Required to Leave: -Kalou (couldn't hit a barn door, useless, lets buy a player with ACTUAL quality) -Drogba (will he keep performing at the same level for 2 more years, unless he is paid on an appearance basis, his wages are too high for the risk involved) -Alex (transfer listed already by consent, too old) -Bosingwa (too inconsistent, need young blood) -Malouda (usurped by Mata) -Anelka (already done) -Mikel (usurped by Romeu) -Essien (when he returns from injury, he has been usurped by Ramires and Meireles) -Ferreira (Not being used, past it) --- The Shopping List: 1 right-winger (Thomas Muller) 1 advanced playmaker (Kaka) 1 right-back 1 central defender (Cahill) --- Continued Development: -McEachran (out on loan, needs regular PL match-time, future star no doubt, use in 12/13, the next Wilshere if only AVB gave him 20 mins a game as a sub) -Lukaku (out on loan, needs regular PL match-time, too many strikers atm, use in 12/13) -Bertrand (ACTUALLY use him for once!) -Van Aarnholt (out on loan, needs regular Championship match-time) --- Review the Purchases: -Courtois (Evaluate at end of season, if Cech is still fit, keep him out on loan, regular experience especially La Liga is far better than warming the subs bench, plenty of time to play for Chelsea in his career) -Ramires (brilliant, athletic, pace, wins penalties, really maturing, excellent buy Carlo) -Romeu (brings the barca swagger to chelsea's midfield, class already, worried though about the clause buyback by Barcelona, good scouting AVB) -Luiz (polarises opinions, loose reckless cannon vs. exciting ball-carryiong defender, will mature and get wiser by the end of the season) -Mata (what a bargain, when you laugh at Jordan Henderson's fee, perfect remedy for creativeness in our midfield, long time since we've had such a player that unlocks defences with sheer skill rather than brute force, since probably Robben) -Meireles (class act, Bargain of the Season, solved that midfield crisis perfectly, lovely vision for passes, and good goal-threat too!) -Torres (scoring more goals than last season , providing assists, focal point of opposition's defence, allowing Mata and Sturridge to flourish, can only recover having been at that all-time low in his drought) --- The Experienced Players who must be retained: - Lampard (Serial threat on opposition goals, should be used as an impact sub, boosts the team when he comes on, real inspiration, still got 2 good years at least left, look at Scholes and Giggs as a yardstick) - Terry (At all costs, he IS the model defender which Luiz and Ivanovic should try and replicate, throwing his body on the line, always committed, brilliant, 3 good years at least left) - Cech (Quality, still a fantastic keeper, why change what's already reliable, 3 good years at least left) --- These are my thoughts on the current situation of our club, I still believe that with the right purchases in Jan and shuffling out of the large ego's (the "ACON" contingent), we can challenge for the PL title and the CL (given a favourable draw, at least to the SFs). This year is one for AVB to mould his vision, and you have to agree that he has made 3 fantastic purchases in Meireles, Romeu and Mata. The future is youthful and bright!
Well thought out article. With so many players naturally you will get differences of opinions, so here's my two bobs worth. Kalou. Still relatively young and attracting interest from Wenger and Milan apparently. Wouldn't mind seeing him play with our "new " midfield. Has always had to play in front of declining midfield of last couple of seasons. Mikel Give him a run at a more attacking role. That's how he plays for his Country, and why we actually bought him. He has been forced through circumstances to become a holder, not seen him play his natural game. I think we need 2 Central defenders. I personally like Luiz, he's young , mad, but very talented. A year in our defence will sort him out. Already looks better under revamped style. Continued Development Spot on. Don't forget the kid ( who I've forgotten !! ) that we had the grief with about poaching from some French mob a couple of years back. Purchases Agree with most of your thoughts. Torres, I would definitely sell for the right price ( unlikely ) or I'd play him and see if he comes good like Sturridge has. Tough call though when we're on the up and needing to stay consistant. He's losing value and confidence warming the bench and is no good to anyone. I don't think you gave enough praise to WHATSIT MATA !!! A total gem. Experienced players Luiz see above Lampard Agree. No longer automatic choice, but a no brainer to keep. Cech Getting a tad erratic, but has stepped up in the last few games to much better form. It may simply be he has more trust now his back 4 are looking more solid. Terry I think he's about 1 year behind Frank in his decline. He's great , but not all the time , and will not be 1st choice for many more seasons. We need to think about a replacement now, not wait until it's too late. Over to someone else .
I agree. Rather harsh on Kalou, and Mikel, as both to be frank are wasted here. Also, Cahill as a defender to buy = No thanks. I have been watching him and I'm glad AVB ruled out making a move for him and implied someone else. Media has hyped him up so far it's unreal. Also Kaka = No as well. Joao Mountiho would be an excellent addition. Sturridge genuinely should start at the Euros. World class that lad. In a different class to Wellbeck. Oh yeah, and with Ivanovic, no need for another right back. Best Premier League one right there.
Kaka has to be a no. As much as you would love to get him on a relatively good deal and hope he hits his peak again, his age and form since going to Madrid have to be against him ever being a top performer again. We need to invest in young emerging talent not more Shevchenkos. Gotze, Hulk, 2-3 of the lads from Napoli etc surely represent better business long term.
Agree on most of these posts. Lampard should definately be kept, we need to get Terrys replacement in soon so JT can mentor him for a season or two before he retires though. One thing I do disagree with is dumping Essien though (as the OP stated), if he is anywhere near his best when he returns from injury he is definately a keeper, no way Ramires would usurp him if he still has his class. When fit and on form Essien would walk into 99% of teams midfields and be an important player. Meireles has surprised me though, I didnt think much of us signing him but he has been the surprise of the season for me. Mata...well...the guy is pure class and is still young too!! An absolute gem of a purchase. With Sturridge coming into his own, we have to hope Kakuta and McEachran do the same and become regular first team players, they certainly have the talent.
My thoughts: Agree with most of the points - Kaka would be an expensive luxury and an occasional "impact" player aginst lame opposition. As for Torres, I would persevere with him, what with Anelka leaving and Drogs likely to follow him in the not too distant future our options up front would be limited. Torres showed a glimmer before his sending off v Swansea of his potential; selling him for a reported price of 20M would be bad business. One last word on the upcoming January Sales - don't expect a trolley load of goodies coming our way, two players tops one of them probably a striker and a defender would be our priorities.
Chelsea Pensioner -Thank you! -Kalou (agree, bit harsh , I would give him for sure until June 2011, to prove his worth in front of a more dynamic pacier midfield, namely Romeu, Sturridge, Ramires, Meireles...the question is can we get good offers for him now?) -Mikel (we have enough attacking/central midfielders as it is, we dont want to further hinder the development of McEachran or Kakuta, the chap you were mentioning btw) -Torres (we should try and get our moneys worth, 5 year contract after all, he will eventually find his confidence, his ability to score goals shouldn't be questioned, every striker when they lose their confidence struggles, that saying "form is temporary, class is permanent" is relevant...plus I think he will MASSIVELY IMPROVE once Drogba, Kalou, Anelka and Malouda are gone in the changing of the old guard) -Mata (Was under the impression all of us knew what a gem he is! Improving with every game, loved how he kept slipping through the Man City defensive set-up, the Robben reference should have given away how highly I regarded his talent) -Cech (I'd expect him to improve and raise his level once Courtois, the young pretender, returns this year or next from his loan spell, trust in your defence is essential for him) -Terry (Agree that he won't always be 1st choice but to have the luxury of a keen and motivated Terry on your bench is surely an attractive option for any manager?)
Varier 2 -Cahill (probably true, would be good for England, was merely a suggestion, but highlights the issue that we need either another RB if Ivanovic plays Centre, or another CB if Ivanovic plays Right...he has got to be half-decent for Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea all to have declared an interest!) -Kaka/Moutinho (the kaka suggestion was as a january solution, he has improved this season at RM, no doubting the ability is still there, the former would be great for the younger players who no doubt idolised him at one stage, to learn from since we don't have anyone of the Ronaldo, Messi playmaker mold at Chelsea. The latter would be a good buy if Modric can't be prised away from Old Ebenizer Levy) -Sturridge (agree, Wellbeck's pace is pedestrian when compared, plus DS has a proven PL record from last season, would love to see Walcott and Sturridge linking up on the right side of England, imagine the pace, the desperation of opposing full backs )
Wouldn't be so sure on the Essien/Ramires issue...Ramires has come on leaps and bounds, has a clear injury record at Chelsea, has the pace (ME certainly does not), is much younger...however no douting Essien's ability, just that he has quite a poor injury record and sometimes it is best to move a player on for the good of the club (new fast, young blood), I think too that Meireles covers Essien's position effectively.
Agree with most of this, one thing i must say though is Ivanovic at right back is 10 times better than the Ivanovic at centre back, he plays his best games at RB in my opinion. Thought highly of Cahill but maybe because he was hyped up too much, after looking at him in recent games he doesn't look as good as i thought he was, Rolando or Godin may be a better buy, can't see Essien getting anywhere near back to his best to be honest and Ramires is absoulete quality at the moment, if we want to change this team then we need to get rid of : Bosingwa,Mikel,Essien,Malouda,Kalou. Don't see the point in getting rid of Ferreria as were not going to get **** all for him and his happy being on the bench and he isn't exactly bad considering he had Bale in his back pocket last season. I'd get rid of Kakuta aswell, in my opinion his **** and is useless for us. We should really in the future be playing a 4-1-2-1-2 in future with Romeu at DM, Ramires and Meireles RM/LM and Mata at AM with Sturridge and Torres up front or Drog n Sturridge up front, in my opinion Matas quality and to make full use of him he should be played at AM not left wing because it's not giving him the space and room to get them killer passes and balls in, he is a absoulete diamond and the goals he'd make from AM would be at least double figures. And with sturridge and torres' pace it would speed our game up so much which is what we need
I agree that Essiens injury record is not good, but I still think that if he can stay fit, he is one of the top midfielders in the world, he has been immense for us in the past. Its only that damn knee that lets him down!
You do wonder where Essien would fit in our midfield now given the likes of Romeu, Ramieres, Mikel, Meirelles all younger and less injury prone (+ Lampard as well). If anyone breaks into our midfield, it would surely have to be a Modric/Fabregas/McEachran type ball playing midfielder not another work horse. Hope I'm wrong but dont have high hopes for Essien getting back to his best on a consistent basis.
Kakuta, thats the one !! I failed to praise Ramires and Meireles as well, both excellent buys. Now if we could get Vidal Sassoon to have a go at Meireles' barnet !! He looks like he lost in the 10th round to Flymo. Terry is also a no brainer, but as someone else said, get in a youngster soon so JT can straighten him out for the future. If nothing else rubs off except his determination and never say die attitude, we're on a winner. And finally Torres. Completely forgot that Drogba will be away for some time in Africa, so it's a moot point really. We have little choice now but to play him . I for one hope he sticks in heaps of goals and shuts all us part time critics up.
I think it's you lot that need to give it a rest mate, we mention him minimally and we don't mention him in a way to provoke you, he is the kind of player we would like (nothing wrong with that) and you lot seem to get too offended when you see his name.
