Chelsea Banter Archive December 30 2014

30 Dec 2014 21:22:32
Soooooo guys. Just read something interesting on the United page regarding Russian clubs. Apparently it's possible that some of the 'overpaid' players (think Hulk and Valbuena) will be sold in the summer in order to better comply with FFP and reduce the wage bill. Among these overpaid players is Witsel.
Now if the club are looking for good central midfielders, then I think Witsel deserves some consideration. He's fantastic! Strong, good positional sense, technically sound and some good passing range.
Eds and posters, what do you think? Do you agree that he'd be a good option? Cheers lads

Good shout. However he's not in the bracket of pogba, Martinez, Koke

Like me and Eli have agreed on, we should only sign top top quality players, otherwise use payers from our youth.

I think witsel has been in Russia too long to refind his potential but that's just me.

You're right :) will be interesting to see what ends up happening with some of these players

The problem with buying the highest quality players (which I don't disagree with btw, if they are available, you have to strongly consider a move) is that squad players rarely get a look in. let alone those coming through from the academy. IMO, it's all about getting the right balance and giving the right amount of opportunities to keep the majority of the squad satisfied. Not an easy job at all for a Manager, particularly at the very highest level.

Aron - re: Witsel, he's 25 and has only been in Russia for 2 years. He was excellent for Benfica prior to moving to Zenit (he and Matic played for a few months together). I think he's a very good player however not sure how viable he'd be given the sums of money involved.

I'm always worried about taking players from Russia - the problem I have is why these players went there in the first place - it can only have been for money and we don't want to end up with another the legend that is Winston Bogarde!

Ah, nothing can compare to good old Winston. king of the p*** takers!

Yep that's what I mean Mrs Costa.

Fair points Steve! He was a fantastic player at benefica.

Wouldn't want him has an appalling attitude and has spent 2 years in a sub standard league we could do a lot lot better.

Appalling attitude, Lampsy? You're talking about Witsel, right? Would you perhaps explain your views because I've got no clue why you'd say that tbh.

M'Vila would fit that category, not Witsel from what I've seen/read (unless you're referring to the infamous leg breaking challenge a few years back)?

Hes choose to go play in Russia for MONEY. that attitude at his age is appalling he had numerous options to go to a few bigger clubs in Europe but instead decides on Russia IMO the Portuguese league is better then the Russian league so it was a step back, So it may just be my opinion Jackson but they guy has a poor attitude he hasn't stood out in Russia he's never looked has good for Belgium has he did for Benfica.Not good enough to play for Chelsea but just my opinion.

That's a fairly broad assumption to draw. a fair few players could be accused of joining cash-rich clubs over the years (including to Chelsea in some instances).

True but Chelsea are one of the the top 5 teams in world football and are in the most competitive league in the world and compete for every trophy going, so saying a player came here for money and Zenit for money is rather a different contrast.

30 Dec 2014 11:09:33
Hello Ed just reading Barcelona transfer embargo has been upheld and so can't by anyone in 2015, Does this mean that whatever miraculously slim chance we had of maybe getting Messi has now gone? or do you see him still moving.

thanks.

{Ed002's Note - Absolutely nothing has changed.}

Think it's best to let this one go. Messi will not join Chelsea. That just won't happen. Our team is slowly becoming a machine, a unit where all parts work on both sides of the ball. Let's enjoy that project for now :)

And just over 10 years ago we were never going to win the champions league times change if we are one of the three teams in contention there's a chance and I for one would love to see the greatest footballer that has ever graced the earth play in Chelsea Royal Blue, not to mention think of what hazard could learn from him, although you are most probably right it will never happen, you should always dream, after all dreams can come true 2012 ;).

Nice reply, Lampsy :) I'd like or rec your post if I could. So consider this a spiritual 'rec' haha ;-)

Would just love to see Messi in blue - make it so!

30 Dec 2014 08:47:21
Posters, who is/was the better manager?

Alex Ferguson or Jose Mourinho

Ooo tough one, very different managers, fergie was old school, mourinho is tactically a genius so I think maybe 10 years down the road we will all have an answer for that question but as for now fergies trophy cabinet speaks for itself

Jose Mourinho without any doubt!
SAF and MU were government project!
The only coach who use to beat Mourinho was R.Benitez.

MN I really like your posts buddy! Even though I don't always agree with you :)

And I loved the Benitez - Ferguson rivalry lol

Well, Benitez managed to beat Mourinho tactically in few very important occasions. Both of them are known as chess players. The best tacticians no doubt. Only Mourinho always had much more money on his disposal.
Sometimes people on this page do not get what I am talking about.

We all love you though, mn ;-)

Think I agree with mn on this one but I'm not sure we will ever really be able to compare.

For the first 10 years of the prem Manchester United just dominated. You had some challengers like Arsenal for a few years but they were just a class above.

With all the money in the game now you genuinely have many more teams who are in the position to push on and compete - Chelsea, Manchester United and City, and then you look at the teams who are spending money and should be up there like spurs, arsenal and liverpool.

I think what i'm saying is the I believe that Mourinho is the better manager but I think its harder to win things now. Just my thoughts. Though it does show how good SAF was considering he got a title out of the same team that Moyes did so badly with.