18 minutes ago, Ernie_blue said:

Depends on the formation, Pogba could never play in a midfield 2 and people love to laugh at Utd's expense with the money they spent on him. I think those Liverpool midfielders are good but not great, I would say DD is on the same level. I would even say Spurs midfield is around the same level if only a little better, none of those players have the passing ability of DD. The problem is on what evidence do we have to compare him with? Been injured a lot and when he is around he barely makes the bench, his confidence must be sh*t compared to players who consistently play and have the managers backing, this season has been a disaster all round. If Conte could manage a squad I reckon we would see a much better DD.

I agree it depends on formation, but I don't see drinkwater getting into any of those midfields. If he goes in the summer, I doubt any of those teams will be trying to sign him. 

Would he even play ahead of ndidi and silva in the leicester team now? 

Drinkwater is an honest pro, works hard, decent passer, and strong in the tackle, but the title winning season at Leicester is an anomaly for me. 

He isn't good enough to be any more of a squad player for a team with aspirations of winning titles, and competing in europe. 

I think it is madness that we actually spent that big of sum on him. 

 

28 minutes ago, big blue said:

I agree it depends on formation, but I don't see drinkwater getting into any of those midfields. If he goes in the summer, I doubt any of those teams will be trying to sign him. 

Would he even play ahead of ndidi and silva in the leicester team now? 

Drinkwater is an honest pro, works hard, decent passer, and strong in the tackle, but the title winning season at Leicester is an anomaly for me. 

He isn't good enough to be any more of a squad player for a team with aspirations of winning titles, and competing in europe. 

I think it is madness that we actually spent that big of sum on him. 

 

I fully agree with you, I think he is a good squad player but not a first team player for a top 4 team who want to win the title and go far in the champions league. Very similar to Giroud, i wouldnt want him as a first choice forward all season. Just in his defence this has been a nightmare season all round, nearly every player out of form, manager has had a nightmare managing a squad IMO. He also hasn't had a good enough chance in my eyes specially with the game time Baka has had but then in an ideal world we would have a top midfielder with Kante and DD filling in when needed. I think maybe where some people have an issue is seeing Baka have so much game time and be sh*t but DD has been lucky to make the bench some weekends. Also the money was too much for a squad player.

Another way I look at it is would I want Chelsea to sign Henderson, Milner, Dier, Dembele, Wanyama, Ox, Can etc to be in our starting 11, no chance. They have reached their max level and I don't believe they would take Chelsea any higher. Same for DD in the opposite way.

I personally think Fernandinho is a weak link in City's team, Kante is on a different level in the same position.

4 hours ago, big blue said:

Dr bruyne silva fernandinho

matic pogba Herrera 

can Henderson Milner ox

dembele wanyama Dier

Personally i wouldn't take dd over any of those players. He maybe could've had more game time since the turn of the year, as we've been playing pretty poor. I don't think he has played particularly when given a chance, certainly not well enough to force conte's hand. 

Shouldn't have signed him in the summer, hopefully we recoup most of the fee when he moves on. 

I have to massively disagree about some of the names in there. While there can be no doubt about the city 3, herrera hardly gives anything that DD cant.

Can and Ox and Dier are just bang average footballers. Its just about how they are being used.

Can't understand the remarks about RLC replacing DD in the squad as they are different type of players yet could well play together in a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 after Conte.

What some self claimed great fans cant understand is that, Yes, no one would have been clamouring about the signing of DD. We Should have been aiming higher. 

Unfortunately we did buy him and he should simply have been a squad player. But given how Bakayoko has been and how poor cesc is in a 2man mid, it makes DD our best option. So yes, the manager should have played him more, irrespective of what his "level" was/is/will be. I have been hearing about what GC's level was since 2012, means absolutely jack squat.

So here is the main point, DD currently is the best option to be played alongside Kante, but simpletons and the sheep will find whatever idiotic, simpletonish solutions to somehow redeem conte off the f**k ups he has done. They will also try to spin sh*t with "would we have been excited with these transfers in the summer". Newsflash - does not f**king matter. We already have bought the said player. Most of us were "excited" with Palmeiri. But look how thats panned out. Most of us were excited about alonso, look how that panned out. Point is to give the players a fair chance and shot. If Alonso was not suspended, we would still have been berating the board for not getting a good replacement while some assholes and twats would be trying to demean the fans who would be clamouring to give palmeiri a shot. 

3 hours ago, didierforever said:

What some self claimed great fans cant understand is that, Yes, no one would have been clamouring about the signing of DD. We Should have been aiming higher. 

Unfortunately we did buy him and he should simply have been a squad player. But given how Bakayoko has been and how poor cesc is in a 2man mid, it makes DD our best option. So yes, the manager should have played him more, irrespective of what his "level" was/is/will be. I have been hearing about what GC's level was since 2012, means absolutely jack squat.

So here is the main point, DD currently is the best option to be played alongside Kante, but simpletons and the sheep will find whatever idiotic, simpletonish solutions to somehow redeem conte off the f**k ups he has done. They will also try to spin sh*t with "would we have been excited with these transfers in the summer". Newsflash - does not f**king matter. We already have bought the said player. Most of us were "excited" with Palmeiri. But look how thats panned out. Most of us were excited about alonso, look how that panned out. Point is to give the players a fair chance and shot. If Alonso was not suspended, we would still have been berating the board for not getting a good replacement while some assholes and twats would be trying to demean the fans who would be clamouring to give palmeiri a shot. 

Drinkwater hasn't been injured enough to only make 5 league starts. 

8 hours ago, didierforever said:

What some self claimed great fans cant understand is that, Yes, no one would have been clamouring about the signing of DD. We Should have been aiming higher. 

Unfortunately we did buy him and he should simply have been a squad player. But given how Bakayoko has been and how poor cesc is in a 2man mid, it makes DD our best option. So yes, the manager should have played him more, irrespective of what his "level" was/is/will be. I have been hearing about what GC's level was since 2012, means absolutely jack squat.

So here is the main point, DD currently is the best option to be played alongside Kante, but simpletons and the sheep will find whatever idiotic, simpletonish solutions to somehow redeem conte off the f**k ups he has done. They will also try to spin sh*t with "would we have been excited with these transfers in the summer". Newsflash - does not f**king matter. We already have bought the said player. Most of us were "excited" with Palmeiri. But look how thats panned out. Most of us were excited about alonso, look how that panned out. Point is to give the players a fair chance and shot. If Alonso was not suspended, we would still have been berating the board for not getting a good replacement while some assholes and twats would be trying to demean the fans who would be clamouring to give palmeiri a shot. 

I don't know if the tone in your post is directed at me at all, I hope not, as I've been more than respectful to yourself. 

Drinkwater being our best option next to kante is just your opinion. Before the turn of the year we were playing well, 2nd in the league so I don't think you can question the team selection too much. 

In the new year drinkwater has had 3 big opportunities at home to arsenal in the league cup, away at United, and away at city. He didn't play well in any of those games. Had he had put in the sort of performances fabregas put in last season to earn conte's trust, then no doubt he would've played more. 

Even when he has had chances in the cups, he hasn't been a stand out. He was as bad as bakayoko in both games against Norwich. He has made at least a couple of big errors that given the opposition a 1 on 1 with courtois. 

Willian was having a terrible season, but he turned it around by putting in world class performances. 

He has also had quite a few little injuries over the course of season, so I'm the whole, I can more than understand conte's reluctance to rely on him more. 

I've no doubt drinkwater is better than what we have seen this season, and conte should've given more chances ahead of bakayoko, but it isn't even close to being a reason we will probably finish 5th this year, and there are bigger problems than drinkwater's game time to get worked up about. 

1 hour ago, big blue said:

I don't know if the tone in your post is directed at me at all, I hope not, as I've been more than respectful to yourself. 

Drinkwater being our best option next to kante is just your opinion. Before the turn of the year we were playing well, 2nd in the league so I don't think you can question the team selection too much. 

In the new year drinkwater has had 3 big opportunities at home to arsenal in the league cup, away at United, and away at city. He didn't play well in any of those games. Had he had put in the sort of performances fabregas put in last season to earn conte's trust, then no doubt he would've played more. 

Even when he has had chances in the cups, he hasn't been a stand out. He was as bad as bakayoko in both games against Norwich. He has made at least a couple of big errors that given the opposition a 1 on 1 with courtois. 

 Willian was having a terrible season, but he turned it around by putting in world class performances. 

He has also had quite a few little injuries over the course of season, so I'm the whole, I can more than understand conte's reluctance to rely on him more. 

 I've no doubt drinkwater is better than what we have seen this season, and conte should've given more chances ahead of bakayoko, but it isn't even close to being a reason we will probably finish 5th this year, and there are bigger problems than drinkwater's game time to get worked up about. 

Bakayoko is the worst player ive seen in a chelsea shirt for the last 10 years. 

DD was a 6/10 or a 7/10 in every game ive seen him play. 

Contes problem has been relying on players who arent in form and not giving other players a chance. If he had rotated the team more, maybe we wouldnt be 5th. 

43 minutes ago, benjsross said:

Bakayoko is the worst player ive seen in a chelsea shirt for the last 10 years. 

DD was a 6/10 or a 7/10 in every game ive seen him play. 

Contes problem has been relying on players who arent in form and not giving other players a chance. If he had rotated the team more, maybe we wouldnt be 5th. 

Think you are being generous with those marks for DD. I've seen him have at least a couple of 3/10's.

I agree that Bakayoko, at times (majority of games) has been as bad as any player I can recall in a Chelsea shirt. BUT, he is playing first season in PL and is only 23. DD is 28, unlikely to get any better and will always be an average squad player at best. Bakayoko was purchased in a hope of what he might be, with an eye on the long-term. Unfortunately, so far, things haven't gone to plan (to put it mildly!)

Wouldn't mind to see us trade both in during the summer.

I feel for £40m we really could have signed someone so much better.

Im pretty sure even Naingollan would go for 40m?

48 minutes ago, dansubrosa said:

I feel for £40m we really could have signed someone so much better.

Im pretty sure even Naingollan would go for 40m?

Did you by any chance watch last night’s game?

3 hours ago, benjsross said:

Bakayoko is the worst player ive seen in a chelsea shirt for the last 10 years. 

DD was a 6/10 or a 7/10 in every game ive seen him play. 

Contes problem has been relying on players who arent in form and not giving other players a chance. If he had rotated the team more, maybe we wouldnt be 5th. 

That award will always go to Cuadrado imo.

1 hour ago, ducavis said:

Did you by any chance watch last night’s game?

Only last 20 minutes, and he scored a screamer...

2 hours ago, RIP Mourinho said:

That award will always go to Cuadrado imo.

Nah for me it was Bouulahrouz. Romberg him?

That said compared to some of the players who played for us prior to RA era he was a diamond!

Edited May 3, 20188 yr by terraloon

3 hours ago, dansubrosa said:

Only last 20 minutes, and he scored a screamer...

He was awful bar the goals. Even with 2 goals, would give his overall performance a 6/10. 

Just like Vidal he has issues with booze & cigs so I would stay far off.

Safe to say Danny won’t be anywhere near the England squad going to Russia, hopefully the same will be said for Chelsea’s next season.

good for Leicester but that appears to be his level 

17 hours ago, big blue said:

I don't know if the tone in your post is directed at me at all, I hope not, as I've been more than respectful to yourself. 

Drinkwater being our best option next to kante is just your opinion. Before the turn of the year we were playing well, 2nd in the league so I don't think you can question the team selection too much. 

In the new year drinkwater has had 3 big opportunities at home to arsenal in the league cup, away at United, and away at city. He didn't play well in any of those games. Had he had put in the sort of performances fabregas put in last season to earn conte's trust, then no doubt he would've played more. 

Even when he has had chances in the cups, he hasn't been a stand out. He was as bad as bakayoko in both games against Norwich. He has made at least a couple of big errors that given the opposition a 1 on 1 with courtois. 

Willian was having a terrible season, but he turned it around by putting in world class performances. 

He has also had quite a few little injuries over the course of season, so I'm the whole, I can more than understand conte's reluctance to rely on him more. 

I've no doubt drinkwater is better than what we have seen this season, and conte should've given more chances ahead of bakayoko, but it isn't even close to being a reason we will probably finish 5th this year, and there are bigger problems than drinkwater's game time to get worked up about. 

I can surely and honestly say, the post was not directed to you at all. 

City away the team as a whole was pathetic. The tactics were pathetic. United away was probably our best midfield performance sans ATM. Arsenal away, the match should have been done and dusted but morata missed some sitters. DD may not have been a standout player but in 2 of those 3 games, we looked really good, better than what we had looked in a long time (midfield wise). 

For me, our lack of control in the mid (getting over run by the likes of bournemouth and watford) has been the key reason for our struggles. Take Bournemouth for example, they were targetting our left side (cahill and alonso). I think wilson came out and said the same. But Bakayoko simply could not cover the left side. People can ridicule matic all they want, but the guy did have a footballing brain. I feel the same way DD. Yes, he was not a "standout" player, because well, I dont think he ever his. He is a decent 6-7/10 CM who could have given us stability. In my opinion, thats exactly what our midfield needed.

On 03/05/2018 at 15:12, dansubrosa said:

I feel for £40m we really could have signed someone so much better.

Im pretty sure even Naingollan would go for 40m?

Nainggolan aint ever leaving Roma, some way Totti and De Rossi never left Roma.

On 03/05/2018 at 15:12, dansubrosa said:

I feel for £40m we really could have signed someone so much better.

Im pretty sure even Naingollan would go for 40m?

We wouldn't even need to spend money to replace Drinkwater, just call back MVG from his loan at PSV

Actually, we should never have even bought DD in the first place when we had players like MVG already with us

This was our major problem last Summer. We loaned or sold our talented young players and then spent big money on replacing them with average players. We spent around 100 million on the likes of Zappacosta, Bakayoko and DD when we could have kept the likes of Chalobah, MVG, RLC and Ola Aina and used that 100 million to buy 1-2 top class players

 

Also I know some people say our young players had to go out on loan as they needed first team football but if we actually showed some faith in them they would have got plenty of minutes. Zappacosta played over 30 games this season, Bakayoko has played 40 and Drinkwater has played over 20 games in a injury hit season. Those minutes could have gone to the likes of Ola Aina, Chalobah, RLC and MVG. 

I'll say it for the 1000th time. Chalobah wanted to go. He asked for a transfer because Southgate told him if he did he'd get in the England squad.

Keeping chalobah wasn't an option.

I still don't think Drinkwater has had a proper shot, and it doesn't look like he will. He came back from injury and was never really in the side for any sustained period. 

Given a run of games, he would have done a lot better, imho. 

Still, he wants to leave by the looks of it, and the club will likely and rightly look for a better player for next season.

New reports in The Telegraph saying that we're looking to sell Drinkwater for around £30m as part of the plan to sign Aleksandr Golovin. 

Says that we won't however consider any bids for RLC or Barkley. 

So there you have it, Drinkwater ended up being an expensive version of Steve Sidwell in the end. 

12 minutes ago, ForeverCarefree said:

New reports in The Telegraph saying that we're looking to sell Drinkwater for around £30m as part of the plan to sign Aleksandr Golovin. 

Says that we won't however consider any bids for RLC or Barkley. 

So there you have it, Drinkwater ended up being an expensive version of Steve Sidwell in the end. 

Nobody seen that coming.....

21 minutes ago, ForeverCarefree said:

New reports in The Telegraph saying that we're looking to sell Drinkwater for around £30m as part of the plan to sign Aleksandr Golovin. 

Says that we won't however consider any bids for RLC or Barkley. 

So there you have it, Drinkwater ended up being an expensive version of Steve Sidwell in the end. 

I'd be surprised if we get anywhere near £30m for him. Our best bet imho is probably to use him in a cash+player deal.

I wouldn't actually mind if he's with us next season, if Sarri plays with a deep playmaker he could add some depth to that position.

Edited June 29, 20188 yr by the special one

6 minutes ago, the special one said:

I'd be surprised if we get anywhere near £30m for him. Our best bet imho is probably to use him in a cash+player deal.

I wouldn't actually mind if he's with us next season, if Sarri plays with a deep playmaker he could add some depth to that position.

I don't think 20-30 million is beyond clubs especially here in the PL for a proven midfielder who has won some trophies.