Chelsea F.C. Thread IX

That's fair but then the problem is you're massively overestimating Pogba to fill that role imo. The guy will give you a wonder game once every 5 games but he'll ghost the rest. We can hope it's just United's system holding him back since that team turns anyone to ****.

Yeah with Christensen and Rudi most likely leaving, an ageing Silva and Azpi with this shambolic form the past few games, we might need 2 new CBs. Alonso's only ability is to score volleys or half volleys with his left at the far post. The guy has no other attributes. It's so easy to see when the team channels the ball to the right and into James. You rarely ever see anything come from the left since Chillwell got injured.

In all seriousness, how likely do you think it is that Arsenal could get 3rd? Chelsea's form atm is really bad.

I think Pogba would be perfect, same way that Fabregas was perfect, we don't need the defensive stability, we need to be able to break these sit back and counter teams down, Pogba doesn't need to start big games, Kante + Kovacic would suffice there but we have an issue against the mid table sides breaking them down. I think we need one creative midfielder for that. Take it this way Lukaku has an excellent game today but we still have issues creating chances and putting teams to bed, we could have scored 5 today but we scored 2. It's not as simple as buy a striker. Our issue is with the final pass, but the final pass is easier if we can transition better vs the park the bus sides.

Also with our defenders going/ageing and us not knowing if the defence can be improved upon with signings, I think we should focus on how we create chances. Today e.g. Rudiger was busy making the Luis style passes but surely that's also a job for our midfielders.

United have a similar problem where they can't attack on the right because Wan Bissaka was playing there. Our fullback situation is awful when you consider that we sold Livramento and Lamptey, as well as loaning Emerson, all for us to be using Alonso, a CM and Sarr there instead.

Another thing is that Lukaku runs the channels and likes the ball into space but we take ages to transition so he's often complaining that the ball wasn't given into him early enough.

Just a reminder that Lukaku was more expensive than Halland

Just a reminder that Lukaku was more expensive than Halland

I know, well I said already I'd rather have havertz for another year and try for Haaland, Broja having a solid season for Southampton and Abraham having a good season for Roma only further solidifies my point.

I hope people don't come up with the nonsense that we are only a striker away, we've had quality strikers but they don't work in the system. We're stuck with Lukaku anyway for now.

A couple of points:

- Haaland had a release clause hence going for that fee otherwise Dortmund would've insisted on over 100mil
- Haaland will only turn 22 this summer and he's played in Norway, Austria and Germany. No doubt he is a talent but still unproven to the premier league (though I expect him to smash it)
- Lukaku was sold at the prime of his career at 28 and had already done it in England and shown he is a consistent goalscorer

I know, well I said already I'd rather have havertz for another year and try for Haaland, Broja having a solid season for Southampton and Abraham having a good season for Roma only further solidifies my point.

I hope people don't come up with the nonsense that we are only a striker away, we've had quality strikers but they don't work in the system. We're stuck with Lukaku anyway for now.

I'd argue his age and the fact that he's one of the most sought after young players would increase his value compared to Lukaku.
Lukaku was proven you're right but he's was only declining in the prem in the last couple of years he was there so I never understand that argument. If we could go back to 2016/17, then sure.

Lukaku starts the final imo.

Also Kalvin Phillips on the cheap if Leeds get relegated is an option.

I don't mind trying Broja alongside Havertz. CBs and LWB should be priority or we'll look like Liverpool without van dijk.

If I had a choice between Lukaku and Haaland, I would refuse Lukaku like the leaving book I was given on the final day of school and grab Haaland.

Haaland and De Bruyne in the same team should be illegal. The hype and anticipation from the footballing world to see Haaland in the Premier League will be next-level, a bit similar to Ronaldo this season.


I think he should come off the bench. No Fabinho means Liverpool will be weaker in midfield, someone like Havertz as a false 9 dropping deep would make life more difficult for Henderson and the centre backs in my opinion.

You might as well sign Philips instead of Rice when Leeds get relegated because he’ll be a lot cheaper, but Man United will want to sign him too.

I’m hoping Liverpool sign Bellingham the season after next 🤞

If Azpilicueta starts in the final, you guys are ****ed. Maybe Tuchel will start James at right centre back, but more likely James at RWB with Chalobah at rcb to combat Diaz’s pace.



Kounde is twerking for you guys. You’d be silly not to buy him.

Well the release clause dictated the transfer fee.

And the lower transfer fee meant Haaland was able to negotiate a bigger wage packet from Man City.

Just was pointing out that set release fee vs. buying a player on the open market is always going to produce different transfer fees.

It's a bit like saying Mbappe will cost nothing this summer and Lukaku cost 100mil more (but we know that Mbappe is available on a free).

Lukaku starts the final imo.

Also Kalvin Phillips on the cheap if Leeds get relegated is an option.

He's been injured for a long time and you can tell he's a lost the form he had since returning to the lineup so I'm not as keen as Utd seem to be. At the same time I wouldn't mind because of the lower cost and we know he's got the ability anyway.

I didn't argue against the release clause shaping his transfer fee. I just provided arguments against the other points you mentioned with Halland's age and Lukaku 'proven' in the league.

Agree but Leeds have been **** this year, partially because he's been injured for a long time.

I guess the other option is wait for Rice to run down his contract and buy him hoping Loftus Cheek steps up as a 6/8 figure for a bit. feel bad for Saul, I feel he definitely could have been used more this season, that december period where we had injuries he could have filled in. How can you be a top player for a side like Atlético and be unused so much for us.