1 hour ago, didierforever said:

Technically yes, Baka replaced Matic. 

But lets not forget that we had just 3 CMs last season. 

Add to it the fact that we also lost Nat, all of it makes keeping Matic essential for the long season or have a decent back up in someone like Pasalic/MvG. Since MvG has already left, keeping Pasalic is important unless we are planning to buy 40mil rated over-rated Barkley!!

Or Jack Wilshere/ Tom Davies

If Pasalic stays and Matic leaves he will definitely get game time so I hope we aren't pushing him out. 

We shouldn't forget Pasalic was keeping Bakayoko out of the Monaco team 12 months ago.

I'd like to see him start against Inter as he can definitely play a role. If he goes on loan I think we will definitely sign a new midfielder. Baker is good but he isn't really the kind of player who would cover for Kante/Bakayoko. 

 

Apparently signing a new contract and then going on loan to Spartak Moscow.

2 hours ago, startedwithglenn said:

Apparently signing a new contract and then going on loan to Spartak Moscow.

That's sad. I thought he'd be a decent option for us.

Why not just sell him outright? Stupid decision. We keep coercing young players with false promises, pretty evil by the club management. 

LOL

7 hours ago, startedwithglenn said:

Apparently signing a new contract and then going on loan to Spartak Moscow.

Got any good sources for this? 
Haven't really seen any developments on this over the last few days.
 

It's a step down for him and for us. He was playing in Monaco, Milan and now Spartak Moscow? 

6 hours ago, PedroMendez said:

Got any good sources for this? 
Haven't really seen any developments on this over the last few days.
 

Di Marzo guy said it. Must admit I took it as fact as it doesn't seem a story worth speculating about/him hyping anything up.

11 minutes ago, startedwithglenn said:

Di Marzo guy said it. Must admit I took it as fact as it doesn't seem a story worth speculating about/him hyping anything up.

Well with so many people going crazy about depth any story about a potential squad player leaving will get clicks.

Moving to another Champions League club. Good prospect. Hopefully he has a good year there. 

But again you do wonder with our dearth of midfielders and the fact he was keeping Bakayoko out of the Monaco team before his injury why he can't play a role for us.

8 minutes ago, PedroMendez said:

Well with so many people going crazy about depth any story about a potential squad player leaving will get clicks.

Although sadly this rumour does seem to have some legs. If he does leave we have to sign someone, so it's now a question of who.

Crazy how many players we have out on loan and yet our squad depth is still weak.

3 hours ago, Zeta said:

Crazy how many players we have out on loan and yet our squad depth is still weak.

This. Just Insane. In which world is barkley for 50mil, a winger OX and Drinkwater at 40mil a better 4th CM option than Pasalic is beyond me.

Whats worse is the time afforded to him to make a decent claim during pre-season. 

58 minutes ago, didierforever said:

This. Just Insane. In which world is barkley for 50mil, a winger OX and Drinkwater at 40mil a better 4th CM option than Pasalic is beyond me.

Whats worse is the time afforded to him to make a decent claim during pre-season. 

I'm not trying to rile anyone up but i'm kind of happy for Solanke, Chalobah and Ake and wish many more of them do the same. I believe we are grossly unfair as a club and sometimes on a much lower level as fans to those youth players. I'm more than convinced Chelsea's youth strategy has nothing to do with supporting the first team but a more sinister business model so i would class it as a wicked act to start loaning a teenager and even at the point (early 20s) when they should begin to blossom as a footballer we still are looking for where to loan them to whilst buying other youngsters other clubs believed in for millions. I'm more confused every time i try to rationalise it. It's madness i tell you.

Went to Spartak Moscow for a 1yr loan. Good luck Mario.

Just sell him

22 hours ago, abister1 said:

I'm not trying to rile anyone up but i'm kind of happy for Solanke, Chalobah and Ake and wish many more of them do the same. I believe we are grossly unfair as a club and sometimes on a much lower level as fans to those youth players. I'm more than convinced Chelsea's youth strategy has nothing to do with supporting the first team but a more sinister business model so i would class it as a wicked act to start loaning a teenager and even at the point (early 20s) when they should begin to blossom as a footballer we still are looking for where to loan them to whilst buying other youngsters other clubs believed in for millions. I'm more confused every time i try to rationalise it. It's madness i tell you.

But we can't question Emenalo according to some. This is a legitimate concern regarding a key aspect of his job

22 hours ago, abister1 said:

I'm not trying to rile anyone up but i'm kind of happy for Solanke, Chalobah and Ake and wish many more of them do the same. I believe we are grossly unfair as a club and sometimes on a much lower level as fans to those youth players. I'm more than convinced Chelsea's youth strategy has nothing to do with supporting the first team but a more sinister business model so i would class it as a wicked act to start loaning a teenager and even at the point (early 20s) when they should begin to blossom as a footballer we still are looking for where to loan them to whilst buying other youngsters other clubs believed in for millions. I'm more confused every time i try to rationalise it. It's madness i tell you.

Agreed, I like to keep up with the academy, I watch my fair amount of youth games. I started to pick out players I believed had the most potential in 2013 and I always keep tabs on them, I've crossed off so many names, that I've lost count. At the end of the day, we are a business and we look to loan these players out, give them the limelight elsewhere and milk them for what they are worth, that's the sad reality, though it is profitable to us. I used to be more naive, not anymore, but I still have a slight belief that someone very special will be found and eventually make it. 

Edited August 2, 20178 yr by Floyd25

Strange move for him after playing for some good sides Monaco Milan etc..

1 hour ago, Deino said:

But we can't question Emenalo according to some. This is a legitimate concern regarding a key aspect of his job

Nobody ever said he cant be questioned, its just anoying that he is used as a scapegoat for everything that goes wrong at the club. 

Edited August 2, 20178 yr by Xfaxtor

On 8/1/2017 at 17:30, didierforever said:

This. Just Insane. In which world is barkley for 50mil, a winger OX and Drinkwater at 40mil a better 4th CM option than Pasalic is beyond me.

Whats worse is the time afforded to him to make a decent claim during pre-season. 

Wonder if there are work permit issues. Croatia though part of the EU don't have full freedom of movement till 2020 and as he's not played enough full internationals possibly doesn't qualify. As for taking him on tour , maybe he's in the shop window whilst making up the numbers of a small squad.

I think it may actually be a good move for him.

He will be playing for a big team in what is a lower quality league than he has recently been used to so he hopefully should excel and become a key member to the squad.

It also helps that the Spartak coach is a freind an ex assistant manager to Conte, he will likely have some influence in what Conte's footballing opinions and if he were to have a great season at Spartak it could do wonders.
 

5 hours ago, Xfaxtor said:

Nobody ever said he cant be questioned, its just anoying that he is used as a scapegoat for everything that goes wrong at the club. 

Well, in regards to the transfers of the youth teams, I'd like him to at least speak out at least say something along the lines of these transfers are done to nurture the youth in hopes of them becoming part of the first team or something like we believe Spartak possesses the right environment to develop his qualities or something. It's all silence and "Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce Player X will be loaned to Club A for Y amount of time" 

It'd be nice to hear straight from the horse's mouth

 

@PedroMendez What kind of football does Spartak play?

Edited August 2, 20178 yr by Deino

Hes going on loan to Fiorentina with an option to buy at the end of the season apparently

1 hour ago, DidierDrogbalala said:

Hes going on loan to Fiorentina with an option to buy at the end of the season apparently

Good move.  Never likely to become a mainstay here. Same with van Ginkel, loads want him to stay.  But truth is, it's probably not the clubs intention.  The better they do playing regular, the more profit we make.   Boga, MVG, Mount, Baker, T. Chalobah, Da Silva.   There just wont be a time where they are first team regulars, or even make regular bench apps.  Roman wants a winning club, it's easier to win the pots buying ready made stars, than relying on youth and taking the 2-3 yr trophyless spell.

that is why all the stories i read that Roman wants X amount of kids integrated, i just think "absolute BS"

Edited June 30, 20188 yr by RickUK