Chelsea 2017/18 thread - FA Cup Champs, League chumps

[KM]

Might need to wait a bit, the guy is only 22. Its interesting how I’m the same age as him, I feel like some times we forget how young these guys are.

You're just 22? That might explain the constant urge to WUM and seek attention.

 

[Demas]

Matic helped bring you 2 PL titles, an FA Cup and League Cup (in two years).

Let's see what Bakayoko delivers...

Not diminishing his contribution to Chelsea, but when did Matic help Chelsea win the FA Cup? He was an unused sub when we won in 2010. If you are referring to last season, we lost the final to Arsenal

 

[Theafonis]

You're just 22? That might explain the constant urge to WUM and seek attention.

Sounds about right

 

[TheReligion]

Not diminishing his contribution to Chelsea, but when did Matic help Chelsea win the FA Cup? He was an unused sub when we won in 2010. If you are referring to last season, we lost the final to Arsenal

So he didn't play any games in the FA Cup when you won it?

 

[Dancfc]

Firstly welcome to Caf.

Secondly, I get a feeling you're overrating Alonso though. There's a reason why Conte kept on wanting Sandro, Cole even at his decline was a much, much better player than Alonso. Keep in mind that Cole didn't have the attacking freedom that Alonso had due to the system.

It depends in what position. As a full back i would agree, but as a wing back i would sure choose Alonso over 11/12 Ash. Ash lost his edge going forward by that season, and that would be a huge, huge problem as a wingback, especially one playing under Conte.

Matic helped bring you 2 PL titles, an FA Cup and League Cup (in two years).

Let's see what Bakayoko delivers...

So if Baka doesn't win the PL he can't be deemed better than Matic?

 

[duffer]

So he didn't play any games in the FA Cup when you won it?

He played 25 minutes in that years comp, came on as a sub in the 3rd round against Watford when we were 4-0 up.

He probably was not our most important player that season but yeah, he did win the FA cup that season.

 

[Demas]

So he didn't play any games in the FA Cup when you won it?

He played 25 minutes against Watford in the third round during the 2009/2010 campaign. That was it. Yes, that counts as helping, but your post said "in two years" so I supposed you are referring to the last final

 

[Pogbasky]

Terry Gibson makes a good point in Sky today about Morata being an obvious choice to make first XI right now given that Madrid basically are a shell of the team they were last season. If Morata goes back, which im sure he happily will (he made a comment about how "madrid is always in his thoughts" or something like that last week) then Mou's Lukaku buy would be even more fantastic. I don't care that Lukaku is going through a bit of a rough patch right now. he can be big for United

I've always argued that we are better off going for the French connection (Pogba, Lukaku at other Francophone boys), than going for the Iberian boys because Iberians (Spanish and Portuguese players and also South Americans) will jump at the chance to go to Barca or Madrid soon as those teams come calling. We are likely going to get more loyalty from the likes of Lukaku, Martial, Pogba and even Griezmann and Lindeloff because our history with players from the non Iberian nations on the mainland tells us that they don't mind living in Manchester and won't drop their tools the moment Barca or Madrid come calling.

 

[Pogbasky]

The fact that your banking on Morata going back to Madrid to show Lukaku being the better bit of business is testimony to there performances so far. Morata is here for the foreseeable future most likely 3/4 years minimum. By that time who know what strikers will be about but I can guarantee he will still be at Chelsea as he has come out and clarified since he is happy to be here and said he would sign a 10 year contract if given the chance.

Meh,they have the same amount of goals and while Morata looks easier on the eye, truth is they both contribute loads to the team and no one can objectively argue that Morata is much better than Lukaku.

 

[haram]

Even if Morata did go back in a season or two, the price Chelsea would get for him would probably be enough to buy two elite players. Those who give themselves this false sense victory in that transfer battle totally fail to realise that. Chelsea paid £11m for Lukaku in 2011 and essentially that same money (increased through sales of Lukaku and Costa) has got them Morata this summer. An almost elite level striker with much lower mileage on his legs than Lukaku.

They can have all the money they want, they would still need to find a top striker to replace him.

 

[TheReligion]

So if Baka doesn't win the PL he can't be deemed better than Matic?

I was replying to @Don _ Conte. He said that already Bakayoko is bringing more to the team than Matic did in two years.

He played 25 minutes in that years comp, came on as a sub in the 3rd round against Watford when we were 4-0 up.

He probably was not our most important player that season but yeah, he did win the FA cup that season.

I know. I'm being flippant. It irritates me when fans have to downplay former players for no reason. Matic is a great player and did alot for Chelsea. Bakayoko has been there 5 minutes.

He played 25 minutes against Watford in the third round during the 2009/2010 campaign. That was it. Yes, that counts as helping, but your post said "in two years" so I supposed you are referring to the last final

As above.

 

[Pogbasky]

I wouldn't say its meaningless, especially as whilst the other variables you are speaking about taking into consideration Morata excels at. His movement throughout a game is quality and draws defenders out as we've seen Hazard get a lot more space the last few games. His technique and build up play which might not be quantified in stats very well are both excellent as Chelsea fans I'm sure can see.

Then on top of that he doesn't score stat padding goals or goals when the game is over, but goals that actually contribute to points and are decisive.

What on Earth are stat padding goals? Lukaku was a constant goal threat the whole game on Saturday and could have scored 3. And he has been a constant goal threat in every single game in which he's had good service. Not to mention his new found ability to cut in from the right and either score or set other players up for goal. And Lukaku has scored in more Premier League games (7) than any other player. His goals are nicely spread out and dispel the myth that he scores 5 goals in one game against weak oppossition, then goes silent for several games (that was the bizzare reputation he had at Everton). The only thing you can accuse Lukaku of is that his game does not look as pretty as that of Morata. But to suggest that he does not contribute in other areas is just being dishonest.

 

[Dancfc]

I was replying to @Don _ Conte. He said that already Bakayoko is bringing more to the team than Matic did in two years.



I know. I'm being flippant. It irritates me when fans have to downplay former players for no reason. Matic is a great player and did alot for Chelsea. Bakayoko has been there 5 minutes.



As above.

There is context to it. Matic was a revelation for the first year but after that his form took a steep dive, go on a Chelsea forum and view his page anytime from NYD 2015 onwards and he will be criticised a lot more than praised. He lost the ball under the slightest bit of pressure, was constantly losing his marker and for a 6 ft something was awful in the air. Baka's athleticism and press resistance has allowed us to go 352 more often as last season there would have been no balance to the side. I do prefer Baka to post 5-3 at WHL Matic. Lets just say there's a reason Hiddink dropped him for Mikel.

That said, he does seem to be having somewhat of a reserguence at United so fair enough on that score, that could be down to a new environment or Jose utilizing a system that plays to his strength's more, probably a bit of both, but there hasn't been a time this season i have watched a Chelsea game and felt shit i missed Matic, and given we have lost to Palace and found ourselves 3 down at home to Burnley, that's saying something.

 

[Bepi]

I don't know why some of you felt entitled to signing Alex Sandro last Summer? Your £60m offer was not enough for Marotta literally means the player did not force a move. The player wanted to stay, Marotta does not give a feck.

 

[AshfordLad]

There is context to it. Matic was a revelation for the first year but after that his form took a steep dive, go on a Chelsea forum and view his page anytime from NYD 2015 onwards and he will be criticised a lot more than praised. He lost the ball under the slightest bit of pressure, was constantly losing his marker and for a 6 ft something was awful in the air. Baka's athleticism and press resistance has allowed us to go 352 more often as last season there would have been no balance to the side. I do prefer Baka to post 5-3 at WHL Matic. Lets just say there's a reason Hiddink dropped him for Mikel.

That said, he does seem to be having somewhat of a reserguence at United so fair enough on that score, that could be down to a new environment or Jose utilizing a system that plays to his strength's more, probably a bit of both, but there hasn't been a time this season i have watched a Chelsea game and felt shit i missed Matic, and given we have lost to Palace and found ourselves 3 down at home to Burnley, that's saying something.

To be fair he was quite good last season too. My theory is that Matic is mentally not very strong and his form seems to dip when players around him are struggling but he does really well when players around him are not under pressure.

 

[Demas]

I was replying to @Don _ Conte. He said that already Bakayoko is bringing more to the team than Matic did in two years.



I know. I'm being flippant. It irritates me when fans have to downplay former players for no reason. Matic is a great player and did alot for Chelsea. Bakayoko has been there 5 minutes.



As above.

Oh please!...I can't help you if you are being flippant. I said nothing to downplay Matic's contribution to Chelsea. Never have. He was frustrating at times (as is Bakoyoko ), but he always gave his best. Anyways, I don't have time to keep going back and forth over your invented grievance, so goodbye. No more replies to you on this topic.

 

[TheReligion]

Oh please!...I can't help you if you are being flippant. I said nothing to downplay Matic's contribution to Chelsea. Never have. He was frustrating at times (as is Bakoyoko ), but he always gave his best. Anyways, I don't have time to keep going back and forth over your invented grievance, so goodbye. No more replies to you on this topic.

I didn't know you were posting as Don Conte you absolute oddity. Good day.

 

[Don _ Conte]

What on Earth are stat padding goals? Lukaku was a constant goal threat the whole game on Saturday and could have scored 3. And he has been a constant goal threat in every single game in which he's had good service. Not to mention his new found ability to cut in from the right and either score or set other players up for goal. And Lukaku has scored in more Premier League games (7) than any other player. His goals are nicely spread out and dispel the myth that he scores 5 goals in one game against weak oppossition, then goes silent for several games (that was the bizzare reputation he had at Everton). The only thing you can accuse Lukaku of is that his game does not look as pretty as that of Morata. But to suggest that he does not contribute in other areas is just being dishonest.

What on Earth are stat padding goals? Lukaku was a constant goal threat the whole game on Saturday and could have scored 3. And he has been a constant goal threat in every single game in which he's had good service. Not to mention his new found ability to cut in from the right and either score or set other players up for goal. And Lukaku has scored in more Premier League games (7) than any other player. His goals are nicely spread out and dispel the myth that he scores 5 goals in one game against weak oppossition, then goes silent for several games (that was the bizzare reputation he had at Everton). The only thing you can accuse Lukaku of is that his game does not look as pretty as that of Morata. But to suggest that he does not contribute in other areas is just being dishonest.

This wasn't in reference to Lukaku it was about Morata and the goals he has brought so your not actually replying to what I've wrote, I was saying at the very least this shows that the goals Morata are scoring do influence the game. This was then argued as a stat that bared no relevance, my point was that if his overall game was poor then yes this stat would show nothing, but as you can see from his general play that he has been great so far, hold up has been great and some of his assists have been outstanding then this just further adds weight to it.

There is context to it. Matic was a revelation for the first year but after that his form took a steep dive, go on a Chelsea forum and view his page anytime from NYD 2015 onwards and he will be criticised a lot more than praised. He lost the ball under the slightest bit of pressure, was constantly losing his marker and for a 6 ft something was awful in the air. Baka's athleticism and press resistance has allowed us to go 352 more often as last season there would have been no balance to the side. I do prefer Baka to post 5-3 at WHL Matic. Lets just say there's a reason Hiddink dropped him for Mikel.

That said, he does seem to be having somewhat of a reserguence at United so fair enough on that score, that could be down to a new environment or Jose utilizing a system that plays to his strength's more, probably a bit of both, but there hasn't been a time this season i have watched a Chelsea game and felt shit i missed Matic, and given we have lost to Palace and found ourselves 3 down at home to Burnley, that's saying something.

Well said, the only time I'v really thought we could do with Matic back has been at the peak of our injuries/suspensions. With everyone fit the team does not miss him, Matic was an unbelievable servant for our club but his game was so severely lacking what we needed. Baka pace power and drive forward are something I havn't seen from Matic for 2 years and something which gives our game a difference in midfield. Baka has struggled to find that consistency but this is his best run of games at the moment and he seems to be improving a lot. Plus I love how he bossed Matic when we played united.

=

 

[singabiru]

Everything that came out in Italy pointed to juventus not even picking up the phone and talking to his agent to give him a big fat raise and make him the third highest earner on the team...

PS really? What if this player doesn't exist?

Not picking up the phone? Where did you get that?

Not being able to find an upgrade on Marcos Alonso? Not exactly an impossible task for the scouts.

 

[giorno]

Not picking up the phone? Where did you get that?

Not being able to find an upgrade on Marcos Alonso? Not exactly an impossible task for the scouts.

Every italian media news outlet, starting with skysports(and Marotta himself, but then GMs aren't always telling the truth) They did not want to sell, period. They were able to convince him not to try and force a transfer, and that was that. Sure, if you offered them €100m, maybe it would've been a different story...

As for upgrades, well, how many do you know of? I mean, Marcos Alonso isn't some shite player, he's good. How many LB do you know of who are better than him? And how many of those not already playing for clubs that simply won't sell? The only high profile LB who's better than Alonso who moved this summer was Mendy -and he choose City.

LBs better than Alonso don't exactly grow on trees...

 

[Bepi]

Not picking up the phone? Where did you get that?

Not being able to find an upgrade on Marcos Alonso? Not exactly an impossible task for the scouts.

Every italian media news outlet, starting with skysports(and Marotta himself, but then GMs aren't always telling the truth) They did not want to sell, period. They were able to convince him not to try and force a transfer, and that was that. Sure, if you offered them €100m, maybe it would've been a different story...

As for upgrades, well, how many do you know of? I mean, Marcos Alonso isn't some shite player, he's good. How many LB do you know of who are better than him? And how many of those not already playing for clubs that simply won't sell? The only high profile LB who's better than Alonso who moved this summer was Mendy -and he choose City.

LBs better than Alonso don't exactly grow on trees...

"Buongiorno Senor Marotta, my agent told me I got an offer from Chelsea"
"I know. Do you want to go?"
"mmmh"
"How much are they offering you?"
"£5m/year"
"We will match it soon. Do you want to go?"
"No"
"Ok then, happy to have you here with us"

Another Summer, another episode. We can all see at least one from Barca, United and Bayern offering him £7-8m/year and he willing to explore new paths and enjoy a new challenge for his career, this the magic formula. Dybala knows already (aka he has a received a very good offer already), as you can read in the press; Alex Sandro, not yet.

 

[Eleven-Eighteen]

Yeah definitely extends to the whole lot. Except Di Maria; hate that guy

I've always argued that we are better off going for the French connection (Pogba, Lukaku at other Francophone boys), than going for the Iberian boys because Iberians (Spanish and Portuguese players and also South Americans) will jump at the chance to go to Barca or Madrid soon as those teams come calling. We are likely going to get more loyalty from the likes of Lukaku, Martial, Pogba and even Griezmann and Lindeloff because our history with players from the non Iberian nations on the mainland tells us that they don't mind living in Manchester and won't drop their tools the moment Barca or Madrid come calling.

 

[TheReligion]

This wasn't in reference to Lukaku it was about Morata and the goals he has brought so your not actually replying to what I've wrote, I was saying at the very least this shows that the goals Morata are scoring do influence the game. This was then argued as a stat that bared no relevance, my point was that if his overall game was poor then yes this stat would show nothing, but as you can see from his general play that he has been great so far, hold up has been great and some of his assists have been outstanding then this just further adds weight to it.



Well said, the only time I'v really thought we could do with Matic back has been at the peak of our injuries/suspensions. With everyone fit the team does not miss him, Matic was an unbelievable servant for our club but his game was so severely lacking what we needed. Baka pace power and drive forward are something I havn't seen from Matic for 2 years and something which gives our game a difference in midfield. Baka has struggled to find that consistency but this is his best run of games at the moment and he seems to be improving a lot. Plus I love how he bossed Matic when we played united.

=

Bakayoko was poor against United I thought. Don't think he bossed much tbf

 

[Don _ Conte]

Bakayoko was poor against United I thought. Don't think he bossed much tbf

Well that's a shocker....

His movement for the goal allowed Morata a free header in the middle, he was strong and his burst forward kept us on the front foot. He also did boss Matic and there is even a certain video doing the rounds of him putting Matic on his arse. Love Matic as much as you want and put down Bakayoko as much as you want, but the evidence was there in the game between us.

 

[singabiru]

Every italian media news outlet, starting with skysports(and Marotta himself, but then GMs aren't always telling the truth) They did not want to sell, period. They were able to convince him not to try and force a transfer, and that was that. Sure, if you offered them €100m, maybe it would've been a different story...

As for upgrades, well, how many do you know of? I mean, Marcos Alonso isn't some shite player, he's good. How many LB do you know of who are better than him? And how many of those not already playing for clubs that simply won't sell? The only high profile LB who's better than Alonso who moved this summer was Mendy -and he choose City.

LBs better than Alonso don't exactly grow on trees...

If Sandro was unobtainable, I doubt Chelsea would bid for him throughout the summer. Unless there was low balling done and that would have pissed of Juventus.

You just named one left back who moved during the summer ie Mendy and Chelsea didn’t even bother to bid for him. Alonso is a limited player who is being found out in his second season due to his lack of pace and pitch awareness. He isn’t suited to play at the highest level and that’s why Conte wants an upgrade for the left wing back position.

 

[TheReligion]

Well that's a shocker....

His movement for the goal allowed Morata a free header in the middle, he was strong and his burst forward kept us on the front foot. He also did boss Matic and there is even a certain video doing the rounds of him putting Matic on his arse. Love Matic as much as you want and put down Bakayoko as much as you want, but the evidence was there in the game between us.

He was widely considered poor. Matic didn't play well himself but Bakayoko didn't boss anything.

 

[giorno]

If Sandro was unobtainable, I doubt Chelsea would bid for him throughout the summer. Unless there was low balling done and that would have pissed of Juventus.

You just named one left back who moved during the summer ie Mendy and Chelsea didn’t even bother to bid for him. Alonso is a limited player who is being found out in his second season due to his lack of pace and pitch awareness. He isn’t suited to play at the highest level and that’s why Conte wants an upgrade for the left wing back position.

You didn't bid all summer, you made one early bid, juventus said Not For Sale and then you hoped the player would force the issue and force juventus to change their stance. That didn't happen and that was that.

You weren't in for Mendy? Allright, that was a missed potential opportunity. Other than him, there's not much around. I mean really, who are these LBs better than Alonso who were there waiting for chelsea to pick them up?

 

[Theafonis]

That left back from Fulham Ryan Sessegnon scored a hat trick yesterday, insanely attack minded and only 17.

Perfect replacement for Alonso

 

[Pogbasky]

This wasn't in reference to Lukaku it was about Morata and the goals he has brought so your not actually replying to what I've wrote, I was saying at the very least this shows that the goals Morata are scoring do influence the game. This was then argued as a stat that bared no relevance, my point was that if his overall game was poor then yes this stat would show nothing, but as you can see from his general play that he has been great so far, hold up has been great and some of his assists have been outstanding then this just further adds weight to it.



Well said, the only time I'v really thought we could do with Matic back has been at the peak of our injuries/suspensions. With everyone fit the team does not miss him, Matic was an unbelievable servant for our club but his game was so severely lacking what we needed. Baka pace power and drive forward are something I havn't seen from Matic for 2 years and something which gives our game a difference in midfield. Baka has struggled to find that consistency but this is his best run of games at the moment and he seems to be improving a lot. Plus I love how he bossed Matic when we played united.

=

Take away the 4 or so games Lukaku was isolated and had no service, and Lukaku has also been great in his general play. It's ok for both players to be good. There really isn't much that separates them in terms of the overall value they bring to the team. United and Chelsea are fine with either one really.

 

[AshfordLad]

He was widely considered poor. Matic didn't play well himself but Bakayoko didn't boss anything.

Alternative facts. His performance was well regarded by commentators and fans baring a few united fans here on caf who have a chip on their shoulder.

That left back from Fulham Ryan Sessegnon scored a hat trick yesterday, insanely attack minded and only 17.

Perfect replacement for Alonso

Never gonna happen. Spurs tried this summer and Fulham asked for £50m. Our board wont even try.

 

[AshfordLad]

You weren't in for Mendy? Allright, that was a missed potential opportunity. Other than him, there's not much around. I mean really, who are these LBs better than Alonso who were there waiting for chelsea to pick them up?

Rodriguez.

 

[giorno]

Rodriguez.

Milan's Ricardo Rodriguez? Not better than Alonso. Also not faster or stronger or more technically gifted. Slightly better defender, worse attacker, not an upgrade overall. Unless you believe Azpilicueta(who is better than Rodriguez) would be an upgrade in that position

Kolasinac now, that might have been a good option. Physical beast with enough technical ability. Not an upgrade per se but might have been better for Conte...

 

[AshfordLad]

Milan's Ricardo Rodriguez? Not better than Alonso. Also not faster or stronger or more technically gifted. Slightly better defender, worse attacker, not an upgrade overall. Unless you believe Azpilicueta(who is better than Rodriguez) would be an upgrade in that position

Kolasinac now, that might have been a good option. Physical beast with enough technical ability. Not an upgrade per se but might have been better for Conte...

Azpilicueta is pathetic as LWB not even even good enough at RWB.

I think you are under rating Rodriguez massively. Sure he has had a bad season but over all he is much more technical than Alonso both offensively and defensively. Not very fast but faster than Alonso. Great at crossing and corners. Only two things Alonso does better is finishing and freekicks. Infact I would rate Rodriguez to be a better pure LB than Azpi at LB.

Kolasinac is good but I doubt he would shine at Chelsea as he is worse in attack than Alonso. The lower quality of defenders around him at Arsenal makes him look better than he is.

Thinking of it again, the club could surely have gone for Danny Rose if they were serious enough. Rose clearly seemed discontent with spurs this summer. Would probably not have happened but was still atleast worth stirring the pot a bit.

 

[giorno]

Azpilicueta is pathetic as LWB not even even good enough at RWB.

I think you are under rating Rodriguez massively. Sure he has had a bad season but over all he is much more technical than Alonso both offensively and defensively. Not very fast but faster than Alonso. Great at crossing and corners. Only two things Alonso does better is finishing and freekicks. Infact I would rate Rodriguez to be a better pure LB than Azpi at LB.

Kolasinac is good but I doubt he would shine at Chelsea as he is worse in attack than Alonso. The lower quality of defenders around him at Arsenal makes him look better than he is.

I'm watching him at milan where he's mostly being played as a LCB, because he really isn't that much as a wingback. He's not more technical than Alonso, at all. Alonso is a much better player in possession, and what he brings to your team in that sense is invaluable. He's almost a CM playing wide. What you'd need is someone who brings the same skillset in an attacking sense but also has the physicality to dominate the flank both ways and help your press in midfield. Not many guys like that out there and those few out of reach

Kolasinac, for the way Conte wants to play, might have been better than Alonso. You might not have seen it because he's not quite had the personnel for that at Chelsea but imho, if offered the chance to swap players with Tottenham he'd do it in a heartbeat for example

 

[AshfordLad]

I'm watching him at milan where he's mostly being played as a LCB, because he really isn't that much as a wingback. He's not more technical than Alonso, at all. Alonso is a much better player in possession, and what he brings to your team in that sense is invaluable. He's almost a CM playing wide. What you'd need is someone who brings the same skillset in an attacking sense but also has the physicality to dominate the flank both ways and help your press in midfield. Not many guys like that out there and those few out of reach

Kolasinac, for the way Conte wants to play, might have been better than Alonso. You might not have seen it because he's not quite had the personnel for that at Chelsea but imho, if offered the chance to swap players with Tottenham he'd do it in a heartbeat for example

Admittedly I have not seen much of Rodriguez this season. But he seemed fantastic for Wolfsburg and I wanted him at Chelsea when we bought Luis and then again when we bought Baba.

The thing with Chelsea transfers is that they can/should not buy too much of a specialist to suit one manager since manager's days are always numbered. Alonso's skillset is very specialised to being a LWB (who more often than not turns into an auxiliary left sided striker). If we got a new manager (say Simeone), I very much doubt if Alonso would see any minutes.

As for spurs players, I agree that Danny Rose is an obvious upgrade. Infact, Conte would probably like all of spurs back 5 instead of Chelsea's. In a general sense though, Chelsea CBs are far more versatile than spurs so it would be a poor swap.

 

[giorno]

Admittedly I have not seen much of Rodriguez this season. But he seemed fantastic for Wolfsburg and I wanted him at Chelsea when we bought Luis and then again when we bought Baba.

The thing with Chelsea transfers is that they can/should not buy too much of a specialist to suit one manager since manager's days are always numbered. Alonso's skillset is very specialised to being a LWB (who more often than not turns into an auxiliary left sided striker). If we got a new manager (say Simeone), I very much doubt if Alonso would see any minutes.

As for spurs players, I agree that Danny Rose is an obvious upgrade. Infact, Conte would probably like all of spurs back 5 instead of Chelsea's. In a general sense though, Chelsea CBs are far more versatile than spurs so it would be a poor swap.

It's not like you can't sell and replace players

My comment about spurs had more to do with spurs being far closer to conte's ideal squad than chelsea's, which is evident by the fact that spurs resemble conte's past teams more than chelsea

 

[AshfordLad]

It's not like you can't sell and replace players

Its hard enough to replace the aging and unsettled players as it is for an elite club. I doubt any sane board would be willing to chop and change the squad for each manager when the managers don't even last 3 years.[/Quote]

My comment about spurs had more to do with spurs being far closer to conte's ideal squad than chelsea's, which is evident by the fact that spurs resemble conte's past teams more than chelsea

Overall squad maybe but they are missing a Regista and a Libero. Which (though not of high quality) Chelsea seem to have.

 

[giorno]

Overall squad maybe but they are missing a Regista and a Libero. Which (though not of high quality) Chelsea seem to have.

They have the libero(alderweireld) and Conte doesn't really care for a regista tbf...

 

[Santi_Mesut_Alexis_87]

They seem to go on a good run again. Probably it is too late for the league, but they can have their say in the Champions League.

 

[singabiru]

You didn't bid all summer, you made one early bid, juventus said Not For Sale and then you hoped the player would force the issue and force juventus to change their stance. That didn't happen and that was that.

You weren't in for Mendy? Allright, that was a missed potential opportunity. Other than him, there's not much around. I mean really, who are these LBs better than Alonso who were there waiting for chelsea to pick them up?

Not from what I read from the press as multiple bids were stated.

Danny Rose was worth a punt but the Board didn’t bother.