I just read on SS that Grant is to have funds made available to him in the jan-tran to bring in a striker, and possibly another central defender?! the striker I can agree upon, but a Centre half?

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11668_2991294,00.html

Four centre backs, with Essien and Ferreira as emergency cover really should be enough, but our first choice pairing of JT and Carvalho have between them spent an eternity out of action over the past 12-18 months.

Personally, I would rather we recalled Maccienne in January, throw him in at the deep end and see how he goes for 6 months. If he is up to standard, then we should look at letting go one of our existing centrebacks at the end of the season - probably Ben Haim.

Ben Haim was playing very well, week in week out for Bolton prior to joining us. I'd expect Maccienne to at least performing well consistantly for a premiership club before we start playing him regually.

Same goes for Scott Sinclair. If they are good enough, they will get regular game time at the likes of Bolton and Wigan before they prove they are capable of replacing the likes of Ben Haim and Sidwell in the squad.

Unless the center half is someone world class then I don't really see the point. We have Alex and Ben Haim. They might not have been superb so far, but they haven't been awful either. Good enough to cover for JT and Riccy (hopefully not both at the same time though).

amen, Moos -- if we can find a center-half better than Ben Haim or Alex on the open market, have at it. but what's the point of just buying sh*t surplus?

Finding someone better than Ben Haim? The f*ckin' tea lady is probably better than him, he's the worst central defender I've seen play for Chelsea in almost 30 years. We should offload him in January and bring in a younger and better replacement - shouldn't be too difficult!

Finding someone better than Ben Haim? The f*ckin' tea lady is probably better than him, he's the worst central defender I've seen play for Chelsea in almost 30 years. We should offload him in January and bring in a younger and better replacement - shouldn't be too difficult!

You have lot more perspective on this im sure, but he wasn't totally bad against Lpool last night. He's better than Boulahrouz for sure, which then again isn't too much.

Is it still okay to mention Boula in this forum?

I think Alex is doing okay.

I don't see a problem really; JT and RC are incredible, Alex is probably the best third centre back in the country and as a fourth choice you can't go wrong with Ben Haim.

Alex is probably the best third centre back in the country m.

I think the blue specs may be on a little bit there however I do agree that you are unlikely to find too many players as good as Alex who will accept being the third choice centre halfg. In fact we don't really know if he would either as that hasn't been put to the test yet due to the ridiculous amount of injuries JT and Carvalho have picked up.