1 minute ago, Bobbywoodhogan said:

Podolski was a regular scorer for Germany at International level yet he was a pretty average PL player. Benni McCarthy was a good player in the Portuguese league yet was average for Blackburn Rovers, etc. If you rate Falcao then fair enough but I think it's clear as day that he's no longer than player that destroyed us in the Super Cup.

nGolo Kante was a a vital member of league 2 side Caen in their rise to the top division of that league.  2 year later he was the PL best player.

The same logic can be applied in reverse Bobby.

Regardless of whether I rate him or not, what I can't say definitively is that he is not up to playing in the PL, as he was simply never given a chance with us and was coming off an ACL reco when at United, so I grant him some slack.

All this Chinese Costa sh*te, will be conveniently buried now, with no concrete evidence it was ever true, Conte played a blinder, wouldn't fancy a game of 'Texas hold 'em' with him...

14 minutes ago, Bobbywoodhogan said:

Griezmann and Lukaku are the ones I think we'd pursue fully, Sanchez would probably cost too much (not that we can't afford it mind) and I don't think Suarez would come to us or leave Barca right now.

For me Sanchez would be the perfect replacement. Not only can he fill Diego's boots at #9 but he can also play LW (which might prove to be useful if Hazard were to leave). Just hope we don't bring in Neymar or Payet or I fear it's downhill for us.

17 minutes ago, Bobbywoodhogan said:

Griezmann and Lukaku are the ones I think we'd pursue fully, Sanchez would probably cost too much (not that we can't afford it mind) and I don't think Suarez would come to us or leave Barca right now.

 

I agree. Can't really see Arsenal letting us have Sanchez, however much we stump up although stranger things have happened.

Suarez unlikely to leave Barca but again you never know. He maybe after another pay-day and be fed up playing third fiddle to Messi and Neymar. I know a lot of CFC fans can't stand him but in terms of pure footballing ability, there are few better and it would really piss off the dippers if we got him so it would be a win / win situation!

 

If Costa does leave, now or in the summer I am confident that we have young players within the club that can do the job especially when they are surround by the world class players we have.  Our false nine works well as an option and I have no fears of everything coming crashing down around us.  I believe in the Manager and the desire of the players to win the league given last years abysmal performance. 

"Reports saying Diego Costa and Antonio Conte had talks today and everything has been forgotten. He will return to normal training tomorrow"

3 minutes ago, JM7 said:

"Reports saying Diego Costa and Antonio Conte had talks today and everything has been forgotten. He will return to normal training tomorrow"

So have the club told China to f**k off then?  

Sanchez would be a replacement for Willian for me, I think he should play outside the striker, same as Hazard.

If Costa goes, we should get a big strong centre forward, like Lukaku.

6 minutes ago, Zeta said:

Sanchez would be a replacement for Willian for me, I think he should play outside the striker, same as Hazard.

If Costa goes, we should get a big strong centre forward, like Lukaku.

I agree that a big centre forward is the way to go, always seems to work for us.

 

I'd love to see how Dybala would do though alternatively and how much we'd have to stump up to get him. 

1 hour ago, Nibs said:

As others have said. ideal scenario is Costa knuckles down, carries on what he's been doing and helps us to a PL and FA Cup double come May (and pockets the golden boot). Then he can leave in the summer with our blessing and we use the inflated fee we get to try and replace him. Easier said than done but we're a big London club with a great coach, brilliant facilities, offering CL football, big salary, huge f**k-off house in Cobham / Weybridge / Oxshott (not too many places in UK better to live). My Short-list:

 

Griezmann

Sanchez

Suarez

Lukaku

and probably in that order. 

 

Still undecided about Lukaku - change my view on a weekly basis. On his day he is a beast and as good as anyone but blows hot & cold (and dare I say at times looks lazy) and I've heard folk who reckon Bats will eventually be the better player.

 

 

 

 

Suarez is the best by a distance for me. I wouldn't have Lukaku anywhere near the top of such a list though. Just doesn't seem to be a team player.

If the China deal had gone through I would have taken 100 mill and gone and thrown it at spuds for Kane 

1 minute ago, barak81 said:

If the China deal had gone through I would have taken 100 mill and gone and thrown it at spuds for Kane 

Kane just won't happen, not only would Spurs be reluctant to sell but he's Spurs through and through.

For me I'd go all in for Sanchez, then if Hazard leaves bring in Mandzukic or Dzeko to play at #9

51 minutes ago, Van Butsen said:

nGolo Kante was a a vital member of league 2 side Caen in their rise to the top division of that league.  2 year later he was the PL best player.

The same logic can be applied in reverse Bobby.

Regardless of whether I rate him or not, what I can't say definitively is that he is not up to playing in the PL, as he was simply never given a chance with us and was coming off an ACL reco when at United, so I grant him some slack.

There's a basic flaw in your reasoning.

Just because one player who shone in the French league is good enough doesn't mean that everyone who shines there is likely to make it in the PL. In fact, all evidence points to a very low probability that a star in the French league will make it in the other top leagues. Just like the Dutch league. Very few Dennis Bergkamps and van Nistelrooys and several Mateja Kezmans and Jaansens (or whoever that Spurs striker is). Given that we know he completely flopped here already, it wouldn't be reasonable to expect him to come back here and do well (ACL or no ACL).

2 minutes ago, ashwin said:

There's a basic flaw in your reasoning.

Just because one player who shone in the French league is good enough doesn't mean that everyone who shines there is likely to make it in the PL. In fact, all evidence points to a very low probability that a star in the French league will make it in the other top leagues. Just like the Dutch league. Very few Dennis Bergkamps and van Nistelrooys and several Mateja Kezmans and Jaansens (or whoever that Spurs striker is). Given that we know he completely flopped here already, it wouldn't be reasonable to expect him to come back here and do well (ACL or no ACL).

One player that was just alright in the French second division actually.  But your point is my point.

How did he flop?  Very few players can come on in the last 5 minutes every week and score.

Edited January 17, 20179 yr by Van Butsen

If Diego were to leave my shortlist would be something along these lines (these are players i think are attainable)

Aubameyang #1; I reckon he'd tear up this league like Thierry Henry or Aguero, he has everything. 

Paolo Dybala #2; Juventus sell players for the right price, he's an incredible player who's only going to get better. 

Mauro Icardi #3; A lot of people might question this one, and i know he comes with baggage, but he's been a scoring machine for Inter, and he's only 23. He's also strong as a bull and great in the air

Belotti #4; Young, italian, great finisher, I think he'd be perfect for us, given our track record with italians at chelsea


 

1 hour ago, Van Butsen said:

nGolo Kante was a a vital member of league 2 side Caen in their rise to the top division of that league.  2 year later he was the PL best player.

The same logic can be applied in reverse Bobby.

Regardless of whether I rate him or not, what I can't say definitively is that he is not up to playing in the PL, as he was simply never given a chance with us and was coming off an ACL reco when at United, so I grant him some slack.

He played enough games and showed practically nothing in his time here in England. Fact is he isn't the same Falcao that went to Monaco in the first place.

Both those players could already speak fluent English before signing for us.

No they didn't.

11 minutes ago, Bobbywoodhogan said:

He played enough games and showed practically nothing in his time here in England. Fact is he isn't the same Falcao that went to Monaco in the first place.

Think everyone can agree on the last bit.

He's a shadow of that player he was, a few goals this season doesn't change that. He was the best striker in Europe at Atletico before he moved to Monaco...now he wouldn't be in the top 10

Sign me up for Aubameyang guys a magician...unfortunately I bet he winds up at Bayern eventually

I love Costa and fully appreciate that without his drive and tenacity we wouldn't be where we are now. He is 'in the zone' now but last season he was utter w**k.  What's to prevent that unfit  Costa from cropping up again or those dodgy hamstrings from resurrecting once he is on massive wages? 

If he wants to leave, let him and let's look elsewhere.  Suarez and Sanchez are players we should be pursuing.  Add Veratti and CL should be a canter.

^^^Suarez might be twice the loose cannon that Costa is

2 minutes ago, Sing the Blues said:

I love Costa and fully appreciate that without his drive and tenacity we wouldn't be where we are now. He is 'in the zone' now but last season he was utter w**k.  What's to prevent that unfit  Costa from cropping up again or those dodgy hamstrings from resurrecting once he is on massive wages? 

If he wants to leave, let him and let's look elsewhere.  Suarez and Sanchez are players we should be pursuing.  Add Veratti and CL should be a canter.

None of those players would be easy to get, I'd imagine we would stuggle to get even one of them.

It would also cost around £60 odd million for each

How is it that some of you see Suarez as attainable?

Think big people.  

Wouldn't take Suarez in a million years. 

Can we please have some sort of dignity as a club at the expense of cantering to the finish line in the CL?  Surel