This will go on all summer. We need to keep him and hope he puts playing football ahead of money and sitting on a bench and winning trophies for 15 min cameos.
This was yesterday Chelsea are determined to beat Manchester United and Barcelona to the signing of Tottenham's 29-year-old Belgium defender Toby Alderweireld. (Mirror) Throw enough **** at the wall and some of it will stick....
Even if this rumour is true, we need to forget how much Lascelles is worth and think about how much he would cost to replace to have the same effect in the team. That should be the starting point that they need to bid up from to get us to listen. Otherwise there is nothing in it for us. It would be stupid money, but the lad is under contract. If someone is stupid enough to offer us that then fine, we listen. Otherwise we tell them to **** off and tell Lascelles to get on with doing what he has been doing.
I would rather just keep the player. Sticking 30 odd million in Ashleys back pocket just before he sells up holds little appeal for me!!
Well how's about we start with the potential loss in TV money due to relegation for the length of his contract. I rough estimate of 100m per year until 2023 bidding starts at 500m
£50m at least for me in today’s market but we should not be selling him unless it really is silly money. I can’t imagine he’s the kind of player to have his head turned as he seems far too grounded for that which means we just sit tight and say no to every bid that comes in until they either **** off and look elsewhere or offer a Van Djik sized fee. We don’t need to sell, especially if a takeover happens and Rafa really rates him so that puts us in a strong position in my opinion!
You could buy a defender as good as him - as good as he is at his current stage of development at least - and they would cost upwards of £15m on the foreign market if you can find a bargain. But, what would cost vast amounts to replace, if you could replace it at all, is his leadership. There are very few players who are cut from the same cloth as Lascelles and we would struggle to attract anyone with those qualities. Chelsea can start the bidding at £30m or whatever they like but if I was the owner I wouldn't be taking less than £60m. Van Dyke goes for £75m. Premium for English players. Buying a leader and possibly a captain as well as a defender. We don't need to sell. Yep, £60m minimum.
If MA sells up all this would be then a moot point. Lascelles will not be sold (not in the next 18 months anyway) - you heard it here first!
For me the key to keeping the likes of Lascelles and any others in the squad worth having for that matter, isn’t so much about money, as it is about the future. Especially with Lascelles and Kenedy, l think it’s more about keeping Rafa at the helm and hopefully the chance of seeing new ownership at the club with more ambition than the current incumbent. We have no crystal ball, but my guess would be if Rafa goes, they all go.
£30m? Michael Keane was at a similar level at Burnley last season and went for 25m. However what should be remembered is Keane was entering the final year of his contract. Lascelles signed a 6 year one in October. With that in mind the fee will go up 10m. Then add on the TV money tax. Anything between 40m-50m is possible.
