8 hours ago, WhiteWall said:

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

I fancied us to win anyway. I was wrong. 

On 05/02/2023 at 13:39, 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.

During the World Cup friends asked whether I wished Kova played like that for us, to which I replied that he  did exactly that … driving run from the heart of defence, beats 2, 3 maybe 4 people and then …. And then …. Nada! Assists? Goals? Telling incisive passes? Not for me, I’m afraid… on the sell list. 

4 hours ago, OnePeterOsgood said:

During the World Cup friends asked whether I wished Kova played like that for us, to which I replied that he  did exactly that … driving run from the heart of defence, beats 2, 3 maybe 4 people and then …. And then …. Nada! Assists? Goals? Telling incisive passes? Not for me, I’m afraid… on the sell list. 

Okay so I get the sentiment, however, if your decision is based on his attacking output then it's misdirected. The driving run from the heart of defense is a rare and valuable skill. And that feeds into his ability to be press-resistant. Kovacic's attributes lend him to being a monster in the middle third of the pitch. In a functioning 3-man midfield, a player of his ilk can be invaluable and fully fit he would be in most of the top midfields in Europe. Of all the established players he's one of the last that should be sold. 

7 hours ago, venom2011 said:

Okay so I get the sentiment, however, if your decision is based on his attacking output then it's misdirected. The driving run from the heart of defense is a rare and valuable skill. And that feeds into his ability to be press-resistant. Kovacic's attributes lend him to being a monster in the middle third of the pitch. In a functioning 3-man midfield, a player of his ilk can be invaluable and fully fit he would be in most of the top midfields in Europe. Of all the established players he's one of the last that should be sold. 

I think it is one style of playing.. but when clubs are parking the bus against us i dont think it is that effective. He is not the most aggressive when it come to tackling or pressing, his long range passing is average at best, long range shorts and through balls are not his strength.

He is a super dribbler who glides out of the press effectively, but as a footballer he needs a lot of moving parts for me to be really effective. In the best of times our midfield had people who were good at multiple things like  SFL, Essien, Fab, Ballack, Kante .. i am sorry but he is not at the same level.

Out:

Mendy - replace him with a top-class GK unless Kepa shows constantly great form until the end of the season, in which case we would probably be fine with Slonina and Bettinelli as back-ups

Azpilicueta - We don't want to have another Invanovic situation with him. He is not good anymore. Still a valuable squad member for his leadership but I feel like it would be better to part ways anyway.

Kante - Can not stay fit. Last chance to maybe get a semi-decent fee for him. 

Ruben Loftus-Cheek - He is just not good enough. Big, athletic player but can't shoot, pass or do anything else properly. Frustrating to watch as you always feel like there is potential but he can't unlock it. Has not impressed on loan at Fulham either so it's fair to say that top-level PL is just not for him. Maybe he can be decent in Italy or France, not sure.

Pulisic- Too many injuries not enough output when fit

Ziyech - Good player but should leave so he can shine in a different league. PL is too physical for him unfortunately.

Aubameyang - Obvious reasons

 

Players coming back from loan:

CHO - Just not good enough. Can't impress in the Bundesliga, considering who we signed in the winter there is no place for him at Chelsea anymore.

Lukaku - Never want to see him again at Chelsea

Sarr - Does he deserve another season? I don't think so

Baba Rahman and Bakayoko - obvious

 

 

 

Wouldn't surprise me if the only survivor of the Tuchel era in 2 years time is Reece James.

3 hours ago, Sexyfootball said:

Wouldn't surprise me if the only survivor of the Tuchel era in 2 years time is Reece James.

He started at least a season prior with Lampard.

The Tuchel era (if that's a thing now) is Lukaku, Saul, Zakaria, Aubameyang, Koulibaly, Sterling and Wesley F. Maybe Cucurella too.

1 hour ago, Gol15 said:

He started at least a season prior with Lampard.

The Tuchel era (if that's a thing now) is Lukaku, Saul, Zakaria, Aubameyang, Koulibaly, Sterling and Wesley F. Maybe Cucurella too.

 i.e. "any player that was in the first team squad under Tuchel".

My god, where to start with this...

First team OUT: Ziyech, Chalobah, Koulibaly, Gallagher, Mount, Azpi, Mendy, Ruben, Auba, Pulisic, Broja

loaned players OUT: Hudson-Odoi, Ampadu, Rahman, Simons, Vale, Wady, Cumming, Sarr, Lukaku, Bakayoko

 

if we're smart, can get about 300m for all of these. Few academy players in there as well which will help massively with FFP

On 05/02/2023 at 21:33, 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

Whilst I don't completely agree. I believe this is the most logical and rational take. 

Difference being, I'd loan Santos too and keep Kante over Kova. 

If we play 4231, plenty of game time for everyone involved

 

We've struggled getting rid of players for a while now, used to be able to get rid of them quite easily under Jose and managers beforehand. 

Can't see us shifting all that deadwood in one summer unless Todd can work miracles and to be fair to him he has worked some in January. 

Definitely need to see the back of Pulisic and Ziyech though, it's never going to work out with those two. Havertz is one I would shift along to if we can keep Felix and get a decent bid for Havertz. Our midfielders I'm not so sure, Kante and Kovacic can't stay fit sadly, RLC I would bin off, but the priority should be getting rid of the old attackers we have replaced. 

On 15/02/2023 at 03:45, DeadfaLLostomy said:

My god, where to start with this...

First team OUT: Ziyech, Chalobah, Koulibaly, Gallagher, Mount, Azpi, Mendy, Ruben, Auba, Pulisic, Broja

loaned players OUT: Hudson-Odoi, Ampadu, Rahman, Simons, Vale, Wady, Cumming, Sarr, Lukaku, Bakayoko

 

if we're smart, can get about 300m for all of these. Few academy players in there as well which will help massively with FFP

Another one trying to play fantasy football.. lucky if we get 150 mil. Anyone who can fetch us money are mount and CG. But great support for players - let’s kick them out if they have one bad season like mount.. kova UC is hardly been better or havertz . What has CC bought to the table ..or Kepa..

Can we clear out some of the w**ker fans too? @axman2526 can be the first out the door. 

4 hours ago, Munkworth said:

Can we clear out some of the w**ker fans too? @axman2526 can be the first out the door. 

@Modis in the process of lining up a swap deal, in return @Malta Blueis coming to stay at your house.

11 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

@Modis in the process of lining up a swap deal, in return @Malta Blueis coming to stay at your house.

Good I need a hand with some jobs in the garden. 

8 minutes ago, Munkworth said:

Good I need a hand with some jobs in the garden. 

Should run a prediction thread on "which body part will Munk injure this time".

17 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Should run a prediction thread on "which body part will Munk injure this time".

They all come preinjured. 

16 minutes ago, Munkworth said:

They all come preinjured. 

Ah so "what body part will Munk reinjure first" prediction thread then.

Here are my thoughts

Mendy - will probably go, does not want to play as a number two.

Mount - a great player for us for 2-3 seasons yet he clearly is not right in the head whether anger at the club wage bargaining or something else. Also we seem to be getting better players and his starting position may not be secure.

Kova - too many injuries taking there toll and technically limited with shooting and passing. 

Pulisic - too many injuries and seems slower now.

Kante - vital for several seasons yet his form when fit is definitely lower than before - think for non-football reason he will stay.

Gallagher - under Potter used in the later stages of matches, good energy yet technically limited.

Lukuku- can't see a way back for him as his ego is too big and movement and application questionable at times.

RLC or CHO - Think we might keep one of these to stay within home grown rules yet neither following injuries have been able to claim a first team regular spot, to their credit both seem contributing from the bench.

Azpi - Old servant too slow now and we have plenty of cover in the CB area.

Auba - Unlucky that TT moved on and not seen now as part of the first team squad.

 

 

 

7 minutes ago, strider6004 said:

Here are my thoughts

Mendy - will probably go, does not want to play as a number two.

Mount - a great player for us for 2-3 seasons yet he clearly is not right in the head whether anger at the club wage bargaining or something else. Also we seem to be getting better players and his starting position may not be secure.

Kova - too many injuries taking there toll and technically limited with shooting and passing. 

Pulisic - too many injuries and seems slower now.

Kante - vital for several seasons yet his form when fit is definitely lower than before - think for non-football reason he will stay.

Gallagher - under Potter used in the later stages of matches, good energy yet technically limited.

Lukuku- can't see a way back for him as his ego is too big and movement and application questionable at times.

RLC or CHO - Think we might keep one of these to stay within home grown rules yet neither following injuries have been able to claim a first team regular spot, to their credit both seem contributing from the bench.

Azpi - Old servant too slow now and we have plenty of cover in the CB area.

Auba - Unlucky that TT moved on and not seen now as part of the first team squad.

 

 

 

I'd say that's a pretty fair and balanced assessment. Would not be surprised if this is pretty much how it all pans out next summer.

Just a reminder that these players have say as to where they go. If some choose to see out their contracts then the club is out in a dodger situation 

6 hours ago, Sexyfootball said:

I'd say that's a pretty fair and balanced assessment. Would not be surprised if this is pretty much how it all pans out next summer.

Forgot Ziyech too and expect him to move as well.

We should start by selling Lukaku first 

On 06/02/2023 at 22:32, venom2011 said:

Okay so I get the sentiment, however, if your decision is based on his attacking output then it's misdirected. The driving run from the heart of defense is a rare and valuable skill. And that feeds into his ability to be press-resistant. Kovacic's attributes lend him to being a monster in the middle third of the pitch. In a functioning 3-man midfield, a player of his ilk can be invaluable and fully fit he would be in most of the top midfields in Europe. Of all the established players he's one of the last that should be sold. 

https://www.footballfancast.com/chelsea-graham-potter-mateo-kovacic-stamford-bridge-blues/

 

I'd like to see Maasten brought back from his loan at Burnley, he can play in a few left side roles. And he's better than Cucerlla