AVB has said he respects the older players in the Chelsea squad and wants to keep them in place for the coming season. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896...as-defends-age-of-chelsea-squad-hails-amazing Do Chelsea fans think that's a good thing? Personally I thought he might have been tempted to clear them out in search of younger and hungrier players. Do you reckon they still have the will to win, or will keeping them around just be a reminder of previous managers and their styles, successes and failures? Interested to know what you guys think, and not trying to wum here
Interesting theory there Swarbs, although personally I can't ever remember Goal.com getting anything right but lets assume that today's stories have an element of truth in them. AVB's approach for me has been reassuringly cautious and considerate belying the beliefs that Roman's new man was going to come in and blast away all the 30 somethings and bring in his own younger, faster men to stamp his mark on the club. Another well know 'fail' rag the Daily Mail prints the headline 'Chelsea boss bites back at Fergie jibe' trying to raise the unfortunate comments made in 2007/8 about Chelsea's squad being too old. Clearly the newspapers are desperate for any real news to print and it would be quicker to name who Chelsea have been interested in. Tonights Evening Standard http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/stand...-boas-wont-be-fooled-into-making-bad-deals.do AVB intends to keep to whats been successful for him at Porto. They, like the Mail then state that Fergie is perplexed at Chelsea's reluctance to enter the transfer market? Then state Liverpool & United have spent £93 million already! What that has to do with the price of fish is unclear? To answer you question I think he's in it for the long haul and has only been at the club a short while and I get the feeling he will grow it from within and replace as and when he feels its needed. Its going to be closer still this year with City and Liverpool joining Arsenal for the spoils which is fantastic and should make a thrilling race. I wouldn't bet against Chelsea regaining the title again though.
Ginger our manager could be a mute for all they care, the media would still find a way to put words into his mouth
I think most managers coming into Chelsea would be tempted to open Roman's wallet and just spend spend spend partly due to the riches available but also the fear of knowing instant success is required. However with AVB i feel that he is happy to assess the squad first before making any rash decisions especially when you are talking about having to buy at least 20-30 million pound players to be able to improve our first 11 significantly. Maybe he is more confident he will be given time, maybe he is just being sensible. I've no doubt we will spend but he seems to be lowering expectation of the big signings at the moment which is a good thing as they are often difficult to pull off. Personally I think AVB has done everything right so far. It's easy to look at United and Liverpool who have spent big but i think they had a greater requirement to spend big. Liverpool failed to make Europe last year. With new owners and 50 mill from Torres in as well, they were always going to spend as are playing catch up. United lost 3 experienced players to retirement and have let go some useful squad players this year and they had to be replaced. Personally for the money United have spent I dont think on paper that they are any better than last year. United will be there or there abouts as always but their signings are not ones that worry me. Spurs and Arsenal are more concerned with keeping their players at the moment and city have yet to spend either. Aguero may happen but likely to just replace Tevez. Also we have Torres and Luiz bought in Jan who now have had a bit more time to settle in, Sturridge back from a brilliant loan spell, Josh coming on fast etc. Therefore in conclusion, there is still plenty of time for signings to be made and as it stands today, we still have a squad capable of winning the title. Had it not been for that horrendous blip mid season, we may have won it last year.
We have some quality players, young and old...we also have some quality players who behave like dicks, both young and old again...if he feels he can manage them and get the best out of all of them I'm all for it.
Chelsea over 100 years I think you've got it spot on. I do think AVB is here for the long haul and is working on a more sustainable long term plan. I am encouraged by the fact that he is assessing the squad pre-season - both young and old - and I am sure that he will make some moves in the coming weeks. I would like to have seen more activity admittedly but can fully understand his approach - I think it is refreshing to see that some of the youngsters that we all have high hopes for (Josh, Studge, PVA, Chaloboah etc) are all getting some game time mixed in with the experienced players to help them develop and get integrated. I still see us getting 2 or 3 more players in and possibly seeing one or two leave but think most of this will be sorted by 13th August and not left until transfer deadline day
