venom2011

Jose uses Mikel to largely good effect when we need to close a game out. That is not a role Ake and RLC can perform as yet, or at least I'm sure Jose wouldn't trust them anyway. The mere fact that we were forced to rely on Zouma in such a way last season should send warning bells. Luckily he performed adequately, but going forward we can't expect to challenge on all fronts next season if we're relying on Zouma (out of position) in big matches. It could be worth a shot to give Romeu a go.

Wait, you think it's absurd to hypothesise about a legitimate concern (losing one of the two primary mids) and your contingency plan involves Ramires, Zouma, RLC and Ake? Ridiculous. There's a big difference between having the confidence to play young talent and being ignorant to impact on the team's chances of success. Offering RLC a role too great is asking for trouble. Firstly, though talented, there's a greater probability of him being no better than Mikel ever was. If that statistical eventuality plays out in the next 4/5 years, every fan will be looking back at the decision not to sign a proven midfielder this season.

I don't see that. As it stands, if we sell Mikel, and Matic is injured for a lengthy period, to have Fabregas, Ramires, RLC and Zouma as midfield options is quite ridiculous for a team challenging on all fronts. As for Mikel, I wouldn't be sad to see him go. But with all respect, what a wasted talent. To see a technically-gifted footballer, who is also built like an ox, ultimately become nothing more than squad filler is quite disappointing. And it's a lesson for guys like RLC. People rave about the talents of RLC, well Mikel was an even greater talent at the same age and with enough games played over his career to allow him to maximise his ability. Statistically speaking, it's a lottery as to whether these talents turn out to be of the Pogba or Mikel variety, perhaps even worse. It's no wonder Jose has traditionally shied away from developing youth prospects.

That's pretty much what you're doing though. Other than that game, he has pretty much had to carry Colombia along. They play some atrocious football at times (forwards, mids and defenders all to blame) and even James has been worse over the span of the tournament.

He has been Columbia's best player for a good while. This was the worst performance I've seen from him. Give the guy some slack.

Or do what we've done a few times recently. Let City set the price, swoop in at the last minute and match the figure. Done. Obviously the club will suss out before the bid whether or not he'd choose us over City.

Just a random shout out about this guy. He had a superb last couple of months in the league, and he's showing more of the same for Brazil. Long may it continue.

I'm not sure if this has been posted before but: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMMbS7z-EcM

Not quite done yet, but sounds close. I'm really excited about this, partly because I was gutted when he moved to United, but mainly because if he maintains his standard - he improves our strikeforce anyway - and if he moves up a notch then we'll absolutely walk the league.

I think we're one short actually. Hazard, Oscar, Willian, Cuadrado - for 3 positions. Fabregas hasn't performed well as a 10, so I'm not counting him, but of course he's an option. And then maybe a youngster. Also, out wide we only have Hazard and Cuadrado as players who can regularly beat defenders. One more senior AM sounds right.

'It will be difficult to find players to go straight into the team, because it's not easy to find a better striker than Diego, a better keeper than Courtois, a better midfielder than Matic or Fabregas. It's not easy to do what we did last season, where we bought two or three players and they went straight into the team.' 'This season is about improving the squad. This season is about improving the squad, bringing players to make us more consistent, so we don't go through difficult periods like last season when we had crucial injuries. We have to try and protect the situation by adding two or three players.' 'We will be better. I don't see our team losing players. We lost a striker who scored four goals in the Premier League, but three of these goals meant important points for us. So we have to buy a striker because we want to have three strikers of a good level.'

Goals - https://streamable.com/e/a4j3 His movement and spacial awareness is quite good, especially for someone so new to the striker role. Super talent.

Exceedingly slim chance of him being granted a work permit though. I'm sure the club will make a case regardless. And if Cuadrado does leave then for sure a senior player comes in as well

Bertrand Traore: "Chelsea are very happy with my development. But I will only hear what is next in the summer." (De Telegraaf) #CFC #Vitesse #Vitesse coach Bosz: "Jose Mourinho is crazy about him. If the opportunity is there #CFC prefer to take Bertrand Traore back" (De Telegraaf)

Wow, that's a bit of a stretch. Questioning a player's commitment is not unheard of, especially with Jose. Even Hazard finished the match after requesting to be substituted. I think Jose wasn't happy in general. And that's besides the number of occasions Jose lambasted Hazard from the touchline in the final weeks of the season, during matches. He has the right to do that when he feels the players aren't giving enough.

His aerial ability was incredible. It would be great if he could pass some of that on to Costa. Comparisons will be made with the Torres situation but just about everything is different, from the financial outlay to the type of player.

Jose mentioned in his presser that some links are legit and some guys are just fishing for new contracts. I've got a strong feeling that this is the latter. He has contributed well to Atletico's season with goals, but he would offer nothing we don't already have and nothing we need to improve our play and level of consistency.

Yes, I'm sure we'd get more than that if we sell to United or PSG. They can afford to overpay and so they should.

For sure. Transfer fee is apparently €2m and another €3m after 20 games for the first team. That is more than acceptable for the risk. We are essentially doing with our reserves what Liverpool do with their first team - buy players who at very least can be sold at fair value (with a couple of riskier exceptions like Lukaku)

I wouldn't say he's overrated, it's just that he has all eyes on him right now. But in my opinion he is not a better midfielder than Koke, and certainly not worth double the outlay.

Coutinho to Chelsea - http://www.football-insider.co.uk/transfers/exclusive-chelsea-target-philippe-coutinho-to-replace-oscar

That could hurt his valuation. If PSG don't get Pogba, I'm sure they'll be willing to throw a bucket of cash at Oscar. Not that I want him to go, but it's quite a decision for the club to make.

Certainly, and those are the (acceptable) risks afforded to such a transfer system. They were all hot prospects at the time the club signed them. Courtois had 1 (one!!) international appearance before he signed. It's, statistically speaking, a lottery after the transfer goes through. There is no difference between the perceived talent and reputation of Courtois, KDB and other boys like Marco van Ginkel or Traore (at the time of transfer). Atsu, Traore and Omeruo have all had international appearances as well. I don't understand how you can name players that will never play for us and were only bought for resale value unless you have a crystal ball and some serious insider knowledge.

Yep. Courtois, KDB and Lukaku are prime examples. Waste.