13 hours ago, ekimozturk said:

Alonso is definitely not fine. In fact I think he’s awful. 

I'm not doubting your opinion, but i've stated before, Alonso is an absolute class (Football player) he has immaculate first touch, control, passes, crosses, shoots brilliantly, he's like all good Spaniards, well schooled, but no good in a 4 at the back, but when as a wingback brilliant....

2 hours ago, TheGreatestGame said:

Mount is a nice player, however he is not a top winger. He lacks finishing skills, ability to beat a player 1 v1 and he is below average on aerial balls. He also tends to bunch up too much with teammates in the box. He is young and will improve. However, he would help Chelsea more right now as a midfielder 

He was never a winger. I don't really understand why some people think he's a winger. He just has the body type of a winger

Havertz a new Michael Ballack Type, may have to change my 'Shed Name', lol

2 hours ago, Ballack & Blu said:

Havertz a new Michael Ballack Type, may have to change my 'Shed Name', lol

It's been done before. Eight Times's original name here is Five Times (I think). You can't stop progress

2 hours ago, Valerie said:

It's been done before. Eight Times's original name here is Five Times (I think). You can't stop progress

This post will be out of date this time next week. 

12 minutes ago, Munkworth said:

This post will be out of date this time next week. 

Of course 

6 hours ago, TheGreatestGame said:

Havertz wants to leave and there is no team other than Chelsea bidding on him. There has to be a COVID 19 discount or there will be no deal. There will be another discount if Leipzig insist he play in the Europa League in August. I predict $55 million, with up to $20 million of add ons. 

I wrote here a few weeks ago, that there won´t be a discount and it seems like Fabrizio and other media outlets confirming it. 55 + add ons is quite laughable and not realistic at all. Either Chelsea pays up or no deal will happen, we are not desperate to sell Havertz this summer. Think, this thing will stretch out a bit and Chelsea will end up paying the 90m $.

15 minutes ago, UnexpectedGuest said:

I wrote here a few weeks ago, that there won´t be a discount and it seems like Fabrizio and other media outlets confirming it. 55 + add ons is quite laughable and not realistic at all. Either Chelsea pays up or no deal will happen, we are not desperate to sell Havertz this summer. Think, this thing will stretch out a bit and Chelsea will end up paying the 90m $.

Its looking likely to be around £73m with add ons upto £90m I think

King Kai has already agreed personal terms  I hope we push this over the line pronto before someone else makes their move  

 

I’ll admit it’s hard not to be excited about this guy, but can’t see how RLC and Mount get a look in now, which is a real shame.

We wil have Zyech, Werner, Pulisic, Tammy, Havertz, Mount, RLC, Kovacic, Barkley + Willian if he stays, competing for 4 spots when playing a back three or for 5 spots in a 4:3:3  

Mount and Tammy and probably RLC have some improvement in them but they will get a lot less minutes. 

55 minutes ago, Adamrb said:

I’ll admit it’s hard not to be excited about this guy, but can’t see how RLC and Mount get a look in now, which is a real shame.

They will still make great squad players, also if RLC comes back into full fitness could you imagine a midfield with RLC, Havertz as the 2 number 8's? Very scary thought at the potential

2 hours ago, UnexpectedGuest said:

I wrote here a few weeks ago, that there won´t be a discount and it seems like Fabrizio and other media outlets confirming it. 55 + add ons is quite laughable and not realistic at all. Either Chelsea pays up or no deal will happen, we are not desperate to sell Havertz this summer. Think, this thing will stretch out a bit and Chelsea will end up paying the 90m $.

Could you give us a detailed description of Kai since you seem to be a Leverkusen fan. What are his strengths and weeknesses? I know he is good at scoring goals but how is his ball retention when he's being pressed? How good is his final ball? How good is he off the ball in the defensive phase? Is he an active presser? Is he able to hold his own physically? How would you rate his pace?

And since he is very versatile and can play almost anywhere in the attack, what do you think his best position is? I guess Frank plans to use him on the right side of a midfield 3 as a number 8. Do you think that position suits him?

 

2 hours ago, ozboy said:

We wil have Zyech, Werner, Pulisic, Tammy, Havertz, Mount, RLC, Kovacic, Barkley + Willian if he stays, competing for 4 spots when playing a back three or for 5 spots in a 4:3:3  

Mount and Tammy and probably RLC have some improvement in them but they will get a lot less minutes. 

New guy here. This is what I can't figure about about Chelsea right now - Havertz would be a great get, sure, no question, but Chelsea haven't had a problem attacking or scoring. They've had an obvious problem defending and conceding too many goals. And yet they keep chasing these attacking mids/wingers.

Can someone explain to the stupid American that knows that "defense wins championships" just why the hell I am not reading about Chelsea pursuing top defenders? Are there just none out there to be had really? All I read about is Havertz. And before that it was Ziyech and Werner. All the while Chelsea was giving up 54 goals. I mean, if the club can do both - sign all these attackers and still sign top price defenders - then great but the focus sure seems off to me.

59 minutes ago, driver8 said:

New guy here. This is what I can't figure about about Chelsea right now - Havertz would be a great get, sure, no question, but Chelsea haven't had a problem attacking or scoring. They've had an obvious problem defending and conceding too many goals. And yet they keep chasing these attacking mids/wingers.

Can someone explain to the stupid American that knows that "defense wins championships" just why the hell I am not reading about Chelsea pursuing top defenders? Are there just none out there to be had really? All I read about is Havertz. And before that it was Ziyech and Werner. All the while Chelsea was giving up 54 goals. I mean, if the club can do both - sign all these attackers and still sign top price defenders - then great but the focus sure seems off to me.

I think part of that is timing.  Ziyech was signed when the deal was right at a time both Willian and Pedro looked like leaving (Willian may still be leaving).  We clearly need a striker, and Werner was bought to address exactly that (this was before Giroud hit a purple patch, but doesn't change the need).  Havertz feels like a luxury player, but look how many times this season we have struggled to break down the low block (despite our high goal tally, think of those frustrating home games).  We simply do not score or assist enough goals from midfield. 

Without question I believe the club is looking at defensive reinforcements as well. The keeper is known to be a massive gap - look how much additional confidence the defense had with Caballero behind them.  A LB has been discussed for over a season also.  

It's quite possible we sign 5 players this window, perhaps even 6.  But also looking back on past windows there is no point spending money on players like Drinkwater, Zappacosta, Emerson etc if they don't improve the team.  We're buying players that are elevating the 11 players on the pitch.  If we can't address all the defensive gaps this window (e.g. CB), then I can see us holding off until the right time.

8 hours ago, Gol15 said:

 

The Video is not available in my country 😞

10 hours ago, Adamrb said:

I’ll admit it’s hard not to be excited about this guy, but can’t see how RLC and Mount get a look in now, which is a real shame.

Why? They will have a competition which is always good... as long as they want to improve as players. And if they don't want to or they can't... what is the shame about it then? 

7 hours ago, driver8 said:

New guy here. This is what I can't figure about about Chelsea right now - Havertz would be a great get, sure, no question, but Chelsea haven't had a problem attacking or scoring. They've had an obvious problem defending and conceding too many goals. And yet they keep chasing these attacking mids/wingers.

Can someone explain to the stupid American that knows that "defense wins championships" just why the hell I am not reading about Chelsea pursuing top defenders? Are there just none out there to be had really? All I read about is Havertz. And before that it was Ziyech and Werner. All the while Chelsea was giving up 54 goals. I mean, if the club can do both - sign all these attackers and still sign top price defenders - then great but the focus sure seems off to me.

Our defence has 2 main problems. 

1) A goalkeeper who saves shots. - We are going to buy a new goalkeeper. Too many games we are controlling the game and concede a goal that any keeper in the top half of the PL would save. Liverpool is a prime example. 

2) Defending from corners. - Havertz helps here as he is a tall player who can head the ball. However a new GK who can command his 6 yard box prevents teams from swinging in so many crosses. That allows the team to defend better. 

Secondary problem is conceding from counter attacks, which happens when we overload the attack with our full backs. This happens because we are struggling to break down defences. Havertz, Werner and Ziyech help this problem because if we can unlock the defence without committing all but 3 players forward, we won't be so suspect on counter attacks. 

We have good enough centre backs and right backs and likely will purchase an additional left back. 

 

Defence wins championships. But in association football, the entire 11 are on defence. 

 

8 hours ago, driver8 said:

New guy here. This is what I can't figure about about Chelsea right now - Havertz would be a great get, sure, no question, but Chelsea haven't had a problem attacking or scoring. They've had an obvious problem defending and conceding too many goals. And yet they keep chasing these attacking mids/wingers.

Can someone explain to the stupid American that knows that "defense wins championships" just why the hell I am not reading about Chelsea pursuing top defenders? Are there just none out there to be had really? All I read about is Havertz. And before that it was Ziyech and Werner. All the while Chelsea was giving up 54 goals. I mean, if the club can do both - sign all these attackers and still sign top price defenders - then great but the focus sure seems off to me.

We have been linked with loads of defenders, and goalkeepers. Transfer window does not shut until October. 

Edited July 28, 20205 yr by big blue

9 hours ago, driver8 said:

New guy here. This is what I can't figure about about Chelsea right now - Havertz would be a great get, sure, no question, but Chelsea haven't had a problem attacking or scoring. 

Yes we have, our wastefulness/lack of consistent quality in front of goal is the biggest reason why we dragged out getting too four. We also haven't actually conceded many chances, they just have tended to go in whenever we have because our keepers had an absolute nightmare of a season.

Edited July 28, 20205 yr by Argo

9 hours ago, driver8 said:

New guy here. This is what I can't figure about about Chelsea right now - Havertz would be a great get, sure, no question, but Chelsea haven't had a problem attacking or scoring. They've had an obvious problem defending and conceding too many goals. And yet they keep chasing these attacking mids/wingers.

Can someone explain to the stupid American that knows that "defense wins championships" just why the hell I am not reading about Chelsea pursuing top defenders? Are there just none out there to be had really? All I read about is Havertz. And before that it was Ziyech and Werner. All the while Chelsea was giving up 54 goals. I mean, if the club can do both - sign all these attackers and still sign top price defenders - then great but the focus sure seems off to me.

I asked this before and the answer which I accept is that when you get an opportunity to sign one of the worlds best you take it. Is he one of the very best? Don’t know but the record in Germany is certainly excellent. 

11 hours ago, True Blue23 said:

Could you give us a detailed description of Kai since you seem to be a Leverkusen fan. What are his strengths and weeknesses? I know he is good at scoring goals but how is his ball retention when he's being pressed? How good is his final ball? How good is he off the ball in the defensive phase? Is he an active presser? Is he able to hold his own physically? How would you rate his pace?

And since he is very versatile and can play almost anywhere in the attack, what do you think his best position is? I guess Frank plans to use him on the right side of a midfield 3 as a number 8. Do you think that position suits him?

I have seen Havertz play a few times this year. He is solidly built and he will be able to hold up to the physical side of the EPL. He played both MF and forward for Leipzig. Thus good versatility which will help with match ups as well as getting some playing time for Mount and RLC. He is a good dribbler and he can beat players 1 v 1. He is also a strong finisher. He is another level on set pieces, particularly corners heading them in. 
 

PS-I still maintain the transfer number will come down. It is clear he wants to leave and Chelsea appears to be the only bidder. The Europa League games start next week. Every game he plays in the Europa League the transfer number goes down. 

Bayer 04 Leverkusen