Center back is a slight concern only because I think we have too many left-footed center backs that aren't versatile enough to play on the right in a crisis. We've seen Tosin and Colwill play right center back and both looked completely uncomfortable having to defend on their right side. And if we sell Disasi and Chalobah, that leaves us with Fofana as our only right-sided CB, which I think is a problem.
I think we probably need to dispatch with one winger, particularly if we bring in Felix (which I think is a perfectly fine transfer for various reasons), because we have Estevao Willian coming in next season and possibly a Gabriel Mec.
We do need a striker in the door, whether that's Osimhen or Toney.
I would also say right back could be an issue if James' hamstring problems continue, but I think as long as you can retain Acheampong, I think you actually have a decent base there since I think Gilchrist's long-term future is as an Ivanovic-style right back and not a center back.
Given what we know of the current activity, I do think it makes sense for Chelsea to essentially complete the 3 rumored "swap" deals:
- Gallagher for Felix
- Lukaku and Casadei for Osimhen
- Chukwuemeka and Chalobah for Guehi
It would be great to have a better goalie as well, but that isn't going to happen given the current situation. After pulling in Felix, Osimhen, and Guehi. My final 25 would be:
LW - Neto, Felix
S - Osimhen, Jackson, Guiu
RW - Palmer, Madueke
LM - Nkunku, KDH
RM - Enzo, Ugochuckwu
CDM - Caicedo, Lavia
LB - Cucu, Veiga
LCB - Colwill, Badiashille
RCB - Guehi, Fofana, Tosin
RB - James, Gusto
G - Sanchez, Jorgensen, Betts
And then Acheampong, Kellyman and Tyrique George stay with the dev squad and get called up to the 1st team periodically
Of course this would also mean getting the following players (in addition to the ones involved in the swap deals) out on loan or selling them:
It seems like the hardest out of these will probably be Sterling given his current contract. It would be painful, but if they can't move Sterling, they perhaps will have to sell Madueke to Newcastle.
I really hope they are able to find Mudryk a good loan. He needs game time and I doubt he will get as much as he needs with Chelsea this upcoming season.
I know that we need a sensible sized squad, but quite a few of your list will be classed as U21, and won't take squad places.
I agree on both your incomings and outgoings. I would rather not see Carney leave, and I still have some form of hope for Mudryk to become a good/great player, but never threatening world class.
I will be very upset to see Chilly leave. I love everything about him, but I cannot see him fitting in the proposed tactics. I'd love him to stay as a backup but not sure if he is happy with that.
Firstly the squad is far too big even though there are rumours we may get a transfer ban. A period of consolidation might be really beneficial. Successful teams don’t keep changing their personnel. It’s just a few days until the start of the new season and we are no clearer as to who the best eleven is. We certainly need a striker but a serious issue for me is we are lacking leaders on the pitch.
I think we all agree and know the squad is too big and needs to be trimmed down. We know the obvious names to be sold, so simply get the deals done.
For additions, Any additions need to be met with an outgoing or two from the same position. The one true need remaining is Striker. Would love to see Osimhen, a guy that can score out of nowhere and steal 3 points in a January away game against a lower/ mid-table side when you are having trouble creating. I am also in on brining Felix back, and would move on from any 2 of Sterling, Mudryk, and Noni. I loved the Neto signing and have always been a big fan.
Finally, if possible, move out Disasi, Benoit, Chalobah and get Murillo now. If a ban is coming go and get the guy you want now, because he may not be there when you can buy players again.
Good subject to write an article on Luke forcing people to consider their position.
1st of all I'd like to see an end to buying players for the sake of it so perhaps a transfer ban would do that.
That being the case Felix is superflous to squad needs.
Ghueli yep works for me and Disasi out the door works twice whats not to like I have maintained for some months that Disasi doesnt work in a Chelsea shirt.
I also maintained that despite Silva's age last year he was still the best CB we had and its fairly obvious people are realising just how good he was.
So the question of goals conceding is not necessarily down to the managers coaching but a big factor might be buying players that look good on paper but putting them on the pitch together when they just dont Gell costs goals conceded.
Osimhen i think they have to do it and give the fans what they want funded by sales, and salary reductions whilst not buying players for the sake of it.
Winger wise Madueke one final season to see if he develops the final ball which looked like was happening in preseason. Keep Carney & Lesley and shuflle across the front line as needed with the main striker up front being Osimhen, Jackson moves out left meaning Murdryk and Sterling are surplus to our needs & Guiu is our back up striker for his holdup play and general work levels but we must make sure he gets minutes to aid his development.
On the right of defense you have James it will become apparent early in the season whether we've seen peak James i.e. have the injuries affected his levels overall?
In the event that the answer is yes. if James isnt recovering his best form, Gusto plays but if James does recover to his best and i still have doubts about his maturity, 2 sendings off last season for the same offense kicking out at a player after a touchline boundling over, then Gusto is the obvious candidate to share minutes with Madueke, up the right side.
Left side and this is difficult and i think in several instances the manager appears not to have a plan B by not considering or taking a look at what certain players bring if they are all we have available. Im obviously talking about Chilwell. In my opinion Chilwell is past his ebst but would love to be proved wrong all the injuries have taken their toll.
In the circumstance that no experienced CB is bought to stiffen up the defense we need to get over ourselves and bring Chalobah back into the fold as he is the rock the defense needs.
Given Cucerella's part in the euro win and his gradual improvement under Poch he starts for me on the left. The back up is either Chilwell or Renato Veigo but were Chilwell to have to start on the left against Man City what would the result be, given he appears to have been frozen out in preseason.
Either way we have some injury prone players and I would move them on sooner rather than later regardless of their status in the squad.
Playing players out of position when the majority of the squad are fit is a no no, unlike when we are down to bare bones. So no Colwill at left back he needs to focus on one position and make it his and thats just one example.
Captain for me remains a central defender or midfielder we need that voice and drive where all the Team on the day can be encouraged by being close to the captain.
For me in Goal its not Sanchez its Petrovic with Jergenson as back up and frankly this is another position where there is no back up plan with players being discounted with no reasonable reason why.
I liked what i saw in the final preseason match and I think if the new manager develops a pair and tells the SD's the reality of football at 1 st team level he could succeed but thus fair it feels as though they have told him to ignore certain players and he has gone along with it.
Definitely too crowded in the wing department so I wouldn’t mind offloading Madueke and Sterling simply for minutes sake and capitalizing on Noni’s value. Disasi ought to go, as do the three training with the youth team rn. Would definitely like to see Kepa go, Petrovic as well if he doesn’t really have a role. The squad is just way too bloated right now. Broja and DDF are probably headed out the door as well
In terms of loans: Matos, Kellyman, Moreria, Angelo, Anjorin, and Casadei (if not packaged for Oshimen probably need loans to get playing time.
Let’s see if that can replicate that window from last year where they offloaded so many players so quickly.
In terms of incomings: Osimhen/Felix are the only two that interest me but I don’t see much room for Joao in the squad. Osimhen would be nice but only for the right price. I’d rather keep Nico as the starting 9 then pay through the roof for Osimhen
I think the main thing that concerns me personally (especially if we were hit with a transfer ban) is our Defense. While there have been some slight improvements in the back end of pre season, we desperately need a more solid Defense. Losing Silva and not replacing him in some way (as in an older, experienced defender coming in) is mental to me. And if we can’t sign anyone for a while, I’m certainly not confident with our options - particularly the fitness of each defender. We are just a couple of injuries away from being really vulnerable.
Other than that, I think Osimhen is a must and I’d really like to see Felix back in a Chelsea shirt. It probably won’t be a quiet end to the window, that’s for sure!
I'm overall pleased but this is BECAUSE AND IF we AT LEAST get Osimhen deal done as imo it looks to be headed in the right direction...now if nothing else big gets done: they get a "D" at best..only Felix gets done: "C-" simply because I feel Nkunku could be best on the LW if given a chance
best case scenario is buy joao, buy osimhen, sell madueke
Hi, Luke. The best things that Chelsea can do is signing Victor Osimhen, João Felix and Marc Guehi (if Badiashile/Disasi) are sold.
Osimhen - in
Felix in to enable Conor to go (if he must)
Mudryk on loan
Chalobah sale
Chilly - very reluctant sale
Should have added - Broja sale and Disasi sale if he wants to go
Center back is a slight concern only because I think we have too many left-footed center backs that aren't versatile enough to play on the right in a crisis. We've seen Tosin and Colwill play right center back and both looked completely uncomfortable having to defend on their right side. And if we sell Disasi and Chalobah, that leaves us with Fofana as our only right-sided CB, which I think is a problem.
I think we probably need to dispatch with one winger, particularly if we bring in Felix (which I think is a perfectly fine transfer for various reasons), because we have Estevao Willian coming in next season and possibly a Gabriel Mec.
We do need a striker in the door, whether that's Osimhen or Toney.
I would also say right back could be an issue if James' hamstring problems continue, but I think as long as you can retain Acheampong, I think you actually have a decent base there since I think Gilchrist's long-term future is as an Ivanovic-style right back and not a center back.
Given what we know of the current activity, I do think it makes sense for Chelsea to essentially complete the 3 rumored "swap" deals:
- Gallagher for Felix
- Lukaku and Casadei for Osimhen
- Chukwuemeka and Chalobah for Guehi
It would be great to have a better goalie as well, but that isn't going to happen given the current situation. After pulling in Felix, Osimhen, and Guehi. My final 25 would be:
LW - Neto, Felix
S - Osimhen, Jackson, Guiu
RW - Palmer, Madueke
LM - Nkunku, KDH
RM - Enzo, Ugochuckwu
CDM - Caicedo, Lavia
LB - Cucu, Veiga
LCB - Colwill, Badiashille
RCB - Guehi, Fofana, Tosin
RB - James, Gusto
G - Sanchez, Jorgensen, Betts
And then Acheampong, Kellyman and Tyrique George stay with the dev squad and get called up to the 1st team periodically
Of course this would also mean getting the following players (in addition to the ones involved in the swap deals) out on loan or selling them:
F - Sterling, Mudryk, Washington, Angelo, Broja, DD Fofana, Anjorin, Vale
D - Disasi, Chilwell, Humpreys
G - Petrovic, Bergstrom, Kepa
It seems like the hardest out of these will probably be Sterling given his current contract. It would be painful, but if they can't move Sterling, they perhaps will have to sell Madueke to Newcastle.
I really hope they are able to find Mudryk a good loan. He needs game time and I doubt he will get as much as he needs with Chelsea this upcoming season.
I would pay a portion of Sterling’s salary to get rid of him.
I know that we need a sensible sized squad, but quite a few of your list will be classed as U21, and won't take squad places.
I agree on both your incomings and outgoings. I would rather not see Carney leave, and I still have some form of hope for Mudryk to become a good/great player, but never threatening world class.
I will be very upset to see Chilly leave. I love everything about him, but I cannot see him fitting in the proposed tactics. I'd love him to stay as a backup but not sure if he is happy with that.
Firstly the squad is far too big even though there are rumours we may get a transfer ban. A period of consolidation might be really beneficial. Successful teams don’t keep changing their personnel. It’s just a few days until the start of the new season and we are no clearer as to who the best eleven is. We certainly need a striker but a serious issue for me is we are lacking leaders on the pitch.
I think we all agree and know the squad is too big and needs to be trimmed down. We know the obvious names to be sold, so simply get the deals done.
For additions, Any additions need to be met with an outgoing or two from the same position. The one true need remaining is Striker. Would love to see Osimhen, a guy that can score out of nowhere and steal 3 points in a January away game against a lower/ mid-table side when you are having trouble creating. I am also in on brining Felix back, and would move on from any 2 of Sterling, Mudryk, and Noni. I loved the Neto signing and have always been a big fan.
Finally, if possible, move out Disasi, Benoit, Chalobah and get Murillo now. If a ban is coming go and get the guy you want now, because he may not be there when you can buy players again.
Good subject to write an article on Luke forcing people to consider their position.
1st of all I'd like to see an end to buying players for the sake of it so perhaps a transfer ban would do that.
That being the case Felix is superflous to squad needs.
Ghueli yep works for me and Disasi out the door works twice whats not to like I have maintained for some months that Disasi doesnt work in a Chelsea shirt.
I also maintained that despite Silva's age last year he was still the best CB we had and its fairly obvious people are realising just how good he was.
So the question of goals conceding is not necessarily down to the managers coaching but a big factor might be buying players that look good on paper but putting them on the pitch together when they just dont Gell costs goals conceded.
Osimhen i think they have to do it and give the fans what they want funded by sales, and salary reductions whilst not buying players for the sake of it.
Winger wise Madueke one final season to see if he develops the final ball which looked like was happening in preseason. Keep Carney & Lesley and shuflle across the front line as needed with the main striker up front being Osimhen, Jackson moves out left meaning Murdryk and Sterling are surplus to our needs & Guiu is our back up striker for his holdup play and general work levels but we must make sure he gets minutes to aid his development.
On the right of defense you have James it will become apparent early in the season whether we've seen peak James i.e. have the injuries affected his levels overall?
In the event that the answer is yes. if James isnt recovering his best form, Gusto plays but if James does recover to his best and i still have doubts about his maturity, 2 sendings off last season for the same offense kicking out at a player after a touchline boundling over, then Gusto is the obvious candidate to share minutes with Madueke, up the right side.
Left side and this is difficult and i think in several instances the manager appears not to have a plan B by not considering or taking a look at what certain players bring if they are all we have available. Im obviously talking about Chilwell. In my opinion Chilwell is past his ebst but would love to be proved wrong all the injuries have taken their toll.
In the circumstance that no experienced CB is bought to stiffen up the defense we need to get over ourselves and bring Chalobah back into the fold as he is the rock the defense needs.
Given Cucerella's part in the euro win and his gradual improvement under Poch he starts for me on the left. The back up is either Chilwell or Renato Veigo but were Chilwell to have to start on the left against Man City what would the result be, given he appears to have been frozen out in preseason.
Either way we have some injury prone players and I would move them on sooner rather than later regardless of their status in the squad.
Playing players out of position when the majority of the squad are fit is a no no, unlike when we are down to bare bones. So no Colwill at left back he needs to focus on one position and make it his and thats just one example.
Captain for me remains a central defender or midfielder we need that voice and drive where all the Team on the day can be encouraged by being close to the captain.
For me in Goal its not Sanchez its Petrovic with Jergenson as back up and frankly this is another position where there is no back up plan with players being discounted with no reasonable reason why.
I liked what i saw in the final preseason match and I think if the new manager develops a pair and tells the SD's the reality of football at 1 st team level he could succeed but thus fair it feels as though they have told him to ignore certain players and he has gone along with it.
The two biggies for me—what the team needs most—are a 20+ goal striker and a top goalie.
Definitely too crowded in the wing department so I wouldn’t mind offloading Madueke and Sterling simply for minutes sake and capitalizing on Noni’s value. Disasi ought to go, as do the three training with the youth team rn. Would definitely like to see Kepa go, Petrovic as well if he doesn’t really have a role. The squad is just way too bloated right now. Broja and DDF are probably headed out the door as well
In terms of loans: Matos, Kellyman, Moreria, Angelo, Anjorin, and Casadei (if not packaged for Oshimen probably need loans to get playing time.
Let’s see if that can replicate that window from last year where they offloaded so many players so quickly.
In terms of incomings: Osimhen/Felix are the only two that interest me but I don’t see much room for Joao in the squad. Osimhen would be nice but only for the right price. I’d rather keep Nico as the starting 9 then pay through the roof for Osimhen
I think the main thing that concerns me personally (especially if we were hit with a transfer ban) is our Defense. While there have been some slight improvements in the back end of pre season, we desperately need a more solid Defense. Losing Silva and not replacing him in some way (as in an older, experienced defender coming in) is mental to me. And if we can’t sign anyone for a while, I’m certainly not confident with our options - particularly the fitness of each defender. We are just a couple of injuries away from being really vulnerable.
Other than that, I think Osimhen is a must and I’d really like to see Felix back in a Chelsea shirt. It probably won’t be a quiet end to the window, that’s for sure!
I'm overall pleased but this is BECAUSE AND IF we AT LEAST get Osimhen deal done as imo it looks to be headed in the right direction...now if nothing else big gets done: they get a "D" at best..only Felix gets done: "C-" simply because I feel Nkunku could be best on the LW if given a chance
I personally think Nkunku is best centrally behind a No9, but see what you mean