Today is AVB's press conference so we might hear something on these transfer dealings. Hopefully.

Sorry for off topic, but i'm interested in your opinion; who do you consider world class in the current Chelsea squad?

Cech, Mata.

Interesting article

http://www.lifesapitch.co.uk/opinions/de-bruyne-appears-perfect-for-villas-boas-system/

Cech, Mata.

What about Terry for example?

What about Terry for example?

He is the next in line but didn't make the cut. I base this on current form and importance solely.

In that case Terry should be one of the first names on your list, being the biggest cog in our team.

Edited January 27, 201214 yr by Zola

Sorry for off topic, but i'm interested in your opinion; who do you consider world class in the current Chelsea squad?

To define “World Class” is pretty tricky as people will have a different view on that. In recent seasons we have had some top, top players but “World Class” for me is reserved for the likes of Pele, Cruff, Maradona, Zidanne, Messi and not too many others.

But it is a very valid point, even if instead of using the term “World Class” you say who would opposition fans want out of the current Chelsea side, like we would want, Silva, Aguero, Bale, Van Persie or such like? If you went back to the Mourinho side they would be queuing up for the likes of Lamps, Essien, JT, Drogba, Robben Joey Cole, Ash etc. Now, I honestly don’t think there is one player we have, who opposing fans of the “top five” would think would really improve their team, with Mata being the only possible exception but even he needs to find a lot more in the way of consistency.

To define “World Class” is pretty tricky as people will have a different view on that. In recent seasons we have had some top, top players but “World Class” for me is reserved for the likes of Pele, Cruff, Maradona, Zidanne, Messi and not too many others.

Thats how I like to think of it too. Messi and Ronaldo are the only two players I'd call world class today, because they're pretty much peerless.

world-class? ?[wurld-klas, -klahs] adjective

ranking among the world's best

So with that sorted, only John Terry for me.

Cech and Mata are just a level below the very best.

Ashley Cole ? The only English player who would stand even a remote chance of getting in the Spanish or Brazilian teams.

Having said that his recent form has been medicore, at best.

Ashley cole was who I would say had ben out only real world class performer over the past few years.

Now, I honestly don’t think there is one player we have, who opposing fans of the “top five” would think would really improve their team, with Mata being the only possible exception but even he needs to find a lot more in the way of consistency.

Huh? Not sure why you mentioned the 'top 5', unless you're trying to imply that Arsenal have a better squad than us?

Cech, Sturridge, Cole, Ivanovic, Terry, Luiz Essien, Cahill, Ramires, Lampard, Torres, Mata etc would all find a place in at least one of the teams above, if not multiple teams. Even City, with the best squad in the league, have Savic at CB. Christ.

Huh? Not sure why you mentioned the 'top 5', unless you're trying to imply that Arsenal have a better squad than us?

Cech, Sturridge, Cole, Ivanovic, Terry, Luiz Essien, Cahill, Ramires, Lampard, Torres, Mata etc would all find a place in at least one of the teams above, if not multiple teams. Even City, with the best squad in the league, have Savic at CB. Christ.

You're mis-quoting me!

I'm not talking about whether our players would get in their teams - I'm talking about who opposing fans would pick. We've all been there down the seasons - talking to opposing fans and saying - "yeah, I have to admit, I'd take player x in a shot........"

Our squad used to be THE BEST. The players I've already mentioned made other fans envious. Now it's different. Whereas before City fans would have loved Essien - now they have Toure. They don't want JT - they have Kompany. Why would Arsenal & Utd fams want Torres when they have RVP & Rooney. Lamps & Drogs have been brilliant but no-one would select them now at 33/34. Cech is still a great keeper but given the preference people would chose Hart. Etc. etc.................

(And Savic has only been playing due to Kompany's suspension and the ACN).

Edited January 27, 201214 yr by Nibs

Cech is still a great keeper but given the preference people would chose Hart. Etc. etc.................

I'm not so sure about Hart, but looking at ManU's and Arsenal's keepers, I'd pick Cech over any of them.

AVB has just blatantly said in the press conference that it's not one of his signings and instead they should ask question the club why they are signing him. Apparently the club has been scouting him for a long time. It seems he wants to make his "project signings" in the summer only.

AVB has just blatantly said in the press conference that it's not one of his signings and instead they should ask question the club why they are signing him. Apparently the club has been scouting him for a long time. It seems he wants to make his "project signings" in the summer only.

So he pretty much said: We are signing him, but it's nothing to do with me?? If so, that worries me...

Not really, we were looking at him before AVB got here, I presume AVB looked at the signings we were wanting to make before his arrival and said yes or no. He also said in the interview he was very keen to get him, but more as a long term signing.

I'm not so sure about Hart, but looking at ManU's and Arsenal's keepers, I'd pick Cech over any of them.

You're not sure about Hart? In what sense? He is easily the best kepper in the Prem and possibly the world. I have not seen a better keeper in England since Schmeichel. I'm surprised people don't make more fuss about him. He is so good, that despite his tender years, City saw fit to release Given, himself a very competent keeper. As soon as he burst on the scene, he claimed the England number 1 jersey without argument. You don't have to be Messi or Ronaldo to be world-class. In every generation, there will be one or two that lay claim to being the best in the world. In Messi's case he may well be the best of all time (personally I have him behind Maradona). To be world-class you simply have to be among the stand-outs in your position in the world. Hence Batistuta was a world-class striker, beyond any reasonable doubt. Hart and Yaya and Kompany and Silva and Aguero are all world-class, just as Lampard and Drogba and Ashley and Terry and Cech and Essien once were. It's worth bearing in mind that, despite their quality, City are yet to win the Prem, and I feel they're unlikely to win it this season. We won the Prem with world-class players performing at their peak. We no longer have anybody who can be reliably described as such, save perhaps Terry. That's the difference. Sure, the likes of Luiz, Ramires, Romeu, Sturridge, Mata and Josh may turn out to be world-class but they're not there yet. By my reckoning, City should be winning the title by a canter but I think Utd have by far the superior manager, plus they have the experience. You need players who won't wilt and that's what we had, helped in part by the tutoring they got from Mourinho. Hart won't wilt. He's not that type of character. You can just see it. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind he is the real deal and England are very lucky to have him. He will go down as a legend.

All a bit off-topic I know ..

I think AVB needs to be careful about what he is saying. Jose didnt last much longer once he started moaning about signings and Jose had won 6 trophies by then.

AVB has just blatantly said in the press conference that it's not one of his signings and instead they should ask question the club why they are signing him. Apparently the club has been scouting him for a long time. It seems he wants to make his "project signings" in the summer only.

What he said is completley alarming, and very worrying indeed.

Are people reading from the same script at Chelsea ? It appears not.

You're not sure about Hart? In what sense? He is easily the best kepper in the Prem and possibly the world.

He is a very good keeper, but sometimes I get the feeling he wouldn't be quite as hyped if he wasn't English. He's easily the best English keeper, I'll give you that.

What he said is completley alarming, and very worrying indeed.

Are people reading from the same script at Chelsea ? It appears not.

I think you should read the full transcript of the interview.

Are people reading from the same script at Chelsea ? It appears not.

I think you should read the full transcript of the interview.

People aren't reading from the same transcript. Apparently...

Sky are now running with the...'not avb's signing' story

I think you should read the full transcript of the interview.

Indeed - what i read was edited it seems. Please forgive me.

Still, if I was KDB I'd hardly be feeling particulary wanted right now.