Chelsea Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2023/24

SureYWouldntYa wrote: »

It's tough at centre back because we have 4 guys who you can't really split a hair between, a lot would consider Rudiger the best but I haven't seen anything from him since he came back that would ascert that for me, we had a decent spell with Tomori and Zouma at one stage in the season but other than that it's been a lot of chopping and changing and centre back isn't a place for that imo

The CB we need isn't exactly easy to identify, prospects like Gabriel, Upamecano or Ake would be an expensive risk and I don't think you could definitively say they would be an improvement over what we already have

If we get Havertz then our attack would be a bit like the mid to late 2000s when our centre midfield options were beyond stacked with Lampard, Essien, Ballack, Makelele - not the same quality obviously but serious variety in the options available

Yeah every CB we're linked with feels like they'll leave us with 5 good-ish centre backs

Personally I'd love us to run with Rudiger and Tomori for the rest of the year. I think Zouma is least likely to make the cut, Rudiger for me is the best and Tomori has the most potential by a long way. Christensen is pretty solid and good on the ball but can only be paired with Rudiger I'd say, needs a leader beside him.

Lamps villa presser

- Coy on Chiwell
- Werner excited to join, he is 'huge talent'
- Tomori and CHO out Sunday, RLC fit but not had many matches
- Happy to have big squad and 5 subs, Abraham must know we have competition 'in Abramovich era'
- Unclear if Pedro/Willian sign extensions

TheBoyFromAus wrote: »

I wouldnt want too many signings for next season as i'd be worried about squad harmony and the effect i has on young players as well. Priority would be a left back at this time.

I'd be more worried about not building on a good first season for Frank

Competition for places is good, if you're good enough you'll make it, we've had too many players last few years with a place in the starting XI secured and haven't always delivered, eg Willian, Oscar

SureYWouldntYa wrote: »

Sane to Bayern looking very likely, Pep even saying so in a press conference

They were the only other club heavily linked to Havertz before our links the last couple weeks, I'd like to think it will help our supposed pursuit

Depends if Leverkusen qualify for the Cl

And its liveee!
The boys on Blue are back in action today.
But who will Frankie choose in midfield?
Or which two FBs will he go with?
And who'll be at CB alongside Rudi?

Hes got too many options!

(missed this oul game)

https://twitter.com/chelseafc/status/1274707523501805568?s=21

SureYWouldntYa wrote: »

Disappointed to see Willian and Giroud starting

I'd have imagined Pulisic and Tammy would have a point to prove considering our transfer actions of late

I think I'd start the bench instead

tough-ish win but i'll take it

first substitution was excellent and made on time

christensen and rudiger never looked that safe but overall i was happy with the performance, kept the ball very well , RLC got some mins under his belt after a long time out and did look rusty , pulisic came back and looked like he'd never been out . kante was excellent at the base of the midfield as was mount

kev1.3s wrote: »

Has to make you wonder why youd play kante anywhere else, had grealish well marshalled all day.

Balancing getting Jorginho in I guess, who's not mobile enough to play anywhere else. Kante had a great game there yesterday for sure but it felt like he struggled to control the flow of midfield the way Jorginho can do. I think you've got 4 midfield starters and can pick from them depending on who you're facing.

Kante, Jorginhno, Mount/Kova for the best attacking teams
Jorginho, Mount, Kova for teams where you're not worried about them attacking through the middle
Kante, Mount, Kova for a quicker, more dynamic midfield

For now with the big bench it's great to have 1 starter ready to come on and then Barkley, RLC & Gilmour if needs be too.

RLC will need 10 games or so to see what he got left. Barkley I don't see a role for but at least he seems to have put in a shift over lockdown. Gilmour I think can play in any of the 3 roles. would love to see more of him.

City might be a bit of a problem on Thursday.

Watched some Cobblers instead exciting end and some comeback enjoyable game.

https://twitter.com/nizaarkinsella/status/1275430674997088257?s=21

peteeeed wrote: »

And Pedro now too
https://twitter.com/telefootball/status/1275433370185596928?s=21

Great, very sensible, even if we've given them a chunky payrise for a couple of months to keep them sweet. I assume Pedro is definitely gone after than but it'll be interesting to see what mood Willian is in, whether he's playing for one last extension or if he's counting the last 2 payslips.

hots wrote: »

Great, very sensible, even if we've given them a chunky payrise for a couple of months to keep them sweet. I assume Pedro is definitely gone after than but it'll be interesting to see what mood Willian is in, whether he's playing for one last extension or if he's counting the last 2 payslips.

Willian wants a two or three year contract, club are only willing to offer a single year