6 minutes ago, Nibs said:

Cut that short but what I meant to go on to add was similar situations at other clubs. The best example would be Rashford at Man Utd. First broke into Utd team when just 18 and at times has been sensational. If not starting then he is certainly a player you would have on the bench as a game-changer. Plenty of Utd fans now unhappy about his "development" since Mourinho took over as we all know he finds it hard to bring himself to trust young players. Hopefully we now have a coach who will show a bit more faith.

35 league appearances last year, 52 in all comps, 17 league starts. What are they moaning about development wise?

Personally I think they should change the homegrown rule a bit.

Match day squads should be 22 players players, but there must be 4 homegrown players, and 4 u21 players from the academy. 

It would give managers more flexibility to make changes, and hopefully allow more opportunities for young players to gain experience. 

58 minutes ago, Stim said:

35 league appearances last year, 52 in all comps, 17 league starts. What are they moaning about development wise?

That is surprising Stim. I've spoken to a few Utd fans moaning about Rashford + heard the usual calls to TalkSport and they're all pretty scathing but as you say, those stats don't appear to back their argument up.

Marcin Bulka? Who? 

Butland/Cabalero

Azpi/Zappacosta       Christensen/D.Luiz       Rudiger/Ampadu       Emerson/Alonso

Jorginho/Cesc

Kante/Vecino          Barkley/RLC

Pedro/Moses      Morata/Batshuayi      Hazard/CHO

 

Realistically i could see us going into the season with this.

GK) I hate the idea of signing Butland and think it would be a shocking move from the club. I'd rather us sign Pepe Reina as a stop gap and see who is available next summer or perhaps go for Areola from PSG. Rumours floating about that we're looking at Trapp and Oblak today. Oblak is never going to happen for the money involved and if its a PSG keeper we want i'd take Areola over Trapp personally.

Defense) Don't like Zappacosta and would much prefer Moses as backup RB but Zappacosta is being used there in pre season and Inter have just signed a RB. Doubt Zappacosta leaves now unless Napoli want him. Sell Cahill and Zouma. The 4 CB's above are good enough to fight it out for those positions. Ampadu can play for the youth teams when not in the squad to keep his minutes up. Emerson is more comfortable at LB in a back 4 so should start. Keep Alonso this year then look to sell and replace him next summer with a player more suitable to play a high line in a flat back 4.

Midfield) I think this kind of picks itself. Sell Bakayoko and Drinkwater and it looks likely we'll sign Vecino. Jorginho/Cesc to dictate play, Kante/Vecino to be the destroyer and then Barkley/RLC to be the most attacking minded of the three. This gives us a year to see if Barkley/RLC are up to it and then upgrade next year if they fail. 

Attack) Pedro looks like the perfect fit Sarri's style and think he'll really shine this year. Hazard is the obvious choice on the LW and i expect these two to play most games under Sarri. Hudson-Odoi can play whenever Eden needs a rest and Moses seems to be being used at RW by Sarri instead of RB so have him as backup. CF is the area of concern. I imagine we'll start the season with Morata but could see either him or Bats being first choice. In the long term i think we need a new CF but no one currently worth taking a gamble on, unless we can get Martial, wait until next year. Willian seems set on leaving so cash in on him. Giroud will probably be kept on too. 

 

Out: Cahill (£5m), Courtois (£25m), Zouma (loan), Bakayoko (loan), Drinkwater (£20m), Willian (£65m) 

total: £115m

 

Ins: Butland (£30m), Jorginho (£55m), Vecino (£35m)

total: £120m

2 hours ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Butland/Cabalero

Azpi/Zappacosta       Christensen/D.Luiz       Rudiger/Ampadu       Emerson/Alonso

Jorginho/Cesc

Kante/Vecino          Barkley/RLC

Pedro/Moses      Morata/Batshuayi      Hazard/CHO

 

Realistically i could see us going into the season with this.

GK) I hate the idea of signing Butland and think it would be a shocking move from the club. I'd rather us sign Pepe Reina as a stop gap and see who is available next summer or perhaps go for Areola from PSG. Rumours floating about that we're looking at Trapp and Oblak today. Oblak is never going to happen for the money involved and if its a PSG keeper we want i'd take Areola over Trapp personally.

Defense) Don't like Zappacosta and would much prefer Moses as backup RB but Zappacosta is being used there in pre season and Inter have just signed a RB. Doubt Zappacosta leaves now unless Napoli want him. Sell Cahill and Zouma. The 4 CB's above are good enough to fight it out for those positions. Ampadu can play for the youth teams when not in the squad to keep his minutes up. Emerson is more comfortable at LB in a back 4 so should start. Keep Alonso this year then look to sell and replace him next summer with a player more suitable to play a high line in a flat back 4.

Midfield) I think this kind of picks itself. Sell Bakayoko and Drinkwater and it looks likely we'll sign Vecino. Jorginho/Cesc to dictate play, Kante/Vecino to be the destroyer and then Barkley/RLC to be the most attacking minded of the three. This gives us a year to see if Barkley/RLC are up to it and then upgrade next year if they fail. 

Attack) Pedro looks like the perfect fit Sarri's style and think he'll really shine this year. Hazard is the obvious choice on the LW and i expect these two to play most games under Sarri. Hudson-Odoi can play whenever Eden needs a rest and Moses seems to be being used at RW by Sarri instead of RB so have him as backup. CF is the area of concern. I imagine we'll start the season with Morata but could see either him or Bats being first choice. In the long term i think we need a new CF but no one currently worth taking a gamble on, unless we can get Martial, wait until next year. Willian seems set on leaving so cash in on him. Giroud will probably be kept on too. 

 

Out: Cahill (£5m), Courtois (£25m), Zouma (loan), Bakayoko (loan), Drinkwater (£20m), Willian (£65m) 

total: £115m

 

Ins: Butland (£30m), Jorginho (£55m), Vecino (£35m)

total: £120m

I don't think anyone will stump up £65m for willian, I've even read a fe2 articles that said barca' s highest bid was about £35m. 

If we did somehow manage to get a big fee for willian, I think there is a high probability that we would sign another winger before letting him go. So Hazard, Pedro, Moses, CHO, is an extremely unlikely combination for us go into the season with. 

The rest of the squad is spot on though i think, although I wouldn't be surprised to see Courtois see his contract out.

I think Sarri will play 4-3-3. 2 center backs and 2 widebacks. 

If we want to do well in the league, we're going to have to play a completely changed XI in the EL, which means we're going to need a bigger squad than normal. Don't forget there's a lot of games in the EL, as well as the FAC and LC potentially, so our second string could see a lot of minutes.

 

If we want to play a completely different team on Thursday nights, we're going to need an extra player in every department, to cover for injuries and suspensions, and to allow us to make subs in those games. Therefore 3 keepers, 5 FBs, 5 CBs, 7 CMs, 5 wingers, 3 CFs. 

 

Moses will be the extra FB and winger, and Ampadu will be the extra CB and CM, so that's a squad of 26, including CHO.

 

If Vecino arrives I fully expect Drinkwater and Bakayoko to go. If Rugani or Caldara arrives I fully expect Cahill and Zouma to go. If not only one of them will go. We will lose a CF, because we have 4, including Tammy. Musonda and Aina will go on loan.

Edited July 31, 20187 yr by Davey Baby

We're at our maximum overseas threshold of 17 already in the first team squad.

Courtois, Caballero

Azpilicueta, Zappacosta, Palmieri, Luiz, Rudiger, Alonso

Jorginho, Bakayoko, Kante

Hazard, Pedro, Willian

Morata, Giroud, Batshuayi.

 

Anyone coming in from abroad can only do so if someone gives way .... and Zouma cannot be one of them as he is not even in the 17. The players most at risk would probably be Zappacosta, Bakayoko, Willian, and maybe one of the strikers.

The homegrown players like Drinkwater and Cahill are relatively safe, and would probably only leave because of lack of opportunity, or if we get offers. Musonda or Aina going on loan won't free up any slots for new players unless they are homegrown.

 

3 out and 3 in would be my guess ... 9 and a bit days to go ... :-)

 

Very surprised we have only signed Jorginho. Still have huge problem areas in the squad with just over a week left to go of the window. Sounds like we missed out on both Rugani and Higuain from Juventus unfortunately so now let’s see if we can find another top-class striker and a CB before the window shuts.

Seeing more and more reports that we are going into the season with Morata and Michy as our striker options. That is worrying frankly, none of them are good enough to lead the line for us if we want to compete. Just have a look at our competitor’s options compared to that.

6 minutes ago, Sindre said:

Very surprised we have only signed Jorginho. Still have huge problem areas in the squad with just over a week left to go of the window. Sounds like we missed out on both Rugani and Higuain from Juventus unfortunately so now let’s see if we can find another top-class striker and a CB before the window shuts.

Seeing more and more reports that we are going into the season with Morata and Michy as our striker options. That is worrying frankly, none of them are good enough to lead the line for us if we want to compete. Just have a look at our competitor’s options compared to that.

Be surprised no more, for you have forgot about the signing of the mighty Rob Green!

22 hours ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Butland/Cabalero

Azpi/Zappacosta       Christensen/D.Luiz       Rudiger/Ampadu       Emerson/Alonso

Jorginho/Cesc

Kante/Vecino          Barkley/RLC

Pedro/Moses      Morata/Batshuayi      Hazard/CHO

 

Realistically i could see us going into the season with this.

GK) I hate the idea of signing Butland and think it would be a shocking move from the club. I'd rather us sign Pepe Reina as a stop gap and see who is available next summer or perhaps go for Areola from PSG. Rumours floating about that we're looking at Trapp and Oblak today. Oblak is never going to happen for the money involved and if its a PSG keeper we want i'd take Areola over Trapp personally.

Defense) Don't like Zappacosta and would much prefer Moses as backup RB but Zappacosta is being used there in pre season and Inter have just signed a RB. Doubt Zappacosta leaves now unless Napoli want him. Sell Cahill and Zouma. The 4 CB's above are good enough to fight it out for those positions. Ampadu can play for the youth teams when not in the squad to keep his minutes up. Emerson is more comfortable at LB in a back 4 so should start. Keep Alonso this year then look to sell and replace him next summer with a player more suitable to play a high line in a flat back 4.

Midfield) I think this kind of picks itself. Sell Bakayoko and Drinkwater and it looks likely we'll sign Vecino. Jorginho/Cesc to dictate play, Kante/Vecino to be the destroyer and then Barkley/RLC to be the most attacking minded of the three. This gives us a year to see if Barkley/RLC are up to it and then upgrade next year if they fail. 

Attack) Pedro looks like the perfect fit Sarri's style and think he'll really shine this year. Hazard is the obvious choice on the LW and i expect these two to play most games under Sarri. Hudson-Odoi can play whenever Eden needs a rest and Moses seems to be being used at RW by Sarri instead of RB so have him as backup. CF is the area of concern. I imagine we'll start the season with Morata but could see either him or Bats being first choice. In the long term i think we need a new CF but no one currently worth taking a gamble on, unless we can get Martial, wait until next year. Willian seems set on leaving so cash in on him. Giroud will probably be kept on too. 

 

Out: Cahill (£5m), Courtois (£25m), Zouma (loan), Bakayoko (loan), Drinkwater (£20m), Willian (£65m) 

total: £115m

 

Ins: Butland (£30m), Jorginho (£55m), Vecino (£35m)

total: £120m

Excellent post, however I think Courtois will stay.

33 minutes ago, JMaher94 said:

Excellent post, however I think Courtois will stay.

Staying one more season or staying indefinitely? 

I could see him staying for another year and then walking on a free next year if we can't find a replacement. With the state of keepers on the market this year this wouldn't be the worst thing to happen.

1 hour ago, Sindre said:

Very surprised we have only signed Jorginho. Still have huge problem areas in the squad with just over a week left to go of the window. Sounds like we missed out on both Rugani and Higuain from Juventus unfortunately so now let’s see if we can find another top-class striker and a CB before the window shuts.

Seeing more and more reports that we are going into the season with Morata and Michy as our striker options. That is worrying frankly, none of them are good enough to lead the line for us if we want to compete. Just have a look at our competitor’s options compared to that.

I can understand people saying we're a bit weak at CF, but how exactly is CB a huge problem area? We have Luiz, Cahill, Christensen, Rudiger, Ampedu and Zouma all competing for those 2 spots, plus Azpi who can be brilliant there.  

1 hour ago, Sindre said:

Very surprised we have only signed Jorginho. Still have huge problem areas in the squad with just over a week left to go of the window. Sounds like we missed out on both Rugani and Higuain from Juventus unfortunately so now let’s see if we can find another top-class striker and a CB before the window shuts.

Seeing more and more reports that we are going into the season with Morata and Michy as our striker options. That is worrying frankly, none of them are good enough to lead the line for us if we want to compete. Just have a look at our competitor’s options compared to that.

 

I just don't share your concern. Rugani and Higuain were not needed, as they don't provide an upgrade on what we've got. If we sell Giroud, I'd also approve, as it would mean we're going to go with Morata, Batshuayi and Tammy. I fancy Morata to do at least as well as Higuain would have done.

 

Also, Barkley is like a new signing, because he didn't feature last term, and he could be a brilliant signing as well.

 

If we sign Vecino and lose Drinkwater and Bakayoko I'm happy. I'd prefer us to sell Willian or Pedro and bring somebody else in, which might happen, but if it doesn't, we still have a more-than-adequate squad. We were never going to have a better squad than City's by the end of this window. It's a process. Sarri will bring the best out of these players hopefully and we will compete.

 

Our squad isn't too bad.

3 minutes ago, Davey Baby said:

 

I just don't share your concern. Rugani and Higuain were not needed, as they don't provide an upgrade on what we've got. If we sell Giroud, I'd also approve, as it would mean we're going to go with Morata, Batshuayi and Tammy. I fancy Morata to do at least as well as Higuain would have done.

 

Also, Barkley is like a new signing, because he didn't feature last term, and he could be a brilliant signing as well.

 

If we sign Vecino and lose Drinkwater and Bakayoko I'm happy. I'd prefer us to sell Willian or Pedro and bring somebody else in, which might happen, but if it doesn't, we still have a more-than-adequate squad. We were never going to have a better squad than City's by the end of this window. It's a process. Sarri will bring the best out of these players hopefully and we will compete.

 

Our squad isn't too bad.

Agreed. Hopefully Sarri will be able to get more out of some of the players that were underutilized last season. I would also hope some of the more talented youth players (Ampadu, Hudson-Odoi, Abraham) can be integrated into the squad this season.

14 minutes ago, Davey Baby said:

 

I just don't share your concern. Rugani and Higuain were not needed, as they don't provide an upgrade on what we've got. If we sell Giroud, I'd also approve, as it would mean we're going to go with Morata, Batshuayi and Tammy. I fancy Morata to do at least as well as Higuain would have done.

 

Also, Barkley is like a new signing, because he didn't feature last term, and he could be a brilliant signing as well.

 

If we sign Vecino and lose Drinkwater and Bakayoko I'm happy. I'd prefer us to sell Willian or Pedro and bring somebody else in, which might happen, but if it doesn't, we still have a more-than-adequate squad. We were never going to have a better squad than City's by the end of this window. It's a process. Sarri will bring the best out of these players hopefully and we will compete.

 

Our squad isn't too bad.

They are both players that fit Sarri's system to a tee. Yes, we have plenty of CBs at the club at the moment but half of  them are not suited to Sarri's way of football and that's why he wanted Rugani who's played for him and knows the system in and out.

Tammy flopped at Swansea and couldn't hold down a starting spot for them, Michy was awful when he was at the club and we are all well aware of how poor Morata was last season. How are we supposed to compete against the best with that bunch? No chance we do if that trio is our options up front. No chance.

Why do you say that Tammy "flopped at Swansea"?  And Michy wasn't given a chance here, if a lot of his fan-boys are to be believed.

15 minutes ago, yorkleyblue said:

Why do you say that Tammy "flopped at Swansea"?  And Michy wasn't given a chance here, if a lot of his fan-boys are to be believed.

He didn't perform. Began the season as their starter but didn't score enough goals or play well enough to keep his spot.
 

Juventus fan here in peace. Just wanted to say that if I'm supporting any team in the premier league, it's Chelsea. I think you guys will finish top 2 this year with the hiring of Sarri. As someone who follows Serie A closely, this guy is arguably the best coach in Serie A. It is between him and Allegri without doubt, and Sarri plays a much more exciting brand of football, and he's definitely better than Conte. 

Sarri is incredible at several things:

1) keeping teams together because he has excellent relations with his players. He is a player's coach. Players stay to play with him. He kept the entire Napoli team together, a year ago, which isn't easy. 

2) Bringing the best out of unmotivated/underperforming players. Conte motivates with intensity, while Sarri motivates by having players enjoy playing. With Higuain, he basically told him that he could be the best in the world, but was too lazy. That year he tied the Serie A scoring record.  Whoever ends up being his primarily goalscorer, (Batshuayi or Morata), I believe will compete for the most goals in the league). I think Luiz will prove key to the team. He is perfect for Sarri's system.

3) His game is exciting. Where Conte may nail out a 2-1 victory, Sarri will see Chelsea win by large margins when things are working well. 

Good luck to you guys this year - I hope you kick the crap out of Manchester United. 

Edited August 1, 20187 yr by Calciofan10

1 hour ago, Sindre said:

They are both players that fit Sarri's system to a tee. Yes, we have plenty of CBs at the club at the moment but half of  them are not suited to Sarri's way of football and that's why he wanted Rugani who's played for him and knows the system in and out.

Tammy flopped at Swansea and couldn't hold down a starting spot for them, Michy was awful when he was at the club and we are all well aware of how poor Morata was last season. How are we supposed to compete against the best with that bunch? No chance we do if that trio is our options up front. No chance.

Rudiger, Luiz, Christensen and Ampadu are all CB's that can play the ball. How do these not fit the system? This is 4 players fighting for 2 spots, plenty enough.

Tammy flopped? Hardly. I don't particularly rate him but he did well with what he had at Swansea. Prime Drogba wouldn't have got more than a handful of goals in that Swansea team. 

Michy has never been given a run of games at Chelsea. One start every now and again. Look at all the other teams he's been at and he's consistently scored goals. 

Morata i agree is poor and don't rate him. Having said that i'll be happy to have him fight for the number 1 spot against Michy until next summer to see if a suitable replacement becomes available. 

Liverpool have played their best football in years with an attacking mid playing #9 for them ffs, we can manage with Morata, Michy and Tammy.

On 29/07/2018 at 02:11, TheChelseaBlues said:

Marcin Bulka? Who? 

Youth.

Panic buying will commence in 8 days time, I can hardly wait.

1 hour ago, Sindre said:

He didn't perform. Began the season as their starter but didn't score enough goals or play well enough to keep his spot.
 

So  you watched every Swansea match, did you?  You know exactly what team selection decisions their various managers made and why?

I can understand people having in-depth knowledge of performances of players in our team when they watch every match, but  making sweeping statements condemning a good young striker based on nothing but possibly a couple if Match of the Day highlights programmes is just bollocks.    As  @RIP Mourinho said "he did well with what he had at Swansea. Prime Drogba wouldn't have got more than a handful of goals in that Swansea team. "

2 hours ago, Sindre said:

They are both players that fit Sarri's system to a tee. Yes, we have plenty of CBs at the club at the moment but half of  them are not suited to Sarri's way of football and that's why he wanted Rugani who's played for him and knows the system in and out.

Tammy flopped at Swansea and couldn't hold down a starting spot for them, Michy was awful when he was at the club and we are all well aware of how poor Morata was last season. How are we supposed to compete against the best with that bunch? No chance we do if that trio is our options up front. No chance.

 

Why do Rugani and Higuain fit Sarri's system more than say, Christensen and Morata? I don't get it. Koulibaly wasn't meant to fit his system and look what happened, maybe the same can happen with Rudiger for instance. I don't see why you're so keen for us to buy players that aren't much better than what we've got, if they're better at all that is.

 

As for Tammy, he struggled in a struggling side, sure, but he wasn't a flop. What did you expect of a teenager leading the line for a crap side in the PL? Last season was good for his development. 8 goals in under 40 games. He did okay. I wouldn't be surprised to see him loaned out again but I'd be disappointed. I think we could do a lot worse than Morata, Batshuayi and Tammy as our 3 strikers next season. It really isn't too bad at all. They all have the potential to be much-improved, given last season they had zero or little PL experience.