Chelsea Rumours Archive January 25 2013

25 Jan 2013 13:44:34
ED002 can Chelsea not ban certain Journalists from Press conferences and Matches? We get so much bad press some certain people in the media and some of it is very uncalled for?

CFC1905 {Ed002's Note - Most of the dealings with the press are through press releases. As with all clubs, they tend to build better relationships with certain members of the press and that sometimes sees ease of access to players and staff.}

Good question (and answer Ed002). Neil Ashton of the Daily Mail does my head in....he's never given us any decent press and is the first to really lay into the club at the slightest thing. It's even more galling to see his smug face interviewed on Chelsea TV when he's all sweetness and light.

Steve

25 Jan 2013 10:02:31
There is no doubt we will need a new striker in the summer, probably as a replacement for Torres who looks like he may leave. But is this our biggest problem area? I posted a couple of days ago stating that the signing of Lazar Markovic would leave me happy with our winter transfer dealings. I've come to realise that the strikers is not our main problem. If I d have been told in August that by January we'd have two strikers with 14 and 16 (granted mostly with Newcastle) goals respectively, I'd have taken that. Both look like they may get near to twenty goals - that is not a problem. The problem in the team comes in the midfield.

I agree with all the posters who feel the pivot role has been a major issue for concern this season. The one positive this season has been the performances of David Luiz when he's been deployed there. If we are honest no other player has performed to a high standard.

Lampard is going and, if not for the penalties he's scored recently, hasn't contributed much in recent games. If anything he's looked tired and been over used, there is a reason Scholes and Giggs put great performances in for United; they're rested for most games.

Mikel is obviously held in high regard at the club, as his new contract would suggest. He is, for me, one of the most frustrating players I've seen playing for Chelsea and gets a lot of negativity from fellow fans. Despite his new contract he'll surly struggle to dispose David Luiz from that position, won't he?

Romeu and McEachran have bright futures ahead of them, but is this bright future really at a club like Chelsea? Are we going to win things with either of them in the centre of midfield? Compare them with a player like Benat (who I've made a point of watching footage of recently), who granted is a bit older, and there is a gap in the quality. Romeu's and McEachran's passing from deep is good but Benat's is exceptional. He would be a great addition to the squad - Ed002 do we still hold any interest in him?

If we aren't looking to sign Benat then Oscar could perform a similar role, he reminds me, in a lot of ways, of Xabi Alonso or Xavi and could be molded into a similar type central midfield player as he matures.

Players like Oscar or Benat would be excellent alongside Luiz but for other games you'd still probably need a bit more steel in the midfield, does this come from Ramires? He was one of our best players last season but looks a bit lost in the two man midfield this season. With his aforementioned new contract the realistic prospect is that the club see this being filled by Mikel; maybe Mikel alongside David Luiz would work......maybe......urm maybe!

Sorry for the long post.

Surewould

I Agree with the majority of what your saying Surewould, Although I do love Lamps it feel like the time is right to move on I also have been impressed with Luiz when playing the holding role, I however would not look to sign Benat I would drop Oscar to play alongside Luiz and try to buy Isco has the other 3rd Attacking midfielder, then in the summer look to buy a real world beater forward.
Josh McEachran is not good enough to play for chelsea and Barca has a 14mil Buyback clause with Romeu no point training him up to be snatched back he's also inconsident, the only other area of the team I don't like is RB I personally don't think he is good enough but that's just my opinion

Blueben

You say the striker position isn't a problem but how many key goals, (first or winning) has Torres scored this season ?
Ba is a decent player but is he really a worldclass finisher we will need to win the big prizes ?
I see him as a good back up to a top player like Falcao in the short term with Lakaku taking that role in a few years time.
Turning to the DM or pivot I am less sure about Luiz playing that role than you.
Is he really disciplined enough to play that role long term?
I do however agree we need an Essien type player to add to the squad in midfield, a box to box player like Khedira would be ideal if he became available in the summer.
Also if Marin is off another pacey wide man would be useful.
More than anything though its a top manager we need who can make these decisions.
Its not always about signing the best players but building a squad who complement each other and in some cases are prepared to be an uncomplaining but effective sub.
We had one for years..Kalou was an absolute gem in this regard.
More than any player its Jose I would like the club to sign..everything else would flow from that.
S.S.

S.S.

Its a problem but, as I said, not our main problem. I'd still like to see Markovic or someone similar come in now and a Falcao or Cavani type player is a must for the summer. I just think the midfield is a bigger issue right now.

Agree on Torres not scoring important goals, but the team need to take some responsibility for important goals too (Mata has taken this on his shoulders most of the time). But RVP's important goals will probably win them the league - maybe more.

Have to agree to disagree on Luiz, his discipline was always a concern of mine before he moved forward. Personally I think he's played well in the role and more importantly has been one of the very few leaders in the JT'less team.

Blueben

Good point. Dropping Oscar deeper and signing Isco would be very business. I'd be happy to see either Isco or Benat come into the squad.

Surewould

S.S - with regards to game changing goals, have a look at the recent article on weaintgotnohistory...makes for interesting reading. Apologies if you have already done so.

We do need more steel in midfield, I was surprised we weren't in for Sissoko to be honest. Fellaini plays the position we need for Belgium (and supposedly has said it's his best position), so I'd love to see a big move for him. Chalobah has played brilliantly in midfield for Watford and I can see him progressing well in the next 12-18 months.

Alongside that role in the pivot, I think Oscar could do a job (has played similar with Brazil) and de Bruyne looks a real prospect as a deep-lying playmaker for Bremen. Benat would probably be the best option if we're looking for a ready-made player to make a difference.

My main issue is we seem to have no plan B. For many years, we have struggled to break teams down (particularly at home); with the new influx of technical players, it baffles me as to why we rigidly stick to 4-2-3-1....early in the season the movement in the final third is what broke teams down, that seems to have all but gone.

Last point...how much do we miss Moses?! One of the signings of the season so far IMO.

Moses offered width and a direct style of play that Hazard shows at times but not as much. Not saying he's better than Hazard but Hazard will slow play down a times, cutting inside etc. With him not in the team we have no ability to stretch teams and EVERYTHING goes through the middle.

A ten fold improvement on Kalou.

Surewould

25 Jan 2013 11:52:34
I actually think Mikel and Luiz together would make a good partnership in the physical encounters against teams like stoke and then play Oscar in the home games alongside Luiz when we will have 60/70 % of the ball and need to unlock tight defences. Challobah could potentially rival Mikel next season as well. I also feel we need a pacy winger and a top top striker (Lukaku)? Why not? Him and Ba rotating with Feruz also given a chance. With Piazon, KDB, Josh and Kalas all coming back with Courtois in the summer we really are very close to being a new, vibrant team.
GJ
COYB

Surewould.
For me the jury is out on Luiz in the DM but I agree he has had some good games and injected some urgency and leadership when he has played there.
However if we play either Oscar or De Bruyne in that role, who are not strong defensively I would certainly have concerns against stronger sides.
Maybe its a question of horses for courses and playing Ramires against top sides.
I completely agree about the lack of flexibility in tactics it makes no sense with the squad we have.
And I also agree 100% regarding Moses he has been outstanding since he got his place in the team and has been sorely missed since he went to ACN.
S.S.

GJ, You make a valid point about the youngsters and if anther striker can't be bought Lukaku may be ready and KDB looks almost set the others are a long way from being first team material even tho 2 or 3 of them look as though they could be real gems i.e Pizaron and Feruz, the majority of these guys are still only boys.

Surewould I agree Moses does bring width but my problem is its so predictable when he plays 75% of the time the ball goes down the right he rarely cuts in. when Moses plays an out and out winger should be put on the left personally I think we would benefit has a club playing 4-3-3 and play to our strengths it does'nt matter if you let in 10 long has you score 11.

Blueben

I'd have had it back to 4-3-3 ages ago.

David Luiz out for a couple of weeks apparently, Hazard on a ban, Moses & Obi Mikel away and Marin apparently going out on loan - our squad is stretched, in terms of quality, to the very core.

Something on the transfer front has to happen soon.

Surewould

25 Jan 2013 13:13:18
Blueben, I like your suggestion of 4-3-3 and feel this would allow us to accomodate Ramiries far better alongside a creative player like Oscar or KDB with Luiz or Mikel holding. Problem for me would be Mata playing wider in the front 3. Hazard and Moses either side of a striker would work well but you can't leave Mata out and he thrives just behind a striker.
I take your point about the youngsters but I have a feeling we will see a lot more of Challabah next year.
GJ
COYB

Our goal keepers are fine. cech, courtios & turnbull.

defence azpi, ivan, terry, cahill, cole, bertrand. may need another right back, but kalas is looking promising on loan, also a centre back. I like subotic.

midfield 2, ramires, luiz, lampard, mikel. its time for lampard, mikel to be gone with. mceachran & de bruyne to come back. still need benat and fernando of porto. if not a benat type then drop oscar back deep.

attacking trio. hazard, mata, marin 3 exceptional players. debruyne can play here as can oscar, but they would be better centre mids a de bruyne is showing in germany. isco, willian or muniain would be a great addition. bring back kakuta, starting to look really good, quite a few assists & a cracking solo goal last week end.

then the strikers torres has to go, falcao or cavani. with ba & lukaku.

the main problem we have is moving the ball to the front men before they are closed down. which is why lampard, mikel have to go. they dwell on the ball. oscar looks like he needs tht extra time on the ball so playing with luiz is combination of pace, passing tackling the lot. BLUEBOY1

24 Jan 2013 23:31:01
What are the chances of getting Angel di Maria before deadline window shuts?
cfc4life

Good one mate