No doubt that there will be numerous threads with a similar theme, but my intention on this thread is IF Hazard does leave and IF we are able to avoid the transfer ban and therefore make some signings, how would folk look to replace what Hazard gives us?

We cannot really replace him, not with one player as his sort of quality and ability is pretty rare. But I like the idea of signing one of the better players from teams a step down from where we are and I think with us being Chelsea and now being able to offer Champions League football, we could have our pick of a number of decent players, amongst whom I would list:

Richarlison. Only 21 and has looked Everton's best player by far this season.

Perez. Inconsistent, but when on form a real handful. Very skillful and when he plays well Newcastle tend to win.

Zaha. Palace's best player by far - the main reason they haven't been relegated last couple of seasons. Capable of match-winning moments and at 26 should be coming to his best years.

Jiminez. 28 and been excellent for Wolves this season and better than our current striker options.

Deulofeu. Has always looked like there's a real player in there and the semi-final v Wolves showed he can be a match-winner. Inconsistent but again at 25 should be coming into his best years.

Maddison. Hasn't been at Leicester long but a quality player and great on dead-ball situations. Only 22 and bound to be a fixture of future England squads.

Cheeky bid for Sane. Hasn't features as much for City this season which won't help him get back in the Germany side. If he isn't guaranteed more playing time next season, he could well jump at the chance to join us and he's still only 23.

Not saying ANY of these are a Hazard replacement (sane would be the closest), but I think we have a chance to replace Eden with a couple of very good players who Sarri could work with and improve and add to the quality we already have as well as bringing back the likes of Mount and Abraham.

Just praying we don't go and blow more money on some over the hill has-been like we have made a habit of in the past.

 

 

Edited May 6, 20197 yr by Nibs

I'd support the Richarlison suggestion. He's a handful.
We also need a new fullback on both sides if you ask me. Both Chillwell and Pereira at Leicester would be good purchases in that case. Young and good players.

38 minutes ago, Nibs said:

No doubt that there will be numerous threads with a similar theme, but my intention on this thread is IF Hazard does leave and IF we are able to avoid the transfer ban and therefore make some signings, how would folk look to replace what Hazard gives us?

We cannot really replace him, not with one player as his sort of quality and ability is pretty rare. But I like the idea of signing one of the better players from teams a step down from where we are and I think with us being Chelsea and now being able to offer Champions League football, we could have our pick of a number of decent players, amongst whom I would list:

Richarlison. Only 21 and has looked Everton's best player by far this season.

Perez. Inconsistent, but when on form a real handful. Very skillful and when he plays well Newcastle tend to win.

Zaha. Palace's best player by far - the main reason they haven't been relegated last couple of seasons. Capable of match-winning moments and at 26 should be coming to his best years.

Jiminez. 28 and been excellent for Wolves this season and better than our current striker options.

Deulofeu. Has always looked like there's a real player in there and the semi-final v Wolves showed he can be a match-winner. Inconsistent but again at 25 should be coming into his best years.

Maddison. Hasn't been at Leicester long but a quality player and great on dead-ball situations. Only 22 and bound? to be a fixture of future England squads.

Cheeky bid for Sane. Hasn't features as much for City this season which won't help him get back in the Germany side. If he isn't guaranteed more playing time next season, he could well jump at the chance to join us and he's still only 23.

Not saying ANY of these are a Hazard replacement (sane would be the closest), but I think we have a chance to ?replace Eden with a couple of very good players who Sarri could work with and improve and add to the quality we already have as well as bringing back the likes of Mount and Abraham.

Just praying we don't go and blow more money on some over the hill has-been like we have made a habit of in the past.

 

 

I think premier league teams are that rich nowadays, that there is very few bargains to be had from buying from so called lesser teams. 

Richarlision for example would probably be double the £80m Everton paid for him, i just think there is more value in signing players from abroad.

I wish Richarlison was tougher...…...

I'd only take Sane from that list.

2 hours ago, Nibs said:

Richarlison. Only 21 and has looked Everton's best player by far this season.

Jiminez. 28 and been excellent for Wolves this season and better than our current striker options.

 

I'd take Richarlison in a heartbeat... especially after what we've seen at RW the last few seasons. Jiminez was on loan and his deal is being made permanent. Good business by Wolves.

Ben Chillwell is a name that's going to be fought over in the next year or so as well.

I agree with @big blue though, when everyone has money, shopping within the league is going to be EXPENSIVE.

 

Cheeky bid for Mahrez? 

For the right price Zaha could be interesting, at least he is direct and looks to take on his man.

Richarlison is a handful as well.

Edited May 6, 20197 yr by 2211

Hopefully we could have this

GK: Kepa, Caballero

LB: Alonso, Emerson

CB: Luiz, Rudiger, Christensen, NEW CB

RB: Azpi, Reece James

CM: Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic, RLC, Barkley, NEW CM (Regista back up)

RW: Pusilic, Pedro

LW: CHO, NEW LW

ST: NEW ST, Higuain

New signings:

CB: Sign a top class CB

CM: New regista back up. Someone like Paredes could have been very nice.

LW: World class winger. Pepe?

ST: Someone like Luka Jovic would be nice.

I know a lot of people will disagree with me about Kovacic and Higuain. I think Kovacic is a safe signing and Higuain, well he’s clearly showed us how good he can be at finishing. I think he’d be handy to use against packed defence late in the game, with his smart movement.

So just 4 new signings, with the money from Hazard sale and whatever we’ve got. Not too unrealistic.

57 minutes ago, dansubrosa said:

Hopefully we could have this

GK: Kepa, Caballero

LB: Alonso, Emerson

CB: Luiz, Rudiger, Christensen, NEW CB

RB: Azpi, Reece James

CM: Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic, RLC, Barkley, NEW CM (Regista back up)

RW: Pusilic, Pedro

LW: CHO, NEW LW

ST: NEW ST, Higuain

New signings:

CB: Sign a top class CB

CM: New regista back up. Someone like Paredes could have been very nice.

LW: World class winger. Pepe?

ST: Someone like Luka Jovic would be nice.

I know a lot of people will disagree with me about Kovacic and Higuain. I think Kovacic is a safe signing and Higuain, well he’s clearly showed us how good he can be at finishing. I think he’d be handy to use against packed defence late in the game, with his smart movement.

So just 4 new signings, with the money from Hazard sale and whatever we’ve got. Not too unrealistic.

 

 

Unless Madrid will agree to loan Kovacic for a 2nd consecutive season or sell him to us for under £30m, I won’t be touching him. Even if somehow they magically agree to either of the 2 conditions, he will be as a backup Regista. Sarri only regularly uses 14 players and will hardly rotate his regista. That will be the last position I will be spending money on. If we can’t get Kovacic on loan, I will use Reece James as a backup RB/Regista.

No way should we even consider retaining Higuain; won’t the loan fee be £19m or £30m to sign? He is also on £190k/w which will make him the 2nd highest earner behind Kante. Won’t be touching him at those numbers, and I don’t think he  is effective as a sub/backup. He is Juve’s problem and the only teams linked with him are in Argentina. That shows how far his stock has fallen. Sarri will get a full preseason so no excuses; if we can’t overturn the ban I would go with one of Morata/Batshuayi and Tammy as the 2nd forward. Pointless sending Tammy on loan at this point. If we can sign players, get rid of both Morata & Batshuayi,  sign one of Werner/Jovic/Haller/Joelinton & keep Tammy as competition.

LB: if the ban sticks; see if we can stop Ola Aina signing for Torino and move on Alonso. Ola Aina & Azpi can both play on both flanks & can. compete with Emerson. 

If we can sign players same as above, and will consider moving on Emerson. Will try signing one of Gaya/Telles/Ferland Mendy/Digne. Pereria is an interesting one as he can play on both flanks.

CB: if the ban sticks; will give Zouma a full preseason as I am not so keen on Luiz. If we can sign players there is no point keeping Luiz, give Zouma a full preseason. If Sarri needs an upgrade will try signing one of Tah/Akanji/

Midfield: We lack goals in the middle of the park, and desperately need someone that will score 10 league goals. Will consider selling Barkley depending on where we stand regarding homegrown rules, and if we can sign players try getting one of Aouar/Havertz/Maddison/Brandt.

 

 

 

Based on what you have asked for:

 

GK: Kepa, Big Willy, Blackman

Out: Bulka (free), Green (free)

Full back: Azpi, James, Chilwell (50mill), Alonso

Out: Zappacosta (12mill), Emerson (20mill).

Center back: Christensen, Rudiger, Maguire (55mill), Zouma

Out: Luiz (free), Cahill (free)

Registra: Jorginho, need suggestions here

Center mids: Kante, Ampadu, RLC, Fraser (40mill), Barkely 

Out: Kovacic (loan end)

Wide attackers: CHO, Pulisic, Pepe (70mill) Richarlison (80mill)

Out: Hazard (100mill), Willian (30mill) Pedro (15mill)

Strikers: Jovic (100mill), Abraham

Out: Higuain (loan end), Giroud (free), Batman (20mill)

Ins 395mill

Outs 207mill

Guesses on prices and still need a new registra. My football knowledge of players outside the top 10 is limited these days.

Alex telles apparently has €40m release clause. So I’d bring him in.

 

I would love Jovic but I feel he’s Madrid bound so someone like him or Icardi as his time at Inter looks over and Madrid can only sign one of them.

 

Ruben Neves in CM would be a good signing or a Milinkovic-Savic type player.

 

I’d also like us to bring in another winger, such as Pepe, if we could get Sane that would be incredible as I think he’s a terrific player.

 

Obviously this is a dream signings list,  but all of them bar M-S & Sane are realistically achievable in my opinion.

 

I’d also get rid of the deadwood and some fringe like Zappacosta, Willian, Drinkwater etc and integrate some of the youth!

8 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Based on what you have asked for:

 

GK: Kepa, Big Willy, Blackman

Out: Bulka (free), Green (free)

Full back: Azpi, James, Chilwell (50mill), Alonso

Out: Zappacosta (12mill), Emerson (20mill).

Center back: Christensen, Rudiger, Maguire (55mill), Zouma

Out: Luiz (free), Cahill (free)

Registra: Jorginho, need suggestions here

Center mids: Kante, Ampadu, RLC, Fraser (40mill), Barkely 

Out: Kovacic (loan end)

Wide attackers: CHO, Pulisic, Pepe (70mill) Richarlison (80mill)

Out: Hazard (100mill), Willian (30mill) Pedro (15mill)

Strikers: Jovic (100mill), Abraham

Out: Higuain (loan end), Giroud (free), Batman (20mill)

Ins 395mill

Outs 207mill

Guesses on prices and still need a new registra. My football knowledge of players outside the top 10 is limited these days.

No chance Jovic will cost 100m, or Richarlison 80m.

Fraser, isn’t he a winger? I doubt he’d cost 40m either, he’s not that good.

Real Madrid refuse to meet the asking price for Hazard which is 100m, which I think is cheap for a player like Hazard considering how much Neymar + Coutinho went for.

I’d say, 50m for Richarlison, 60m for Jovic, 25m for Fraser.

 

 

24 minutes ago, EdinburghBlue said:

Alex telles apparently has €40m release clause. So I’d bring him in.

 

I would love Jovic but I feel he’s Madrid bound so someone like him or Icardi as his time at Inter looks over and Madrid can only sign one of them.

 

Ruben Neves in CM would be a good signing or a Milinkovic-Savic type player.

 

I’d also like us to bring in another winger, such as Pepe, if we could get Sane that would be incredible as I think he’s a terrific player.

 

Obviously this is a dream signings list,  but all of them bar M-S & Sane are realistically achievable in my opinion.

 

I’d also get rid of the deadwood and some fringe like Zappacosta, Willian, Drinkwater etc and integrate some of the youth!

I was thinking of Icardi who is a top player but I just dont think he is worth the hassle, Chelsea has had so many drama's over the years I just dont think him and his wife who's his agent is worth it.

Alderweireld for 25m is an absolute steal, every team in the PL should be after him.

47 minutes ago, EdinburghBlue said:

Ruben Neves in CM

Would bite your hand off for him at Chelsea.

Doub't we'll get 20M for Emerson. Him and Zappa will probably bring us home something like 25-30M in total.
- Bats should bring in something more than 20M though. Probably something like 30M or so. 

I agree that we should move for a talented fullback on the left - Chilwell is a good shout. Other options would be someone like Ferland Mendy, Jose Gaya or maybe even Alaba - as Bayern has just brought in Hernandez.

However, I really disagree with the idea of spending anywhere near 90M for Fraser and Maguire. We should use that kind of money on a player that would really change our side - not on two players that I can see becoming back-ups.
I'd personally go for someone like Ruben Dias from Benfica or Christian Romero from Genoa when looking for CB's.

In the regista role I'd like Ampadu or maybe even Sandro Tonali from Brescia. Ruben Neves would be brilliant in this role as well - but I doubt that Wolves are willing to sell.

I like the thought of Nicolas Pépé or Sané - either one would add speed and ono-v-one situations. Sané would be the more expensive solution - but also the more proven player; especially in the PL.

Jovic seems destined for Real Madrid - and he's definately nowhere near 100M. Perhaps 60M - but nothing more. A new striker would be great though, and Dybala is indeed someone I think would match Sarri's philosophy. 
- He'll probably set us back around 100M.

 

27 minutes ago, Ernie_blue said:

I was thinking of Icardi who is a top player but I just dont think he is worth the hassle, Chelsea has had so many drama's over the years I just dont think him and his wife who's his agent is worth it.

I agree he does seem like a hassle but we need a bit of steel and a nasty bastard in the team, I feel. We’re far too nice and I don’t think there’s anyone in our squad who would say boo to a ghost.

Yeah, but Icardi’s wife is an absolute nightmare.

Theres a reason why no one has snapped him up yet, despite how good he is. Comes with too much baggage.

3 hours ago, EdinburghBlue said:

I agree he does seem like a hassle but we need a bit of steel and a nasty bastard in the team, I feel. We’re far too nice and I don’t think there’s anyone in our squad who would say boo to a ghost.

Deffiantly need a top striker, who I dont know and we dont have the best record when it comes to forwards but its essential as a club we get the right player.

5 hours ago, dansubrosa said:

No chance Jovic will cost 100m, or Richarlison 80m.

Fraser, isn’t he a winger? I doubt he’d cost 40m either, he’s not that good.

Real Madrid refuse to meet the asking price for Hazard which is 100m, which I think is cheap for a player like Hazard considering how much Neymar + Coutinho went for.

I’d say, 50m for Richarlison, 60m for Jovic, 25m for Fraser.

 

 

Sounds fair though Everton paid that for Richarlison so I doubt they sell him for only that.

Arrizabalaga ; Caballero ; Cumming

Azpiliceuta ; James ; Alonso ; Aina

Rudiger ; Christensen ; Luiz ; Tomori

Jorginho ; Ampadu ; Kante ; Pasalic ; Loftus-Cheek ; Mount

Hudson-Odoi ; Willian ; Pedro ; Pulisic

Higuain ; Giroud ; Abraham

 

OUT: Green ; Bulka ; Kane ; Cahill ; Zappacosta ; Zouma ; Omeruo ; Hector ; Kalas ; Miazga ; Emerson ; Rahman ; Drinkwater ; Baker ; Bakayoko ; Kovacic ; Barkley ; Van Ginkel ; Kenedy ; Piazon ; Moses ; Musonda ; Hazard ; Brown ; Batshuayi ; Morata

IN: No-one (transfer ban)

Edited May 8, 20197 yr by Sexyfootball

I don't think we would sign someone to directly replace Hazard. CHO will be playing there, and Pulisic can as well. What we need is someone to play on the RIGHT. Preferably a left footer. And bin off Willian. 

Also a lot of people saying Zouma. Do we really need another right footed/sided CB? Literally all of ours are right footed. Surely we should be going for a left footer/someone who specialises in playing on the left of the two.

BTW i'm not left footed but I just think we have a criminally low amount of left footers in the team.

Priority of signings in this order IMO:

ST - Get rid of all. Bring back Tammy + Buy 1

LB - Keep Emerson + Buy1

RW - Keep Pedro + Buy 1

CB - Keep Rudi, Christensen, Ampadu + Buy 1

CM - Buy a rotational option

 

Not sure I agree with sarri about 1 or 2 signings. I think we need 4 or 5 to compete for the title, and to not be affected by a ban in 12 months time. 

LB, Telles would be my first choice, but there is a decent amount of quality left backs around. Chilwell, Tierney, Grimaldo, Mendy (lyon).

Centre back I think we might be okay, Rudiger, Zouma, Christiansen, David Luiz, Tomori, Ampadu. Decent enough options.

RB I think we are set with Azpilicueta and James, and possibly aina if we can persuade him to turn down torino.

CM I think we need someone who can provide cover and competition for kante and jorginho, Kovacic could be that player if he was fairly cheap. I like tielemans on loan at Leicester, Ruben Neves would probably be tbe dream signing, but we have been linked with Barella.

attacking midfield I think we are set with RLC and Mount. Not Barkleys biggest fan but he is also a squad option.

WINGERS This is where it gets tricky. Pulisic is the only certainty. I would sell both Willian and pedro, and assuming Hazard leaves aswell, we would need 2 new players. There are a lot of good wingers to choose from, so any 2 from Pepe, Joao Felix, Ziyech, Neres, Lozano, Bergjwin, Fekir, Thauvin, Brandt. 

ST We have loads of options that are good enough to be 2nd choice, I'd go with Abraham, but we need as good a striker as we can get to be 1st choice. Not a great deal out there, I like Jovic and Dybala, but both seem unlikely. Icardi looks like being more trouble than he's worth, maybe we might be forced to take a punt on someone like Haller. 

so overall for me we need 5 players to see us get through the next 2 seasons, and that's not including bringing back James, zouma/tomori, mount, and Abraham.

 

I would buy Ruben Neves from Wolves as a first priority. Send back Kovacic to Real Madrid. A team with Jorginho, Neves, Ruben and Kante is as good as any in the world.