Shame to see him go but we might as well ash while we can and use it to get a player that will perform. Maybe that's what the club are thinking with Maia.

Juve and madrid are both apparently desperate for matic, id be happy to see him go as long as we get a centre back in return. Varane and rugani are both not in either teams starting 11, maybe its about time we held clubs to ransom.

Matic is easily replacable, in fact i think chalobah could step in.

if they want matic i would be very happy to give them asap...he is no longer the one who won us the league and will worth less if he stays 1 more year

Pretty annoying if his form dipping was because he'd felt he'd achieved everything he wanted in England and didn't give a stuff.

One Serbian down, one to go.

Chalobah has looked better this preseason.  Matic was very good in 14/15 but has just been worse than a shadow of himself the past 18 months.  If he wants to go and we can get anywhere near 32m for him, it's time to sell.  Use that money to fund Koulibaly or another top defender.  

Seems Thiago Maia is lined up as Matic's replacement but at 19 it's unlikely he'll be ready to play week in week out yet. Would prefer us to make a move for Maia and Mascherano but Mascherano signed a new contract this summer so it's nothing more than a pipe dream. It would be sad to see him go but I don't think we'll ever see the same Matic again or make top 4 this year so I'd be happy if we sell for £30m+ and a signed Bonucci shirt if it means Chalobah has a chance to make a name for himself.

Edited August 10, 20169 yr by the special one

Seems Thiago Maia is lined up as Matic's replacement but at 19 it's unlikely he'll be ready to play week in week out yet. Would prefer us to make a move for Maia and Mascherano but Mascherano signed a new contract this summer so it's nothing more than a pipe dream. It would be sad to see him go but I don't think we'll ever see the same Matic again or make top 4 this year so I'd be happy if we sell for £30m+ and a signed Bonucci shirt if it means Chalobah has a chance to make a name for himself.

 

i don't see age is important. conte said age is irrelevant if the player can perform. pogba was 18 when conte put his faith in him, and there's been a myriad of players similar age who've performed well week in, week out in england, germany, spain, france and so on. if the lad is quality, he will get a chance in the first team, and there's obviously something there we are seeing if we are willing to pay a considerably large amount on the lad. you only have to look at last season to see the youngsters proving how age is a non-factor. in the epl alone there was alli, martial, rashford, loftus-cheek (although not a regular starter), traore, sterling, ibe, ihenacho, etc

Edited August 10, 20169 yr by enigma

i don't see age is important. conte said age is irrelevant if the player can perform. pogba was 18 when conte put his faith in him, and there's been a myriad of players similar age who've performed well week in, week out in england, germany, spain, france and so on. if the lad is quality, he will get a chance in the first team, and there's obviously something there we are seeing if we are willing to pay a considerably large amount on the lad. you only have to look at last season to see the youngsters proving how age is a non-factor. in the epl alone there was alli, martial, rashford, loftus-cheek (although not a regular starter), traore, sterling, ibe, ihenacho, etc

Totally agree we are one of the few clubs supporters who always look at age yet we moan no youngsters getting game time if Tottenham had that philosophy none of their youngsters now would be where they are 

i don't see age is important. conte said age is irrelevant if the player can perform. pogba was 18 when conte put his faith in him, and there's been a myriad of players similar age who've performed well week in, week out in england, germany, spain, france and so on. if the lad is quality, he will get a chance in the first team, and there's obviously something there we are seeing if we are willing to pay a considerably large amount on the lad. you only have to look at last season to see the youngsters proving how age is a non-factor. in the epl alone there was alli, martial, rashford, loftus-cheek (although not a regular starter), traore, sterling, ibe, ihenacho, etc

 

Agreed, age shouldn't be a factor... the only thing i'd argue is none of the players you mentioned are CMs with defensive responsibility (Reece Oxford perhaps but he barely got a look in after his debut). I don't doubt Maia has the ability, just question if he has the experience/positional sense... I think it's unfair to put that kind of pressure on a 19 yr old personally (unless of course as you say he proves he can perform week in week out).

Edited August 10, 20169 yr by the special one

A youngster has to start somewhere ......you cant keep saying he doesn't need that responsibility at what point does he need to start taking responsibility on the pitch 

Also if Juventus wants him i really hope we stick a high price take it or leave it as clubs seem to be playing hard ball with us lately. I would say in current inflated market conditions anything less that £45 Million for Matic would be robbery if he goes and recaptures his beast mode at Juve

Also if Juventus wants him i really hope we stick a high price take it or leave it as clubs seem to be playing hard ball with us lately. I would say in current inflated market conditions anything less that £45 Million for Matic would be robbery if he goes and recaptures his beast mode at Juve

No one is going to pay that kind of money on a player who has been brutal for more than 12 months.

34 million is nothing in todays market. Id be happy with selling him but we've got to get more than 45 for him. I know it sounds ridiculous but compared to other transfers its quite reasonable

I wouldn't be sad to see him go, looks a shadow of the player he was whe he came back here. I think it probably all still goes back to that Ashley Barnes incident which to me shows how mentally fragile the guy is.

According to Dimarzio it looks like Conte has convinced him to stay and Juve have moved on to Matuidi.

David Amoyal

11-08-2016 13:50

 

Juventus will miss out on Nemanja Matic.  The Serbian midfielder class of '88 will not move to Turin, he has spoken with Conte in the past few hours and has now convinced himself to stay in London.  Juventus was already quite pessimistic about a positive outcome to negotiations, now they have to abandon hope of signing the Chelsea midfielder who should stay a blue unless there are any shocking changes. The player and his entourage who had recently opened to a move to Turin have understood the club and Conte's intentions convincing him to stay. This is the best solution according to the Serbian, with Juve who will have to follow different players now.

@EddieBenedetti

Now that you are settled Nemanja, start performing once more. Hate having one of the best CM's in the league playing with 80% of his capacity. His role is extremely hard and crucial I can understand a dip in form and it probably looks lot worse than it is.

Matic has understood #CFC's desire and Conte's willingness of him to stay and has therefore decided not to change teams (via @DiMarzio)

 

#Juventus continues to look for midfield reinforcement. After missing out on Matic, the primary objective is Matuidi (via @DiMarzio) #CFC

 

Matic has spoken with Conte in the past few hours and has now convinced himself to stay in London (via @DavidAmoyal / @DiMarzio) #CFC #Juve

So we are looking at a midfield three of Matic Kante and either of Oscar/Fabregas I presume.  That is if we run the 4--3-3.  Oscar could provide some versatility if we wanted to switch to a 4-2-4 during a game, moving Hazard as second striker and Oscar playing on the wing.

 

Matic is probably going to be playing with a bit more freedom to get forward, acting as our box to box.  Kante playing as the true DM breaking up play and protecting the back four.  And the other of Oscar/Fabregas acting as playmaker.  I think it's a good situation if Matic can find his form again.  

journo matt law says we're looking for two defenders and a central midfielder before window closes. 

journo matt law says we're looking for two defenders and a central midfielder before window closes. 

Doesn't sound right. One defender, one striker look much smarter at this point.

2 defenders might be a shout because of the need for a right back or left back on top of a centre back.

funny how these stories change.  I read, from pretty much the same resources that are now claiming he is staying, that Matic had met with Maria and Emanelo, who had failed to convince him to stay, and that was merely yesterday. 

Seems like he's the favorite player for conte..