05 Aug 2017 06:58:50
Hey ed, could you provide us with an insight as to which positions Chelsea are looking to add new players to and who they are possibly looking at?

I looked through the entire European and football transfers page but I can't find any.

{Ed002's Note - Nothing has changed at this time. Chelsea want a wide player, a left back, another midfield player, a centre back and possibly a young forward forward or another midfield player - but there are other considerations as well. If a player becomes available who can improve the squad then the club will consider him. If there is not the right player available at the right price them they will not buy for the sake of it. Equally, things can change if a player were to leave. There is no secret that Alex Sandro is of particular interest and the Chelsea would like to take Antonio Candreva but both are proving to be very difficult. Chelsea are also required to maintain the home grown quota and that is a consideration not to lose sight of.}

1.) 05 Aug 2017
05 Aug 2017 08:16:12
Thanks ed.

2.) 05 Aug 2017
05 Aug 2017 08:43:31
Thanks ed.

3.) 05 Aug 2017
05 Aug 2017 08:46:27
Awesome thanks Ed002.

4.) 05 Aug 2017
05 Aug 2017 08:55:15
Hmm don't see why we'd need another CB with Azpi, Luiz, Rudiger, Cahill and Christensen already in the team. That'd be a strange move.

A young forward is a curious one as we already have a young stud in Abraham that's out on loan. Why not use him if we want that type of player?

A midfielder is a desperate need right now, and reports of Drinkwater being pursued are underwhelming to say the least. If we want to be a top club we should target top players. Not midtable level players like Drinkwater.

Shame about Sandro probably not coming as he'd transform our whole team. He's a world class player and would run that left side on his own. I just don't get why Chelsea seemingly keep trying for him while it seems to be clear that Juve aren't willing to sell him.

Lastly, I hope we don't get another wide forward in unless it's one of world class talent (thinking Ousmane Dembele, Asensio, Berardi) . Otherwise I want Musonda to be given a chance. He's an amazing talent and in 20 minutes against Inter he showed what he can do for us. Just waiting to be given a chance. Let's not lose another top young player over a lack of chances.

{Ed002's Note - (a) Rudiger will provide cover on the right and there are some issues in respect of Christensen. There has been consistent interest in signing another centre back and the club intend to try to do so. (b) Abraham is not ready to play for Chelsea in the premier league at this time. He has the opportunity to gain some experience. (c) Perhaps you could start some sort of social media campaign to ensure that Drinkwater doesn't sign - voodoo dolls might be an option. (d) Perhaps you don't fully understand the situation. (e) The cliched term "world class" is rather hopeless in reality - unless you have a definitive list of "world class" players who you can share with us.}

5.) 05 Aug 2017
05 Aug 2017 09:59:42
Funny that Drinkwater formed a fantastic midfield with a Kante in Leicesters title winning season. 🙄. Ahh maybe because he's not a big name like a Sanches and the like that he's not good enough.

Azpi can play right wing back as well as Moses. So yes I think another CB is needed.

Another young striker is intriguing. Any names being thrown around Ed?

Bringing "World class" players in can be very expensive and they don't always perform or settle. Not always the best option IMO.

6.) 05 Aug 2017
05 Aug 2017 08:27:38
Quality. Thanks ed002.

7.) 05 Aug 2017
05 Aug 2017 09:37:30
Thanks for the reply, Ed :)
a) I'm just scared of losing a top young defender in Christensen. I understand he might need a little time to adapt to the PL, but he's an exceptional young player and it'd be madness to lose him. Signing another CB has me believing he might demand a transfer.
b) Again, I agree with you on Abraham. Getting him a loan where he can play significant minutes in the PL was the best solution. Bringing in another young forward however might stand in the way of Abraham returning to the first team in a year or 2 if he does well. That's where I start worrying again. In this age, where decent players cost 35 million and more, having players from the academy in your squad that don't cost you any fee are very valuable. Another forward might block Abraham's path.
c) I'm a bit scared of black magic so I won't get involved with voodoo. Just got to hope the board see sense on this one I guess :-P
d) I probably don't understand the Sandro situation at all. All I've got is hope since Sandro hasn't signed that extension at Juve and we apparently keep trying for him. So there must be at least a glimmer of hope.
e) duly noted. World class is different to everyone and it's very vague. I just mean a top player. Don't buy a guy like Cuadrado or Candreva to take Musonda's spot is all I'm saying.

{Ed002's Note - (a) I guess you don't understand the issues and the situation has been made clear to the player. Omerou - a decision has yet to be made. (b) If you have these kids in the first team squad they won't play and you get problems. There is another young striker the club see as more of a talent in any case. (c) It is nothing to do with the board. (d) Right. (e) You play kids every week they will get torn apart in the Premier Leage.}

8.) 05 Aug 2017
05 Aug 2017 11:09:33
What are the situations with Christensen ed?

{Ed002's Note - Unimportant.}

9.) 05 Aug 2017
05 Aug 2017 11:28:28
I've heard (not twitter) that Christiansen is difficult and demanding first team football ( more or less) . If he's replaced by quality (VVD for example) I'd be happy to see him go, loyalty earns loyalty.

10.) 05 Aug 2017
05 Aug 2017 11:48:08
AND that other striker the club see more of a talent, Ugbo?

{Ed002's Note - Yes.}

11.) 05 Aug 2017
05 Aug 2017 11:48:49
And I understand my last replies have no been making it to the page, I understand why eds, no disrespect intended.

{Ed002's Note - I am really not sure what you are talking about.}

12.) 05 Aug 2017
05 Aug 2017 11:59:06
Ugbo does seem a great player

No worries mate, was just making comments on your replies to Jackson. I didn't agree with a couple of your statements and said that but no need to get back into that, hope your enjoying your weekend.

{Ed002's Note - I didn't see them.}

13.) 05 Aug 2017
05 Aug 2017 12:14:46
Dont know why we loaned out zouma but kept christensen.

{Ed002's Note - Because Zouma wants to stay at Chelsea and has worked all summer to lose weight and get in shape - he deserves the loan to get the opportunity to play the regular games he needs to be a serious choice for a first pick at Chelsea.}

14.) 05 Aug 2017
05 Aug 2017 12:22:14
Great stuff Zouma.

15.) 05 Aug 2017
05 Aug 2017 12:34:54
Fair enough ed.

16.) 05 Aug 2017
05 Aug 2017 12:43:12
Thanks for posting again on the Chelsea page Ed002. It's made fascinating reading. Chelsea fans just need to remain patient and trust the board!

17.) 05 Aug 2017
05 Aug 2017 10:02:30
Any possibility we could ask what central midfielders we are looking at right now Ed002?

{Ed002's Note - Drinkwater - you know that.}

18.) 05 Aug 2017
05 Aug 2017 10:04:42
Even a short reply like that without the names is really helpful ed2, cheers.

And ed2 in reply to your reply of jacksons comment, I bet Kane wasn't ready to play for a top team in the premier league either, either was Rashford. I don't agree with Jackson on that point as he should leave on loan to earn experience and game time, but it's very difficult to say a player isn't ready for a certain league without giving them a chance.

C, although there are many idiotic posters on this page, Jackson isn't one of those, his post was an opinion, and not being a childish fan

Another thing, why do my replies rarely get posted, I replied to ed2 the other day and it didn't get onto the page? Wasn't rude or anything, just opinionative

Cheers guys appreciate the work.

{Ed002's Note - So you would see playing a centre forward who is not ready for the premier league in the same way as a centre back who is not ready?}

19.) 05 Aug 2017
05 Aug 2017 10:22:44
Very much appreciated ed002,

20.) 05 Aug 2017
05 Aug 2017 13:24:15
God, I love Zouma. That's great to read from him. Hopefully Hughes intends to actually play him.

21.) 05 Aug 2017
05 Aug 2017 13:29:03
Fair enough, Ed :) Surprising to read that the club rate Ugbo as a bigger talent than Abraham. I mean, he did score 23 goals in the Championship at the age of 19 (a record for a teenager, beating Moussa Dembele's 17 goals I think) . Hopefully he does well at Swansea as well, as I think his innate sense of where the ball is going to end up is something you can't teach. His movement is exceptional for such a young guy.
And I didn't mean playing Musonda every game. He's not ready for that. But we already have Eden, Pedro and Willian as well. So he wouldn't need to start every week. He can start the occasional game and come on as an attacking sub to throw something different at the opposition with his pace, trickery and directness.

{Ed002's Note - Clearly you misunderstood something. Clubs never use words like "rate", and they are not looking at any nonsense about goals and goal records.}

22.) 05 Aug 2017
05 Aug 2017 14:31:52
"The club see as more of a talent" --> more or less the same as rating a player higher, no? English isn't my native language but in my eyes they boil down to the same thing. So perhaps a misinterpretation on my part.
We'll see how Ugbo deals with professional football I guess. Abraham has shown he can score goals at the professional level (which is obviously important as a striker which is why I referred to the record) while Ugbo hasn't done that yet. Hopefully he shows he too can perform against grown men.

23.) 05 Aug 2017
05 Aug 2017 15:17:55
Sorry Ed002, assumed as much, but just when question was asked before, you said no interest in Drinkwater as far as you know, but will take it as genuine. Thanks anyway.

24.) 06 Aug 2017
05 Aug 2017 23:53:15
So ed, do chelsea have any other lbs lined up, or are we confident about sandro.

{Ed002's Note - Either or questions are not something I can deal with.}

25.) 06 Aug 2017
06 Aug 2017 00:26:00
It's not the same no, but it's an example. You can't say a player isn't ready for the premier league without giving them a chance, regardless of whether it's the case more often than not.

26.) 06 Aug 2017
06 Aug 2017 09:18:23
Thanks a lot Ed002 . finally just one small question

Since we seem to be linked with only Drinkwater, is it safe to say Lewis Baker is staying as a back up?

We have only 3 senior CM and I don't think Conte would be fan of playing Fabregas in a 2 man midfield for big games.

{Ed002's Note - I cannot answer questions with suggestions like "is it safe to say" in them.}

27.) 06 Aug 2017
06 Aug 2017 15:34:12
I got the answer, thanks boss!