Mikael Forssell to Borussia Moenchengladbach

[BridgeMonkee]

Chelsea's Mikael Forssell is set to join Bundesliga side Borussia Moenchengladbach on a four-month loan - strange decision to me.

Borussia Moenchengladbach - great name that :)

[wolfsburgh]

Gladbach has been terribly hard-hit by injuries, particularly strikers (their leading scorer from last, Van Lent, season is just coming back from an ACL, and their leading scorer this season, Van Hout, is out now with an ACL), and have been looking for a striker all month. If this guy is a striker, he's going to get a chance to prove himself quickly. Is he a striker? Can he play?

Gladbach, by the way, was a German powerhouse in the 1970s, second only to Bayern Munich, but settled into mediocrity in the 80s and 90s and found themselves relegated a several seasons ago. This is their second season back in the 1.BL, and they are 15th out of 18 (although not much separates teams 12-16).

[wolfsburgh]

Answered one of my questions: he is a striker, per www.seitenwahl.de. Borussia already has a young Dane (Skoubo) who they signed at the beginning of the season, but he has not played well. Assuming Forssell does better, he'll play a bunch, because the only other viable option seems to be the aforementioned Van Lent, who's still not close to 100%.

[BridgeMonkee]

He's a great player m8. Scored against the German national side before the last WC, plays for Finland.

Young, Tall, Quick, very quick footed, though not that great in the air for a big lad.

mikael forsell has been injured for most of this season, hence he hasn't played for us - last season every time he came off the bench he scored. He must be fit again now, I'd like to see him back on the bench at Chelsea to be honest.

Euro final - 1977 - L'pool 3 BMG 1 - remember it well.

[BridgeMonkee]

http://www.finland-football.net/germany0206.html

Finnish striker Mikael Forsell had scored a first-half brace to put his team in a commanding situation before the visitors responded.

[wolfsburgh]

Thanks. Sounds like a win-win. If he's good, he'll help Gladbach avoid relegation and provide time for its strikers to get healthy. And playing regularly in the BL has to help the player's development, which benefits Chelsea. The loan, as I understand it, does not have a buy-out option, so he's strictly a rental for Gladbach.

[BridgeMonkee]

I hope he does really well for you, he's a real intelligent player. I can't see us letting him go and thankfully there is no buy out clause.

[Dr_Intoxicated]

He scored a goal for the reserves against Charlton reserves last night. He was apprently very good in the first half but tired (not unexpectedly) in the 2nd and was subbed after 70 mins. (Charlton went on to win 2-1).

Official site make no mention of this I will watch Chelsea TV tonight and report back

[mst77]

with the strike force of JFH, EG, Zola and Cole for the rest of the year. A healthy Zenden adds a bit of spice to the mix as well since he spends most of his time as a link to the forwards.

I don't think Forssell would have been ready to contribute fully to this campaign and a loan to a Bundesliga side will benefit him more than playing in the reserves. Monkee- I always thought he was a bit short and frail. He looked to be under 6 ft to me and rather skinny.

Maybe we should try and get a call-back clause put in, just in case one of our strikers goes down with a season-ending injury. Otherwise, the deal makes sense to me.

Good luck Wolfie, you will be getting a good player for 4 months if this goes thru.

[Dr_Intoxicated]

Chelsea TV tonight denied Mikael Forssell is set to join Bundesliga side Borussia Moenchengladbach.

He is NOT going anywhere. They also showed last nights goal, he is looking sharp.

[Dr_Intoxicated]

Thank you chelsea tv!

The news programme said he was not going, but the later Live programme said he was in discusions with Borussia Moenchengladbach today and may sign up for them tomorrow!

[BridgeMonkee]

Originally posted by mst77
Monkee- I always thought he was a bit short and frail. He looked to be under 6 ft to me and rather skinny.


You have this real Height thing dontchya?
He is 6 ft tall or 1.8288 Metres which is 0.00182 Km
or 0.00113 miles

http://www.planetfootball.com/player.asp?player=1726&clid=683&cpid=22&Title=Mikael+Forssell+Info+Page&season=0102

[mst77]

If I say he is short and frail, then damn it he is short and frail. End of.

Seriously, I didn't think he was taller than Jimbo who is no more than 5'10".

[mst77]

Mikey is off to Germany to finish the season. I haven't read anything stating we can call him back if absolutely necessary. So it looks like we have 4 to choose from up front for the rest of the year, with Zenden and Gronks filling in if we're in a pinch.

Unless one of them picks up a major injury before the season is out, I will be amazed if one of three things does not happen by the beginning of next season:

1) Jimbo is sold

2) Franco hangs up his boots

3) Carlton goes out on loan to a top Div 1 side or European club

There just isn't room for 5 strikers in the first team and Carlton is proving that there isn't much more he can learn out on loan. Even with CL football I don't think we can keep all 5 of them happy.

[The Year Was1955]

Might not be a bad move, as I think there will be a lot more expectation and responsibility on him next season.

With Zola most likely moving on and Jimbo not the player he used to be, Forssell could well be part of the first choice strike pairing along with Guddy next season.

So some experience at being # 1 at a decent club should help out.