You seem to have misplaced a zero there mate.

Oscar left wing of a front 4, and we are bringing Lukaku back?

 

They both seem pretty certain that Cuadrado is back

i dunno about 25 exactly. i would like to see baker, ake, timori included in the first team squad next season though. i would sell cuadrado, remy, oscar (possibly) and mikel. keep traore as back up forward (he has a ton of potential and should be kept). i would sell on more of our youth who we have loaned out to raise funds too. 

Anyone who thinks Hazard can operate as a wing-back in a 352 is deluded. This is why its all but certain Cuadrado will be heavily featured next season. 

 

In all honesty, I can see Conte having problems finding where Hazard fits in his system.

He might use 4-4-2.

Anyone who thinks Hazard can operate as a wing-back in a 352 is deluded. This is why its all but certain Cuadrado will be heavily featured next season. 

 

In all honesty, I can see Conte having problems finding where Hazard fits in his system.

Can't see us playing 3-5-2 next season.

From what i read about Conte : 

 

His preferred system seems to be a 4-2-4 (basically a 4-4-2 but with the wingers playing really high when in possession). He played this at all his other clubs (think there were 3 or 4) before Juventus

He tried to play it at Juventus in the beginning but they lacked quality wingers. He did have Pirlo, Marchisio, Pogba and they had just bought Vidal so he quicky changed the formation to a 3-5-2.

After a couple of succesful years he wanted Juventus to buy quality wingers so he could change the formation to a 4-3-3. Juventus refused because they didn't want to spend that much money and conte ended up leaving.

 

So imo it'll either be a 4-3-3 or a 4-4-2. 4-3-3 seems like the best and most balanced formation for us. 2 hard working central midfielders flanking Fabregas who would play a similar role like Pirlo.

4-4-2 seems riskier. We've seen in the past that a 2 man midfield with Fabregas can work against midtable and lower teams but struggles against the bigger teams.

 

           Costa

 

Hazard           Willian

 

       Matic     CM

 

          Fabregas

 

  LB   CB  Zouma   Azpi

 

         Courtois

 

 3 first team signings and maybe another striker as we lack depth in that area.

Hopefully he's spoiled for choice when we hold camp this summer. If anything there are going to be a TON of talented kids running around.

The big names are going to be there but I think he's absolutely going to love Kenedy, Ake, MVG, Traore and Christensen. The latter wont be joining the rest this season but I expect the first 4 to be in the squad come August.

Nainggolan, Bonucci and Lukaku would be my most realistic dream scenario. We aren't going to sign Pogba, let's be honest.

Desperately need a left back as well.

Nainggolan, Bonucci and Lukaku would be my most realistic dream scenario. We aren't going to sign Pogba, let's be honest.

Desperately need a left back as well.

Kenedy, Ake and Baba, I dont think LB will be a priority. Those 3 you mentioned would be a dream though

Disagree on that. Baba has terrible defensive awareness. He's maybe a wing back in a 352 but a liability in any other formation.

Personally I think he joins the loan army or is a second choice. We need Dave on the right and he can't be our first choice LB and RB. I'm all for giving Ake a try or signing a Ghoulam or Hector.

Azpi is probably his first choice in any setup or system. If I'm not mistaken he loves players who work hard endlessly.

I think he will have use for Branna although many want to see him gone. He's got steel.

Zouma, Cahill and JT he can all use. Left back postition is the big question I think Kenedy might be better than Baba. Baba's positional awareness is not very good and Kenedy probably more moldable to Conte's style.

Kenedy is similar to Baba for me evissy. We used him when we needed more goals when we went behind. His defensive skills were questionable in my mind.

If we play 5 i think he might be the guy (although we are sniffing around Asamoah.) In a 4 though that becomes an issue. Ake perhaps. I might be wrong and Baba may improve but at the moment he is looking a colossal error of a signing.

In my view we need a fullback (doesn't matter which side as Dave can play either) and a reserve striker (assuming Remy/Falcao/Pato are all leaving) at the very least.

 

After that it depends on how much faith Conte will put in players like Matic, Fabregas, Hazard and Oscar to pull their fingers out and perform. Really all four need to be replaced if they are going to continue playing how they have over the last season and a half, if they get their collective act together then none need to be replaced.

 

Other than that this is still a title winning squad and shouldn't need too much overhaul, in theory.

 

I sure miss Ryan Bertrand though.

Courtois

Begovic

Blackman

Defence:

Cahill

Bonucci

Baba

Ake

Djip

Azpi

Jt

Centre Mid's:

Cesc

Vidal

RLC

Van Ginkel

Attacking mids:

Willian

Pedro

Kenedy

Hazard

Cuadrado

Atsu

Mario

Strikers:

Costa

Lukaku

Traore

Bamford

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

Azpi-cahill-bonucci-baba

------rlc----cesc-----

-Willian--------mario-

Hazard

Costa

Subs/changes

Vidal and Cesc as rotation

Hazard and Pedro

Lukaku and Costa

Or

Hazard for Mario then Mario off to play Costa and Lukaku.

Sorry but who is Mario?

Gotze, maybe?

Disagree on that. Baba has terrible defensive awareness. He's maybe a wing back in a 352 but a liability in any other formation.

Personally I think he joins the loan army or is a second choice. We need Dave on the right and he can't be our first choice LB and RB. I'm all for giving Ake a try or signing a Ghoulam or Hector.

I know it was hyperbole but I dont think he has TERRIBLE awareness. Defensively he is lacking but thats something that can be taught or drilled into him. He's got a great left foot and likes to get forward. If we're using wing backs I think he'd do well, much better than a traditional back 4.

Nainggolan, Bonucci and Lukaku would be my most realistic dream scenario. We aren't going to sign Pogba, let's be honest.

Desperately need a left back as well.

Yeah left back is a problem position for us I feel.

Sorry but who is Mario?

I think he means Joao Mario

Nainggolan, Bonucci and Lukaku would be my most realistic dream scenario. We aren't going to sign Pogba, let's be honest.

Desperately need a left back as well.

 

Naingollan, Bonucci and Higuain would be my dream for this summer.

Yeah left back is a problem position for us I feel.

Nathan Ake deserves his shot and can't have done anymore to stake his claim. Did eveything that was asked of him and played consistently well for a Premier League team and won their young player of the year. It was practically the perfect loan spell. He passed the test with flying colours, and if he doesn't get the opportunity then there isn't really any point in the whole youth setup anymore as there is no hope for these boys.

Doubtful he will get the chance though. It's tragic really.

Edited May 29, 201610 yr by bjd

Nathan Ake deserves his shot and can't have done anymore to stake his claim. Did eveything that was asked of him and played consistently well for a Premier League team and won their young player of the year. It was practically the perfect loan spell. He passed the test with flying colours, and if he doesn't get the opportunity then there isn't really any point in the whole youth setup anymore as there is no hope for these boys.

Doubtful he will get the chance though. It's tragic really.

Conte doesnt strike you as the kind of man who rewards merit?

Hopefully, yes. But will it be up to Conte though ?

So here is the team I will want Conte to have going into the season

 

Keepers: Courtois, Begovic, Blackman

 

Fullbacks / Wingbacks: Azpi, Kane, Ake, Baba, Da Silva

Centrebacks: Bonucci, Zouma, Ivanovic, Terry, Miazga

 

Central midfield: Matic, Naingollan, RLC, Sissoko

Attacking midfield: Fabregas, Baker, Colkett

 

Wingers: Hazard, Kennedy, Pedro, Moses

Forwards: Costa, Higuain, Traore, Abraham

 

Players to be bought: Bonucci (Cuadrado), Naingollan (£30m), Sissoko (£10-15m), Higuain (£40-50m)

Total spend - £80-90m

 

Players to be sold: Cahill (£0-5m), Mikel (£0-5m), Willian (£15-20m), Oscar (£20-25m), Others (Remy, Omerou, Kalas, Aina, Piazon) total (£10-15m)

Total sales - £55-60m

Edited May 31, 201610 yr by Orpington_Blue

Interesting thoughts Orpington. Cahill and Willian out and Moses back. What is your rationale behind the squad?