The geezer who just got relegated in Germany?

I'd rather stick with an out of position Zouma.

Ake is twice the player Romeu has ever been.

The geezer who just got relegated in Germany?

I'd rather stick with an out of position Zouma.

Ake is twice the player Romeu has ever been.

 

Wow. That's impressive. Ake really has come on in leaps and bounds without even really playing senior football.

Wow. That's impressive. Ake really has come on in leaps and bounds without even really playing senior football.

 

Exactly, even without regular first team football he looks accomplished and at 20 years old he's only going to get better. 

 

He's versatility and distribution of the ball is fantastic. I'd take him in the squad ahead of Romeu all day long. 

Exactly, even without regular first team football he looks accomplished and at 20 years old he's only going to get better.

He's versatility and distribution of the ball is fantastic. I'd take him in the squad ahead of Romeu all day long.

Forget Romeu. He sounds like he'd give Fabregas a run for his money. Jose must be blind.

Obligatory Inter Milan rumour has surfaced again. 

Reports that Fenerbahce aren't following up because their president says we want 35m euros for Mikel. Must be because he scores when he wants.   

 

http://www.turkish-football.com/chelsea-want-e35m-for-mikel-says-fenerbahce-president/

The legend is staying, what a joyous day! 

35 million! imagine if we got that for mikel haha, it would definitely look like we use russian intimidation tactics if we did. 

The legend is staying, what a joyous day! 

 

Don't scare me like that, I thought we'd given him a new contract.

You have no idea how disappointed I am that he's staying. Sell him for firewood or skittles or whatever, just get him out.

You have no idea how disappointed I am that he's staying. Sell him for firewood or skittles or whatever, just get him out.

 

well.....I expect you read the club's statement & from this you've assumed that it was a categorical "no" to a sale & from this you've made the further assumption "that he's staying". But as I read our club's statement, I thought the important words therein were "as it stands". The Fenerbahce President's statement in respect to the issue is in any event hyperbole & unhelpful & of course there is plenty of time left in the transfer window. So, what is the sensible position to take from this thus far - probably that the positions of the clubs at the moment is they've made some opening salvos - nothing more, nothing less. We want about 15 mil & they don't want to pay more than say 10 mil - not a lot of difference there. As to the wages position/stance of Mikel I would've thought that his demand of some 100 a week is pretty reasonable for a player of his experience & abilities isn't it? And to ask for a 5 year deal at his age is standard is it not? There yet still may be a deal - both clubs & Mikel are merely planting their initial goalposts in respect to the opening negotiations - that is all. That is how it works. So don't shoot yourself just yet or as we say down here - have a cup of tea, a bex, and a good lay down.

If he isn't leaving then that will more than likely mean we aren't going to sign a midfielder.

 

That for me is worse news than Cech going to Arsenal, not trying to sound all doom and gloom or anything, we still have a great side that will keep on improving, however I do think Matic needs a partner other than just Fabregas. Giving Loftus Cheek that responsibility is a huge gamble.

35 million! imagine if we got that for mikel haha, it would definitely look like we use russian intimidation tactics if we did. 

 

Apparently €35m was the total cost of his transfer and wages (for the duration of his contract) combined. 

 

I think the fee was €15m but then Mikel wanted €5m a year and a 4 year contract. 

If he isn't leaving then that will more than likely mean we aren't going to sign a midfielder.

That for me is worse news than Cech going to Arsenal, not trying to sound all doom and gloom or anything, we still have a great side that will keep on improving, however I do think Matic needs a partner other than just Fabregas. Giving Loftus Cheek that responsibility is a huge gamble.

So wait, do you want to try and develope youth, or do you want to buy the players in. The only wrong answer in this scenario is both. You can't on the one hand complain that we don't develop players and on the other hand be annoyed because we haven't signed some one for a position where we now have a prospect ready to make the jump.. Without gambles there will never be a any youth development

If he isn't leaving then that will more than likely mean we aren't going to sign a midfielder.

 

That for me is worse news than Cech going to Arsenal, not trying to sound all doom and gloom or anything, we still have a great side that will keep on improving, however I do think Matic needs a partner other than just Fabregas. Giving Loftus Cheek that responsibility is a huge gamble.

Really? Worse than Cech going to Arsenal? We aren't desperate for a new midfielder, I think we have the right balance actually. Mikel for a more solid base, Fabregas for more creativity and Ramires to provide the urgency and drive from midfield when all else fails. RLC can fill in as well for the "easy" games. 

Mikel is clearly not good enough.

When a 20 year old centre back is seen as a better choice in midfield as you then it's time to leave.

We need an upgrade on him and I'm sure we will get it soon enough.

Mikel is clearly not good enough.

When a 20 year old centre back is seen as a better choice in midfield as you then it's time to leave.

We need an upgrade on him and I'm sure we will get it soon enough.

 

 

Zouma was never seen as a better choice, it's rewriting history a little bit. Mikel suffered with Injury's at the middle part of last season, Zouma was played there out of nessesaty . 

Mikel is clearly not good enough.

When a 20 year old centre back is seen as a better choice in midfield as you then it's time to leave.

We need an upgrade on him and I'm sure we will get it soon enough.

His performances in the big games suggest otherwise, he clearly still has a role here.

 

He was picked ahead of Mikel cause Mikel was injured/not fit enough.

 

We probably could do better, like Schneiderlin, but it's not a desperate need at the moment. 

If he isn't leaving then that will more than likely mean we aren't going to sign a midfielder.

 

That for me is worse news than Cech going to Arsenal, not trying to sound all doom and gloom or anything, we still have a great side that will keep on improving, however I do think Matic needs a partner other than just Fabregas. Giving Loftus Cheek that responsibility is a huge gamble.

 

not true, we will buy aranguiz to provide that animal in central midfield. 

Can't remember claiming that youth is something we desperately need right now but whatever floats your boat I guess.

 

As for RLC I think it's pretty clear, since we are thin in the central midfield area for decent options it would be harsh to rely on RLC should Matic or Fabregas be injured. Mikel has shown over time his inconsistency, but we persist on keeping him, I don't see how it will benefit us but I'll accept it. Ramires in the pivot has never worked really has it, it's brought out the worst in him since Mourinho has came.

 

So yes I think leaving us the only option of playing RLC should Matic or Fabregas be out is a big gamble. Remember we are wanting to win the league again?

Really? Worse than Cech going to Arsenal? We aren't desperate for a new midfielder, I think we have the right balance actually. Mikel for a more solid base, Fabregas for more creativity and Ramires to provide the urgency and drive from midfield when all else fails. RLC can fill in as well for the "easy" games. 

 

Lol ^ after all the Ozil love he now loves Mikel.

Lol ^ after all the Ozil love he now loves Mikel.

 

Is this really your takeaway from what he said? 

Is this really your takeaway from what he said? 

 

Yep

Really? Worse than Cech going to Arsenal? We aren't desperate for a new midfielder, I think we have the right balance actually. Mikel for a more solid base, Fabregas for more creativity and Ramires to provide the urgency and drive from midfield when all else fails. RLC can fill in as well for the "easy" games. 

I'm sorry to say but I think Mikel is finished at Chelsea. A good example was last season, he contributed little to our title win. Jose even preferred Zouma as an anchorman over Mikel, that should say a lot about what Jose thinks of him. 

Zouma was never seen as a better choice, it's rewriting history a little bit. Mikel suffered with Injury's at the middle part of last season, Zouma was played there out of nessesaty . 

Not even so -- against United, Mikel was fit but Jose played Zouma instead.