HEY! Inter! Leave Lampard Alone! All in all, it's just another Chelsea Transfer Thread.

[Clan]

His agent is doing a fine job for the both of them.

...and that's just fine and dandy!

See, his agent, no matter what he does or says, will never be seen as anything other than a cancer.He's the English equivalent of the American lawyer.

Frank now, he's a footballer, he just wants to be remembered as such, not some greedy git that was looking for a final big pay out at the club.

It's all about image and really has nothing to do with actual fact.

I think Frank will stay, or at least finish his last year, simply because if he wanted to go to Inter this season, he would have done so already.

[slipereypete]

...and that's just fine and dandy!

See, his agent, no matter what he does or says, will never be seen as anything other than a cancer.He's the English equivalent of the American lawyer.

Frank now, he's a footballer, he just wants to be remembered as such, not some greedy git that was looking for a final big pay out at the club.

It's all about image and really has nothing to do with actual fact.

I think Frank will stay, or at least finish his last year, simply because if he wanted to go to Inter this season, he would have done so already.

Exactly, I probably should have qualified the post with *

*from a PR standpoint

[Andy Bennett]

I dont see why people get so polarized in these negotiations, no one has any real idea what is happenng, and believing otherwise is insane.

Shhhh!!! Some people don't want to hear that...

These "credible sources" seem to change their stories every week when they are found to be wrong.

That's because they don't know any more than we do. This is all total crap, IMHO. The 'meeja' are just using this to sell more papers... quel surprise :rolleyes:

I also dont see how someone is so anti-Lampard in this. He deserves top money, long term, and has always been classy for us. While the powers that be have become shadier and sketchier every season in their handlings of managers and players.

You've noticed that too, eh?

[Randy36]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11668_3803371,00.html

[yasik19]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11668_3803371,00.html

yeah, OK.

[I-Got-The-BLUES]

Ben-Haim, who has 39 caps for Israel, joined Chelsea on a free transfer from Bolton Wanderers but started only 10 Premier League games last season and has not been involved with the first team since an FA Cup tie against Huddersfield Town in February. He subsequently fell out with Avram Grant after criticising his style of management and bemoaning the loss of Jose Mourinho.
TBH, never wanted him here at all, but he just earned a few cool points with me!

[fernb8]

TBH, never wanted him here at all, but he just earned a few cool points with me!

you may be a tad harsh here. Ben Haim knew he was coming in as cover as he could play anywhere across the back and I dont think most of us expected Alex to step up and play as well as he did. My only complaint regarding him was the kick he gave Cech in the face and was that really intended (at least I hope not). He did well enough when plugged in and really didnt cause a stink until his fellow Countryman took charge and in fairness I think he called a spade a spade and should be given credit for it.

If we didnt sign him, that left us with Alex- still an unknown entity at the time for the most part, and Mancienne! Little scary eh? He did what was asked of him and good to luck him with Citeh.

[fernb8]

any chance of initiating a Robben like moratorium on the Lampard will he/wont he, should he stay/go talks for a while?

Its bad enough trying to look the papers and their constant flip flopping.

[Dear_Claudio]

I'm already sick of the Lampard talk but it will go on all summer. My guess is that he'll happily play out his contract then move abroad in the most professional manner next summer.

I'm not so much worried about who we'll sign because I know they'll be quality. I'm much more interested in waking up to see Ben Haim, Malouda, Pizarro and Shevchenko's names with other clubs. It's nice to know selling Sidwell and TBH have paid for Deco's transfer fee and wages:)

IMO this will be our squad next season:
Cech, Carlo, Hilario
8 defenders
6 midfielders (too many but whatever as long as Lamps stays)
Cole, +1, Kalou... Sinclair
Drogba, Anelka, Sheva... di Santo


The possibility of Robinho is so intriguing. He might fail but he sure as hell won't be another Malouda or SWP. Notice Kenyon mentioned Ronaldinho and Kaka being simply rumors but made no mention of Robinho? I hope we do sign him. He'd take Sheva's spot up front and SWP/Malouda's in the wing position; two birds with one stone while vastly improving our attack. Then it's just up to the man to do the biz:)

[Walter3000]

Still hoping for the same team as we have right now(meaning Drogs Ricky and Lamps stay), with a few improvements for the bench

A new striker
New winger
Sinclair

Cech, Carlo
Boz, Paulo, JT, Ricky, Alex, Drago, Cole, Bridge
Maka, Mikel, Essien, Lamps, Ballack, Deco
Cole, Kalou, X, Sinclair
Drogba, Anelka, Y

23. What was Felipe's target squad number?

Di Santo models himself after Crespo huh? One of my personal favorite players, wouldnt mind seeing a little of him.

Im thinking if Lampard stays we're looking at a weird/unbalanced 4-5-1 featuring Essien, Balls, Lamps, Deco, and Joey lineup somehow. If he goes, more of a balanced 4-5-1/433 with 2 wide players

[Dear_Claudio]

Lampard and Ballack should get used to being substituted. Wouldn't mind seeing this though:

-----Essien-----Ballack-----Lampard-----
----------Deco----------Cole-----------
---------------Drogba------------------

[Kazuma]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11668_3803371,00.html

I didn't know Ramon Calderon was an adviser for Inter! :rolleyes:

[blackjack]

Lampard and Ballack should get used to being substituted. Wouldn't mind seeing this though:

-----Essien-----Ballack-----Lampard-----
----------Deco----------Cole-----------
---------------Drogba------------------

Hmmmm - very interesting. Lacks a little width, but that could be made up for by the fullbacks, especially if Bridge gets a chance to show his worth on the left side. On the right, we know Essien can get forward, and Deco can pull out wide too when necessary to let Ballack/Lamps move through the middle. It lacks a holding mid, and in this modern game not many teams can get away without playing one. However, if we can keep possession and Essien/Ballack/Lamps could stay disciplined enough, it could work. This would be asking for trouble against good teams, however.

[Kazuma]

Gianfranco Zola tells it like it is. (http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jul10q.html)

[Randy36]

It looks as if Scolari is interested in signing Robinho who would be a tremendous addition to the squad. I would like to see it happen.

As for Sheva here's a quote by Scolari about him - "In 12 games last season he scored 8 goals. He is a player for Chelsea. If I saw him in training and I believe in him, I will put him on the field, if not I put on another player".

There's no doubt Sheva would be difficult to offload. So perhaps Scolari will give him the opportunity to redeem himself!!

[Macksam]

Lampard and Ballack should get used to being substituted. Wouldn't mind seeing this though:

-----Essien-----Ballack-----Lampard-----
----------Deco----------Cole-----------
---------------Drogba------------------

-----Deco-----Ballack-----Lampard-----
----------Essien----------Cole-----------
---------------Drogba------------------

Fixed.

[blackjack]

-----Deco-----Ballack-----Lampard-----
----------Essien----------Cole-----------
---------------Drogba------------------

Fixed.

You're wrong. If we're going to play without a real holding mid, we at least need Essien slotted in somewhat deep to cover for Lamps and Ballack when they go forward. Deco lacks the engine, the pace, and the ability to move into defensive positions when he needs to. Essien can do that and would be required to if we were to play the Christmas tree. Besides, we need our AMs to be players who finish their chances, and although Essien's scored some superb goals, he'd probably waste a lot more than he'd put away.

[Macksam]

You're wrong. If we're going to play without a real holding mid, we at least need Essien slotted in somewhat deep to cover for Lamps and Ballack when they go forward. Deco lacks the engine, the pace, and the ability to move into defensive positions when he needs to. Essien can do that and would be required to if we were to play the Christmas tree. Besides, we need our AMs to be players who finish their chances, and although Essien's scored some superb goals, he'd probably waste a lot more than he'd put away.
My mistake, I only changed half of it. In the case Lampard was gone;

-----Deco-----Makelele-----Ballack-----
----------Essien----------Cole-----------
---------------Drogba-------------------

Or with Lampard;

-----Deco-----Essien-----Lampard-----
----------Ballack----------Cole-----------
---------------Drogba------------------

[BridgeMonkee]

Okay I'll play....Essien is the first name in the midfield, he has the energy and the drive. Obi Mikel gets more games than Maka. Maka should be used sparingly, the bloke is 35. Ballack [32] is good cover and another option [in a 4-4-2] and he will naturally play a lot of games.

----------Obi Mikel-----Essien------
----------------Lampard
Robinhio-------------------Joe Cole
---------------Drogba

We stil need more wingers/wide players. . .

Sheva, Deco, Malouda will make interesting performances in the reserves

[blackjack]

My mistake, I only changed half of it. In the case Lampard was gone;

-----Deco-----Makelele-----Ballack-----
----------Essien----------Cole-----------
---------------Drogba-------------------

Or with Lampard;

-----Deco-----Essien-----Lampard-----
----------Ballack----------Cole-----------
---------------Drogba------------------

Got it. I'd still switch Deco and Essien in the first formation though. Deco's got the quick feet to make lethal combinations with Joey and Drogba, and although Essien's a good attacker, his skills are more geared toward running long distances with the ball, which he likely wouldn't get/need to do very often in such an advanced position.

Deco looked pretty poor for Barca playing in a 3-man midfield behind three attackers. He looked really good for Portugal playing level with another AM and behind a striker. Why would we use him in the role that's made him look average?