21 Jul 2017 09:07:06
I know these are only friendly matches but I believe this is one the most important pre seasons for a long time, the team seem together, winning these games is breeding confidence and always nice to get one over on City.
Seems like we have pace now, Jose saying he wants one more in asap and not as fussed on the 4th, is it bluff I dunno but who is more important to the team Perisic or Fabinho/ Matic/ Dier?

1.) 21 Jul 2017
21 Jul 2017 09:40:52
This coming from a rival fan, but I'd say a solid midfielder would add more to your team than a guy like Perisic (who's a good player, make no mistake) . Your attack seems pretty stacked from where I'm sitting, but the midfield is a bit low on numbers. Unless of course Jose is willing to put his full trust in youngsters like Pereira and Fosu-Mensah, but he was with us (Chelsea) long enough for me to become skeptical regarding Jose and trusting youth.

2.) 21 Jul 2017
21 Jul 2017 09:50:20
I think a solid holding midfielder is more important and would give us more tactical flexibility than a player like Perisic.

Since Inter sorted out thier financial issues they have no need to sell Perisic and the manager wants to keep him. There is no advantage in selling him as they will have to replace him and there are no certainties that the replacement will be as good and if everyone knows they have a large sum sitting in the bank from a Perisic sale then they will be ripped off.

So now they are digging their heels in and saying no sale unless Martial is included on loan. If they stick to that stance then it looks like no deal will be possible with them.

3.) 21 Jul 2017
21 Jul 2017 09:54:48
Hi Jackson, you must be pretty happy with your business so far mate? Tend to agree, I would like both of course but like you I think a DM would be key for us. What's the Chelsea consensus on Matic to United?

4.) 21 Jul 2017
21 Jul 2017 10:04:48
Definitely a defensive midfielder needed and if I am being greedy Perisic as well. That would give me a lot of confidence going in to the new season.
Something tells me that the midfielder is going to be Marco Veratti.

5.) 21 Jul 2017
21 Jul 2017 10:13:56
I'm really happy so far, yeah. We desperately need another wingback though, as right now we're basically relying on Alonso and Moses to play every game and stay fit, which is madness. If we get in a good wingback I'll be thoroughly pleased with the transfer window, and we wouldn't even have a high net spend with all the players we've been selling.

Matic to United is a tough one. I think most fans would agree that Matic doesn't really fit the 2 man midfield we use. He's just not dynamic enough. In a 3 man midfield I think he can be fantastic still (which is probably how he'd be used with you guys) . Obviously as fans we'd rather see him sold to Italy than to see us reinforce your squad, but Juve are refusing to up the fee so I'm guessing a deal will be difficult with them. He's been training individually and isn't with the squad on tour so I don't think there's a way back for him. We will deal him this summer, and I think that if you guys are a little patient you'll be able to get him for a fair price once Juve drop out of the race for him.

I don't think Chelsea themselves have a problem with selling to a rival (we've sold you Mata and let Cech go to Arsenal), so in the end I think you might get him. If we do sell him it leaves us quite short on midfielders however, so it'll be interesting what we do then. We'll only have Kante, Fabregas and Bakayoko (injured) as trusted senior players. Could we finally see a young player from the academy get a chance then? I'm really hoping that happens, but with Chelsea I'm not counting on it.

6.) 21 Jul 2017
21 Jul 2017 10:36:38
Yeah squad depth is your biggest thing now isn't it.
What are your feelings on Lukaku going to us and you getting Morata? Both seem to divide opinion.
I'd imagine Matic would be at the base of a 3 for us yeah, I think he would be a key signing for us or someone of his ilk.

7.) 21 Jul 2017
21 Jul 2017 10:49:25
Hello Jackson. I've always wondered why Jose gets stick for not bringing through young players at Chelsea when none of their other numerous managers have done so either. The last first team regular to come through the youth system at Chelsea was John Terry 15 years ago.

8.) 21 Jul 2017
21 Jul 2017 11:04:51
I just wanted to say how refreshing it is to see a fan from another team (Jackson) come to our page and actually add value to the conversation in an amicable manor. if only all fans were like you then football, the discussion, and these pages for that matter would be all the better for it! You're a credit to your team.

9.) 21 Jul 2017
21 Jul 2017 11:53:03
I 2nd Luke's sentiment.

{Ed004's Note - Agreed. Good discussion so far. I think Jacksons correct in his assessment of Chelsea badly needing cover for the full back positions. They play such a vital role nowadays. Unless Conte plans to play William when Moses is out Chelsea probably need cover for both fullbacks}

10.) 21 Jul 2017
21 Jul 2017 13:25:10
Cheers, guys. I think it's fun to read views of other clubs' fans, as at least they aren't biased towards any players etc :-)
If we don't get another fullback in then we're well and truly done far. The wingbacks are probably the most important players if you use a 3 man defense. If they're too tired or just incapable of bombing up and down the flank then it's a huge problem. Sandro would be godly for us, but he's looking unlikely (though he hasn't signed that extension with Juve either, so slim hope remains) . Mendy would also be a beast I think as a wingback. He's got some issues with defensive positioning and focus, but under Conte that'd improve, I'm sure of it (under Guardiola not so much I'd guess) . Playing as a wingback would also further lessen that problem as he'd have an extra CB behind him. His attacking runs and crosses are amazing though so he'd be a brilliant LWB. Unfortunately every fullback seems City bound these days. So yeah, 1 or 2 wingbacks are needed (I'd be tempted to use Dujon Sterling as RWB cover though. That boy is insanely good and I reckon he's ready to play League Cup games for us. Special talent that one) .
The only other position that we need depth in is CM. It depends on Baker I guess. If he's trusted then we've got 4 CMs for 2 positions which is good. Especially since Luiz can play CM if we have some injuries.

On Mourinho and youth, I think it's a little of both. Chelsea seem to hire managers that prefer experienced players. It's a shame since we truly have one of the best academies and some of the best talents worldwide (I'm not being biased, it's just how it is. The England youth teams are stocked with Chelsea players) . The club's problem is that they don't hire managers that will use and trust youngsters (Klopp, Favre, Schmidt etc. ) . Mourinho however doesn't seem to trust them though. 2015-2016 started off horribly. The starters were plain awful as you all know (and probably laughed at lol) . Yet Jose kept picking the same old players that kept playing like shit. Not one youngster, bar Zouma who was bought, was given a chance to prove their worth. RLC got a chance yeah. He played 45 minutes in a position that he was unfamiliar with (and didn't even play badly, mind you) and he got yanked by Mourinho at half time. Traore, whom Mourinho lauded multiple times in the past and is very gifted, got damn near 0 minutes while every starter was shit. Mourinho could've done much much better with regards to youth at Chelsea. That was very disappointing.

Morata vs Lukaku will be a fun one in years to come :-P I must admit I wanted Lukaku. He's a proven goalscorer, a physical specimen and he's a fellow Belgian (yup, I'm from Belgium) . I really like him, and I know how much it would've meant to him to make it big at Chelsea. I wanted him to succeed at the club he really wanted (no offense, but I'm pretty sure he really wanted to move back to Chelsea, the BS about it being his dream move or that he's been planning a move to United for 18 months or whatever is just that, BS) . So my preference was Lukaku. I'm pretty sure he'll be the PL top scorer next season and he's bound to succeed.
Morata will be a bit of a question mark in the PL. He's got everything to become one of the top strikers in the world. His technique is exquisite for a striker, his passing is very good, he's really intelligent in his runs, he's good at headers (which will be a welcome sight as Costa is rubbish at meeting crosses for headers), he works hard for the team and his hold up play is good as well. So basically he seems like a top striker. His finishing seems to be pretty damn good as well. Another top thing is that he's used to high pressure games and moments. Morata has played in 3 CL finals and he's only 24. That's just plain impressive. There's just one downside. Can he lead the line over a full season? We'll find out soon. He's got it all in his locker, it's just a matter of showing it consistently.
The question with Lukaku is whether he can do it for a top club that faces deep defenses week in week out (spoiler: I'm pretty sure he can) . We'll soon find out whether he can.
All in all I think Lukaku is the sure thing of the two. He'll give you goals and is a very good fit for your team. Morata on the other hand is a higher risk, but I do think the reward with him can be higher if he pans out. Conte also loves Morata and has done so for a while, so I'm ecstatic to see them together finally.

It should be a fun season ahead. I'm pegging you guys as title favorites if you get in a CM in the coming weeks.