Possibly. I think De Bruyne will be a very good player and I think he is better than Salah; obviously there was a personal issue that we are not that aware of. Seems Jose either didn't rate him or at least wasn't happy with his application. I suspect had he been played a lot more from the start we'd have seen him blossom though, he looked very good on tour but the injury perhaps set him back. Very hard to keep so many top players happy and we've made a tidy profit at least on all of these players. It's looking like another summer of a lot of changes though, just hope we aren't set for another 'transition' year.
came across this ChelseaFC360.com 2 hours ago Spanish newspaper Marca claim Fabregas has already had a medical at Stamford Bridge.He is said to have passed the tests and everything is now in place for the ex-Arsenal ace to replace Frank Lampard.Fabregas was in London last week and Marca allege Chelsea chartered a private jet to fly him in.
Marca tend to be pretty on cur with anything Spanish transfer but surely we would have heard or seen something if he was in London for a medical?
I think Matic, Rami and Cesc in a midfield three with Hazard and Willian wide, Costa down the middle. That's a very strong six added to what was already the strongest defence last season. Basically if we get Cesc and Costa then we have absolutely no excuses if we don't win the league IMO.
Gerard Pique has confirmed that Cesc Fabregas will be moving to Chelsea this summer. The Barcelona defender was speaking to Spain manager Vicente del Bosque at a promotional event and even though they covered their mouths their voices were picked up by an active microphone. Both TVE and AStv managed to pick up the conversation. Pique told Del Bosque that he had supported Cesc, to which the Spain manager replied: ‘The president [of Barcelona, Josep Bartomeu] isn’t going to be happy. ‘You’re going to drive him mad, poor guy. You’re going to upset him.’ Pique replied: ‘He [Cesc] told me it’s all done. He’s going. 33 million [euros] he told me.’ http://purelyfootball.com/2014/06/05/pique-confirms-cesc-is-moving-to-chelsea/
Would not be surprised if we go after one more midfielder, depends on the likes of Mikel and Ramires staying. I think Tiago will come in and be Lamps replacement whilst Fabregas is most likely Luiz's, as we were using him in midfield. Still think the defence can be sorted a bit more as it has been linked that Kalas or Zouma may be out on loan.
Don't rate Fabregas, nor does Barca apparently. If he comes, my bet is that Hazard will go sooner than later, as he wants to play 10, not just wear the number on his back.
^^^^^^ This is very astute, give me Debruyne back and we have a far better player in that position than what we have at the moment. I was gutted when he left us, but then, we do not know for sure that his attitude was right at the time. He may not possess the qualities, to fight for his place, which is what all managers like and bestow on their players. but then again to him it was far more important to have more playing time, which i'm afraid we did not give him. Double edged sword that we seem to fall on, more often than most,
PSG did not play a typical no 10 last season in their starting line-up last season. They played 4 3 3 with Motta, Verratti and Matuidi in a triangle, Cavani and Lavezzi wide off Ibrahimovic. Their no 10 types, Lucas Moura and Pastore, started from the bench and came on as wide subs or covered injuries. Why do you think Hazard wants to play no 10, not disagreeing with you, just wondered where you heard this? Fabregas played 36 out of 38 Primera Liga games last season
Christ, someone is in an optimistic mood. Fabregas is a top PL proven player and Hazard is staying. Have some faith.
Bit surprised CP, you spent most of the last couple of years bemoaning the lack of a creative central midfielder and now we are heavily linked with one of the best ones whose played in the P.L in the last few years. Costa and Fabregas if they both go through gives us a balanced, quality starting 11. Fabregas is premier league proven and counts as home grown. For around 30 million as reported, would be a fantastic deal. The fact it'll piss off some gooners in the process makes the deal even more appealing. Get it done Chels!
CP is being negative and buying tabloid tittle tattle, but do you think Fabregas is being looked at play alongside Matic? He played higher up the field towards the end of his career at Arsenal. And even false no 9 for Barca and Spain Proven quality though. He can play deeper CM I guess. Unless we go 433?? Koke and Modric would be perfect but seemingly unavailable. Fab played alongside Gilberto in 442 for Arsenal at first. If we played Fab in no 10 role, we could cash in on Oscar if has a good World Cup and screw PSG for another 50m!!
I really rate Oscar and think he will only get better. Defo one to keep. Whether it's 4231 or 433 (relatively similar systems in truth) I'd like to see Matic Fabregas and Oscar as the 3 central players, obviously Costa up front and Hazard and Willian in the wider roles. Fabregas can also play 10 and we could have someone else alongside Matic (Van Ginkel, Mikel or Ramires as per the current squad).
Dave and Torres have been talking up Fabregas...hopefully they'll be bending his ear whilst at the W.C!
With Oscar, I really think it is key that we keep our promising players till they at least hit 25 like Mata did, and then cash in. We could end up selling a player for 20m only for him to be the next Bale etc and lose out on another 60m. Brazilian playmakers usually come into their best form mid 20s as well. But if we do sell Oscar, we need to get Pogba, then a midfield 3 of Pogba, Matic and Fabregas looks very good. Fabregas is being seen as a replacement for Lampard long term, will probably get the number 4 shirt that Luiz has left. Tiago will probably get the 5 if he joins and Costa the 19 that Ba will leave behind. Filipe Luis looks certain to be our number 3 next year too, which I am torn on being a good idea or not due to his age.
Not sure why people have got so down on Oscar. He's still very young and has come from S.America as well. He's played an absolute shed load of games non stop for the last 2-3 years and was clearly either tired or saving himself for Brazil during the run in (given this'll be the biggest few weeks of his life-who really could blame that). However he was arguably our best player for the first few months of the season and it was that form that kept Mata benched (and sold). Unfortuntely he wont get the rest he needs this summer but I expect very good things from him in the mid to long term. Some very short memories around!
Anyone think we should have made a cheeky bid for Toure when he didn't get the Birthday cake he wanted? That way, in front of the defence we could start with: Matic Toure Oscar Fabregas Hazard Costa ....not too dusty
