27 Jul 2021 06:44:39
As the time in this window passes and as we haven't made any big names signings it seems like more and more supporters are getting impatient. But we have to be realistic - when we won champions league in 2012 it felt like a last stand of Chelsea Greats to win us the holy grail - it was a victory against all Odds - I didn't think many of us expected us to turn the Napoli game around or win against Barcelona - but it was like the great players of Chelsea had taken it on themselves to win at all costs.
But this time it wasn't like that - the games we won it didn't feel like we were up against it. Media might have different view but we outplayed Real Madrid, Athletico, and Man City. Also on top of that this group of players is starting with this not ending. Age of some of our most important players is early 20s - Mount, Havertz, Werner, Chilwell, James, Christensen. Even guys like Rudiger, Kovacic, Jorginho, Kante have a good couple of seasons in them at top level. So by all accounts we really don't need to spend like we did after 2012.
Looking at the squad - Unless we get a top keeper - oblak or someone else for cheap I can't see anyone coming in and doing better than Mendy, and if we can offload Kepa I am sure the club will try to get someone but for now there is no one really available and with Mendy already doing better we don't need to spend stupid amount on this position.
In Defense we have Dave, Silva, Rudiger, Christensen, Zouma, - Zouma played very little since tuchel came and in the long run we can expect Dave to be replaced by Christensen or James to replace him in the right side of defense. Since schedule this time won't be as tight as last year Silva will play most games - Rudiger is a good player and if he signs a new contract then he will stay. There are rumours of both Sterling, and Sarr staying with the team so even If Zouma leaves there is more than enough cover with some top players. On the left side we have Chillwell and he will play most games. If we sell/ loan Alonso, Emerson, Baba we have now rumours coming in that Kenedy might stick around and it could be good rather than buying backup player.
So if Zouma Leave we might go for some big centre back but that won't be a top priority.
In Midfield we have three top class players in Jorginho, Kovacic, Kante and last year Gilmour played some games. So if we take that we need four players there - fourth player could be one of Loftus-Cheek, or Galagher or Chalobah - Again this is okay as the fourth player last year really didn't play that much. Now if we are looking to upgrade and one of Jorginho or Kovacic leaves I am sure the club will go after Saul/ Rice/ Touchemi (spelling) or club might just loan/ offload both loftus cheek and galagher and get someone who will push Jorginho/ Kovacic to be fourth choice.
Our system last year used 3 attackers and we have Mount, havertz, Ziyech, CHO, Pulisic, Abraham, Werner for this position and we can clearly see we need a top quality striker - hence Haaland/ Lukaku push. And we also know Broja might be integrated if he impresses to replace Giroud.

If it comes to need there is only one need and that is a Striker who can score 30+ goals a year. The rest of the players we are after have to be really great to improve us - As we know we might go after Coman or other wingers but that player has to be better than Ziyech or CHO as we already have many players in that position and those two seem to be least preferred. Same in Midfield the players really need to be better than kovacic, Loftus cheek, or even jorginho - which let's be honest in this market is difficult to find. So Even if we sign one striker we are not that off from being a really good team.

Interest in Hakimi again was similar to this - he is simply world Class - he would have made us better but since he is not there anymore finding someone who is genuinely an improvement our current batch would be very difficult.

There is a lot of time and as long as we get one striker in we are good to go - everything else is not a requirement but more about can we do even better which is very difficult considering the players we have.

1.) 27 Jul 2021
27 Jul 2021 08:05:45
Good post.

2.) 27 Jul 2021
27 Jul 2021 09:00:59
Wow, Chelsea will sign Betinelli such a squad improvement. What a relief.

3.) 27 Jul 2021
27 Jul 2021 10:37:19
A most enjoyable post CFC.