I've been thinking about something for a while, and everytime we have a new manager the topic come to the fore: as fans, we write off our own players too quickly.

I'm sure there must be a bit of pent up frustration within our ranks and that must play a big role in the way we think. I know Drogba burns hot and cold, while showing his "ugly" side more often than not. I know Lampard has half a foot in the grave at 30. I know Anelka couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo, etc...

Many will say this is the best time to make whole-sale changes. A new manager will want to mould the team to his philosophy, including bringing in his own players. "Old" players should be moved on rather than given contracts that would see them sitting on the sidelines, or not featuring at all, picking up their "draining" salaries. We need to make space for "better" players. We need to weed the dressing room of "negative" forces, etc...

I've said this before and I'll say it again, while all the big, and small, clubs around the world are fighting tooth and nail to keep their assets, and let's face it, the calibre of player that could improve us are going to be the creme de la creme and nobody wants to give up that kind of player, we really need to take stock and be absolutely sure we can do without the players we are thinking of off-loading.

Of course, to a certain extent, I am glad it is Scolari and not some of us that is charged with making these decisions. I am sure a man of his pedigree and experience will exactly how important players such as Drogba, Lampard and Carvalho are to the club. And I trust that a man who commands respect, and has supposedly mercurial powers of persuasion, will be able to (1) get these players to remain, and (2) get their heads screwed on the right way. More than anything else he can do, that is what I really hope he actually does.

I maintain that this squad of players is one of the best, if not the best, on the planet. We're missing a creative element, and some speed, in the final attacking third, but from the middle down to the back we are solid.

So, while like most of you, I'd be excited by announcements such as Chelsea are actively pursuing Rafael and Jan, I'd be even more ecstatic to hear that Scolari has got all the players pulling in the same direction again.

Quite aside from the obvious qualities of these players, I also have a nostalgic side to me and I feel we've only just established an identity. You know, when Roman had just arrived and we were buying right, left and center, it was difficult to (1) identify with the players, and (2) feel like any success wasn't bought. I say difficult, not impossible. And for me, a season ultimately devoid of success has kind of given me this feeling that any success we garner with this squad in the future will be all that much more "deserved" rather than "bought".

There is no question that we need to tweak the squad a bit. Players who get no game time whatsoever like Sidwell and Pizarro, possibly SWP, and one of Paulo or Belletti should be allowed to move on somewhere where they will regularly get a game. And I've already said we need a few creative, speedy players.

But I would, if at all possible, like to keep the core of the squad as is. I still see an amazing amount of quality here, and while I thought Drogba was a goner, the longer his future is undecided, the more I feel this was a premature conclusion.

I think the players lost their "guiding light" and their "focus" when Jose left. They probably also felt like the carpet was taken out from underneath them a little bit. I think they just need Felipao to come in and re-establish that.

I don't see why we should allow our squad to weaken in the process of trying to strengthen it. We need a bit of stability, and with our management changing from season to season, a stable squad would go some ways to providing this. A simple change of playing philosophy could make a huge change to our effectiveness, without having to change 3-4 first team players to achieve it. I actually expect that 1, at most 2, changes to the first team is (are) needed, and not to the "spine" of the team but to the wide areas or the role supporting the striker.

That is my firm belief.

Jose believed that the squad needed 2-3 in and out each season.

Sounds about right, although I think that we overstaffed due to the ANC.

Some have not proven themselves at all such as SWP, Pizarro and Ben-Haim. So they and those like them such as Sidwell (a shame I think) can slip off, and hopefully 1-3 new signings can come in busting to prove themselves. Also with 7 subs next season I would wish that at least two of those are kids so that the likes of Kakuta, Woods, Mancienne etc can get some game time in the final 10 if we are cruising. With new Euro rules coming in we will need more and more to promote within.

Looks like Maka, possibly Lamps and Drogba will go too. They will at least need to be replaced.

Shockingly this makes 7 out. :unsure:

As far as I am concerned, I want Drogba out. Sorry that's the way it is.

He has totally burned his bridges with his comments, and the sooner he goes the better as far as I am concerned. I support all in the blue, but can not find it in me to cheeer him anymore.

But we had a huge squad last year and I am sure that the base 15-18 will remain the same. Would be silly to over-do it.

Evolution not revolution. :huh:

To those who want to sell Drogba I ask this.....

1. Name me the strikers in world football who are likely to slot right in and do a better job than him? (I bet you can't name more than a handful and thats only if you don't rate Drogba as highly as I do)

2. Of those (very) few names, which of those are available and interested in a move to Chelsea?

Getting the likes of Huntelarr would be nice, but I just don't see him or anyone else we are likely to get replacing Drogba and us not being left worse off as a team.

I say it once again, how stupid will we look if we spend 50-100 million in the transfer market, sell Lampard and Drogba and end up with a squad that is weaker than the one we finsihed last season with?.

If Drogba wants to leave, so be it, but we shouldn't be encouraging him to depart.

Here, here. Obviously some of the fringe players need to go, but why should we let our core players go if no other club lets their core players go. If RA and PK want to build the brand, they need to build it around a core group of players who have made themselves at Chelsea. And they are:

JT (always was, and always will be)

Ricci (yes, he did something at Porto, but no one knew who he was before the CL victory)

Lamps (7 years, and in that time voted runner up as FIFA player of the year to a freakish Ronaldinho)

Maka (and yes, he was a core player at Madrid but they never realised that until after they let him go, he's Chelsea now)

Drogs (he's been around, but he has established himself as the most difficult striker in the world to play against at Chelsea)

Essien (probably not as core as the others, but we never hear rumours that he is leaving)

Cech (we wouldn't dream of it otherwise)

These group of players are probably in the best 10 in the world in their positions, and are the essence of the Chelsea brand. In the same way Kaka, Maldini and Pirlo are to AC Milan (and so was Shevchenko). In the same way Gerrard is to Liverpool. In the same way Viera, Bergkamp, and Henry were to Aresenal. In the same way Raul is to Madrid. You get the point. These are the players you think of immediately when you think of these clubs. These are the players that have made these clubs in recent times GREAT, and achieve GREAT things. They are there for years, and the club is moulded around them. They search for and develop new talent that follows in their footsteps, and continue their legacy. And that is what the club and the brand becomes.

The exception to this rule is when the player becomes bigger than the club. Like Beckham was at Manure, and C Ronaldo is now. Like Zidane and Ronaldo at Madrid. Like Ronaldinho and Eto'o at Barca. But when these players leave, they leave a gap, and it is hard to find someone to fill their shoes. The closest we have to this is Drogba. Lots of people think that he fits in this category but I tend to disagree. I think he thinks he COULD be bigger than the club, but is coming towards a crossroad in his career whether he decides to be bigger than the club and move on, or to stick around and be a part of a great team - and be a legend.

This team has not reached its potential. We have come within a bees d*ck of winning the CL, and reclaiming the premiership. But we have not done that yet, and until we do that, and reaffirm that, this team will not be GREAT. If these players stay, and we do achieve this (and in my opinion if they do stay, they will achieve this), they will become LEGENDS. And, with the exception of Maka, if any of these players move on and achieve the same things at Inter or Barca or wherever, they won't achieve the same legendary status as they will at Chelsea.

The club needs to do everything they can to keep these group of core players. Even Drogba Jimboola69. These are the players who have the opportunity themselves of being legends by making Chelsea great. And will leave a long a legacy at the club where new talent will follow in their footsteps. Like how JT is who he is now because he hung around Desailly. Like how Lamps is who he is now because he hang around after training with Zola. With this group of players we are so close to achieving that, and I think your suggestions Butch are all we need.

Great post Butch. I hope Drogba stays but we will only see his best if Scolari can get him under control. I felt he was sulky and ineffective in the last third of the season.

Maka will g. At 35 no matter how good you are you are too old too play at the very top in the centre of midfield. Maybe in defence, maybe like arnold Muhren out wide but not in the centre of midfield in today's ever more demanding Premier League.

So our first priority is holding midfielder. Is it Mikel?

Then I think we need a striker to go with Drogba, and a pacy right winger that can score.

We might also need a right back, although I'm inclined to see Essien in that role because I don't see where else he can fit in once we have Ballack Lampard and a holding midfielder in the side.

We might also need a right back

What we signed Bosingwa for?? :blink:

I agree with you, Butch. People in the media keep saying that the team and squad have gone stale, need a shake-up etc., and that the atmosphere Jose created has gone. Hopefully the new manager will freshen things up and motivate all they key players to stay. I have no problem with fringe players wanting to move on, but players with ambition should realise that can achieve everything here.

I forgot about bosingwa.

Drogba has continually had pops at the club saying he wanted to leave, the club disgusts him etc.

I do not want players like that, and frankly I do not see why we should kow-touw to him. Chelsea is bigger than Drogba, we can do well without him, we can do better even. Just as we moved on from Ossie, Zola and others.

He sickens me speakinmg like he does while on so much dosh. I want those that want to play for us..not someone who is 'doing us a favour' although we and the club disgust him.

Its like an abusive marriage. "Lose that hero and get yourself a hero" as they say on Ricki Lake! ;)

According to Milan, and this may just be a bit of gaming, Chelsea have taken Drogba off the market.

Like I said, I really hope Scolari has a chance to speak with Didier and see where his heart is before we even think of allowing him to leave.

Cheers,

Butch

According to Milan, and this may just be a bit of gaming, Chelsea have taken Drogba off the market.

Like I said, I really hope Scolari has a chance to speak with Didier and see where his heart is before we even think of allowing him to leave.

Cheers,

Butch

I just mentioned this in another thread. Shame I did not see this first.

Big Phil may have had a word.

But if we want decent money for him and a different style of striker, then at 30 we have to do get rid now.

I just mentioned this in another thread. Shame I did not see this first.

Big Phil may have had a word.

But if we want decent money for him and a different style of striker, then at 30 we have to do get rid now.

Lets not forget Drogba has his share of good times with us, his goalscoring record is something that IMO Anelka isnt gonna do soon.

Yes, im sick of him after the Champions League final but we need to look past that and remember all his goals that helped us get there and give us a chance at the league.

1-0 down to Arsenal anyone?

Lets not forget Drogba has his share of good times with us, his goalscoring record is something that IMO Anelka isnt gonna do soon.

Yes, im sick of him after the Champions League final but we need to look past that and remember all his goals that helped us get there and give us a chance at the league.

1-0 down to Arsenal anyone?

I don't care how good anyone has played for us in the past.

As soon as he said "Chelsea disgust me"...that was it for me.

Clinging on to him is the behaviour of a battered wife.

If that is how he feels...piss off!