Apart from not seeing much of him and his appearances and performance a bit patchy, yesterday's behaviour at Valencia was odd at best and actually not team aligned. He 'warmed up' on his own the whole time, doing bits and pieces but not even basic stuff as a sub with anyone. He spent a lot of time gazing about the stadium and then trotted off.

so maybe a move to Valencia or certainly somewhere in Spain maybe in Jan.

if he goes then muchos Gracias senore Pedro, it's been good to have you at our club. If he stays then hope he sorts his attitude

 

You'd struggle to find a footballer anywhere with a better attitude than Pedro.

On 29/11/2019 at 07:12, PloKoon13 said:

You'd struggle to find a footballer anywhere with a better attitude than Pedro.

I've always liked Pedro and even when he's struggled, as you point out, he is a real pro with a great attitude.

However, today showed that players like Pedro, Giroud and even Willian are not going to improve and will just slowly but surely, keep declining. It's a shame, as if they get minutes and do okay, there's no problem and you think, "yep, handy squad players". But when it goes like today, you find yourself getting fed up with them. Youngsters come in and under perform and you will give them leeway and they deserve that as younger players are still learning and will lack consistency. But that was poor today and when you're looking for the older, experienced players to come in and provide some quality and stability, it just wasn't there and for me they have rolled their final dice (would keep Willian until the end of the season though). 

33 minutes ago, Nibs said:

I've always liked Pedro and even when he's struggled, as you point out, he is a real pro with a great attitude.

However, today showed that players like Pedro, Giroud and even Willian are not going to improve and will just slowly but surely, keep declining. It's a shame, as if they get minutes and do okay, there's no problem and you think, "yep, handy squad players". But when it goes like today, you find yourself getting fed up with them. Youngsters come in and under perform and you will give them leeway and they deserve that as younger players are still learning and will lack consistency. But that was poor today and when you're looking for the older, experienced players to come in and provide some quality and stability, it just wasn't there and for me they have rolled their final dice (would keep Willian until the end of the season though). 

Not sure I agree Nibs, certainly they will age yet they need regular play and with the competition Frank can't provide that. So I agree they need to go as they are not going to get the regular minutes.

Willian I think is different and will do a job for another season.

Frank was caught out today Pellegrini played a 4-5-1 and played it intelligently by overloading us near their box so we could not create good chances. Good tactics, felt Frank under-estimated them and then made an error by having lots on the pitch that could cross without a striker in the box. 

Never been his biggest fan but he's workrate is always good and he can get you a goal which is why most of his time at Chelsea he has been preferred to Willian. However if we can get a wide player in January id try to let him go in January. Giroud can go too.

13 hours ago, Strider6003 said:

Not sure I agree Nibs, certainly they will age yet they need regular play and with the competition Frank can't provide that. So I agree they need to go as they are not going to get the regular minutes.

Willian I think is different and will do a job for another season.

Frank was caught out today Pellegrini played a 4-5-1 and played it intelligently by overloading us near their box so we could not create good chances. Good tactics, felt Frank under-estimated them and then made an error by having lots on the pitch that could cross without a striker in the box. 

Will Willian actually do a job next season if he isn’t a starter or be disruptive? He is not someone you would trust to be professional and not mouth off if he isn’t starting.

I also reckon he isn’t signing a new contract because he wants a 2yr + guarantee. IMO just say thank you and let him ride into the sunset at the end of the season. He will be 32 at the start of the season, and we need someone with better output on the right.

On 01/12/2019 at 12:46, ducavis said:

Will Willian actually do a job next season if he isn’t a starter or be disruptive? He is not someone you would trust to be professional and not mouth off if he isn’t starting.

I also reckon he isn’t signing a new contract because he wants a 2yr + guarantee. IMO just say thank you and let him ride into the sunset at the end of the season. He will be 32 at the start of the season, and we need someone with better output on the right.

Fair point about the two year deal, looks like a huge rebuild at the end of the season.

3 hours ago, Strider6003 said:

 like a huge rebuild at the end of the season.

I don't see it as a huge rebuild at all. As the players we are all wanting to replace, for the most part, aren't in the first team. We have an amazing core of young talent. That needs supplemented, not rebuilt.

in the first team, where is there a glaring hole? I'd say Left Back is probably our weakest position with an aging Azpi and a squad player in Emerson.

Tammy has saved probably saved us over £100M
Pulisic and CHO on the wings long term... but here to add world class and/or depth
Midfield, lots of options here
Defense - Left back is a need for me. Need Rudiger to get Healthy, but there's a solid 4 CBs, a young promising RB... good core, and could add a WC CB. but not a glaring need
Keeper. Kepa isn't going anywhere for at least two more years.

I expect a lot of changes to aging, out of favor squad players, but not a rebuild... I think the rebuild already happened... Pulisic, Mount, Tomori, James, Abraham, CHO

 

 

Edited December 2, 20195 yr by Skinnedy

1 hour ago, Skinnedy said:

I don't see it as a huge rebuild at all. As the players we are all wanting to replace, for the most part, aren't in the first team. We have an amazing core of young talent. That needs supplemented, not rebuilt.

in the first team, where is there a glaring hole? I'd say Left Back is probably our weakest position with an aging Azpi and a squad player in Emerson.

Tammy has saved probably saved us over £100M
Pulisic and CHO on the wings long term... but here to add world class and/or depth
Midfield, lots of options here
Defense - Left back is a need for me. Need Rudiger to get Healthy, but there's a solid 4 CBs, a young promising RB... good core, and could add a WC CB. but not a glaring need
Keeper. Kepa isn't going anywhere for at least two more years.

I expect a lot of changes to aging, out of favor squad players, but not a rebuild... I think the rebuild already happened... Pulisic, Mount, Tomori, James, Abraham, CHO

Expected to go: Pedro, Giroud, Alonso

Likely to go or be loaned: Barkley, Batshuyai

In the balance: Kepa**, Willian, Christensen, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Tomori, CHO, Kante*, RLC ***

* Kante - has not been himself since coming back from injury he might regain his former prowess or he might not, even if he does reach the heights again we might decide to cash-in.

** Unlikely to play second fiddle should we favour the back-up keeper for a while.

*** How many long injury lay-offs before he decides to call it a day?

That's over half the squad.

Edited December 2, 20195 yr by Strider6003

23 minutes ago, Strider6003 said:

That's over half the squad.

 

Most of the guys you mentioned are either not starters, or are in the process of being replaced internally. 

how many new starters via transfer do you think we'll have by September 2020?

I can't see more than 3 at the very most. And really, I think the number won't be any more than 2, possibly a wing and a fullback.

To me, that's not an overhaul... Like I said, might just be semantics... squad players should ALWAYS be on the fringe..

I think the player in most danger of losing his job to an outsider is one you didn't list... Emerson .

 

1 minute ago, Skinnedy said:

Most of the guys you mentioned are either not starters, or are in the process of being replaced internally. 

how many new starters via transfer do you think we'll have by September 2020?

I can't see more than 3 at the very most. And really, I think the number won't be any more than 2, possibly a wing and a fullback.

To me, that's not an overhaul... Like I said, might just be semantics... squad players should ALWAYS be on the fringe..

I think the player in most danger of losing his job to an outsider is one you didn't list... Emerson .

I did consider Emerson though we do not have many left backs and with Alonso almost certain to go I don't think you would let both go.

I think we might bring in 4 players.

I don't think Tomori or Zouma will go yet they might end up as bench warmers and that can encourage players to move on or of course go on loan.

I think we will move for a better keeper option, strengthen the wide back, one side or the other, midfield strengthening if Kante does not get back his form and another striker option.

1 hour ago, Strider6003 said:

I did consider Emerson though we do not have many left backs and with Alonso almost certain to go I don't think you would let both go.

Yeah, I'm just speaking strictly starting roles. I think Emerson is with the team next season, but he'd be the first position is be looking to upgrade in the market. 

Other than that, I can see 10/11 spots that start next year, already in the team this year. That's why I don't see it as a major overhaul.

But I can also see 6 new squad players, which would fit your definition. 

If Barkley goes I’d happily give his place to Connor Gallagher who’s been doing amazing things at Charlton.
 

We’ve also got Ampadu out on loan who can come back in to the first team. 

29 minutes ago, Munkworth said:

If Barkley goes I’d happily give his place to Connor Gallagher who’s been doing amazing things at Charlton.
 

We’ve also got Ampadu out on loan who can come back in to the first team. 

Blimey, I forgot about Ampadu. Any reports on how he's been doing? Last I heard he wasn't getting much game time even though he starts for Wales. 

8 minutes ago, Nibs said:

Blimey, I forgot about Ampadu. Any reports on how he's been doing? Last I heard he wasn't getting much game time even though he starts for Wales. 

He’s working his way in to the team now, got his first champions league appearance last week.