Big or not, Phil hasn’t even set foot on Stamford Bridge turf and the speculation inflates the Scolari managerial status in the Premiership to gargantuan proportions. The reason is a simple one - he comes from Brazil - and the odds are that with him [player-wise] will come at least one countryman, probably two and maybe a third, should all my prayers be answered. Confirming Deco as a Brazilian by birth and style of play for the purposes of this topic, these new compatriots would fulfil Roman criteria more easily than any other of differing nationality, save perhaps the odd Bulgarian or the even odder winker, but more of them later because the real point here is that Brazilians damn near guarantee entertainment and that, when all is said and done, is what he wants and will get.

Lucky us, then, and lucky the entertainers in question who, by all accounts, may not be feeling that wanted at the moment, by current club and adoring public alike. Who could I possibly be referring to? Well, a couple of names spring to mind immediately and another hovers in the shadows awaiting [please let this be true] a late call into the spotlight. The three have more than nationality in common, being so good that they are named only once, and here’s my take on the eventual destination of each, based on the evidence provided, admittedly, by an agenda-driven Media….

1. Ronaldinho - let’s start with the least attractive option from Chelsea’s point of view, although the guy’s CV is second to none and he is a serial shirt seller who would have Peter Kenyon drooling. No, what is wrong with this brand imagers dream is that he really isn’t one anymore and, despite oft quoted efforts to rekindle past glories in the mind of our manager, he is carrying too much by way of weighty baggage for most fans liking. Not to worry, though, as his brother has revealed a 90% chance of a move to AC Milan and, whilst that in itself may not be enough to placate the Milanese fans, we can but hope that all this comes about. Sad as it will be for Mark Hughes, you have to think that, realistically, his chances of nailing a Ronnie deal down were about as good as they would have been of him luring the next two Brazilians on this list to the Bridge had he ended up as our manager instead of Scolari.

2. Robinho - strange to say, but there is a different feel about being linked to a player still aspiring to greatness, as opposed to one who has already attained it. The lad has been poorly treated of late by his employers, being immediately touted as a makeweight in what will be an inevitable Ronaldo move, and now mooted as straight swap material in a deal for Didier that, contrary to the perception of many a Real fan, would make a lot of Blues rather happy. Don’t get me wrong, Drogba has undoubtedly been a driving force for us over the last three years, but tempus fugit and, when you hit thirty, it fugits like lightning. The Brazilian has youth on his side, things to prove, and a mentor installed at SW6 who can get the best out of him, if anybody can. However, by no stretch of imagination would he be a replacement for a lone striker of renown and this leads nicely on to the last of the singularly named samba-swayers.

3. Kaka - we are told by AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani that he will never be sold, just as we were told by him that they would not break the bank for Ronnie and they were forced out of the race for Adebayor because they could not compete on price. However, the need for a target man still exists for them, no matter how much they sing the praises of Borriello, Inzaghi, and Pato, so the impression has to be that a Ronaldinho signing does not address this problem and that present difficulties [no Champions League place] prevents further transfer activity. With this in mind, was interest in Adebayor feigned and will supporter unrest [caused by the belief that he might be the only new arrival this term] ultimately kick start further market activity? Of course, the suits would not want to sell, their hand would be forced, and the fans themselves partly to blame, but at least acquiring the Ivorian would assuage them and also prevent a possible Real Madrid double whammy of Ronaldo and Drogba being measured against their paltry acquisition of Ronnie - and lo it comes to pass that Kaka is sold to Chelsea in a Drogba-plus-cash deal.

So there you have it, a new Premiership season begins with Berbatov at ManU, Jo at Citeh, Santa Cruz at the Gunners, Torres still with the Scousers, Anelka at Blackburn and Kaka at the Chels. And you never know, if Roman feels a twinge of conscience at foisting Arshavin on his Brazilian boss, we might even see Robinho put in a late appearance too.

I must say that for the first time in about 2 years, I am genuinely excited about our prospects in the transfer market - any one of those three players mentioned would be an amazing purchase for CFC if you ask me.

It is a great thing to see us going in for genuinely creative players. It makes a change from the last 2 summers where it has been all about which over-rated, over-priced fullback we are going to spend 20 million on.

As much as I appreciate what he has done for us over the past few years, if we can use Drogba as a makeweight in a deal for any of these guys, I think we should probably do it.

If we end up with an attacking midfield 3 of Deco, Joe Cole and at least one of the three Brazilians mentioned, I think that we could play pretty much any half decent striker (definately Anelka or Sheva, and absolutely Villa if we go in for him next) in front of them, and they will score bags and bags of goals, as they will have them served to them on a plate by those three. As opposed to the last 4 years, where Drogba has had to work his absolute socks off for any opportunites.

Big or not, Phil hasn’t even set foot on Stamford Bridge turf and the speculation inflates the Scolari managerial status in the Premiership to gargantuan proportions. The reason is a simple one - he comes from Brazil - and the odds are that with him [player-wise] will come at least one countryman, probably two and maybe a third, should all my prayers be answered. Confirming Deco as a Brazilian by birth and style of play for the purposes of this topic, these new compatriots would fulfil Roman criteria more easily than any other of differing nationality, save perhaps the odd Bulgarian or the even odder winker, but more of them later because the real point here is that Brazilians damn near guarantee entertainment and that, when all is said and done, is what he wants and will get.

Lucky us, then, and lucky the entertainers in question who, by all accounts, may not be feeling that wanted at the moment, by current club and adoring public alike. Who could I possibly be referring to? Well, a couple of names spring to mind immediately and another hovers in the shadows awaiting [please let this be true] a late call into the spotlight. The three have more than nationality in common, being so good that they are named only once, and here’s my take on the eventual destination of each, based on the evidence provided, admittedly, by an agenda-driven Media….

1. Ronaldinho - let’s start with the least attractive option from Chelsea’s point of view, although the guy’s CV is second to none and he is a serial shirt seller who would have Peter Kenyon drooling. No, what is wrong with this brand imagers dream is that he really isn’t one anymore and, despite oft quoted efforts to rekindle past glories in the mind of our manager, he is carrying too much by way of weighty baggage for most fans liking. Not to worry, though, as his brother has revealed a 90% chance of a move to AC Milan and, whilst that in itself may not be enough to placate the Milanese fans, we can but hope that all this comes about. Sad as it will be for Mark Hughes, you have to think that, realistically, his chances of nailing a Ronnie deal down were about as good as they would have been of him luring the next two Brazilians on this list to the Bridge had he ended up as our manager instead of Scolari.

2. Robinho - strange to say, but there is a different feel about being linked to a player still aspiring to greatness, as opposed to one who has already attained it. The lad has been poorly treated of late by his employers, being immediately touted as a makeweight in what will be an inevitable Ronaldo move, and now mooted as straight swap material in a deal for Didier that, contrary to the perception of many a Real fan, would make a lot of Blues rather happy. Don’t get me wrong, Drogba has undoubtedly been a driving force for us over the last three years, but tempus fugit and, when you hit thirty, it fugits like lightning. The Brazilian has youth on his side, things to prove, and a mentor installed at SW6 who can get the best out of him, if anybody can. However, by no stretch of imagination would he be a replacement for a lone striker of renown and this leads nicely on to the last of the singularly named samba-swayers.

3. Kaka - we are told by AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani that he will never be sold, just as we were told by him that they would not break the bank for Ronnie and they were forced out of the race for Adebayor because they could not compete on price. However, the need for a target man still exists for them, no matter how much they sing the praises of Borriello, Inzaghi, and Pato, so the impression has to be that a Ronaldinho signing does not address this problem and that present difficulties [no Champions League place] prevents further transfer activity. With this in mind, was interest in Adebayor feigned and will supporter unrest [caused by the belief that he might be the only new arrival this term] ultimately kick start further market activity? Of course, the suits would not want to sell, their hand would be forced, and the fans themselves partly to blame, but at least acquiring the Ivorian would assuage them and also prevent a possible Real Madrid double whammy of Ronaldo and Drogba being measured against their paltry acquisition of Ronnie - and lo it comes to pass that Kaka is sold to Chelsea in a Drogba-plus-cash deal.

So there you have it, a new Premiership season begins with Berbatov at ManU, Jo at Citeh, Santa Cruz at the Gunners, Torres still with the Scousers, Anelka at Blackburn and Kaka at the Chels. And you never know, if Roman feels a twinge of conscience at foisting Arshavin on his Brazilian boss, we might even see Robinho put in a late appearance too.

Sadly there doesn't seem to be a genuine hot shot striker from the land of the Copa Cabana as that is what we're going to need if we transfer Drogba away. I mean, I rate Anelka more than many on this site, but a strike force of he, Sheva and Pizarro certainly doesn't get the juices turning, at least not in the way you'd want anyway.

Don't get me wrong, I'd be happy with Kaka, Ronaldinho, Robinho and whatever-he-ho, but I do believe we'd need an accomplished finisher to get on the end of things, don't you?

Cheers,

Butch

There are many on here who rate Anelka, Butch. Sadly, I think he was Grants attempt at trying to 'make waves' in the transfer market, and, what whatever little 'quality' he showed at Bolton, I don't think he has it in him to dig deep and play a spectacular season; which is what we will need if we are to fire in the goals and win the League.

Shevchenko, Anelka and Pizzaro = a combined 45M. Do the total goals they've scored even go into double digits? We can all go on about them being injured, used in different positions, not used at all and on and on and on ... the bottom line is, for whatever reason they've not worked.

I would be very worried if we're starting the season with these 3 as our strike force. Unless the 'inhos' are going to provide tap-in's, I doubt we're going to see a 20 goal getter from this bunch.

Is signing an Eto`o who's done his knees, and his brain, the answer? We need young blood, we need fresh legs, we need a Torres who's going to finish twice with every chance he gets.

Sadly there doesn't seem to be a genuine hot shot striker from the land of the Copa Cabana as that is what we're going to need if we transfer Drogba away. I mean, I rate Anelka more than many on this site, but a strike force of he, Sheva and Pizarro certainly doesn't get the juices turning, at least not in the way you'd want anyway.

Don't get me wrong, I'd be happy with Kaka, Ronaldinho, Robinho and whatever-he-ho, but I do believe we'd need an accomplished finisher to get on the end of things, don't you?

Cheers,

Butch

Yes I do, Butch, and I’ve said elsewhere that Eto’o is probably the only proven ‘natural’ goal scorer available at the moment, but the concerns with him are fitness and temperament and in view of this [also his age] he should really only be considered as a replacement for Anelka or Pizarro, or both, as they have not impressed me at all. Incidentally, it is interesting to note that we are constantly being told that Sheva is going nowhere and if Kaka were to arrive that entrenched position would begin to make sense, wouldn’t it?

Still no young, bustling presence unless you count Kalou as a central striker and, like you say, no sign of a genuine one from South America… unless, of course, a certain Franco di Santo is given a chance and he turns out to be as good as he has looked in his first six months in the Reserves. A gamble without a doubt, but I’m sure the fans would back him, especially if he understudied a proven finisher. I felt for a long time that that guy would be Berbatov, but now I’m convinced he is United-bound, while Torres will never be allowed to leave Liverpool in one piece, let alone to come to us.

So maybe Sheva/Kaka/Eto’o/di Santo it is then - and long may Franco forage his way to stardom amongst his ever ageing peers.

I'm not at all sure about Eto'o. If push came to shove, I think I'd be happier with Huntelaar, as unproven as he may be on the big stage. What do you think?

Pizarro, Sheva, Di Santo and Eto'o, or

Pizarro, Sheva, Di Santo and Huntelaar?

Talking about a group of strikers, Eto'o certainly brings that "been there, done that" element to the group (I guess Sheva also does). The second group, which I somehow prefer, seems a little "light weight".

Cheers,

Butch

Sadly there doesn't seem to be a genuine hot shot striker from the land of the Copa Cabana as that is what we're going to need if we transfer Drogba away. I mean, I rate Anelka more than many on this site, but a strike force of he, Sheva and Pizarro certainly doesn't get the juices turning, at least not in the way you'd want anyway.

Don't get me wrong, I'd be happy with Kaka, Ronaldinho, Robinho and whatever-he-ho, but I do believe we'd need an accomplished finisher to get on the end of things, don't you?

Cheers,

Butch

What about Adriano? We would never get him from Jose, and I don't think he is highly rated here...

please don't get butch started on adriano again!

now deco is here, if we assume it is to be a 4231, we first have to see who leaves.

if we keep our strikers then no more would be required (and we should let pizarro leave anyway), and the only obviously needed player would be a wide player with a bit of pace, and able to score goals. oh, and obviously, and most importantly, to be someone (young or old) of genuine quality.

please don't get butch started on adriano again!

now deco is here, if we assume it is to be a 4231, we first have to see who leaves.

if we keep our strikers then no more would be required (and we should let pizarro leave anyway), and the only obviously needed player would be a wide player with a bit of pace, and able to score goals. oh, and obviously, and most importantly, to be someone (young or old) of genuine quality.

Aye...I getcha!

No, I've gone off him completely. Clearly, he isn't thinking straight. One of the "tragedies" of football, if you ask me. Such potential, gone to waste.

Cheers,

Butch

Is Adriano back with Inter now?

I'm not at all sure about Eto'o. If push came to shove, I think I'd be happier with Huntelaar, as unproven as he may be on the big stage. What do you think?

Pizarro, Sheva, Di Santo and Eto'o, or

Pizarro, Sheva, Di Santo and Huntelaar?

Talking about a group of strikers, Eto'o certainly brings that "been there, done that" element to the group (I guess Sheva also does). The second group, which I somehow prefer, seems a little "light weight".

Cheers,

Butch

We might have ourselves a couple of genuine pairings here, but only at the expense of Eto’o, plus a prayer answered in Kaka's arrival - I’m referring to the fact that there is clearly an understanding between Sheva and Kaka and when di Santo was scoring for fun in the Reserves he was partnered by Pizarro in a couple of games and they played well together. Trouble is I don’t see Pizarro having ice cold goal scoring blood in his veins when it comes to the Premiership proper and also admit to feeling the same way about Huntelaar [the Euros didn’t help persuade me otherwise].

To be honest, I would have far more confidence in Eto’o finishing moves off, wonky kneed or not, and, if the one bar to his arrival [Didier’s retention] was removed, I think he would relish the opportunity to out gun him in front of goal, while at the same time showing Barca he isn’t a spent force. Incidentally, that type of hunger, aligned to a proven reputation, were the main contributory factors in wanting Berbatov - Premiership record good and desperate to play in the Champions League - oh, and I forgot to mention that he is good to watch.

I think if Scolari ends up going with a 4-2-3-1, which everything is pointing towards, then the striker on the sharp end of the 3 link-men really should be a pure finisher.

And, as it happens, we already have two superb pure finishers in Sheva and Anelka.

Both haven't had the best of times playing the Drogba role in Jose/Grant's 4-3-3/4-5-1, where the striker is required to do so much more than just score goals.

With the service they would get from link men of the calibre of Deco, Joe Cole and (pick one of Kaka, Ronaldinho, Robinho, Arsharvin) should mean that they get mulitple chances handed to them on a plate, where only good movement and a finish is required.

In my opinion, even if we lose Drogba, I think that a strikeforce of Anelka, Sheva, Kalou and Di Santo is more than adequate.

And if we do feel compelled to spend the entire proceeds of whatever we get for Drogba on a new striker, then we shouldn't be looking at like-for-like (but not quite) Drogba-replacements like Huntelaar or Eto'o. We should be looking at someone who can finish the simple chances 9 times out of 10. And probably the best player in that regard that money can buy happens to be available at the moment - David Villa.

Edited July 6, 200816 yr by TomP

I think if Scolari ends up going with a 4-2-3-1, which everything is pointing towards, then the striker on the sharp end of the 3 link-men really should be a pure finisher.

And, as it happens, we already have two superb pure finishers in Sheva and Anelka.

Both haven't had the best of times playing the Drogba role in Jose/Grant's 4-3-3/4-5-1, where the striker is required to do so much more than just score goals.

With the service they would get from link men of the calibre of Deco, Joe Cole and (pick one of Kaka, Ronaldinho, Robinho, Arsharvin) should mean that they get mulitple chances handed to them on a plate, where only good movement and a finish is required.

In my opinion, even if we lose Drogba, I think that a strikeforce of Anelka, Sheva, Kalou and Di Santo is more than adequate.

And if we do feel compelled to spend the entire proceeds of whatever we get for Drogba on a new striker, then we shouldn't be looking at like-for-like (but not quite) Drogba-replacements like Huntelaar or Eto'o. We should be looking at someone who can finish the simple chances 9 times out of 10. And probably the best player in that regard that money can buy happens to be available at the moment - David Villa.

Villa will not leave Spain, but in any event I would be happier having Sheva, Di Santo, Eto’o and Kaka [albeit as more of an attacking midfielder], whilst accepting that getting the last two is all part of the wishful thinking process. Having said that, the current speculation surrounding Kaka makes me more hopeful and smugger by the hour and Galliani does look as if he is creating a self-servingly invidious situation in which the transfer changes from being an impossibility into a probability because of circumstances beyond his control.

Of course, his spin is that Kaka is as desperate to stay as Ronnie is to arrive, but the natives know different, are restless, and are demanding the purchase of at least one big [not fading] star. After all the talk of not being able to afford Adebayor, then struggling to meet the customary Ronaldinho salary demand, I can see Galliani blaming fickle fan pressure for eventually having to let his prize possession go with the [less than] ’astronomical’ fee being hidden within a placatory Drogba-plus-cash deal.

That is very true about Galliani - he is setting himself up for a major face-saving exercise one way or another this summer. It looks very much like he is in the situation where he is going to have to tell the Milan fans either:

1. I couldn't afford Adebayor, Drogba or Ronaldinho because I couldn't sell Kaka.

2. I had to sell Kaka to Chelsea so that I could buy the striker who will get us back into the Champion's League.

And the pressure is on Galliani to make some changes. I don't think the Milan fans would accept option 1 (no significant squad changes), given their performance last season, and the fact that they are clearly short on strikers.

If Drogs is valued conservatively at 25 million, then a Drogba + 15-20 million deal would be pretty good business for both clubs if you ask me.

Milan would have their striker, and a free run at a direct Kaka-replacement in Ronaldinho and have some cash left over. We would have signed a once in a gereration player, without the pressure of an astronomical fee, and allowed a player to leave who doesn't want to play for us anyway.

You have to remember this is the same club who would "never" sell Shevchenko to us. Eventually the offer was too good to turn down, and Milan are in a much worse situation financially now than they were for the Sheva deal.