Chelsea F.C [2011-2012]

[Zakov]

Bosingwa and Kalou both released by the club. Which frees up a few slots for players to come in.

Apart from the Hulk, we're being linked heavily with Maicon, not sure what Robbie's plans for him are, I'd have him play second fiddle to Ivanovic, who's established himself as a our best RB last season.

Rumours of Lamps and A.Cole exits, don't think we'd be stupid enough to let either go imo. Both are still valuable members, and I don't think Bertrand is ready yet.

 

[Sir Calumn]

He's worth more!

It is obscene how much Portuguese clubs overvalue their players.

 

[Sir Calumn]

Bosingwa and Kalou both released by the club. Which frees up a few slots for players to come in.

The more I think about it I'm actually not that happy about Kalou going for free. I just realized he's on 26. As Lille wanted him, couldnt we at least have given him a 1 year extension then used him to get some money off the Hazard transfer?

 

[Sir Calumn]

Bosingwa and Kalou both released by the club. Which frees up a few slots for players to come in.

Apart from the Hulk, we're being linked heavily with Maicon, not sure what Robbie's plans for him are, I'd have him play second fiddle to Ivanovic, who's established himself as a our best RB last season.

Rumours of Lamps and A.Cole exits, don't think we'd be stupid enough to let either go imo. Both are still valuable members, and I don't think Bertrand is ready yet.

Letting Cole go would be nuts. He is still a top player, and if we let him go we would HAVE to sign an expensive, top class left back to replace him which would count towards FFP, whilst Cole doesnt, and would use money we need for someone else, whereas if we keep him for one or two more seasons Bertrand might just develop into the natural replacement.

Maicon would be fairly good I think. Ivanovic could play right back but also in the centre (his preferred position), rotating with Maicon at right and Luiz, Cahill, Terry in the centre. We dont have enough centre back cover but signing a right back in essence provides us with cover for both positions as Ivanovic is very competent at both. Maicon would be my preference over van der Weil, though Azpilicueta would be my first choice.

 

[Filipower]

It is obscene how much Portuguese clubs overvalue their players.

I'm going to let that slide since your league saw Carroll move for 40 million euros.

 

[Sir Calumn]

I'm going to let that slide since your league saw Carroll move for 40 million euros.

Oh yes but ours is a quality league

 

[Filipower]

Yeah, because you get your quality players from leagues like ours!

 

[Sir Calumn]

Yeah, because you get your quality players from leagues like ours!

Exactly! Hence why we shouldn't have to pay too much money for them! Do you want to ruin us?

 

[Filipower]

Of course, so then we can keep our ******* players!!!

 

[Sir Calumn]

If you keep setting your prices so high we might have to start looking for new feeder clubs....

 

[Filipower]

I hope so.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

On the plus side, this will allow you to scout the Japanese Second Division better. Good job finding Hulk, but you rested on your laurels and missed out on Kagawa.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Schurrle, huh? He's good, definitely a lot better than Marin, but I actually don't rate him that highly after his debut season at Leverkusen. He was a bit of a disappointment for me after doing well at Mainz. A little unproven I think.

 

[Sir Calumn]

Yeah I'm not sure about him, I think the idea is he can provide cover (and if necessary step up to replace) Torres whilst not being too pissed off if he doesnt play every match at first. Bid of 16m was rejected, would have been happy to see him join at that price but dont think we should go much higher.

He seems to be an almost identical player to Sturridge in terms of position, age and potential?

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Uh... yeah kind of. I think he's probably better than Sturridge, but I don't know if his skill set translates as well to the 4-2-3-1 as Sturridge's does. I had a hard time trying to describe Schurrle and deleted a lot of stuff in this space, but basically I think he's a great 4-4-2 striker caught in the wrong era. He's not a creator or a poacher, nor is he a target man, and he isn't the best IMO at linking with the midfield either, although he has good interplay with fellow forwards. But he's good. He's like a Yorke/Cole type I think.

 

[poet11]

There were rumours linking Theo to Chelsea which are probably BS but if they are interested I wouldn't mind Sturridge in exchange if it could be done. He has Robben like tendencies but who knows what Arsene could do to with a player with so much talent on the ball?

 

[ShiftyPowers]

LOL, what!? The only thing he and Robben have in common are an allergic reaction to passing. Sturridge isn't anywhere close to that league.

 

[poet11]

LOL, what!? The only thing he and Robben have in common are an allergic reaction to passing. Sturridge isn't anywhere close to that league.

Well, thats what I meant by "having Robben like tendencies". He does have talent even if not on Robben's level. If he was to come to Arsenal I think Wenger could help him to reach some high level. Theo for example doesn't have his natural skills but his output is decent enough for the potential he has.

 

[Zakov]

Well, Robben at Sturridge's current age was already a phenomenal player, I'd like for Sturridge to continue improving but I don't think he'll ever get to Robben's level. Hopefully, he proves me wrong.

Some players reach their peak later in their careers.

Back to the transfer window, honestly don't know why we're going after Schurrle now, perhaps a sign that Malouda's time is up? One player I do hope we sign is Jovetic, but reading news from Italy, Juventus are hot on his trails as well.

Mata will be at the Olympics with Romeu, so we won't see him until end of August I presume. Good opportunity for De Bruyne and Marin to get the feel of the team.

 

[Sir Calumn]

Malouda is well, well past his best. This was obvious last season and for France in the EUROS. Frankly, I think he should go now, even if we have to let him go on a free. I dont think he even adds much value in terms of depth.

Maybe we could offer him to Leverkusen in part exchange for Schurrle?

Jovetic would be great but I have heard nothing at all linking us with him. Also, the Willian interest seems to have cooled. Honestly, predicting who will be our incoming transfers come the end of August is so difficult right now, there are about 10-15 possible candidates.

Mata will be at the Olympics with Romeu, so we won't see him until end of August I presume. Good opportunity for De Bruyne and Marin to get the feel of the team.

I doubt it, the Olympics finishes a good two weeks before the season start and is in the same city as Stamford Bridge, I would be very surprised if both arent ready to play right from day one....