Maybe. The press has linked. I didn't read anything about Semedo to Barca or Ceballos to Madrid until it happened. A lot of rumors are BS smokescreens.
Perhaps...but nothing done for more than £34m and that's Antonio Rüdiger since Torres. We can bid big knowing they'll say no as the offer is too low. Could very well be financial prudence, may be we are cash strapped with the stadium deal, may very well be bad luck. What I'm afraid of is...we are cash strapped from the stadium deal. Edited to add Torres.
I realize there is a strong affinity for Chalobah here, but there is a reason he wasn't getting a huge amount of minutes last season. It sucks he was sold for pennies, but realistically he probably should've had a PL loan last season and been integrated into the first team this season. Sure he looked fine from time to time in his brief appearances, but are we really going to feel comfortable throwing him in against United, City, or some European opponents? If he wanted a lot of minutes, he was not going to get a boat load here. I'm a big fan of a lot of our youth players, but I've got to agree with nice; the only one who has left on a permanent deal we've really mishandled was Ake, and no elite club regularly integrates youth directly into the first team anymore. We should really be striving for Madrid's model - their buybacks on former youth players are all looking like really good business right now. For what it's worth, I think we are starting to see similar moves this summer. While Ake easily could've (and probably should've) had a spot in our first team, there IS, according to most accounts, a buyback clause in the deal with Bournemouth. RLC's move to Crystal Palace also looks like a very smart move for his development - every Crystal Palace fan I've spoken with thinks he has a very good shot at displacing Puncheon in their starting lineup. Tammy's move to Swansea looks really smart too. This will be a make-or-break season for RLC for sure, but if it goes well, I couldn't imagine him being left out of the plans for next season. Tammy should get a look-in next season as well if things go well for him, but he's not quite at the make-or-break stage. An awful lot of our loan army is definitely strictly business. That's something we've just got to accept at this point. I think we are learning an awful lot from the past mishandling of Lukaku and De Bruyne though - at least it seems that way to me. Now if we end up selling Christensen this window, you can take everything I said above and throw it out the window as I will be in full-blown youth meltdown mode as well.
I'm thinking Baker could take the Chalobah spot. Honestly, it actually makes a lot of sense. He can cover for Bakayoko and Fabergas. Probably more ready than any other mid we have. Would be our second best passer and probably our 2nd or 3rd set piece taker.
But again, a player like Baker needs consistent minutes now to continue his development. He won't have that apart from a cup game
Potentially, I think he could play his way in. Matic is out so we would only have 4 total and that includes Baker.
John Cross, the Arsenal reporter, thinks you lot are close on Auba with Giroud going to BvB to replace him. That would be the best striker on current reputation in the league.
I think Auba would be a great short term fix. Didnt want Lukaku or Morata but I think Auba gives a little time to scout our next longterm striker.
We always kinda knew Sandro was a pipedream. I couldnt see Roman sanctioning such a move. We do need support on that side at least for backup (and pace. Alonso is going to have a tough time in the CL). Watch us sell Matic to Juve for 20m.
Explanation on the delay of the Impending Bakayoko tramsfer https://weaintgots-fc-transfer-rumo...delay-in-tiemoue-bakayoko-transfer-to-chelsea
Im more worried about the entourage and injuries than his play, which I think will be fine under Conte.
His injury history is quite concerning. With Matic looking likely to leave we could be short in midfield if we're lot going to add anyone. Don't really expect Baker, Pasalic or MvG to stay although I wouldn't loan/sell before we add.
Keita / Verratti would be a perfect signing. Kante / Baka / Cesc + Keita or Verratti would be the best CM 4 in the league, but it won't happen. Sandro looks to be signing a new contract with Juve. That move looks off the table. I don't understand why we sold Ake prior to finding out if we would sign Sandro or not. Now I'm not sure who we will look at for LWB. Danilo reported pushing for a move to Chelsea, Madrid want £30M, we want to pay £25m. I can see that deal getting done. It will be interesting to see where the club spends the money we were looking to spend on Sandro. Hoping we bring in Danilo for ~£25M. Auba for £65M. Then look to bring in another CM and LWB if we can.
Because Ake wasn't a LWB. He was LCB and CB. If we're in an injury pinch Dave can provide cover at LWB even tho it isn't ideal. Plus we have Baba returning from loan. He's a better fit for conte at LWB than he was at LB.
Baba is coming off a terrible injury, he won't be playing for the club next season. More then likely we will try to send him on loan somewhere to get some action and confidence back. Ake would have been idea for multiple reasons. Yes, he isn't a LWB, but do you know why Conte sent Rahman on loan last season instead of keeping him as a LWB? Because Conte believed that Rahman was too attacking minded and not good enough defensively. Ake is far superior defensively and would have been a much better option then moving Azpi to LWB to cover in case of an injury.