We really did need a striker. Cavani for 6 months loan would have been nice. But he wasn't interested and PSG were taking the piss. Better to wait until the summer and get a player like Timo than end up signing some dross like Ighalo. This summer. . . André Onana Timo Werner Jadon Sancho David Alaba
Other than Onana I'd say definitely yes to the other 3. Alaba ain't happening though. I know there's not a lot of love for Chillwell around here, and he'd for sure be expensive, but I'd take him in a second. Might not quite be world class, and we'd pay a world-class price, but let's be honest: we've got the cash and he'd be a nice upgrade. On Onana, we have to wait to see how this Kepa thing plays out. He's been average or worse for a while but he has the talent to improve. The defense has done him few favors also. Which brings up: could CB be upgraded? We have good players, so it would take a world-class signing to constitute an upgrade I think. And who would you cut loose to make way if we were able to make such a signing? I say Zouma should be first to go but I'd listen to arguments for AC too. Maybe moot since there may not be any worthy replacements available. But Sancho, break the bank for Sancho. Come on, just do it.
Onana it a top class keeper, I'd prefer him to Pope. I think Kepa os okay. But, I am not always convinced by him. I like the idea of Kepa AND Onana in the squad for a season pushing each other for the first team place. Alaba will have one year left on his contract. He might be tempted by a new phase and challenge in his career. I am sure we can pay better wages than BM. I prefer him to Chillwell. I like Chillwell. But Chillwell would be more expensive than Alaba and also I think we need some older players, total professionals to balance the team/squad. Rudiger at he back has been awesome when our younger players have been indecisive. James----Rudiger-----Tomori----Alaba right? Sancho AND Mbappe OR just Sancho?
I feel that our defenders, CBs specifically, are OK and have the talent capable of winning trophies. It's the midfield in front of them that put us in terrible positions of weakness. Which is an odd thing to say when you have Kante in your lineup. He has not been deployed properly at all. He's is not a threat on goal and should not be used as such. He is Kante the Destroyer.
So, in other words, a backline of: James, Christensen, Rudiger, [top left back] is exciting. Jorginho in front of them hacking away at attackers who blew past him, is not.
If it's he and Sancho with Willian and Pedro out, that would be a massive steal. Boga has been on fire at Sassuolo. Plus the price is minimal.
I can't see us getting Sancho - even if we make top 4. I mean, we'll be fighting Madrid, Barca, the other Madrid, Liverpool, United (always). Would he go back to City? I also read he was sour on Liverpool just because of the talent already there.
He's a fan first and foremost. Secondly, we have a ton of English talent, players he's friends with and has played with at all levels. That cannot be understated. All that said, he probably won't sign here....
Wouldn't shock me to see us throw a 100 mil bid at them and win out. Also, considering the convos/reports coming out in Jan, seems like we are a likely destination.
Hope you're right. A front line of Pulisic, Sancho, Tammy would be exciting. Especially with Reece pouring in balls from the back. That only leaves a striker, several midfielders, and a left back!
Sounds like England is going back to having the summer window go until the end of August, putting us back in alignment with the rest of Europe. I think in an ideal world, every nation would close the window before real games actually start. But having England be misaligned with the rest of the continent was the worst of both worlds, so this is a good move imo
have to say i'm leaning more towards kepa not being the future for chelsea. he's okay, but the club needs better, and we have a strong history of great keepers, it's just not a problem we should have. i'll fully admit that there are times when things aren't his fault, i'm not putting all the blame on him. but on the balance of everything i've seen, i'm not overly convinced. i think sometimes he also creates the situations where he's left to dry because of poor communication or not taking command of the box etc. but as everyone has said, that does mean....who then?
We also wont sell him at a loss. And with that ... who will take him? It would have to be a player swap/loan to buy for an attractive player. That said, GK is an area of least concern to me.
LOL, greasy rags scouring message boards to create rumors. https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/onana-chelsea-move-blues-replacing-kepa/1fa51bl9hgjb11m8nzx7myasen
Chelsea being linked to Antonee Robinson as a cheap LB if we strike out in Chillwell. I don’t know that he’d be an improvement but he’s got all the physical tools. Reece played with him last year and showed he could handle the jump up so it’s not impossible to think AR could as well. I suspect it’s just talk tho.
From what I know of him, he is not as good as Emerson or even Alonso at this moment. He is fast, can put in a good cross (not like Reece), but his defending is still a bit suspect. He's not as good as Chillwell, but Chillwell is not 70m better than him.