Q&A With Dan McCarthy

Our main man Dan McCarthy answers YOUR questions in our all-new feature!

We brought you the feature, you brought us the questions! Chelsea expert Dan McCarthy (@MaccaSport) will answer your questions below, let’s do this…

Q1) Steve Azar - “Erling Braut Haaland seems to be a major summer target for the Blues this summer based on multiple press reports. Do you think that Chelsea academy coach Tore Andre Flo and his friendship with Alf Inge (Erling's father) could play a role in swaying the player toward the Blues?”

Dan - Good knowledge there Steve with regards to the relationship between Tore Andre Flo and Alf Inge. Much has been reported of the Haaland family’s “relationships” with many powerful people in football; his agent, Mino Raiola, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, and more.

To be honest, I do not believe these types of relationships will play any part in Erling’s decision-making for his next move. Whilst the family is very well connected within the game, they are also very calculated with their approach to Erling’s career moves and will prioritize the project and development of Erling above any relationship or financial figure (although it’ll be big and certainly help!)

Q2) Sagnik - “Defensively we are solid, and with each passing game it seems our attacking side of the game is taking shape. If we keep improving our attacking side of the game in this system, should we go back to a back 4 or stick with this system? What do you guys think about this?”

Dan - Plenty of discussion on this on the timeline in recent days, which is somewhat perplexing given how comfortable and confident we look in a back three thus far under Thomas Tuchel.

He has prioritised this system since his first game against Wolves, primarily due to the personnel he has at hand, each of Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta, and perhaps Thiago Silva (primarily due to age) are all more comfortable in a back three, so why not utilise it to get the best out of them?

Whilst we aren’t converting chances as efficiently as Tuchel and our fans would like, we are creating them, good ones at that. Sure, a system helps with attacking creativity and can increase productivity in the final third; however, just as important is player decision-making and effectiveness.

We have a lot of young players in those forward positions, of whom are all adjusting to this league and level of competitive play, plus learning as they go (Oliver Giroud shows his experience and how important this is time and time ago when he plays, in terms of where to position himself and often finding himself with tap ins and proper forward’s goals).

It will all come together with time, as I continue to preach. For me, I wouldn’t fix what isn’t broken, the three at the back has to stay for now, especially with this current squad. Depending on the summer in’s and out’s, we will see for next season.

Q3) Scott Farlowe - “In general, how has the reduced European club revenue over the last year affected FFP calculations and what impact do you think it will have on the upcoming transfer market? How do you expect Chelsea to manage the potentially discounted selling price of its players?”

Dan - It’s affected almost every club significantly, even the almighty powerhouses of Real Madrid and Barcelona (although controversial financial decisions in past times haven’t helped there) aside from Chelsea and maybe a couple of others.

A significant impact it will have on the upcoming transfer market is it will exemplify Chelsea’s need to sell and get players “off the books” in order to balance those same books.

Chelsea would have potentially signed more players had it not been for the difficulty in loaning/selling more first-team players. This will be a priority for Chelsea’s board and Tuchel himself this upcoming window.

Whilst Roman Abramovich and Chelsea will plan to spend again, outgoing deals are fundamental to this. Chelsea will need to be savvy and perhaps more lenient in their approach with this in order to get those players out the door.

Q4) Arthik Kalyanpur - “Are there any plans to offload Alonso and Emerson and bring in an LB like Raphael Guerreiro?”

Dan - Both players have expressed moments in the past of being unwilling to be the “forgotten man” in this Chelsea squad. As we have seen, Marcos Alonso is enjoying a renaissance under Tuchel and isn’t looking to leave if these opportunities continue, as he battles with Ben Chilwell for the starting spot on the left-hand side.

Emerson on the other hand has reportedly been training very well under Tuchel (as admitted by the German in his recent press conference). However, he isn’t playing much and has attracted interest from predominantly Italian teams, a couple of English sides too. Emerson is certainly closer to the exit door out of the two.

I don’t see Raphael Guerreiro coming in as of now, even though Thomas Tuchel is a fan from his days with Guerreiro at Borussia Dortmund.

Q5) Luisa Algarra - “There is Zouma, Christensen, Rudiger, Tiago who may have one more year left on his contract. They are playing better than ever each of them and also adapted to the game system, they know the PL and how it is played. Please explain to me what is the point of bringing players like Gimenez or Koulibaly from other leagues who have to adapt to the team and the league. What is the point of changing our current CB for a CB that has to start a process? What about Sarr and the other central backs on loan? Kind regards from Colombia 💙”

Dan - It’s a recent discussion point within Chelsea supporters ranks and a fair point at that given recent performances from our current defenders. With that said, Chelsea’s board and scouting team are very much still looking at a “young, experienced central defender” to come in and lead/organise what is a younger backline in our ranks.

Players like those you mention fit that bill, as Chelsea seeks a “dominating” character to solidify the backline for years to come. Whilst I agree priorities may lay in other areas, I don’t see Chelsea’s attentions switching from this area as of now.

Q6) Lex James - “After Havertz’s performance vs Everton, if he continues like this could it stop any potential move for a striker this Summer?”

Dan - Good question, a relevant one after the young German’s top showing in the “False Nine” role.

Thomas Tuchel is a fan of Erling Haaland, and Roman Abramovich certainly still craves that “true number nine” who can carry the attacking load and be that marksman club legend Didier Drogba and more recently Diego Costa were.

With that said, Chelsea and the board certainly invested a lot of money into Kai Havertz and Timo Werner and expect to see them feature regularly in Chelsea sides for years to come.

To conclude, if Erling Haaland or another upper echelon centre forward becomes available, Chelsea will ask questions. Tuchel’s job will be to give his opinion, then figure out how to fit them all into a winning system.

Q7) jxrxm1 - “Where do you think is Havertz's best position considering the fact that Mason has nailed on to the no. 10 and the false 9 role in this team and also our increasing links with Haaland? Will it only be possible to fit Havertz if there's a formation change?”

Dan - I personally believe Kai’s best position is the false 9 (something I’ve advocated and wanted to see for a while now) and the #10 role, of which you already mentioned above in association with our current talisman Mason Mount (of whom I see as more of an 8.)

Kai needs freedom to roam the field, find good pockets of space in half-spaces and on the half-turn, centrally in order to inflict the most damage to the opposition. As I mentioned above, Kai is seen as essential to this Chelsea set up in the coming years and will expect/be expected to play, as his talent merits, as long as his form continues in a positive trajectory.

Q8) Tyrese Harrison - “Timo looked good Thursday when we played to his strengths. Surely looking for him over the top and with quick through balls will become the norm, right?”

Dan - The approach you mention is certainly the one that suits Timo and his attributes the best, yes. We have seen just how quick Timo is and his preference to play on the shoulder of the last defender, of which he did so electrifyingly at RB Leipzig.

Nevertheless, this is harder to do in the Premier League, with many deeper defensive lines and tactically efficient coaches prominent in England.

To keep things positive, Tuchel is fully aware of Timo’s strengths, and what system/position to implement to get the best out of Werner. It is now on Timo to get the best out of himself, by working hard, staying confident, and finishing his chances, which I still believe will all come together in due course.

Q9) Matthew - “Do you think there will be a major clear out of the deadwood or just a few sold this summer?”

Dan - I do believe/have been told we will see a few loan/sales across the Chelsea playing squad(s) this upcoming summer.

As I mentioned above, Chelsea have spent a lot of money bringing players in, those books need to level out with sales also. Plus, the squad is already an inflamed one in terms of numbers, we saw how the previous manager struggled to keep all the players happy, it’s no easy task.

Yes, Matthew, we will see sales, how many will depend on the fees offered by other clubs for those players, plus what players Thomas Tuchel is wanting to come in to potentially replace them.

Q10) Doulsey - “Do you think we will ever see James replace Azpi in the RB position? Would have thought his speed, crossing, passing & shooting ability all better than Azpi and his connection with Hudson-Odoi to be better too. Imagine that pairing would be a nightmare for any opposition team. Thoughts? Also thanks for the great show gents...from a Chelsea mad Aussie fan living in Canada!”

Dan - Yes, eventually. Azpilicueta has been trusted by Thomas Tuchel (understandably so) as he is the club captain and the link between the coaching and playing staff, not to mention his experience with new managers coming in and sufficient ability to play in Tuchel’s preferred back three thus far.

With that said, Azpilicueta despite how dedicated and fit he is for his age cannot go on forever and the club/Tuchel are huge fans of Reece James and his abilities for the long-term.

Like you Doulsey, I am thoroughly looking forward to seeing that connection between James and Hudson-Odoi in the future, with both players improving significantly with the further minutes and experience they gain at this level.

Q11) Claudio - “It's been well reported that we're in for a striker & possibly a top CB this summer. We all know how difficult/realistic it may be to land Haaland. Who would be your no.2 choice be in terms of a striker? Likewise with a CB?”

Dan - Lukaku for me, Claudio. Perhaps for obvious reasons, one being I believe the Belgian has ‘unfinished business’ in SW6 after his disappointing departure and the strange saga involving a potential return a few years back (We got Alvaro Morata instead - do your research there if needed.)

I believe Romelu’s power, pace, and ability to hold up the ball would be frightening under Tuchel and his experience/newfound maturity would serve him well in a return to English football.

In terms of a centre back - Jose Giminez is my personal preferred choice (if he can stay fit and healthy that’d be ideal).

If we cannot get him, of all the options out there I'd perhaps go all out for Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli for obvious reasons, accompanied by the fact I am not sold on the other linked players.

Nevertheless, I believe a CDM is more of a priority for Chelsea as of right now, many will know just who I’d love there.

That’s all for now folks. 11 questions, 11 is my favourite number, 11 being the number of King Didier Drogba; it just works.

Hopefully, you enjoyed the first edition of this new feature, let me know in the comments below your thoughts, and hopefully, I can do this again for you all soon!

Up the Chels.

Written by Dan McCarthy - @MaccaSport