So Lampard suggested we would now be looking to trim the size of the squad before the window closes. Who do you think we will try to get rid of?
One of the obvious positions is undoubtedly centre back. We currently have 5 of them, so one is bound to go. Outside of Silva I’d say that Zouma is our current first choice - not something I thought I’d be writing even a few months ago. But any of the others could go. Right now it looks like Rudiger is favourite - who I thought was going to be our best centre back when he arrived. But it’s possible that Tomori could go out on loan?
Left back - it looks like Emerson is the man to make way, assuming we can find a buyer.
Centre midfield - I’m not sure anyone will leave, unless we follow through on our Declan Rice interest (which I personally hope we don’t). We only have Jorginho, Kovacic, Kante and the injured Gilmour. So I don’t think we’d let one go without another coming in. I do think we still need to strengthen in this area, but it just shows how bad Bakayoko is, if Lampard is no longer even considering him.
Wingers - even though there are rumours about CHO wanting showdown talks with Lampard and BM renewing their interest, I don’t think we will sell him. We have Ziyech and Pulisic as out and out wingers, plus Mount, and even Havertz, RLC and Werner at a pinch, so I suppose we do have cover. But with him signing a new contract recently, we would demand a high price (if we are prepared to sell at all), and BM are notoriously cheap so I can’t see that happening.
In the middle I suppose Barkley is in a precarious position - behind both Mount and Havertz (and arguably RLC) in the pecking order. It’s possible we could sell him?
Obviously with Mendy arriving we could sell Kepa - but he doesn’t want to leave, and more importantly, nobody wants to buy him for anything close to what we paid (understandably). So I think we are stuck with him - possibly for another 5 years!
And I don’t think we’ll get rid of a striker now that Batshuayi has gone.
All in all, I think we will sell:
Rudiger
Emerson
Possibly Barkley
What do you think?
Trimming the squad
posted on 23/9/20
In this window Emerson, Barkley (feels like a deadline day thing), and maybe CHO on loan though I think that'll be a mistake - he needs the loan, BADLY, but we need the natural width as an option.
Looking 12 months down the line - Kepa, Alonso, Rudiger, maybe RLC (depends how this season goes), Giroud, the loan stragglers like Bakayoko, Bats, etc... and regretfully Jorginho.
posted on 23/9/20
West Ham will wait for the last minute and try and get Barkley. So pleased they didn't get Bats the hardball they played. I still have a problem loaning players. Need to sell Emerson Zappa Baka ideally as they don't fit in here. Clear the decks and start again.
posted on 23/9/20
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 24/9/20
'Who do you think we will try to get rid of?'
Ideally Alonso, Rudiger and Barkley.
Maybe Jorginho is there is no place for him here.
Tomori is going nowhere this window, January might if he finds himself still behind in the pecking order without much playing time.
As for the first-choice pairing at present, chances are that It will be Silva and the ever present Frank number one choice at right CB Christensen
If yesterdays match is anything to go by then Zouma is competing with Silva for the left CB spot.
Bakayoko is seemingly on his way to PSG, because for some reason their sporting director Leonardo is big admirer.
Would be nice If Marina could force them into buying him outright but doubtful.
Callum is 100% staying and rightly so (player has desire to stay & work under Frank obviously), much too talented and Frank knows that as well and rates him (has big plans for him).
Our generational talent, belongs at the top.
This is the sort of challenges and competition that Callum can/will thrive in, I'm going to enjoy his progression at Chelsea this season.
Didn't get fast-tracked into Chelsea first-team squad, England senior team and highly sought-after by the best team in Europe for no reason...It's because he has tremendous ability and mental fortitude.
Of course, If you are a brainless irrational sheep or Sarridolt that has only ever sought to vilify Callum (based on useless inane reasons) and revel in moments of difficulty...you'll be wanting him to be loaned.
And no his current situation is NEVER EVER comparable to when Sarri screwed him over...He had Callum at his physical peak condition being one of the best performers in pre-season, in training without any injuries or niggles and prioritised underperforming experienced players, proceeded to leave him out of PL matchday squads until the tail-end of the season when he reluctantly decided to play him (by force I must add).
The epitome of gross mismanagement.
Frank comments on Callum pre-match weren't any different to the ones leveled at Pulisic before he became consistent starter (Frank's astute man-management turned Pulisic into the player that he is now). It is literally a carbon-copy.
Sensationalised tabloid headline didn't correlate with the message Frank conveyed.
The positives from Frank' messages gets totally disregarded (of course) but that outweighs any negative.
posted on 24/9/20
'Obviously with Mendy arriving we could sell Kepa - but he doesn’t want to leave, and more importantly, nobody wants to buy him for anything close to what we paid (understandably). So I think we are stuck with him - possibly for another 5 years!'
We'll loan out Kepa eventually, If push comes to shove.
'And I don’t think we’ll get rid of a striker now that Batshuayi has gone.'
If Giroud remains behind Werner and Tammy retains his telepathic connection with Havertz, Giroud is off.
Served us well, commend his mentality.
Wants to be in French squad for Euros (provided it goes ahead). Should be granted any move he wants in future.
posted on 24/9/20
Dont we still have Moses and Van Ginkel on the books thats two more possible sales
posted on 24/9/20
Hey mf - I appreciate your thoughts. And I agree that Lampard seems to be pushing CHO in the same way he did with Pulisic before he came into real form. But I can’t say I’m convinced yet that CHO is a “generational talent”. Yes, he is clearly very talented and has great speed, but does not always show good decision making. He’s still very young of course, but I’m not quite as confident as you. I’m also not as convinced as you of his “mental fortitude”. Time will tell I guess, although I hope you are right.
I have to say, I also disagree with you on his treatment under Sarri. At that stage CHO was 17-18, and I believe he made 24 appearances that season, which if anything is pretty high for a 17-18 year old. Hardly “gross mismanagement” or even under-utilization.
I agree about loaning a Kepa - although we still have that £72M fee hanging over him. At some stage we’re going to need to recoup something - Marina is going to need all her negotiating skills for that one.
And while it does seem like Giroud is prepared to go out on loan, I’m not sure he’ll get his wish if nobody comes in for him with a decent offer. I’d be happy for him to stay as backup this season though - good option off the bench.
And Vava - yes, there are still Chelsea owned players out there we need to move on including Moses, van Ginkel, Bakayoko (fingers crossed PSG want him for some reason) - even Baba Rahman is still our player. Plus Drinkwater, who I can’t imagine anyone would want at this stage - is he our worst signing ever? But I was really talking about players currently in the first team squad in my original post.
posted on 24/9/20
Hey mf - I appreciate your thoughts. And I agree that Lampard seems to be pushing CHO in the same way he did with Pulisic before he came into real form. But I can’t say I’m convinced yet that CHO is a “generational talent”. Yes, he is clearly very talented and has great speed, but does not always show good decision making. He’s still very young of course, but I’m not quite as confident as you. I’m also not as convinced as you of his “mental fortitude”. Time will tell I guess, although I hope you are right.
I have to say, I also disagree with you on his treatment under Sarri. At that stage CHO was 17-18, and I believe he made 24 appearances that season, which if anything is pretty high for a 17-18 year old. Hardly “gross mismanagement” or even under-utilization.
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Almost posted something similar before realizing it's utterly pointless & settled on a teasing Sarri comment on another article he posted
posted on 24/9/20
comment by Devil D.A. (U6522)
posted 3 hours, 16 minutes ago
Hey mf - I appreciate your thoughts. And I agree that Lampard seems to be pushing CHO in the same way he did with Pulisic before he came into real form. But I can’t say I’m convinced yet that CHO is a “generational talent”. Yes, he is clearly very talented and has great speed, but does not always show good decision making. He’s still very young of course, but I’m not quite as confident as you. I’m also not as convinced as you of his “mental fortitude”. Time will tell I guess, although I hope you are right.
I have to say, I also disagree with you on his treatment under Sarri. At that stage CHO was 17-18, and I believe he made 24 appearances that season, which if anything is pretty high for a 17-18 year old. Hardly “gross mismanagement” or even under-utilization.
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Almost posted something similar before realizing it's utterly pointless & settled on a teasing Sarri comment on another article he posted
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posted on 25/9/20
Cute