For all of the positions that I say we need I truly believe we can promote at least one academy player to play a part in these positions. They are more than good enough. Just look at Gilchrest who is always performing incredibly well. This also allows us to go out and afford to big name players.
LB- I’d promote for the LB position within the squad. We have Harvey Vale, Samuels-Smith, Boniface, and Acheampong
Winger- I would also immediately promote Tyrique George to a first team spot. He is ready and has what it takes. I would also immediately go out and try to buy Olise from Palace. I haven’t been impressed with Madueke at all, Palmer is more of an inside forward, and I like Omari Hutchinson and Angelo ready to fight for a spot as well
Striker- I’d go and buy Osimhen and promote from within. Use Jackson, Fofana, and if you don’t loan them use Stutter Mcneilly, and Morgan
CB: dont think we need one if we play a back 4. If we can get over our injury issues Fofana, Disasi, Levi and BB are strong enough options. If we are looking to sell one of the above then get Guehi. Dont want another 20yr old kid.
LB: dram would be Theo Hernandez (2 yrs left on his deal). Realistic would be Robinson
DM: We need an Onana like profile. Sorry but im not a big fan of Caicedo in that position. He does not have the physicality to hold off players and gets pushed over / dispossessed easily. Never wanted him in the first place anyways. Had we got Rice we would have been in a way better shape.
Striker: Osimhen or Toney and Sesko (for the same price as Osimhen and satisfy both the long term and short term need). All 3 are a bit of a gamble though as they would have to adjust to the league or the team / team's playing style.
Winger: Olise. Play Jackson on the left. Sterling as the back up if we cant sell him. Loan out Mudryk. Sell Madueke. Nico Williams is a good shout too... if we can somehow sell Sterling.
If we’re serious about winning things again, we won’t do it, in the short term at least, by taking punts merely on young “talent”. There must be a blend of experience too, ideally of an elite level; one in each area of the team. We could do with getting an elite keeper, centre back, Essen-type midfielder and, above all and the most difficult, a striker.
I suspect my comments, are aligned with many other peoples. Based on potential sales and additional left back is required, but I would not be involved Robinson. I think he is susceptible in defence.
I still like Olise as a potential winger, but we do need to sell one to find space for anything new.
Centre forward question is one that goes round and round on these pages. I suspect Toney is the best bet along with someone young to bring up for the future. The latter obviously does not have to be in the next window.
Respective centre halves this is the area I have the biggest question about. We do have quality, especially if our Forfana comes back fit. With Humphries coming through you might not need to actually buy someone. At least this window coming.
GK - Petro has done little wrong. But we need to work out what to do with Sanchez and Slonina.
LB - young dutch chap at Dortmund, Maatsen or something like that, looks useful.
ST - freakin out at the thought of us dumping another 100mil on anyone. Please don't do that. Guirassy/Sesko/Callum Wilson are more sensible. Toney has done well since his return, but before that I really wasnt keen. Not completely convinced yet, but for 50mill, maybe.
Luke: I watched the game today and came to a few conclusions. #1 where was "winger" Jackson in the entire 1st half? #2 Cancedo plays well as a defensive mid, #3 we pass way too much instead of centering the ball which means either we don't have a presence in the middle or the middle is ignored #4 madeude does not like to pass the ball at all, #5 after Silva went out Cancedo went to DM where he belongs and our defense was much stiffer, #6 with more work Gusto is good and we can sell James for a ton, #7 Conor is a hustler, #8 Chillwell is a player for sure and would have had at least 1 assist in the 1st half if absent Jackson would have been on the wing where he was supposed to be #9 Palmer is not a wing but still a hustler, #10 Jackson thinks of himself instead of the team, #11 Colwill today just inherited the center back position.
I am against any more big spendings besides the striker position maybe. I'm not even sure it makes sense to splash more than 100mil on a striker whoever that is. We should buy no more than 3 experienced players this summer.
Honestly above all of the positions listed, the area I think we need to focus on most aside from a striker and a left back is a serious, serious investigation in to what is going on with the medical team/conditioning.
I could only find numbers for the 21/22 and the 22/23 seasons but we were up there the highest one season, second highest the other, for most injuries. There is something very worrying about how consistently high that number is, even continuing in to this season without the added stress of Europe.
I'd love to see some real historical data on our injuries dating back the last 10-20 years but no idea who keeps track of that as transfermarkt only shows this season from what I seen. Also with the concerns raised about players being over their optimal weight, I wonder how much of a factor lack of real conditioning is a factor.
If we secure European football then I'd expect the following to make up the squad with meaningful (1000+minutes)
Petrovic (assume Sanchez is No.1)
Gilchrist
Ângelo Gabriel / Andrey Santos
Alex Matos / Casedei
Plus the injured from this season
Lavia
Ugochukwu
Then factor in does Lewis Hall come back or get sold to Newcastle? If he's back, left side is solved. If not you keep Cucurella as an able deputy to Chilwell.
For me, this then leaves the following positions in priority
Centre Back - I have no idea given we've left Guehi, Tomori leave in past seasons but that profile. Silva will leave and probably Chalobah too. We can't count on Fofana either. So you're probably looking at one, if not two.
Attack - Olise for Mudryk (has to go on loan) and Sterling.
Forward - Osimhen
We are in the league table position because we couldn't score goals and then got sucker punched on the counter attack exposed by Silva's lack of pace. We fix that by bringing in pace at the back, play a much higher line and then press higher up the pitch with the energy that younger players bring.
We are not going to spend another £100 million in midfield so we need to prioritise the penalty boxes.
Stiker - I guess I am in the minority here, but I don't think it makes sense to go for Osimhen or Toney. When is the last time Chelsea signed a striker for a big fee and it worked out? I think someone like Jonathan David would be perfect. He has a ton of experience, still young (24 yrs old), and I can't imagine would cost that much.
I am not sure that you’re in the minority when it comes to decision on the forward. A lot of of us have similar thoughts. I suspect we are all worried that we will waste money again.
Goalkeeper - I'd sell Sanchez and get someone like Diogo Costa
Left-back - I would only strenghten this position if we can get someone of a Davies calibre
CAM - (we don't need one when everyone is fit), however, as this is not the case we should go for someone elite)
winger - I think we only need a left-winger, especially in the long run - it should be someone elite like a Kvaratskhelia - I don't think we need a right-winger for now, as I would stick with Palmer for now and buy Messinho for the long-term.
CF - Victor Osimhen - of all the ones mentioned above he is the most urgent.
I suspect the next Reece James injury will change people’s mind on the right back position.
Re Center back even after Silva leaves we will have 4 main center backs so left back who can play cub as well and give Archie a slot.
On the wings I actually think potentially we are quite strong but could do with selling Sterling and bringing in a back up even if it’s an academy player.
Toney is not the solution and I do think Poche is getting near to having a rotational front line that are playing together and scoring so I would have gone after the Newcastle lad aged 31 who supposedly was a possible transfer in the January window because it gives us breathing space to f8nd a better solution without over paying again.
All the talk of selling Gallagher to meet FFP overlooks Reece James.
A tremendous talented player and Chelsea through and through.
But if he's injured for half a season every season, and his body can't fix the injuries, then you have to sell. Gusto is an able deputy and Gilchrist looks to have the minerals to succeed there too.
For all of the positions that I say we need I truly believe we can promote at least one academy player to play a part in these positions. They are more than good enough. Just look at Gilchrest who is always performing incredibly well. This also allows us to go out and afford to big name players.
LB- I’d promote for the LB position within the squad. We have Harvey Vale, Samuels-Smith, Boniface, and Acheampong
Winger- I would also immediately promote Tyrique George to a first team spot. He is ready and has what it takes. I would also immediately go out and try to buy Olise from Palace. I haven’t been impressed with Madueke at all, Palmer is more of an inside forward, and I like Omari Hutchinson and Angelo ready to fight for a spot as well
Striker- I’d go and buy Osimhen and promote from within. Use Jackson, Fofana, and if you don’t loan them use Stutter Mcneilly, and Morgan
CB: dont think we need one if we play a back 4. If we can get over our injury issues Fofana, Disasi, Levi and BB are strong enough options. If we are looking to sell one of the above then get Guehi. Dont want another 20yr old kid.
LB: dram would be Theo Hernandez (2 yrs left on his deal). Realistic would be Robinson
DM: We need an Onana like profile. Sorry but im not a big fan of Caicedo in that position. He does not have the physicality to hold off players and gets pushed over / dispossessed easily. Never wanted him in the first place anyways. Had we got Rice we would have been in a way better shape.
Striker: Osimhen or Toney and Sesko (for the same price as Osimhen and satisfy both the long term and short term need). All 3 are a bit of a gamble though as they would have to adjust to the league or the team / team's playing style.
Winger: Olise. Play Jackson on the left. Sterling as the back up if we cant sell him. Loan out Mudryk. Sell Madueke. Nico Williams is a good shout too... if we can somehow sell Sterling.
If we’re serious about winning things again, we won’t do it, in the short term at least, by taking punts merely on young “talent”. There must be a blend of experience too, ideally of an elite level; one in each area of the team. We could do with getting an elite keeper, centre back, Essen-type midfielder and, above all and the most difficult, a striker.
CB - Todibo
LB - Kerkez
Winger - Nico Williams or Neto
ST - Gyokeres or Toney
I suspect my comments, are aligned with many other peoples. Based on potential sales and additional left back is required, but I would not be involved Robinson. I think he is susceptible in defence.
I still like Olise as a potential winger, but we do need to sell one to find space for anything new.
Centre forward question is one that goes round and round on these pages. I suspect Toney is the best bet along with someone young to bring up for the future. The latter obviously does not have to be in the next window.
Respective centre halves this is the area I have the biggest question about. We do have quality, especially if our Forfana comes back fit. With Humphries coming through you might not need to actually buy someone. At least this window coming.
GK - Petro has done little wrong. But we need to work out what to do with Sanchez and Slonina.
LB - young dutch chap at Dortmund, Maatsen or something like that, looks useful.
ST - freakin out at the thought of us dumping another 100mil on anyone. Please don't do that. Guirassy/Sesko/Callum Wilson are more sensible. Toney has done well since his return, but before that I really wasnt keen. Not completely convinced yet, but for 50mill, maybe.
Luke: I watched the game today and came to a few conclusions. #1 where was "winger" Jackson in the entire 1st half? #2 Cancedo plays well as a defensive mid, #3 we pass way too much instead of centering the ball which means either we don't have a presence in the middle or the middle is ignored #4 madeude does not like to pass the ball at all, #5 after Silva went out Cancedo went to DM where he belongs and our defense was much stiffer, #6 with more work Gusto is good and we can sell James for a ton, #7 Conor is a hustler, #8 Chillwell is a player for sure and would have had at least 1 assist in the 1st half if absent Jackson would have been on the wing where he was supposed to be #9 Palmer is not a wing but still a hustler, #10 Jackson thinks of himself instead of the team, #11 Colwill today just inherited the center back position.
What are your thoughts?
Lee
I am against any more big spendings besides the striker position maybe. I'm not even sure it makes sense to splash more than 100mil on a striker whoever that is. We should buy no more than 3 experienced players this summer.
Striker - Toney/Gyokeres
Winger - Neto/Bowen
Center Back - Botman/Schar
Honestly above all of the positions listed, the area I think we need to focus on most aside from a striker and a left back is a serious, serious investigation in to what is going on with the medical team/conditioning.
I could only find numbers for the 21/22 and the 22/23 seasons but we were up there the highest one season, second highest the other, for most injuries. There is something very worrying about how consistently high that number is, even continuing in to this season without the added stress of Europe.
I'd love to see some real historical data on our injuries dating back the last 10-20 years but no idea who keeps track of that as transfermarkt only shows this season from what I seen. Also with the concerns raised about players being over their optimal weight, I wonder how much of a factor lack of real conditioning is a factor.
If we secure European football then I'd expect the following to make up the squad with meaningful (1000+minutes)
Petrovic (assume Sanchez is No.1)
Gilchrist
Ângelo Gabriel / Andrey Santos
Alex Matos / Casedei
Plus the injured from this season
Lavia
Ugochukwu
Then factor in does Lewis Hall come back or get sold to Newcastle? If he's back, left side is solved. If not you keep Cucurella as an able deputy to Chilwell.
For me, this then leaves the following positions in priority
Centre Back - I have no idea given we've left Guehi, Tomori leave in past seasons but that profile. Silva will leave and probably Chalobah too. We can't count on Fofana either. So you're probably looking at one, if not two.
Attack - Olise for Mudryk (has to go on loan) and Sterling.
Forward - Osimhen
We are in the league table position because we couldn't score goals and then got sucker punched on the counter attack exposed by Silva's lack of pace. We fix that by bringing in pace at the back, play a much higher line and then press higher up the pitch with the energy that younger players bring.
We are not going to spend another £100 million in midfield so we need to prioritise the penalty boxes.
Stiker - I guess I am in the minority here, but I don't think it makes sense to go for Osimhen or Toney. When is the last time Chelsea signed a striker for a big fee and it worked out? I think someone like Jonathan David would be perfect. He has a ton of experience, still young (24 yrs old), and I can't imagine would cost that much.
I am not sure that you’re in the minority when it comes to decision on the forward. A lot of of us have similar thoughts. I suspect we are all worried that we will waste money again.
LB - Antonee Robinson
CB - Kilman/Guehi
Winger - Olise/Williams
St - Osimhen/Sesko
Goalkeeper - I'd sell Sanchez and get someone like Diogo Costa
Left-back - I would only strenghten this position if we can get someone of a Davies calibre
CAM - (we don't need one when everyone is fit), however, as this is not the case we should go for someone elite)
winger - I think we only need a left-winger, especially in the long run - it should be someone elite like a Kvaratskhelia - I don't think we need a right-winger for now, as I would stick with Palmer for now and buy Messinho for the long-term.
CF - Victor Osimhen - of all the ones mentioned above he is the most urgent.
I suspect the next Reece James injury will change people’s mind on the right back position.
Re Center back even after Silva leaves we will have 4 main center backs so left back who can play cub as well and give Archie a slot.
On the wings I actually think potentially we are quite strong but could do with selling Sterling and bringing in a back up even if it’s an academy player.
Toney is not the solution and I do think Poche is getting near to having a rotational front line that are playing together and scoring so I would have gone after the Newcastle lad aged 31 who supposedly was a possible transfer in the January window because it gives us breathing space to f8nd a better solution without over paying again.
Oh yes anyone other than a Brighton player
All the talk of selling Gallagher to meet FFP overlooks Reece James.
A tremendous talented player and Chelsea through and through.
But if he's injured for half a season every season, and his body can't fix the injuries, then you have to sell. Gusto is an able deputy and Gilchrist looks to have the minerals to succeed there too.
I couldn’t have put it better.
I wouldn't sign a left back or a centre back. I'd sign a midfielder (big / strong / goal threat), then I'd sign a winger and a striker.
Petrovic, Sanchez;
James, Gusto, Fofana, Disasi, Colwill, Badiashile, Chilwell, Maatsen
Lavia, Fernandez, Caicedo, Onana, Gallagher
Palmer, Madueke, Nkunku, Chukwumueka
Jackson, Sesko, Wilson
I'm selling Cucurella, Mudryk and Sterling from the players we have signed.
Sesko is £50m, Wilson £15m, Onana £50m. I don't think we need a winger as Jackson will develop nicely into an Anelka-type hybrid winger / forward.
I really like your suggestions, Mitch. The only variation would be to load out Mudrych rather than sell.
RCB - Diomande, Todibo, Geertruida
LB - Robinson (Davies isn’t happening)
Winger - Neto or Williams (Olise’s injuries and potential price tag worry me)
Striker - market is so scarce, Toney is an unknown quantity in high possession sides, so I’d go with Osimhen even though he probably isn’t worth 100m