Chelsea Banter Archive February 12 2016

12 Feb 2016 05:24:08
Gotta say that I'm really hoping that United don't make the top 4 this year (or win the Europa) . United are in a financial stratosphere that nobody really wants to match and if you combine that with Mourinho who players long to play for and champions league football they become extremely marketable. Their current squad is very average with many of their players still developing (martial, shaw), slightly above average (Herrera, smelling), or well beyond their prime (rooney, schweinsteiger) . Woodward has shown that he's not afraid of an overhaul and Jose will see this as an opportunity to quickly close the gap.

12 Feb 2016 11:32:08
Tk I fear you may get your wish however a season out of Europe and if Jose is at the helm could see us right back on top given the ability to attract stars as you say, of course I'm still hoping to make CL this season.
Shaw and Martial are going to be world class, Shaw had been unfortunate with injury but believe will be the best left back around. Herrera is a top player, adored by us fans, LVG doesn't seem to want him as a permanent fixture and I believe that's to his detriment as he is one who could develop to a top level. You are right we still are in need of a bit of change, a centre back or two, some balance on the right but we have very good players who haven't been allowed to play the way they want and I think that freedom as you saw in he first half against yourselves shows how good we can be. Add a few players to that, Jose and I don't think it'll take too long til we're back near the top. Of course we not get Jose yet.
Next season you guys will also be back up there I believe.
How do you asses your squad at present, where so you think you need to strengthen? Allegri the man for you?
Cheers.

12 Feb 2016 13:50:55
We need to strengthen everywhere bar the goalkeeper position. Defense is old and pretty slow, especially now without Zouma. Our midfield isn't athletic enough either and I believe we need one top class signing to bolster it. Same with attacking midfield/ winger situation. I myself would try to sell Pedro (I've never been a fan of getting him) and replace him with a top class signing. Griezmann would obviously be excellent, however unlikely he may be. But again, one signing needed there at the very least. And lastly maybe one good backup for Costa if Remy leaves. I don't have much faith in Falcao and Pato.

12 Feb 2016 17:25:48
Jackson, it looks as though we both need similar players and could be competing with each other for a few, a bit of re-jigging each then by the sounds.

12 Feb 2016 18:28:36
I agree with your assertations about shaw and Herrera, I was particularly gutted when you signed Luke. I think you guys need help on the wing but eventually depay will be the real deal.
As far as we go it's really hard to tell as based on last years performance were really good but this season has been awful. As far as managers go I'd love pochetino or Simeone but realistically we won't be able to get either without champions league football. A lot of our recruitment will depend on what competitions we qualify for next year and if anyone big pushes for a move. Personally we need to decide what we have in baba Rahman and if he isn't a solution in the short term then we need to find someone who is. One position we've needed even going into this year is a box to box midfielder that can run a game.

12 Feb 2016 20:43:25
Personally I see Conte, not Alegri, as our next manager.

Conte, for better or worse, will play three at the back. Athletic defenders, capable on the ball, like Zouma are essential if this formation will work in the prem - for me signing Stones, is a must as he'd work perfectly in this system too.

Azpilicueta and Rahman should work well as full backs too but I worry about our current players ahead of that. Do we have the midfielders to control a game and, beyond Costa, the strikers to win a game? Time will tell but signings will be made!