After a couple of games of pre season it's pretty obvious that this is a new look Chelsea as in formation. Carlo is looking more and more likely too stick with this diamond formation. It's looking more than likely that we could line up like this next season.

------ Cech -------

Bossy - Terry - Alex/Riccy C - Cole

------- Deco/Mikel -------

Essien ------------ Zhirkov/Malouda

--------- Lampard ---------

--- Drogba ------ Anelka ---

There are 2 things that worry me, where will Joe Cole fit in as i don't think Essien will be taken out of the team as his energy and power makes him a must starter and where will this Marquee signing play?

We have plenty of depth aswell upfront with Sturridge, Sheva, Pizzaro, Di Santo so surely that rules out the likes of Aguero, Pato, Villa etc.

Our midfield is packed and i mean packed, we have Ballack, Mikel/Deco, Joe Cole, Beletti.

Defence is the same as the midfield with alot of cover.

Will Joe Cole be a fringe player next season at Chelsea dropping in and out of the squad?

And do we really need a Marquee signing? The only player who i think we could need if Deco breaks a limb is Pirlo. I know most people want one as it brings excitement too the forums and something fresh too the team but lets say we get a striker. Mr Striker comes in and replaces Anelka/Drogba, Anelka/Drogba become unhappy causing disruption in the camp.

Also the only player i can see leaving at the moment is Pizzaro with us keeping Shevchenko for another season.

It's a win/lose situation, if we don't go for a target in this transfer window and god forbid one of big players gets a bad injury we will be stuck in the January market looking for a new player who is not cup tied.

Sadly i don't see any youngsters apart from Sturridge getting a look in at Chelsea next season, let's hope Ancelotti rotates some players in the Carling Cup.

However, it's looking good so far and im confident we can look ahead to a successful era under Ancelotti.

Edited July 25, 200915 yr by Sheva

Sheva and Pizzarro have failed to impress so far, and may well be on the way out

A marquee signing is necessary on two tactical fronts: on the field and off it. There is still a need for a game-breaking player of the Robben, Messi mold. Off the field, we need to show the world that Chelsea are NOT a spent force. Most likely he will be a forward/attacking player.

Note also that players such as Deco and Ballack do not have much time left on their contracts and may have to be replaced. If we are going to spend money on someone, it should be on a player who will be given time to adapt to the PL, with other senior squad members around to support him.

You are listing players that are most definetly leaving. I think we will see at least 5 guys leaving. Sheva, Pizarro, Belletti, Carvalho, ?. 1 or 2 coming in and so there can be that marquee signing. Don't where he would play but it would be exciting and we would sell more shirts ;)

Belletti and Sheva are looking more than likely to be squad players next season with Carvalho looking like he won't move to Inter because they just signed Lucio.

Regarding the players with not alot of time on the contracts, i was talking about the signing for this season not the season after this.

Edited July 25, 200915 yr by Sheva

We dont need a marquee signing for our squad this year but as mentioned above i think it is important not only for the future of the club but for the world to remember that chelsea are capable of getting the worlds very top players to our club. I still think we will get one. As for the amount of players our squad has im sure at least 2 or 3 of them will get sold.

We dont need a marquee signing for our squad this year but as mentioned above i think it is important not only for the future of the club but for the world to remember that chelsea are capable of getting the worlds very top players to our club. I still think we will get one. As for the amount of players our squad has im sure at least 2 or 3 of them will get sold.

I actually don't fully buy that line. Why would we have to prove anything to anyone. We need to win to get credibility. One CL trophy and our stock rises to the roof. Showing the world talk is very mancity and early Roman-era..People know who we are.

With a marquee signing we get the attention of the world, sell more shirts, gain more fans simply put make more money.

I think our setup looks very good at the moment, Carlo, Ray and the squad. The squad needs to be trimmed down to 23-25 players as Carlo stated and it will happen. I really think Sheva and Pizarro will go as we have Drogs, Anelka, DiSanto and Sturridge as strikers already. I'm also beginning to feel that maybe Kalou is on his way out. I mean where would he fit?

Belletti and Sheva are looking more than likely to be squad players next season with Carvalho looking like he won't move to Inter because they just signed Lucio.

Regarding the players with not alot of time on the contracts, i was talking about the signing for this season not the season after this.

And I meant a marquee signing this season, meant to bloom and take on more responsibility next season.

I think Deco will go and Pirlo will come. Not sure that represents what some would call a 'marquee' signing (potsy expression) but that's my belief.

Yes. I think we could actually use someone like Pato or Aguero up front. Drogba and Anelka are good, but what if Anelka lapses off form again and Drogba starts throwing a tantrum? Someone reliable and who has a bit of magic like Pato is going to be the one who gets us points.

We have a very strong starting 11, well one you would expect to win games and hopefully not have to change too much. Joey when on form is a player who must start every game, and agree we could do with another top class striker as cover although i cant see Kalou leaving.

Sturridge, Sheva, Pizzaro, Di Santo

Hardly that inspiring. I think we'll be alright without any additions but a quality striker would show a bit more ambition. Sturridge looks good but he's only young and isn't quite ready to make a proper impact; same goes for Di Santo. Pizzaro had a good season at Werder but was really poor during his time with us and I've seen nothing in his style of play to suggest that will change. Shevchenko is just Shevchenko.

Honestly, there's only one marquee signing we can make:

ANDREA ZOLA!!!

I'm not even joking...

if the same squad (almost) wasn't good enough to win the league last season, what makes it different this coming season. Their is only so much you can blame on Scolari's ineptness. The squad is too effective IMO and I don't see this season being different from the last bar Man Utd being less stronger. I still see us steam rolling teams earlier on and being found out when we run into teams that are well set up. Swap the world marquee for 'creative' and we would be a complete team in my opinion. Our defence is perfect, our central midfield powerful, add in a creative force to the tip and even Sheva might look world class.

if the same squad (almost) wasn't good enough to win the league last season, what makes it different this coming season. Their is only so much you can blame on Scolari's ineptness. The squad is too effective IMO and I don't see this season being different from the last bar Man Utd being less stronger. I still see us steam rolling teams earlier on and being found out when we run into teams that are well set up. Swap the world marquee for 'creative' and we would be a complete team in my opinion. Our defence is perfect, our central midfield powerful, add in a creative force to the tip and even Sheva might look world class.

Well the fact that Man Utd are weakened makes a VERY big difference!!

Deco is our creative player. I don't think its a question of whether Deco can cut it in the Premier League, but a question of whether he can stay fit and on form. If he stays like he is now (not absolutely brilliant, but still good), I don't see what we could bring in that could replace him...Pirlo, but thats about it, isn't it? Deco's vision and 'creativity' is second to none and provided Carlo finds the right role for him this season, he could really flourish in this league. But realistically, I don't see him replacing Lampard, Essien or Mikel any time soon.

Scolari was awful but Hiddink's arrival also coincided with Essien's return from injury. He is far and away the most important member of the side if you ask me and it's really evident when he's not playing, especially against the top sides where our main advantage is normally that we dominate midfield. In the league games against United, Liverpool and Arsenal we just didn't do that effectively enough without him.

Scolari was far too stubborn tactically, which is why we started well and tapered off. He stuck by the same style even when we'd been "found out".

Jordan, I really can't agree. Deco was over the hill when he arrived at Chelsea and I very much doubt that's going to change. The number of times he gave the ball away last season when under very little pressure was disgraceful. I was watching a replay of the 0-0 draw against Hull (I had erased that from my memory :P) on ChelseaTV the other day and towards the end when we were chasing a goal, Deco stepped up to take a well placed freekick. The first ball in was awful but was cleared back to him; he tried again, with another poor pass; but wait! It's fallen to him again, surely this time Art. Surely this time you can meet the head of Terry or Alex! But no, you've given it straight to their defenders, again. When the best aspect of his game is supposed to be imaginative passing, that just makes him look useless.

Hi Everyone, I am new to this forum and actually went to the game in Baltimore last night and have a few thoughts regarding a 'marquee' signing. In my opinion we definitely need one. Firstly regarding Sheva and Pizarro, both looked well of the pace last night, and as soon as Drogba and Anelka went off there was no out ball. In my opnion pizarro is not good enough anyway, but maybe Sheva could be used as a squad player. Somebody like Pato would be ideal I think, someone to link up the play, who is young and exciting, that is what I think Chelsea are missing. Defence and midfield looks strong, but another attacker would be a big help I think. The thought of Drogba or Anelka getting injured and having Pizarro or Sheva as back up doesen't fill me with confidence. Apart from that we looked strong, but a big signing to excite everyone would give me a lot more optimism.

Edited July 25, 200915 yr by Ricci

Good post, Ricci. I agree 100%, though if we're naming names I'd prefer Aguero to Pato.

I really wouldnt mind if we got aguero or pato to be honest as long as we got one of those big young names. Either would be very exciting and very good for the club not just now but for the future. Its really hard for me to take an opinion on deco. If he is truly happy at our club i dont mind him staying but whether or not he will find his form and show thathe can still cut it in this class is something that only he will be able to prove. As fans lets hope he can because he will add a lot of class to our team. Also as someone mentioned above say drogs or niccy do get an injury an we only have sturridge to back them up, a top class signing that pushes people slightly down the pecking order can only work wonders for our depth.

Have to agree with jordanl5182 get andrea zola and our problems are solved haha

According to Frank we don't need such a signing.

Just one striker, Pato, and a midfielder some like Pirlo, then get rid of some deadwood, the likes of Pizarro, Kalou and we should be set for the season.

The very last thing we need is another central midfielder. Pirlo can do one.

The very last thing we need is another central midfielder. Pirlo can do one.

Do not forget, we will lose two to the African nations cup, so I reason we could do with another M/F just for cover, we always seem to struggle during that period.

I think too big a deal is made of the ACN. The players won't miss any Chamions League games and we should have adequate backup for anything else. In fact, isn't it mostly cup games they'll miss?

EDIT:

Can't find exact dates for Angola 2010, but based on the 2008 installment our players would miss some of:

Hull v Chelsea

Chelsea v Sunderland

Chelsea v Birmingham

Burnley v Chelsea

Chelsea v Arsenal

Everton v Chelsea

Wolverhampton v Chelsea

The Arsenal and Everton games are the only two where we might struggle without Essien. As much as I dislike them after last season, having to play Deco and/or Ballack is hardly a disaster.

Edited July 26, 200915 yr by Captain Haribo

somewhere along the line Lamps ,Essien,Mikel,won't play together,we have signed Zhirkov to give us some creative options,if we keep adding to our midfield,and want to get this "special midfielder/striker,where they all going to fit in,i think Aguero is the missing link to take us forward

i might be reading more than is there into JT`s statement, but ive a feeling were about to make a big signing.