Squad composition heading into 2015/2016 - good enough?

[PloKoon13]

Zouma is still only 20 so doesn't count as a non homegrown player.

 

Right you are, I thought he was 21 for some reason. I guess we have two open foreign slots then.

[Scott Harris]

Right you are, I thought he was 21 for some reason. I guess we have two open foreign slots then.

 

So that means Pogba and Messi are on the way in the next hour right............right ?

[PloKoon13]

So that means Pogba and Messi are on the way in the next hour right............right ?

 

I hear we're in for Jedinak and Wasilewski

[Scott Harris]

I hear we're in for Jedinak and Wasilewski

[Davey Baby]

Our squad is still relatively small; I know that is generally speaking José's preference but it's not as if we couldn't accommodate a couple more senior players. This begs the question of whether we are numerically few because that's how José wants it, or whether we still have a few holes. Of course last season our squad was also short of the numerical maximum in terms of foreign/domestic senior players, and we seemed to cope reasonably well.

 

In our first-team squad we only have 16 non-homegrown players (maximum 17), and 5 homegrown (maximum 8). In addition we have 3 under-21s (no maximum), although it remains to be seen how much they will be used.

 

So by my calculations:

 

17 Non-Homegrown Players

1) Ivanovic

2) Zouma

3) Rahman

4) Ramires

5) Oscar

6) Falcao

7) Hazard

8) Mikel

9) Courtois

10) Pedro

11) Rémy

12) Costa

13) Matic

14) Willian

15) Azpilicueta

16) Djilobodji

17)

 

8 Homegrown Players

 

18) Begovic

19) Fabregas

20) Cahill

21) Terry

22) Blackman (turns 22 in October)

23)

24)

25)

 

Unlimited Under-21s

 

Traoré

Kenedy

Loftus-Cheek

 

 

I'm not entirely sure what the point I was trying to make is, I just wanted to lend voice to my thoughts and have the list written in front of me.

 

The irony is we have more personnel and a better squad than last season, when we won the title.

 

Cech, Drogba and Luis have all been replaced satisfactorily, and Cuadrado has been replaced by Pedro, which is a definite upgrade.

 

Furthermore, we have brought in Kennedy and Traore, who look exciting prospects and are obviously deemed good enough for the first-team squad, and Poppyjibblywobbly, who gives us one more defender than last term.

 

Obviously JT is one year older, which is a negative, but on the positive side Costa and Oscar were completely rested, which was badly needed, and Zouma and RLC are one year older, meaning they should have more chance to establish themselves.

 

It really hasn't been a bad window on paper. It's only when you compare it to City's and see us on the pitch it starts to look bad.

 

We all would have liked to see more or better players this window but considering this lot won the title last season it really doesn't look that bad on paper.

[venom2011]

Our squad is still relatively small; I know that is generally speaking José's preference but it's not as if we couldn't accommodate a couple more senior players. This begs the question of whether we are numerically few because that's how José wants it, or whether we still have a few holes. Of course last season our squad was also short of the numerical maximum in terms of foreign/domestic senior players, and we seemed to cope reasonably well.

 

 

It's well documented that Jose likes a small squad, but even so we were still 1 defensive player short last season. At least we have the numbers now.

 

The irony is we have more personnel and a better squad than last season, when we won the title.

 

Cech, Drogba and Luis have all been replaced satisfactorily, and Cuadrado has been replaced by Pedro, which is a definite upgrade.

 

Furthermore, we have brought in Kennedy and Traore, who look exciting prospects and are obviously deemed good enough for the first-team squad, and Poppyjibblywobbly, who gives us one more defender than last term.

 

Obviously JT is one year older, which is a negative, but on the positive side Costa and Oscar were completely rested, which was badly needed, and Zouma and RLC are one year older, meaning they should have more chance to establish themselves.

 

It really hasn't been a bad window on paper. It's only when you compare it to City's and see us on the pitch it starts to look bad.

 

We all would have liked to see more or better players this window but considering this lot won the title last season it really doesn't look that bad on paper.

 

Agreed that the window has been quite decent. But I don't think our squad is necessarily stronger. Strikers are improved a bit - I'd have Falcao over Old Didier any day. Attacking Midfield for sure - Pedro, Kenedy, Traore as you've mentioned. Midfield is the same.

Defence is tricky because we lost one of the best left-backs going, replaced him with a somewhat unknown quantity in Baba, and added Papy. Then factor in the inevitable decline of Ivanovic and Terry. And also the growth in Zouma, who's looking more beastly by the game.

 

The squad is therefore well balanced. It would have been nice to improve the quality, but these guys, on paper, are most definitely capable of retaining the title.

Edited September 1, 2015 by venom2011

[Fatty_Speeding]

If the reason that we didn't buy another defensive midfielder to step into Fabregas' position for the biggest games is because we have faith in RLC then fair enough.

 

Otherwise that we didn't go in more heavily for the likes of Witsel is shameful.

[Davey Baby]

If the reason that we didn't buy another defensive midfielder to step into Fabregas' position for the biggest games is because we have faith in RLC then fair enough.

 

If we had bought Pogba RLC would have been loaned out, and then eventually sold, and then gone to City for about £300m.

[carrickblue]

Who gets dropped from our CL squad? We're allowed 17 Non-Home Grown - we've now got 18

 

[Zeta]

Do u really need to ask?

[Davey Baby]

Who gets dropped from our CL squad? We're allowed 17 Non-Home Grown - we've now got 18

 

I'll give you a clue.

 

An anagram of his name is JBpoblijkpobdjilpobjilipobdgij.

[Spiller86]

In the context of City's signings, we will struggle to win the league having given them such a big head start. But we are still well placed to have a good season and give some young players a chance.

[TheChelseaBlues]

"I cannot have a squad of 10 men and 10 kids.

"Next season, Ruben will not be a kid in the development process. He will be a first-team player, absolutely ready to play and compete. And we will do the same with two or three or four players.

"Some of the older ones will go on loan to play every game in the Championship or the Premier League, even abroad. And we will bring some of the younger ones into the process. But to have them all at the same time in the first-team squad is hard."

Thought this belongs here. He said that in April. Things are going according to plan in this aspect.

[big blue]

I think it falls down to baba, zouma, rlc, traore, and kenedy to step up. If 3 out of that 5 establish themselves as at least dependable squad players, then I think we will be fine.

Zouma looks like he could even break into the starting 11, traore has the most work to do, as kenedy looks to have pushed himself ahead early doors.

Really hope rlc doesn't disappoint, I think we will bring in a top centre midfielder next summer, and if rlc hasn't pushed ahead of ramires and mikel in the pecking order, I can see him being loaned out to make way.

Interesting season ahead, i'd happily take a top 3 finish if we can bring a couple of these players through, as this summer has established, there is hardly any top talent available.

[Nibs]

The irony is we have more personnel and a better squad than last season, when we won the title.

 

 

We all would have liked to see more or better players this window but considering this lot won the title last season it really doesn't look that bad on paper.

 

On paper Davey. it does look stronger, but things are never that simple.

 

Can't remember how long ago it was I posted that how I thought we had a really well balanced squad with plenty of options. It was certainly when we still had KDB and Schurrle and also had the option of a few of the youngsters (Ake, Baker + maybe one or two others). I was really excited and thought we looked set for many seasons to come. What a difference a few months makes. Don't want to be a gloom & doom merchant but I just think we look a shadow of the team and squad from 12 months ago.

 

I think if our key players could repeat the form of last season then that's 90% of the job done. But we need JT, Matic, Fabregas, Hazard and Costa to be at that level and right now they are nowhere near and in JT's case, you wonder how many games realistically he will play this season. Add to that Ivan's dramatic loss of form and it is no wonder teams are getting at us as they have done so far this season.

 

None of this would be as much of a problem if our other players could step up, but this is where I think we have too many "squad" players. The likes of Ramires, Willian, Mikel, Falcao and even Oscar - they are all good players, don't get me wrong. But I don't think any of them are GREAT. Not the sort of player you can rely on to come in and do a job for more than one game, or be a match-winner like Hazard and Costa on a regular basis. Sure Pedro is a much needed addition and a good signing but I still think the squad has lost its balance.

 

We made the massive mistake of resting on our laurels when all the truly great sides always look to keep adding quality and improving. We currently look guilty of the same complacence City showed last season. That said, I do like the look of Kenedy and Traore and just maybe if they get more game time, they can provide the freshness and impetus we need.

[Davey Baby]

On paper Davey. it does look stronger, but things are never that simple.

 

Can't remember how long ago it was I posted that how I thought we had a really well balanced squad with plenty of options. It was certainly when we still had KDB and Schurrle and also had the option of a few of the youngsters (Ake, Baker + maybe one or two others). I was really excited and thought we looked set for many seasons to come. What a difference a few months makes. Don't want to be a gloom & doom merchant but I just think we look a shadow of the team and squad from 12 months ago.

 

I think if our key players could repeat the form of last season then that's 90% of the job done. But we need JT, Matic, Fabregas, Hazard and Costa to be at that level and right now they are nowhere near and in JT's case, you wonder how many games realistically he will play this season. Add to that Ivan's dramatic loss of form and it is no wonder teams are getting at us as they have done so far this season.

 

None of this would be as much of a problem if our other players could step up, but this is where I think we have too many "squad" players. The likes of Ramires, Willian, Mikel, Falcao and even Oscar - they are all good players, don't get me wrong. But I don't think any of them are GREAT. Not the sort of player you can rely on to come in and do a job for more than one game, or be a match-winner like Hazard and Costa on a regular basis. Sure Pedro is a much needed addition and a good signing but I still think the squad has lost its balance.

 

We made the massive mistake of resting on our laurels when all the truly great sides always look to keep adding quality and improving. We currently look guilty of the same complacence City showed last season. That said, I do like the look of Kenedy and Traore and just maybe if they get more game time, they can provide the freshness and impetus we need.

 

Good post mate. Ferguson was the master of knowing when a player was done and needed phasing out or resting, and introducing new ones. I guess Jose just doesn't have that experience because he hasn't been at a club longer than 3 years.

 

Ferguson often kept the faith with title-winning sides however. Sometimes he brought in players sometimes he didn't. He was the master at getting the best out of his players and motivating them for the long haul, again something Jose hasn't had to do as yet.

 

Remember when Ferguson left Utd? They were champions. Remember the squad? It really wasn't that good, as we've since found out. Loads of squad players, as you put it.

[Davey Baby]

And so it's confirmed ..

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34134602

[salfordcarl]

Any idea on the full squad list I have been having trouble finding it