I think this squad needs more than 2 signings, I don't think this current squad is anywhere near competing with the best and I don't think 2 signings will be enough to get us much closer either.

We definitely need a striker, yet again.

We need a LB, Alonso has too many weaknesses and Emerson hasn't proven to be good enough overall when he has had his chances.

I think we need a CB. David Luiz and Rudiger are good, but I think we need somebody in there who will dominate in duels. I don't think Luiz should keep his place just because of his passing ability. I also think Ampadu needs to go out on loan, he's not ready yet and Christensen is too physically weak to take the spot himself.

We will need cover for Jorginho, so a similar CM will need to be found. I'm also not convinced about that midfield overall either. Barkley has completely faded away in recent months, Loftus-Cheek is a constant injury concern, I'm still unconvinced about Kante in this role and I'm not sure that Mason Mount is ready for Premier League football at the top level. I would much rather have a player in there that is good enough right now.

Hazard is likely leaving so we need another winger too, especially now that Hudson-Odoi is out injured. I don't think either Willian or Pedro should be starting next season and I personally think Willian should be sold. Pulisic, Willian and Pedro going into next season would be awful, I'm struggling to see where the goals would come from out of those 3.

I can't stay positive about it, we desperately need to replace players and playing all of our youth players will not be the answer. 

Pedro and Willian need to be replaced ASAP, and then we've got Hazard leaving and no good striker to top it off, our frontline is going to be abysmal. 

If we assume that Kepa, Dave, Rudiger, one of Emerson/Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, RLC, Hazard, and one of CHO/Pulisic are nailed on starters, then the only starting XI replacements we'll presumably be out for are a CB and a striker.

If we re-sign Luiz (as I expect we will), then that comes down to only a striker. If Hazard leaves, we may be in for a new winger although Pulisic may be seen as sufficient, especially if Pedro/Willian both stay.

If the club has to act on the assumption we'll be banned for 2 years after this window, the only regular squad players old enough that we'll need to consider replacing before then are Luiz, Willian, Pedro, and arguably Dave.

Subsequently I still don't see us getting more than 3-4 (including Pulisic) new players in, and of those only 1 may be an automatic starter. If we do get Kovacic and Higuain back in (as I think Sarri might be keen to do), I really don't think we're going to be very active in the transfer market - we know Sarri likes a tight squad, and correct me if i'm wrong but he hasn't had too many complaints about the squad throughout the season. He seems to be of the opinion the issue is moreso getting used to the new system - bringing in a whole bunch of new players sets that project back.

Edited May 9, 20197 yr by Jonty

3 minutes ago, Jonty said:

If we assume that Kepa, Dave, Rudiger, one of Emerson/Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, RLC, Hazard, and one of CHO/Pulisic are nailed on starters, then the only starting XI replacements we'll presumably be out for are a CB and a striker.

If we re-sign Luiz (as I expect we will), then that comes down to only a striker. If Hazard leaves, we may be in for a new winger although Pulisic may be seen as sufficient, especially if Pedro/Willian both stay.

If the club has to act on the assumption we'll be banned for 2 years after this window, the only regular squad players old enough that we'll need to consider replacing before then are Luiz, Willian, Pedro, and arguably Dave.

Subsequently I still don't see us getting more than 3-4 (including Pulisic) new players in, and of those only 1 may be an automatic starter. If we do get Kovacic and Higuain back in (as I think Sarri might be keen to do), I really don't think we're going to be very active in the transfer market - we know Sarri likes a tight squad.

Lord that sounds depressing. Unless we augment it with our loans.

 

Kepa, Big Willy, Blackman

 

Dave, James, Rudiger, Luiz, Christensen, Tomori, Alonso, Telles

 

Jorginho, Ampadu, RLC, Kante, Mount, Kovacic, Barkley 

 

CHO, Pedro, Willian, Pulisic

 

Higuain, Abraham, Giroud

 

That front line still sucks. Needs Pedro, Willian, Higuain and Giroud gone.

9 hours ago, evissy said:

Why is he behind a 18 year old in the pecking order?

The 18 year old is valued at 130 million and pulisic has been sold why would they play him ahead of their wonderboy, pulisic is a top little winger he will improve us 

5 hours ago, Jonty said:

If we assume that Kepa, Dave, Rudiger, one of Emerson/Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, RLC, Hazard, and one of CHO/Pulisic are nailed on starters, then the only starting XI replacements we'll presumably be out for are a CB and a striker.

If we re-sign Luiz (as I expect we will), then that comes down to only a striker. If Hazard leaves, we may be in for a new winger although Pulisic may be seen as sufficient, especially if Pedro/Willian both stay.

If the club has to act on the assumption we'll be banned for 2 years after this window, the only regular squad players old enough that we'll need to consider replacing before then are Luiz, Willian, Pedro, and arguably Dave.

Subsequently I still don't see us getting more than 3-4 (including Pulisic) new players in, and of those only 1 may be an automatic starter. If we do get Kovacic and Higuain back in (as I think Sarri might be keen to do), I really don't think we're going to be very active in the transfer market - we know Sarri likes a tight squad, and correct me if i'm wrong but he hasn't had too many complaints about the squad throughout the season. He seems to be of the opinion the issue is moreso getting used to the new system - bringing in a whole bunch of new players sets that project back.

If we are banned this summer, we can sign players next summer. Its only a two window ban

(I've made that mistake before)

We should hang on to Hazard and take the financial hit next year, we'll be saving money by not signing anyone during our ban anyway.

I dont mind Pedro hanging around as backup but Willian - no thank you. 3 league goals all season. We cant afford more passengers in the team. 

16 hours ago, The Swan said:

I get the impression you are on a wind up

Me having a wind up?! Never! What gave you that impression. ?

On 09/05/2019 at 02:55, Jonty said:

If we assume that Kepa, Dave, Rudiger, one of Emerson/Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, RLC, Hazard, and one of CHO/Pulisic are nailed on starters, then the only starting XI replacements we'll presumably be out for are a CB and a striker.

If we re-sign Luiz (as I expect we will), then that comes down to only a striker. If Hazard leaves, we may be in for a new winger although Pulisic may be seen as sufficient, especially if Pedro/Willian both stay.

If the club has to act on the assumption we'll be banned for 2 years after this window, the only regular squad players old enough that we'll need to consider replacing before then are Luiz, Willian, Pedro, and arguably Dave.

Subsequently I still don't see us getting more than 3-4 (including Pulisic) new players in, and of those only 1 may be an automatic starter. If we do get Kovacic and Higuain back in (as I think Sarri might be keen to do), I really don't think we're going to be very active in the transfer market - we know Sarri likes a tight squad, and correct me if i'm wrong but he hasn't had too many complaints about the squad throughout the season. He seems to be of the opinion the issue is moreso getting used to the new system - bringing in a whole bunch of new players sets that project back.

Age is certainly a factor, but if the club has any ambition, we should looking to improve the quality of the squad. All 4 of those players have been great servants for the club, but none are good enough for us to challenge for the league anymore. 

2 or 3 senior players sticking around to add experience in the squad is great, but I think we need about 16-18 players ready to challenge, and capable to play in the system and contribute.

If you also add Alonso and Giroud into the mix, that's 6 foreign spots in the squad for players on big wages, whose best days are behind them, and who dont really fit into the way we or any other of the top teams play at the moment. 

This squad is crying out for an overhaul, maybe 7 or 8 players out, 4 or 5 brought in, and some loan players to return. 

If the ban does get delayed, the squad we go with this summer, needs to have 2 years of legs in it, because it will probably be 2021, before we change it. 

 

This is a really good read.

Based on what little is in the public domain I have always wondered about the strength of FIFAs case and indeed was hoping that the matter be dealt with by the appeals committee in time for it to be referred to CAS prior to the window that opens on Thursday 16 May

 

Chairman of the FIFA Appeal Committee explains the decision to uphold the transfer ban
In an interview in his native Sweden, Thomas Bodström – chariman of the FIFA Appeal Committee, talks about the decision to partly uphold the transfer ban. He says that they deliberated for several hours before making the decision, that they dealt with “very skillful lawyers” and he explains why they decided to permit Chelsea to register domestic players under the age of 16. 
FIFA announced, in the end of February, that Chelsea had been found guilty of violating the rules for signing players under the age of 18. The London club was banned from signing players over the course of two transfer windows, in the coming summer and in January 2020. They were also fined £460,000. The ruling followed a FIFA investigation of 92 under-aged players that Chelsea has signed over the years.
Chelsea appealed the ruling to FIFA’s Appeal Committee, and were informed earlier this week that the ruling is upheld, but with one exception. Chelsea are – despite the transfer ban – permitted to register domestic players under the age of 16.
A statement from FIFA said: “The ban on registering new players for two registration periods has been confirmed, with the following exception: the appeal committee believes that Chelsea’s wrongdoing consisted in not respecting the prohibition from internationally transferring or registering for the first time foreign minor players. In the committee’s opinion, imposing a ban on registering each and every minor would not be proportionate to the offence committed.
“Consequently, the appeal committee decided that, as far as youth categories are concerned, the ban shall not cover the registration of minor players under the age of 16.”
In an exclusive interview with the Swedish website Fotbollskanalen.se Thomas Bodström, chairman of the FIFA Appeal Committee, explains the proceedings and how they reached that rather discrepantoutcome. He starts by suggesting that it was not obvious that the transfer ban would be upheld.
“No, I would not say so. We deliberated for several hours and were very thorough. It was a large number of players and many objections. We had to deal with very skillful lawyers and we negotiated for hours, he told the website.
Bodström does not think it is harder to punish a club as big as Chelsea, and suggested that this type of clubs have bigger resources than smaller clubs in such cases.
“I think it should be the same, but of course Chelsea have obviously bigger resources and can act according to them. They came with very skillful lawyers, and I am a lawyer myself, so it was an experience. But the rules are the same.”
Bodström also explains why FIFA’s Appeal Committee chose to make an exception for Chelsea to sign players under the age of 16:
“We upheld a big part of the ruling, but with an exception to British citizens. The ban is applicable to all international transfers to protect kids. But to protect the players who live in the Chelsea area they will have the opportunity to play. They should not be punished for this. Because then they would be affected by this in a harder way than others. Those who come from other places and are 16, 17, 18 years old can go to other clubs, but the domestic players maybe can’t, he said.
Bodström continues:
“The part about youth players is incredibly important. Of course there are many clubs who are serious, and Chelsea will be in the future, but the kids can get hurt if the clubs don’t follow the rules. There is a strong protection interest, because many players come from poor countries. They might not be able to return, and end up in a totally different environment in a foreign country. The rules must be followed.”
Bodström cannot answer why FIFA did not decide to make the exception regarding domestic players in the first instance:
“I’m only on this committee, so I can’t answer why. I only have an influence over the cases that I rule in and nothing else. But I do hope that this can become precedent. It is not the kids that should be punished, but the clubs”.
Earlier clubs like Barcelona and Atlético Madrid have been on the receiving end of a transfer ban. Bodström says that it’s more usual with this kind of punishments than you might think, but it is rarely reported as much when it comes to smaller clubs.
Following the ruling from the Appeal Committee Chelsea announced that they will appeal to Court of Arbitration for Sport, CAS. A club statement reads:
‘The Club notes that the FIFA Appeal Committee has decided to partially uphold the appeal lodged by Chelsea FC against the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee. However, the Club is very disappointed that the transfer ban of two consecutive registration periods was not overturned.
‘Chelsea FC categorically refutes the findings of the FIFA Appeal Committee. It acted in accordance with the relevant regulations and will appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).”
Bodström believes that the ruling will be upheld, but he also states that he has his doubts. 
“CAS have ruled in different ways in the Spanish cases, but it is a big decision, so I fully understand that they have chosen to appeal to them”, he said.
“I have detached myself from this, but of course I follow the matter. I think they will appeal immediately since the first window is already in the summer.”

I read this morning that the CAS may not rule on our ban appeal until July.  If true, that is the worst possible scenario.

How are we supposed to lay the groundwork for player acquisitions with other clubs f those clubs aren't sure we will be able to complete the transaction?  They would not turn down comparable offers from other clubs if they knew those clubs will actually be allowed to buy the player.

Not sure why it would take CAS three months just to decide on whether to delay the ban while the appeal is ongoing.  

1 hour ago, Boston Blue said:

I read this morning that the CAS may not rule on our ban appeal until July.  If true, that is the worst possible scenario.

How are we supposed to lay the groundwork for player acquisitions with other clubs f those clubs aren't sure we will be able to complete the transaction?  They would not turn down comparable offers from other clubs if they knew those clubs will actually be allowed to buy the player.

Not sure why it would take CAS three months just to decide on whether to delay the ban while the appeal is ongoing.  

Has it been confirmed that we have actually submitted the appeal to CAS?  I know the club statement read that they intended to, but I'm not sure if it was every confirmed when it happened.  Either way, you would hope it wouldn't take until July to rule on it.

So Sarri saying we only need 2 signings, I'm guessing he's on about Higuain and Kovacic then

21 minutes ago, mwblue10 said:

Has it been confirmed that we have actually submitted the appeal to CAS?  I know the club statement read that they intended to, but I'm not sure if it was every confirmed when it happened.  Either way, you would hope it wouldn't take until July to rule on it.

IIRC, the club statement after FiFA rejected our appeal said we intended to file an appeal with CAS, but I haven't seen a confirmation we have actually filed an appeal.  I've read elsewhere that we only need to notify CAS of out intention to appeal in order to get the ban delayed, but I can't say whether that's actually true.  

1 hour ago, Boston Blue said:

IIRC, the club statement after FiFA rejected our appeal said we intended to file an appeal with CAS, but I haven't seen a confirmation we have actually filed an appeal.  I've read elsewhere that we only need to notify CAS of out intention to appeal in order to get the ban delayed, but I can't say whether that's actually true.  

There is a 21 day window following notice of appeal outcome from FIFA to escalate the appeal to CAS.We received formal notice from FIFAs appeal committee on 8 May 2019

Its worth looking at the timings of Real Madrid’s case . Bear in mind originally they received a two window ban

RM received formal notification from FIFAs appeal committee on 8 September 2016

RM lodged their appeal on 14 September 2016. At that time they made a request for provisional matters under Article A37 . That in effect is a request to suspend the ban.Their appeal at this point was no more than notice of appeal and not the full details of the grounds for the appeal.

On 16 September 2016 CAS agreed to suspended the ban until their appeal was determined.

What RM did then was quite clever RM agreed to have any sanction imposed as soon as CAS had made a decision. That decision was reached on 20 Dec 2016 but the written notification wasn’t issued until 5 May 2017.

Why that was clever was ultimately the ban was reduced to one window namely January 2017. If they had waited till the written reasons they would have missed the  far more important Summer 2017 window. Even if had been two windows those would have been spread over two seasons meaning in each season they had a window during which they would have been a able to register players.

If CAS are consistent my guess is  that if Chelsea have already issued notice of appeal to CAS then we will hear in the next week or so about the application to stay the ban.

 

Edited May 15, 20197 yr by terraloon

36 minutes ago, terraloon said:

There is a 21 day window following notice of appeal outcome from FIFA to escalate the appeal to CAS.We received formal notice from FIFAs appeal committee on 8 May 2019

Its worth looking at the timings of Real Madrid’s case . Bear in mind originally they received a two window ban

RM received formal notification from FIFAs appeal committee on 8 September 2016

RM lodged their appeal on 14 September 2016. At that time they made a request for provisional matters under Article A37 . That in effect is a request to suspend the ban.Their appeal at this point was no more than notice of appeal and not the full details of the grounds for the appeal.

On 16 September 2016 CAS agreed to suspended the ban until their appeal was determined.

What RM did then was quite clever RM agreed to have any sanction imposed as soon as CAS had made a decision. That decision was reached on 20 Dec 2016 but the written notification wasn’t issued until 5 May 2017.

Why that was clever was ultimately the ban was reduced to one window namely January 2017. If they had waited till the written reasons they would have missed the  far more important Summer 2017 window. Even if had been two windows those would have been spread over two seasons meaning in each season they had a window during which they would have been a able to register players.

If CAS are consistent my guess is  that if Chelsea have already issued notice of appeal to CAS then we will hear in the next week or so about the application to stay the ban.

 

Thanks for that.  Excellent explanation.

44 minutes ago, terraloon said:

There is a 21 day window following notice of appeal outcome from FIFA to escalate the appeal to CAS.We received formal notice from FIFAs appeal committee on 8 May 2019

Its worth looking at the timings of Real Madrid’s case . Bear in mind originally they received a two window ban

RM received formal notification from FIFAs appeal committee on 8 September 2016

RM lodged their appeal on 14 September 2016. At that time they made a request for provisional matters under Article A37 . That in effect is a request to suspend the ban.Their appeal at this point was no more than notice of appeal and not the full details of the grounds for the appeal.

On 16 September 2016 CAS agreed to suspended the ban until their appeal was determined.

What RM did then was quite clever RM agreed to have any sanction imposed as soon as CAS had made a decision. That decision was reached on 20 Dec 2016 but the written notification wasn’t issued until 5 May 2017.

Why that was clever was ultimately the ban was reduced to one window namely January 2017. If they had waited till the written reasons they would have missed the  far more important Summer 2017 window. Even if had been two windows those would have been spread over two seasons meaning in each season they had a window during which they would have been a able to register players.

If CAS are consistent my guess is  that if Chelsea have already issued notice of appeal to CAS then we will hear in the next week or so about the application to stay the ban.

 

You'd have to suspect that the ban is indeed getting suspended for us, too.  Article A37 (which i thought was R37) iirc, protects institutions and i think it would also potentially consider our ban restriction of trade.  Therefore resulting in a temporary lifting

2 hours ago, tmarmsi said:

So Sarri saying we only need 2 signings, I'm guessing he's on about Higuain and Kovacic then

Well he is screwed because our board will make the signings.  He is not going to use youth unless he absolutely has to, lets face it, if it wasnt for the crowd discontent, RLC and CHO would have played far less than they did.  He used them because he had to, not because he wanted to

 

There is no way IMO, that our squad would survive a 2 window ban (jan 20 and summer 20) with only 2 additions.  Absolute nonsense Mr. sarri.   I think we will get 4, but i wouldnt be surprised to see us go mental, either  (if ban lifts)

4 minutes ago, RickUK said:

You'd have to suspect that the ban is indeed getting suspended for us, too.  Article A37 (which i thought was R37) iirc, protects institutions and i think it would also potentially consider our ban restriction of trade.  Therefore resulting in a temporary lifting

Apologies it is indeed R37. 

15 minutes ago, RickUK said:

Well he is screwed because our board will make the signings.  He is not going to use youth unless he absolutely has to, lets face it, if it wasnt for the crowd discontent, RLC and CHO would have played far less than they did.  He used them because he had to, not because he wanted to

This is what annoys me. Want him out? Fair enough your opinion, but i find this insistence to play down even the good things he does very hard to accept.

Edited May 15, 20197 yr by Argo

4 minutes ago, Argo said:

This is what annoys me. Want him out? Fair enough your opinion, but i find this insistence to play down even the good things he does very hard to accept.

one thing I know for sure... I'm not going to get worked up over what a coach says publicly... coaches lie so much, we don't call it lying, we call it "coach-speak"

That said... I'd be pretty happy with a striker and a wing

and a left back would make me giddy

we have plenty of depth coming in from the loans,

32 minutes ago, Argo said:

This is what annoys me. Want him out? Fair enough your opinion, but i find this insistence to play down even the good things he does very hard to accept.

I am more sarri out than in, but do not think he 'wanted' to give CHO and RLC the mins they got.  Especially CHO.  It is no coincidence their playing time increased post crowd annoyance.  As did the Kova/Barkley constant sub being used less frequent.  He is not daft, the crowd made their feelings known...  It's just there in plain sight.   "you dont know what you're doing" being sung by 99% of the crowd says so

We were told prior to him joining he does not use youth.

 

It's why I chuckle at times when i see people expecting Mount, Tomori, James, Abraham, etc in the team next year.  It just isnt happening (with any manager for tha fact)

 

I like Sarri, i think he has a decent idea of football, just dont think he is a top manager. 

Edited May 15, 20197 yr by RickUK

I know a lot are hoping our ban gets postponed, but I am not. If we cannot sign then we cannot keep Higuain or Kovacic, the former no longer good enough the latter never likely to be.

 

If we cannot sign it forces us to give our young players/loanded players a go to fill the gaps, gaps partly created by 2 young players given a chance and now down injured ironically.

 

GK: Kepa, Willy, Green(or Blackman)

Full backs: James, Zappa, Emerson, Alonso, Azpi

Centerbacks: Rudiger, Luiz, Christensen, Zouma

Registra: Jorginho, Ampadu

Center mids: Kante, Bakayoko, Barkley, Mount, Pasalic

Wide Forwards: Pulisic, CHO, Willian, Brown

Strikers: Batman, Abraham

 

Not ideal and weaker than what we have now, naturally with no Hazard. We cope for a season, the ban is done and we can get back to normal. I would be excited to see what the likes of James, Ampadu, Mount, Pasalic, Pulisic and Abraham could offer.

 

I know the forward line looks really weak, but no weaker than Morata, Higuain and to a lesser degree, Giroud, have done this season.

On 08/05/2019 at 16:27, Scott Harris said:

I think this squad needs more than 2 signings, I don't think this current squad is anywhere near competing with the best and I don't think 2 signings will be enough to get us much closer either.

We definitely need a striker, yet again.

We need a LB, Alonso has too many weaknesses and Emerson hasn't proven to be good enough overall when he has had his chances.

I think we need a CB. David Luiz and Rudiger are good, but I think we need somebody in there who will dominate in duels. I don't think Luiz should keep his place just because of his passing ability. I also think Ampadu needs to go out on loan, he's not ready yet and Christensen is too physically weak to take the spot himself.

We will need cover for Jorginho, so a similar CM will need to be found. I'm also not convinced about that midfield overall either. Barkley has completely faded away in recent months, Loftus-Cheek is a constant injury concern, I'm still unconvinced about Kante in this role and I'm not sure that Mason Mount is ready for Premier League football at the top level. I would much rather have a player in there that is good enough right now.

Hazard is likely leaving so we need another winger too, especially now that Hudson-Odoi is out injured. I don't think either Willian or Pedro should be starting next season and I personally think Willian should be sold. Pulisic, Willian and Pedro going into next season would be awful, I'm struggling to see where the goals would come from out of those 3.

I think the positions you mentioned are exactly correct, I’ve said before a CF a LB and ideally a CB but honestly if and it’s unlikely, we keep Hazard, this team with a good striker and a LB would challenge, we aren’t as far off as people think, we saw against city how we contained them in the cup final and how when we actually had a go at Liverpool after they scored  we were all over them. 

The fear is of course if we get the ban and make do, after 2 windows and likely a very average season will Roman have the appetite still to dip back in and do a big overhaul when we can buy again, or does he start thinking of the club purely in finaiciai terms.

He has won literally every competition with the club my fear is the flame is out for him especially now that he can’t even come to games and if that’s the case I hope he thinks of the fans and sells to someone with that footballing ambition.