Apparently FSW now wants courtois for 72 million, sounds like utter bollox but if that were true I'd say sell him and keep petr

Total bulls**t! We would never sell anyway

We absolutely need at least one first team starter in either wide right or central midfield. Some one that will either through power, or pace or skill lead to us scoring more goals. Otherwise we won't be competitive in the cl and that will surely be Romans priority over the next couple of years.

Of the names I've heard mentioned only Grizemann, bale, sterling and pogba fit the the bill, maybe that French guy lacazetta but I've never seen him.

Jose has said its not Grizemann and bale/pogba are long shots so that only leaves stirling.

Hopefully there are a few more choices than that. Whoever gets the nod has to be a better fit than Ramires/Willian/Oscar so it's a tall order.

I'll stick with the 3 I guessed but change Schneiderlin to Moussa Sissoko

Edited June 10, 201511 yr by RickUK

Of the names I've heard mentioned only Grizemann, bale, sterling and pogba fit the the bill, maybe that French guy lacazetta but I've never seen him.

Jose has said its not Grizemann and bale/pogba are long shots so that only leaves stirling.

Hopefully there are a few more choices than that. Whoever gets the nod has to be a better fit than Ramires/Willian/Oscar so it's a tall order.

Have you ever thought that Jose is keeping his cards close to his chest?  Especially if it is a big signing like Griezemann, Pogba or Bale.  

I wouldn't be too upset with Sterling.  The pace on our wings (him and Hazard) would be immense.  

Judging by a tweet I just read....

 

https://twitter.com/luisferpo/status/608740370629976065

 

Think we can put a tick by Falcao's name, so we are down to the identity of 2 

Judging by a tweet I just read....

 

https://twitter.com/luisferpo/status/608740370629976065

 

Think we can put a tick by Falcao's name, so we are down to the identity of 2 

 

Another 3 question is, who are our 3 forward options going to be? Costa, Falcao and who?

 

Most likely the other 2 signings were called on the previous page.

Probably: Miranda, Douglas Costa, Falcao.

 

 

Another 3 question is, who are our 3 forward options going to be? Costa, Falcao and who?

 

Most likely the other 2 signings were called on the previous page.

 

 

Depend whether the Remy and West Ham rumour has any truth to it. Was reported by RMC in France, no idea how reliable they are

If Miranda, Douglas Costa and Falcao were the only players we signed i would be very underwhelmed. Miranda and Douglas Costa are mid table players at best and Falcao looks gone.

 

I'm taking what Mourinho said about 3 players coming in with a pinch of salt. I wouldn't be surprised if we signed more. Especially if Remy, Luis and Cech leave.

If Miranda, Douglas Costa and Falcao were the only players we signed i would be very underwhelmed. Miranda and Douglas Costa are mid table players at best and Falcao looks gone.

 

I'm taking what Mourinho said about 3 players coming in with a pinch of salt. I wouldn't be surprised if we signed more. Especially if Remy, Luis and Cech leave.

I think he meant 3 signings with everyone staying, obviously if some leave there will be replacements, always have operated in that way. Still hope Remy stays

Keep an eye out who "Ol Arry" twees we are being linked to, got that Swansea player spot on!

Letting Remy go would be a mistake. His record speaks for itself.

This Costa, Falcao, Bamford could very well turn into Costa, Torres, Bamford.

Not good.

Why do people think we'll only sign 3 players just because José said so? I believe we'll sign more than 3, but I think we'll only spend low amounts on a couple signings as squad players and then big amount on a couple key players.

This Costa, Falcao, Bamford could very well turn into Costa, Torres, Bamford.

Not good.

And if bamford has a season similar to kane in the league, then what? If, that's a big if, bamford is 3rd choice next season and succeeds where falcao fails, then we'll be happy. However, the issue would be having a back up striker (not just bamford) who can lead the line in CL. I wouldn't want to rely on bamfords inexperience in the CL to lead us, but I'd be happy if falcao managed to find form in the CL.

Varane, Modric, Dzeko

Toby and Nainggolan are not good enough even as squad players.

Benteke blows hot and cold and I doubt he would entertain the idea of being a bench warmer.

Mourinho stated that he wants players who can challenge for first team spots. All of the above can't do that.

 

I disagree. Mourinho said he wants a striker, a midfielder and a defender. Now, let's look at it:

 

Benteke => We have one of the best strikers in the world already. If you want to buy a striker that can challenge for a first team spot, you would have to buy a 2nd world class striker. I don't think any striker that can actually compete with Costa is gonna be coming to Chelsea to (potentially) be sitting on the bench for most of the season. If you look at last season, we had Remy replacing Costa and he did a great job if you ask me. Remy is a great player but he's not good enough to be the main man at a big club. Benteke for me falls in the same category.

 

Nainggolan => I think you underestimate Nainggolan. If you look at his characteristics, he's 100% a Mourinho player. He's strong, he's a fighter, he keeps on going at it and he has the right kind of attitude. I think he could be a great partner for Matic in our midfield, especially if Mourinho manages him. And even if you don't think he can make the first team, he's definitely good enough to be a squad player. Mikel is a squad player and Nainggolan is definitely a better player than Mikel.

 

Alderweireld => He's not gonna be competing for a first team spot, that's for sure, but i think he's good enough to be a squad player if he can keep his level from Southampton.

That'd be half of the Belgian XI then. I think I might switch national allegiance from England to Belgium.

I disagree. Mourinho said he wants a striker, a midfielder and a defender. Now, let's look at it:

 

Benteke => We have one of the best strikers in the world already. If you want to buy a striker that can challenge for a first team spot, you would have to buy a 2nd world class striker. I don't think any striker that can actually compete with Costa is gonna be coming to Chelsea to (potentially) be sitting on the bench for most of the season. If you look at last season, we had Remy replacing Costa and he did a great job if you ask me. Remy is a great player but he's not good enough to be the main man at a big club. Benteke for me falls in the same category.

 

Nainggolan => I think you underestimate Nainggolan. If you look at his characteristics, he's 100% a Mourinho player. He's strong, he's a fighter, he keeps on going at it and he has the right kind of attitude. I think he could be a great partner for Matic in our midfield, especially if Mourinho manages him. And even if you don't think he can make the first team, he's definitely good enough to be a squad player. Mikel is a squad player and Nainggolan is definitely a better player than Mikel.

 

Alderweireld => He's not gonna be competing for a first team spot, that's for sure, but i think he's good enough to be a squad player if he can keep his level from Southampton.

Falcao on loan is an option to pressure Diego Costa to perform in his as the first striker.  If not Falcao, I would rather keep Remy and promote Bamford as the 3rd striker.

 

A better alternative to Nainggolan is Morgan Schneiderlin who more imposing physically and can play with some technique too as well as being EPL proven.  Also, he's keen on a move out of Southampton.  Him coming would not be as a mere squad player (we have enough of those i.e. Mikel, Ramires and Loftus-Cheek) but would present himself as a legitimate challenger for a first team spot.  

 

Why sign Alderweireld as a mere squad player whom I think would find it difficult to fill in the boots of John Terry or Gary Cahill if they are injured or suspended?  I hope Mourinho lands his favourite Rapahel Varane who can play alongisde Terry and be his successor when he hangs up his boots. 

 

In short, the club should go for first team challengers as Mourinho stated rather than players being contended to sit on the bench and just collect their paychecks.

Edited June 12, 201511 yr by lchk

If I'm not mistaken, Alderweireld can play right across the back, which is an excellent option to have on the bench, though he would be the designated back-up to Azpi (an exact like for like as he's also right footed and would stay back more than get forward.)

I think we are in for more than 3 players, if Remy is allowed to join the pikeys, we'll be two strikers short, of where we finished the season, unless Bamford is promoted!

Varane, Pogba & Falcao will do nicely.

I reckon it will be Falcao Cresswell (If Luis goes) & not sure on the midfielder Gundagon? He seems to be going fairly cheap. Possibly Green aswell if Cech goes.

Green has ruled it out has he not?

By the stories going about it's attacking midfield we seem to be looking at so not sure if Gundagon is a target.

I would be very happy if we could buy Imbula. He has some impressive stats: 90% pass completion and  the most successful take ons (110) of any central midfielder in the top 5 leagues in europe. I think thats the perfect combination for a good central midfielder, someone that can both control a midfield with passing and create unbalance for the oposition by getting past his marker.