Our squad is threadbare, we need far more than a couple of players with the CL coming up. 

We have already lost 2 players on top of what was already a very thin squad.

Edited June 10, 20179 yr by Chelsbear

1 hour ago, didierforever said:

So a lot of people seem to be unhappy with our transfer window. Hmmm.

Lets forget the FACT that we are on the way of buying 2 players that we have been linked with since March: Lukaku and Bakayoko, both of whom seem to be 100% the manager's buy and first targets (since the long over due nature of the links with the players).

And people are still Crying and/or Moaning? Seriously?

I am quite happy with the way the squad is panning out. Surely we NEED/will get 2 more buys atleast (2nd GK and first team RWB) and I would be quite happy with all of that. Because before the season expected, I wanted a CM to partner Kante (my preference would have been Verrati but Bakayoko seems a great potential), Lukaku was obvious to replace Costa, I expect us to buy Conti soon enough, a back up goal keeper and I hoped that we get a marquee signing like Sanchez to take us to the next level BUT I understand if the club are unable to get that done. 

Even with the necessary 4, I will be more than just happy.

Everyone has differing views, and for now nothing is certain yet.

Even the current system needs to be improved upon every now and again as we have witnessed last season that the same formation (4231) almost got us relegated at 1 point.

I'm all for new signings but only if they take us forward. Lukaku and Bakayoko is good but how does it take us forward? A Bakayoko-Kante midfield is robust and will be a tireless machine but with Hazard out, that midfield will need to help with creating chances, scoring goals as well. Otherwise it'd be hoofball from def to attack. We have seen time and time again when post-January Costa comes along Hazard was mostly the only outlet and we can't rely on Pedro scoring worldies every game. Lukaku will need to improve himself up to a much higher level this season as he will be our leading striker in the Prem, latter stages of FA Cups, League Cups as well as the Champs League. That's a lot of games for him as well as being the 1st time he leads the line in the CL. 

I just hope Lukaku survives pre-season first as Conte's pre-seasons are brutal.

 

 

 

If Lukaku and Bakayoko sign for us, we still need a lot more then 2 players. Atleast 4.

GK, RWB, LWB, i would say another CM who can make our game like Fabregas, but have good workrate and is good in defence too, Modric type of player,  Matic would be sold, we 100% need world class right midfielder for Willian/Pedro position or we will be in big trouble if we stay with 1 of them, and we need another striker, cause 100% Batshuay ain`t play for us 1 more season. He will go loan or be sold.

So we need 6 more players or maybe more, depends on who else will leave.
To be fair i could easily see how Michy goes on Loan, Costa is a sure gone,  both Fabregas and Matic leave, and i won`t be surprised if Willan leave too.

That is a 5 players that will probably go, and we are going to play in CL. We need a lot bigger squad then last year and we also need a lot of qualities too.

I said it again: Alternative GK, Top class LWB, Alternative for Moses, World class CM who is a playmaker type like Modric, World class right midfielder, alternative striker to Lukaku.

We win the title, but we was not in the CL, also our opponent City and United was pathetic, which i think will not happen again. They will be a lot stronger in the coming season and will be a dog fight for the title.

Also sometimes when you win titles, you need to change things and players. Some players lose motivation, or regress and so on. Also i think some of our player overperformed and that was mostly to form, not class/quality. You see that in Leicester for example.

Then the new season come and they can`t repeat the season they have and their form is drop and are not consistency. Their consistency will lacks.

I have my doubt on Luiz, Cahill, Moses, Matic(would probably be gone), Pedro(he wasn`t quite good, but score a lot of imporant goals), Willy and i`m not sure about Alonso. His lack of speed is a big problem. That will shows in the new season, esp. in the CL, where there is a deadly wingers.

Also everyone sight is on us and they will explore/learn everything about us and try to dispatch/kill our strengths and explore our weakness.

Guardiola already did that and in the first match, Alonso was destroyed totally. Tho they miss a lot and we f*** them on counter attack and destroyed them.

 

 

5 hours ago, DonAntonio said:

For example I'd ask what makes you think lukaku is a conte signing, and I'd suggest the long links mean nothing as he is head coach and has no influence over signings as per his contract, however if anything now he has won the leauge they will likely give him more influence under the terms of a new contract I expect them to sign, I'd also suggest lukaku is nothing like a conte style player and will take a lot of coaches, but have been avoiding comments like this for said reasons 

We are about to buy Lukaku for a club record/English record and many other record fees, and you think it wont be with the absolute consent of the manager? I am sorry but I just dont see it happening and I just dont see that being remotely possible.. 

Its one thing to buy Papy and Hector for 3/4mil. Its totally another to buy Lukaku, someone who is going to lead our line.

Edited June 11, 20179 yr by didierforever

5 hours ago, Chelsbear said:

Our squad is threadbare, we need far more than a couple of players with the CL coming up. 

We have already lost 2 players on top of what was already a very thin squad.

GK: Tibo, 2nd GK, Eduardo

CB: DL, GC, Azpi, Andreas, Ake, Zouma

RWB: Conti/new RWB, Moses

LWB: Alonso, Baba

CM: Kante, Bakayoko, Matic, Cesc, Nat/Baker

FWD: Lukaku, Michy, Hazard, Pedro, Willian, Musonda?, Traore/RLC? 

I feel except for our attack, we have good squad depth. For forwards, squad depth seems like an issue, but if that means Musonda playing a good enough part of the next season, I will take that gamble.

As for Ake, Zouma, Andreas, Baba,  I would atleast give Conte the pre-season to assess those players. If it seems they cant do the job then we know where to go and throw the big money (bonucci, sandro). But I honestly dont think we are "very thin". In defence, we have a balanced squad of experience and some genuinely world class potential player. 

Our mid has 2 veterans in Matic and Cesc coupled with Kante and a potentially great player in Bakayoko (manager's choice). 

Anyways, thats my opinion. Feel we have the players/resources to compete on the 4 fronts with this squad.

7 minutes ago, didierforever said:

GK: Tibo, 2nd GK, Eduardo

CB: DL, GC, Azpi, Andreas, Ake, Zouma

RWB: Conti/new RWB, Moses

LWB: Alonso, Baba

CM: Kante, Bakayoko, Matic, Cesc, Nat/Baker

FWD: Lukaku, Michy, Hazard, Pedro, Willian, Musonda?, Traore/RLC? 

I feel except for our attack, we have good squad depth. For forwards, squad depth seems like an issue, but if that means Musonda playing a good enough part of the next season, I will take that gamble.

As for Ake, Zouma, Andreas, Baba,  I would atleast give Conte the pre-season to assess those players. If it seems they cant do the job then we know where to go and throw the big money (bonucci, sandro). But I honestly dont think we are "very thin". In defence, we have a balanced squad of experience and some genuinely world class potential player. 

Our mid has 2 veterans in Matic and Cesc coupled with Kante and a potentially great player in Bakayoko (manager's choice). 

Anyways, thats my opinion. Feel we have the players/resources to compete on the 4 fronts with this squad.

Baba Rahman is a joke and i very much doubt Zouma, Andreas and Ake are Conte's ideal defenders for his squad.  The fact that Ake needed to speak with Emenalo instead of Conte regarding his future is quite telling.  Needing to throw big money only after assessing all of them would result in Cotne missing out his prime targets as it will be too late in the transfer window.  

For 35m its a steal. Him, Kante and Cesc are a dream trio. Cesc doesn't have to do the work of playing in a 2 man midfield and he could be deployed advanced or in a deeper role. I know Pirlo at Juve is the comparison but I question whether that deep playmaker is needed or can even be effective enough in England. 

Regardless Conte can fix Bakayoko's weakest points and playing with Kante won't hurt. 

1 hour ago, lchk said:

Baba Rahman is a joke and i very much doubt Zouma, Andreas and Ake are Conte's ideal defenders for his squad.  The fact that Ake needed to speak with Emenalo instead of Conte regarding his future is quite telling.  Needing to throw big money only after assessing all of them would result in Cotne missing out his prime targets as it will be too late in the transfer window.  

https://www.google.co.in/amp/weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/platform/amp/2017/6/10/15774828/andreas-christensen-confirms-he-will-be-joining-chelsea-for-pre-season-training-in-july

pretty much what I said and what would be logical. 

As for baba, at the start of the season, a lot of people thought alonso and Moses were a joke.so a lot of things/opinions can change. I don't know what conte wants/expects. Neither do you. But In MY OPINION, baba would be a good lwb.

6 hours ago, didierforever said:

https://www.google.co.in/amp/weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/platform/amp/2017/6/10/15774828/andreas-christensen-confirms-he-will-be-joining-chelsea-for-pre-season-training-in-july

pretty much what I said and what would be logical. 

As for baba, at the start of the season, a lot of people thought alonso and Moses were a joke.so a lot of things/opinions can change. I don't know what conte wants/expects. Neither do you. But In MY OPINION, baba would be a good lwb.

Joining pre season doesn't mean he won't go out on loan how many times was Moses our best player in preseason then got loaned out anyway.

Only way Andreas comes is if we fail to get a CB target in which case he still sits on the bench u less there is an injury, he isn't coming to start for us which is what you suggested before, there is no chance of that imo.

6 hours ago, didierforever said:

https://www.google.co.in/amp/weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/platform/amp/2017/6/10/15774828/andreas-christensen-confirms-he-will-be-joining-chelsea-for-pre-season-training-in-july

pretty much what I said and what would be logical. 

As for baba, at the start of the season, a lot of people thought alonso and Moses were a joke.so a lot of things/opinions can change. I don't know what conte wants/expects. Neither do you. But In MY OPINION, baba would be a good lwb.

No problem about opinions.  I very much doubt if Baba Rahman is even good enough to be on the bench, let alone get minutes.  I would like to see the Board bring in proper competition for the defensive positions and that means spending the necessary cash to make that happen as the back ups aren't good enough.

8 hours ago, lchk said:

Baba Rahman is a joke and i very much doubt Zouma, Andreas and Ake are Conte's ideal defenders for his squad.  The fact that Ake needed to speak with Emenalo instead of Conte regarding his future is quite telling.  Needing to throw big money only after assessing all of them would result in Cotne missing out his prime targets as it will be too late in the transfer window.  

Same story for Andreas, I think we have been unsuccessful in our CB per suit she so the technical director is covering himself in case we get no one 

"And the Denmark international will get the chance to prove his worth to the Chelsea boss after sporting director Michael Emenalo told him he'll join in on this summer's pre-season preparations.

"I will join up with Chelsea on July 7th. I haven't talked to Conte yet," said Christensen, who has made three senior appearances for Chelsea since joining in 2014."

1 hour ago, lchk said:

No problem about opinions.  I very much doubt if Baba Rahman is even good enough to be on the bench, let alone get minutes.  I would like to see the Board bring in proper competition for the defensive positions and that means spending the necessary cash to make that happen as the back ups aren't good enough.

Lets see what we spend.

1 hour ago, DonAntonio said:

Joining pre season doesn't mean he won't go out on loan how many times was Moses our best player in preseason then got loaned out anyway.

Only way Andreas comes is if we fail to get a CB target in which case he still sits on the bench u less there is an injury, he isn't coming to start for us which is what you suggested before, there is no chance of that imo.

And it also means getting a chance to play for the first team - just like Moses. And given the fact that its Conte who has actually given players chances that have performed in the pre-season, I am willing to give Andreas the benefit of doubt.

Also, if you read my previous post I "specify" 

" I would atleast give Conte the pre-season to assess those players. If it seems they cant do the job then we know where to go and throw the big money (bonucci, sandro)."

Also, dude, you keep saying Andreas wont start for us unless an injury, but is not that what a back up does? And no, I have NEVER suggested andreas will be starting for us next season. No need to put words in anyone's mouths just to make your point. 

This is out of nowhere. Verratti? I don't think we need him.

 

http://metro.co.uk/2017/06/11/chelsea-boss-antonio-conte-on-alert-as-midfielder-marco-verratti-tells-psg-he-wants-to-leave-6700877/

Barca heavily linked with a bid for him

45 minutes ago, Tibbers said:

This is out of nowhere. Verratti? I don't think we need him.

 

http://metro.co.uk/2017/06/11/chelsea-boss-antonio-conte-on-alert-as-midfielder-marco-verratti-tells-psg-he-wants-to-leave-6700877/

Everyone needs verratti if they can get him, no idea why psg would let him go, top top player 

Lukaku partner with Beloti in 3-5-2 or 4-2-4 awesome attack would it be

20 hours ago, DonAntonio said:

Everyone needs verratti if they can get him, no idea why psg would let him go, top top player 

Quality player. Wouldnt work with our current formation, need one central midfielder with height, however we switch to a 3-5-2 and add Bakayoko to the mix we will never lose a midfield battle. 

Having said that, with the Rodriguez and Tolisso rumours could it be that a 3-5-2 is what we are planning for next season... 

Today we've been linked with Sokratis Papastathopoulos from Dortmund. Top notch centre back, who i'd love to have here if we can't get Bonucci. Also just want to see Paul Merson have a go at pronouncing his name

On 10/06/2017 at 15:40, nonotnowjim said:

Not a rumour, as I am not aware we are interested in anyway, but what are peoples thoughts on Gael Clichy as a back up/rotational LWB with Alonso. 1) Free 2) Home Grown 3) experienced league winner.  

I visit Bluemoon quite frequently. They don't think much of Clichy. At all.

5 hours ago, RMCM said:

Today we've been linked with Sokratis Papastathopoulos from Dortmund. Top notch centre back, who i'd love to have here if we can't get Bonucci. Also just want to see Paul Merson have a go at pronouncing his name

Jeez...Mike Ashley would go bankrupt free printing that monster...

Today we've been linked with Sokratis Papastathopoulos from Dortmund. Top notch centre back, who i'd love to have here if we can't get Bonucci. Also just want to see Paul Merson have a go at pronouncing his name

OK someone help me understand the constant attempt to pull in a CB. We have Cahill, Geezer, Dave, Ake, Zouma, Christensen fighting for 3 spots. I know we have a chunk more games which I hope Ake sticks around for. Outside of that this suggests Zouma isn't up to snuff or we have desires to move Dave to wingback? From everything we've heard we have a gem in Christensen and I would hate to bring in someone which would push him out. Granted I trust the board I just don't understand VVD, Bonucci, etc

51 minutes ago, MoJames said:

 

OK someone help me understand the constant attempt to pull in a CB. We have Cahill, Geezer, Dave, Ake, Zouma, Christensen fighting for 3 spots. I know we have a chunk more games which I hope Ake sticks around for. Outside of that this suggests Zouma isn't up to snuff or we have desires to move Dave to wingback? From everything we've heard we have a gem in Christensen and I would hate to bring in someone which would push him out. Granted I trust the board I just don't understand VVD, Bonucci, etc

 

They're coming in to replace Cahill. I don't see a problem assuming Zouma goes on loan and Ake is sold. Can't see Dave moving to wingback with any regularity. Luiz just hit 30 and it'd be nice to have an extra player capable of filling in so he can have a bit of a rest when he picks up a knock. 

Edited June 13, 20179 yr by TheChelseaBlues

6 hours ago, MoJames said:

Granted I trust the board I just don't understand VVD, Bonucci, etc

 

Conte could rely on Bonucci and Chiellini to play in a back 4 when necessary, perhaps Conte doesn't trust any of our CBs to play in a cohesive back 4? Personally the only CB I have faith to play in a back 4 is a fit Zouma, but we don't have a "proper LCB" to pair him up with atm.

Edited June 13, 20179 yr by the special one

6 hours ago, MoJames said:

 

OK someone help me understand the constant attempt to pull in a CB. We have Cahill, Geezer, Dave, Ake, Zouma, Christensen fighting for 3 spots. I know we have a chunk more games which I hope Ake sticks around for. Outside of that this suggests Zouma isn't up to snuff or we have desires to move Dave to wingback? From everything we've heard we have a gem in Christensen and I would hate to bring in someone which would push him out. Granted I trust the board I just don't understand VVD, Bonucci, etc

 

If you have a chance to sign a better player than the ones you've already got, you do it. That's how every club works and top clubs especially, that's how they stay on top.

I like Cahill and Luiz, but if I could replace either with Bonucci, I'll do it in a flash. The same for every other player and postion. To stay competitive, we need to aim for better players than the ones we've already got. The likes of Real, Juve, Barca and Bayern are stronger than us. We must improve dramatically, and it means spending big money. I won't even mention the two Manc clubs that will probably outspend us again.