contracts in place, with no planning for renewal until it's too late. The Silva deal proves the World Cup is no barrier, we shouldn't be waiting for the players we want to get knocked out and come home. We will be beaten to the punch for sure. ... Ozil should be our NO1 priority, lets get the deal done.

They are 'Ancient History'

OZIL

Let's get one thing straight here, the FA and England Officials control who faces the press at the World Cup. They threw John Terry in there when the flak was flying at Capello and the team knowing that as a passionate born leader he'd say it as it is. After what I believe was the worst England performance in my lifetime, we had the foul mouthed rant from Rooney, just as bad as our boys in frustration after being cheated out of a Champions League Final, god forbid if it was JT slagging off England fans the press would still be on about it and the FA clamping down on our skipper. The FA, turned the attention off a sh*te performance and inept tactics to set up JT the easiest target possible. Where was Gerrard ? Why did Frank Lampard face the press next ?? They made a huge mistake not treating JT as a footballer as Chelsea did in the wake of the Bridge affair, he is the only option for England skipper the players know that but unfortunately unlike at Chelsea the England players hide behind him. One thing is for sure, you mark my word, the England performance on Wednesday will be a 100 per cent improvement and it will be down to Terry not Capello. The Joe Cole thing is laughable, JT loves Joey i'm sure he voiced opinions at Chelsea, but Carlo chose to put him in when he wanted, Capello hates being wrong and somehow he has turned an interview of honesty and truth into a lack of respect for the players and Manager. Same old FA same old press witchunt

PATO Number 7 at Milan - happy days AQUERO Number 10 at Athletico - happy days Which leaves Number 9 .... er TORRES at Liverpool let's hope not

Though the signs were there, I'm still a little stunned that Joe is going. I really hope he doesn't end up back with Harry Redknapp at Spurs, any Chelsea fan wouldn't entertain it, if Joe really has blue blood he wouldn't even consider it. Whatever happens apart from that, well he deserves in my opinion to be appreciated as what he is, a player of incredible talent with something different only the top players can produce. He's been a major part of the most successful period of the club's history, his last Chelsea goal typical of the man, on the big stage, in the most crucial game of our season, a deft flick at Old Trafford. If I was Joe, that's where i'd go. Fergie has a history of letting players with flair express themselves and bringing the best out of them. He's a big game player and would relish playing there, at Arsenal not only would he win nothing of note, with Fabregas joining a long recent list of well known departure's he would be under pressure to prove his worth as he often had to under countless managers here at Chelsea. At this stage of his career he needs first team football or at the very least a manager who will appreciate his talents. Saying that Arsenal's football would suit his style. All I can say is we need to buy a world class player to replace him, we haven't a player ready for next season capable of the magic he produces, even for that second at Old Trafford that went a long way to us winning the double. As for Ballack, well, i'm happy but a little sad in the way Chelsea have handled things, his agent reckons he wanted another contract and was prepared to cut his salary ? Obvious to me, as Joe Cole the club had already made up it's mind, saying that you maybe have to be ruthless at times and it's something we have lacked in the past when we were on the verge of domination. Ballack should have been told like Deco and Carvalho, that we want to freshen up the squad with younger blood. Nothing about money. I've always had my doubts about the signing of Ballack, the Kenyon/Adidas thing has always stuck in my mind, plus the il-fated signing of Sheva at the same time. WE HAD TO GET IT RIGHT THIS TIME, DOUBLE WINNERS TO .......... DOMINATION ! Not back to back champions to giving it back to United for three years. The fact that Joe is only 28 and gone WITHOUT A TRANSFER FEE shows the contracts drawn up by a certain Peter Kenyon and his team we complete garbage. We nearly lost Lampard in the last year of his contract, players in the prime, like we have recently signed up Essien, that's the way forward. The press will have a field day over this, Joe's real situation will come out after the World Cup, let's hope Chelsea come out of it with integrity intact.