Seems to be a fairly common belief that, with 39 first team squad players either currently with us, or out of loan, that a big summer fire sale of various players will happen.

Thought it might be fun to make some predictions now, when Spurs and Newcastle are far from locked in at 4th place and a strong run could yet see us claim a very unlikely 4th place.

Then there is the CL. Could Hakim Zyiech bring his world cup form, help us lift number 3 and make all forecast of his imminent demise laughable? Could Gallagher be such the hero with several decrying the loss of 40mill from Everton?

Let's see and come back to this.

For me some are more obvious to be moved on, the loan boys like:

 

Baba, Sarr, Ampadu, Bakayoko etc

 

As for the rest I predict going will be:

 

Mendy

Marcus B

Koulibaly 

Cucurella

Dave

Kovacic

Zakaria (not purchased)

Gallagher

CHO

Pulisic

Ziyech 

Sterling

Aubameyang 

Edited February 4, 20233 yr by axman2526

Aubameyang

CHO

Pulisic 

Ziyech 

Zakaria 

Gallagher 

Azpilicueta 

Mendy 

 

Add Kante to the list, remove Kovacic and Gallagher thanks in advance @axman2526

If we can find buyers for 16 players mentioned in the first post, I will eat my proverbial hat.

No-one will pay the fees we want, or the wages that the players will want ... so it all falls apart on two counts, and that's before we consider whether anyone would even want our cast offs.

Historically, we have found it nigh on impossible to sell our deadwood. unless we cancel contracts or offer free transfers ... 

Maybe Boehly buys a satellite club, and wholesale transfers are made to them ? (assuming that doesn't contravene any FIFA/UEFA laws LOL)

Very likely leaving

Ziyech

Pulisic

Mendy

Azpi

Aubameyang

CHO

 

Likely leaving 

Koulibaly

Gallagher

RLC

 

Leaving if a club hasn't watched any of our games for the past 18 months

Havertz

Edited February 5, 20233 yr by timetowaste

Gallagher problem will rear it’s head again, i.e won’t transfer to a smaller club (Everton) or we won’t sell to a rival (Newcastle), unless a Serie A club gets involved but I can’t see that happening with him. No sure what the solution is there.

 

I believe I own the copyright for "Predictions" threads. I will be informing my lawyers of this.

Some football manger type list I am reading 🤣😂😂

be realistic people probably 5 max 6 will leave 

40 minutes ago, El regreso said:

Some football manger type list I am reading 🤣😂😂

be realistic people probably 5 max 6 will leave 

You're wrong on this one, generally mass first team sales like this don't happen, however, we have signed 18 players this season and have about 35 players in the squad currently as well as Nkunku and Gusto coming, we'll also probably sign another 3 or so players on top. THEN we have players like Colwill and CHO coming back from loan who aren't part of the usual 'loan army' that we will need to either put into the team or sell.

So really we will have to sell at least 10 players in the summer.

Edited February 5, 20233 yr by timetowaste

3 minutes ago, timetowaste said:

You're wrong on this one, generally mass first team sales like this don't happen, however, we have signed 18 players this season and have about 35 players in the squad currently as well as Nkunku and Gusto coming, we'll also probably sign another 3 or so players on top. THEN we have players like Colwill and CHO coming back from loan who aren't part of the usual 'loan army' that we will need to either put into the team or sell.

So really we will have to sell at least 10 players in the summer.

Technically, no one can be "wrong" on a predictions thread until the end of next summer's transfer window 🙂 

1 hour ago, Term_X said:

Gallagher problem will rear it’s head again, i.e won’t transfer to a smaller club (Everton) or we won’t sell to a rival (Newcastle), unless a Serie A club gets involved but I can’t see that happening with him. No sure what the solution is there.

 

I believe Gallagher may accept a move to Everton if they're able to stay up this season. To move this January would be a major risk for his career, could end up relegated and playing Championship next season. If they show improvements with Dyche at helm it may prove beneficial for us to move him along. Though I'd sell a lot of players before him, at least he shows proper commitment, now just needs to keep improving even if he won't ever reach WC level, but the club can always have a spot or two for players that bleed for the shirt like him. 

Certain to leave:

Pulisic

Ziyech

Auba

Bakayoko

RLC

Azpi

Baba

Sarr

 

Possible:

Gallagher

Ampadu

Mendy

CHO

 

I'd like to keep Zakaria as I think he's shown enough for the price tag. And I would keep Gallager - Mount has nowhere near enough quality to start as an attacker and is not as good as Gallagher in deeper areas. RLC is 27 now and it's time to cut him loose.

Was thinking of this from the other angle - who is in the squad next season.  

GK -  Kepa, Mendy, Slonina
RB - James, Gusto
LB - Chilwell, Cucurella, Hall
CB - Silva, Badiashile, Fofana, Chalobah, Colwill
MID - Enzo, Kante, Zakaria (buy), Chukwuemeka, Santos
RW - Sterling, Madueke
LW - Mudryk, Mount, Felix (buy)
CF - Nkunku, Fofana, Broja

That squad needs work still with more depth on the wings, striker, and another quality midfielder that can rotate with Kante (we can't continue with both Kovacic and Kante as the two are unreliable, so I dropped Kova).  It also assumes we buy Zakaria and Felix.  I see no takers for Mendy or Cucu, hence keeping for depth.

Loan - Colwill, Hall, Chukwuemeka (all need more football than we can offer)
Sell - Sarr, Ampadu, Koulibaly, Baba, Bakayoko, RLC, Kovacic, Odoi, Ziyech, Auba, Lukaku, Havertz, Pulisic, Dave (release for free)
Buy - Felix, Zakaria, another quality CM, striker

Edited February 5, 20233 yr by PhilH930

4 minutes ago, PhilH930 said:

Was thinking of this from the other angle - who is in the squad next season.  

GK -  Kepa, Mendy, Slonina
RB - James, Gusto
LB - Chilwell, Cucurella, Hall
CB - Silva, Badiashile, Fofana, Chalobah, Colwill
MID - Enzo, Kante, Zakaria (buy), Chukwuemeka, Santos
RW - Sterling, Madueke
LW - Mudryk, Mount, Felix (buy)
CF - Nkunku, Fofana, Broja

That squad needs work still with more depth on the wings, striker, and another quality midfielder that can rotate with Kante.  It also assumes we buy Zakaria and Felix.  I see no takers for Mendy or Cucu, hence keeping for depth.

Loan - Colwill, Hall, Chukwuemeka (all need more football than we can offer)
Sell - Sarr, Ampadu, Koulibaly, Baba, Bakayoko, RLC, Kovacic, Odoi, Ziyech, Auba, Lukaku, Havertz, Pulisic, Dave (release for free)
Buy - Felix, Zakaria, another quality CM, striker

Interested to know why you would sell Kovacic and keep Kante? Kovacic (when fit) has been out best player in the 2 previous campaigns and only lost POTS to Mount because of injuries.

10 minutes ago, venom2011 said:

Interested to know why you would sell Kovacic and keep Kante? Kovacic (when fit) has been out best player in the 2 previous campaigns and only lost POTS to Mount because of injuries.

Fair question.  28 years old now and in last 3 campaigns has only seen the pitch 27 times or less each PL season.  206 total games for Chelsea, 5 goals.  1 goal every 40 games is not enough for me from midfield.  I do not know his assists, but I don't get the impression its much different.  For these reasons, he is part of what I think needs to change to evolve how this club plays football.

I appreciate comparing Kovacic and Kante's availability is a losing argument for either one, but I'll take Kante's experience and what we've seen all day if only for another 2-3 years.

4 hours ago, Sexyfootball said:

If we can find buyers for 16 players mentioned in the first post, I will eat my proverbial hat.

No-one will pay the fees we want, or the wages that the players will want ... so it all falls apart on two counts, and that's before we consider whether anyone would even want our cast offs.

Historically, we have found it nigh on impossible to sell our deadwood. unless we cancel contracts or offer free transfers ... 

Maybe Boehly buys a satellite club, and wholesale transfers are made to them ? (assuming that doesn't contravene any FIFA/UEFA laws LOL)

Canceling contracts for the likes of Bakayoko and Sarr is exactly what I think we will do, Todd did it with Dodgers players, aka paid them off to leave, when he ans his crew started there.

4 hours ago, Zeta said:

I believe I own the copyright for "Predictions" threads. I will be informing my lawyers of this.

Less time with lawyers, more time getting coaching badges, please Mr. Zeta.

Kovacic being sold I’m not completely against. 

22 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Less time with lawyers, more time getting coaching badges, please Mr. Zeta.

I've been told I am literally not allowed to do the next one until my team is older, as it has to be a "competitive" league. 🤔

3 hours ago, PhilH930 said:

Was thinking of this from the other angle - who is in the squad next season.  

GK -  Kepa, Mendy, Slonina
RB - James, Gusto
LB - Chilwell, Cucurella, Hall
CB - Silva, Badiashile, Fofana, Chalobah, Colwill
MID - Enzo, Kante, Zakaria (buy), Chukwuemeka, Santos
RW - Sterling, Madueke
LW - Mudryk, Mount, Felix (buy)
CF - Nkunku, Fofana, Broja

That squad needs work still with more depth on the wings, striker, and another quality midfielder that can rotate with Kante (we can't continue with both Kovacic and Kante as the two are unreliable, so I dropped Kova).  It also assumes we buy Zakaria and Felix.  I see no takers for Mendy or Cucu, hence keeping for depth.

Loan - Colwill, Hall, Chukwuemeka (all need more football than we can offer)
Sell - Sarr, Ampadu, Koulibaly, Baba, Bakayoko, RLC, Kovacic, Odoi, Ziyech, Auba, Lukaku, Havertz, Pulisic, Dave (release for free)
Buy - Felix, Zakaria, another quality CM, striker

 

 

Personally I think one  or both of Kepa or Mendy will be gone. Kepa is more likely as his vast fee has to a large extent been amortised and a few of circa £20 million will balance the books. Mendy supposedly has suitors on the continent. I can see a new number 1 ( the Brentford keeper is being mentioned) and if his reputation is deserved Sloinia could well be the numbe4 2

A lot depends what shape Potter would see as his default system  will be I wouldn’t be at all surprised  at all if it’s a flat back 4.

Colwill needs to be integrated into the squad he is the real deal another loan isn’t needed for development purposes for me that means that Chalobah should be sold alongside Mount. 

Hall needs a season on loan and I think there are others that likewise need a loan. Some like Vale have gone backwards.

Chukwuemeka is the real deal and I am far from sure he needs a loan I would be far happier seeing him in the squad as opposed to Zaharia who I don’t rate higher. Gallagher will probably be sold and whilst Broja will still be recovering I wonder about him.

 

Edited February 5, 20233 yr by terraloon

17 minutes ago, terraloon said:

me that means that Chalobah should be sold alongside Mount. 

You would sell Mount?

Chalobah and Gallagher I can see the club selling to fund this rebuild. But selling Mount? Potter may have no idea how to use him but he's a very good player.

 

6 minutes ago, OriginalS said:

You would sell Mount?

Chalobah and Gallagher I can see the club selling to fund this rebuild. But selling Mount? Potter may have no idea how to use him but he's a very good player.

 

Yea I would I see a player whose development had stalled under TT and for me nothing much seems to have changed. Unless he signs a new deal he will be in the last 12 months of his deal 

13 minutes ago, terraloon said:

Yea I would I see a player whose development had stalled under TT and for me nothing much seems to have changed. Unless he signs a new deal he will be in the last 12 months of his deal 

I agree that he will likely be sold if he doesn't sign a new contract before the summer. But it's not something I would want.

I do fear he will leave though. He's likely heading for the bench with Felix and the midfielders back and why would he want to extend then?

6 hours ago, Brigadeiro Mk II said:

I believe Gallagher may accept a move to Everton if they're able to stay up this season. To move this January would be a major risk for his career, could end up relegated and playing Championship next season. If they show improvements with Dyche at helm it may prove beneficial for us to move him along. Though I'd sell a lot of players before him, at least he shows proper commitment, now just needs to keep improving even if he won't ever reach WC level, but the club can always have a spot or two for players that bleed for the shirt like him. 

True unless he's the 35th player. Apparently we are putting together an improved contract for him. I'm still unconvinced tbh, and with a defensive midfielder on the pitch on Friday with Enzo playing in the role given to Gallagher I would have fancied us to win

15 hours ago, venom2011 said:

Certain to leave:

Pulisic

Ziyech

Auba

Bakayoko

RLC

Azpi

Baba

Sarr

 

Possible:

Gallagher

Ampadu

Mendy

CHO

 

I'd like to keep Zakaria as I think he's shown enough for the price tag. And I would keep Gallager - Mount has nowhere near enough quality to start as an attacker and is not as good as Gallagher in deeper areas. RLC is 27 now and it's time to cut him loose.

Good chart