this could well just be someone somewhere putting 2 + 2 together to make 5 on the back of Riccy's departure:

Brede Hangeland transfer chase hots up as Chelsea join Arsenal and Spurs

The transfer race for Fulham defender Brede Hangeland has been stepped up a notch after Chelsea waded into a marketplace that already features Arsenal, Spurs, and Liverpool.

Much sought-after Hangeland has been on the radars of both north London clubs since last season, while Liverpool are also thought to have expressed an interest since former Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson took over.

Now, however, a new player appears to have entered the chase in the shape of Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti, who is looking for more defensive cover following the departure of Ricardo Carvalho.

The Portuguese defender opted for a reunion with former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid this summer, with the two clubs agreeing a fee believed to be around £6.7million.

But now Ancelotti is short at centre-back, with captain John Terry, Alex, and Branislav Ivanovic the only experienced options ahead of the start of the new season this weekend.

LINK

Well, 29 years old isnt he? rather look for someone younger, but if we can get him rather cheap, use the money we got from riccy then yeah, interesting.

I'd say only if we can get him cheap and he's willing to be a squad player. Otherwise, I'd rather we use our youth and the money from the Riccy transfer towards Ramires / the other signing Ancelotti named.

We won't get him cheap because it is a move within ENgland and because Fulham are desperately short of central defenders now that Senderos has been ruled out long term.

Entirely pointless siging which makes me believe it is an entirely fictitous rumour.

Carvalho signing with Real as of today, which makes it a possibility. However, he doesn't seem to have the quality. I think we'll use Terry Alex and Ivanovic and slowly introduce Bruma. No real need for a new CB

Why on earth are we going to spend the money on someone like HIM?? What is going on at the club?

I hope this is only speculation because I am going to be angry if we sign a player like HIM.

If we want so badly to break even so then do it, even at expenses of the sporting side of the club, but, to waste the money on a player like him, makes me angry.

If we want to spend the money, then do it on a player that has potential to become an important player for the future in the club.Even If that player is expensive, in the long run It will be cheap, LIKE RICCY AND DROGS AND ESSIEN.

What is he gonna offer the club, a squad player, that wont complain, happy to take his wages every week and with 29 years old, even If he does work he will never be an important player or someone to put against Barca, Bayern, Milan and these kind of teams in the CL.

If he doesnt work, after a year here, we will have to sell him for less money that we bought him, so NO WAY I want him at the club. Financially is a bad bussiness for the club and realistically he is not gonna improve us.

Id prefer to see PVA playing left CB rather than this guy, Id prefer to play Bruma at Left CB rather than this guy.

Now I am going to be clear about another defender, Jeffrey Bruma. He is too young probably, to unexperience to play for us yet, probably.... But If you Carlo dont have the " Cojones" balls, to put him as CB which is his position, at least send him on loan, where he will play week in week out and after this loan he will come back with more experience.

Dont have him playing this stupid reserves league !!. He needs to play at another level, not the reserves league.

Dont keep him even if you are going to use him once every month and out of position at RB. Let him go on loan, let him gain experience at another club, let him keep progresing and growing as a player, because you will get the benefits of it next year.

When you are 23, or 22 if you dont play, I am sorry but just keep fighting for a place in the line up. At his age, to have him on the out of the squad or to put him as RB because IMO he doesnt trust him as CB is just wrong.

If he is too young for you Carlo, and he is not ready, then send him on loan. The reserves league isnt gonna help him.

Another case is Sam Hutchinson, he can play RB and CB, keep him, he is older than Bruma, keep him but dont stop the progression of Bruma because in a year or two he will be ready for US.

About Jack Cork, well what can I say, is just nice Carlo to see that with Cork and Manciene, is nice to see that you didnt give them any chance in our pre season in the midfield, always RB. No wonder they want to leave on a transfer or on loan. If I was them, I would do the same.

Not up to Chelsea standard form the limited games I have seen him. We either sign the best players out there, or keep faith in our young players, signing an inbetween player is just a waste of time and money.

The season before last he had a great season and was linked tirelessly with any club who could use a centre back. I assume this is just that rumour petering out.

He's going to be a replacemet for Carvalho??

I like him, but we don't need him, would make a good buy for Everton let's say.

Think he's a good player. Would excell in a stronger team and may create a formidable partnership with Terry. Probably a little old however wouldn't mind him as a stop gap player who we can use until we sign a promising youngster or until an academy player can fill the role. He still has a good 4-5 years left in him, and EPL proven. Wouldn't mind him at >10mil

I think the press are making 5 again! Undoubtedly aided by an agent trying to up-the-ante on his clients behalf.

I don't think we need another centre half, we have JT, Alex & Ivan plus Hutchinson & Bruma we need to give the youngsters a chance to stand up and take opportunities - plus of course Essien has played there in the past when things have been desperate. Stick with what we've got and give the youngsters a chance - if they're good enough they're old enough!