In the last days rumours have started to show regarding Nicolas Pépé as a replacement if Eden leaves for Real Madrid.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6931143/chelsea-set-70m-nicolas-pepe-eden-hazard-way-real-madrid.html
https://talksport.com/football/528627/chelsea-transfer-news-eden-hazard-nicolas-pepe/

I know - perhabs not the most trustworthy sources, but still. Interesting indeed. 

Personally I see a lot more potential in Pépé than I do in Pulisic, who to me seems like more of a backup solution with high marketing value. Though with Pulisic, Pedro, Willian and CHO already in our squad, a transfer seems unlikely. Furthermore, it seems that Lille wants to sell this summer - and with our well-known transfer ban hanging over our head - it's probably just another rumour.

I remember we were being linked to him in January as well so there could be something to the rumour. 

I don't know anything about him but it looks like he's had a really impressive season for Lille with 19 goals and 13 assists in the league so far this season. Left footed but plays on the right. 

Looks like he had a good season before being to Lille as well scoring 13 for 14th placed Angers in Ligue 1. 

The last Ivorian we signed from France didn't work out so badly so I'm on board for this. 

From the analysis I’ve read about his playing style, it sounds like he is much more of a run onto the ball and get in behind type winger, rather than a take on type player.  Sounds like something that would fit our style of play and help with our movement.  I know there has been a lot of talk about Hazard and Willian congesting attacks.  Imagine Luiz pinging long balls to a strong, fast winger like Pepe rather than Pedro?  Sounds good to me.  Plus, it appears that Pepe has quality finishing ability too.

I would completely be on board with this signing, as well.

We need more left footers in the team and he's supposed to be class so let's go for it.

If our ban is frozen surely Didier has a quiet word 

Chelsea fan aswell to boot. 

Would be great signing. Jovic, Pepe, Felix, CHO, Pulisic, Abraham, would be my ideal attacking group for next season. 

I dont want to lose hazard, but if we sell him, plus bakayoko, morata, batshuayi, Willian and pedro, there should be plenty of funds available for a complete overhaul of the attack. 

Not convinced the club will spend big, but we did stump up a record fee for a keeper when we needed one. So its anyone's guess what level we will enter the market, with a 2 window transfer ban looming.

He's a monster.

Tore PSG apart recently.

Him on the rw and Cho on the lw please. The American and Willian back up

CHO - Jovic - Pepe is a dream front three for next season.

Willian - Giroud - Pedro is the likely front three for next season.

On 18/04/2019 at 09:31, RIP Mourinho said:

CHO - Jovic - Pepe is a dream front three for next season.

Willian - Giroud - Pedro is the likely front three for next season.

Isn't this the depressing truth... :s

Hypothetically, If Sane was available for the same price which one would you want?

Some say he is already signed by Bayern.

I really hope that those rumours on him a true, we definitely need a player like him in our squad. Young, skilful, goalscorer, creative, quick. 

1 hour ago, IliyaKrostin said:

Some say he is already signed by Bayern.

I really hope that those rumours on him a true, we definitely need a player like him in our squad. Young, skilful, goalscorer, creative, quick. 

His agent just stated that they are talking to multiple teams, and if I’m not mistaken, specifically mentioned that they have not committed to Bayern.

6 minutes ago, mwblue10 said:

His agent just stated that they are talking to multiple teams, and if I’m not mistaken, specifically mentioned that they have not committed to Bayern.

And we're probably not one of those teams not with the transfer ban situation still up in the air.

4 hours ago, Ray_Cfc said:

And we're probably not one of those teams not with the transfer ban situation still up in the air.

That would quite foolish, almost comically foolish, and quite hard to believe.  Regardless of the transfer ban, I would think the club is still assessing targets and working out deals in case the ban is frozen.  If not, then they’d already be a step behind when the window opens.

9 minutes ago, mwblue10 said:

That would quite foolish, almost comically foolish, and quite hard to believe.  Regardless of the transfer ban, I would think the club is still assessing targets and working out deals in case the ban is frozen.  If not, then they’d already be a step behind when the window opens.

True but surely his agent will prioritise other clubs until it's clear that we get the go ahead to sign players this summer. 

15 minutes ago, Ray_Cfc said:

True but surely his agent will prioritise other clubs until it's clear that we get the go ahead to sign players this summer. 

Generally I would agree, but in this instance, the player has publicly stated that he is a Chelsea fan and it is the only English club he would sign for.  Makes it a unique situation, and limits the field slightly.

22 minutes ago, mwblue10 said:

Generally I would agree, but in this instance, the player has publicly stated that he is a Chelsea fan and it is the only English club he would sign for.  Makes it a unique situation, and limits the field slightly.

Yes, but agents have a bigger say than the players a lot of the time. They convince their client that they can do more, earn more etc elsewhere. 

2 hours ago, enigma said:

Yes, but agents have a bigger say than the players a lot of the time. They convince their client that they can do more, earn more etc elsewhere. 

Right, but in this case all I’m saying is it’s likely that he is at least talking with us.

On 20/04/2019 at 16:57, rtwelch said:

Hypothetically, If Sane was available for the same price which one would you want?

Sané. He's proven in the PL - and IMO one of the best wingers out there. With that being said, I think Pépé would be an absolutely amazing signing!

I was unconvinced about Pepe earlier in the season because while his movement was dangerous, it seemed to me that he missed a lot of chances and his first touch seemed sub-par for a side that faces a lot of deep-lying defences (like Chelsea). 

His finishing and first touch have both improved a lot though, plus he's provided quite a few assists, which suggests a reasonably unselfish nature, so I'd be much more enthusiastic about his signing. The only real area for improvements would be 1) his strength - he seems a bit lightweight for the PL and 2) defensive contribution, in which he can be a bit lazy. But those can be addressed.

If we are genuinely interested, then no doubt Drogs has put in a word to his fellow Ivorian .... ?

Jim Ratcliffe, who was rumoured to have wanted to buy Chelsea, has had a bid accepted to buy OGC Nice. Reckon this could make it easier or harder for us to land Pepe in future?

Could make it easier should he be close to buying Chelsea and also has a season ticket with us?

Could prove difficult as he's bitter we wouldn't accept his offer to buy the club?

4 hours ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Jim Ratcliffe, who was rumoured to have wanted to buy Chelsea, has had a bid accepted to buy OGC Nice. Reckon this could make it easier or harder for us to land Pepe in future?

Interesting that he's buying another club. 

If he really was interested in buying Chelsea then he must have got a pretty firm "no" from Roman to have bought a club elsewhere. 

Unless he's got plans on buying more than one club.... Is that even allowed? 

31 minutes ago, ForeverCarefree said:

Interesting that he's buying another club. 

If he really was interested in buying Chelsea then he must have got a pretty firm "no" from Roman to have bought a club elsewhere. 

Unless he's got plans on buying more than one club.... Is that even allowed? 

I think Man City and NYC FC are owned by the same people, so I would guess maybe it's allowed?

Although, NYC FC would never compete in any European competitions, so maybe that mitigates the conflict of interest.  Owning 2 clubs in Europe seems like would cause an issue somewhere.

Edit: it was brought to our attention that Pepe, in fact, plays for Lille and not Nice, so Ratcliffe will have no say in the matter 

Edited June 4, 20197 yr by mwblue10