Chelsea Banter Archive May 28 2017

28 May 2017 13:29:35
I can honestly see us changing formation next season. We've had a brilliant year but I just think this formation will get found out in Europe. I'd like to see us go 4-3-3 again but with some new signings. If we do go to 4 at the back I'd like to see Luiz moved to CDM as I don't think he would suit a back 4. Then with Kante and Cesc either side of him I think we'd have a complete midfield. There's no point bringing new signings in if they're not better than what we've got. My personal targets would be Van Dijk, Mendy, Sanchez and Aubameyang with Christensen and Baker returning for squad roles. If Hazard moves back to LW he needs a full back who will overlap him and who's got pace.

28 May 2017 13:45:52
I'm liking your signings, would have a good go in Europe with them although I would prefer to stay 3 at the back and rotate between 352 and 343, with hazard as the second striker.

28 May 2017 15:38:36
I'd like to see 3-5-2 but I'd also like to see our youth talents who are good enough starting next year like Christensen and Baker. Conte needs to be ruthless and still needs to improve the starting XI. Moses, Matic, Pedro and Alonso are all good players but they are not world class and they need to be improved upon.

28 May 2017 20:48:33
I agree to an extent with your criticisms. Pedro I think is an excellent impact player and would keep him, Matic is too slow and cumbersome and if Mourinho wants him then let him go, Alonso and Moses are useful going forward but are handicapped by not having anyone they can cross to that is good in the air, as for defending they leave a lot to be desired. I would be interested to see Azi at wing back with a new defender behind him and a new left sided full back. Key for Europe is another goal scoring forward who is good in the air as well as on the ground (Drogba style) .

29 May 2017 09:47:32
I can't see a change in formation. Conte has the base of a league winning squad at 3-4-3 / 3-5-2; surly he'd look to add quality to that system rather than revert back to another? Juventus successfully use the system in Europe.

29 May 2017 18:04:46
We won't change formation, as this is Antonios favoured formation. He proves it works we just need more strength in depth through the spine of the team.

29 May 2017 18:31:12
J. fully agree with you. A lot depends who might leave or who will we sign.

30 May 2017 00:36:55
You probably have to be joking by adding Alonso to the list. The guy is pure class. Scores goals, crosses the ball well, has amazing free kick on him and also defends well. I probably wouldn't need all fingers on one of my hand to count better replacements for him in this world. He just had a fantastic season with us and he been here just 1 year, lay off of the guy back and support the true blue lad next season!

30 May 2017 13:53:11
Unfortunately note joking. I agree with your assessment but certainly not 'pure class' and his defending is suspect, drawn out of position too easily. However, I was against his purchase and he did surprise me with his contribution but next season with numerous important matches especially at CL level we will need out and out defenders.

28 May 2017 10:53:45
So we finally arrive at silly season :) Wishlist (and I realise this won't happen) :
-Belotti/ Lukaku (if Costa leaves) ;
-Bakayoko and/ or Verratti;
-Aurier (upgrade on Moses) ;
-Ousmane Dembele (pipedream probably) / Coman/ Berardi/ Asensio/ Martial;

Probably also a replacement for Begovic, or other squad players leaving. God, I'd love it if we could have a summer of real firepower arriving at the Bridge.

28 May 2017 12:36:05
Aubameyang Has supposedly put in a transfer request, if he's available and we are looking for a striker, then we would be very stupid not to try and get him, now he would be a upgrade on Costa, he has 31 league goals, he's big strong, fast athletic, good at linking the play, good in the air, good finisher, looks custom made for the English premiership, he would be my #1 choice.

28 May 2017 13:24:35
I've heard he's going to PSG, any truth Ed?

{Ed002's Note - There is an agreement but there is interest from elsewhere.}

28 May 2017 13:51:26
I can't see him and cavani in the same starting 11, I don't think cavani will be happy going out wide again after scoring a load of goals through the middle this season, that rumour don't make a lot of sense as they have a lot of quality wide players also in di Maria, Lucas, pastore, draxler, Jesé, I can't see cavani playing wide, only as a cavani replacement if he leaves.

28 May 2017 22:05:28
Think they'd play Aubameyang out wide as he's got the pace.

29 May 2017 09:21:45
We have incredibly similar tastes as you've listed everything I think we need. A right wingback that is more capable defensively than Moses. A striker and center mid to replace Diego and cesc/ nemanja assuming they leave (I know we're both a fan of Naby Keita) . A winger with tremendous pace and upside. And beyond that just replacing outgoing players.

30 May 2017 00:39:00
Dont believe aubemayang would suit our style of play so much.

27 May 2017 22:30:10
What a season we have had. Champions of probably the hardest league in Europe to win. 30 of 38 games won. In Roman we have the best owner in the world. In Conte we have a manager everyone else would like. The squad is a work in progress but very good. Our fans are fantastic. We need to improve and develop a few youngsters and bring in a few big names. We will. I love the likes of Arsenal and Spurs fans coming on here with comments. Great banter. BUT less face it they have both hugely under performed. Spurs win nothing. Arsenal win a cup but finish 6th and no longer a big club. that will hurt them in the transfer market. We will strengthen and move on. Glass ALWAYS full.

28 May 2017 00:18:25
Spurs underperformed lol we have the seventh largest budget in the league. We are the only club to give you a run in and are going serous places, lots of talent in alli, Kane etc, and the biggest stadium in London being built right now, we will be champions within 3 years mark the ravers words while all yours have been well paid for. I'm old enough to remember Chelsea before roman abramovic.

28 May 2017 01:30:35
To be honest, saying that spurs underperformed is one of the dumbest things I've heard today, and I've been with a bunch of drunk people all Day.

28 May 2017 09:07:57
So if you remember Chelsea before Roman correctly, you'll understand how for the 3 previous seasons before his arrival we still finished19 then 14 then 17points above Tottenham.

28 May 2017 10:20:04
Shocking that you've got Kane tied up at 100k a week, Raver. I wonder how long you'll be able to keep your talents without upping the wages significantly. Especially when the European big boys come calling.

28 May 2017 10:50:37
Raver I notice you go along with all the others about the money we spent? Don't you remember the season you sold Bale you spent all his money and more. Trouble is they predominantly spent it on rubbish who are no longer there. Can't help but agree with Jackson all the time you pay crap money you won't attract or retain best players.
So mark my words Raver we will always finish above you as you think and act like a club who always aspire to win the league, or to be fare any trophy but don't quiet manage it.

28 May 2017 10:51:29
Fully agree with you Jackson, if spurs don't up the wages they will move on. And to jc ny point about Chelsea before roman was you hardly won many trophies throughout 60s, 70s, 80s etc and you were playing in the second division.

30 May 2017 00:42:57
Raver how many titles have you won in 60's, 70's and 80's? You are a decent team (the best PL team in 2017 for sure) but still a calibre below us nowadays.