Duncan Castles (very reliable - reported the Van Ginkel move back in May) says we're in for the 20 year old Sporting Lisbon defender Tiago Ilori as cover for central defence.

 

http://oneworldsports.com/stories/chelsea-target-sportings-bruma-and-illori

 

We're competing with Liverpool for his signature, although as Sporting are not too financially strong at the moment he shouldn't be too costly. Interesting side note is that whilst highly rated Ilori does not have a full cap for Portugal, and was born in England...

Best be joking, what a terrible move by him that would be.

 

We don't need yet another young CB, we have quite a few of them already and two great ones in Ake and Omeruo. Both of them are better than Ilori too. 

Best be joking, what a terrible move by him that would be.

 

We don't need yet another young CB, we have quite a few of them already and two great ones in Ake and Omeruo. Both of them are better than Ilori too. 

Is he really that bad? I know it's just a youtube video but it looks like he has a touch of Carvalho about him

Edited

Edited July 5, 201313 yr by ozboy

Is he really that bad? I know it's just a youtube video but it looks like he has a touch of Carvalho about him

I didn't say he was bad, I think he's brilliant but it would be a poor move for Ilori. He's developing nicely at Lisbon but we have no need for him when we already have Ake and Omeruo. 

I didn't say he was bad, I think he's brilliant but it would be a poor move for Ilori. He's developing nicely at Lisbon but we have no need for him when we already have Ake and Omeruo. 

 

Ake should be loaned out and get at least 20-25 games under his belt. Zola was interested in Ake but the fat one didn't want to release him in January.

Isnt Ake more of a midfielder though?

I keep hearing him referred to as a midfielder but i was under the impression he's a defender. Think he can do both roles like Luiz

Both chalobah and ake are the kind of player I think we are seeing more of now, able to play in more than one position comfortably. Both can play centre back or midfield because of their ability on the ball. As tackling is becoming less of a requirement for a defender they need to now have more input in attack, or at least in starting attacks.

I get Chalobah, I just dont think Ake's physical attributes suites best for CB, he doesnt have the size to be a a class centreback while thats not going to limit him playing DM.

He's a very good CB. I would also argue that size and strength are more important at DM than they are at CB.

I get Chalobah, I just dont think Ake's physical attributes suites best for CB, he doesnt have the size to be a a class centreback while thats not going to limit him playing DM.

 

Yeah, Ake's position will most likely change over time. I seem to remember an interview with him saying he sees himself in midfield. 

Duncan Castles (very reliable - reported the Van Ginkel move back in May) says we're in for the 20 year old Sporting Lisbon defender Tiago Ilori as cover for central defence.

 

http://oneworldsports.com/stories/chelsea-target-sportings-bruma-and-illori

 

We're competing with Liverpool for his signature, although as Sporting are not too financially strong at the moment he shouldn't be too costly. Interesting side note is that whilst highly rated Ilori does not have a full cap for Portugal, and was born in England...

 

 

Castles, reliable?

 

Yeah ok.

I get Chalobah, I just dont think Ake's physical attributes suites best for CB, he doesnt have the size to be a a class centreback while thats not going to limit him playing DM.

Ake is only 19, he is still growing.  I wouldn't focus too much on his size at the moment.  His playing form is the most important factor at the moment.  

hes been the same height for a few years now lol, when is this growth supposed to set in? He can add muscle, sure. But at 5"10 hes an undersized CB.

hes been the same height for a few years now lol, when is this growth supposed to set in? He can add muscle, sure. But at 5"10 hes an undersized CB.

 

Plenty of quality shorter centre backs about. If aerial ability is the only problem with it then being slight makes hardly any difference; look at the likes of Tim Cahill and Shearer, Passarella going further - none of them were very tall at all but all brilliant headers of the ball. It's mainly about timing, jump and determination.

 

The youngster Marquinhos from Roma, too - same height as Ake yet being touted a future star, and he's held his own very well in the Serie A whenever I've watched him.

 

As you said you can always add muscle so I don't see that being a huge factor in his development as a CB, though I'm not quite sure if that's his best position yet.

Edited July 8, 201313 yr by Teritus

Plenty of quality shorter centre backs about. If aerial ability is the only problem with it then being slight makes hardly any difference; look at the likes of Tim Cahill and Shearer, Passarella going further - none of them were very tall at all but all brilliant headers of the ball. It's mainly about timing, jump and determination.

 

The youngster Marquinhos from Roma, too - same height as Ake yet being touted a future star, and he's held his own very well in the Serie A whenever I've watched him.

 

As you said you can always add muscle so I don't see that being a huge factor in his development as a CB, though I'm not quite sure if that's his best position yet.

 

I dont disagree with any of this, I merely stated that hed be an undersized CB and that was my opinion that hed be better suited in midfield.

Edited July 8, 201313 yr by Xfaxtor

We shall see, though I agree that he's looked very comfortable in a midfield role in the little I've seen of him there.

Edited July 8, 201313 yr by Teritus