02 Feb 2016 17:24:13
It's what the other teams are going to do in the summer and the attraction they will have to the top players that worries me.
Man city will have pep and spend big
Man U will probably have Jose and spend big
Liverpool will spend and the attraction of Klopp as manager
Arsenal may finally sign their world class striker
Spurs will probably be in champions league with a young attractive team under a very good young manager.
That's not taking into account the top Spanish teams. There are only so many young world class players, and if u were one of them, would u choose Chelsea at the moment if one of the other teams were interested. Best hope and one thing in our favour, if Hazard and Costa want out, we can in ask for certain players in exchange. Failing that let's hope whoever is the new manager, has great connections and a fantastic reputation throughout the football world.
02 Feb 2016 18:36:56
Well you sound happy Sid! Firstly, I don't see Jose at utd and even if he was they are in a mess and also unlikely to be in the Champions league. Klopp and Liverpool don't have the financial clout and are also unlikely to be in the Champions league. Spurs don't pay top wages so won't attract top players. Aresenal are a genuine threat but being Aresnal always seem to bottle it. City are a huge threat and will be the team to beat. Now for us. Only recently Champions of England and finding form now the players have their belief and confidence back. A very good group of young players pushing for a place in the squad assuming the new manager gives them a chance ( 3 times FA Youth Cup Winners in the last 4 years ) . Hazard didn't kiss the badge for nothing, he will stay. West London and the wages we pay will always attract top players. The new manager will be given a decent budget to bring in the 3/ 4 top players needed to have us compete at the top level again. This season has been a learning curve for Roman and the board and he/ they will invest to ensure we move back to the top. For me the glass is half full! Chelsea with a passion.
02 Feb 2016 18:53:28
Wow G8 wish some of your optimism will rub off on me.
02 Feb 2016 21:49:24
Big money will always attract players. In last few years we became dominantly selling club. It looks like that big money spending time for Chelsea is over. TBH I am very concerned who will be the next Chelsea manager.
02 Feb 2016 21:51:51
If we somehow manage to keep the most of our squad will be a great success.
02 Feb 2016 21:55:26
As G8 said, half the players at Utd really aren't up to standard and won't have CL, City will probably spend big but will have to deal with FFP and an aging squad and a dire need for an entire new defensive line. Liverpool won't have CL, an extremely overbloated and unbalanced squad, are in serious need to sell in order to meet FFP. Arsenal truly only need 1 or 2 players and such won't likely be going for any of the players we will, don't really pay high wages and if they don't win the PL or CL won't be as attractive an option. Spurs don't pay high wages, it'll be their first year in the CL and so therefore would be a bit of a gamble, Levy is generally quite tight with money and they will also need money to finance their stadium.
Atletico and Madrid might be banned. Bayern and Barcelona don't need a lot of new players. PSG will have some financial constraints both with FFP and the French league rules.
So yeah overall I'm fairly hopeful come the summer that we will be able to acquire a few of our top targets.
{Ed002's Note - Chelsea wanted a sale or a loan with a guaranteed sale and Leicester wanted a loan.}