Plan B?

[bjd]

I think we are all prepared for an interesting 48 hours. What intrigues me most however will be finding out if all our eggs are in one basket - the Modric basket, and therefore to find out if we have learnt lessons from the Summer of 2008.

Its very obvious that Modric is our major target this Summer. But is there a plan b if this very complicated and now very bitter deal doesn't happen?

We all know we need creativity in midfield and by going after Modric the club seem to know it too. If it doesn't happen (personally ive always been dubious about it) then I hope that's not the only option we have investigated, as after the nonsense of 3 years ago, it would be a crime if history repeated itself.

Edited August 30, 2011 by bjd

[Spiller86]

I'd say there are several irons in the fire bjd, but the as to whether they are as good as Modric I don't know.

The failure to have a plan B in 2008 played a big part in the downfall of Scolari, by the time we got to January I think we were already waiting for Hiddink to become available and therefore gave him nothing. Robinho for all his critics was better than most people think he was at City and would have almost certainly been better here. In many ways the signing of Mata is the correction of a flaw in the squad that Scolari saw then and wasn't really fixed in the interim.

I can't see us letting it happen again, but Modric is a special player and there is no one available who is as good at his role as he is. We may in my mind have to look at two different players if Modric doesn't eventuate.

I still think it will happen. I think Sunday was the tipping point, after his performance, Levy has a way out with the fans. His comments were unequivocal but after the fans booed him off and he didn't try, I think it gives him a chance to say it was out of my hands.

[SydneyChelsea]

I think there is a slight difference. See in 2008, Scolari had pinned all his hopes on securing Robinho, a player who was fast and creative and would add dynamism to the attack. Firstly, I don't think Robinho would've solved all our problems. Secondly, unlike the current situation, the pressing need was much harder. It would be risky, yes, to go into the season without a good midfielder like Modric, especially considering the injury to Essien. Scolari was counting on replacing Drogba with Robinho and Anelka.

AVB recognises that the problems we have are structural and tactical. It would be a hell of a lot easier and quicker to fix those problems by bringing in new players who do not have the issues ingrained into them, however, it is still possible to fix the old issues. Scolari never once demonstrated that he had a plan to fix Chelsea's attacking impotence, more so after his initial system change was found out. AVB knows exactly what the problems are and how to fix them, but the question remains will he get the time from the fans and board to fix them?

[Uno]

I dont think we will have a plan B. I think we will be trying to get Modric right up until the deadline. I truely hope that im wrong tho!

[Snedger]

It sounds as if plan B is Meireles, going off the papers over the last few days at least.

I just wonder if CFC have a cut off point regards Modric. If they fight right up to the last minute they won't have time for a plan B, a Plan 9 or any other plan.

[Butch]

The thing that amazes me is that discussions over a deal can go all the way up until the final seconds of the window. I really cannot understand what is said at half past ten on the night of August 31st that is any different from anything that can be said much earlier in the window.

Surely, if Spurs are hell bent on keeping Modric, we would be smart enough to have realized that very early and seriously explored other options. The fact we haven't signed anyone in the ACM position leads me to believe that for all Spurs public posturing, they are indeed willing to do business but at a price that is way over anything we want to pay, and all that has been happening between the lines is haggling over the price.

I have to say I find it difficult to believe this deal will materialize. Spurs have not been rumored to be after any replacement for him, and they would be stuck between a rock and a hard place if they were left without him and a replacement. They've had a bad enough start as it is.

Cheers,

Butch

[Faith-in]

Or our board is going to give us some surprise again?

Remember when Carlo left us, everyone was focus on Hiddink. Everyone thought he would be our new manager. Out of the sudden, AVB joined us.

Another case, when we was trying to buy Neymar, our bid rejected and Santos confirmed Neymar will stays. Suddenly, our focus was totally no where be found. Signing some youngster like Romeu,Courtois to drag away media attention. Out of the blue(again), we signed Mata.

We never expect all these right?

This might happen AGAIN.

We were chasing Modric. But Spurs rejected us and Levy clearly said he want to keep Modric. Then we suddenly move our focus to Meireles(might be a trick to drag media attention away again). Then suddenly in the last 12 hour, official website publishes we signed Moutinho from Porto for 30m.

Isn't it interesting?

[comtrend]

Im thinking we are signing moutinho from porto as well, he has a buy out clause that can be triggered. I would be okay with it, but a dream transfer for me would be Goetze/eriksen, securing a deal for hazard in next winter/summer window by selling them kalou and loaning kakuta.

[dantheman23]

Hopefully spurs signings of parker and possibly diarra from madrid are seen as the replacements to let modric move to chelsea.Im hoping and praying the move goes through modric has been my favorite player outside of chelsea for the past 2 seasons.In my opinion the best ball player in the league now scholes has retired also.Would be an excellent step forward for our squad

[Rami]

Hopefully spurs signings of parker and possibly diarra from madrid are seen as the replacements to let modric move to chelsea.Im hoping and praying the move goes through modric has been my favorite player outside of chelsea for the past 2 seasons.In my opinion the best ball player in the league now scholes has retired also.Would be an excellent step forward for our squad

Can't agree more.

[Mike 93]

Isnt Diarra going to Milan, spurs wouldnt pay his wage demands?

[Rami]

Plan A : 40 mil for Modric.

Plan B :50 mil for Modric.

:D

[dkw]

Is plan b not likely to be to use McEachran, which is probably the main reason AVB has told him he wont be going out on loan?

[aber]

Meireles does seem like plan b, though it would be a disappointment. From going to signing young players who have potential and can provide flair and change in a game like Lukaku and Mata, we go to signing a squad player, who i wouldnt guarrantee a starting position. We need Modric, his close control of the ball, awareness of space and ability to creat something out of nothing is what we need. He would link up superbly with Mata i belive. If we cant get Modric the next best thing imo would be Goetze, who is unavailable i believe, or Miralem Pjanic from Lyon, who apparently is available for 12 Million, although we are yet to show any signs of interest. The next 24 hours will be interesting, and i really hope Modric does come.

Edited August 30, 2011 by aber

[ColeMan]

My main problem with Modric coming is the effect it will have on Josh, he isn't get much of a chance now, and the arrival of another first team starter will reduce his chances even more.

40 million is way too much to pay, but, we have probably scared everyone else away from making an offer for him, unless citeh fancy another midfielder, or manure decide late on to go for him.

There is no doubt that Modric's head has been turned, and the de-stabilising effect on spuds should he move or not , will be a joy to watch.

Are we all so sure that he will be the important piece of the puzzle that some are convinced of ?

AVB has direct knowledge of Moutinho, and although he would be new to the EPL, maybe, he is the final piece in this transfer window.

We will all know one way or the other by 11 tomorrow night.

[barak81]

Plan B has to be to share the load between yossi and Josh, hopefully we will hold on to yossi untill the mordic deal is done.

[Rami]

I really dont rate Moutinho anywhere near Modric, its like rating Quaresma to CR7 back in 2008,on paper they may both look impressive, but looking good in an average league has nothing to do with PL.

[TheWestwayWonder]

I think plan B must be Miereles. There has been alot of smoke the last two days for there to be no fire here, and his style of play would fit us pretty well, I think.

But in getting Mata, IMO we have a built in plan B. We would have to tweak things and adjust our style by maybe giving Ramires more responsibility in the middle and pairing him with Mikel to accomodate a "pure" attacking midfielder

All that said, I would prefer RM at a reasonable price to chopping and changing things. Next to that, use Yossi, play Josh, have Mata fill the role, whatever. Anything, and I mean anything, is better than handing a beleagured Spurs 40 million pounds for a player who really wants to leave badly. After all the money spent since Jan, something like that would be like throwing caution to the wind in the face of FFP. We have spent 40-50 million this summer and if we can keep winning success on the pitch we should be able to sustain that every year indefinitely, without having to sweat the rules.

[abramovich]

If we don't sign Modric the decision to let Yossi go is puzzling. We lack players of that type in the squad, and even getting Mata isn't going to solve all our problems in creative midfield.

As for Plan B, I guess we'll find out by tomorrow midnight if the club had learned from past mistakes.

[Wolfy]

If we need plan B we could do a lot worse than Diego at one of the big German clubs (I've forgot which one) He's only about 25 and would give us a bit of flair

[Spiller86]

Diego's not a bad player, he's having a bad time with Magath at Wolfsburg, but I thought he'd moved back to Brazil?

I still think we'll need two players to cover him. Meireles is a good option in my view but a more creative player is preferable I think. My personal preference is for Pjanic from Lyon but he appears to be off to Roma. I also wouldn't at all mind stealing Parker from Spuds just to f**k them over a little bit.

The really disappointing thing is that none of the players we're linked with has anywhere near the movement off the ball that Luka has. It's the biggest thing we needed in the midfield, someone who will change the angle of the play, suck guys out of position, and then use the ball intelligently. There are probably 5 guys in football who do that as well as he does in the position he plays. Needless to say we shan't be getting any of them.

[Zeta]

Plan B goes by the name of McEachran.

Though I'd have that as Plan A tbh.

[barak81]

Diego's not a bad player, he's having a bad time with Magath at Wolfsburg, but I thought he'd moved back to Brazil?

I still think we'll need two players to cover him. Meireles is a good option in my view but a more creative player is preferable I think. My personal preference is for Pjanic from Lyon but he appears to be off to Roma. I also wouldn't at all mind stealing Parker from Spuds just to f**k them over a little bit.

The really disappointing thing is that none of the players we're linked with has anywhere near the movement off the ball that Luka has. It's the biggest thing we needed in the midfield, someone who will change the angle of the play, suck guys out of position, and then use the ball intelligently. There are probably 5 guys in football who do that as well as he does in the position he plays. Needless to say we shan't be getting any of them.

Bahh... if there is only 5 then one of them bust be this kid, seriously, my absaloute biggest fear with us is that we will mess up with Josh, im actually far more concerned about that then if we lannd modric or not, and dont get me started on morelis... the absaloute last player we need.

I understand that modric is a great player, I wanted him my self before he went to spuds but if we dont get him we shouldnt be looking to buy just for the sake of it... plan ABC is already with us

[Zeta]

Exactly. See look at the way he's ghosting past people, pinging the ball long, playing lots of excellent through balls..that's what Torres and the other strikers need. Why are we so afraid to play him. Modric or a similar player will surely only restrict his game time even more. Not that he's getting any yet of course... Couldn't even get on against Norwich at home.

[Spiller86]

Barak, my thought had always been that Josh should go out on loan for the year. Given he hasn't featured in any of the games so far, he's clearly only backup here and isn't going to get the games here that I want to see him get. Wilshere, Cleverley and the like have all spent time on loan in the Premier League and come back better players, I think such a move would assist Josh more than playing 10 games and sitting on the bench the rest of the time.