I'm going to throw this one out there to all of you that want a row ..

Yes yes yes, I know Hazard, Oscar and De Bruyne are marquee signings. They are all young and talented. Goodie. They are all creative. Happy days. Let's all dance around a tree naked.

However, if any of you think there is a great deal of foresight to our transfer activity you could be mistaken ..

We need a right-back right? Right. Paulo is not up to it, right? Right. Hutch is unproven and may break down at any second. Right? Bosingwa was in the last year of his contract and we didn't want to renew, am I right? I am right. Therefore, why have we not addressed this particular issue earlier? Why was a replacement for Bossy not sewn up? That is my question for you folks. We could see this one coming a mile off, why did we not bring someone in and let them acclimatise with the rest of the squad? That is my big question for you. I love a big question and that is it. Maybe, just maybe, we have earmarked this Spanish guy, you know the one, the one with the name you can't pronounce. Azpiliwotsit. Pilipilichicken. That's the one. Maybe he was going to play in the Olympics and maybe he wasn't going to be available till after, is that what you're saying? Oh I see. In which case, why are we bartering with his club, when they know, as we do, that we are growing increasingly desperate and we will pay well over the odds? We should have identified who we wanted and done the deal and left the others to scrap around. Do we want Maicon, do we want Debuchy, do we want somebody else? Do we not think these decisions should have been made before, when we knew full well Bossy was on his way out? Ri-di-cu-lous. Thank you very much.

And now, my friends, I move on to winger. Yes that's right folks, that perennial issue. The big one the wide one the one with the wings. You know the one I'm talking about folks. I'm talking about our wide boy supreme. Where is he? We all know he's needed, he's been needed for a looooooong time. We have bought Hazard but he likes to play inside, he even said so in an interview, straight after we bought him. Then there's Oscar, he likes to play inside too, and he's not a winger, not by a long stretch. He's not the guy who will be flying down the wing getting crosses in and keeping the full-back pushed out wide. And then there's Mata, our very own, beloved Mata. He of the facial hair and that beautiful, cheesy, cheeky grin. I love Mata I'm sure you do too. Is he a winger? Not on your nelly. He simply hasn't got the pace for the Premiership. He is simply too restricted out wide. He's better roaming free, I know this because he told me. Yes yes yes you stupid idiots, I know he can play out wide. I know they can all play out out wide, I know that. However, do they want to play out wide? No they do not. I want a wide man that wants to be a wide man that is only happy if he's stuck out wide. That can terrorise the full-back with his pace down the flanks. I want a winger that saw wingers on the telly when he was a kid and said to his mum, "Look mum I want to be one of them". That's what I want. And I want him to be good enough for the first-team not the bench. Can anyone please put a call in to Robbie, and tell him that's what Davey Baby wants? And if Robbie says it's nothing to do with him, can someone please get hold of Roman's number?

And then my friends, my beautiful friends, we come to that vexed question of striker. We knew Drogba was leaving, did we not? The club hardly busted a gut to keep him, and truth be told, it was the right time for him to leave. He was sh*t most of the time, only raising himself for the big games. We got every last drop out of him we could. Which meant, unless we were in a coma, that we knew we would be relying upon two. Two strikers, neither of whom are a nailed-on cert, both of whom have massive question marks hanging over them, neither of whom would get in a current list of the world's top 250 strikers. And what if one of them gets injured? Breaks down in the Community Shield? Where are we then? We are well and truly buggered, and the Community Shield is just around the corner. Meanwhile our old friends the dippers are buying Clint Dempsey and Fabio Borini for the combined price of a dusty old shoe. They may not be the world's greatest strikers but they will bring you goals no trouble at all. I'm sure the club, in their infinite wisdom, are fully aware of these issues Davey Baby addresses, but aren't we leaving it a little bit late? Isn't it now all getting a bit desperate stations, and won't the selling clubs be aware of this? It seems to me the club had a lot of time to address these issues and target the players they wanted to solve them. Two strikers, seriously? This time last season we had five, and that's before we talk about Lukaku. Five. Now we have two. Two. Five minus two is three. Three plus five is eight. Eight plus sixteen is 24. I don't know where I'm going with this. All I know is two is not very much, it's one more than one, and if one of those ones were to tear their hamstring, we might be seeing Ross Turnbull up front.

Which brings me to back-up keeper .. No I better not.

So, an interesting season ahead folks. 4 at the back. Nice. 2 in the double pivot. Nice. 3 ahead of them. Nice. All 3 stepping on each other's toes. Nice. None of them wanting to play out wide. Nice. And then, finally, the striker up top. Nice. Until you realise it's Ross Turnbull. Mind you he can't do any worse than he does in goal ..

If this post sounds a bit spoilt it's meant to. I want my cake and I want to eat it too. Of course I want to eat it. Who the bloody hell understands that expression .. ?

Anyone got Gourlay or Robbie's mail?

Just maybe RDM has gone to the Arsene Wenger school of football coaching. He is copying the French one's methods. Like Wenger he has looked at our squad and where there are gaps and weaknesses (In Wengers case the obvious need for a good keeper and at least two decent centre backs) and then goes out and signs some more youngsters who play in every other position.

Great Stuff!

I like all the number 10s we have signed.

However the team still sounds very disorganised and potentially unstructured.

The wings are one area.

The defensive and deeper creative spine of the midfield is another area

The right full back is a 3rd area

Its not so much the individuals as the balance of the team that doesn't necessarily feel right.

Also its concerning that the new players are going to have to go straight into the season without gelling.

Shoot me but I'm far from convinced RDM has the experience and talent for the job. Hope I'm wrong.

Worried that this could be a very tough season. We are 3rd fav with the bookies, but that could change quickly.

Fun post to read Davey. I'm sure you didn't mean it to be funny, such a serious matter. You seem to have that Bipolar disorder. Not a doc but when I see you go from "you stupid idiots" to "my beautiful friends" in a matter of sentences alarm bells are ringing.

Azpilicueta. Don't know anything about him but I trust you guys so he is the replacement. Star told us he is on his way..didn't he? That is your solution right there. Ivan can cover as long as he needs to get acclimatized.

Winger-Striker situation is not as simple as buying one of each. I think Robbie will play 4-2-3-1 most of the season and there is no place for a pure winger. You need players like Hazard, Marin, Mata and Oscar to cover those 3 higher midfield spots. They are versatile and can roam around more freely in the attack.

At the moment we have 3 strikers. Two of them are proven and one is going out on loan. If we are buying a player like Schurrle we'd have a player who can cover one of both as I'm told. He can cover for Danny and Nando and can cover one of those wider midfield spots. That would do just fine..

I think buying that right back and a player like Schurrle and we are set. Some players will go out as well but that is for another topic.

I agree we are leaving it late (no change there then !!) But.....

Gourly did say, didn't he? that there was more to come, and i have a feeling the feckin' olympics is is what's holding it all up.

I do believe/hope that as soon as that's over with we will get the bods in the positions we need.

There is no doubt that Roman has 'gone for it' this term and i really can't see him leaving us short, especially in the RB and striker positions.

It's funny because i have been fairly sceptical about our transfer policy lately, but i have a good feeling this year, hang in there DB... it's all gonna come good

Alan

Has our business been good? After reading up on Financial Fair Play, I think yes.

In a way, I don't think the club had a lot of choice when it came to Oscar or Hazard. With the lure of playing for European champions providing a gilded aura to negotiations, the club thought it would be best to use that as leverage to secure its longer-term, post-FFP future. At 21 and 20, the transfer fees of Hazard and Oscar can be amortised over long-term contracts, which is a massive benefit for post-FFP accounting. In the FFP reality, splashing out on early-20 year olds or teens such as Lukaku, Hazard, Oscar or potentially Willian or Schurrle makes "sense" because they have 1) decent resale value, 2) relatively low wages and 3) are tied to long-term contracts with good chance of renewal, which helps split the cost over many more seasons. In light of that reasoning I can see that to the club, securing these players is almost an absolute necessity.

However it seems that the immediate need has been neglected in the rush to use our new-found glory to secure the future. We're still lacking orthodox width and to a lesser extent, a different option/cover at RB and defensive midfield and it seems the club is half-heartedly labouring to look at these problems compared to the gusto with which Hazard and Oscar were pursued. I think Spiller said it best- in a sense, we've really only strengthened the squad (albeit massively), but not really addressed the key positions and options where we are lacking.

However, just consider this for a moment- it's the example that got me thinking. I believe that Mathieu Debuchy is the best RB available at the moment. Yet chasing Azpilicueta (mid transfer fee, resale value, low wages, long contract) or Maicon (low fee, higher wages, short contract), makes more sense in the light of FFP than chasing Debuchy, who at 26 is likely to command the same fee as Azpilicueta with a lower resale value, higher wages and a long contract.

Edited August 6, 201213 yr by SydneyChelsea

I would say Marin has been signed as a winger, sure he likes to cut inside but he has the skills set to go round full backs. In terms of right backs I truly believe we have the cover there...you talk about hutch and Paulo as our back ups but what of ramires and essien? Both have played that position when required and both have done fantastic jobs when required to do so! It is not the best solution but if it gives Todd Kane a season or so to make the step up then is that really such a bad thing? And then instead of chucking money about for the sake of it, you have brought a youngster through, worst case scenario is he does not make it for whatever season and then you can strengthen next season.

To the striker position, I think this should be left until January personally. I think it also has to be taken into account that RDM has put winning ahead of playing good football, the problem being with that is we do not have a Didier drogba to play like that anymore and there will not be a player of that calibre for some time. If you sit back and take into account the best teams out there they all defend from the front and attack teams, think about your united sides, your Barcelona sides, your real mad rids, your Brazil's, the French sides all have won things in style by playing atttacking football! You could also include the Spain side who obliterated Italy in this years Euros! Unfortunately without this style of play Torres is set up to fail as he cannot play when the ball is lumped up to him...he needs someone to play and lay him in

Has our business been good? After reading up on Financial Fair Play, I think yes.

In a way, I don't think the club had a lot of choice when it came to Oscar or Hazard. With the lure of playing for European champions providing a gilded aura to negotiations, the club thought it would be best to use that as leverage to secure its longer-term, post-FFP future. At 21 and 20, the transfer fees of Hazard and Oscar can be amortised over long-term contracts, which is a massive benefit for post-FFP accounting. In the FFP reality, splashing out on early-20 year olds or teens such as Lukaku, Hazard, Oscar or potentially Willian or Schurrle makes "sense" because they have 1) decent resale value, 2) relatively low wages and 3) are tied to long-term contracts with good chance of renewal, which helps split the cost over many more seasons. In light of that reasoning I can see that to the club, securing these players is almost an absolute necessity.

However it seems that the immediate need has been neglected in the rush to use our new-found glory to secure the future. We're still lacking orthodox width and to a lesser extent, a different option/cover at RB and defensive midfield and it seems the club is half-heartedly labouring to look at these problems compared to the gusto with which Hazard and Oscar were pursued. I think Spiller said it best- in a sense, we've really only strengthened the squad (albeit massively), but not really addressed the key positions and options where we are lacking.

However, just consider this for a moment- it's the example that got me thinking. I believe that Mathieu Debuchy is the best RB available at the moment. Yet chasing Azpilicueta (mid transfer fee, resale value, low wages, long contract) or Maicon (low fee, higher wages, short contract), makes more sense in the light of FFP than chasing Debuchy, who at 26 is likely to command the same fee as Azpilicueta with a lower resale value, higher wages and a long contract.

Interesting post Sydney, and you may be on to something here.

I can't believe I have actually found someone who seems to have a smidgen of understanding regarding FFP ..

Or maybe you're bluffing it?

We have a winger in Marin, and it looks like Azpilicueta will be a Chelsea player within the next few weeks. Though I wouldn't be against blooding Kane in over the next season as he looks quite promising.

We don't need a striker as we'd be bloated otherwise and be pushing Lukaku (and Feruz) further down the pecking order.

Interesting post Sydney, and you may be on to something here.I can't believe I have actually found someone who seems to have a smidgen of understanding regarding FFP ..Or maybe you're bluffing it?

Maybe i'm just teasing you, stringing you along.

Or maybe i'm a bored uni student who was on holidays and had a bottle of Laphroaig and a week off between changing jobs. :D

But in all seriousness, there's plenty of good reading on the internet. The We Ain't Got No History site has a decent explanation of why sides such as ourselves and City are relatively unaffected because of the amortisation of transfer fees. When amortised, only a fraction of big fees such as Torres, Luiz or Ramires come into the accountable period. City, Bayern, Barcelona, and Real Madrid are much the same, whereas Malaga, PSG and Anzhi have less room to work with but will probably just cope.

When you really get into it, you begin to see how these "fair" regulations favour the traditional cartel at the expense of really damaging the smaller clubs. Since big clubs have the power and usually pay smaller clubs in instalments anyway, the spreading of player expenses over the life of a contract is no real big change. Where FFP "hurts" the big clubs is that they can longer rely on spending big money to bring in an established player; when FFP is in full force, bringing in a player at their peak like Debuchy, Hulk or Modric would be extremely hard. All the big clubs know this, hence the outrageous inflation in youth player prices over the last few years.

What you'll see is a small short term benefit for smaller clubs as larger ones snap up their youth players, but eventually agents are going to insist their young clients only sign long-term deals with big clubs.

Edited August 6, 201213 yr by SydneyChelsea

You have to wonder why all the loop holes and technicalities are allowed. If FFP truly does hurt the smaller teams, then why is it being allowed? The bods who write these rules must surely see the harm they could do....

You have to wonder why all the loop holes and technicalities are allowed. If FFP truly does hurt the smaller teams, then why is it being allowed? The bods who write these rules must surely see the harm they could do....

It's not so much a technicality as it is an express consideration to pacify the big clubs. Essentially the laws allow a club's books to display their transactions as simple income vs expenses or the more complex capitalisation and amortisation. The previous year was the last a club could choose between each style of reporting as the new laws require consistency in this, season to season.

In theory, FFP could lower player wages; it is more likely that they will plateau. It's because of this that FIFA or other confederations are unlikely to adopt similar reforms due to the massive influence of player unions who will oppose anything that leads to wage reduction.

In a week when arsenal are set to sign carzorla and sahin, and utd close on Lucas and rvp, I can't help but feel a little underwhelmed by Moses/cesar.

I know hazard and Oscar are great captures, but they're very young. I can't see them making the instant impact rvp, sahin and carzorla will.

I'm greedy I know. But I honestly think we'll do well to get back into the top 4 this year.

Wow, thats a very pessimistic way of looking at things. Another way is we have signed 3 very exciting young midfield talents so far, we are hopefully bringing in a player to cover for our problem RB position who is very highly rated. We are also after a young player with potential to fill a squad place meaning Sturridge can hopefully move central. We also now have a permanent manager who has just taken us to the CL trophy meaning the whole club should be buzzing and raring to go this season. We have finally made the squad changes we have been desperate for quite some time. I`m not sure why your so certain Arsenals signings will have an immediate impact yet ours wont, not sure what their age has to do with it really.

Wow, thats a very pessimistic way of looking at things. Another way is we have signed 3 very exciting young midfield talents so far, we are hopefully bringing in a player to cover for our problem RB position who is very highly rated. We are also after a young player with potential to fill a squad place meaning Sturridge can hopefully move central. We also now have a permanent manager who has just taken us to the CL trophy meaning the whole club should be buzzing and raring to go this season. We have finally made the squad changes we have been desperate for quite some time. I`m not sure why your so certain Arsenals signings will have an immediate impact yet ours wont, not sure what their age has to do with it really.

You're right of course, and I know it's pessimistic. Just a gut feeling about other deals, rvp would be a title challenging signing imo. And sahin is just the sort of player we need in the infamous 'pivot'.

One thing I will say though, with Oscar, Mata, Eden, ramires - our midfield will only get stronger in the coming years and has the making of one of the world's best.

You're right of course, and I know it's pessimistic. Just a gut feeling about other deals, rvp would be a title challenging signing imo. And sahin is just the sort of player we need in the infamous 'pivot'.

One thing I will say though, with Oscar, Mata, Eden, ramires - our midfield will only get stronger in the coming years and has the making of one of the world's best.

Bar Ramires those are all attacking midfielders or even forward players. Hazard and Mata particularly can't really be called midfielders considering they will likely be deployed wide in an attacking trio. Ramires also does his best work in the final third.

For me there is a complete lack of 'proper midfielders'. Essien is finished, Lampard isn't half the player he was, Meireles has been a lacklustre signing, Mikel and Romeu are half decent holding players and not much else.

There was many games last season where the midfield battle was lost. We have plenty creative players now for the final third but that's pointless without a solid defence, midfield and a 30 goal a season striker to finish the chances!!

Last season we were terrible in the league. I don't see how packing the team with attacking midfielders is going to suddenly change things. We still need players in the middle of the park bossing the game. A world class central midfielder like Sneijder or De Rossi is sorely, sorely lacking. And we really could do with a couple. If you think about it, not long ago we had a world class Lampard, Ballack and Essien all regularly featuring. These roles haven't been replaced and neither Lampard nor Essien will control matches week in week out anymore.

RDM has basically just addressed one of many problems in the transfer window. The whole squad has been requiring an overhaul for a couple of years now.

Edited August 7, 201213 yr by plamf

Bar Ramires those are all attacking midfielders or even forward players. Hazard and Mata particularly can't really be called midfielders considering they will likely be deployed wide in an attacking trio. Ramires also does his best work in the final third.

For me there is a complete lack of 'proper midfielders'. Essien is finished, Lampard isn't half the player he was, Meireles has been a lacklustre signing, Mikel and Romeu are half decent holding players and not much else.

There was many games last season where the midfield battle was lost. We have plenty creative players now for the final third but that's pointless without a solid defence, midfield and a 30 goal a season striker to finish the chances!!

Last season we were terrible in the league. I don't see how packing the team with attacking midfielders is going to suddenly change things. We still need players in the middle of the park bossing the game. A world class central midfielder like Sneijder or De Rossi is sorely, sorely lacking. And we really could do with a couple. If you think about it, not long ago we had a world class Lampard, Ballack and Essien all regularly featuring. These roles haven't been replaced and neither Lampard nor Essien will control matches week in week out anymore.

RDM has basically just addressed one of many problems in the transfer window. The whole squad has been requiring an overhaul for a couple of years now.

I agree. That's why I expressed my concern about a top 4 finish and arsenal getting Sahin. I'm worried about this season.

Would rather throw big money at schweinsteiger than any other player at the moment. I totally agree our problem is in central midfield and unless mikel steps up a level i think we'l struggle again this year in the league. Lamps,mikel, essien, and romeu will struggle to dominate teams. Against the top teams i feel we will have less possesion, and without the defensive set up of last years success, it could be a very long season.

Ramires schweinsteiger

Oscar Mata hazard

Edited August 7, 201213 yr by big blue

Schweinsteiger would never happen. Sahin or modric would be nice. Unless the club actually sees Oscar doing the job.

Trouble with sahin and modric. Both arent combative enough to play alongside ramires. Schweinsteiger is the perfect blend of extremely good playmaking mixed with a very good defensive game.

...a season ago I would've taken him. Everything changed in Munich. He played himself out of the game, even Arjen Robben had more bottle about him.

Also, Sahin and Modric are extremely combative. I'd certainly trust them to stand up when it's counted over Schweinsteiger, who on paper is a better player.

Edited August 7, 201213 yr by SydneyChelsea

Trouble with sahin and modric. Both arent combative enough to play alongside ramires. Schweinsteiger is the perfect blend of extremely good playmaking mixed with a very good defensive game.

I think a Sahin type dlp would play next to mikel. Rdm seems pretty keen to play ramires on the right wing, whether we agree or not.

Trouble with sahin and modric. Both arent combative enough to play alongside ramires. Schweinsteiger is the perfect blend of extremely good playmaking mixed with a very good defensive game.

He's exactly what is needed but wouldn't be attainable.

I think a Sahin type dlp would play next to mikel. Rdm seems pretty keen to play ramires on the right wing, whether we agree or not.

There are so many options further forward now though, can Ramires really fit in in a more attacking role on the right? Maybe in tough away games?