Tiago is off to Chelsea

Few players have committed themselves to Atlético, this new Atlético, as much as Tiago Mendes has. Cholo has said on numerous occasions that he would very much like the man who he named captain to stay on at the Manzanares club. The player's contract runs out on 30th June and the manager sees him as an important part of the team, both on the pitch and in the dressing room. Tiago, however, has decided to try his luck with Mourinho.

After the final in Lisbon, in the mixed zone Tiago commented that he had already made his mind up about his future, but that he would communicate his decision to the club first. He feels as much a 'rojiblanco' as any of the Atléti players, but he knows that he has in his hands his last chance to net himself a killer contract.

The player will tell his club in the very near future, perhaps today. His age (33) has had a lot to do with his decision. Tiago's heart is telling him to stay with the club that he loves so dearly, but his head has itself set on a great contract, perhaps the last in the player's career. Chelsea is the club that fits the bill.

Last season, despite having to accept a drop in salary and with various succulent offers on the table from English and Turkish clubs, Tiago decided to stay on at Atlético. Today, the club wants the midfielder to continue, even for two seasons more, but with an offer far below those coming in from abroad.

Read more: Tiago is off to Chelsea - MARCA.com (English version)

Why don't we just move the club to Madrid, that way less people have to move house.

33?

Must be as back up, he's not what we need next to Matic.

Wow, this is crazy season for Athleti players. Tiago at Chelsea? Why?

NO, NO, NO.   We don't need any old Portugeezers, PLEASE NO.

Why not promote a younger player and give them a chance rather than sign Tiago on a free.

Makes little sense to me. Tiago's still a decent player and would be a good addition to the dressing room but in terms of quality he's no better than what we have. If Mikel is leaving then I'd have Tiago as a backup but he's not good enough to start for us in my opinion. He's 33 so this would surely be just a stopgap.

 

As far as the balance of the squad is concerned, I can't see that Tiago, Lampard and Mikel could all be in there. Especially when we have Matic, Ramires, Van Ginkel and you would figure that we'd be signing a top quality player to.

Not happy with contract negotiations, hints at exit to rich club. No dirwct quotes from anyone. Yeah, Im calling horsesh*t

Hopefully not true, it's a backwards step signing players who are towards the end of their careers.

He's no better then what's already here and we really don't need stop gap signings.

Flamini has done well on his return to Arsenal...

... but agreed, would rather promote youth.

Free transfer replacement for Mikel along with one of Pogba/Koke/Vidal and loan out MVG for a season

 

Lampard

Matic

Tiago

Pogba/Vidal/Koke

Ramires

 

 

The season after, MVG and Lewis Baker come in for Lampard and Tiago

I'm thinking this is a Mourinho-type transfer. In recent seasons, Emenalo and the transfer committee have been signing youth, not sure why we'd go for an oldie all of a sudden.

Maybe he is the replacement for Mikel. Temporary cover and gives us funds to strengthen with other signings.

I'm thinking this is a Mourinho-type transfer. In recent seasons, Emenalo and the transfer committee have been signing youth, not sure why we'd go for an oldie all of a sudden.

 

 

Mourinho doesn't have the best record in the transfer market, in my opinion he makes some strange signings.

 

I can see how signing a 33 year old is going to help develop the team.

 

He's not going to be an improvement on Lampard, Ramires and Mikel so why bother? 

Maybe he is the replacement for Mikel. Temporary cover and gives us funds to strengthen with other signings.

 

But why bother selling Mikel and bringing in a stop gap... Why not just keep Mikel for another year? 

 

It's just upheaval for upheavals sake otherwise. 

 

If Mikel is intent on leaving then why not show some faith in van Ginkel or Chalobah or even recall Romeu from his Valencia loan. 

Surely just a signing to add experienced numbers to the squad. Pointless in my opinion.

 

Would much rather we just used the place for Chalobah or MvG

No thanks.

After selling Luiz for £40-50 million this would be a very 'meh' signing.

We have several players at the club who are as good or better than a 33 yr old Tiago.

Hopefully this is baseless.

This would be a poor decision.

Rather play Chalobah/MVG any day.

Very odd. Hopefully agent nonsense

I can see this happening in an FFP-driven sense: Let's say we sell Mikel for £10m, bringing in Tiago for free represents a great deal. Arguably a small upgrade on a similar player yet me make money in the process.

I can see this happening in an FFP-driven sense: Let's say we sell Mikel for £10m, bringing in Tiago for free represents a great deal. Arguably a small upgrade on a similar player yet me make money in the process.

I don't see the upgrade....

This won't happen, it's rubbish. It doesn't even say we are interested, it just says Tiago is looking for a club to give him a big contract, which is probably rubbish because there is no quotes from the player himself.

Maybe he is the replacement for Mikel. Temporary cover and gives us funds to strengthen with other signings.

 

 

Maybe he is the replacement for Lampard?