He only needs to learn a few short phrases to command people when on the pitch. The language barrier won't be an issue and if he's next to Zouma they both speak French anyway.

6 minutes ago, dansubrosa said:

A player like Thiago Silva demands respect from his team mates, I’m sure he won’t have a problem commanding the back line. Our current centre backs certainly will look up to him.

Without question, at one point he was clearly the best CB on the planet and his level hasn't changed too much since then. Its scary how overlooked he's been since he went to PSG because the french league is pretty poor.

Main problem with him has only really been his injuries, cause when he's on the pitch he has been great.

The first thing I want to see him do when he gets here is kick Christensen up the arse..

Probably way too early for anything to be announced but I was for this signing prior to last night and I’m still all for it. Might not be able to play 38+ games but he’ll bring invaluable experience and be amazing when he does play. 2 year contract please. 

18 hours ago, MayosNoun! said:

I’m all for steadying the ship and his experience would be great however as others have correctly pointed out, he is not a player who is going to flourish in a high back line. He would be more suited to a low block defence and it is unlikely we will use this approach often. 

I think Lampard is going to have to revise his whole approach to the team defending, it's not just a case of a couple of tweaks. We were conceding every type of goal going last season, we looked vulnerable to everything, set pieces, counter attacks, shots from range. 

I can't see us playing such a high line next season. With the amount of attacking talent we're recruiting I can see us being more patient in our build up play and not being in such a rush to push up so high. 

End of the day something has to change defensively. Could be recruiting Silva and being more cautious is the way we're going to go. 

12 minutes ago, ForeverCarefree said:

I think Lampard is going to have to revise his whole approach to the team defending, it's not just a case of a couple of tweaks. We were conceding every type of goal going last season, we looked vulnerable to everything, set pieces, counter attacks, shots from range. 

I can't see us playing such a high line next season. With the amount of attacking talent we're recruiting I can see us being more patient in our build up play and not being in such a rush to push up so high. 

End of the day something has to change defensively. Could be recruiting Silva and being more cautious is the way we're going to go. 

Depending on how often Silva plays we won't be able to. Not exactly Zouma and Rudiger in recovery speed.

38 minutes ago, Gem said:

Probably way too early for anything to be announced but I was for this signing prior to last night and I’m still all for it. Might not be able to play 38+ games but he’ll bring invaluable experience and be amazing when he does play. 2 year contract please. 

Yes, I'll be delighted if we sign him. Have always admired him as a player, and he would do a fantastic job organising our defence. For me the issue about recovery speed is that you need one quick CB (Gallas alongside JT was perfect). Two would be nice but not essential. I do not consider any of our 4 current CBs to be lacking in pace, and I could see any of them doing well alongside Silva (but like everyone I have serious doubts about AC's toughness and aerial prowess).

Edited August 24, 20205 yr by Backbiter

If Silva is coming in what CB will be leaving? I'd want to keep Tomori and Zouma around and get rid of one of Andreas or Rudiger.

Realistically i imagine Tomori will go on loan which would be a huge shame as he'd learn the most from playing and training with Silva.

4 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said:

If Silva is coming in what CB will be leaving? I'd want to keep Tomori and Zouma around and get rid of one of Andreas or Rudiger.

Realistically i imagine Tomori will go on loan which would be a huge shame as he'd learn the most from playing and training with Silva.

Exactly why not play Tomori next to him. He is rapid as well.

13 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said:

If Silva is coming in what CB will be leaving? I'd want to keep Tomori and Zouma around and get rid of one of Andreas or Rudiger.

Realistically i imagine Tomori will go on loan which would be a huge shame as he'd learn the most from playing and training with Silva.

Rumours of Tomori joining Everton on loan for a season swirling about today. 

Zouma's the one who's had the strongest links to a permanent transfer away from the club. Apparently there's a reluctance to let Christensen leave because they view him as having the highest monetary value and the current market means they would be unlikely to sell him for the club's valuation. 

23 minutes ago, rtwelch said:

Exactly why not play Tomori next to him. He is rapid as well.

I'd be happy for that.

12 minutes ago, ForeverCarefree said:

Rumours of Tomori joining Everton on loan for a season swirling about today. 

Zouma's the one who's had the strongest links to a permanent transfer away from the club. Apparently there's a reluctance to let Christensen leave because they view him as having the highest monetary value and the current market means they would be unlikely to sell him for the club's valuation. 

Zouma is our best CB imo. Happy to keep Christensen until next year and ship Rudiger out this year. 

Tomori on loan isn't so bad an idea...especially if he's going to be tutored by Ancelotti...

Edited August 24, 20205 yr by doctorblue

21 minutes ago, doctorblue said:

Tomori on loan isn't so bad an idea...especially if he's going to be tutored by Ancelotti...

Would rather sell Zouma to Everton and keep Tomori here to learn under T.Silva. His experience would do wonders and he could really learn a lot from it.

4 minutes ago, driller97 said:

Would rather sell Zouma to Everton and keep Tomori here to learn under T.Silva. His experience would do wonders and he could really learn a lot from it.

Can't agree with you there my friend...Zouma spent a year at Everton and it did him a world of good...

6 minutes ago, doctorblue said:

Can't agree with you there my friend...Zouma spent a year at Everton and it did him a world of good...

Fair point, but what are the chances of Tomori getting good game time at Everton? I'm all for it if he gets plenty of game time, but I just can't see that happening

9 minutes ago, driller97 said:

Fair point, but what are the chances of Tomori getting good game time at Everton? I'm all for it if he gets plenty of game time, but I just can't see that happening

You're right of course...it only works if he gets significant playing time and quality coaching...

17 minutes ago, doctorblue said:

You're right of course...it only works if he gets significant playing time and quality coaching...

The last bit is key, i'm not sure he'll get the coaching. I love Carlo but his record with youth development is worse than Mou's. 

For this coming season i reckon he'll be the signing that makes the biggest difference.

Simply because he's a world-class CB and we have suffered so much from bad performances from the ones we have.

Unless he has a massive drop-off over night but that's unlikely.

12 minutes ago, Argo said:

The last bit is key, i'm not sure he'll get the coaching. I love Carlo but his record with youth development is worse than Mou's. 

That's because he's been at big clubs with big budgets...he'll have to adapt to being at a small club now with a small budget...even if they get £142m for Richarlison...ha ha 

Edited August 24, 20205 yr by doctorblue

1 hour ago, RIP Mourinho said:

If Silva is coming in what CB will be leaving?

Hopefully all of them. 

Bah!

https://www.espn.com/soccer/soccer-transfers/story/4165973/chelsea-to-sign-thiago-silva-from-psg-on-two-year-deal-sources?appsrc=sc

Sky Sports reporter Bryan Swanson says that deal is done on a one year contract...

Edited August 24, 20205 yr by doctorblue

Better get this sorted quickly the 14 day quarantine apply's to transfers too.  I'm guessing he'll need a holiday better make it here in the UK.

Bring on the baby-faced assassin

Great to hear him express his own ambitions as a player for the next 3 or 4 years, he certainly wouldn't come here to rest his legs