If i could choose our team next season, this would be it.

 

Gk's

Courtois

Begovic

Any young GK

 

DF

Azpilicueta ( rb )

Ivanovic ( rb / cb )

Rodriguez ( lb )

Rahman ( lb )

Ake ( lb / cb )

Cahill ( cb )

Terry ( c ) ( cb )

Zouma ( cb )

New center back, don't know who though. Someone quick and defensively strong is something we need.

 

MF

Kante ( dm )

Matic ( dm )

Fabregas ( cm )

Loftus-Cheek ( cm )

Kenedy ( lw )

Reus ( lw / rw / acm )

Hazard ( acm / lw )

Willian ( rw / acm )

Pedro ( rw )

 

ST

Costa ( st )

Traore ( st, rw )

Solanke ( st )

 

Plenty of competition for places and if we rotate better, everybody can get game time.

 

Formation would look like this 

 

             Courtois

Azpi   new    Terry  Rodriguez

         Kante   Fabregas

Willian    Hazard     Reus

               Costa

 

Or

 

             Courtois

Azpi   new     Terry   Rodriguez

               Kante

          RLC      Fabregas

Reus                          Hazard

                Costa

 

This is all fantasy talk though 

Edited March 24, 201610 yr by Scott Harris

GK

Courtois, Begovic, Blackman

DEF

Azpilicueta, Hummels, Zouma, Gaya,

Cahill, Christensen, Baba

MID

Matic, Vidal, Fabregas, Koke, MvG

ATT

Pedro, Hazard, Willian, Kenedy, RLC

ST

Costa, Griezman, Traore, Bamford

SELL

Ivanovic, Oscar, Mikel, Remy

Basically 5 players in 4 out. Our defense gets much needed strengthening. I'm assuming Terry will be gone as per what's being reported. Midfield gets additions of Koke and Vidal both of whom are box to box midfielders. Don't know what formation Conte will use but I'm sure it can work. Attack gets Griezman, a very capable backup or partner in case we play two up front. The rest is just loan recalling and filling of spots with people already with us. Most positions have a backup which can step in right away without much loss in talent, which is great for competition.

I figure if we got 25mil for Ramires we can get at least 60mil for the combined Oscar, Ivanovic, Mikel and Remy. That could help ease the costs.

Edited March 24, 201610 yr by KTBFFH89

Your squad is massively unrealistic, it would mean benching some top talent. I know you needs squad but you ain't gonna have a squad like that these days,

Your squad is massively unrealistic, it would mean benching some top talent. I know you needs squad but you ain't gonna have a squad like that these days,

 

Whose are you referring to bobby?

Going through the squad, it's clear we have far too many players

GK

Courtois/NEW, Begovic, Amelia

LB

Dave, Ake

CB

Terry (I hope), Zouma, Christensen, NEW

RB

NEW, Kane

DM/CM

Loftus Cheek, Hector, NEW

AM

Fabregas, Musonda, NEW

LW/RW

Hazard/NEW, Kenedy, Pedro, Willian, Cuadrado

ST

Costa (I hope), Traore, Solanke

In:

5/6 new players

Out:

Blackman, Delac (poor bloke), Ivanovic, Djilobodji, Cahill, Oscar, Mikel (maybe), Matic, Ginkel, Falcao, Pato, Remy, Marin, Moses, Atsu, Salah, Feruz, Bamford

Loan out:

Beeney, Wallace, Aina, Davey, Miazga, Omeruo, Kalas, Chalobah, Houghton, Pasalic, Pantic, Swift, Baker, Nathan, Angban, Boga, Piazon, Brown, Kiwomya, Perica, Rodriguez, Abraham

Edited March 30, 201610 yr by Floyd25

Bit risky to have No sernior strikers apart from Costa 

We're not going to be making that many signings unfortunately, but it would be great if it could happen. 

And i agree with you that we simply have far too many players, need a massive cut down 

Bit risky to have No sernior strikers apart from Costa

Agreed, I'd take out Pedro and add another striker.

Having spoken to some Juve fans, I think he's going to go for a 433/442/424 system despite me being intrigued to see how a 352 would actually work.

 

Based on that I'm going to go for

 

Goalkeepers - Courtois, Begovic, Blackman

 

Full-Backs - Azpilicueta, Ake, Rahman

 

Centre-backs - Cahill, Ivanovic, Christensen, Zouma

 

Midfielders - Matic, Fabregas, Nainggolan, Loftus-Cheek

 

Wingers - Hazard, Willian, Cuadrado, Kenedy, Musonda

 

Strikers - Costa, Icardi, Traore

 

That's a compromise between my dream squad and leaving room for one big signing either in defence or midfield (Vidal for example).

 

I'd be happy for Pedro to leave but I actually think it's more likely he sticks around and Musonda spends another season in Spain. I also think Christensen stays abroad and we spunk money on someone like Bonucci.

 

Ake's versatility gives us an option at left-back, midfield and even centre-half which is why he needs to be in there.

 

Up front I think Cavani is probably too old which is why I've gone for Icardi. 

 

There's probably another full-back to come in although Ivanovic can cover right-back as can Cuadrado, who I think is almost certain to return.

 

The other player I've left out who could stay is Oscar. I think maybe Conte likes his workrate and in a 433 might use him as a conventional midfielder rather than a 10. 

 

This is me being conservative though. Mikel out, Oscar possibly out and in come a defender, a striker and a midfielder. Most important for me is Nainggolan though and a change in the way our midfield operates with him and Matic being box-to-box midfielders doing the legwork for Fabregas. Someone like Van Ginkel could be a wildcard too because he ticks a lot of boxes.

 

What would be very cool would be to see a fluid 433 that has Cuadrado at right-back so it becomes in effect a 352/343 when attacking, a bit like the old Dutch system/Barca system.

 

-------------Courtois

 

----------Cahill----Zouma----Azpi

Cuadrado

------Nainggolan---Fabregas---Matic

 

Willian-----------------------Hazard

--------------Costa

Edited April 1, 201610 yr by ShedEnder91

Decent line up, but I'd drop Cahill, he's past his best for me, Mikel over Matic, unless we sign another dm, also think Solanke should stick around, looks a better prospect than Bamford. In terms of full backs, no room for Kane? He sounds a bit fed up to me from what I gather and could be given a chance, he's been having a good season, He's English too and we have distinct lack of Englishness. I wouldn't mind seeing the likes of Abraham and Dasilva given a chance, but they are most likely Vitesse bound.

Decent line up, but I'd drop Cahill, he's past his best for me, Mikel over Matic, unless we sign another dm, also think Solanke should stick around, looks a better prospect than Bamford. In terms of full backs, no room for Kane? He sounds a bit fed up to me from what I gather and could be given a chance, he's been having a good season, He's English too and we have distinct lack of Englishness. I wouldn't mind seeing the likes of Abraham and Dasilva given a chance, but they are most likely Vitesse bound.

 

Really do need a new centre-half and maybe you could throw in Manolas or someone like that.

 

Mikel won't work in a Conte midfield. He's too static and I actually think Matic might get a small renaissance under Conte because he'll be less restricted.

 

Agree totally on Solanke but he'll fall into our loan trap where he'll either go back to Vitesse or we'll look for something either in the Championship or the lower half of this league. Unless he's recalled next season then his chances of making it here are 90% done sadly.

 

Todd Kane, never gonna be good enough. Ola Aina is already better than him in my opinion but he's off by all accounts. Ivanovic probably starts another season as first-choice right-back unless Conte does something with Cuadrado.

 

Abraham might get a chance because of his physicality. DaSilva probably won't for the same reason and for all his talent he is going to be a tricky player to develop.  

Goalkeepers:

Courtois

Begovic

Blackman

 

Central Defenders:

Virgil Van Dijk (Southampton)

Manolas (Roma)

Zouma

Cahill

 

Full Backs:

Azpilicueta

Aurier (PSG)

Rahman

Ake

 

Central Midfield:

Vidal (Bayern)

Pjanic (Roma)

Fabregas

Matic

RLC

 

Wingers/Wide forwards:

Hazard

Pedro

Willian

Kenedy

 

Strikers:

Costa

Icardi (Inter) or Zaza (Juventus)

Traore

 

Sell: Oscar (25-30mil) , Mikel (10mil), Remy (5mil-10mil), Ramires (already sold 25mil), Ivanovic (5mil), Salah (10mil-15mil), Cuadrado (15mil-20mil)

 

That should be close 100mil and enough to fund 4 or 5 players of the ones I suggested. The remaining sum could be seen as an investment, because I would bet on this team getting a CL spot worth 45mil+.

Edited April 11, 201610 yr by comtrend

Van Dijk is shocking lol

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Full Backs:

Azpilicueta

Aurier (PSG)

 

 

Yes we can never go wrong with some more squad disharmony.

 

Thats what we have been missing this season.

Yes we can never go wrong with some more squad disharmony.

 

Thats what we have been missing this season.

 

I think Aurier has learned his lesson, but PSG will most likely try to get rid of him. Might be possible to get a bargin for a very good and fast right back.

I just know we shouldn't panic buy as it never works out, i'd go for something like this:

 

GK: Begovi?, Courtois (if he stays), Amelia or Blackman

 

LB: Baba , Ake

 

RB: Azpilicueta - New RB

 

CB: Terry, Ivanovi? , Zouma, Christensen     

 

DMF/CMF: Mati?, Mikel , 2 New DMF's

 

AMF: Loftus, Kenedy, Pedro, Willian, Musonda and Hazard (if he stays)

 

CF: Costa, Traore and Solanke.

 

Can't say who will sign since we are linked with every player in the World, i also think this prediction won't happen and that we will have a major overhaul this season. I just hope COnte plays the players that want to play for Chelsea.

Can't see a transfer thread anywhere but I'm really liking this Rodriguez bloke at Left Back for Wolfsburg..

Looks like Bayern+Real might be interested in him but I really like his style and we've never really replaced Ash.  All the transfer talk at the moment seems to be Italian based players because of the obvious Conte arrival, but do we have a chance for Rodriguez?  Have other people noticed him?

This would leave either Baba or Ake as the backup, but I think Watford have been the only team to really use Ake at LB?  Could we not keep his as middfielder/extra defensive cover, have Baba as the backup LB?

Also Conte's well documented 3 at the back may mean he's probably not worth paying for if he has a price tag, as we could get away with having a Kenedy as a wingback of sorts.

Basically just want your thoughts on Rodriguez

Gonna have a revision of my earlier squad. Really want to see us go 442 next season, conte seems to like it, and it has had a big impact throughout the English leagues this season.

GK courtois Begovic youth team keeper

Dr azpiliucueta ivanovic

Dc zouma terry manolas

Dl Rodriguez ake

Mc fabregas naingollan Matic rlc

Mr Willian Pedro

Ml hazard Kennedy

Cf Costa lukaku traore Abraham

Not quite 25 but we aren't going to be playing in Europe by the look of it anyway.

First xi

----------------courtois

Azpiliucueta---zouma---manolas---Rodriguez

Willian-----fabregas---naingollan---hazard

-------------costa------lukaku

Sell Oscar, Mikel, Salah, Cuadrado, moses, remy, baba.

Buy manolas, Rodriguez, naingollan, lukaku.

Keep musonda, christiansen, solanke, and baker out on loan.

Maybe selling baba seems harsh but I think we could do with left back in his prime, maybe he could be used in a deal for Rodriguez, as his stock is probably still quite high in Germany.

Reports today saying we could get lukaku at a reduced cost which is an option I don't think we can pass up.

Probably change my mind again next week!

Edited April 13, 201610 yr by big blue

Not sure, but I have thought as there is a shadow cabinet, so there is a shadow Chelsea side out there, KDB, Felipe Luis etc... The Men Who Got Away (sing it Moi ).

Edited April 13, 201610 yr by Droogba

Ideal Squad for me has to still involve Terry. Conte loves experienced CB's with youngsters flanking so Terry seems logical

 

GK (3)

 

Courtois 

Begovic

Blackman (HG)

 

 

DF (8)

Terry (HG)

Bonucci

Cahill  (HG)

Zouma

Azpi

Ivan

Ake (HG) - don't think he will qualify as U21 for next season as 22 in Feb 2017

Andreas (HG/U21)

 

MD (6)

 

Cesc (HG)

Matic

RLC (HG/U21)

Baker (HG) - Same as Ake

Naingollan

Vidal?

 

ATT MID 

Hazard

Willian

Kenedy

Musonda

Curdrado

 

 

ST

 

Costa

Lukaku

Traore - not sure if HG but is U21

 

 

Now we have to take in the squad system rules: players born under 21 don't count against the squad, home grown over 21 and foreign 

 

So with an edited squad to reflect this with the age of players taken in for next season 

 

 

GK (3)

 

Courtois 

Begovic

Blackman (HG)

 

 

DF (8)

Terry (HG)

Bonucci

Cahill  (HG)

Zouma

Azpi

Ivan

Ake (HG) - don't think he will qualify as U21 for next season as 22 in Feb 2017

Andreas (HG/U21)

 

Aina

Clarke-Salter

Da Silva

 

MD (6)

 

Cesc (HG)

Matic

RLC (HG/U21)

Baker (HG) - Same as Ake

Naingollan

Vidal?

Colkett

 

ATT MID 

Hazard

Willian

Kenedy

Musonda

Curdrado

Palmer

 

 

ST

 

Costa

Lukaku

Traore - not sure if HG but is U21

Brown 

Solanke

 

 

Red are U21 who could rotate into squad 

Whatever happens we need to integrate our youth team as the quality of the youth teams is amazing but our integration policy is a shambles

 

GK (3)

 

Courtois 

Begovic

Blackman (HG)

 

 

DF (8)

Terry (HG)

Bonucci

Cahill  (HG)

Zouma

Azpi

Ivan

Ake (HG) - don't think he will qualify as U21 for next season as 22 in Feb 2017

Andreas (HG/U21)

 

Aina

Clarke-Salter

Da Silva

 

MD (6)

 

Cesc (HG)

Matic

RLC (HG/U21)

Baker (HG) - Same as Ake

Naingollan

Vidal?

Colkett

 

ATT MID 

Hazard

Willian

Kenedy

Musonda

Curdrado

Palmer

 

 

ST

 

Costa

Lukaku

Traore - not sure if HG but is U21

Brown 

Solanke

 

 

Red are U21 who could rotate into squad 

Whatever happens we need to integrate our youth team as the quality of the youth teams is amazing but our integration policy is a shambles

 

Sorry but at one end you talk of integrating our youth players and on the other you want to ruin the whole year for 

 

Brown - 4th choice striker will hardly get any game time behind Costa, Lukaku and Traore

Solanke - 5th choice will surely get 0 game time.

 

Musonda - 5th choice winger when we might not even need 3. Surely 0 game time. He will sulk like De Bruyne and leave.

Palmer - 0 game time as per your plan

 

Christensen - 4th choice CB WHY? He is starting every game in Germany why even think of bringing him back if we can not give him a starting spot.

Terry - 5th Choice CB on 150k+ a week, again why?

Whose are you referring to bobby?

The post that was above mine

I think, we should go with a 4-3-3 formation. It suits our players much more than the current 4-2-31. Also, we need runners in the middle of the park. Cesc-matic simply dont cut it. With Radja we are getting one runner and tackler, now need another. I would love if we get someone like Gundogan. I know he has a history with injuries, but before that, he was brilliant this season. I personally would take him in an heart beat.

Another thing is selling the dead wood and the "squad players". Each of the "squad position" needs to go to the most successful academy for the last 6 years. Its time we took a gamble. 

For the past 6 years, we have been in transition. We have no identity, we have no stability, we have no youth players coming through the ranks, now we have no european football. Despite continously putting in 100million pounds every year ( £475,959,000 in the last 5 years) yet we have been going from bad to worse. in 2007 and 2008 we were one of the best teams in the world and again, despite continously putting in millions of pounds, we are now not only out of the list of elite clubs but also out of the elite competition. I think its safe to say that we need a change. We need a change of approach, of mentality, of attitude.

No more buying marins, moses, cuadrados, salahs, pedros, oscars. I personally have had ENOUGH of this.

 

GK:

Courtois

Begovic (HG)

Blackman (HG)

 

Defence:

Zouma

Bonucci

Andreas (HG)

Baba

Ake (HG)

Azpi

Aina (HG)

Jake Clarke Salter (HG)

 

Centre Mid's:

Gundogan

RLC (HG)

Nainggolan

Matic

Baker (HG)

Pasalic

 

Forwards:

Willian

Kenedy (HG)

Hazard

Musonda (HG)

Costa

Traore (HG)

 

Outs - Pedro (10mil), Oscar (20mil), Cesc (10mil), Moses (5mil), Marin (0), Mikel (0), JT (0), GC (5mil), Remy (5mil), Pato (End of loan), Falcao (End of loan).

Ins - Bonucci (20mil), Radja (30mil - rumored), Gundogan (30-40mil).

 

This would be my ideal team for the next season.

Hazard Costa Willian

Radja Matic Gundogan

Ake Bonucci Zouma/Andreas Azpi

Courtois

We require a striker, 2 central midfielders, centre back and left back bare minimum. Possibly more if the likes of Tibo/Hazard are sold.

I expect Terry, Mikel, Falcao, Remy and Pato to be gone while Baba might be loaned out I reckon.

Promote the likes of Solanke etc. if still here to beef us up a bit.

That no mere tweak, it's a rebuilding job and hopefully it's well under way in the background.

We require a striker, 2 central midfielders, centre back and left back bare minimum. Possibly more if the likes of Tibo/Hazard are sold.

I expect Terry, Mikel, Falcao, Remy and Pato to be gone while Baba might be loaned out I reckon.

Promote the likes of Solanke etc. if still here to beef us up a bit.

That no mere tweak, it's a rebuilding job and hopefully it's well under way in the background.

What about Ake for the left back? He has been brilliant for watford. Deserves his chance.

 

Also, what about the likes of Oscar, Cahill, Pedro. Definitely not good enough and probably should be the first to be sold, specially if the board is going to follow spend what we earn philosophy.