Is Rudiger a definite improvement on Cahill? 

In terms of pure class perhaps, but there's going to be some knock-on psychological effect from not having your captain / experienced champion in the starting 11. 

My guess is Rudiger pushes Azpi into RWB and Moses onto the bench. In that situation, it would still be unwise to let both Zouma and Christensen go.

Improvement in terms of style and being more suited to Cahill's position, yes. Not sure on class just yet. Azpi is quite perfect for his current position so I'm hoping rumours of us going in for Danilo start going into overdrive.

3 minutes ago, venom2011 said:

 

Improvement in terms of style and being more suited to Cahill's position, yes. Not sure on class just yet. Azpi is quite perfect for his current position so I'm hoping rumours of us going in for Danilo start going into overdrive.

 

He plays on the left of a back three for Germany so GC berth is the obvious choice for him...

Edited July 9, 20179 yr by doctorblue

He plays on the left of a back three for Germany so GC berth is the obvious choice for him...

And more on the right for Roma. So not that obvious but yes he can play anywhere across the back really. His versatility must be a major factor.

19 minutes ago, terryble things said:

Is Rudiger a definite improvement on Cahill? 

In terms of pure class perhaps, but there's going to be some knock-on psychological effect from not having your captain / experienced champion in the starting 11. 

My guess is Rudiger pushes Azpi into RWB and Moses onto the bench. In that situation, it would still be unwise to let both Zouma and Christensen go.

It would be unwise to let ANY of Zouma/Andreas go IF we dont buy an RWB and are just looking to push Azpi there.

RWB: Azpi/Moses

LWB: Alonso/Baba

CB: Rudiger, Luiz, Cahill, Andreas, Zouma, ?

The defence definitely looks good. Its the attack that needs a lot of work

Sorry can't see Dave as a RWB...not enough pace or guile...fantastic defender but there is issues over his lack of height...think Rudiger will go to the left of a back three as GC is clearly not comfortable there which means GC either displaces Dave or sits on the bench...

Edited July 9, 20179 yr by doctorblue

Kaveh Solhekol @SkyKaveh

Roma defender Antonio Rudiger has arrived in London for his Chelsea medical. Personal terms agreed on £34m deal.

 

57 minutes ago, didierforever said:

It would be unwise to let ANY of Zouma/Andreas go IF we dont buy an RWB and are just looking to push Azpi there.

RWB: Azpi/Moses

LWB: Alonso/Baba

CB: Rudiger, Luiz, Cahill, Andreas, Zouma, ?

The defence definitely looks good. Its the attack that needs a lot of work

We aren't playing Dave at RWB. That's why we've been linked to Danilo.

55 minutes ago, doctorblue said:

Sorry can't see Dave as a RWB...not enough pace or guile...fantastic defender but there are issues over his lack of height...think Rudiger will go to the left of a back three as GC is clearly not comfortable there which means GC either displaces Dave or sits on the bench...

 

1 hour ago, terryble things said:

Is Rudiger a definite improvement on Cahill? 

In terms of pure class perhaps, but there's going to be some knock-on psychological effect from not having your captain / experienced champion in the starting 11. 

My guess is Rudiger pushes Azpi into RWB and Moses onto the bench. In that situation, it would still be unwise to let both Zouma and Christensen go.

Cahill was never really captain though. He was a makeshift in place of JT who was sitting on the bench. Not sure he was ever officially assistant captain either. He just wore the arm band.

Makes you miss the old days when we knew who'd be captain when the higher ranked player wasn't there. We had a stable spine. IIRC, the "line of succession" was:

Terry

Lampard

Drogba

Cech

Cole

Good times.

So... Off to Man Utd then? 

By all the rumours we should sign him today. Let's see how many days it will take to us.

Righto, bloke's been in "London for a medical" for about a year now

It's always the next week or within the week. At one point it's gonna be deadline  day then Jan then next summer. 

2 minutes ago, Raven8er said:

Righto, bloke's been in "London for a medical" for about a year now

I hear he has ebola. Those medicals usually take months. Recon we sign him by deadline day. Bakayoko's is a bit different though. strongly suspect that might be AIDS. 

Clear upgrade on Cahil for me. Big physical and great on the ball. Can be a bit nonchalant at times, but definitely has the ability to be top class. Can play on both the right and the left, but with Andreas and Dave in the squad I think LCB is the place for him. Very excited by this

6 minutes ago, Xfaxtor said:

Clear upgrade on Cahil for me. Big physical and great on the ball. Can be a bit nonchalant at times, but definitely has the ability to be top class. Can play on both the right and the left, but with Andreas and Dave in the squad I think LCB is the place for him. Very excited by this

Dunno about clear, I think cahil has been brilliant defender for us, how many goal line clearances did he get last season. His defending does leave something to be desired sometimes but his awareness and positioning is normally decent.

Daily Mail saying he's in London to have a medical (again).

 

Maybe he will sign soon... Who knows. Reporting on our targets this year seems pure guess work.

Edited July 9, 20179 yr by AlwaysRight

Handy that we've got the #2 free for him, seamless transition.

Wonder if his medical will actually be finished in time for the arsenal game 

Doctor: You're all set.
Rudiger: Who's that under the table?
Doctor: It's Bakayoko, ignore him, he won't come out. 

3 hours ago, Barrettinator said:

I hear he has ebola. Those medicals usually take months. Recon we sign him by deadline day. Bakayoko's is a bit different though. strongly suspect that might be AIDS. 

Wow I can't help but feel that comes off quite racist actually 

3 minutes ago, I Am Gay 4 Diegod said:

Wow I can't help but feel that comes off quite racist actually 

How on earth is that racist? I'd be making the same jokes if it was taking us 10 years to sign Belotti or Morata. Calm down ffs. No need to spin a harmless joke into something racist. Are you trying to imply ebola and AIDS are black diseases? Now that would actually be racist.

Edited July 9, 20179 yr by Barrettinator

Just now, Barrettinator said:

How on earth is that racist? I'd be making the same jokes if it was taking us 10 years to sign Belotti or Morata. Calm down ffs. No need to spin a harmless joke into something racist.

Ebola and aids ? It's quite easy to detect a little racism there considering you chosen two diseases that are associated with black people 

3 minutes ago, Barrettinator said:

How on earth is that racist? I'd be making the same jokes if it was taking us 10 years to sign Belotti or Morata. Calm down ffs. No need to spin a harmless joke into something racist. Are you trying to imply ebola and AIDS are black diseases? Now that would actually be racist.

It's mainly not funny in my eyes, but to each his own I suppose.