5 hours ago, evissy said:

Would love it if Azpi stays for 2 seasons at least. There is absolutely no sign of him slowing down. We need at least one backbone with Silva to make it easier for the new lads. 

Kounde for me is unknown. I have watched the odd YouTube-video and I know his reputation but I guess it is a big gamble in anyway. His pricetag is massive and apparently Sevilla is a club very hard to negotiate with. He is in English-born player category. 

I really hope Tuchel knows him well. If he loves to have him, I am all for it.

I cannot tell if you are joking about the bolded bit. He’s been awful for 2 seasons already, and you hope we keep him for 2 more.

I’m genuinely curious what you think he does well at this point? Can’t defend since his legs have gone, I can’t recall the last time he put a cross in that wasn’t block by the defender that’s manning him, and now he’s got a few howlers in him too.

I get that some think his leadership is an asset, but leadership isn’t just the “rah rah” bullsh*t. You’ve got to lead by example with your play, too, and he just can’t do that anymore. I’m sure his preparation and work ethic is good though.

Edited May 25, 20224 yr by mwblue10

1 hour ago, mwblue10 said:

I cannot tell if you are joking about the bolded bit. He’s been awful for 2 seasons already, and you hope we keep him for 2 more.

I’m genuinely curious what you think he does well at this point? Can’t defend since his legs have gone, I can’t recall the last time he put a cross in that wasn’t block by the defender that’s manning him, and now he’s got a few howlers in him too.

I get that some think his leadership is an asset, but leadership isn’t just the “rah rah” bullsh*t. You’ve got to lead by example with your play, too, and he just can’t do that anymore. I’m sure his preparation and work ethic is good though.

I think the truth is somewhere in the middle. He's still good enough to serve as a back up and with his experience and influence in the dressing room, he could be an asset. He has clearly slowed down though, especially defensively. He used to be the best one on one defender in the PL at one point. Now it's pretty easy to get past him. There have also been some stupid fouls by him that have cost us this season.

2 hours ago, mwblue10 said:

I cannot tell if you are joking about the bolded bit. He’s been awful for 2 seasons already, and you hope we keep him for 2 more.

I’m genuinely curious what you think he does well at this point? Can’t defend since his legs have gone, I can’t recall the last time he put a cross in that wasn’t block by the defender that’s manning him, and now he’s got a few howlers in him too.

I get that some think his leadership is an asset, but leadership isn’t just the “rah rah” bullsh*t. You’ve got to lead by example with your play, too, and he just can’t do that anymore. I’m sure his preparation and work ethic is good though.

https://www.si.com/soccer/chelsea/news/official-cesar-azpilicueta-placed-29th-at-2021-ballon-dor

One year ago.

 

3 minutes ago, evissy said:

https://www.si.com/soccer/chelsea/news/official-cesar-azpilicueta-placed-29th-at-2021-ballon-dor

One year ago.

 

I think that boiled down to our team defensive record under Tuchel en route to winning the CL, as well as in the PL. Not any amazing performances by him. Anybody who watches all the matches, which I assume is all of us on this forum, can see that his play is not good enough, and has not been good enough, for the past 2 seasons.

15 minutes ago, mwblue10 said:

I think that boiled down to our team defensive record under Tuchel en route to winning the CL, as well as in the PL. Not any amazing performances by him. Anybody who watches all the matches, which I assume is all of us on this forum, can see that his play is not good enough, and has not been good enough, for the past 2 seasons.

Okay then. Sorry for my false opinion.

Azpilicueta's legs are gone now, which means he becomes very leggy when pressed and is now prone to horrific errors as we saw against Arsenal and Everton. 

His time is up. 

Apparently Sevilla want this done quick to balance this seasons books. Advantage Marina, make them bleed after messing us around last season. 40mill seems fair.

6 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Apparently Sevilla want this done quick to balance this seasons books. Advantage Marina, make them bleed after messing us around last season. 40mill seems fair.

We can hope 🙂

51 minutes ago, evissy said:

Okay then. Sorry for my false opinion.

I was honestly curious about your opinion but you refuse to have a conversation about it.

39 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Apparently Sevilla want this done quick to balance this seasons books. Advantage Marina, make them bleed after messing us around last season. 40mill seems fair.

It was actually us that messed them around. We had plenty of time to get the deal done, but we left it so late that they didn't have time to bring anybody else in. I don't want any of that nonsense again this season, just get the deal done so we can focus on other areas.

15 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

It was actually us that messed them around. We had plenty of time to get the deal done, but we left it so late that they didn't have time to bring anybody else in. I don't want any of that nonsense again this season, just get the deal done so we can focus on other areas.

We have a budget to work within and a team that needs rebuilding. We are not City or Pool, just adding one maybe 2 stars to already amazing squads.

We need to save where we can because almost every department must be improved on if we want any hope of challenging pool and City.

21 hours ago, Sconnie Blue said:

2 of which benefited massively from Tuchel and the other was getting worse and worse. 

Going to put myself on the line and say we are going to be fine defensively. 

Rudi is the only loss that really hurts I think.

Christensen wasn't anything to write home about and Azpi was playing rather poorly and wasn't spending a of time on the pitch at the end of the season likely due to his poor play and errors.

But losing Rudi does hurt.  

 

19 minutes ago, Valpo said:

Rudi is the only loss that really hurts I think.

Christensen wasn't anything to write home about and Azpi was playing rather poorly and wasn't spending a of time on the pitch at the end of the season likely due to his poor play and errors.

But losing Rudi does hurt.  

 

We are going to have to wait and see. I for one will not forget how average he was under Conte and Sarri. 

2 hours ago, mwblue10 said:

I was honestly curious about your opinion but you refuse to have a conversation about it.

Yes. You completely refuse to give Azpilicueta the praise he deserves. We are too far apart to have a conversation. If your season ends up you winning the biggest prize you can win with getting into ballon d'or list, you have done something right constantly throughout the season. I refuse to be arrogant and claim to be more of an expert than people who choose people to that list. You have your eye-test and they bring the experience. 

To me Dave is still massively important player for our club.

“The figure being discussed for Jules Koundé’s move to Chelsea is £51m (plus variables)… “

I think that’s decent and fair fee. 
 

 

48 minutes ago, JM7 said:

“The figure being discussed for Jules Koundé’s move to Chelsea is £51m (plus variables)… “

I think that’s decent and fair fee. 
 

 

Bad negotiating form Marina. Tops should be 40mill plus add on based on winning the league and CL.

12 hours ago, JM7 said:

“The figure being discussed for Jules Koundé’s move to Chelsea is £51m (plus variables)… “

I think that’s decent and fair fee. 
 

 

Hope he is worth that money. Has Fabritzio Romano reported on this lately? A few days ago he said only that we are monitoring him. Nothing concrete.

12 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Bad negotiating form Marina. Tops should be 40mill plus add on based on winning the league and CL.

When you text her your suggestion, make sure you slag off her negotiation skills based on a rumour 

17 hours ago, JM7 said:

“The figure being discussed for Jules Koundé’s move to Chelsea is £51m (plus variables)… “

I think that’s decent and fair fee. 

That's probably the "win/win" sort of figure that will make the deal work from both sides.

It's not a £40m low ball offer, nor is it the £67m release clause ... 

Villa have signed Diego Carlos, suddenly our bargaining chip of quick money has been removed?

Kamara, Carlos, Coutinho signing permanently. 

Very good window for Villa. 

8 minutes ago, charierre said:

Villa have signed Diego Carlos, suddenly our bargaining chip of quick money has been removed?

I don't know, if they are selling Carlos for the reported 26mill and he is a first choice CB why should we be paying 60mill for other first choice CB. That is quite a hefty Chelsea tax.

Unless someone has seen different Kounde has 2 years left on his deal. That increases our bargaining power. 

Edited May 26, 20224 yr by axman2526

4 hours ago, axman2526 said:

I don't know, if they are selling Carlos for the reported 26mill and he is a first choice CB why should we be paying 60mill for other first choice CB. That is quite a hefty Chelsea tax.

Unless someone has seen different Kounde has 2 years left on his deal. That increases our bargaining power. 

Kounde is a lot younger and faster. However Carlos is a very good player and impressed me when I watched Seville

On 26/05/2022 at 03:51, Sconnie Blue said:

We are going to have to wait and see. I for one will not forget how average he was under Conte and Sarri. 

same here. I though for all the world he was off to Tottenham, in the cup final against Arsenal he was lousy, and I was in the get rid camp. However, as good as his rebirth was, I think we can survive without him. If we get our target defenders that is.

Some reports today that the sale of Diego Carlos will cover Sevillas needs so they will insist on the 80mill release clause being met for Kounde.

Way too much money out of our budget imo. May have to wait a year for him to go down to a year left on his contract. Then Sevilla will have to be sensible or lose him for nothing nothing next summer.