16 Apr 2016 19:55:19
Well this is a tough post to do, but finally, I think it is time.
The death of old Chelsea FC.
We haven't moved on with the times and we have been caught out by it. We think it is still 05/ 06 when no-one could match us financially and major investment after winning the league wasn't necessary.
Next year will be the hardest year ever on paper in the EPL. Manchester City will have Guardiola, potentially a stack of new signings and will ship off their deadwood, while retaining players like KDB, Aguero and Kompany. Liverpool are going to give Klopp investment and he is very good with transfers, plus they will have a motivated and hard working squad with stars like Sturridge and Firmino. Arsenal are the team closest to us in my opinion in terms of failing to move on, I think they could suffer a season like we have next year because Wenger is too stubborn to change. That said, they still have world class players like Cech and Ozil. Manchester United could have CL football to attract players plus Jose who will remove the dross from the squad and bring in stars as United look to get back to where they feel they belong. Add potential rising stars in like Leicester, Southampton and Everton who will all be investing this summer and certainly the former two have overachieved this year given their resources, they'll also be a threat.
So where does that leave us? Well, here is my honest assessment of every squad player. I will do a separate post for loanees later.
GK:
Courtois: We should keep him if he wants to stay. Otherwise, sell to highest bidder. No point in keeping a rotting apple plus has had a poor disrupted season despite his class. If he was sold, I'd try to bring in Donnarumma for the fee we receive.
Begovic: A model professional and great guy. Would love us to keep him, but he deserves to be first choice. Again, his choice.
Amelia: Not sure if he is registered as a player or not. Maybe a coaching role, but Lollichon is excellent for that.
RB:
Azpilicueta: A poor few months but a true professional and always works his socks off. Keep him, he could star under Conte's system.
Ivanovic: Like a certain Serbian powerhouse CB, his time has gone and sadly he has deteriorated fast. Move him on before he can do too much damage.
CB:
Terry: Would like him to get a player-coach role but doubt it will happen. Captain, Leader, Legend.
Cahill: English, homegrown and a solid squad player. Worth keeping around unless we have a better option.
Miazga: Very talented, but very very raw. Would keep him around because Conte will help him a lot, but if he isn't going to get game time, let him have a loan to a PL club that will play him.
Zouma: Have really missed him and need to get him fit for the new season ideally. The new Desailly in my opinion, a real powerhouse who has leader potential.
Clarke-Salter: A youth I am very excited about, he deserves a chance before the end of the year. I would keep him around again like Miazga as he has the potential to grow very quickly.
LB:
Baba: I just don't know what happened to this guy, confidence, injuries or failing to settle, but we need to cut our losses. Sell him.
Aina: Perhaps has an attitude but clearly a class young talent. Try and sort out a new deal for him and give him a chance to see if he can be a new first teamer.
Jay Da Silva: Give him a chance, he could be like Bellerin and break through to own the position. Very attacking which is what Conte likes from his wide defenders.
CM/ CDM/ CAM:
Matic: Again, an enigma. A poor season, possibly due to confidence crisis. But on his day he is immense and I believe we can get him back to that level. Keep him and re-assess later.
Mikel: A loyal servant but ultimately not good enough. Move him on, as we should have done a long time ago.
Cesc: A poor season, but a class playmaker. Keep and build a system around him and a partner.
Oscar: Never kicked on from that potential that saw him displace KDB and Mata and can no longer be afforded any chances to do so at Chelsea, move him on. A shame, but has to be done in my view.
Palmer: A class young talent, needs a chance to get some experience before season end and then a sensible champiomship or EPL loan for one year for regular football at a club that uses the ball well.
RM/ LM/ RW/ LW:
Hazard: A world class player. on his day. And that day has passed at Chelsea. Sell him on and see if he can restart his career elsewhere. Attitude may be what is holding him back.
Willian: The probable POTY has been solid in my view, but still. Needs to be more consistent, no goals or assists since February. A good player though.
Kenedy: Off the boil recently, but an excellent young player. Start trying to give him more starts now we have nothing to play for and get his confidence up.
Traore: A very talented young player, should be an undisputed starter for the rest of the season and rotation winger/ striker next year.
Pedro: Not done enough. Perhaps Pep would take him to City as a Navas replacement? Elsewise, sell for a decent fee while we still can.
ST:
Costa: Unless we can use him in a deal for Griezmann, or sign someone who is clearly better than him, keep him. Needs more service.
Remy: His heart and head are not in it, move on. Seems to live offside.
Pato: Not worth keeping post-loan when he is going to block Traore, Solanke and Abraham going forward. Shame cause he is a decent player.
Falcao: Again, no idea how he has fallen so far. But that can be Monaco's problem next year.
Abraham: An amazing young striker who I think will surpass Solanke in all honesty. Give him a chance, after all it worked for Rashford. If he isn't quite ready, a loan to a team in the Championship.
Congratulations for getting to the end of the post. Think that is everyone. The loanee post will come shortly.
16 Apr 2016 22:03:23
Fantastic post mate.
16 Apr 2016 22:06:59
cfcforever Chelsea squad will look pretty much different from present. With new manager and completely different and new tactical approach whole squad will be suited to new tactics.You shouldn't make assumptions based on current tactical approach dated from AVB and unfortunately kept by Benitez,Mourinho and finally Hiddink.
We shall see soon enough who will fit and who won't fit Conte's system.He doesn't play with too many creative players, he usually has a few creative ones and the rest are typical soldiers.
Creating team spirit will be the most important thing to do.If Conte is able to do it he will be great success.
16 Apr 2016 22:42:19
RLC: A very talented young player who needs to work harder but at least he shows some damn passion. Hopefully Conte can turn him into a new Pogba, another player we should build the new team around.
16 Apr 2016 22:44:24
Personally I think even though we weren't as balanced I would put Azpi back to RB where he looks far more assured. I'd give Aina a run at RB, the lads a powerhouse with a great engine so why not give him a go. Mikel and Fabregas are way to slow in midfield even if we switched to a three man midfield. Apart from pass a ball what can Cesc do, he can't shoot, tackle or run. I've never seen someone who can hit a 60 yard pass to perfection but can't shoot from outside the box. City will hit the nail on the head by signing Gundogan who is a complete midfielder in my eyes. I'd keep Matic as he was world class and has proved it just needs to get back to that level with some help. Mikel never has been and never will be. I'd love to see a proper Chelsea midfield again. Nainggolan and Gundogan would be my two dream signings.
17 Apr 2016 07:37:44
Azpi at lb I meant.
17 Apr 2016 09:17:31
Keep the faith lads it surely can't get any worse looking forward to next season and getting a bit of a buzz around this huge club again and out us back on the map and challenging on all forts pep and co will be all backed hugely financially so let's see what Roman does and how much he's interested in getting his club back to buisness I'm sure he's been bemused by the lack of quality and fight this year as we are.
{Ed018's Note - he's done some decent things but he surely needs to work on his work rate}