The Official Chelsea Thread [Vol 2]

[Riff Raff]

jcremonini said:

We've also yet to resolve the striker dilemma though.

Who are the second and third choices ?

What is going to happen with Lukaku ?

And then there is the Courtois/Cech situation.

Suspect there is still quite a bit of business yet....

Good points, but at the moment we still have Nando, Ba and Lukaku on the books, before Costa arrives so it's not as if we haven't got any strikers at all. From what I've been reading in the press and on the internet, Lukaku's gone all gobby, so I wouldn't be surprised to read he's off before the end of the window. I just hope he doesn't go to the Dippers. Watching him and Sturridge ripping us a new one at the Bridge just doesn't bear thinking about. And then there's the story that surfaced again this morning that Drogba is coming back in a coaching role but as a possible strike option too.......

As far as the Cech / Courtois situation is concerned, I don't think Courtois will agree to come back just to sit on the bench, so it's either him or Cech. So whatever happens we are going to have a class act between the posts. And if Courtois were to stay with Atleti for another season, it might give us some leverage with the Filipe Luis situation.

But, you're right. A lot more is going to happen between now and September 1st.

It'll be interesting to see who gets a run out at the weekend against AFC Wimbledon. I suspect it'll be mainly the yoofs.

[Amirhussain]

Courtois will be back for us next season, and most likely to take over from Petr Cech, he has said it himself that he doesn't want to be on the bench, I think we have to let him become our number 1 keeper, Cech is only 32 and has a few more seasons in him, but Courtois is younger, fitter and had a great time at Athletico Madrid. Cech is one of the all time premier league great goalkeepers, but its time for Courtois to take over, IMO. Someone of Cech's ability won't be on the bench, and Monaco and PSG are after him.

I hope Drogba does return, but as a coach, not a player.

[Riff Raff]

Amirhussain said:

Courtois will be back for us next season, and most likely to take over from Petr Cech, he has said it himself that he doesn't want to be on the bench, I think we have to let him become our number 1 keeper, Cech is only 32 and has a few more seasons in him, but Courtois is younger, fitter and had a great time at Athletico Madrid. Cech is one of the all time premier league great goalkeepers, but its time for Courtois to take over, IMO. Someone of Cech's ability won't be on the bench, and Monaco and PSG are after him.

I hope Drogba does return, but as a coach, not a player.

As far as what Courtois has said about being the No.1, at the end of the day he's under contract and will do as he's told. Whether he's happy with that is another matter. But, as I said either would suit me fine, with Schwartzer more than able to fill in in case of injury. I've got no opinion on Jamal Blackman, who would have to cover for Schwartzer if he were unavailable, as I've never actually seen him play.

Re the striker options, I should have said that as well as the out and out strikers we have, we also have both Schürrle and Fabregas who can and have played as false 9's. I'm pretty confident that for the upcoming season, we are going to have lots of tactical options available to us, if as and when we need to mix it up a bit.

[Wombat3]

Amirhussain said:

Courtois will be back for us next season, and most likely to take over from Petr Cech, he has said it himself that he doesn't want to be on the bench, I think we have to let him become our number 1 keeper, Cech is only 32 and has a few more seasons in him, but Courtois is younger, fitter and had a great time at Athletico Madrid. Cech is one of the all time premier league great goalkeepers, but its time for Courtois to take over, IMO. Someone of Cech's ability won't be on the bench, and Monaco and PSG are after him.

I hope Drogba does return, but as a coach, not a player.

Didn't realise Cech was only 32. Good keepers can go till nearly 40, can't see both of them staying.

[Amirhussain]

Riff Raff said:

Amirhussain said:

Courtois will be back for us next season, and most likely to take over from Petr Cech, he has said it himself that he doesn't want to be on the bench, I think we have to let him become our number 1 keeper, Cech is only 32 and has a few more seasons in him, but Courtois is younger, fitter and had a great time at Athletico Madrid. Cech is one of the all time premier league great goalkeepers, but its time for Courtois to take over, IMO. Someone of Cech's ability won't be on the bench, and Monaco and PSG are after him.

I hope Drogba does return, but as a coach, not a player.

As far as what Courtois has said about being the No.1, at the end of the day he's under contract and will do as he's told. Whether he's happy with that is another matter. But, as I said either would suit me fine, with Schwartzer more than able to fill in in case of injury. I've got no opinion on Jamal Blackman, who would have to cover for Schwartzer if he were unavailable, as I've never actually seen him play.

Re the striker options, I should have said that as well as the out and out strikers we have, we also have both Schürrle and Fabregas who can and have played as false 9's. I'm pretty confident that for the upcoming season, we are going to have lots of tactical options available to us, if as and when we need to mix it up a bit.

Think Lukaku is going, wanted him to stay, don't know why it hasn't worked out

[Riff Raff]

Amirhussain said:

Think Lukaku is going, wanted him to stay, don't know why it hasn't worked out

There seem to be strong rumours that Ba is off to Besiktas. If Lukaku goes then we will be needing another striker.

Just as an aside as Ba wears the 19 shirt, which is what Diego Costa wore at Atlético, I wonder if that's what's delayed the announcement?

Edited to add a link....

http://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/3875/transfer-zone/...

Edited by Riff Raff on Tuesday 15th July 16:47

[Amirhussain]

Apparently we are favourites to signing Sami Khedira after Arsenal have failed to meet his wages demands, and Filipe Luis is close to signing too, all reports at the moment of course.

[bodhi]

Amirhussain said:

Think Lukaku is going, wanted him to stay, don't know why it hasn't worked out

I think it shows every chance of working out, then Romelu opens his mouth about being the complete striker, and not wanting to fight for his place, then it stops working out again.

http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/7/8/58...

Good player - but not great, yet - lousy attitude. Can't see Jose putting up with quotes such as the above, frankly.

[Riff Raff]

Costa has signed, and he's on the CFC website!

Story here:

http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2014/07/...

[toasty]

Chelsea sign Filipe Luis

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28328843

I've not heard of him before, is he a worthy signing?

[mizx]

You've signed the correct Lui(s/z) this time

Athletico Madrid left-back, one of the reasons their defence was arguably the best in europe last season which helped them win the La Liga title, glaring omission from the Brazil squad.

[GarryDK]

Ba has gone.



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-...

[Amirhussain]

toasty said:

Chelsea sign Filipe Luis

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28328843

I've not heard of him before, is he a worthy signing?

He is rated at one of the best left backs in La Liga.

[Riff Raff]

GarryDK said:

Ba has gone.



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-...

I wish him all the best. he never really got a fair crack of the whip at Chelsea, IMHO. And, at £8M he's a pretty good buy.

[Amirhussain]

Hopefully get to see Marco Van Ginkel (remember him?) in action for us this season.

[Riff Raff]

Amirhussain said:

Hopefully get to see Marco Van Ginkel (remember him?) in action for us this season.

You might get to see him tonight against Wycombe Wanderers!

19.45 on CTV. Bit soon to expect to see Diego Costa and Filipe Luis though

[jcremonini]

Some good deals so far.

I suspect Torres will stay now, and we will have Costa/Torres then Fabregas/Scheurrle as said before. The amount we have already spent, and bearing in mind FFP, I suspect there will be no more big deals done.

Just waiting for news of Lukaku being sold now (I simply don't rate him) and the goalkeeper situation.

[ascayman]

The special one cant have any excuses this year.

[Negative Creep]

Riff Raff said:

GarryDK said:

Ba has gone.



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-...

I wish him all the best. he never really got a fair crack of the whip at Chelsea, IMHO. And, at £8M he's a pretty good buy.

Me too; he tried hard but ultimately just wasn't of the required quality. Surprised Torres wasn't used in a part ex for Costa though

[jcremonini]

ascayman said:

The special one cant have any excuses this year.

I think this is going to be a tough season.

ManC are a settled team now
ManU will be stronger
Arsenal will be stronger
Liverpool could either be very good or do another Spurs.