I'm fairly content with what we have done so far in the window. Major weaknesses in the past 2 seasons have definitely been: - Having managers that aren't good enough (yet) for this level, and I mean no disrespect to RDM when I say that. - Lack of squad depth - Inability to cope with counter attacks and the transition from attack to defence - Inability (at times) to cope with physical and big sides I feel we've almost addressed those areas of weakness. The lack of squad depth has been solved by recalling nurtured loanees from their loan spells. We were laughed to scorn by so called experts and pundits for paying the £18m for Lukaku and buying De Bruyne etc but people are now starting to realise their true value. Lukaku with 17 goals (mainly off the bench) including a Hattrick against United, De Bruyne arguably the best performer in a talented Belgium team in the WC qualifiers and also the only player outside Bayern/Dortmund to make Bundesliga team of the year. Dortmund identified him as their #1 target to replace Goetze which tells you a lot about how highly he is valued. We've now got an experienced manager in that understands the culture and values of the club, a manager that also happens to be the best in world football at this moment in time. We've signed Van Ginkel and recalled Essien but I feel we still desperately need experience in the middle of the park. Juventus, Shaktar and City exposed all of our weaknesses in dealing with physical sides and transition from attack to defence. Yaya Toure, Fernandinho and Vidal in particulsr walked all over us, I can't imagine us bein bullied in a midfield containing De Rossi. A lot of teams have realised if they can kick us, they can stop us, hence why we've done better against the better footballing teams like United, Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool. The game at West Ham was probably the first time in a good few years I've seen us literally bullied in a league game, we can't allow that to happen if we want to do well. A striker for me isn't the main issue, De Rossi can play CB & CM which are the two positions we need covering most. Goal scoring hasn't and won't ever be an issue for us. Torres and Ba both had poor seasons and we were still 2nd highest goal scorers in the league. We've added Lukaku and Schurrle to try and remove some of the pressure on Mata to produce the goals. Defending better has to be priority, if you concede 2+ goals to West Ham, Southampton, Reading, West Brom and teams of that ilk you will find yourselves under more pressure.
Am I the only one that feels a new centre back wouldnt go amiss. Luiz doesnt impress me greatly defensively, imo his talents lie in going forward. Cahill is a decent squad player but also doesnt cut the mustard for me, he gets skinned way too often. JT can still turn it on and has more passion than most, but he is getting on a bit. I quite like Ivanovic but he even has the occasional lapse. We are fine at full back with Ashley and Azpo, with Bertrand and Ivan for cover. But I think we need fresh blood in the centre.
I agree with you apart from Luiz, I think he's world class and excellent as CB and CM. Cahill for me is bang average and I'd happily see him gone tomorrow if the right money was offered (even if that affected the HG quota). JT is good in a deep defensive line where we won't have much possession but that's not the type of football we should be playing. I expect us to be on the front foot in most games. Ivanovic wasn't great last season but he's still fairly solid. De Rossi is excellent at CB & CM and he's who we should be looking at most of all. Gustavo would restrict MVG's starting opportunities whereas De Rossi wouldn't.
Noises are that Tomas Kalas is the fresh blood at CB and won't be going on loan but is in the squad with Lukaku and de Bruyne
Exactly what Dfer said, we dont need a new CB, we have two in our ranks called Kalas and Omeruo, surprised Omeruo is not getting mentioned. Bossed Drogba at African Cup of Nations, enough said. I would much rather a hungry striker with a lot to prove, to possibly replace Ba, or even an experienced striker who knows where the goal is. Drogba would not be too bad in my opinion, unless it is too bad to go back.
If he did, Drogba that is, come back. I for one would cry tears of happiness. God I miss that bloke. Gave me some of the happiest moments of my life, next to my kid's an all that.
Good article. Makes a refreshing change from all the United-baiting. I tend to agree - we're blessed going forwards, but need to make transitions more efficiently. De Rossi is a short-term solution but I'm not sure he's necessary the answer. On the other hand Van Ginkel is still too green. Ideal would be someone approaching their prime 25/26
Our problems as a squad had as much to do with the number of competitions we were involved in and games played! I really think the plastic cup should be confined to those players who wouldn't be automatic 1st team choices! Hopefully we'll remain in the CL to the final as well! I think our squad should stay as it is other than we can find an alternative to Rooney and allow Ba to leave!
We're pretty sorted. It's the striker situation which provides a problem. I'm not sure I can deal with another season of an unproven striker, but then again, if Lukaku can start banging them in at such a young age we may have hit a winner. CB is fine as we have Luiz and a definite starter and then Kalas, Terry and Cahill (maybe Omeruo but he's injured at the moment) for the other spot. Ivanovic is predominantly a right back under Mourinho. I also think we'll be seeing Ivanovic as our captain... De Rossi would be a welcome addition to the midfield, but I have faith in what we have already. I think people need to realise this is pretty much a new start; so many players are wanting to impress we may get a few surprises.
Good article DL. Like I said in other threads I think De Rossi in and Mikel out would pretty much sort us out. Would like to see Ba/Torres go too and Rooney come in.
League cup line-up Schwarzer Kalas - Cahill - Terry - Bertrand Essien (c) - Van Ginkel Moses - Oscar - De Bruyne Torres Not bad?
Oscar is a better player than Schurrle and I'm assuming you would have Schurrle in the 1st team. Apart from that it's a good line up.
Hi guys, That time of year again where I'm picking my FPL team. Getting my three Chelsea players in, but I literally have no idea who will be in your first team. Could anyone shed any light? At the moment I have Luiz, Lampard and Lukaku. Pretty confident Luiz will play, but not on the others... Any help is much appreciated! Thaaaaanks!
Luiz is getting sold, Lampard will start 50% of games and Lukaku is not viewed as world class so they would rather play Torres
I think it all depends on whether we get Rooney tbh. If you're asking for fantasy football reasons I'd stick him in for our first game vs Hull as he's likely to start.
I had Luiz for most of last season. Lukaku will be one of my strikers again this season I'm sure he will be given a fair go at it..... Anyone seen any fantasy footy leagues going about, but not the betfred one i rather play the premierleague one
Yeah, think I'll stick with Luiz and Lukaku, now just need to work out who to play in midfield. http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ Best one out there...
