Chelsea Targets in Action

[Star]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcJLYp4Je4w&feature=related

[Ben]

Would be well pleased if we signed Hazard.

[Star]

What about the forgotten man ?

[geezer]

Alas it's likely to be none of the above

[CFC_montreal]

Alas it's likely to be none of the above

it's likely to be none period, imo..

[Gem]

For someone viewing on her phone can someone tell me who the video's are of please.

[Andreas]

Don't you have flash in ur phone ? :) its of hazard, nasri, sneijder, van Der wiel and schweinstieger!

[Gem]

I can see 3 of the 5 video's and I have an iPhone, so that answers that ;)

Ahh young Bastian, that's a dream.

[dkw]

it's likely to be none period, imo..

Not this again, please. It's quite obvious AVB has used pre season to assess the squad, I'm fairly confident he has his targets.

[abramovich]

Not this again, please. It's quite obvious AVB has used pre season to assess the squad, I'm fairly confident he has his targets.

DKW, out of curiousity, if we actually sign no one this summer, would you be satisfied with it? I'm just wondering if you think we don't need new signings or you just trust that the board know what they're doing, signings or not.

[dkw]

I wouldn't be happy as its obvious what we need, but I also wouldn't think its the end of the world. Our current squad isnt anywhere near as bad as some make out, but also not as good as us required to win us trophies this season. But I would take another trophyless season if it meant a transitional season, bringing youth to the fore gradually while also fully integrating torres, sturridge, mceachran and luiz.

[Gee Bee]

it's likely to be none period, imo..

Give him a chance. Allow him the first season to assess the players in the squad. Then he can plan properly and buy players accordingly.

[TheWestwayWonder]

What about the forgotten man ?

Getting that guy would necessitate moving heaven and earth. He is the talisman of that team, and as a German I am sure he is perfectly happy leading the country's best club.

Which is sad because I would love him here too.

[abramovich]

I wouldn't be happy as its obvious what we need, but I also wouldn't think its the end of the world. Our current squad isnt anywhere near as bad as some make out, but also not as good as us required to win us trophies this season. But I would take another trophyless season if it meant a transitional season, bringing youth to the fore gradually while also fully integrating torres, sturridge, mceachran and luiz.

That's the thing though, is it? Our last manager was sacked after his first trophyless season and if AVB's interviews are anything to go by, he knows very well he has to win something right away. Those are his words, not mine.

We constantly hear from Gourlay, Buck, etc how CFC are aiming to win trophies every season, and anything short of that is unacceptable. I don't remember anyone from the top ever suggesting that the period of transition is fine. Maybe they're OK with it, but they certainly never mention it, and judging by our managerial merry-go-round certainly never act like they believe in it.

[Ballack & Blu]

hazzard looks the biz,he runs a bit like a young ronaldo,the brazilliant one,...go get im roman

[Katon]

That's the thing though, is it? Our last manager was sacked after his first trophyless season and if AVB's interviews are anything to go by, he knows very well he has to win something right away. Those are his words, not mine.

We constantly hear from Gourlay, Buck, etc how CFC are aiming to win trophies every season, and anything short of that is unacceptable. I don't remember anyone from the top ever suggesting that the period of transition is fine. Maybe they're OK with it, but they certainly never mention it, and judging by our managerial merry-go-round certainly never act like they believe in it.

If the club follow up our worst season since Roman took over by buying a 19-year-old keeper and a 20-year-old DM (which is what we have so far, assuming Romeu passes his medical), and nothing else, then they'd have to be viewing it as a transitional season - those two in, more time for Josh and Danny, and Piazon showing up in January would be good preparation for the future, but is unlikely to win us the CL this year. I agree with what you've said about the general behavior of our leadership, but we've never had a summer transfer window as obviously focused on years to come as this one* before. Even Pastore and Neymar would have been more for the next couple of years than now, given their ages and the likely adjustment periods.

* This statement is assuming we don't make any major Modric/Kaka-esque signings, but I think that's the hypothetical you propsed.

[Butch]

We'll have to trust AVB on this one: he's come in, he's had about a month seeing the players close-up (injuries, form, confidence, attitude), and he will know better than anyone what additions the squad needs to be successful.

You have to keep in mind, and AVB/Gourlay have said this many times, buying for the sake of buying simply doesn't help anyone. We have a certain level of quality in our current playing set-up. If we can't improve it, why sign anyone? I'm pretty confident AVB has his targets, the only really known one being Modric (we've never mentioned Pastore), but there are many reasons why we may not be successful in signing our targets and not all these reasons come down to us. The selling club, i.e. Spurs, have a say as well.

Like most on here, I believe we need a creative spark up top to change things up when we're banging our heads against a brick wall. I'd be pretty amazed if AVB didn't realize that, but these are the sorts of players that are (a) in short supply, and (B) on the expensive side of the spectrum.

I'm taking AVB at his word: he's had the Asian tour to see his squad up close and make the assessments. Only now would I expect us to go full steam for our targets. Not saying we'll be successful, but pretty sure we'll be getting serious now.

Cheers,

Butch

[SydneyChelsea]

Hazard lacks the speed to be a truly top-class winger in the EPL. That's why Arsenal went for Gervinho instead.

[Spiller86]

He isn't that quick SC, but I was convinced of him the morning I watched him tear up the dippers in the Europa League a couple of years back. Being right footed is also something I like.

I still prefer Mata. His movement off the ball and his ability to see a pass are almost unparalleled in wingers. He is very left footed but he can definitely hold down the right if we needed him to. He isn't really a crossing winger just short interchanging passes coupled with feverish running off the ball.

Modric and Mata in our team would improve our movement by streets. Dragging players around opening up holes in lines for the Torres to work into. It'd make Arsenal look like Stoke.

[Star]

He isn't that quick SC, but I was convinced of him the morning I watched him tear up the dippers in the Europa League a couple of years back. Being right footed is also something I like.

I still prefer Mata. His movement off the ball and his ability to see a pass are almost unparalleled in wingers. He is very left footed but he can definitely hold down the right if we needed him to. He isn't really a crossing winger just short interchanging passes coupled with feverish running off the ball.

Modric and Mata in our team would improve our movement by streets. Dragging players around opening up holes in lines for the Torres to work into. It'd make Arsenal look like Stoke.

Just for you Spiller ... ( Not Modric though .... not my cup of golders green tea! )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZNzceARzGs

[Spiller86]

Cheers for that Star. I myself prefer the videos of all of the touches from one game. That way you see the stuffups as well as the McNuggets you get in the highlights clips.

This is Mata against Real last season. Bare in mind they were getting a spanking as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwJzYYdxQr8&feature=related

Also this is the game I was talking about with Hazard. Same thing, every touch from the match. Speed or no speed, he really does fustigate them.

BTW Star, why no Modric? I want him just so Spurs can't have him. They can have Bale and all the strikers they can want with the money we give them, they will not be half of the team they are without him.

Well we better have a video of him then eh? Here he is against Inter bossing the European Champions.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xfiae8_modric-vs-inter-comp-02-11-2010_sport

[Star]

On a serious matter though, if we do fail to sign the creative midfielder and winger we crave I hope Roman and the board have the sense to give AVB time to bring youngsters through.

We will do well to finish 3rd given Man Utd's excellent purchases and the real chance of adding Wesley to their ranks if they desire.

Rumours today City are trying to part exchange Tevez for Maicon and are looking to buy another winger to replace SWP. They also looked mightly impressive in destroying Inter yesterday without Aquero as well!

Whilst we would have no chance of Champions League success AVB is quite capable of getting us further than Carlo with basically the same squad.

The next few weeks are crucial but it is typical Chelsea to play the waiting game. What worries me is if we sign Modric and say Mata next week we have a January situation all over again, trying to integrate players during the season.

For me the best way pre-season is to get players signed up quickly, get them on tour and playing as a unit before a ball is kicked in anger in August.

It is hard with AVB assessing his squad but I am in firmly in the camp he knows who he wants and so does Gourlay otherwise the Modric bids are fabrication !

[Spiller86]

Agree with that. A transition year wouldn't worry me, as long as Villas Boas doesn't get sacked because of it.

[Hutch]

Agree with that. A transition year wouldn't worry me, as long as Villas Boas doesn't get sacked because of it.

Despite what so many people are saying, I don't think AVB will be sacked if this turns out to be a second successive year without a trophy. as long as there are signs that progress has been made.

People who don't think he'll get that much of a chance point towards Ancelotti's second season and state that he was "sacked for finishing second". Personally I don't believe this to be true. Last season was (I think) intended to be transitional, but for reasons discussed elsewhere, and without laying all the blame at Ancelotti's door, we actually took several steps backwards. In other words, it was the manner of the "failure" rather than the mere fact of finishing without a trophy.

[alan'82]

I must admit to not quite understanding this talk of a 'transitional' season.

Either you're aiming to be a successfull club or not,such is the mordern world of commercial football,settling for a lower standard can be a mistake.

If you're swimming with sharks,it's best not to look like a kipper!.