Really hope we sign a CM (Tchouameni, De Jong) this season. Definitely need a CB or three given that we're losing Rudiger and Christensen.
Remember two seasons ago, when we were clamoring for the entire defense to be changed? It's not a disaster to lose these defenders. We still have Thiago Silva, Chalobah, Chilwell, Reece James, Malang Sarr (not really counting on him but still a cover nonetheless), not to mention on-loan players Levi Colwill (who is doing very well), Palmieri and others. If all else fails, I'm pretty sure we have other academy players who can do a job, or Tuchel could convert some midfielders (where we are overloaded) to defensive roles. We will still have a very competitive squad next season. I'm more concerned about the players whose contracts expire in 2023/2024. We need to tie them down asap: 2023: Kante. 2024: Mount, Pulisic, Kovacic, Loftus Cheek.
We have a squad that could finish third, if everything worked out well for us. If we want to finish higher than that we are going to need a few players of extraordinary quality. Citeh are going to sign that Norwegian kid. Let the summer transfer madness begin. I thought we might move Ziyech on, but he was great the other day, he was doing a lot of work going forward and also tracking back very effectively. If only he was doing that earlier in the season. Jorginho being linked with Juventus and a return to Italy. Timo Werner likely to depart apparently. Who would be a game changer for us to sign? The players we are being linked with in the media so far are. . . Alessio Romagnoli, 27, this summer on a free transfer. Jules Kounde, 23. Ousmane Dembele, 25.
Chelsea being linked to Colin Dagba on a free from PSG. Dagba is a RWB. 23. He would be cover for our wing backs apparently. Although, the preferred player is Sergino Dest. Our new American owners want the best American players in our squad. Dest would want to be more than merely "cover", but as we all know the modern game is all about the rotation. Reece James could be playing more of a role as part of the back 3. Chelsea are committed to signing Gabriel “Gaga” Slonina and then loaning him back to Chicago until 2023 - then loaning him out in Europe? With all the yanks coming in, I guess we cannot be Chel$ki anymore I never liked that Chel$ki stuff anyways and always found it annoying and inaccurate.
Real Madrid are still very very interested in Kante and he may move on. We would get some money for him this summer and with Chelsea looking to add Tchouameni the timing could be right. Jorghino wants to go to Juventus. But Juve see him as their second choice. Lazio and PSG are also options for Jorghi. He will most likely move on.
Please sell Jorgi. I’m torn in Kante. I’d like to cash in but he’s still so huge for us. I wouldn’t feel good going into next year with one new CM (especially if they are new to the EPL), RLC, Kova and Gallegher. That’s a lot of upheaval.
Indeed on Kante. It is very important for a squad to have complete professional players on the training ground every day. The younger players learn so much this way. Players like Kante, Azpi, Thiago, etc. Transitioning in great prospects, like the possibility of Tchouameni and Kounde, are made that much easier with quality players alongside them.
It hasn't taken us long to get bored and frustrated with Lukaku. He was never a great fit for us imho and the opinion of many around here. Tammy and Giroud in combination were a better fit for us. But we wanted to try something new. Werner overall just has not worked out for us either. This summer I would like to see a new striker. I like Dembele, and if he stays fit he could be a great option for us, but he is more of a Werner and/or CHO replacement. A fit Dembele is quite the player. The elderly bloke from Munich looks set to go Barca. but he would be a good option for a couple of seasons perhaps? Robert Lewandowski is 34 in August though, so there is that. Age is not as big a factor as it once was, just look at Thiago, but . . . Then out of the blue, came a strange and expensive option. PSG have kept Mbappe. PSG will sell Neymar to utilise his saved wages in order to keep Mbappe. Neymar has been offered to Chelsea and Barcelona. Neymar is a talented player. The transfer fee will be small but the wage demands will be huge. Any club buying him need to consider looking for additional sponsorship to help with wages and will need to think about any disruption it may cause. Chelsea very nearly signed him in 2011 and again in 2013, but his "additional" demands killed off any chance of a transfer then. Neymar is already 30 and there are problems/issues, but the lad does score goals and is a world class diver, I mean player.
If we end up signing Rice then I’d be a little more open to it. We know Rice can fit in. But I agree generally we want some key vets in each 1/3 of the field to help with the transitioning of power.
It seems too quick to bail on Werner. I’d rather keep him than deal with the circus that comes with Neymar.
Timo has had two seasons now. Overall he has been below par. I believe it is Timo that wants to move on and get more first team action. Dembele is seen as the Timo replacement. Just as quick, but a lot more skilful. Neymar? yes. A potential night-mar.
Tuchel warned that the sanctions imposed on Roman Abramovich have made it difficult for Chelsea to plan. They cannot buy or sell players until Todd Boehly’s consortium has bought the club. All should be resolved by the end of May. But we are still late to the party. And Tuchel wants strikers apparently. That is his priority. to get new ones, or to get his current ones performing much much better. Romelu Lukaku has eight league goals, Kai Havertz has seven, Callum Hudson-Odoi has one, Christian Pulisic has six, and Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner have four apiece.
Why we should sign Jules Koundé. . . . Sevilla have conceded fewer goals (30) than any other team in La Liga this season. He has the ability to bring the ball forward and set Sevilla on the front foot. He has made more forward passes (1,703) than any other outfielder in La Liga since the start of last season. Forward passes Jorghino, forward passes.
This summer transfer market, could be our most important ever. We have lost ground and we are losing more ground. Haaland to Citeh and Liverpool making moves too. We have to keep up or get caught by those behind us, ManU, Arse and Spurs. Liverpool sign a player - that we should have signed https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61548369
btw - Danny Drinkwater is set to be released by Chelsea this summer as Reading are unlikely to have the cash to keep him next season
Marcos Alonso, 31, will ask to leave Chelsea, with an agreement already in place with Barcelona? Christensen is already on his way there and they are trying to sign Dave as well? Do they need a goalkeeper? I am guessing Kepa shall also be leaving this summer. So we shall be needing a new defence for sure. See Kounde arrival being announced once the new owners are in place. But we will be needing some depth. Wing backs. Centre backs and a goalie. Who is coming out of the youth team? Centre mid. Connor returns and Saul leaves. Barkley has to be gone soon too? Werner? Big rom? I'd replace them.
Just to re-cap: Christensen, Azpilicueta and Alonso will all be joining Barcelona from Chelsea this summer.
Good let them leave. Barca will promise the world and look to sell them next season anyways. New owner is going to have his hands full with not a lot of time to complete anything. Remember, it's a world cup year so players may not be so quick to move if they can't be guaranteed playing time.
Thomas Tuchel is set to have £200m to spend this summer as Todd Boehly's takeover is on the brink of completion. So the media is excited about Chel$ki spending money. . .But that is not a lot of money these days and also WHO is there to buy? Haaland? Messi? i mean if you could buy any player in the world, who would you buy? Newcastle, Man City and Arsenal are all fronted by wealthier consortiums. Bruce Buck has a good relationship with the club's new owners and could be asked to stay. But Marina Granovskaia will most likely be leaving.