Chelsea Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2013/14

Andersonisgod

Ye, very much looking forward to seeing the team play against competitive opposition and with a full compliment of players available.

GavRedKing

I reckon the satrting XI will be a good indicator as to what will start the season.

peteeeed

hilario has re-signed with the club

http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3333802/title/new-deal-for-hilario

grumpymunster

peteeeed wrote: »

hilario has resigned with the club

http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3333802/title/new-deal-for-hilario

Ha ha misread that though he had resigned which I though was overdue.

I hope he is just cover for Blackman if he is away with the U21's or such like

peteeeed

grumpymunster wrote: »

Ha ha misread that though he had resigned which I though was overdue.

I hope he is just cover for Blackman if he is away with the U21's or such like

haha quick edit in order

grumpymunster

Interesting tweet from Football Planet which I hadn't thought of Mata, Hazard and Oscar cost Chelsea ST£80.5m.

And Bale will cost RM ST£100m ish

Go figure

peteeeed

Kenneth Omeruo granted a work permit

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/home/128685-omeruo-gets-work-permit

GavRedKing

grumpymunster wrote: »

Interesting tweet from Football Planet which I hadn't thought of Mata, Hazard and Oscar cost Chelsea ST£80.5m.

And Bale will cost RM ST£100m ish

Go figure

It just goes to show how mad football transfers can get.

Although Levy & Spurs dont want to sell and Bale has I think 4 years left on his contract so anything Real offered would have to have been stupid money.

Hes over valued by about 40-50 million I reckon but again its all down to what a club is willing to pay to get him.

My main gripe is hes not 20 million more then Ronaldo when he left Utd, it must surely put Ronaldos and Messis transfer worth well in excess of 200 million if Bale goes for 100 Million.

GavRedKing

Jose saying from America that the 6 coming back from Confed cup action will play less then 45 mins with the rest of the squad who went to Asia getting at least 45 mins.

Hes spilt them into 2 groups and the 6 that were in Brazil are mainly doing fitness work combined with a few drills.

GavRedKing

peteeeed wrote: »

Kenneth Omeruo granted a work permit

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/home/128685-omeruo-gets-work-permit

Dya know what I love about the work permit, here you have a guy whos capped at international level for his country and clearly a very good professional footballer but they still have to make a case for a work permit when hes probably going to be on at least 5k - 10k a week and adding to the economy.

Its not like hes going to be leeching off the goverment for the social for the next few years.

I'm not sure of Britains immigration laws and work permits for Non-Eu members but surely a talented football should be exempt, e.g. Wallace.

Killinator

GavRedKing wrote: »

This one, 92-93,

My first aswell, still have it along with all the others,

Except for the blue and gold umbro centenary shirt(the season we won our 2nd title with TSHO), twas stolen outta my car(along with the black and silver away) while I was playing a football match!

GavRedKing

This is my last away kit I'm sure, although I do like this seasons away jersey.

Corvo

Gav, I seen your comment in the Arsenal thread where you mentioned that Rooney (if he joined) would stifle Lukaku's development, but could they not play together in Mourinho's preferred 4-2-3-1?


____________Lukaku_____________

Hazard______Rooney__________Mata

Killinator

Corvo wrote: »

Gav, I seen your comment in the Arsenal thread where you mentioned that Rooney (if he joined) would stifle Lukaku's development, but could they not play together in Mourinho's preferred 4-2-3-1?


____________Lukaku_____________

Hazard______Rooney__________Mata

Would that not put Rooney in the same scenario as Utd,
I thought the whole issue was him wanting to be the main striker, not playing a supporting role.

Corvo

Killinator wrote: »

Would that not put Rooney in the same scenario as Utd,
I thought the whole issue was him wanting to be the main striker, not playing a supporting role.

I think Rooney was happy enough when playing there, he gets plenty involved as a main striker in that position, especially due to Van Persie often dropping deep to link also. They were pretty devastating together when played like that. They swapped around often which created more space for everyone and Rooney then had his chances.

Plus, Rooney has always played that number 10 role no matter who he was paired with so I dont think he has a problem with it. I also think Mourinho would be able to bring him round.

He only played as a number 9 once for United really on a consistent basis and that was in 09/10. Mind you he was devastating.

I think the problems stemmed from being an early substitute and playing in center midfield.

Johner

What times the match on tonight?

duploelabs

GavRedKing wrote: »

Its not hate, its just I'd take Torres over Ba as a footballer any day of the week, his contribution to the team when not scoring is still very good.

It wont matter a bo**ocks either way come August 18th as Lukaku will start ahead of both for the first few games anyway and if he can score goals then both will struggle to get game time ahead of the Belgian and if Rooney is bought then one of them will be sold off.

Ok can anyone dig out a state showing how many goals we've scored as a team with Ba vs Torres playing and put this to bed?

Gonzovision

Johner wrote: »

What times the match on tonight?

1 am I think....will try my best to stay up for it....

Johner

Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (c), Cole; Ramires, Van Ginkel; Hazard, Oscar, Moses; Lukaku.

Johner

Subs: Schwarzer, Bertrand, Azpilicueta, D Luiz, Essien, Mikel, Mata, Torres, Ba.

Gonzovision

Do my best for the first half, will be tough g I ingredients after that. Hasn't Jose now started Lukaku in all but one of the games so far? Hope he can continue his scoring record tonight.

wonski

Will be nice to see Lukaku and Van Ginkel in action. Inter "should be" easy to beat. And this comes from guy drinking coffe from Inter mug...

Gonzovision

Great play by Moses, lovely finish by Oscar.

Andersonisgod

Oscar making a play to be starting number 10.

Andersonisgod

Good first half performance, Inter looking a bit short on ideas. Oscar, Hazard and Moses all very bright, Ramires and Van Ginkel competing and doing well in midfield with the back four solid. Lukaku hasn't had much in the way of chances but he's run selflessly. 2-0, can't complain.

Duck Soup

Oscar and Van Ginkel looked good, the Milan sending-off effectively killed the game as a spectacle in the second half. What match is up next?

RichT

We seem to have snuck in a new signing......

Stipe Perica a 6ft 3in Croatian under-21 international signed from NK Zadar.

Apparently Man City were sniffing round him.

GavRedKing

Corvo wrote: »

Gav, I seen your comment in the Arsenal thread where you mentioned that Rooney (if he joined) would stifle Lukaku's development, but could they not play together in Mourinho's preferred 4-2-3-1?


____________Lukaku_____________

Hazard______Rooney__________Mata

I dont think hes wasted there but his best position is still up top, you can re-jig the 3 behind Rooney any which way you like and I reckon he'd get 20 in the league at least and probably hit 30 or more for the season if he played exclusively up top.

I'd also rather Oscar, Hazard or Mata in the number 10 position, no offence to Rooney hes a fantastic footballer but its a more natural position for those players.

I'd play him through the middle anyway and watch him flourish.

grumpymunster

Strange reports on the radio this morning of Ronaldo going back to ManU (which would be an absolutely fantastic signing for them). I would imagine to fund it Rooney would be sold there might be more legs in this yet.

GavRedKing

That was from The Star and Newstalk, I'd wait until something more concrete pops up.

Think the story goes to get Bale they must sell Ronaldo, which would probably mean Utd would have to sell Rooney.

TBH I cant see Real wanting to sell CR7, hes twice the player Bale is so selling the 2nd best player in the world to bring in a guy who isnt up to his standard makes no sense, unless Real go full retard and you never go full retard.

grumpymunster

That was some goal by Oscar last night, not just the finish but the whole passage of play the steal by Van Ginkel, the break by Moses and the support by Lukaku bodes well for the future.

Is there anything to be read into Ba replacing Lukaku and Nando getting just 18 minutes? The match against AC on Sunday might tell a story I guess.

grumpymunster

GavRedKing wrote: »

That was from The Star and Newstalk, I'd wait until something more concrete pops up.

Think the story goes to get Bale they must sell Ronaldo, which would probably mean Utd would have to sell Rooney.

TBH I cant see Real wanting to sell CR7, hes twice the player Bale is so selling the 2nd best player in the world to bring in a guy who isnt up to his standard makes no sense, unless Real go full retard and you never go full retard.

Absolutely RM would lose out in a big way swapping Ronaldo with Bale effectively but (wild speculation time) if he has let it be known he will not be signing a new contract they might actually have little option. I would say there are a lot of ManU supporters crossing fingers, toes and everything else hoping this happens. Possibly the same as us when we were hoping TSHO would replace the interim one.

GavRedKing

grumpymunster wrote: »

Is there anything to be read into Ba replacing Lukaku and Nando getting just 18 minutes? The match against AC on Sunday might tell a story I guess.

Nah, Jose said the guys at the Confeds were behind in fitness and had to be managed more so then the guys that were in Asia and that they wouldnt be getting the same playing time as those who had a full pre-season.

Makes sense, last thing we need is one of them going down injured in their firstgame.

Although Oscar started so he probably judged Oscar to be ahead of Mata in fitness terms and slotted him into the number 10 role with Schurrle, KSB and Lamps not 100%.

GavRedKing

grumpymunster wrote: »

Absolutely RM would lose out in a big way swapping Ronaldo with Bale effectively but (wild speculation time) if he has let it be known he will not be signing a new contract they might actually have little option. I would say there are a lot of ManU supporters crossing fingers, toes and everything else hoping this happens. Possibly the same as us when we were hoping TSHO would replace the interim one.

He'd be a great assest to Utd and be brilliant to have him back in the EPL, I suppose stranger things have happened in a transfer window.

Sgt Pepper 64

GavRedKing

Check out some fo the pics from this.

Priceless, theres a few of some "tasty" 50-50s between Luiz & Lukaku and Luiz & Ivanovic.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2382348/David-Luiz-trains-lookalike-Chelsea-prepare-Inter-Milan.html

grumpymunster

That doppelganger looks more like Luiz than Luiz (which I know sounds a bit like Charlie Chaplin coming 3rd in a Charlie Chaplin lookalike competition once upon a time) but you have to wonder why does he have a Ramires shirt?

He seems to have brushed Lukaku aside quite well which is no mean feat as Lukaku is a big boy.

GavRedKing

grumpymunster wrote: »

That doppelganger looks more like Luiz than Luiz (which I know sounds a bit like Charlie Chaplin coming 3rd in a Charlie Chaplin lookalike competition once upon a time) but you have to wonder why does he have a Ramires shirt?

He seems to have brushed Lukaku aside quite well which is no mean feat as Lukaku is a big boy.

Luiz does very well on those 50/50's although alot of time he really throws his full weight into and elads with the hip/thighs and brushes people aside, hes led with the elbow too which is very dangerous and hopefully something he can cut out.

That one with Ivanovic looks like nobody is backing out, it wont end well.

Hopefully that kind of attitude will rub off on Jose and he sees what Luiz can bring to the team i just cant see him being sold anyway no matter offer comes in.

Bertser

Anyone else catch the game last night? Thoughts? I was very impressed by Moses and Van Ginkel, the amount of energy we'd have if we played Ramires and Van Ginkel at CM would be dangerous. Campagnaro's tackle on Terry was sick, in a preseason game it's disgraceful.

peteeeed

Bertser wrote: »

Anyone else catch the game last night? Thoughts? I was very impressed by Moses and Van Ginkel, the amount of energy we'd have if we played Ramires and Van Ginkel at CM would be dangerous. Campagnaro's tackle on Terry was sick, in a preseason game it's disgraceful.

i havent seen the game but saw the tackle on joe.ie the amount of idiots on that site saying they hoped terry got his leg broken, typical brave men typing on their little keyboards . i have it taped so will watch it after work

GavRedKing

It really was a wreckless tackle, main thing was there was no damage done so we can just move along.

AC Milan or Valencia next up.

Andersonisgod

GavRedKing wrote: »

It really was a wreckless tackle, main thing was there was no damage done so we can just move along.

AC Milan or Valencia next up.

It's Milan up next. They've already played, and beaten, Valencia at the Mestalla.

GavRedKing

Andersonisgod wrote: »

It's Milan up next. They've already played, and beaten, Valencia at the Mestalla.

So they [play their game in Spain and ours is in America?

Thought it was somesort of mickey mouse tournament and it was all in America?

Ah well I guess.

Sgt Pepper 64

Jax Teller

GavRedKing wrote: »

So they [play their game in Spain and ours is in America?

Thought it was somesort of mickey mouse tournament and it was all in America?

Ah well I guess.

Milan were playing in the Audi cup a few days later so it made no sense for them to travel all the way to USA for one game then back to Germany .

I see Thorgan Hazard has been made captain of Zulte Waregem , loads of players unhappy about that .

McDave

So, four weeks to go before the transfer window closes.

Into the squad: De Bruyne, Essien, Lukaku, Schurrle, Schwarzer, Van Ginkel.

*Rumoured* exits over the last month: Ivanovich, Luiz, Mata, Mikel, Torres.

*Rumoured* acquisitions: Cavani?, De Rossi, Falcao?, Khedira, Rooney.

Can we draw any conclusions at this stage?

First of all, I think we can assume Mourinho had a good idea what he wanted to do over the summer. He would have had a short-list of targets to buy, and of CFC players he needed to deal with. I think it's noteworthy that he came out very early in support of Ramires, but stayed silent for some time on Luiz, Mata and Torres. There were rumours that Jose had misgivings about some of the Spanish contingent and fears of importing discontent from Real Madrid, and I think he may have been sending out an early message that there will be no player power in CFC Mk2. Even for obvious stars, and fan favourites, like Mata.

Jose was very offhand about Luiz, and my guess is that he's putting it up to Sideshow to fit in to the scheme or ship out. He was also very unenthused about Torres. The Rooney rumour was one of the first out of the blocks, even as the focus was on Falcao and then Cavani. I still think Jose wants Rooney, but not at any price, and the "waiting for the Old Trafford fan reaction" ploy is an attempt to beat the fee down. Even if Rooney doesn't go through, Mourinho will still get a decent season out of Torres, and bring Lukaku along nicely.

The Khedira rumour seems to me to suggest that De Rossi is dead in the water, but that we still need new blood in that role. Lampard may be deployed there, but not for a whole premiership campaign.

As for the three acquisitions, they have all been fairly much on the QT, or in Schurrle's case, relatively smooth and unobtrusive. Even though Mourinho claims Rooney is the only transfer he needs, I think there will be one or two more before the window closes, and possibly quite smooth as well.

My guess is that Mourinho is broadly happy with the squad. Ideally he wants to shore up the defensive midfield, in order to protect a defence he doesn't intend to overhaul this season. And, for the right price, bring in a good striker to allow him to move on either Torres, or more likely, Ba. But if he can't recruit in either role, he'll make do with what he has for the upcoming season, and make more root and branch changes the following campaign.

McDave

Mourinho ready to stick with Torres?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/10219668/Chelsea-manager-Jose-Mourinho-says-Spain-striker-Fernando-Torres-has-a-future-at-Stamford-Bridge.html

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/8852374/jose-mourinho-indicates-chelsea-will-play-to-the-strengths-of-fernando-torres-this-season

Pressure on Man U and Rooney?

kleefarr

There is no way Mata is going anywhere. Crazy of people to think that we would get rid of Mata.

Johner

Mata will be offered a new contract.

Sgt Pepper 64

McDave wrote: »

So, four weeks to go before the transfer window closes.

Into the squad: De Bruyne, Essien, Lukaku, Schurrle, Schwarzer, Van Ginkel.

*Rumoured* exits over the last month: Ivanovich, Luiz, Mata, Mikel, Torres.

*Rumoured* acquisitions: Cavani?, De Rossi, Falcao?, Khedira, Rooney.

Can we draw any conclusions at this stage?

First of all, I think we can assume Mourinho had a good idea what he wanted to do over the summer. He would have had a short-list of targets to buy, and of CFC players he needed to deal with. I think it's noteworthy that he came out very early in support of Ramires, but stayed silent for some time on Luiz, Mata and Torres. There were rumours that Jose had misgivings about some of the Spanish contingent and fears of importing discontent from Real Madrid, and I think he may have been sending out an early message that there will be no player power in CFC Mk2. Even for obvious stars, and fan favourites, like Mata.

Jose was very offhand about Luiz, and my guess is that he's putting it up to Sideshow to fit in to the scheme or ship out. He was also very unenthused about Torres. The Rooney rumour was one of the first out of the blocks, even as the focus was on Falcao and then Cavani. I still think Jose wants Rooney, but not at any price, and the "waiting for the Old Trafford fan reaction" ploy is an attempt to beat the fee down. Even if Rooney doesn't go through, Mourinho will still get a decent season out of Torres, and bring Lukaku along nicely.

The Khedira rumour seems to me to suggest that De Rossi is dead in the water, but that we still need new blood in that role. Lampard may be deployed there, but not for a whole premiership campaign.

As for the three acquisitions, they have all been fairly much on the QT, or in Schurrle's case, relatively smooth and unobtrusive. Even though Mourinho claims Rooney is the only transfer he needs, I think there will be one or two more before the window closes, and possibly quite smooth as well.

My guess is that Mourinho is broadly happy with the squad. Ideally he wants to shore up the defensive midfield, in order to protect a defence he doesn't intend to overhaul this season. And, for the right price, bring in a good striker to allow him to move on either Torres, or more likely, Ba. But if he can't recruit in either role, he'll make do with what he has for the upcoming season, and make more root and branch changes the following campaign.

If quality comes up in attack, DM and a young defender, we will buy, other wise a striker is the main target if one good enough is available for the right price