Chelsea Banter Archive May 05 2016

05 May 2016 02:39:22
I think on the back of our season it's fairly easy to speculate on certain arrivals/departures with that said I believe we'll set up something like this next season.

GK: Courtois

Poor season but still has bags of class at a young age. We never should have sold Petr (big contribution to our problems imo) but given his performance last year, it's safe to say his position isn't under threat.

CB: Zouma

Monster! Can't wait to see him develop into the worlds best.

CB: JT

May be controversial but I just can't see him leaving

CB: Bonucci/Marquinhos/Ivanovic

I struggle with the fact Branislav Ivanovic gets a new contract off the back of his performances this season and John Terry could leave. With that in mind if Brana stays I imagine he will be a peripheral figure to a new defensive signing. My personal preference would be Varane (or Christensen back from loan) but rumours suggest these two are the biggest targets.

RWB: Cuadrado

Conte is a known admirer of 3-5-2 and of Cuadrado personally, Cuadrado operated in this role during his stay with both Udinese and Fiorentina and has a big engine. I find it hard to believe the club would sell a player Conte was seriously courting during his time with Juve.

LWB: Azpilicueta

Best full back in Europe on his day.


CM: Fabregas

Still class, just needs a tenacious partner.

CM: Nainggolan

The engine we crave. A box to box midfielder who can play too. For too long we have had static midfield options. I imagine this area will be the one of the greatest reform.

CAM: Willian

Pointed to the badge on his arm, he hates Tottenham and I love him. He's still not the finished article mind, his season has been rationalised as fantastic simply because our collective season has been terrible which is an inaccurate evaluation as far as I'm concerned, he's been the best player in our team for sure, but he's still not been near worthy of the team of the year.

CF: Hazard

He's got to stay, play him as a trequartista and watch him flourish.

ST: Costa/Higuain/Griezmann

I'm not sure whether Costa will stay or go, if he does it will most likely be back to Atletico, perhaps as part of a deal for Griezmann, Higuain has been on fire at Napoli and could be tempted by a top side.

05 May 2016 08:34:21
Agree with most but Willian. I love the way he did that with the badge. But he really is up and down during a match. His corners are very poor. His crossing ain't much better. He doesn't use his pace as much as he should. When azpilicueta has the ball right instead of sprinting down the line or even making a run, he looks to run within 5 yards of Dave. Almost lacks a tactical brain. He's like a baby when he gets a little nudge. and jibs tackles. Can't stand that in a player. Ok he works hard but he doesn't do enough with the ball, or off the ball. Apart from a now and then counter attack. For me he slows the game down so much most of the time. I think most our problems this year is that right hand side. Ivanovic, Willian, mikel. Defending and attacking.

05 May 2016 10:23:48
I also agree with most of this (if we are to play a 3-5-2 formation) although I can't believe anyone would put Cuadrado in their team. Yes Conte may like him and he's had a decent loan spell but does no one remember how poor he was last year? Not cut out for the prem at all. I'd actually push Willian to the RWB position, Hazard into CAM and then sign a striker to compliment Costa although I'm not quite sure who.

05 May 2016 11:14:04
I agree entirely with BLUEBOY 1. I have praised Willian time and agaian for his work rate and tracking back BUT we bought him as an attacking midfielder/ winger and the end product is disappointing. There has been an improvement this season and his dead ball goals got us out of trouble but he has been the best of a poor bunch because he never went backwards like many others. I really do not think we will get anymore out of him and a ridiculous China offer would be good money to have in the bank.

05 May 2016 14:05:05
Dont rate Willian? . beggars belief.

05 May 2016 17:08:47
Blimey, Willian not good enough? Ok I think he has tired a bit in last third of the season, mainly because he was carrying virtually the whole team for the first. Yes he's not in the top ten in the world perhaps, whereas Hazard could be on last season's form, but I think Willian would be really important part of an energised and revamped squad. So I agree with you G8.

05 May 2016 17:09:36
G8: There is no denying his work rate as I and others have said but as an attacking midfielder/ winger his crossing and/ or corners are poor and his scoring rate of a goal every SEVEN games is dreadful for what we bought. Griezmann an attacking midfielder is better than a goal every TWO games. We do not get the end product and I just cannot see him improving any further.