I think it's quite realistic that we could target Pogba & Bale personally, whilst selling off the likes of Cuadrado etc.

Yeah right, we can target Pogba and Bale while selling Cuadrado? This sounds awesome however I don't think it's possible without offloading some of our major players.

Unfortunately I have feeling that without CL all we will be able to target is another Pato.

Well I can see the likes of Oscar & Matic going to possibly, depends on the new manager and how he wants the team set up.

If Conte is our next manager Pogba is realistic.

Edited March 1, 201610 yr by Malcolm9

Im happy to hang onto to everyone. Since Guus has come in everyone seems happy again and committed to the cause. We still need a couple of critical signings, but we are set up for Conte to come in and hit the ground running.

A CM, CB and LB are probably top of the list for me.

Edited March 1, 201610 yr by chef

I think some people are reading too much into a season without CL football next year - If that's how it turns out.

We are starting to prove that the first half of this season was indeed a freakish blip, and are turning things around with better performances. We aren't Spurs or Liverpool, we have the pedigree, arguably England's finest in Europe over the last 10 years - no argument in fact, we are.

Players jump ship from Spurs and Liverpool because they consistently fail to get to the next level, and are more restricted financially.

It's very important we bounce back with a top 4 finish next year, and I am confident we will, but I see very little impact from having a poor season by our standards this year, both in keeping our top players and attracting new ones.

Zidane will be gone before hazard gets to real anyway lol. I would put in a cheeky bid for sanchez.

I think hazard is going to finish the season strong and all those wishing him out the door will change their opinion. Its amazing how quickly peoples opinions change when there is a change in form.

Zidane will be gone before hazard gets to real anyway lol. I would put in a cheeky bid for sanchez.

Keep well away from Sanchez, he's been worse than Hazard this season.

I think hazard is going to finish the season strong and all those wishing him out the door will change their opinion. Its amazing how quickly peoples opinions change when there is a change in form.

 

It's not just a change in form. It's a lack of perceived effort, the interview, the unprofessionalism and the general air of not really caring.

 

Supporters will back players when it's just bad form (usually), but it's the other stuff that turns supporters off.

I have no idea how you can rationalize that. He is one of the most gifted footballers there is. Getting rid of him is about the stupidest thing I can think of. If he wishes to go fine but we need to do everything to keep him IMO.

Nah don't think he is tbh.

He's a few levels below the best in the world, IMO he will never get to that level.

Nah don't think he is tbh.

He's a few levels below the best in the world, IMO he will never get to that level.

And he was head and shoulders above anyone we have last season. In Chelsea and in the league. Even if he is level or two below Ronaldo and Messi I'm just fine with him.

Nah don't think he is tbh.

He's a few levels below the best in the world, IMO he will never get to that level.

You must have thought so last season also.

And he was head and shoulders above anyone we have last season. In Chelsea and in the league. Even if he is level or two below Ronaldo and Messi I'm just fine with him.

Yes…in England. There wasn’t very many players who shone last season in our league if we are being honest here.

The truly great players have consistency and grab the game by the scruff of the neck, Hazard doesn’t or at least doesn't do it at a consistent level and that’s why he will never be as good as the best players in the world. I'd also add the very best also don’t disappear for most of a season and flirt with other clubs despite being one of the poorest players form wise in the league.

Hazard on his day is a fantastic footballer, however for me he will never be one of the best.

I'm fine with him too if he performed like he did last season but all evidence tells me that was more the exception to the rule with Eden.

You must have thought so last season also.

He was our best player (along with JT) and the best in the league but he's not that same player anymore.

8 months in to this season and we have not seen anything to suggest he will get to that level again.

So with your logic 22 of our players who will never reach his lowly level we are fine with but the one shining gem we should sell?

He was our best player (along with JT) and the best in the league but he's not that same player anymore.

8 months in to this season and we have not seen anything to suggest he will get to that level again.

Jt hasn't hit last season's stride also. Eden is gifted and the talent is obviously there. Like most he started the season woefully and sadly unlike the rest he hasnt hit form. Still not writing him off

So with your logic 22 of our players who will never reach his lowly level we are fine with but the one shining gem we should sell?

Erm where did I say that?

If you actually look back and read what I said it was that ANY player who doesn't show 100% commitment then they should be sold.

At no point did I single any individual player out so don't try putting words in my mouth thanks.

Edited March 1, 201610 yr by Chelsbear

He is not trying? He can't force the magic. Cesc has low periods in his game and still he is crucial to us.

Jt hasn't hit last season's stride also. Eden is gifted and the talent is obviously there. Like most he started the season woefully and sadly unlike the rest he hasnt hit form. Still not writing him off

JT hasn’t been at the high level’s he was but is still our best CB and performed better than any so far. It’s a different situation because he’s our captain and still our best defender.

I think it’s important to keep John even if it is on a reduced playing role with a coaching role because he offers so much to Chelsea and our players beyond his football on the pitch.

As a forward, hazard doesn't score enough. If we play with 2 strikers next season where will he play? Conte seems to favour traditional wingers with two strikers, and as a no.10 hazard isn't fantastic.

JT hasn’t been at the high level’s he was but is still our best CB and performed better than any so far. It’s a different situation because he’s our captain and still our best defender.

I think it’s important to keep John even if it is on a reduced playing role with a coaching role because he offers so much to Chelsea and our players beyond his football on the pitch.

I think Zouma's form contradicts your opinion IMO.

Edited March 1, 201610 yr by lesblues

I think Zouma's form contradicts your opinion.

I don't.

Zouma has been suspect in a good few games but that's to be expected as he is young and has bags of potential. John has been consistently our best CB this season IMO.

I don't.

Zouma has been suspect in a good few games but that's to be expected as he is young and has bags of potential. John has been consistently our best CB this season IMO.

JT form was suspect at the beginning of the season was why Jose kept him on the bench and Zouma did well in his stead. Well it's all about opinions. No probs with that.

Jt hasn't hit last season's stride also. Eden is gifted and the talent is obviously there. Like most he started the season woefully and sadly unlike the rest he hasnt hit form. Still not writing him off

 

The talent is undeniable, but it's the mental side that people seem to have concerns about. He's not the most committed footballer in the world and if you want an example of that, he's not one to stay after training and work on his game. He's a very light-hearted guy and football isn't the be all and end all for him.

 

It's why he tends to let himself go in the summer and have slow starts each year. That's not something I'm really expecting to change.

The talent is undeniable, but it's the mental side that people seem to have concerns about. He's not the most committed footballer in the world and if you want an example of that, he's not one to stay after training and work on his game. He's a very light-hearted guy and football isn't the be all and end all for him.

It's why he tends to let himself go in the summer and have slow starts each year. That's not something I'm really expecting to change.

Because he isn't the one to switch off the lights at Cobhams makes him mentally weak?. So many footballers out there who are light hearted and don't exist only in the realms of football, does that mean they lack desire?. Common mate

Because he isn't the one to switch off the lights at Cobhams makes him mentally weak?. So many footballers out there who are light hearted and don't exist only in the realms of football, does that mean they lack desire?. Common mate

 

True, but it's exactly that extra 1% that separates the very good from the great. Hazard is perhaps the most naturally talented player we've had but players like Lamps and Drogba had a determination to make the most of their talents that Eden simply doesn't. That's not his fault necessarily but it will affect how his career will turn out.

 

When we're talking about the mental side of his game, things like that matter.