To be honest I think the injury prone narrative is a bit exaggerated with Zakaria, since his knee injury in 19/20 season he hasn't really had many issues at all if you disregard Covid and I'd say what is promising is that since that major knee injury (barring 1 game the season after) he hasn't had recurring problems with it.

If by some act of god Tuchel rediscovers his form we have a quality player at our disposal for only 30m. 

Has he even arrived in London yet?

13 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Has he even arrived in London yet?

Yes. 

Who are we supposed to get here, we have Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic and Gallagher already for two spots. We either buy a young guy with potential, or a top class player that can bump Kante or Jorginho down the pecking order. Our midfield looked like crap cause 2 are injured and a third was out on a red.. but why would any midfielder want to come here unless they are too young, recovering in form, or so good that they can bump one of kante or jorginho on a regular basis.

It's also hard to say Gilmour should have been given more if the best offer we got on him was 9 mil

I'd say buying a midfielder is a right decision, not sure Zakaria is the player with the right qualities. He was a big name in Bundesliga but many injuries during his career, didn't really make an impact at Juventus (many players failed to make something there to be honest).

Like most of the people here said, panic buy. But who knows how it will work out, good luck Zakaria!

1 hour ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Yes. 

Good. Hopefully he is ready soon and is actually good.

It's a massive gamble,we all knew we needed someone for ages but it was left so late we were left with not many options, the injury record is a worry and probably not a gamble I would have taken,still he is here now so good luck Zakaria,your need it.

BREAKING: Boehly has called the game “football”

Bloody work permits...please be our new Essien...lord knows how we have missed a player like him...

 

Am loving how involved the new owners are!!

@Mod

a) Mikel fan so already know he has good taste.

b) Move the bloody thread!

1 hour ago, Munkworth said:

@Mod

a) Mikel fan so already know he has good taste.

 

I think he said Makelele. God I hope he did!

Good (last sec DDay) signing! At least in theory. I remember him tearing it up at Gladbach in Germany with many Bayern fans wanting him to be signed. Not that worried he didn't succeed at Juve since that Club is all over the place but if we can bring him back on track soonish he'd be a very good squad addition.

Don't know anything about him TBH. But let's hope he has as much "bite", leadership and will to win as the last Dennis that graced our midfield.

15 minutes ago, weetee said:

Good (last sec DDay) signing! At least in theory. I remember him tearing it up at Gladbach in Germany with many Bayern fans wanting him to be signed. Not that worried he didn't succeed at Juve since that Club is all over the place but if we can bring him back on track soonish he'd be a very good squad addition.

From the way he describes his game he sounds more of an Essien, or maybe Ramires, given he likes to attack. That fair from what you have seen?

9 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

From the way he describes his game he sounds more of an Essien, or maybe Ramires, given he likes to attack. That fair from what you have seen?

I remember him being physically very imposing with excellent anticipation and good positioning so he looked like a rock and hard to come by. Think his passing game was good enough so that he could push forward at times as well and help in the oppos half of the pitch as well. Not sure I remember Essien or Ramires correctly (couldn't watch the PL as much then and mostly CL games) but they were pyhiscally not that impressive, right? More smart and athletic so got around very well. Ramires I would say no, Essien I dunno about. Zak I guess you could play as a CB if you want to (in a possession oriented system) - especially with a 3-at-the-back.

I'd like to think about him more of a Rodri light.

26 minutes ago, weetee said:

I remember him being physically very imposing with excellent anticipation and good positioning so he looked like a rock and hard to come by. Think his passing game was good enough so that he could push forward at times as well and help in the oppos half of the pitch as well. Not sure I remember Essien or Ramires correctly (couldn't watch the PL as much then and mostly CL games) but they were pyhiscally not that impressive, right? More smart and athletic so got around very well. Ramires I would say no, Essien I dunno about. Zak I guess you could play as a CB if you want to (in a possession oriented system) - especially with a 3-at-the-back.

I'd like to think about him more of a Rodri light.

More of a traditional DM in my view, without the drive of an Essien or Ramires. 

His close control isn't amazing, but he seems to use his size well to hold the ball. Also has this nice habit of shifting the ball quickly on to his right foot and playing neat little forward passes into space. Not a big expansive passing game bit he'll keep it ticking over. 

1 hour ago, weetee said:

I remember him being physically very imposing with excellent anticipation and good positioning so he looked like a rock and hard to come by. Think his passing game was good enough so that he could push forward at times as well and help in the oppos half of the pitch as well. Not sure I remember Essien or Ramires correctly (couldn't watch the PL as much then and mostly CL games) but they were pyhiscally not that impressive, right? More smart and athletic so got around very well. Ramires I would say no, Essien I dunno about. Zak I guess you could play as a CB if you want to (in a possession oriented system) - especially with a 3-at-the-back.

I'd like to think about him more of a Rodri light.

Essien was a tank. We call Reece that now, and he is, but before his injury Essien was impossible to get off the ball. Despite his shorter stature he was all muscle. Injury stopped him from being an all time great comparable to anyone of his ilk.

9 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Essien was a tank. We call Reece that now, and he is, but before his injury Essien was impossible to get off the ball. Despite his shorter stature he was all muscle. Injury stopped him from being an all time great comparable to anyone of his ilk.

You could perhaps argue his tankness was later the cause of his injuries. His legs were just so massive that his knees couldn't manage.

We'll not see his like again I don't think.

1 hour ago, weetee said:

I remember him being physically very imposing with excellent anticipation and good positioning so he looked like a rock and hard to come by. Think his passing game was good enough so that he could push forward at times as well and help in the oppos half of the pitch as well. Not sure I remember Essien or Ramires correctly (couldn't watch the PL as much then and mostly CL games) but they were pyhiscally not that impressive, right? More smart and athletic so got around very well. Ramires I would say no, Essien I dunno about. Zak I guess you could play as a CB if you want to (in a possession oriented system) - especially with a 3-at-the-back.

I'd like to think about him more of a Rodri light.

Ramires was possibly the most under appreciated player of the Abramovitch regime. On one of my few visits to Stamford Bridge he scored with absolutely electric pace for a midfielder. He also scored one of the greatest ever Chelsea goals, at least in the past 20 years. His passing not always brilliant but fantastic work rate and pitch coverage. Strong defensively as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAOA8tskFjM

Edited September 2, 20223 yr by ozboy

Tuchel on Zakaria : “He can play in a back 4 as a CB, a back 3 as a CB, he can play both positions in midfield and he can even play at wing back because he is fast enough” 

9 minutes ago, azpi28 said:

Tuchel on Zakaria : “He can play in a back 4 as a CB, a back 3 as a CB, he can play both positions in midfield and he can even play at wing back because he is fast enough” 

So he thinks of him like RLC then?

What a relief he can play wing back - I think that is the first box TT looks to check!

Honestly this might work out.  If anything he'll handle the physicality and might be useful to disrupt counter attacks against us.