Chelsea Banter Archive August 28 2017

28 Aug 2017 20:52:33
Agreed 28m fee for Drinkwater? Things are happening fast.

28 Aug 2017 21:57:15
Just rumours. Until i see anything on Bbc sport page or from the club i don't get my hopes up. People are assuming Ox is already done when it's just a fee being agreed, Liverpool could easily match it. It's going to be a very interesting few days, really hope there's something big that'll come out of nowhere.

28 Aug 2017 22:17:47
Go back to BBC sport now and see if there's anything there.

28 Aug 2017 22:31:56
Don't understand why we don't consider lucas moura or drafter or rabiot as psg will need to shift some players.

28 Aug 2017 17:36:50
So where exactly is The Ox going to play? He's not good enough to play on either attacking wing, so is he most likely to play RWB?

28 Aug 2017 18:27:16
Personally I see him as Moses backup.

28 Aug 2017 18:48:54
Don't think he will be signing if he thinks we are going to use him as back up to Moses.

28 Aug 2017 18:50:59
£35m and God only knows what he wants per week for a back-up, absolute waste.

28 Aug 2017 20:04:06
I would rather play with 10 men then see him play CM he's that bad there. Clearly Conte thinks he can improve him. But the only position I'd personally play him if I was the manager would be as a winger. He's not defensively good enough for either RWB or CM.

28 Aug 2017 20:35:50
I'm very happy we're signing the Ox. Young England international who can play many positions. Conte can mould him how he likes . Can't wait to see him in a Chelsea shirt!

28 Aug 2017 20:48:32
I remember lots of fans saying the same sort of crap when we signed Alonso.
I trust Conte.

28 Aug 2017 20:57:35
Thank God the club and Conte choose the players we require and what position they play! '

28 Aug 2017 21:07:58
Think he would prefer Liverpool, we appear to be trying to rush signing before they become involved.

28 Aug 2017 21:41:05
lol Moses in a few games will be sub Ox better player.

28 Aug 2017 23:00:08
Not sure what games you've been watching of Ox playing wing back but he's been mediocre at best. Ed001, what's your opinion on the Ox in that position? An upgrade on Moses?

{Ed001's Note - tough one that, Moses has improved so much while Ox hasn't. However he is much stronger physically and, on a good day, can be better. Moses is much more consistent though. You know what you get with Moses, whereas Ox can be dross one day and brilliant the next. I would stick with Moses and I expect Conte to use Ox as a utility player, cover in the centre, forward positions and wingback, rather than to replace anyone.}

29 Aug 2017 07:13:41
Good answer Ed001, about what I would hope for but once again a lot to pay for a utility player.
TomB: I seriously doubt AOC is Conte's choice; how could he possibly see a talent based on the in and out season he had. Most people were underwhelmed by Alonso's signing and he won us over with his shooting/ dead ball skills and aerial ability but as a wing back he is too slow and defensively poor and clearly Conte thinks so.
Disappointed that Boga is likely to go out on loan.

{Ed001's Note - to be fair, in this market it is a cheap buy! The prices are crazy. It also allows Chelsea to operate with a smaller squad as he can provide cover in a few positions. So he, in effect, saves you money by meaning you need to buy less players and pay their wages. With Ox, it is his mentality that is the issue and that is Conte's strength, getting those who are not up for it mentally to perform consistently.}

28 Aug 2017 16:41:59
Chelsea have a fee for Oxlade Chamberlain. Not yet confirmed but said to be around 35mil pounds. Per Kaveh Solhekol of sky sports.

29 Aug 2017 08:36:51
Sounds like a reasonable take, Ed001. Seb Chapuis made a good point on Twitter. Ox' decision making isn't the best, but he's got all the attributes to be top class. Conte's system makes sure that he'll know what's expected of him, what passes to play etc. His crossing is quite bit better than Moses'.
He's stagnated hard under Wenger. But under Conte he could become that player everybody envisioned him becoming when he joined Arsenal.

{Ed001's Note - that is a good point as it is a major reason why he is so inconsistent. A player like Ox needs to be micro-managed to get the most out of him, which Conte will do. He has not been taught how to play for himself (or maybe just not bright enough to learn I am not sure which), so he needs someone looking over his shoulder constantly telling him to do this or do that. Wenger has never done that.}

28 Aug 2017 06:37:47
Hey eds, 2 weeks ago, Conte comes out frustrated and disappointed and being vocal about clubs' lack of transfers, before the everton game he says he is happy if no further additions are made .

Can shed a bit of light on what's going on behind the scenes?

Realistically, can we expect signings at WB and CM positions?

{Ed018's Note - I have no idea what's going on behind the scene's but being realistic we know and I'm sure they know, they have got to bring in the minimum of two players to help out with some depth}

28 Aug 2017 13:55:03
Hey Ed018, I would say We need a minimum of 3 players, ideally 5, although I don't see that this late in the window but who knows.

We do have quite a bit of versatility in the squad so can probably get away with fewer signings.

KTBFFH!

28 Aug 2017 09:20:28
CONTE'S COMMENTS ABOUT FABREGAS AND NGOLO KANTE:

"He scored an important goal for us. We all know his characteristics - he's a great player with good technique. When we have possession, with Cesc, we can play really good football.
"But he's also trying to improve in defensive situations to try and be more strong, to be a bit more like N'Golo [Kante]. But he has work to do, and N'Golo has to work be become more like Cesc with the ball. ".

28 Aug 2017 10:12:13
With options we have im thinking Sanches / Barkley wouldn't be bad option, more so Sanches, has legs Andorra pace than cesc and also bit more creative than Kante and dribbling. That would give us 4 different CMs imo,

28 Aug 2017 14:18:09
I actually think Kante has been brilliant offensively the last 3-4 matches, and I honestly believe he can improve a lot, although it seems difficult to imagine, considering he's already one of the best midfielders. But I'm sure that with Conte as manager, we may very well see Kante perhaps becoming the very best and versatile midfielder in the world!

28 Aug 2017 08:25:00
Signings that would give Chelsea a chance to defend the title: CM (creative, competition to Fabregas) Barkley (if possible) . LWM Bertrand, Rose, Sandro (any of those 3 will do) . CD or RWM just one player. Striker one (even Llorente will do) .
Altogether 4 signings.

28 Aug 2017 15:41:01
I cannot see the attraction in Barkley, promised a lot but not delivered and is he going to start now? Likewise with AOC, a younger Willian and I would take him every time over AOC. Rose and certainly Sandro would be a real coup and to be honest as back-up Llorente would be useful and enable us to continue an aerial threat if Morata is unfit or substituted.

28 Aug 2017 06:32:54
Hey Eds, 2 ez, p.

{Ed001's Note - is this a code? Do I need an Enigma Machine to crack it?}

28 Aug 2017 06:39:36
I'm sorry ed001, I access the site from my phone and while typing it got unresponsive . really sorry for that 🙈.

{Ed001's Note - no worries mate, I understand now I have seen your other message. I have kept it by for Ed018, in case he has anything more than me to add. I only know that I expect a couple of signings, I haven't had time to chase up Chelsea info having got a bit lazy with regards to Chelsea having Ed002 on hand in the past!}

28 Aug 2017 06:47:28
Thanks a lot.

{Ed001's Note - sorry I haven't had as much time to dedicate to chasing up info this window. It has been so hectic just editing it has not left much time. This has been the busiest summer we have had and I am flat out just trying to keep up with all the sites.}

28 Aug 2017 07:14:26
It's alright boss, I understand. and really appreciate the inputs from all the eds.

{Ed001's Note - thank you mate.}

28 Aug 2017 07:46:01
Didn't imagine your works are this hectic to you Eds. Kudos to you guys.

{Ed001's Note - it is very time consuming during the transfer windows. Thank you mate.]

28 Aug 2017 09:26:13
Guess the identity, so to say, of this crazy transfer window doesn't exactly decrease your work rate, huh? ;)

{Ed001's Note - defo not mate.}