This could well end up being a good move for us. Schalke are a good side who will be playing in the Champions League, and it seemed pretty clear that Rahman needed some more experience and development before he could ever be a consistent starter for us.

 

On the other hand, with the departures of Rahman and Aké, we no longer have a natural left-back in our senior side. Short of continuing with Ivanovic at full-back (which I don't particularly fancy seeing), or unless Conte thinks Aina is ready to be thrown in at the deep end, this really should mean that we are going to sign a full-back.

Minor correction: Europa League.

 

This could well end up being a good move for us. Schalke are a good side who will be playing in the Champions League, and it seemed pretty clear that Rahman needed some more experience and development before he could ever be a consistent starter for us.

Azpi has played far better at LB than he ever has at RB, not sure why everyone wants him moved. 

 

 

 

Baba wasn't promising, he had one good season in Germany but was nowhere near ready for a top English team. As for Van Aanholt being top 5 in the league, please just stop. 

 

He has three good seasons in Germany, albeit one in the second division.

I am not opposed to having Ola Aina at RB as long as we can purchase a good CB to provide stability and help him out. He simply does not have the sufficient experience to have to be asked to do his job and help our awful CB's. When Zouma comes back is different but in the meantime we need to stop dicking around with Lukaku and get a young competent CB now since we will need 2 good ones anyway when JT and Cahill are done which will be sooner than later.

Rahman getting shipped out on loan is really good news.........as he was basically useless as far as playing for Chelsea is concerned.

Bottom line.......the cut and thrust of the English Premiership is not suited to his style. End of.

I wish him well in Germany..........hopefully his loan deal is simalar to Mo Salah I.e he will be sold next year !

Looked woefully out of his depth better off cutting losses early, aweful defensively but could of been converted into a left midfielder maybe

Started for Schalke as winger today, can't find any information about his performance.

Both Baba and Ake should have been kept for longer to avoid this late scramble for defenders.

Really strange to let them go so early with no one bought in.

Both Baba and Ake should have been kept for longer to avoid this late scramble for defenders.

Really strange to let them go so early with no one bought in.

I agree, I felt we must have had something agreed in principle for other defenders.  Now we have a home game against Bristol Rovers where our back four will be largely unchanged.. it's staggering.   Unless Tomori or Clarke Salter are getting a game?  But then you risk losing with an untried defense that consists of Aina and one of those two and I think we are a good shout in the cups this year

Edited August 22, 20169 yr by Van Butsen

playing like the second coming of roberto carlos right now vs bayern

Edited September 9, 20169 yr by havelschayes

good first half for Baba. One very impressive forward run, bypassing 3-4 bayern players. 

pretty even match with an off day for Ribery. 

Alaba looking strong, half the time playing as a winger but also defensivly good. Imagine having him here under Conte which would suit him, i guess.

Really good game.

With his attacking instincts I thought he would be perfect as wingback if Conte did go do 3 CBs. 

Didn't waste time in showing him the door. Must have been something in his attitude Conte didn't like?

He was a little too weak and not good enough defensiveky yet, but he is still young and was adapting to the prem last season. 

I'm still hoping he has a future here. It was good to see a mobile fullback with a attacking intent for a change, even though he didn't exactly have a great first season.

I knew there was some reason we spent 20 million on this guy. Really wonder if Alonso is any better.

I think Baba's confidence was struck entirely at Chelsea. He may have not been exceptional defensively and his decision making was sometimes off, but he was pretty solid defensively in the Bundesliga. Sure, he needs to learn a lot, but he obviously has some credntials.

That said he does seem a bit 'scrawny' for the Premier League.

Also: Alonso isn't the worst option, but its not really an upgrade. Still given how poor Baba's form was recently I think he needed the loan.

Edited September 10, 20169 yr by Jon Stakes

He's too much of a work in progress for us.

With JT no spring chicken anymore, Ivanovic past his best and last year not having an in form holding player Baba needed to be putting in solid performances straight away. But he's not at that level and has too much to learn.

Maybe a case of right player, wrong time but it was still a poor decision to buy him last year.

Hopefully he has a good year or two on loan and can maybe return the more rounded player we need. 

Nice goal Baba for Schalke. He's finding his form in Germany.

 

45 minutes ago, Jon Stakes said:

Nice goal Baba for Schalke. He's finding his form in Germany.

 

Where were you when we needed you, to comment Papy's performance at the weekend???

12 minutes ago, Zeta Orionis said:

Where were you when we needed you, to comment Papy's performance at the weekend???

a) It wasn't on the weekend. It was on Monday.

b) The Papy thread is closed, so where?

c) Not to blame for the first goal (Lukaku was being marked by Kone), but did not have his best day. Pretty much manhandled by Lukaku. Overall still mostly had a good season with Sunderland. Overall Sunderland fans are happy.

d) Gueye is easily better than Kante. At least this season. Everton will be a threat for a CL slot.

Edited September 15, 20169 yr by Jon Stakes

6 minutes ago, Jon Stakes said:

Gueye is easily better than Kante. 

 No he's not.

5 minutes ago, Jon Stakes said:

d) Gueye is easily better than Kante. At least this season. Everton will be a threat for a CL slot.

I think this is exaggerating somewhat, but I agree that Gueye is looking like a superb signing for Everton and I think they look really strong under Koeman.

31 minutes ago, Jon Stakes said:

 Gueye is easily better than Kante. At least this season. Everton will be a threat for a CL slot.

Based on what ? have you seen Kante for the last year ? he's been brilliant.  He's already made a massive difference to us.

Happy to see he's getting games and confidence back. The problem is we already knew he could play in Germany, that's why we signed him It's a pointless loan move to send him back to Germany, better of with an EPL team. Of course, this may be a ploy to sell him, we could always spend 60M to buy him back when he's 26.

WTF is Gueye, has he won a title with an ordinary team to be compared to Kante?

 

1 hour ago, Jon Stakes said:

a) It wasn't on the weekend. It was on Monday.

b) The Papy thread is closed, so where?

c) Not to blame for the first goal (Lukaku was being marked by Kone), but did not have his best day. Pretty much manhandled by Lukaku. Overall still mostly had a good season with Sunderland. Overall Sunderland fans are happy.

d) Gueye is easily better than Kante. At least this season. Everton will be a threat for a CL slot.

Is this our new resident African football expert? 

If he has a good season with them, he's not coming back. They'll probably buy him for around 14/15m or ask for another loan. He won't want to come back, either, especially if they make it to the CL.