That's what the BBC are reporting this morning. Personally I'd break the bank for Pogba, he is exactly what we need. Stones would be a bonus, but Pogba is the player weneed.
Stones is a long term JT replacement and as we have 4 centre backs (including Ivan) in the squad already, he can wait until next year. He's not going to get any more expensive then the ludicrous sums being thrown around already. Pogba however would go straight into the first 11 and improve it. An absolute dream signing if it happened. The money is high but as I said on the transfer thread, I think we could do a player plus cash. Something like 40 plus Cuadrado or Ramires. I don't expect Juve to sell though. They've already lost 2 of their central 3 midfielders from last year.
In one breath we cry for youth integration, then lose a game and ask to buy an 80mill player in that very same position.... Rlc is the answer. Ake is also on the way back home.. Lets not be silly, just stable. Id rather lose out on he league, finish 3rd and have a fully integrated rlc than anything else..
At the end of the day sentiments about Nathan Ake and RLC are all well and good but its Paul Pogba ffs. To have the chance to sign a 22 year old player of his quality in a position we desperately need some more quality in is one no club would pass up on in their right mind. This isnt signing some decent but not essential CM like Witsel or Guarin blocking youth - this is a big deal. I do have big hopes for RLC though don't get me wrong. The rumours surrounding Pogba are interesting considering how much pace they have picked up without any official comment from the clubs or agents. That could mean there are formal negotiations going on, or mean that there is nothing going on. I'm not holding my breath, but if Chelsea pulled off the signing somehow I'd be over the moon. It would instantly make our starting line up CL quality imo.
Jose early transfer window " I am happy with my squad", Jose two games in "**** ffp, spend £150mil we need players"
Sky Italia reported that Juve won't sell him this window. I think Stones has become too expensive now aswell and we should be looking elsewhere. It's two positions we need but I don't think we need to spend anywhere near 100m to improve our squad.
Of course not, you need someone to provide creativity if Hazard gets injured (Pedro ticks this) and someone to help Matic. Your defence has looked shaky in the first two games but have not fallen apart over the close season. With Zouma proving to be very good and the addition of Baba at left back freeing up Azpi to cover Ivan which in turn frees Ivan to cover at CB, your defence is sound. You don't need too much to be the team to beat again.
Getting somebody to play alongside Matic should be our priority. I think we need a defender because it only takes an injury or two and we won't have any subs. But that's why it shouldn't cost 30M!
I see your valid point about RLC & Ake. But we have Jose. If he starts RLC more than 3 games we would actually win something.
Azpi can play LB and RB, Ivan can play RB and CB, Zouma can play CB and holding mid. You are not too bad in defence. You lack cover in creativity (without Hazard) and somebody in DM (without Matic) unless Zouma progresses in that position.
World knows the flexibility of Azpil, Ivan & Zouma, but Jose never tries anything different. That is a problem.
I agree with the overall sentiment, but make an exception for Pogba. We have been screaming for a world class midfielder for 3 years now, and though RLC should be in the squad, he's no Pogba yet. Ake should be part of our squad, he's as good as Luis was and maybe as good as Baba, though we don't know yet. We should buy proven world class players in key positions AND intergrate youth on a constant basis, that's the right way forward in my humble opinion. The kids will learn more about the PL at Chelsea than at Vitesse.
Report this morning saying we have bought Pogba from Juve, and Oscar, Willian and Cuadrado will move the other way. Sounds a bit weird, but boy do I hope we get Pogba.
Sounds like a rumour. Why Willian + Oscar? would rather pack Rambo+Mikel with Square away. Pretty sure we will be paying sumptuous cash on top, anyway.
Everyone saying "but its pogba..." is forgetting pogba started off somewhere. Yes theres no guarantee that jose will play rlc, but if pogba signs thats the end of reuben loftus cheek as a chelsea player. He will never get a kick. Theres no way with him and fabregas in the way. We have a chance here of actually developing a world class englishman, lets not muck it up? (Not that any of us here have a sway or say in the matter lol)
Think Pogba would be box office for you... and probably better he comes to the PL than join the Barca/Real arms-race. Would you go 4-3-3 if he signed? Can't really drop Matic or Fabregas... can you?
