I think we need to start accepting the reality that the club are accepting the ban for this season. While i'm fully expecting a struggle for top 4 which is a little frustrating as i honestly believed we were a top fullback and top striker away from going up a level even with Hazard going i don't think the situation is the doomsday that some think.  Looking at it properly it is probably best we take the hit and get it out of the way now, firstly because of the threat of an extension, secondly everything will be rushed with negotiators knowing how desperate we are and lastly with Cech coming in this will give him a year to get his feet under the table, acess the situation and identify proper targets for 2020.

Now onto the likely lineup.

If i had it my way (when all fit), gunna also assume Alonso gets his wish and goes Leti as noises are pretty big atm.

                           Kepa                         

James   Rudiger  AC/Luiz   Azpi

                         Jorginho                   

                  Kante      Loftus           

Pedro/Willy                        CHO/Pulisic

                    Giroud/Tammy                     

  Notable other squad players: Caballero, Emerson, Aina (if we can convince him to return), Ampadu, Kovacic, Barkley, Mount.

Christensen or Luiz depending on opponents, likewise Giroud/Tammy. The rotating wingers to allow one youth and one experience at a time for a balance. Noises are Callum will be back for the start of the season which is a major boost.

Think it's safe to say we won't be troubling City and Liverpool with that side but I'm relatively confident we can retain top 4. The one thing that worries me is the goals, we badly need one of those four wingers to step up (or Tammy to return and do a Harry Kane) however the midfield, defense and (bar DDG if he returns to form) keeper is for me better (collectively) than anything any team outside City and Liverpool have to offer right now, i know there's still the transfer window to go for them but I'm not convinced Spurs and Arsenal will spend big on serious upgrades and while United could afford to they have a boardroom structure that makes ours look like City's.

I'm not usually one to say something like this and even now im cringing a little bit doing so, however top 4 next season with our best youngsters further integrated into the set up will feel like a trophy and will give us a perfect platform to kick on into the new era. Instead of seeing it as Arsenal lite see it as part of the process of getting us challenging in 20/21.

I'd hope Emerson is 1st choice at LB and Dave 1st choice at RB. Other than that I think this is about what we can expect.

Pulisic prefers the right from what I've seen in his US games so Pedro may find himself 2nd choice to CHO on the left. 

At this point I'd be perfectly happy with this squad going forward into next season. It wont win trophies but I'm convinced it will pay off in the long run. James, Tammy, CHO, RLC, Emerson, Christensen and Pulisic will all be peaking around the same time and those are the players we need to build around. All have immense talent and most are already experienced professionals already. 

Edited June 7, 20197 yr by TheChelseaBlues

GK: Kepa, Caballero, Bulka

DF: Azpi, Rudiger, Luiz, Christensen, Alonso, Zouma, Emerson, James

MF: Kante, Jorginho, RLC, Mount, Barkley, Ampadu 

Attackers: CHO, Pulisic, Giroud, Abraham, Willian, Pedro (this is our biggest issue that cannot be fixed with our transfer ban)

16 minutes ago, TheChelseaBlues said:

I'd hope Emerson is 1st choice at LB and Dave 1st choice at RB. Other than that I think this is about what we can expect.

I honestly think a James-Azpi combo is better than an Azpi-Emerson.

First because Azpi seems to be better defensively on the left and James to me looks a better fullback than Emerson on all levels.

3 hours ago, Argo said:

I think we need to start accepting the reality that the club are accepting the ban for this season. While i'm fully expecting a struggle for top 4 which is a little frustrating as i honestly believed we were a top fullback and top striker away from going up a level even with Hazard going i don't think the situation is the doomsday that some think.  Looking at it properly it is probably best we take the hit and get it out of the way now, firstly because of the threat of an extension, secondly everything will be rushed with negotiators knowing how desperate we are and lastly with Cech coming in this will give him a year to get his feet under the table, acess the situation and identify proper targets for 2020.

Now onto the likely lineup.

If i had it my way (when all fit), gunna also assume Alonso gets his wish and goes Leti as noises are pretty big atm.

                           Kepa                         

James   Rudiger  AC/Luiz   Azpi

                         Jorginho                   

                  Kante      Loftus           

Pedro/Willy                        CHO/Pulisic

                    Giroud/Tammy                     

  Notable other squad players: Caballero, Emerson, Aina (if we can convince him to return), Ampadu, Kovacic, Barkley, Mount.

Christensen or Luiz depending on opponents, likewise Giroud/Tammy. The rotating wingers to allow one youth and one experience at a time for a balance. Noises are Callum will be back for the start of the season which is a major boost.

Think it's safe to say we won't be troubling City and Liverpool with that side but I'm relatively confident we can retain top 4. The one thing that worries me is the goals, we badly need one of those four wingers to step up (or Tammy to return and do a Harry Kane) however the midfield, defense and (bar DDG if he returns to form) keeper is for me better (collectively) than anything any team outside City and Liverpool have to offer right now, i know there's still the transfer window to go for them but I'm not convinced Spurs and Arsenal will spend big on serious upgrades and while United could afford to they have a boardroom structure that makes ours look like City's.

I'm not usually one to say something like this and even now im cringing a little bit doing so, however top 4 next season with our best youngsters further integrated into the set up will feel like a trophy and will give us a perfect platform to kick on into the new era. Instead of seeing it as Arsenal lite see it as part of the process of getting us challenging in 20/21.

CHO & Pulisic as first choice wingers with Willy/Pedro as backups.

3 hours ago, Argo said:

I think we need to start accepting the reality that the club are accepting the ban for this season. While i'm fully expecting a struggle for top 4 which is a little frustrating as i honestly believed we were a top fullback and top striker away from going up a level even with Hazard going i don't think the situation is the doomsday that some think.  Looking at it properly it is probably best we take the hit and get it out of the way now, firstly because of the threat of an extension, secondly everything will be rushed with negotiators knowing how desperate we are and lastly with Cech coming in this will give him a year to get his feet under the table, acess the situation and identify proper targets for 2020.

Now onto the likely lineup.

If i had it my way (when all fit), gunna also assume Alonso gets his wish and goes Leti as noises are pretty big atm.

                           Kepa                         

James   Rudiger  AC/Luiz   Azpi

                         Jorginho                   

                  Kante      Loftus           

Pedro/Willy                        CHO/Pulisic

                    Giroud/Tammy                     

  Notable other squad players: Caballero, Emerson, Aina (if we can convince him to return), Ampadu, Kovacic, Barkley, Mount.

Christensen or Luiz depending on opponents, likewise Giroud/Tammy. The rotating wingers to allow one youth and one experience at a time for a balance. Noises are Callum will be back for the start of the season which is a major boost.

Think it's safe to say we won't be troubling City and Liverpool with that side but I'm relatively confident we can retain top 4. The one thing that worries me is the goals, we badly need one of those four wingers to step up (or Tammy to return and do a Harry Kane) however the midfield, defense and (bar DDG if he returns to form) keeper is for me better (collectively) than anything any team outside City and Liverpool have to offer right now, i know there's still the transfer window to go for them but I'm not convinced Spurs and Arsenal will spend big on serious upgrades and while United could afford to they have a boardroom structure that makes ours look like City's.

I'm not usually one to say something like this and even now im cringing a little bit doing so, however top 4 next season with our best youngsters further integrated into the set up will feel like a trophy and will give us a perfect platform to kick on into the new era. Instead of seeing it as Arsenal lite see it as part of the process of getting us challenging in 20/21.

That's about the team I would of picked, nice to see some Chelsea lads in the team and squad. I know there both crap but what's happening with Bats and Morata?

3 minutes ago, chi blue said:

That's about the team I would of picked, nice to see some Chelsea lads in the team and squad. I know there both crap but what's happening with Bats and Morata?

Morata still has 12 months left on his loan deal and Bats hopefully is sold to the highest bidder.

4 hours ago, Argo said:

I think we need to start accepting the reality that the club are accepting the ban for this season. While i'm fully expecting a struggle for top 4 which is a little frustrating as i honestly believed we were a top fullback and top striker away from going up a level even with Hazard going i don't think the situation is the doomsday that some think.  Looking at it properly it is probably best we take the hit and get it out of the way now, firstly because of the threat of an extension, secondly everything will be rushed with negotiators knowing how desperate we are and lastly with Cech coming in this will give him a year to get his feet under the table, acess the situation and identify proper targets for 2020.

Now onto the likely lineup.

If i had it my way (when all fit), gunna also assume Alonso gets his wish and goes Leti as noises are pretty big atm.

                           Kepa                         

James   Rudiger  AC/Luiz   Azpi

                         Jorginho                   

                  Kante      Loftus           

Pedro/Willy                        CHO/Pulisic

                    Giroud/Tammy                     

  Notable other squad players: Caballero, Emerson, Aina (if we can convince him to return), Ampadu, Kovacic, Barkley, Mount.

Christensen or Luiz depending on opponents, likewise Giroud/Tammy. The rotating wingers to allow one youth and one experience at a time for a balance. Noises are Callum will be back for the start of the season which is a major boost.

Think it's safe to say we won't be troubling City and Liverpool with that side but I'm relatively confident we can retain top 4. The one thing that worries me is the goals, we badly need one of those four wingers to step up (or Tammy to return and do a Harry Kane) however the midfield, defense and (bar DDG if he returns to form) keeper is for me better (collectively) than anything any team outside City and Liverpool have to offer right now, i know there's still the transfer window to go for them but I'm not convinced Spurs and Arsenal will spend big on serious upgrades and while United could afford to they have a boardroom structure that makes ours look like City's.

I'm not usually one to say something like this and even now im cringing a little bit doing so, however top 4 next season with our best youngsters further integrated into the set up will feel like a trophy and will give us a perfect platform to kick on into the new era. Instead of seeing it as Arsenal lite see it as part of the process of getting us challenging in 20/21.

Fixtures out next Thursday, hopefully managerial situation gets sorted out and we can all move forward. 

17 hours ago, Argo said:

I honestly think a James-Azpi combo is better than an Azpi-Emerson.

First because Azpi seems to be better defensively on the left and James to me looks a better fullback than Emerson on all levels.

And holy f***ing sh*t, James has a suspected broken ankle.  The footballing gods are sh*tting all over us at the mo. ps. sorry for swearing, but this is becoming sick.

Edited June 7, 20197 yr by Dixons

Time for Tammy and CHO to step up and be creative and bang in the goals. Let's do this.  ?

4 hours ago, Dixons said:

And holy f***ing sh*t, James has a suspected broken ankle.  The footballing gods are sh*tting all over us at the mo. ps. sorry for swearing, but this is becoming sick.

Yea it's becoming rotten luck isn't it? 3 capable academy players on the verge of breaking through and they get seriously injury. 

I say we go all in for Coutinho if we arent banned... best we can do to bring a superstar in at the moment. 

 

 

Feck im seriously depressed Eden left to want Coutinho aint I? 

GK Kepa Cabellero Cumming

DR Azpilicueta James

DC Rudiger Zouma D.Luiz Christiansen Ampadu

DL Emerson Alonso

CM Kante Jorginho Bakayoko 

AM RLC Barkley Mount 

LW CHO Willian

RW Pulisic Pedro

ST Giroud Batshuayi Abraham 

That is what i think the 25 man squad will be. 

Willian is better on the left IMO, he’s more effective cutting inside, he can fill in there whilst CHO is getting back to fitness.

Although lack of natural width on the left could be a problem so I probably would have Emerson and move Dave to right back with Reece James sharing duties.

Pulisic/ Pedro on the right.

Other than that I pretty much agree with the Argo’s team.

* incoming players in bold

With Alonso/Emerson;

Kepa (Caballero/Blackman)
Azpi (James/Zappacosta) - Rudiger (Christensen/Zouma) - Luiz (Christensen/Zouma) - Alonso (Emerson)
Kante (Pasalic) - Jorginho (Bakayoko/Drinkwater) - Pasalic (Barkley/RLC)
Pedro (Pulisic/Willian) - Giroud (Batshuayi/Tammy) - Willian (CHO/Pulisic)

Without Alonso/Emerson;

Kepa (Caballero/Blackman)
Zappacosta (James/Azpi) - Rudiger (Christensen/Zouma) - Luiz (Christensen/Zouma) - Azpi (Baba Rahman)
Kante (Pasalic) - Jorginho (Bakayoko/Drinkwater) - Pasalic (Barkley/RLC)
Pedro (Pulisic/Willian/CHO) - Giroud (Batshuayi/Tammy) - Willian (CHO/Pulisic)

Our lineup will be mid table quality. 

Ideally when everyone is fit 

 

.......................................Kepa.................................

James/Azpi...Rudiger...Luiz/Christensen...Emerson

............................Kante....Jorginho..........................

.......................................RLC.........................................

.....Pulisic...............Abraham.................Hudson-Odoi

 

I'd also hope to make Kovacic permanent, he's a decent player and can cover all 3 midfield positions. Hopefully we can somehow keep Ola Aine allowing us to sell Alonso. You'd then have the likes of Ampadu, Zouma, Kovacic, Ola Aina, Giroud, Pedro, Willian, Barkley as back ups

Now, for me that squad isn't quite good enough to challenge and there may be a struggle to finish in the top 4 when you take into account the fact we won't have RLC and Hudson-Odoi for a while but we have a great foundation here, with a team filled with great young talents who will only get better

For me, when we can actually sign players we should be focusing on LB, a wide attacker and a forward. Focus on signing young players with room to grow but players that are also good enough to make an impact in the first 11. It may take a few years but we could potentially have a great team 

Imagine if we could behave like a normal team and realise we have the ban coming so get it froze and move fast and hard in the market, splashing on 3 top quality players. Imagine if with just three players we could look like this next season, the moneys there with sales and if we spend abit over it balances with not buying in next two windows.

Starting XI  first game of season 

 

Kepa 

Azpilicueta Rudiger Romagnoli Aina 

Jorginho

Kante  Mount 

Pulisic Icardi Pepe 

 

Starting XI everyone fit 

 

Kepa 

(Bulka)

 

James Rudiger Romagnoli Aina 

(Azpi) (Luiz) (Christensen) (Emerson)

 

Jorginho

(Ampadu)

Kante RLC

(Barkley) (Mount) 

 

Hudson-Odoi Icardi Pepe 

(Pedro) (Abraham) (Pulisic) 

 

three signings ! 

Pepe, Romagnoli, Icardi

 

9 youth players in the squad and about 4 starting. Why can’t Aina and James get close to Alexander Arnold and Robertson ? Where was they before they got a chance. That team would have us all excited for the next 6-7 years and surely is achievable such a shame we don’t seem to have any idea what to do next when it seems fairly easy to make an exciting new team. I appreciate I’m playing football manager a little but I’m not signing six players and spending well out of budget when you consider Hazard sale and the need a) to replace our best player b) get as much business done as we can for the next couple of years 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7 hours ago, I Am Gay 4 Diegod said:

Imagine if we could behave like a normal team and realise we have the ban coming so get it froze and move fast and hard in the market, splashing on 3 top quality players. Imagine if with just three players we could look like this next season, the moneys there with sales and if we spend abit over it balances with not buying in next two windows.

Starting XI  first game of season 

 

Kepa 

Azpilicueta Rudiger Romagnoli Aina 

Jorginho

Kante  Mount 

Pulisic Icardi Pepe 

 

Starting XI everyone fit 

 

Kepa 

(Bulka)

 

James Rudiger Romagnoli Aina 

(Azpi) (Luiz) (Christensen) (Emerson)

 

Jorginho

(Ampadu)

Kante RLC

(Barkley) (Mount) 

 

Hudson-Odoi Icardi Pepe 

(Pedro) (Abraham) (Pulisic) 

 

three signings ! 

Pepe, Romagnoli, Icardi

 

9 youth players in the squad and about 4 starting. Why can’t Aina and James get close to Alexander Arnold and Robertson ? Where was they before they got a chance. That team would have us all excited for the next 6-7 years and surely is achievable such a shame we don’t seem to have any idea what to do next when it seems fairly easy to make an exciting new team. I appreciate I’m playing football manager a little but I’m not signing six players and spending well out of budget when you consider Hazard sale and the need a) to replace our best player b) get as much business done as we can for the next couple of years 

Can't think of anything worse than signing Icardi. £70m+ for a problematic striker. 

Bulka is off to PSG, already signed a pre-contract so won't be around next season.

Torino are going to buy Aina so can't see that happening either. Even still, he's played wingback all season, nothing to say he'd be as effective at full back.