Upgrade being the operative word - we need to be able to kill games so:

Winger/10: Someone along the lines of Chiesa if he returns in good shape. He would be great in a variety of systems (with energy to burn) and is a constant goal threat.

CM: A creative playmaker. We don't have a single player who can match the likes of KDB, Kane, TAA, Pogba creatively and it shows in tight matches. Long gone are the days of OHM or Hazard and Fabregas. 

Last one depends on whether we get the first two right. Because as Tuchel says, the current state/evolution of our team means we can't afford to play without high intensity. If we do, we are half the side and struggle to create decent opportunities. That's essentially what feeds into the mismatch between Lukaku and the current setup. But if we somehow can come close to replacing Hazard and Fabregas, then a striker like Lukaku could a much more viable option. I think Lukaku is a better striker than say Diego Costa but what they have/had to work with is vastly different.

Also, we need a backup LB (Emerson is fine) and a starting DM (both) with recovery pace. We need to be less hamstrung against counters.

Left/Right wingbacks and a central defender. The title race was over once we lost Chilwell and James to injuries, before that we played some great football.  Broja and Gallagher are free upgrades in attack and midfield. 

37 minutes ago, comtrend said:

Left/Right wingbacks and a central defender. The title race was over once we lost Chilwell and James to injuries, before that we played some great football.  Broja and Gallagher are free upgrades in attack and midfield. 

Issue is you are not going to get a quality WB who will sit on the bench, waiting on Chiwell/James to get injured. Look at the PL, then around Europe, there is no club with 2 quality options at FB. Liverpool have Gomez a CB deputising for TAA, Laporte and Ake take turns in covering at FB for City, a former Reading player is cover for Alphonso Davies at Bayern, an ageing Marcelo is cover for Mendy at Real Madrid. The reality is you are never going to keep rotating your FBs unless they get injured,  and there is so much money flying around in football that even West Ham could afford to sign Zouma who was a rotational player here and even increase his wages. 
Unless the club can unearth a Tsmikas type WB from an obscure league through smart scouting, many will end up disappointed in the summer.

13 hours ago, venom2011 said:

Upgrade being the operative word - we need to be able to kill games so:

Winger/10: Someone along the lines of Chiesa if he returns in good shape. He would be great in a variety of systems (with energy to burn) and is a constant goal threat.

CM: A creative playmaker. We don't have a single player who can match the likes of KDB, Kane, TAA, Pogba creatively and it shows in tight matches. Long gone are the days of OHM or Hazard and Fabregas. 

Last one depends on whether we get the first two right. Because as Tuchel says, the current state/evolution of our team means we can't afford to play without high intensity. If we do, we are half the side and struggle to create decent opportunities. That's essentially what feeds into the mismatch between Lukaku and the current setup. But if we somehow can come close to replacing Hazard and Fabregas, then a striker like Lukaku could a much more viable option. I think Lukaku is a better striker than say Diego Costa but what they have/had to work with is vastly different.

Also, we need a backup LB (Emerson is fine) and a starting DM (both) with recovery pace. We need to be less hamstrung against counters.

Was sort of agreeing until your Lukaku comparison. Without a doubt the most f**king useless signing Chelsea have ever made, certainly in my fifty years of going to the Bridge, and I have seen some sh*t. 

at least a left back and a winger is a must

I'm taking a different angle on this one, and agree on upgrade being the key word:

1. Owner.  Roman did wonders for Chelsea, and we have a good amount of uncertainty surrounding our future.  This would be a bonus position
2. Wingbacks - lets go find the next Cafu and Carlos to add some competition and depth
3. Center midfield.  Protects the defense and adds the much needed forward pass, early in the phase of play

Edited April 12, 20224 yr by PhilH930

19 hours ago, axman2526 said:

I mean I guess there are 3 positions we could upgrade as their current occupants have been dropping the ball.

Firstly there is @PloKoon13, who has really been dropping the ball, both of them perhaps, with the motm threads of late. Leaving poor old @Mod to play sloppy seconds.

Then there is @coco whos average of mistakes per match day thread title must be up there with Kepas save percentage 2 seasons ago. 

Lastly there is a tie between @Gol15 and @just who's recent willingness to consider selling Jorginho and Kante, respectively, has given us all a collective...

 

50 minutes ago, PhilH930 said:

I'm taking a different angle on this one, and agree on upgrade being the key word:

1. Owner.  Roman did wonders for Chelsea, and we have a good amount of uncertainty surrounding our future.  This would be a bonus position
2. Wingbacks - lets go find the next Cafu and Carlos to add some competition and depth
3. Center midfield.  Protects the defense and adds the much needed forward pass, early in the phase of play

Far as the owner bit goes Bohley, Ricketts Griffin and Co and now Pagliuca are all talking great games and leaving Sir Martin in the dust.

Question is will any of them back up what they say. Is kinda flattering so many billions are fighting over us. Must be what @Valerie or @moi feel like when they go for a night out.

46 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Must be what @Valerie or @moi feel like when they go for a night out.

I feel like you’ve forgotten some important forum members here…

(Again)

Edited April 12, 20224 yr by Munkworth

2 minutes ago, Munkworth said:

I feel like you’ve forgotten some important forum members here…

(Again)

You mean @CaitlinCFC ?

Just now, axman2526 said:

You mean @CaitlinCFC ?

Also @Beerqueen

40 minutes ago, Munkworth said:

Also @Beerqueen

DM

LWB

RWB

The first thing I want us to do is learn from last summer's mistake. Unless there's a bonfire upgrade that suits the system (or one of the superstars want to join us like young Hazard did) leave the attack alone and see if they can evolve. Broja can return as the different option to mix things up/partner Kai. I don't know what caused the Lukaku signing but I fear the club did what many of the supporters and just looked at the top line without truly realising how he would f**k the system we play (or thought it would be easier to adapt him/meet in the middle than it was).

If Christensen and Rudiger leave we will need a marquee CB to boost the squad but I think Colwill can take the other spot. A lot will depend on Silva lasting one more season but I feel a Kounde/Silva/Colwill back three with Chalobah and Azpi (James if need be) as back ups will be a very good mix.

A new wingback is needed but I don't think losing Chilwell has been the killer people think, the last month (and especially the last two games) showed exactly what the main problem in this team was.

CM we do need to start thinking about Kante and Jorgi long term replacements, whether that's from within or the market. 

As I'm limited to three I would say it's a centre forward, a winger and a central midfielder.  Replacing Likaku, Pulisic and Jorginho. 

However if we have any ambition to challenge for the league next season (which I don't expect us to) we need more of an overhaul than that.

Since we are losing Christensen, I'd replace him with Colwill. We need another central midfielder, I'll use Gallagher, replacing Jorginho. I also think we need to bring in a LWB/LB option and I would probably look at someone externally replacing Alonso. But, I also wouldn't mind upgrading striker position but that's more allowing Lukaku to leave and bringing in Broja to back up Havertz.

So I guess in terms of bringing in someone from outside of the loan army/academy, I would say LWB and RWB for depth purposes and also look at another attacking option to replace Werner or Pulisic if either/both leave

Edited April 14, 20224 yr by chiefBlueCFC

51 minutes ago, loz said:

As I'm limited to three I would say it's a centre forward, a winger and a central midfielder.  Replacing Likaku, Pulisic and Jorginho. 

However if we have any ambition to challenge for the league next season (which I don't expect us to) we need more of an overhaul than that.

I disagree I don't think we're that far off atall. Our squad as it is combined with Tuchel's coaching is good enough to challenge in my opinion.

Beat Arsenal at home and we're 'only' 9 points off now despite the insane injury issues and Lukaku drama.

3 minutes ago, Argo said:

I disagree I don't think we're that far off atall. Our squad as it is combined with Tuchel's coaching is good enough to challenge in my opinion.

Beat Arsenal at home and we're 'only' 9 points off now despite the insane injury issues and Lukaku drama.

In order to challange City and Pool for a whole season we do need to upgrade our back up players in a few positions.

We already have a top manager to face them and in some cases good quality back ups, as Kepa is for Mendy. A squad to challange for the title and cups imo would be something like:

 

Mendy/Kepa

 

Kounde/Dave

Silva/Chalobah

Rudiger/Pau Torres/Colwill

 

Tchouameni/Bissouma

 

James/Livramento

Kante/Gallagher

Kovacic/Tiedlemans

Chilwell/ Hernandez

 

Wirtz/Olmos/Malinovskyi

 

Mount/Raphina/Diaby

Havertz/Broja

Werner/Chiesa

 

You would need to wittle it down from there as it is too many but along those lines. 

Unless they are hit by loosing all their Centerbacks Pool and City cope with injuries and loss of form because they have quality to bring in and do the job. We need that depth for TT to have.

30 minutes ago, Argo said:

I disagree I don't think we're that far off atall. Our squad as it is combined with Tuchel's coaching is good enough to challenge in my opinion.

Beat Arsenal at home and we're 'only' 9 points off now despite the insane injury issues and Lukaku drama.

Our first team, on form, is good enough. Our squad isn't and our first team isn't consistent enough. Ignore points. Look at the way the teams play and consistently get points. City and Liverpool are way ahead of everyone else in the league just now.

I think when we target new signings we need to focus more on their mentality. There are too many players in our squad who you'd question putting into battle for you especially when the chips are down.

We need more than 3 but I guess the most important 3 are centre back ,defensive midfield and a pure winger incase we want to play a back 4

I should point out that if we sell Lukaku for £45M, that means we book a £52M loss on the books, as we bought him for £97.5M. Meaning we have £52.5M less to spend on incoming transfers, as the transfer out counts as a loss, for FFP purposes. It is not like selling him for 45M gives us that much money to spend. It's actually the opposite.

1 hour ago, KingOfMilwaukee said:

I should point out that if we sell Lukaku for £45M, that means we book a £52M loss on the books, as we bought him for £97.5M. Meaning we have £52.5M less to spend on incoming transfers, as the transfer out counts as a loss, for FFP purposes. It is not like selling him for 45M gives us that much money to spend. It's actually the opposite.

Unless we sell him back to Inter and they agree to void the rest of the payment

CB because Silva is getting old

Midfield because Kante can't sustain his energy levels anymore

A proper Benzema-like striker or backup striker if we want to go the Havertz 9 route

 

We need a new CB as Chris and Rudi are probably going. Colwill and someone substantial.

Sell one of our midfielders or attackers. Who is is the most profitable: Werner, Pulisic, Ruben, CHO or maybe Ziyech. 

Bring back Gallagher.

Loan out Lukaku, bring in Broja to compete with Kai. A bit risky I admit. At this moment I feel there is no way back for Rom. He made a massive mistake of talking when he should have been quiet and it seems he is not a very strong person as I have always felt about him. 

If we have the money go big for Declan Rice. Accommodate space with the sale of 1 player who carry some value. Ruben, CHO maybe. 

A super risky and tough I'll admit. Would we be closer to Liverpool and City I don't think so. Maybe we need to take a risk with our young prospects....

 

Edited April 15, 20224 yr by evissy

On 10/04/2022 at 11:51, Sindre said:

Out of contract this summer: Christensen, Rudiger, Saul Niguez (loan), Drinkwater

Out of contract in 2023: Kante, Jorginho, Silva, Alonso, Azpi, Gilmour, Barkley

Good to keep this in mind this summer. There is a lot of major decisions to be taken and most of all we simply need to do some forward planning here. Christensen and probably Rudiger obviously needs to be replaced but you'd also want to bring in an understudy or even replacements for Silva who's likely only got a year left himself. Then we have major midfield decisions to be made with Jorginho, Kante and Gilmour all running out of contract.

 

 

Rudiger, I hope will be secured once we secure our new owner. I'm sure he loves the club and if he's satisfied with terms he's likely to stay. Tuchel has really unleashed his inner monster, we need those type of players, attitude, leadership etc. Very important to keep him.

Christensen is as good as gone. Personally, I think we can do better. Mentally and physically soft, gets manhandled by bigger stronger attackers, is made of glass and I'm not surprised he wants to go to a less physical league. Don't let the door hit you on the way out, we need battlers on this team, more Rudigers, less Christensens.

Saul and Drinkwater, goodbye. Jorginho needs to be sold, with gratitude for all the good things he's done for the team, but I feel he's outlived his usefulness here. I'd be tempted to move Kante because he's not the player he used to be, but on occasion he's still capable of a top class performance, so maybe it makes sense to keep him for another season and let Gallagher rotate with him and learn from the best. Plus, you need experience amd depth for a long campaign so no need to make too many changes at once. We can keep Azpi for another season and buy back Livramento in 2023 when the buyback clause kicks in. Or we can sell Azpi now and buy somebody good to compete with Reece for the spot.