Re: Joaquin ponders £25M January move to Chelsea His only crime is not being as good as Lampard and Makalele. He's scored goals. He's run around like a lost puppy at times. He needs a barber. He's not as good a player as Parker (and we'll know that by the end of this season, mark my words ) but he's a Chelsea player and he's a good one.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature?id=319461&cc=5901 Another article talking about the departure of Gerrard. I think it's all going to come down to whether Liverpool make the Champions league or not. Even then he might not stay.
For 60 million sterling? DEAL! Hot damn! I know Sheva is a fantastic player, but no-one is essential. Hell if Roman gave it all upfront I'd even throw in Seedorf if it would please him. Then I'd go buy a new stadium and let Moratti deal with that old sh^thole camp; after that I'd buy Ronaldinho and then smoke a joint!! Thank God for rich Russians!.
Amen (though maybe you should put Oligarch but I'll leave that for Nicephoras...) Hypothetically, if you had to choose between Gerrard and Sheva in Jan...who would you rather? Me personally, I'd take Gerrard. But I am biased since I don't get to watch Serie A at all...
Eddie, as much as i agree with you and respect your opinion, i have to disagree here. I've seen Sheva play for Dynamo Kiev and for Ukraine. I've seen lots of AC Milan CL games and few Seria A games here in the italian NOrth Beach district of S.F. We dont really need a middlefielder, especially an attacking one. Although we have good forwards, they are not in the same league with Sheva. He is just a mix b/w Henry and RvN, all around player in the box and outside. Great with feet and head. SO, IMO, i want Sheva, but maybe that's just b/c i'm Ukrainian.
i agree with it all except the Henry part i think he has the RvN finishing but he is not as technical and Henry
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I think Gerrard is bigger upgrade over Tiago than Sheva is over Drogba. However, there is little doubt Sheva is the better player (and he's better than Henry).
Hey, I got you IM then my wireless network went nuts. Try again. I don't claim to know Sheva. I've only ever seen him once and that was here in Philly against Chelsea this summer. But Gerrard is the complete package. He can play an attacking role, he can play a holding role. He distributes excellently. He's a leader. He's about 6 years younger too. Isn't Sheva 30? I am pretty sure Gerrard is 24 or 25. Plus if you play Gerrard with Lampard, Terry and Bridge, those 4 will play and start for England for the next 10 years. I just love Gerrard, but like I said, I've only ever seen Sheva once and Gerrard hundreds of times. I just think Gerrard is one of the top 3 players in the EPL and in the top 10 when healthy in the world.
You can't compare who's better. They are different players playing different positions. The question is who would you want on CHELSEA right now?
I'd rather have Adriano than Sheva. Not because Adriano is better, (he's not) but because he's almost a decade younger, and has the upside. I wanted Adriano instead of Drogba, but that was going to be a tough sell to Inter. Oh well. That being said, Gerrard is more of a priority than Sheva. He's a MUCH bigger improvement over our 3rd CM slot. Sheva over Drogba is less so.
Exactly! Tiago-Gerrard Drogba-Sheva Vast improvement. Plus the age difference. Once guys get to 30 anymore they start losing that step and their game suffers fast. The game is too quick anymore, if you lose your speed, the game is going to go past you.
In fairness I think there will always be a bit of EPL bias on these boards because that is who people get to see more. Gerrard would undoubtedly be a spectacular addition to the midfield and a big upgrade to the Parker/Tiago position. But on club form over the past 2 years (going back halfway into Milan's CL title year) there simply isn't a better striker than Sheva. He has the strength to muscle past players, the speed to run by them, and the shot to shoot by them. He is the closest thing to the total package I've seen in the game today, and I think he would fit up top spectacularly in Chelsea's 4-3-3 being fed by wingers. I think thats the most important thing about him, while he and Henry are probably comparable talent wise and picking between them is half a dozen one way; six another, there is no way Henry would be better than Sheva in the position as a bit of a lone striker being supported by two attacking wingers. I think I can say with confidence Sheva would be the best striker in the world for the system. There really isn't much to pick between what the two players would bring to Chelsea. I mean, its not like you guys are hurting for goals or your midfield play has been wretched this season (other than Sunday, where you got bossed a bit by a 17 year old). Sheva and Gerrard would both be incredible for Chelsea, and I can honestly say that if you guys get both of them and Joaquin this summer there really won't be much left to upgrade for Roman......
from yahoo.co.uk, it's the "we want out" report! DEFOE WANTS COLE TO JOIN HIM Who? - Joe Cole Where is he? - Chelsea Who is he linked with? - Tottenham Once again, Joe Cole has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur. The England midfielder is often one of the first names to be linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge as it appears that he is not a regular in the starting XI. Now, his former West Ham team-mate Jermain Defoe has urged Spurs to try and get their hands on Cole, who would join fellow ex-Hammers Fredi Kanoute and Michael Carrick at the Lane should he decide to swap south London for north. "Joe would fit in well down here. He can play on the left, on the right or behind the front two. He is such a good player and, hopefully, he will come to Tottenham," said Defoe in The Sun. Meanwhile, the deal still seems unlikely, with Cole reiterating his desire to fight for his place in the Chelsea team despite not having played since the Carling Cup win over Fulham in November. The 23-year-old said: "I'd love to be involved again and will hopefully be given the chance to reproduce some of the form I had at the start of the season. The mood is really good in the camp at the moment and I'm happy to be here." LAZIO LOOK TO PARKER Who? - Scott Parker Where is he? - Chelsea Who is he linked with? - Lazio Apparently, Paolo di Canio has been giving his new employers some hints about players in the English Premier League. It seems the Italian has earmarked his former Charlton Athletic team-mate Scott Parker. The Serie A rumour mill suggests that Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho would be willing to allow Parker to join Lazio on a six-month loan deal, in the hope that it will make him a better player in the long run. So far this season he has mainly been a bit-part player, but some education in another league could lead to more first team opportunities with the Blues. Rumour even has it that contact between the two clubs has already been made.
Do Chelsea need another Winger? http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/chelsea/story.jsp?story=594011
Re: Do Chelsea need another Winger? i think this is supposed to go in the transfer thread anyway another winger wouldnt hurt
Mourinho said: "I do not want to sign any players in the January transfer window. I just want to keep my players and avoid injuries." Mourinho admitted there is a host of players around the world he admires, but is having trouble finding room for some of his current squad. He added: "The hard thing for me in England is to have only five players on the bench. "I go to Arsenal and have to leave Joe Cole and Alexei Smertin in the stands. Why? They should be there to give me more options. "Players on the bench think they can jump onto the pitch. It is different in the stands."
Joaquin deal done and set to be announced next week according to a "serious paper" in Spain: "Following on from yesterday's Joaquín rumour, a newspaper in Joaquín's home town (and where his current club, Betis is based) is publishing a wealth of details of the negotiations between all the parties. To sum up: there is total agreement, and the deal will be signed - and announced - next week. Let's recap: yesterday, out of the blue, the Daily Mirror managed to speak to Betis winger Joaquín. The Spanish international said that the idea of playing for Chelsea was certainly an attractive one for him, as Chelsea are the biggest club in the world. That's just as well, as Chelsea have been on Joaquín's case for over a year now. The Mirror also said that Chelsea had tabled a bid for Joaquín, and that a deal was close to being finalised. The article in the Mirror caused alarm bells to ring in the Spanish sports press, which reported the Mirror's article. And then, the press managed to corner the Betis President, Manuel Ruiz de Lopera, who confirmed that he had a Chelsea bid (said to be 'revolutionary) on the table. And he found his own ways to say that it was very possible that Joaquín would be leaving Betis. And today the story is developed further. A regional newspaper in Spain which is well placed to know what is happening, states quite clearly that Joaquín will become a Chelsea player in a matter of days. Neither the Betis President, nor the player himself could resist Chelsea's offer, which is said to be €41 million - just over £28 million. As always in these cases, there is a discrepancy as to the precise figures involved. One newspaper ('As') said that the offer was €35 million. Other sources in the UK said that the bid was closer to €43 million. The newspaper in question is 'El Diario de Sevilla' - the main paper of Betis' home town. It's a serious paper, and has very good links with the Sevilla clubs. Their piece on the matter (entitled, quite simply, 'Joaquín leaves for Chelsea') is filled with a wealth of details. For instance, we learn that the contract that Chelsea has offered Joaquín a six year contract, and he will receive a massive €6 million per year. Or a smidgen under £79,000 per week. Apparently there is an agreement already between player, Chelsea, and Betis, all that is missing is to sign the documents. The paper says that this will happen very shortly either in Madrid or at Betis." http://chelsea.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=884&p=2&stid=8368141
Here's a link to the original Spanish article: Joaquín se va al Chelsea - Diario de Sevilla (Joaquín leaves for Chelsea)
it'll be interesting to see what unfolds in the comeing weeks,regarding Joaquin.this storys been doing the rounds for quite some time now(like the gerrard one),and it's starting to look promiseing after all there's no smoke without fire. so roll on the transfer window,and we can put this story to bed one way or the other,once and for all... (personally i think it's a done deal,but you'd never know )
The Joaquin rumors seem to be gaining steam and despite Jose's denials that we will be buying anyone in January I think it will happen for two main reasons: 1) Our attack is far less potent when Duff and Robben aren't playing at the same time. We need two healthy wingers at all times. I think Jose knows this and also realizes that if we lose one of these guys to injury before the CL knockout stages we will be in deep doodoo. 2) Joaquin is one of the best wingers in the world and is not cup-tied in Europe (as far as I know). Now if I am wrong about point number 2 then I doubt the move happens.
to be honest i dont know either if he's cup tied or not but even if he is,it only means the champions league,so that aside theres still the league,f.a cup and league cup that he could play in.also due to that fact it's very likely if all three are fit that you'd play duffers and robben a half each while joaquin plays 90mins in a game before the champs league,to rest the other two. which is a very apealing position to be in for a manager before a big midweek game.and again with the other three compos we are currently in,there's an awfull lot of football still to be played this year. you also run the risk of loseing the player to another club by not grasping the first available chance of getting that signature(and i believe he's a big figo/ real fan).if the club want him bad enough,the'll take him in january cup tied or not.
If we, yes I feel like Roman's adopted child, were not rich enough to buy several countries, which would you think was the better buy SWP at 17 to 25 or Joaquin at 25-30?
Sure, but don't you think it's ridiculous to pay a guy £80,000 a week (on top of the £30 mil fee) to sit on the bench half the time??? Squad rotation is fine if you have guys like Smertin or Kezza or Huth, but we're talking about a £25-30 mil rated player. Of course, if we switch to a 4-4-2, it could work: ---------------Cech----------------- Ferreira--Gallas--Terry--Bridge ----------------Makalele----------- Joaquin----Lampard-------Duff -------Drogba--------Robben---- But then, where are we going to find space for Sheva and Gerrard? How about: -----------------Cech----------------- Ferreira----Gallas---Terry---Bridge Joaquin--Lampard--Gerrard--Duff ---------Sheva-------Robben-------- That leaves Cudicini, Makalele, Drogba, and Carvalho for the bench. Incredible.