I know this season isn't over and we may actually do the impossible again and win the CL but what does everyone envision for next season?

- Will the squad be vastly different?

- A potential first season in sometime without John Terry where does that leave us?

- Europa League hindrance or not?

- Will we be a top four team again?

Depends on many things Bobby.

I’d imagine a new manager coming in would mean new players to fit the system he wants.

I don’t see us spending huge sums which may set us further back than the likes of City and United who are almost guaranteed to spend bucket loads on revamping their sides.

If we get Europa then we need a bigger squad or to use the younger/fringe players to see what they have to offer….although if we struggle to keep up with the top 4 that may be our way back into the CL.

Next season is going to be huge for us, it will determine whether we go up a level to keep in touch with the City’s or risk doing a Liverpool and facing years of no CL.

Depends on many things Bobby.

I’d imagine a new manager coming in would mean new players to fit the system he wants.

I don’t see us spending huge sums which may set us further back than the likes of City and United who are almost guaranteed to spend bucket loads on revamping their sides.

If we get Europa then we need a bigger squad or to use the younger/fringe players to see what they have to offer….although if we struggle to keep up with the top 4 that may be our way back into the CL.

Next season is going to be huge for us, it will determine whether we go up a level to keep in touch with the City’s or risk doing a Liverpool and facing years of no CL.

 

Well, if Antonio Conte joins, I don't see him failing as BR did at Liverpool. He's a kind of José Mourinho, but a bit self-obsessed. Tactically, he'll be the best manager of the league alongside Pep. 

 

It is not guarantee that he'll be Chelsea boss for long time like Ferguson at Man Utd, but in the short term he's definitely the best manager Roman could appoint. I definitely see Chelsea finishing in the top 4 next season with Conte on their bench.

I would like to see us finish in the top 4 next season as a minimum. I just hope that the boardroom don't see finishing 2nd/ 3rd/ 4th without a trophy as a failed season and sack Conte / whoever it is as a result. Finishing in the top four next season should be the aim and maybe winning the league or FA cup would be a nice bonus.

 

I think if we finish top four next season we will be back on track and could challenge for the title the following season, however failure to finish in the top 4 next season will see us become a mid-table side in the long term.

We have to finish top four.  Two seasons of no CL football would be disastrous for the club.  

 

Rumors are new manager will have a sizable war chest in the summer to attract players of his choosing.  If Conte comes in you can pretty much bank on (excuse the pun) a revamped midfield.  Wouldn't be shocked to see us get Stones as well.  

Well, if Antonio Conte joins, I don't see him failing as BR did at Liverpool. He's a kind of José Mourinho, but a bit self-obsessed. Tactically, he'll be the best manager of the league alongside Pep.

It is not guarantee that he'll be Chelsea boss for long time like Ferguson at Man Utd, but in the short term he's definitely the best manager Roman could appoint. I definitely see Chelsea finishing in the top 4 next season with Conte on their bench.

Well it's going to be a tough because Pep will be at City with Jose no doubt being at United. Those two are better managers than Conte IMO and will have unlimited funds to play with unlike ourselves who stick to FFP with a new stadium to come.

That leaves 2 spots to fight for with the likes of Arsenal, Spuds, Liverpool and so on.

We should be in the mix of the top 4 but it's going to be harder than it ever has been before. We are going to have to bring in 3/4 players of top class ability to replace the ones who are not performing or leaving like JT.

With no CL this season we will probably need to pay over the odds for players and will be struggling to get the very top ones over those with CL football.

Edited March 7, 20169 yr by Chelsbear

It all depends on how much money we spend. Everything after that is secondary to be honest. If we cut back on spending because of the stadium then I don't see much changing, but if we all of a sudden decide to invest new money into the squad then we've got a chance of finishing top four.

 

As for JT leaving, it makes us an instantly poorer club in almost every way. He's the last of that golden generation, he's the last of our links to a pre-Roman time, he's the last of the young lads to truly make the grade (Ruben still isn't there) and he's the last of the heroes of the Shed in my opinion. It's the end of an era and you're asking the club to do something they really haven't done in the last decade and that's build or find leaders. Losing Champions League football is nothing compared to losing that.

Edited March 7, 20169 yr by ShedEnder91

We have to finish top four. Two seasons of no CL football would be disastrous for the club.

Rumors are new manager will have a sizable war chest in the summer to attract players of his choosing. If Conte comes in you can pretty much bank on (excuse the pun) a revamped midfield. Wouldn't be shocked to see us get Stones as well.

Ive not heard any of these rumours.

I don't think we'll get Stones, Everton have a billionaire in charge now and if he were to go im sure some of the CL clubs will be willing to spend a huge chunk on him.

Is stones still a must get player, upwards of 30m?

For me, we need to get the signings right and we need to get them done quick. We need changes to this squad next season, we can't go into it thinking some players can't possible be as bad because they can. I don't think we need to sell many players, i think we need to bring more in. We need a bigger and stronger squad.

Ive not heard any of these rumours.

I don't think we'll get Stones, Everton have a billionaire in charge now and if he were to go im sure some of the CL clubs will be willing to spend a huge chunk on him.

Again, rumor, but if you google it you'll find a few sites reporting it.  Upwards of 130m.  

 

Stones is a curious case.  With Zouma coming off injury and Terry possibly leaving, we will need to strengthen our defense.  We went in for Stones once, I don't see why we wouldn't but another bid in, especially if we have the money to do so.  

It all depends on how much money we spend. Everything after that is secondary to be honest. If we cut back on spending because of the stadium then I don't see much changing, but if we all of a sudden decide to invest new money into the squad then we've got a chance of finishing top four.

 

 

 

Spending your money wisely is the more important than the amount. Far too many poor signings have been made recently not just the present one.

People really underestimate us not only in the transfer market, but as a team.

 

We have world class players, we're about to appoint a fantastic coach and we have an owner who is no skin flin. We have already started building funds for next season and it's strange seeing some people on here under-estimate us in the transfer market. We have a larger pulling factor than people actually think (London). Yes, we probably won't be signing the Pogba's of this world but if Hazard were to leave, along Falcao, Remy which saves us on wages big time added on to the Ramires deal, don't be surprised to see us spend reasonably big in the summer.

Edited March 7, 20169 yr by JMaher94

New manager and we need to invest a lot of money to revitalize the squad, we have the money and especially with the TV money next season no way should FFP be an Issue.

...got feeling we'll win the league next yr i really dont think its gonna take us 1 or 2 yrs to be top dogs again...

People really underestimate us not only in the transfer market, but as a team.

 

We have world class players, we're about to appoint a fantastic coach and we have an owner who is no skin flin. We have already started building funds for next season and it's strange seeing some people on here under-estimate us in the transfer market. We have a larger pulling factor than people actually think (London). Yes, we probably won't be signing the Pogba's of this world but if Hazard were to leave, along Falcao, Remy which saves us on wages big time added on to the Ramires deal, don't be surprised to see us spend reasonably big in the summer.

 

The reason people have low expectations is because the club weakened the squad last summer, weakened the squad in January, sacked a great coach and is letting the heart of this club leave in the summer. We have some great players, but we need at least two really top class players in the spine of our team and whilst London is a great selling point, there's three other London clubs who will finish above us and all may get Champions League football for next season.

 

Those teams who are above us deserve to be and it's entirely possible we are in reality a mid-table side, and that's because the board let us become a mid-table side. It matters not if that's by design or through ineptitude because the result is the same.

The squad doesn't have that much wrong with it, well quality wise anyway, we all saw what they did last season and we can all see our current results since Hiddink has come even with the team not fully firing. So personally I don't think it will take much for us to rise up from these ashes and definitely think we will challenge next season.

I also don't think missing out on top 4 next season would mean we become a mid table team like some other have suggested. We have laid some very good foundations and have a lot of good youngsters out there. That is on top of our now strong reputation and financial power. We will be a force again, even with how the league is changing.

I also think Europa League football would be perfect for us as a squad, as it is a great platform for playing youth and rotating your squad. It also allows the squad to be much larger with effectively 2 players needed in each position which will allow us to keep a lot more of our loanees about and still give them game time.

Just over a month ago when JT broke the news about him potentially leaving I would have thought we would have had problems with a lack of leadership and character in the squad and there are still a few grumbling worries however in JT's absence the team has quelled these somewhat by the way they have played, the commanding performances of Cahill and Ivanovic at the back and even from the way in which Fabragas seem to parent Hazard. There is still a few good eggs in the squad even with all those have left and if we could add a driving force to the squad, either from the new manager or by bringing someone like Drogba back into the mix, I can't see this being the massive issue it once looked like it could be, especially when you consider some of the exuberance the extra youth could bring to the squad.

I also don't think our Transfer dealings will have to be too massive and won't be overly vital however I do think a tactical switch is needed and will be very important as the league is becoming very strong and with most teams now being able to compete and for me that means I would like to see us move back to a more commanding 4-3-3 over what is a quite vulnerable 4-2-3-1.
And thus I think our main and only priority this summer should be a top class CM.

This is the team I would have to head into next season, cutting out some of the dead weight and a squad composed of a strong first team and then a lot of home grown youth behind them.

GK's: Courtois, Begovic
RB's: Azpi, Kane (potentially Aina if we feel he is good enough) or a young potentially very good RB preferably British
CB's: Cahill, Zouma, Ivanovic, Maizga
LB's Ake,Baba

RCM's: ?, MvG/Pasalic 
CM: Fabregas, Baker
LCM: Matic, RLC

RW: Willian, Pedro
LW: Hazard/Kenedy

ST: Costa, Traore & Pato (who both can cover the wings) and Solanke

Players out; Falcao, Remy, JT(unfortunately), Mikel (reluctantly) and Oscar.
Wages freed up around £500,000 a week Transfer kitty raised £55m+.

Players in: Any very good Box to Box type CM who is also can score a few goals, a few of those in the Italian league fit the bill.

I think this is a good mix of experience and youth in particular home grown youth, hopefully instilling a passion for the club and provide a lot of drive and energy when they get given their chance especially on the hard Thursday night matches
And Yes I would keep both Matic and Hazard despite both taking a lot longer to get over the early season hangover than most but we know and have seen first hand that they can be real quality players and consistently over a whole season and I still believe (some of the vitriol posted on here would suggest others don't) that even Hazard playing badly is better than most players in the league. 
Matic is more easily replaced however so I would probably accept a big bid if one came in for him, but it would take something Astronomical for me to think it s a good deal to sell Hazard and I am talking £110m+ or like £50m+Bale as on form he is almost irreplaceable.

This is however assumes that no players want to leave. I would probably take the approach united took with De Gea or even for instance offering those players a new contract in which they have a high buy out clause for non-Domestic clubs, meaning their only option out of the club is by playing very well. E.g giving Hazard a £100m buy out clause, win win for us either we get a good price off the bat, or Hazard works hard and plays well to earn his transfer away or Hazard works hard in an attempt to play well stays because he wants to play for the club again/ we regain CL status or he doesn't quite play well enough to get the transfer but then at least we show we aren't going to be pushed about by 'player power'. 

  

Edited March 7, 20169 yr by PedroMendez

For the new manager coming in, no JT is a good thing, he won't have to worry about accommodating him in the team, and if he chooses to play a different system it will be easier without JT.

Before people leap all over this, JT has been outstanding for us & one of my favourite players of all time. I'm talking from a new managers perspective.

As for next season, I worry, it's looking increasingly like Hazard will be gone, and as poor as he has been I don't see a player we have or could attract with his long term capabilities.

Finding a replacement leader is almost impossible.

I have a feeling Courtois could ask to leave as we have no champions league to offer. Which could leave us short of a top class goalie, something we've not had to worry about for years.

We need an improved midfield & a strong back up striker.

Sorry for being pessimistic but I feel that our chances of top 4 are very slim!

Again, rumor, but if you google it you'll find a few sites reporting it. Upwards of 130m.

Stones is a curious case. With Zouma coming off injury and Terry possibly leaving, we will need to strengthen our defense. We went in for Stones once, I don't see why we wouldn't but another bid in, especially if we have the money to do so.

Yeah but I don't see Everton willing to part ways with him especially now they will have the backing of a billionaire

The squad doesn't have that much wrong with it,

 

I appreciate the amount of time you put into your post, but honestly if there's a single person on the board who believes that and thinks we could go with someone like Todd Kane as a right-back or that we don't need to replace John Terry at centreback when one of the four you've suggested hasn't played in an organised game of football in England whilst another can't actually walk, then we're truly going to struggle.

 

That's not to say there aren't people on the board who might agree with you because they happily weakened the squad in the last two transfer windows but I think that they'll be drowned out by others in the club.

 

For us to challenge for the league not only do we need to spend smart, we need to spend big. One centreback of top quality, possibly two. One top class midfielder, maybe two. This squad is deceptively poor and that's not happened overnight. It started last January and it's got progressively worse.

 

Some holes can definitely be plugged with youngsters (not Todd Kane, he's not good enough) but we need a solid spine to build around. We don't have that and building a new one is not going to be easy.

I appreciate the amount of time you put into your post, but honestly if there's a single person on the board who believes that and thinks we could go with someone like Todd Kane as a right-back or that we don't need to replace John Terry at centreback when one of the four you've suggested hasn't played in an organised game of football in England whilst another can't actually walk, then we're truly going to struggle.

 

That's not to say there aren't people on the board who might agree with you because they happily weakened the squad in the last two transfer windows but I think that they'll be drowned out by others in the club.

 

For us to challenge for the league not only do we need to spend smart, we need to spend big. One centreback of top quality, possibly two. One top class midfielder, maybe two. This squad is deceptively poor and that's not happened overnight. It started last January and it's got progressively worse.

 

Some holes can definitely be plugged with youngsters (not Todd Kane, he's not good enough) but we need a solid spine to build around. We don't have that and building a new one is not going to be easy.

So a squad that smashed the league last season doesn't have quality right, it does have plenty of quality the problem with the squad is not talent. The problems with club this season have been mental and tactical  so why nit pick when I have qualified that initial part of the sentence.

Also Todd Kane is a decent RB not brilliant probably not even currently good enough to start for most BPL clubs but he is decent, you will also note that most of the season I have said we need a new RB and getting another in would definitely help the squad but for me this shouldn't be the focus, we already have Azpilicueta who is world class so spending tens of millions on a RB is probably excessive also if you could name any good young RB's that are available I'm open to suggestion as I currently can't think of many but whilst we already have Ivanovic and Zouma who can cover there, in a season when turnover is going to be low without CL football is having Kane there as a potential cup player really the end of the world.

Again another CB would be great, I don't see any out there that could replace Terry as a Leader (All of those that could are currently leading their own teams) So its about getting one of sufficient quality to bring into the side again options for this are limited I would like us to sign a Laporte or a Rugani but they are finished articles yet and certainly don;t replace Terry, I have also seen Hummels and Godin touted about but I can't see either of those moving here, I certainly don't want Stones, he is a massive liability and we have Christensen to come back in a season, so who again would your choice be I'm open to suggestions. Is there many options out there better than Cahill, Ivanovic, and Zouma who are all very good CB yes 3 isn't a vast amount but we would have Cover from BPL proven Ake and an unknown in Miazga he was obviously brought for a reason though we never know he might even be good. So Again yes a CB would be a good signing but again I will reiterate that I don't think this should be our main focus for the transfer window.

Especially when I don't think we are as likely to spend bg as you do and think we are set for another low net spend; without CL football, with the burden of building a new stadium and our already very steep wage bill so unless players go I don't see us bringing more in.

I think with the players I have suggested leaving we could potentially have £60-80m to spend and £300,00 a week in wages to play with and I would like the majority of that spent to be spent on a CM and if we can get Pogba I would spend all of that I think he is what we need, however this could also get Naingollan, Laporte and a decent RB.    

I get you think everything at the club is broken but others don't necessarily share your view and can currently see some of the positives underneath the black cloud.

  

Up till Xmas it was total disaster with former manager losing plot and everything else that went on, but stepping back and looking at premiership as a whole and with us getting back to a bit of normality since turn of year, we probably are still the best team in the league,we've got the longest unbeaten run this season, and although Leicester are top and I hope they win the league, I bet now though, if we played them, we would win more often than not.

So a squad that smashed the league last season 

 

 

See I feel bad disagreeing with your first sentence again, but I don't we did 'smash' the league. We were brilliant for the first 5 months up until January and then we became a much less expansive team (around the time Spurs beat us). From then on we were winning games very scrappily and in Europe we were shown up. The limitations of the squad were there to see and it was clear we needed to improve the squad.

 

Again another CB would be great, I don't see any out there that could replace Terry as a Leader (All of those that could are currently leading their own teams) So its about getting one of sufficient quality to bring into the side again options for this are limited I would like us to sign a Laporte or a Rugani but they are finished articles yet and certainly don;t replace Terry, I have also seen Hummels and Godin touted about but I can't see either of those moving here, I certainly don't want Stones, he is a massive liability and we have Christensen to come back in a season, so who again would your choice be I'm open to suggestions. Is there many options out there better than Cahill, Ivanovic, and Zouma who are all very good CB yes 3 isn't a vast amount but we would have Cover from BPL proven Ake and an unknown in Miazga he was obviously brought for a reason though we never know he might even be good. So Again yes a CB would be a good signing but again I will reiterate that I don't think this should be our main focus for the transfer window.

  

 

There are options as you say like Laporte, like Rudiger (bought to Roma on loan by Sabatini who we've been linked with, as was Marquinhos and Benatia) and probably a few others. The problem is that our last three signings in that position have been Djilobodgi, Hector and Miazga. That isn't good enough for a club of our standards.

 

Christensen could be an option but we might actually have tied ourselves into not being able to recall him which is brilliant work.

 

Right-back I'd love to see Aina given a shot but the lad might actually be looking to leave and I wouldn't be surprised. He'd be making a smart move for the sake of his career leaving Chelsea as would Musonda, Loftus-Cheek and any other talented youngster with aspirations of making a career for themselves. We've got a sh*t reputation and it's only getting worse. Losing Aina would be telling.

 

I get you think everything at the club is broken but others don't necessarily share your view and can currently see some of the positives underneath the black cloud.

  

 

That's absolutely fair. I am very down on the way this club is run for a number of reasons and I think that fundamental errors were made over the last year.

 

The problem is that we're a badly run club because we don't actually develop young talent despite having a brilliant academy, which means we have to acquire talent BUT we don't invest new capital into the squad. That is a huge problem.

 

We were very close to selling Remy last month apparently, for a decent fee that would have given us a positive net spend for the year. That's incredible, that a club who won the league would actually make a profit in the transfer market and is inexorably linked to our issues this season, in my opinion.

Might be wrong (hope I am). Imo we will spend no where near the amounts the media are touting as transfer kitty. Except if a very large portion of the 130/150m is generated from player sales. We are planning to build a new stadium, will forecast reduced gate receipts from the interim temporary ground phase, have already lost substantial commercial revenue from sponsors due to bad performance in the league and we will miss the 40m champs league revenue. Total revenue will go up on the books next year due to Yoko, the people that sponsor our training kit & new TV deal – but relative to our peers we will lose growth. Therefore I doubt a 130m splash this summer. Like I said I might be wrong.

We.....................................................................................................................have already lost substantial commercial revenue from sponsors due to bad performance in the league............................................

 

so which sponsors have we lost this season & for how much?