We can strike Gundogan off the list: https://twitter.com/bvb/status/456135148522967040 Surprised given all his injuries he can actually sign a contract....
Two year extension until June 2016? Doesn't seem like either party is confident in the other to commit to a longer term. Hopefully he can recover his form of their CL run to the finals otherwise his career will start spiraling down quick. Regarding Bale / Hazard, I agree with Fern that Bale took over games on his own and dominated in them and he has had some good performances at Madrid. Hazard has shown glimpses but he has not done it consistent enough yet, but he is so young and his prime is still 3+ years away. I don't see Hazard going to Barca considering Messi / Neymar will be the main core for the next 5 years or so and Madrid have Ronaldo and Bale for another 3-4+ years together. I think the only club that Eden would leave us for would be if PSG were a dominate side and dominated Europe, which they are not. He seemed to love life in France, and he speaks highly of PSG and the fans their respect him, but I don't see PSG reaching that level so I see him staying as a Chelsea player for the next 5 years. If we are winning titles, and Jose is at the helm, I can't see why he would want to leave. Anywhere aside from Barca/Madrid that can afford him would be a downgrade, and in those two teams he would not be the main man.
agreed with Arman in that there may be more to the back injury allegations for Gungodan than we may all know also plenty of talk that an agreement with Costa is basically all in place with him taking the place of Torres in terms of transfer fee (although I suspect we will not pay 50 mil for him) and in wages plenty of smoke for the Torres transfer fire going on as well
I was just talking to a mate today about points two and three this afternoon. I'm starting to resign myself to Costa being here. Honestly, outside of him, there aren't really a lot of options of note. He has 26 in 31 La Liga matches. That's quite the haul and doesn't even include the Copa del Rey or Europe. He isn't my first choice, but really what other options do we have? Also, there is seemingly a lot of Torres smoke. I'm not sure what to make of it. As the WAGNH article today said, it isn't inconceivable for him to take a pay cut to return there. Is that likely? No, but it is possible. Even if we can somehow find someone to pay 2/3 of his wages, it'd be worth it for the two Chelsea parties. As I said to my mate, I don't wish him ill. I want him to play and be happy. He was never great for us, but he was a good servant to the club and without him, we likely would have to beaten Barcelona or Bayern. It was run to the touchline that won the corner that Didier scored on. For that I will forever be grateful.
I see Costa coming in before the world cup. We will probably know Costa's future, Torres's future, as well as Courtous future all before the world cup. Costa would be a perfect fit, and he would not cost north of 50m. I wonder if the fantastic play of Azpi has cooled down our interest in Shaw. He will probably go for 25-30m quid. I would love to have him being he is young, english, and has shown plenty of potential and is already a very good lb. But, with FFP 25-30m quid could be spent towards a top quality CM as well as a top striker. Decisions, decisions, this summer will be intense.
I thought Dodo were extinct. I'd really, really like to keep Courtois and Lukaku. The former is on course to surpass Neuer as best in the world, the latter is on course to being Drogba 2.0 but with more pace.
Yeah I thought his last season at Spurs, Bale was on a different level. Even Hazard in his best moments this season isn't able to dominate single handedly like that. And he was doing it for a far less talented side.
Bale was unbelievable last season. I give Spuds shite and gave him shite, but he was outstanding. He's had a decent season bordering good in Madrid. Without Bale, Spurs aren't where they are.
I agree. Atm I'd say Bale is a better finisher and more dangerous on set pieces. Hazard on his day is unplayable, but IMO he doesn't yet have that healthy selfishness that big players need. Too often this season he's passed up a good goal-scoring opportunity, with an extra dribble or extra pass.
Hazard by no means is easy to mark, but I think the difference in pace between him and Bale helps in comparison of the two in Bale's favor, especially because Bale knows how to utilize that speed so well. We've talked a lot about Hazard reaching the heights of Ronaldo or Messi, but those two and Bale and most of the elite attackers who do their damage seem to have an extra gear, idk, maybe that sounds stupid
How many last minute goals did Bale score for them last time out? I recall him saving Spurs a number of times last season. Both are equally talented but comparing Bale/Hazard is comparing apples/oranges.
If Eden has one fault, that's probably it. How many times have we seen him pass it to someone, (usually Torres ), this season and a good opportunity disappears
http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/foo...united-prepare-30m-luke-shaw-bid-9264257.html the summer of the LBs continues
To piggyback on @fernb8 's post. Guardian also has a Shaw article, basically saying Shaw will decide before the WC and Soton will likely sell at the £30m mark. That's a lot of dosh for a left back.
I think we will let United take him if it is 30 mil. No way we pay that much. I think that is why other lb names are being bandied around.
Agreed. There's also a lot of paper talk today of PVA getting a new deal and coming back to tGR first team. I think it was in the Mirror.
What is Chelsea's plan on the left back position. Are we buying a starter or one who would be competing for the LB spot? Azpilicueta is doing pretty well at left back as it is and we've got a couple LB's on our books who could fill in the backup role. Don't see the need to buy a LB unless we're moving Azpi to RB and Ivan to CB.
No, but it makes a lot of sense. I know it's been speculated some, but this us the first I've seen it reported in the rags. With Dave playing at this level it would only be a second choice spot anyways. Next season however, you have to figure someone will get some minutes there. At this point I think everyone else is a liability there.
Unfortunately. I also have a hard time seeing Kalas deputizing there next season. His stay this season has been bad if you consider match time.
Isn't Kalas more of a CB though? Always going to be hard to break into a team with Terry,Cahill and Luiz in front of him. Wallace would probably get considerable more playing minutes if he gets that working permit. Ivanovic only has Cech and Terry who've played more minutes this season and surely can't keep that up season after season.