Does anyone think we'll sign a central midfielder or do you think Ake, Chalobah, Loftus-Cheek, McEachran, Romeu will be given a chance to add to Lampard, Mikel, Luiz and Essien? Think we need 4 for that position in the squad + Essien who can provide cover in other areas too. Thoughts?
IMO McEachran is ready for a run at the first team (he has bided his time long enough!), Jose is good at blooding the youngsters. I would hope that Chalobah and Romeu be loaned out to PL sides as they would thus get both high quality game time, which is going to be hard to come by, especially with Essien, De Bruyne and Lukaku returning. Likewise Ake to Championship club. Likewise, I would send Courtois over to Everton, with a recall clause for January built in to cover any potential season-ending to Cech. Like De Gea, he needs to adjust to the physicality of the PL and to my knowledge Everton are one of just four sides, excluding the newly promoted 3 who have a No.1 GK Spot up for grabs. Howard is distinctly 2nd class in comparison.
Keep Romeu and Loftus-Cheek in the squad. McEachran needs a premier league loan; Crystal Palace perhaps. Chalobah also probably needs a Premier League loan, but I would like to see more of him in pre-season. Ake is promising, but I think a Bundesliga loan would do him wonders. Loftus-Cheek may surprise some but I think he's ready already. Just those few touches against City were enough; bold, brave and strong. I think 6 for the 2 slots in CDM is perfect, and that's without the possibility of Oscar and Luiz playing there.
Don't think McEachran is good enough. For me, Chalobah is the far more developed and well equipped (Both physically and mentality) to deal with the demands of PL football.
Romeu and Ake are not midfielders who control and run the game, but more defensive / attacking types. Chalobah and Josh are creative, don't know enough about Loftus Cheek. For my money, Josh has dissapointed but not prepared to write him off until I see him run with the 1st team, which he deserves to do. Chalobah for me is ready, as are Ake and Romeu. Essien is now a rotation player, and De Bruyne yet to prove himself, which I expect he will do with distinction. he might take a little while as many European players do. Still think we need a Modric/ Sjnieder to take on the solid, ultra experienced professional roll of Ballack.
We'll have a pop at Chalobah from you, he looked such a talent last year. I can't think of a Chelsea player to liken him to the best I can come up with is a raw version of Vieira. He never seemed to lose the ball and bossed a lot of games. If Zaha is worth £15mill I think in a couple of years time you'll have a £30mill player on your hands. Can't wait for my first trip to the bridge lads, all the best.
Out of touch comment considering most Chelsea fans hate Liverpool with a passion and wouldn't pull them out of a fire.