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

I would hate having Jordi Alba at Chelsea, I think signings should have some semblance of long term planning to them and his signing is the anti-thesis of long term planning. Rose would be nice but completely unfeasible and with our history would likely lead to us not signing anybody and being left short handed once again. Is Sandro still a possibility?
That would be waste of time. The board are never going to pay up the full price for Sandro. Infact I don't even like the idea of getting Shaw. There is nothing between him and Baba, both poor defensively, both have had bad injuries and pretty much the same age.

I am content with Alonso if the board can spend that £60m on a quality CM like Kovacic or Savic or anyone else who can play no8. Infact even that Pasalic can do.
 
That would be waste of time. The board are never going to pay up the full price for Sandro. Infact I don't even like the idea of getting Shaw. There is nothing between him and Baba, both poor defensively, both have had bad injuries.

I am content with Alonso if the board can spend that £60m on a quality CM like Kovacic or Savic or anyone else who can play no8.
We do have RLC who is doing well on loan at Palace.
 
We do have RLC who is doing well on loan at Palace.
Yeah and even Pasalic who has played well at a high level for about 2 seasons now.

Makes me think we don't need much this summer apart from replacing Willian, Michy and probably Courtois.
 
Yeah and even Pasalic who has played well at a high level for about 2 seasons now.

Makes me think we don't need much this summer apart from replacing Willian, Michy and probably Courtois.
Van Ginkel too.

Got to agree with you there. Butland would be my choice (Another homegrown spot filled as well), I would look at Malcom from Bordeaux but if we go with the 3-5-2 permanently then I would be fine with just phasing in Hudson-Odoi and not worrying too much there. Batshuayi could be replaced by Abraham but I feel another year loan is best for him and we look to bring in somebody with more experience for a couple years.

Ampadu also looks to be phased into the squad and Mason Mount could be another option depending on how he progresses this season. I would like to see Mceachran go on loan next season too.
 
Conte isn't sure if Courtois wants to stay, contract negotiations are stalling and Courtois is constantly courting Real Madrid.
wouldn't say no for a cheap fee or on a free, but if we have to spend serious money, the only ones worthy would be Neuer, De Gea or Ter Stegen. Maybe this Ederson kid at city

well for now. If keylor's done that's another story...
 
Does anyone else have beef with Drinkwater getting the nod over Fabregas?
Not really. Fabregas played midweek and may be tired. Also, Liverpool don't give teams much space to operate in, Fabregas struggles in those conditions and so Drinkwater may be the better option. Conte may also want more defensive solidity that Drinkwater brings.
 
Does anyone else have beef with Drinkwater getting the nod over Fabregas?

Conte probably feels Drinkwater will handle Liverpool's high press approach better than Fibreglass would. I'm inclined to agree with him if that is indeed the reason behind the decision.
 
Conte probably feels Drinkwater will handle Liverpool's high press approach better than Fibreglass would. I'm inclined to agree with him if that is indeed the reason behind the decision.

Indeed. I called it before the announcement. Drinkwater has been solid since coming back from injury so it makes sense.
 
Bakayoko was not good. Struggled with the pace of the game.
 
Why would we replace Courtois ffs?
Not up to speed with the club news are ya old fella. He has refused several offers of a renewal and is holding out for an unrealistic contract. I hope the club doesn't renew and sign an up-n-comer like city signed Ederson.

wouldn't say no for a cheap fee or on a free, but if we have to spend serious money, the only ones worthy would be Neuer, De Gea or Ter Stegen. Maybe this Ederson kid at city

well for now. If keylor's done that's another story...
None of those keepers would be available. Either Madrid sign the Bilbao kid on free or pay £30m-ish for Courtois. Don't think there are any other options.

Bakayoko was not good. Struggled with the pace of the game.
I seriously don't even understand what the feck is going on any more with out transfers.
Tammy is better than Batshuayi
Zouma is better than Rudiger
RLC is better than Bakayoko
But we are still stuck with these new guys while the home grown English kids struggle on at loan clubs.
 
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Bot up to speed with the club news are ya old fella. He has refused several offers of a renewal and is holding out for an unrealistic contract. I hope the club doesn't renew and sign an up-n-comer like city signed Ederson.

None of those keepers would be available. Either Madrid sign the Bilbao kid on free or pay £30m-ish for Courtois. Don't think there are any other options.

I seriously don't even understand what the feck is going on any more with out transfers.
Tammy is better than Batshuayi
Zouma is better than Rudiger
RLC is better than Bakayoko
But we are still stock with these new guys while the home grown English kids struggle on at loan clubs.
I agree that our summer business was quite bizarre. We could have kept Zouma for backup and use the Rudiger money to strengthen our wing backs. With the numerous games we have this season, he would have played enough.
Bakayoko has also been disappointing so far, but I don't think RLC has the discipline and work rate to play in a 2 or 3 man midfield. I think he is more of a forward player than a midfielder. Drinkwater is an OK player, but I wonder if Chalobah couldn't have performed his role. Chalobah's main issue was getting playing time, and with Matic gone, we should have tried harder to keep him. We really didn't strengthen the team and are now paying the price for it.
 
Clubs make bids for players and hope it works. Alex Sandro was very interested in Chelsea's offer. The problem was Juventus weren't. And weren't going to be unless the offer was of truly demential proportions, or the player forced them to sell. The same thing would have happened with Rose at Spurs.
That's not how clubs with pragmatic boards like Chelsea work. They may be penny pinchers but they aren't stupid to pursue a player if it was obvious he was unobtainable at the start. Maybe he is now but with Sandro's form this season, they might well try again next summer. As for Rose, I would have liked to see the Board stir the pot at Spurs and Rose is certainly not regarded as highly at Spurs as Sandro is at Juventus.
 
That would be waste of time. The board are never going to pay up the full price for Sandro. Infact I don't even like the idea of getting Shaw. There is nothing between him and Baba, both poor defensively, both have had bad injuries and pretty much the same age.

I am content with Alonso if the board can spend that £60m on a quality CM like Kovacic or Savic or anyone else who can play no8. Infact even that Pasalic can do.
No chance of that ever happening. The Board will only succeed in buying big to replace like for like e.g. if Hazard leaves and will not inject world class talent into other positions.
 
The performance of Alonso and Zappacosta at Anfield goes to show that they struggle when decent opposition have a go at them. Both have to be upgraded if the Board has any ambition in wanting the club to challenge for the title or perhaps that's not their intention.
 
Bakayoko is looking a very poor signing. None of the posters in the Bakayoko thread were convinced that he's good when he was incessantly linked to us in the summer.
 
Bakayoko is looking a very poor signing. None of the posters in the Bakayoko thread were convinced that he's good when he was incessantly linked to us in the summer.

Few said at that time he looks like French Fellaini and that comparison is not bad at all.
 
Few said at that time he looks like French Fellaini and that comparison is not bad at all.
Yes he may be compared to Fellaini but he's 23 yrs and has room for improvement, how old is Fellaini again? Just like Salah was mocked back then but look at him today. I would rather have a young struggling Bakayoko than an old excellent Matic.
 
Yes he may be compared to Fellaini but he's 23 yrs and has room for improvement, how old is Fellaini again? Just like Salah was mocked back then but look at him today. I would rather have a young struggling Bakayoko than an old excellent Matic.

Not every player develops into a Salah. For every Salah there's a Schurrle who doesn't develop into into not something good.

He might still turn good obviously but as yet he hasn't shown it.
 
Yes he may be compared to Fellaini but he's 23 yrs and has room for improvement, how old is Fellaini again? Just like Salah was mocked back then but look at him today. I would rather have a young struggling Bakayoko than an old excellent Matic.

I’m sure you would rather have a young batshuayi over an old Messi too
 
Anyway he'll be benched by RLC in the next season after all. Pretty jealous that Chelsea'll have Zouma, RLC in their first XI next season.
 
Yes he may be compared to Fellaini but he's 23 yrs and has room for improvement, how old is Fellaini again? Just like Salah was mocked back then but look at him today. I would rather have a young struggling Bakayoko than an old excellent Matic.

So? Fellaini joined Everton as a 21 year old player and still he is same player.
 
Not every player develops into a Salah. For every Salah there's a Schurrle who doesn't develop into into not something good.

True but more often than not, young players given opportunities to play and learn through experiences come good.

He might still turn good obviously but as yet he hasn't shown it.
I’m sure you would rather have a young batshuayi over an old Messi too
But Matic is no midfield Messi.
 
Bakayoko is looking a very poor signing. None of the posters in the Bakayoko thread were convinced that he's good when he was incessantly linked to us in the summer.
He hasn't been good but just for context, let's remember he's started the season not fit and coming back from a bad injury. I have never rated him that highly tbh but the injury hasn't helped him. Saying you'd prefer him over Matic is real stupidity.
 
Bakayoko looked very poor, he almost passed to salah for Liverpool's goal. Maybe he needs a season to show his form but i was never very bothered chelsea got him, i always thought fabinho made him look good. Chelsea's replacements havent really worked, drinkwaters been injured alot and bakayoko been poor.
 
The whinging in this thread from Chelsea fans is amazing. I'm starting to feel the way a sensible Man United fan must when they look at a matchday thread.
 
Anyway he'll be benched by RLC in the next season after all. Pretty jealous that Chelsea'll have Zouma, RLC in their first XI next season.

I dont think Conte rates Zouma anyway. He has Christensen and Rudiger now.
 
Van Ginkel too.

Got to agree with you there. Butland would be my choice (Another homegrown spot filled as well), I would look at Malcom from Bordeaux but if we go with the 3-5-2 permanently then I would be fine with just phasing in Hudson-Odoi and not worrying too much there. Batshuayi could be replaced by Abraham but I feel another year loan is best for him and we look to bring in somebody with more experience for a couple years.

Ampadu also looks to be phased into the squad and Mason Mount could be another option depending on how he progresses this season. I would like to see Mceachran go on loan next season too.
Yeah Butland would be an okay choice. Though I would still hope that the club find someone similar to Ederson, that guy has got mental dribbling skills for a GK. A proper cross between DeGea and Neuer. I don't know how do city even find these guys.

As for Abraham and Loftus Cheek, I would like them to have another full season as first choice at other PL clubs. While Mount should be sent to somewhere in bundesliga for a two season loan.
 
I agree that our summer business was quite bizarre. We could have kept Zouma for backup and use the Rudiger money to strengthen our wing backs. With the numerous games we have this season, he would have played enough.
Bakayoko has also been disappointing so far, but I don't think RLC has the discipline and work rate to play in a 2 or 3 man midfield. I think he is more of a forward player than a midfielder. Drinkwater is an OK player, but I wonder if Chalobah couldn't have performed his role. Chalobah's main issue was getting playing time, and with Matic gone, we should have tried harder to keep him. We really didn't strengthen the team and are now paying the price for it.
Chalobah was never going to stay since he wanted guaranteed game time to get in England squad for the summer. We should have none the less bought one high quality player than two sub-par CMs in Baka and Drinkwater.

No chance of that ever happening. The Board will only succeed in buying big to replace like for like e.g. if Hazard leaves and will not inject world class talent into other positions.
Well there is always that slim chance of it happening. Even if it doesn't happen, fecking with spurs would be great fun.
 
Yeah Butland would be an okay choice. Though I would still hope that the club find someone similar to Ederson, that guy has got mental dribbling skills for a GK. A proper cross between DeGea and Neuer. I don't know how do city even find these guys.

He's the most expensive goalkeeper in history. They didn't discover some hidden gem!
 
That's not how clubs with pragmatic boards like Chelsea work. They may be penny pinchers but they aren't stupid to pursue a player if it was obvious he was unobtainable at the start. Maybe he is now but with Sandro's form this season, they might well try again next summer. As for Rose, I would have liked to see the Board stir the pot at Spurs and Rose is certainly not regarded as highly at Spurs as Sandro is at Juventus.
Almost no player is unobtainable from the start. Transfers of high profile players between big clubs work through intermediaries and agents. Chelsea don't inquire about the player's availability with juventus, because juventus would tell them the player's not for sale. They talk with the agent, agree on wages, THEN the agent, not the club, goes to juventus to tell them of the offer and that the player wants to go. Then chelsea and the agent work together to try and bring juventus to the table. They couldn't, because juventus were willing to give the player a big raise and chelsea weren't willing to offer the outrageous money it would have taken to convince juventus to let him go. Being unwilling to blow £80m on alex sandro is not exactly penny pinching...
 
The whinging in this thread from Chelsea fans is amazing. I'm starting to feel the way a sensible Man United fan must when they look at a matchday thread.

I can' believe the negativity over all the players lol. We went to anfield yesterday and tbh deserved to win the game! We played nice football and really took the game to them and at points dominated.

Fair enough city are going to be beat pretty much everything in front of them, but with spurs slipping up yesterday it was a great result. It was only a few weeks back that United went to anfield parked a bus and literally tried to not even attack so I just don't see how our fans could be annoyed, when we really attacked pool.
 
It's a rare event for me to get to visit Anfield but when I do I'm always amazed at the atmosphere there. Love 'em or hate 'em their supporters sure do put a shift in.

Negatives from yesterday: freezing cold in fact seriously freezing cold - by half time I had no feeling left in my feet. Bakayoko's part in conceding the goal and allround poor performance. Zappacosta was anonymous. Hazards brilliance in the first half being dashed in the second by a rash Salah challenge.

Positives: a point at Anfield is always a good result. Like it or not they are a decent enough team and they had a point to prove after their recent Euro-debacle. The match was very entertaining and the result was a fair one. Moss had a pretty decent performance and the game wasn't decided on a wobbly decision. Brilliant goal by Willian and nice to see him getting back in his stride. Conte looked more 'up for it' than Klopp. And by crikey we had a few passages of brilliant inter-linking football - lovely stuff.

City are on their way to glory, us or MUFC for the second/third spots - that'll do me along with a decent run in the CL and a good tilt at the FA and I'll be happy.

Can't see us winning too much for the next few years as the big bucks will be going into the new stadium, as long as we entertain and remain there or thereabouts any more pots in the near future will be a bonus.
 
Had it been Lukaku that had such a poor game against Liverpool and had missed two clear chances like Morata did yesterday we would not have heard the end of it from the anti Lukaku brigade here