5 hours ago, acaeus said:

That midfield was so good! yes, Kante was the ET there, but it was a master passer, a master dribbler, and the unplayable b2b/quickest transition in football.

I feel we’re missing a key ingredient in midfield: we don’t have a Cherki, Szoboszlai, Odegaard for the CAM position (can include B. Fernandes but I'm not a fan). Enzo does an alright job there, but I feel this squad will never challenge for the title without that kind of player.
That’s of course assuming we address the defensive line.

BTW, Odegaard's struggles and how poorly Arsenal has been playing gives me hope.

All these players run with the ball, with pace, in addition to their creativity. Enzo does not and cannot, unfortunately, and we break down many attacks as a result. I was keen when the club was linked with Fermin Lopez and Xavi Simons. Barcelona have the same problem, when Lopez or Dani Olmo are fit and firing they are a very different class of threat. The ability to have 2 players able to carry the ball through the centre of the pitch opens up different angles of attack. Same as Arsenal, Declan Rice sometimes can't make a progressive pass to save his life but he effortlessly glides through midfield with the ball to win Arsenal corners.

Camavinga is an absolute pipe-dream but he would be perfect for the role. Fabian Ruiz is not as good as player as Enzo Fernandez, but while I don't think he would have the same attacking output as Fernandez his ability to carry the ball at pace, as well as defend, would benefit the team more overall in the Premier League. A fit Lavia and Santos also solves the problem because it means Caicedo can do the ball-carrying, allowing Fernandez to go up and attack almost as a second-striker or to be in position for through balls, similar to the pass he played to Gusto for the second goal vs Villa.

19 hours ago, SydneyChelsea said:

All these players run with the ball, with pace, in addition to their creativity. Enzo does not and cannot, unfortunately, and we break down many attacks as a result. I was keen when the club was linked with Fermin Lopez and Xavi Simons. Barcelona have the same problem, when Lopez or Dani Olmo are fit and firing they are a very different class of threat. The ability to have 2 players able to carry the ball through the centre of the pitch opens up different angles of attack. Same as Arsenal, Declan Rice sometimes can't make a progressive pass to save his life but he effortlessly glides through midfield with the ball to win Arsenal corners.

Camavinga is an absolute pipe-dream but he would be perfect for the role. Fabian Ruiz is not as good as player as Enzo Fernandez, but while I don't think he would have the same attacking output as Fernandez his ability to carry the ball at pace, as well as defend, would benefit the team more overall in the Premier League. A fit Lavia and Santos also solves the problem because it means Caicedo can do the ball-carrying, allowing Fernandez to go up and attack almost as a second-striker or to be in position for through balls, similar to the pass he played to Gusto for the second goal vs Villa.

Mostly agree. Just not sure Fernandez can do that job to the level we need -- I mean to eventually challenge for the PL. He's got the movement to be there for the poaching, but I don't see enough raw skill and invention for that role.
Incidentally, Rice and Caicedo are the prime examples of how meaningless the word "better" can be in football... better at what?
However, I honestly just can't imagine a CM trio of Caicedo, Lavia, and Santos ever working at this level... unless the idea is to park the bus under some specific circumstances. Of Santos can develop his game in a certain way and become a different player at some point -- he's 21 after all.

Almost on page 4 of these forums now as so little to talk about with Lavia….

Three seasons and yet to complete 90 minutes for Chelsea. Probably time to move on.

Edited May 27May 27 by PhilH930

3 hours ago, PhilH930 said:

Probably time to move on.

He struggles to move due to his constantly being injured.

Half the quality of Reece James and injured twice as much. Sell all day long. I suspect if he does go it’ll be on loan as no team in their right mind are going to pay his £23m book value given his injury record

His wages are tiny. Worth keeping around in case he ever gets over his injuries. The talent is there

Sadly I think he should be moved on at this point. He has shown some signs of quality but his chronic injury problems make him unreliable and he has been much less impressive in his games since returning the latter part of the season. Give Essugo a chance instead.

We beat pool for Lavia signature which mean he is not on some cheap salary, and he is constantly injured. It is so much easier to move Santos than Lavia.

Edited May 28May 28 by Bob stark

24 minutes ago, Bob stark said:

We beat pool for Lavia signature which mean he is not on some cheap salary, and he is constantly injured. It is so much easier to move Santos than Lavia.

Lavia is on 45k and Santos is on 35k. Both reflecting the fact that they’re below average midfielders and both are contracted to 2030 so they’re both going to be hard to move.

1 hour ago, BS66 said:

Lavia is on 45k and Santos is on 35k. Both reflecting the fact that they’re below average midfielders and both are contracted to 2030 so they’re both going to be hard to move.

Stop using capology.

Santos came from Brazil Serie b for 10 m, Lavia came from soton after we beat pool for his signature for 40/50 m.

1 hour ago, Bob stark said:

Stop using capology.

Santos came from Brazil Serie b for 10 m, Lavia came from soton after we beat pool for his signature for 40/50 m.

Capology says:


Chelsea's actual accounts recorded the wage bill for 22/23 as £404m

The idea we are paying these players cheaply is a fantasy

Edited May 28May 28 by SydneyChelsea

31 minutes ago, SydneyChelsea said:

Capology says:


Chelsea's actual accounts recorded the wage bill for 22/23 as £404m

The idea we are paying these players cheaply is a fantasy

Santos, unless he has signed a new contract, is probably on very cheap salary, Lavia no chance.

If we are being rational it is quite easy to tell who is making big money, who isn't.

Edited May 28May 28 by Bob stark

1 hour ago, Bob stark said:

Santos, unless he has signed a new contract, is probably on very cheap salary, Lavia no chance.

If we are being rational it is quite easy to tell who is making big money, who isn't.

Lavia was 21, ex-City academy, 2 years PL experience, had two clubs fighting for signature. Even without bonuses there's no way his wage isn't around six figures.

The only ones I think are on low wages would be the ones signing their first "big" PL club contract - Delap, Jackson, Santos, Essugo and maybe Estevao. Garnacho might be relatively low too given he signed to United while he was still under 20

Edited May 28May 28 by SydneyChelsea

2 hours ago, SydneyChelsea said:

Lavia was 21, ex-City academy, 2 years PL experience, had two clubs fighting for signature. Even without bonuses there's no way his wage isn't around six figures.

The only ones I think are on low wages would be the ones signing their first "big" PL club contract - Delap, Jackson, Santos, Essugo and maybe Estevao. Garnacho might be relatively low too given he signed to United while he was still under 20

This. You can sort of guess which one is making more which one is making less.

Jackson n Palmer were probably on the lower end in their first season but no longer in that bracket in their 2nd season.

3 hours ago, SydneyChelsea said:

Lavia was 21, ex-City academy, 2 years PL experience, had two clubs fighting for signature. Even without bonuses there's no way his wage isn't around six figures.

Lavia was 19, one year of prem football to his name and was at the time playing for a Championship club. He was also offered a 7 year deal, which will lower the weekly salary. 45K base salary is very likely, as most of our deals are structured as bonus incentivised.

Lavia is a strange one for me, I suppose it will depend on whether Alonso likes him.

I think when fit he’s decent and if his wages are low having nursed him through injuries it’s worth keeping him plus who’s going to buy him for decent money right now?

Much more important to get Enzo’s replacement right in midfield,I’d probably leave the rest alone.

Edited May 28May 28 by C3blue

8 minutes ago, C3blue said:

Lavia is a strange one for me, I suppose it will depend on whether Alonso likes him.

I think when fit he’s decent and if his wages are low having nursed him through injuries it’s worth keeping him plus who’s going to buy him for decent money right now?

Much more important to get Enzo’s replacement right in midfield,I’d probably leave the rest alone.

It is not a strange one and it is not even about Alonso. Lavia case is a club decision.

No manager want to deal with player who are always injured unless you are a superstar.

10 minutes ago, C3blue said:

Lavia is a strange one for me, I suppose it will depend on whether Alonso likes him.

I think when fit he’s decent and if his wages are low having nursed him through injuries it’s worth keeping him plus who’s going to buy him for decent money right now?

Much more important to get Enzo’s replacement right in midfield,I’d probably leave the rest alone.

I think it was the Arsenal 2-1 league defeat early March when we went down to 10 men just after Neto got sent off and Lavia came on and he started dominating the midfield and I thought "Wow, this is what we've been missing".

But didn't really see it again. If he was that player more often than not and could get over the injury issues he is worth keeping, otherwise might as well make way for someone else.

7 hours ago, SydneyChelsea said:

Capology says:


Chelsea's actual accounts recorded the wage bill for 22/23 as £404m

The idea we are paying these players cheaply is a fantasy

I mean it is "fixed" payroll.

The actual accounts will certainly include variables like the gazillion bonuses, image rights & clauses inserted that were distributed throughout the fiscal year.

1 hour ago, C3blue said:

Lavia is a strange one for me, I suppose it will depend on whether Alonso likes him.

I think when fit he’s decent and if his wages are low having nursed him through injuries it’s worth keeping him plus who’s going to buy him for decent money right now?

Much more important to get Enzo’s replacement right in midfield,I’d probably leave the rest alone.

For me, Santos takes Lavia's role. It's just too many times we are trying to rely on the latter only for him to yet again miss 3/4 of the season.

I'd prefer to replace Enzo with an attacker and replace Lavia with an established CM like Wharton or Hjulmand.

1 hour ago, Bob stark said:

It is not a strange one and it is not even about Alonso. Lavia case is a club decision.

No manager want to deal with player who are always injured unless you are a superstar.

1 hour ago, Bob stark said:

It is not a strange one and it is not even about Alonso. Lavia case is a club decision.

No manager want to deal with player who are always injured unless you are a superstar.

I thought it was Alonso’s decision now that he’s the manager who stays and goes, who comes in.

Otherwise what’s the point. I meant it was strange from my perspective as to what to do for the best with him. Decent enough but always injured. And with his stock so low it’s not the best time to try and sell him, maybe a loan.

Edited May 28May 28 by C3blue

Not sure what you do with him tbh. Maybe put him out on loan and see will he actually play a respectable amount of games in a season. I’d have suspicions that a lot of his injuries are in his head.

Really can’t plan anything with him until he can prove he can play 30 games in a season minimum.

11 hours ago, C3blue said:

I thought it was Alonso’s decision now that he’s the manager who stays and goes, who comes in.

Otherwise what’s the point. I meant it was strange from my perspective as to what to do for the best with him. Decent enough but always injured. And with his stock so low it’s not the best time to try and sell him, maybe a loan.

Lavia case is very simple 100% sell. But you can't sell him, so once again it is back to the club.

Player salary discussion is imo quite dumb, A lot of fan is proud when their team/favorite player has cheaper salary and unhappy when player want more money. 😂😂😂

If you pay cheaper salary, the player will want to leave or won't come. It is as simple as that. No magical contract, no magical negotiation. Player and agent are not stupid.

Romeo Lavia has not completed a full 90 minutes for Chelsea since joining the club. What does his future look like? Can ever become fully fit and a team regular or is that just not possible? I mean IF he is fully fit he is an amazing player. But what is the real deal with his injury?

6 hours ago, TheCeleryKing said:

IF he is fully fit he is an amazing player.

Are we even sure about this? Like you said we haven't really seen him play since he came here.