Its clear that the current team is not getting any younger so surely we should put a bit more of our transfer emphasis on the future rather than looking again at short term players like Pirlo.

The current set up dictates our style of play relying heavily on Lamps pulling the strings and the full backs getting up and down the flanks. Lamps is now 31 and drogba who is also a staple part of our team is not getting any younger. If beautiful football is what roman wants then surely the current system is going to struggle to achieve this. Now I'm not debating the quality of the side but the system is built to go through lampard and once opponents cut him out they stop a large part of chelsea.

It does involve spending big but the initial outlay will hopefully provide a good 10 years of return. If we could get our hands on the likes of Aguerro, Pato, Sessegnon (superb performance today in the emirates cup) then we can build a team around such players providing potentially crowd-pleasing football with a long term focus. If we are honest, the current crop of players coming through the academy are not goin to be world-beaters so unless that improves we're gonna have to buy in.

What are your thoughts?

I agree that our squad is'nt getting younger but then you can put to much emphasis on the age of the squad. I think our squad has a good few years in it yet and this summer is'nt probably the right time to start any major rebuilding programme with the transfer market inflated the way it is.

Plus if you look at teams like Le Arse and they are crying out for the experience our team has all over the pitch.

If you sign or bring through the best young players in the world in this day and age that does'nt mean they will be at the club for 10yrs. Again i refer to Le Arse who only seem to be grooming(is that the right word Arsene) young players into top players who then leave before their prime.(howlong before Fabragas is off?).

I would'nt be in the market for Pirlo though, not with our ageing midfield but with the ACN in january it may only be a short term salution to missing out on Mikel who is young and will hold a place in our midfield with Essien for many years to come.

Lampard has never been quick so will not lose anything as he gets older, in fact i think he will play for many years to come and age like a fine wine.

I'd love to see us sign Pato or Aguero though, because they are players not only for the future but the present, and thats whats really important to me.

I remember all those gooners saying 'wait a few years and we will have the best team in the world', after 4 trophy less seasons their team is weaker than it was, not stronger. Who knows what tommorrow brings.

I wasn't initially overjoyed about the Pirlo possibility either, but if Carlo's so keen on him, then what have we got to lose? A happy Carlo can only be a good thing and the arrival of his mate would signal the end of the old empire and the start of the new one.

His Champs League experience could be invaluable and we need a high quality passer, if Lamps and Ballack are missing at any point.

Not sure if this has been mentioned but apparently we are after hulk from porto as a long term drogba replacement. Not sure if he is the same quality or has the potential to reach that quality but it sure would be a cool name for the back of the jersey.

Our squad is getting on in age but it seems a lot of players are still in their prime. We are preparing for when they do get too old gradually and i think at this stage it is the right approach

Not sure if this has been mentioned but apparently we are after hulk from porto as a long term drogba replacement. Not sure if he is the same quality or has the potential to reach that quality but it sure would be a cool name for the back of the jersey.

Our squad is getting on in age but it seems a lot of players are still in their prime. We are preparing for when they do get too old gradually and i think at this stage it is the right approach

Source?

Source?

Marvel Comics?

Source?

tomato...

Saw it in the Guardian Rumour Mill, not much substance to it, plus it said we were going to trigger his 40m buyout clause with Porto. I'll pass, please.

Chelsea after Hulk - please God, no

Relax people, it's only Goal.com so obviously it's crap. At least I bloody hope it is - Hulk looked crap against the mancs last season,

Instead of this Pirlo crap which I am totally against, why not nick one of Arsenal's youngsters in a part exchange with Kalou. IMO a young Jack Wilshire would be a good long term option granted he gets games.

Trust me that kid has got something special but knowing my club, it would be another OAP.

I have seen and heard loads about the young Gooner Wilshire,he is going to be every bit as good as Joey,and he was unbelievable when a young Spammer,invest in the future Roman

Get realguys, there's no way the gooners would sell wilshere to us. And as for investing in the future I think you'll find Roman has been doing plenty of that. The Cobham training complex for starters...............

Get realguys, there's no way the gooners would sell wilshere to us. And as for investing in the future I think you'll find Roman has been doing plenty of that. The Cobham training complex for starters...............

Why wouldn't they sell him? He's English.

Source?

Yup only goal.com so probably just a rumour

Get realguys, there's no way the gooners would sell wilshere to us. And as for investing in the future I think you'll find Roman has been doing plenty of that. The Cobham training complex for starters...............

come on geezer, get real. its obviously been wasted money because we havent got a full squad of 19 year olds brought through from our acadamy. dont know why he bothered... :)

Yup only goal.com so probably just a rumour

The source actually is Correio da Manha it seems. Anyone heard of it before?

Edited August 5, 200916 yr by kalpitv

The source actually is Correio da Manha it seems. Anyone heard of it before?

Nope is it reliable?

Nope is it reliable?

No clue. I thought it was an Italian daily before I actually opened their website and realised that it was Portugese.