Lionel Messi to Chelsea?

[Ballack & Blu]

Personally I believe this is a bullet dodged.

Massive financials for an ageing player, who has never played in the prem.

Perhaps more concerning than the financials, would have been the impact on the squad. I can see it turning into a 1 man circus, which seems against the ethos of much of our players and manager.

Of course, he could have been magic, but I have a feeling the laws of nature do still apply to him, and I suspect the pace of the game in the EPL would find him out. Simply put, he is of course a special player, but I believe equally, Barca and La Liga played a huge part in the Messi phenomenon, and I don't think he would have one half as many awards (or titles) had he played in the prem.

You have seen him destroy the cream of the PL haven't you, when he was 22-29, he'd of smashed the PL, you cant stop genius, and he has had the living sh*t kicked out of his legs in Spain, now he'd probably be equal to Kane in numbers, admittedly he played with special players, i used to just dream of him playing for us around 2007-12....

 

[Scott Harris]

Messi picking PSG makes sense for him. He's getting paid an insane amount of money, more money than any club can afford, and he's 34, he can save his energy for the Champions League and World Cup. I wouldn't be surprised if he is back to scoring 40-50 goals again in that league.

Interest in La Liga is surely now at the lowest it has ever been. It was already pretty boring when Ronaldo left, but losing Messi now couldn't have happened at a worse time. That league is desperate for star players, but the only star players they have now are players past their peak like Modric, Hazard, Suarez, Aguero and Biscuits. Of the 5 major leagues in football, La Liga is now the least interesting.

 

[ozboy]

there's some good footie played in Spain. I agree the top clubs are a shadow of their former selves but the middle of the league has some fast skilful play that can be end to end and fun to watch. A big improvement in watching spain at the euros and the olympics where they have endless sterile possession with no-one interested in or capable of scoring. Spain have completely lost sight of the purpose of the game, which is to score goals and entertain the fans.

 

[BordeauxBlue]

Whatever way, it doesn’t quite account for state funded terrorism. Judging from time working with the Saudi’s, generically speaking, they’re not a very nice bunch of people to work with at the ground level, so can’t begin to imagine what kind of people they are at the top!

Psg are owned by Qataris. 

They should never have been allowed in. They took over the league in a matter of years, nobody could compete financially, and now nobody ever will. 

That said, if they hadn't taken over, France wouldn't now have Neymar and Messi playing in their league, so I'm sure the fat cats are over the moon...  

But at what cost? (our integrity) 

 

[evissy]

Psg are owned by Qataris. 

They should never have been allowed in. They took over the league in a matter of years, nobody could compete financially, and now nobody ever will. 

That said, if they hadn't taken over, France wouldn't now have Neymar and Messi playing in their league, so I'm sure the fat cats are over the moon...  

But at what cost? (our integrity) 

I agree these leagues need some laws and systems to prevent this from happening at this scale. However we are Chelsea fans and Chelsea have basically started all this. These days though we are playing by the book even if we are are stretching the FFP with some planning. 

If Roman didn't buy us ManU, Arsenal and Liverpool would be sharing the title between them as they always did. 

Times change, leagues changes, interests change. A new thing happens and it sets new stuff amotion and new laws have to get into place. 

 

[icecoolguy22]

Messi picked money instead of a real challenge, can't blame him. It will be a walk in the park for him on most weekends, and focus on the CL games and playing for Argentina.

 

[BordeauxBlue]

Maybe so, but Chelsea's takeover and subsequent investment didn't ruin the leagues competitivity. 

Psg have thrown a hand grenade into the French league it will never recover from. 

And, Yes, I know they ballsed it up to Monaco and Lille recently, but let's face it, that was down to them and their team building - and both those sides were promptly eviscerated of their talent.

On the overall curve, they are top dogs and it's only going to get worse. What billionaire would buy another Ligue 1 club to try and challenge Paris? Why bother? 

 

[Night-T]

I think he chose PSG because it’s the team of his heart. 

 

[Spiller86]

Messi picking PSG makes sense for him. He's getting paid an insane amount of money, more money than any club can afford, and he's 34, he can save his energy for the Champions League and World Cup. I wouldn't be surprised if he is back to scoring 40-50 goals again in that league.

Interest in La Liga is surely now at the lowest it has ever been. It was already pretty boring when Ronaldo left, but losing Messi now couldn't have happened at a worse time. That league is desperate for star players, but the only star players they have now are players past their peak like Modric, Hazard, Suarez, Aguero and Biscuits. Of the 5 major leagues in football, La Liga is now the least interesting.

I actually think Ronaldo and Messi leaving will make it better and more interesting. It could further break the Classico dominance. Would love to see Atleti and Sevilla really challenge now that the huge wage bills in La Liga are finished.

I also look forward to cheering PSG's inevitable CL semi exit when they are spending as much on Messi, Neymar and Mbappe as we spend on our whole squad. 

 

[Zola]

Lets never speak of this thread again! lol

 

[Valerie]

Maybe so, but Chelsea's takeover and subsequent investment didn't ruin the leagues competitivity. 

Psg have thrown a hand grenade into the French league it will never recover from. 

And, Yes, I know they ballsed it up to Monaco and Lille recently, but let's face it, that was down to them and their team building - and both those sides were promptly eviscerated of their talent.

On the overall curve, they are top dogs and it's only going to get worse. What billionaire would buy another Ligue 1 club to try and challenge Paris? Why bother? 

Let's not rule out the possibility that some gazillionaire with a stupendous ego might want to get a new toy and show off. 

 

[Ballack & Blu]

Messi woke up to the realisation, thank f**k Raamos is a team mate now, kind of strange not to see him kicking lumps out of him, but Messi hs the continued chance to mug him off in training, lol

 

[WhiteWall]

I agree these leagues need some laws and systems to prevent this from happening at this scale. However we are Chelsea fans and Chelsea have basically started all this. These days though we are playing by the book even if we are are stretching the FFP with some planning. 

If Roman didn't buy us ManU, Arsenal and Liverpool would be sharing the title between them as they always did. 

Times change, leagues changes, interests change. A new thing happens and it sets new stuff amotion and new laws have to get into place. 

Like all things it is measured by degrees.  Jack Walker actually started all this, buying the Premier league. The fact that he, and John Hall at Newcastle were not able to build upon it was their loss and our gain. But its those blokes that should be thanked for providing the insight as to what can be achieved with the EPL and sky money.

The fact that Roman Abramovich stepped forward and created what he has here gains more credence the longer that his commitment remains.

 

[SydneyChelsea]

Interest in La Liga is surely now at the lowest it has ever been. It was already pretty boring when Ronaldo left, but losing Messi now couldn't have happened at a worse time. That league is desperate for star players, but the only star players they have now are players past their peak like Modric, Hazard, Suarez, Aguero and Biscuits. Of the 5 major leagues in football, La Liga is now the least interesting.

This is true, but it is not that long ago that the same was said of the Premier League when the likes of Suarez and Bale left for Spain. In that vacuum the overall league blossomed and Leicester's success in 2016 probably did more for the reptuation and equity of the league than any one star player.

there's some good footie played in Spain. I agree the top clubs are a shadow of their former selves but the middle of the league has some fast skilful play that can be end to end and fun to watch. A big improvement in watching spain at the euros and the olympics where they have endless sterile possession with no-one interested in or capable of scoring. Spain have completely lost sight of the purpose of the game, which is to score goals and entertain the fans.

I agree, and the overall quality is far better than watching strikers score a mountain of goals against token defending in Bundesliga or Serie A. As above, I think it could lead to a flourishing for smaller clubs, with the Big 2 still being competitive - much like the early 00s La Liga.

 

[EdinburghBlue]

Maybe I would say this because I’m a chelsea fan but I don’t think we’re the same as City or PSG. We were bought and are owned and funded by one man. Both of those clubs were bought and are effectively funded by an entire country. That’s before you even take in to account the human rights violations which take place in Saudi & Qatar which are well publicised. 
 

Nothing changes it now though, I just find Messi to PSG to be an extremely underwhelming signing. He’s joining what is a one horse race, with a club that has spent an insane amount to just wipe out any form of competition in their league.

If they don’t win the CL and the league this season, it will be a catastrophic failure.

 

[WhiteWall]

Maybe I would say this because I’m a chelsea fan but I don’t think we’re the same as City or PSG. We were bought and are owned and funded by one man. Both of those clubs were bought and are effectively funded by an entire country. That’s before you even take in to account the human rights violations which take place in Saudi & Qatar which are well publicised. 
 

Nothing changes it now though, I just find Messi to PSG to be an extremely underwhelming signing. He’s joining what is a one horse race, with a club that has spent an insane amount to just wipe out any form of competition in their league.

If they don’t win the CL and the league this season, it will be a catastrophic failure.

and retained the services of a manager who actually failed to win that one horse race. Spursy once, Spursy forever.

 

[icecoolguy22]

As long as PSG doesnt have a Kante type of player, it's a hugely unbalanced team. They have to cut like 10 players, most likely those doing the grind work in the midfield or defence will go. Mess will do a lot of damage, but don't expect him to track back and intercept passes in his own half. Having a Spurs manager will also help in not winning. If the Fair play doesn't catch up with them this season, nobody should play by that rule in the future.

 

[Bob stark]

As long as PSG doesnt have a Kante type of player, it's a hugely unbalanced team. They have to cut like 10 players, most likely those doing the grind work in the midfield or defence will go. Mess will do a lot of damage, but don't expect him to track back and intercept passes in his own half. Having a Spurs manager will also help in not winning. If the Fair play doesn't catch up with them this season, nobody should play by that rule in the future.

They are quite balance

MnM

Bernat - Wijnaldum - Veratti - Hakimi

Kimpembe - Ramos - Marquinhos

 

[axman2526]

They are quite balance

MnM

Bernat - Wijnaldum - Veratti - Hakimi

Kimpembe - Ramos - Marquinhos

Not forgetting arguably the world's best keeper in goal.

With that experience and amazing attack it would be a dismal failure if they don't land the CL this season. And it would be beautiful if they failed again.

 

[Bob stark]

Not forgetting arguably the world's best keeper in goal.

With that experience and amazing attack it would be a dismal failure if they don't land the CL this season. And it would be beautiful if they failed again.

They are definitely main contender but injury can play a big factor in cl.