So, last summer, we brought in Courtois, Luis, Fabregas, Zouma and 3 new strikers (blimey).

 

That's 7 players in total.

 

Out went Luiz, Eto'o, Hilario, Cole, Lampard, Torres and Ba.

 

7 in 7 out, as they say in Papua New Guinea.

 

So what's it to be this summer?

 

Who's coming in who's going out?

 

Give me names.

 

Make your predictions.

 

Don't beat around the bush.

 

Don't hedge your bets.

 

Make an ass of yourself.

 

Let's see who's closest to Jose's way of thinking come the end of the window.

 

Pogba, Bale or Rickie Lambert.

 

It's your call.

Steven Gerrard in, just for you.

Edited May 5, 201511 yr by Peckham Blue

Steven Gerrard in, just for you.

 

Goes nicely alongside Rickie Lambert in there. 

 

Sterling could be available too.

Not sure what Jose will do but for me:

 

Promote and use RLC - i'd like to see him get roughly about the same amount of game time Zouma got this season 

 

Offer drogba an assistance role. Promote Solnaki to 3rd choice (he will continue to play for the youth team as well) 

 

Bale or Striling in. (preferably the former) if we do get one of those two I think it's safe to say we will be off loading a player for about 25 - 35 million and we only have a handful that meet that criteria 

Hate to say it, but if Drogba does call it quits, I fear we might be seeing the only premiership player who, if he could get away with it, would be coming onto the pitch wearing a floral shirt, a pair of sunglasses and flip-flops.

BALE, a good CM, a backup GK, a 2nd striker and I think we're done.

 

Out: One of Ramires/Mikel, Cech, Salah, Filipe Luis(Not sure), or maybe Oscar to fund Bale.

 

I think CM should be our main priority signing this summer, as if unfortunately any of Cesc/Matic goes for long, we'd be f**ked in both PL & CL because Mikel and Ramires are not even half the replacement of them. So Supposedly if we are to challenge for title and CL we definitely need a top quality CM. I think for covers sake even Song would be good imo.

Edited May 5, 201511 yr by CFCBlue12

When I saw a thread by Davey about shaking it all about, I thought he was going to discuss that embarrassing little problem of his that his wife told me all about, concerning incomplete bladder control when excited. Apparently Stevie G kissing the camera caused a stain that even a specialist Senor Stain Diablo, bought up the market, couldn't remove.

 

However, when I read it I saw it was one of his standard convoluted, overly-spaced, semi-literate posts, designed to provoke serious discussion, but which, like most of the others, only provokes merriment tinged with a tad of sneering.

 

Good on you, anyway, little David.  I don't believe most of the things they all say about you when you're not here, I think you are doing the very best that you can in circumstances that you find extremely trying, and, for that, I applaud you.

 

So, on to the question.

 

Those expecting Bale in the summer probably also believe in unicorns and fairies.  It ain't gonna happen!  (This is said with the proviso that, some years ago, I posted in this very forum that the Bin-dippers would be very lucky to get their money back for Torres, even IF they could find a club dim enough to take him, and look how THAT turned out)

 

Also, bringing through the young 'uns is the way to go.  All those who are desperate to get rid of Mikel ( and you know who you are) have no real grasp of the logistics of all this.  Buying in a back-up for Fabregas/Matic/Oscar in the centre is not feasible.  Anyone available who is better than Mikel 

 

a) would cost a great deal more than you would get for MIkel, 

b) would not want to sit on the bench hoping for the odd Cock cup match or for Matic to trip over his flip-flops again, and

c) would probably not be trusted by Jose to do that very special job that he does, which, for most of you appears to be run about a lot and give you someone to blame, but which for me is to provide a steady defensive platform when we need to just control the game and stop dicks like Carzola or Coutinho from giving decent passes to arses like Kane.

 

Barak, you know I agree with you on most things, but suggesting, even in jest, that Stirling, this year's SWP, could come in and make a difference is just wrong.  You know it, I know it and even Stirling's mum knows it.

 

Any road up, little David, give your self a (small) pat on the back, for the spelling, if nothing else.

Edited May 5, 201511 yr by yorkleyblue

In terms of massive signings, I don't think we'll get Pogba (competition, pricetag), and while getting Bale would be a coup, the amount of money we would need would surely necessitate the sale of Oscar or Willian, neither of whom I do not want to see leave under any circumstances.

 

But there is one player I would love to see at Chelsea and I can almost envision it happening: Varane. Brilliant defender, good in the air, good decision-making and reading of the game, comfortable on the ball, domestic and European title-winning experience, already has a good relationship with José, and only just turned 22. We would be set for the next ten years at centre back; a Varane-Zouma partnership is the stuff of Football Manager wet dreams. I pray that we sign him.

Offer drogba an assistance role. Promote Solnaki to 3rd choice (he will continue to play for the youth team as well)

 

Got a feeling Drogba will be here next season, as our 3rd choice striker. Firstly, he brings massive personality, secondly, Bamford (4 years older than Solanke) will probably get a loan for one season at a Premiership club and we don't want to bring somebody in that will block his path to the first team.

 

I suspect if any of our strikers leave it will be Remy but I don't know what we would do about a replacement. Tricky one, Costa is obviously first choice and then we have youngsters coming through. It may be that Remy goes and Bamford takes his place, we'll see.

 

Solanke may be 4th choice next season but that's as much as he can hope for I suspect, unless he gets a loan. Remember he will only be 18 and is way behind Bamford in terms of his development. A 4th striker option would be handy too, as we've been a bit stretched in that position this term.

But there is one player I would love to see at Chelsea and I can almost envision it happening: Varane. Brilliant defender, good in the air, good decision-making and reading of the game, comfortable on the ball, domestic and European title-winning experience, already has a good relationship with José, and only just turned 22. We would be set for the next ten years at centre back; a Varane-Zouma partnership is the stuff of Football Manager wet dreams. I pray that we sign him.

 

Varane has signed a new deal at Real and Pepe is now 32 so I can't see him wanting to leave or Real allowing it.

Out: Ramires, Mikel, Luis, Drogba, Salah, Kakuta, Marin, Moses, McEachran, Oscar

In: Koke, Bamford, Romeu, Baker, Kalas, Griezmann.

 

This includes current players we have out on loan too. To me this will be a near perfect summer window for us. Koke can replace oscar with Bamford being out new 3rd striker. Also think if the rumours about Griezmann are true then he will make a magnificent RW. With Baker and Kalas being squad players given a similar role to what Zouma has had this season.

 

Koke deal looks a real possibility too: http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/574855/Chelsea-Felipe-Luis-Atletico-Madrid-Swap-Deal-Koke

Outgoing;

Oscar 

Mikel

Romeu

Kakuta

Drogs

a bunch of youths/squad players

 

Incoming;

Bale

Pogba

back up keeper.

Varane

 

Yeah, ok I'm maybe dreaming a bit with the incoming's but we should think positively! 

Out: Kalas, Piazon, Romeu, Remy, Mikel, Feruz, Davila, Kane, Kakuta, McEachran, Marin, Drogba, Omeruo

In: Bamford, Howedes, Khedira, Ibrahimovic (but realistically, Adebayor), Green, Nathan (already signed??)

Edited May 5, 201511 yr by the special one

I'm expecting a goalkeeper, midfielder, attacking midfielder and striker to sign.

Not sure we'll see a massive Bale/Pogba signing but quality depth players such as Marseilles' Imbula.

I don't think Jose trusts Cuadrado, it's Salah all over again and so we'll probably see the dreaded Douglas Costa singing happen.

I'm expecting a goalkeeper, midfielder, attacking midfielder and striker to sign.

 

When you say striker, do you imagine one of ours leaving, and if so which one?

 

What about left-back? Luis going back to Atletico is not unrealistic, and may give us some leverage with one of their players. I haven't seen much of them but obviously they have good defenders, plus Koke and Griezmann.

 

The Cresswell rumours may have some credibility. He's 25, the sort of age Jose likes to sign players, he's homegrown and he would probably jump at the chance.

 

I don't see us signing a centre-back, as others have mentioned. Ivanovic can always play there, we have Zouma, and of course there's Christensen coming through, 19 years old with a big reputation and supposedly already on big money. We have enough in that department so we're only buying if we sell, and Cahill's the only one who could conceivably be sold, but it's unlikely.

 

Strong rumours linking us with Stones but he's only 20 and will cost big money, particularly as he's homegrown. Jose would have to seriously rate him to take a punt on him. My hunch says it ain't going to happen, not this summer anyway.

 

Like others I hope Loftus-Cheek gets a chance next season, and Jose has said he will. The little I've seen of him suggests he could make it at Chelsea. By far the pick of the youngsters when I've seen them, and critically, we don't really have anyone of his ilk in the squad.

 

He has physique, he's technical, skilful, can pass, and he's dynamic. He looks like a real thoroughbred. Here's hoping.

dreaded Douglas Costa singing happen.

Karaoke is the stuff of nightmares.

If Douglas Costa is on Joses list id be stunned.

The guys a terrible footballer

I'm thinking this...

Out:
Cech  
Luis
Ramires
Oscar
Drogba
Salah
Moses
Marin
Atsu
Romeu
Kakuta

In:
Koke (Luis + Cash) OR Pogba (Oscar + Ramires + Cash)
Bale
Van Ginkel
Bamford
Kalas
Ake
Goalkeeper

 

 

4-2-3-1

GK: Courtois
RB: Ivanovic
CB: Cahill
CB: Terry / Zouma
LB: Azpilicueta
DM: Matic
DM: Koke / Pogba
RAM: Bale
CAM: Fabregas
LAM: Hazard
ST: Costa

Edited May 6, 201511 yr by TrueBlueSeaFC87

In: Goalkeeper, second choice striker, Pogba or Vidal, Chalobah and Bamford back into the squad.

 

Out: Cech, Luis, probably Ramires, probably Remy, Marin, Kakuta, Atsu, Romeu, Salah, Piazon, Van Ginkel.

When you say striker, do you imagine one of ours leaving, and if so which one?

 

 

Said it for a while now, I see Remy leaving. 

 

When Costa was out in the middle of the season Jose was alternating between Remy and Drogba which to me suggests he doesn't have complete faith in Remy. Add to that his injury record this season and twice when we've needed him for cover for Costa he's been crocked despite little playing time. 

 

I don't think we can rule out us signing someone like Antoine Griezmann who can play on the wing or up front... Basically our new Kalou, someone who will get plenty of playing time in different roles and and adding depth to the squad. 

 

I think we could be seeing Drogba leave as well or moving into a coaching role (despite saying he'll play for another year) and maybe, just maybe Bamford or Solanke will become 3rd choice. 

Koke deal looks a real possibility too: http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/574855/Chelsea-Felipe-Luis-Atletico-Madrid-Swap-Deal-Koke

 

1. It's the Express.

2. It's saying it'll be a swap deal (do they ever happen?).

No Douglas Costa please..... we already have too many wingers who can't score. We need someone who can actually shoot and score, i.e Griezzmann type.

It really is tough to see who we will bring in. 

 

Im pretty confident we will see Cech leave for sure and a back up keeper in the mold of someone like Green brought in. It would make sense him being homegrown. I can see the likes of Remy and Luis leaving wanting more first team football, they will have many suitors.

 

Drogba is a tough one, I don't think he's performed that well this season. He has come up with some important goals but is that enough when you are going for all major trophies and Costa having a dodgy hamstring. I think we need someone stronger so I wouldnt be surprised if we spend 25m + on a striker. 

 

Cech, Luis, Remy, Drogba are for me are most likely to leave. You could say Mikel but I do think he's happy playing a bit part role.

 

If the possibility of Bale appears I do think it could spell the end of Oscar to fund that transfer. I don't want that to happen cause Oscar needs a rest and missing the Copa America could do him the world of good coming into the new season. Oscar has his moments but I do think we could do better in that position, I am very open to Willian playing more of a role at number 10 and investing heavily in someone like Bale. Overall though I feel Mourinho has not been that happy with Oscar this season.

 

So all in all outs I think will be - Cech, Remy, Drogba, Luis, Oscar (Maybe)

 

Ins - Green, Cresswell (agree with Davey, would be a good signing) Bale, Bamford (3rd choice), RLC competition for Ramires/Mikel with Fabregas moving into number 10 role and I know this will be controversial but I think taking a risk on Falcao as our number 2 striker may not be a bad option. I dont think he will demand that much of a drastic fee after his season at Utd and I really don't think his wages would be that out of control compared to what we would be losing.

 

So Green, Cresswell, Bamford, RLC, Falcao and Bale.

 

I maybe on the borderline unrealistic side with Falcao and Bale, but if we want to be a force in europe. A front 4 of Hazard, Willian/Fabregas, Bale and Costa would be quite something. I am very much open to changing Falcao with someone but struggling to think of available strikers who maybe happy to compete with Costa. 

Edited May 6, 201511 yr by Sheva

I know this will be controversial but I think taking a risk on Falcao as our number 2 striker may not be a bad option. I dont think he will demand that much of a drastic fee after his season at Utd and I really don't think his wages would be that out of control compared to what we would be losing.

 

Unsurprising really considering who you are named after!

Unsurprising really considering who you are named after!

 

Haha point taken!

 

However I wouldn't be surprised seeing him leave Utd/Monaco at the end of the season and joining a club like Real. If Remy/Drogba leave I think we need an experienced back up to Costa, I am struggling to think of someone who could be available.

Edited May 6, 201511 yr by Sheva