Chelsea Banter Archive August 02 2018

02 Aug 2018 21:52:24
A few stories dotted around stating that Zaha has told his Palace teammates that he's intent on leaving the club for Chelsea, and will hand in a transfer request if he needs to.

I think he's earned a move now, after a move the Man Utd that was clearly too soon. Would instantly upgrade our right side.

02 Aug 2018 22:28:06
I don’t know what I think about Zaha. Rapid and direct, final quality is lacking, would be good for those quick breaks.

02 Aug 2018 22:38:49
You guys that live in the UK told me that the Mirror is not to be trusted. That story emanated from the Mirror.

02 Aug 2018 22:54:49
Agreed.

03 Aug 2018 08:21:19
"You guys that live in the UK told me that the Mirror is not to be trusted. That story emanated from the Mirror".

Oh yeah Obinna, don't believe it for a second, but I do think he would be a very good signing. Palace's record with and without him last season speaks for itself - to such a degree that I wouldn't see them accepting anything below £70m for him.

02 Aug 2018 16:59:17
Overall, I didn’t think the performance was all that bad. One thing that worry’s me, besides Morata’s confidence, was how open our midfield looked when we lost the ball. I’m sure this will all change when Kante comes back into the mix, but every match so far has seen our midfield be caught out a fair few times. What do you think?

02 Aug 2018 17:24:37
I would not play Fabregas unless as a sub as he has no defensive ability and needs far too much time and space on the ball when he gets it. Barkley is currently not the answer as he still looks woefully unfit. Unless we buy somebody I would play David Luiz alongside Jorghino and Kante, good cover and the ability to turn defence into attack quickly.

02 Aug 2018 17:36:53
In fairness to Cesc it happened far more in the second half when Drinkwater had replaced him and Jorginho started to look a little tired. But as mentioned already we still have Kante to return and possibly the arrival of Vecino who, albeit I've never watched him, has been spoken highly of with regards to his defensive abilities. I don't think we can afford to use Luiz as a midfielder whilst he continues to perform as a leader at CB. Him and Rudiger looked awesome and didn't let Aubameyang in the game. I think Sarri likes Luiz a lot.

02 Aug 2018 18:26:17
In the imm diate future, Kante will definitely help in this regard, just as Allan did for Napoli last year.

As the team get used to this playing style of aggressive pressing, the defence will be closer to the midfield which should mean less of a gap between our midfield and defence.

The thing I noticed last night was the use of the midfielders to press the opposition defence, with the wide forward dropping deeper and our full-backs pushing up to cut off passing channels. Fabregas and Barkley did this well however Drinkwater didn’t press at all which gave Arsenal an easy route out. I’m looking forward to Kante playing in one of those roles as his pressing, speed and stamina are fantastic.

02 Aug 2018 19:32:49
I agree with Saim, I think Sarri loves Luiz as a center half. Frankly, I do too in this system. He’s always looking to play short passes, and with Jorginho sitting in front of him I think he’ll have a lot of success. I do think Barkley will come good, but I would like to see he and RLC fight for that attacking midfield spot. Not sure if the Ramsey rumors are true but I’m not sure there is room for him, but I’d prefer him to Vecino.

02 Aug 2018 21:56:29
We looked ok with Cesc and Jorginho. and Barklay is looking very good. All went wrong when Drinkwater came on but the club realise it made a huge mistake with him and he will be gone soon. Luiz at centre half is just what we need and Sarri will love him. We so missed him last Season. The only problem at the moment is a striker and maybe a left back. Keeper of course needs sorting. Batsy would of got us top 3 last season let alone top 4, a goalscorer, and they are hard to find. I think we will see him chip in 20 plus next Season. Don't actually need much as this squad is very very good if they all stay.

02 Aug 2018 22:28:34
Probably need a striker with the best bits of morata and batsy. Morata is intelligent and makes the runs and is good in the air, batsy is probably a better finisher (at the moment ) . Batsy is improving all the time .

02 Aug 2018 09:26:51
For me there's 3 positions that need strengthening before the end of window. ST, RW and a LB? We have so much deadwood. Morata, Moses, Giroud, Willian, Drinkwater, Bakayoko, Alonso and Cahill are all either not good enough or don't fit the system. Batshuayi is a goal scorer and should be given the nod but I still have doubts whether he's good enough to lease the line but if he does get a chance he will score. Icardi is needed. Bailey should be targeted for RW replace Willian we desperately need a left footed who can cut in.

God knows who for LB but Alonso is too slow for role anyone have any ideas? I'm unsure on Emerson too.

02 Aug 2018 10:26:22
We don't use the deadwood word here mate, call them fringe players or something it's disrespectful to players who we should support. To mention club captain and winner of every trophy possible Gary Cahill as deadwood is unacceptable to me. Whilst I agree most of those need to move on I will appreciate what they've done for our club, most of them contributing to winning either a league title or domestic cup. Come on man don't sink to other clun's fans levels.

02 Aug 2018 11:29:41
Blimey. you must have some inside knowlege on Sarri’s thinking there, three of the players mentioned haven’t even trained with him yet!

02 Aug 2018 12:21:34
Saim: Excellent reply to King Frank but the choice of words is almost certainly driven by frustration. We are all feeling it because a week to go and as with other clubs there are rumours galore about who are being targeted but with us so far, excluding Jorghino who was earmarked along with Sarri, we do seem to be falling flat with a week to go. That said we will pull someone out of the hat in one of those positions at least.

02 Aug 2018 12:29:41
KIng Frank, you’ll be the same guy saying ‘I never doubted “insert one of listed names here” ‘, all those players are in bad form apart from Cahill alonso and Moses who have all been very good for chelsea.

02 Aug 2018 13:30:25
King Frank your posts are actually funny these days. Can't take them seriously.

02 Aug 2018 15:23:51
We have Fabregas, Barkley, RLC and Drinkwater as CM's. Kante, Jorghio and Bakayoko as CDM's. If Sarri will force 433 we have very good midfield. If Hazard and Willian are staying all we need is great goalkeeper if Courtois is leaving.

02 Aug 2018 08:35:35
The way this seasons shaping up if go for Hudson-Odoi, Batshuayi and Hazard as our front three. At least Michy knows where the net is. Morata benched with Pedro. Sell Willian and try to bring in Bailey.

02 Aug 2018 09:33:17
From how things have panned out so far as regards our dealings in the transfer window: can one really blame Hazard for not signing a new deal and demanding that the club show more ambition in the transfer window? A club that wants to show ambition will buy Leon Bailey or Pulisic (get that RW quickly sorted) even while Willian is at the club; bring in the two players (Rugani and Vecino) that Sarri's demanding and get the season going. If Chelsea is serious about cutting costs then the board should learn to start keeping coaches for longer periods of time rather than hire and fire them every two seasons (cos its looking like every new coach comes in with his own new demands which means more money to be spent) .

02 Aug 2018 13:34:43
I don't think Hazard was after raw/ young talent Obinna. I think he was after big names like Lewandowski, Jorginho, and others. Obviously 1 has happened.

02 Aug 2018 07:47:27
Sarri said after the game that Odoi is ready and will be in the first team this season.

Although he isn't happy with Willian returning late. Watch that space with a week left in the window.

02 Aug 2018 08:34:26
Good players can play on either wing. I’d go Hudson-Odoi, Batshuayi and Hazard as our front three. At least Michy knows where the net is if he gets the chance.

02 Aug 2018 09:07:39
Agreed. I like Pedro but he tends to burn himself out after 45mins. perhaps an impact sub.

02 Aug 2018 04:37:40
Why not look at someone like Bertrand Traore - I beleive we had a buy back clause on him - plays the position needed - is left footed on RW - not sure if he counts as HG - but worth a shout - effectively replace Pedro as off the bench starter or Cup games / EL starter.

02 Aug 2018 07:02:25
Whilst I agree, buyback clauses are illegal in France and Aulas is the French De Laurentias/ Daniel Levy.

02 Aug 2018 07:52:45
I did say at the time it was silly to be selling him but maybe the player wanted out and we all know Chelsea aren't likely to stand in someone's way in those situations. Has anyone followed his progress since he left us? I haven't heard his name mentioned so I can't imagine he's setting the world alight.

02 Aug 2018 11:58:07
perhaps your right Saim - may be to watch out for next year I guess then. hopegully we move Pedro on by then.

01 Aug 2018 23:27:16
Jorginho has finally replaced Ballack 12 years later. What an orchestrator he is.

02 Aug 2018 06:16:44
Totally different players.

02 Aug 2018 07:02:58
I'd like to hear why you think that KingFrank?

02 Aug 2018 09:21:43
Jorginho is a regista who sits in front of the back four. Ballack was a box to box powerhouse who could get in the box and score. Completely opposite. Sure you’re not a troll?

02 Aug 2018 13:14:17
Ballack and Jorginho are nothing alike haha. Ballack was probably the finest all round midfielder in the world bar Zidane!