Chelsea 2020/21 - General discussion

[WeePat]

 

[El Zoido]

Clubs that try to buy an entire new first XI in one summer tend to not perform as well as you might expect. I remember when teams used to try to catch us by signing all and sundry, we’d bring in one player like Carrick and would still win the league. They’ve made good signings but it’s not necessarily that simple.

 

[OleBoiii]

How many players have they signed now? 4 or 5? I reckon most of them are ready for the first XI as well.

Great transfer window for them. Bastards.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Clubs that try to buy an entire new first XI in one summer tend to not perform as well as you might expect. I remember when teams used to try to catch us by signing all and sundry, we’d bring in one player like Carrick and would still win the league. They’ve made good signings but it’s not necessarily that simple.

Yeah, 100%. Most of our best seasons came after our quietest transfer windows. Signing a bunch of new players all in one window can cause as many problems as it solves.

 

[Mickeza]

Clubs that try to buy an entire new first XI in one summer tend to not perform as well as you might expect. I remember when teams used to try to catch us by signing all and sundry, we’d bring in one player like Carrick and would still win the league. They’ve made good signings but it’s not necessarily that simple.

They were miles away from winning the league anyway. So worst case they’ve just solidified their top 4 position and by next year the team will be settled to push on. If you have the money to do so there is no reason not to turn a 2 year rebuild into a 1 year.

 

[OleBoiii]

Clubs that try to buy an entire new first XI in one summer tend to not perform as well as you might expect. I remember when teams used to try to catch us by signing all and sundry, we’d bring in one player like Carrick and would still win the league. They’ve made good signings but it’s not necessarily that simple.

This example is a bit different, though. I feel that in most of the cases where clubs have tried to change half their starting XI they've still made many gambles with their signings.These signings seem very safe/solid to me.

And like someone else said: it's not like Chelsea were breaking 80 points. They're not trying to go from 'good' to 'great'. They're fixing an obvious mess. Imagine if we got Bruno + a proven winger instead of James last summer. We'd be doing what Chelsea is doing right now.

 

[romufc]

Hiyech, Werner, Havertz, Chilwell, Sarr, Silva.

Feck me, they're in FIFA mode. Good on them.

It shows the hierarchy are backing the manager, giving him the tools to try and win the title.

Up north in the red half of Manchester, they keep tweeting videos of the glory days...no ambition shown.

 

[El Zoido]

This example is a bit different, though. I feel that in most of the cases where clubs have tried to change half their starting XI they've still made many gambles with their signings.These signings seem very safe/solid to me.

And like someone else said: it's not like Chelsea were breaking 80 points. They're not trying to go from 'good' to 'great'. They're fixing an obvious mess. Imagine if we got Bruno + a proven winger instead of James last summer. We'd be doing what Chelsea is doing right now.

They’ve made good signings, just that I’ve seen so many people shitting themselves that Chelsea are going to be a completely unstoppable force now. Seen people on twitter who think they’re going to go unbeaten next season. Just saying there’s nothing to be scared of..

 

[Kentonio]

They’ve made good signings, just that I’ve seen so many people shitting themselves that Chelsea are going to be a completely unstoppable force now. Seen people on twitter who think they’re going to go unbeaten next season. Just saying there’s nothing to be scared of..

That's just people being daft. I don't think you'll find many Chelsea fans expecting us to be title contenders next year.

 

[::sonny::]

Mother Theresa

 

[RedDevil@84]

By the end of the window, they would have 2 starting XIs then

 

[PedroMendez]

This example is a bit different, though. I feel that in most of the cases where clubs have tried to change half their starting XI they've still made many gambles with their signings.These signings seem very safe/solid to me.

And like someone else said: it's not like Chelsea were breaking 80 points. They're not trying to go from 'good' to 'great'. They're fixing an obvious mess. Imagine if we got Bruno + a proven winger instead of James last summer. We'd be doing what Chelsea is doing right now.

their only save signing is Chilwell, but I am not sure that this is a good thing.

 

[OleBoiii]

their only save signing is Chilwell

Silva may be a short term solution, but he's still very good. His CB partner will also learn a lot.

Ziyech(?), Havertz and Werner are all excellent prospects. I'll be shocked if less than 2 of them turn out to be a success.

 

[KetilOwren88]

I am suprised so many claim Chelsea to challenge for the title. For starters there will take some time to implement all these new players. I am also not as impressed about their signings as many others are. Chilwell is a decent signing (not top class) and Thiago Silva seems a bit random even though it might work out. Havertz is impressive if he comes, but there is no guarantee it will be a success, same with Werner. Ziyech is coming from the dutch league which is bingo. I would still fancy United to have the better line up, whilst Chelsea have more depth to their squad

 

[monosierra]

I am suprised so many claim Chelsea to challenge for the title. For starters there will take some time to implement all these new players. I am also not as impressed about their signings as many others are. Chilwell is a decent signing (not top class) and Thiago Silva seems a bit random even though it might work out. Havertz is impressive if he comes, but there is no guarantee it will be a success, same with Werner. Ziyech is coming from the dutch league which is bingo. I would still fancy United to have the better line up, whilst Chelsea have more depth to their squad

They are challenging for 2/3 at best unless all the front runners have a terrible season. I don't see Pool repeating their runaway success this season and we might not be able to string together three good streaks so the fight for 2/3 is up for the taking.

 

[always_hoping]

5 decent signings with likely more to come. No excuse for Lampard not to mount a league title challenge in the season ahead, anything but 3rd in the table will be seen as a failure.

 

[PedroMendez]

Silva may be a short term solution, but he's still very good. His CB partner will also learn a lot.

Ziyech(?), Havertz and Werner are all excellent prospects. I'll be shocked if less than 2 of them turn out to be a success.

I am not saying that they are bad signings, just that its a bit early to hype them or Chelsea before they have played a game. I think there will be a lot more pressure on Chelsea, Lampard and these players. At least in my opinion non of the three attacking signings are sure things. I'd be surprised if more than one of them can live up to the hype in their first season.

 

[Rajiztar]

Of all the signings ziyech will be crucial for Chelsea. He is the one having little lime light but can give Chelsea attacking platform with his passing vision. He is superb freekick specialist. He is also good source for goal . Hard worker too make me feel we won't miss willian much .

 

[duffer]

Rumblings of Donnarumma.

I hope we don't get him, one of those names I will probably get miss-spell in a different way every other time I type it.

 

[2ndTouch]

Rumblings of Donnarumma.

I hope we don't get him, one of those names I will probably get miss-spell in a different way every other time I type it.

Still better than to kepa kepa as your kepa, I suppose

 

[Zen]

Chelsea will almost certainly somehow knock PSG out of the CL. But then bomb out themselves.

 

[Kentonio]

5 decent signings with likely more to come. No excuse for Lampard not to mount a league title challenge in the season ahead, anything but 3rd in the table will be seen as a failure.

A title challenge is too much to ask this season. 3rd is a realistic target.

 

[FootballHQ]

5 decent signings with likely more to come. No excuse for Lampard not to mount a league title challenge in the season ahead, anything but 3rd in the table will be seen as a failure.

Think Man. City will walk the league if they get Messi in. Perhaps Chelsea could challenge Liverpool for 2nd, depends how much Liverpool regressed e.g. if they're closer to 80 points than 90.

Lampard certainly needs to win a cup though and be a little more competitive in CL once in the knock outs. Interested to see the keeper they get in, the missing piece now they've strengthed everywhere else.

 

[Pow]

Rumblings of Donnarumma.

I hope we don't get him, one of those names I will probably get miss-spell in a different way every other time I type it.

1 year of his current deal left
21 years old
Already 200 odd games worth of experience behind him
6 foot 5
Id love if we could get him in.

 

[Berbasbullet]

Rumblings of Donnarumma.

I hope we don't get him, one of those names I will probably get miss-spell in a different way every other time I type it.

No! Just no! You guys don’t get everything this summer if we get nothing!

No!

 

[duffer]

No! Just no! You guys don’t get everything this summer if we get nothing!

No!

You spent £200 million last season! Our turn now.

 

[Spiersey]

I was amazed by the Sarr deal. To be honest, I had never heard of the guy's name before, but how can a club convince a "fairly established" player to sign for free when the sole purpose of signing him is to loan him out immediately?

Buy a player for free, have his wages paid by someone else, and then sell the player for a huge profit in a few years time. That's like minting money in your board room.

Mindboggling.

He’ll be a starter for us in the future. He’s a big talent and would have cost a decent amount if he had still been under contract. It’s a very good signing.
It isn’t hard to see why he would sign either. Chelsea were probably the biggest club in for him and he gets a good wage and will back himself to break into the team in a years time.
Signing for Chelsea to be loaned out is a pretty solid career move too. Get good wages, will he loaned to a decent team. If you do well then you’ll get a chance and if you don’t then you’ll be loaned to a slightly worse team and still be on good wages. There’s not much downsides to it really.

 

[Bwuk]

Irregardless of fees, I think they’ve had a great window.

Thiago Silva we should of been after. Even if it doesn’t work out its only a year long.

Werner I can’t say I’ve seen much of, but he’s rapid and scores goals, totally different to their current options.

Ziyech is class. Would of loved him at United.

Chilwell is a good modern full back, gets forward really well. Not the best defender but I’d rather him than Shaw.

Havertz again I haven’t seen much of, but if he’s anywhere near as good as the hype they’ve got themselves a player.

I do wonder how they’ll line up though. I think I’d be a mistake to drop Giroud entirely.

 

[Feed Me]

A title challenge is too much to ask this season. 3rd is a realistic target.

3rd would be standing still.

 

[Nou_Camp99]

You spent £200 million last season! Our turn now.

We spent 192m but recouped about 80m through the sales of Lukaku, Young n Darmian.

What you've done is way bigger than what we did, especially if you get Havertz.

 

[Mb194dc]

3rd would be standing still.

Liverpool and City are far ahead of us even if we get Havertz and a new GK. Both have managers who've been there for years established systems of play and squads stacked with quality. Plus looks like reasonable possibility City will get Messi in which case they should cruise the league this year.

We have to integrate our new signings with almost no pre season and it's not going to be easy, league starts in only two weeks. At least a couple of them have been training for ages, though that is no substitute for proper games. I won't be surprised if it takes us 5-10 games to really get going and integrate them in to whatever system we're going to play this year. Even that isn't sure, probably 4 3 3 now we have a LB and I'm guessing we won't use 3 at the back as much ?

 

[duffer]

3rd would be standing still.

Depends totally on how far we are from 1st

If we're 20+ points again then it's standing still. If we're 3 points behind but finish 4th again, that's a huge improvement

 

[Josep Dowling]

They have signed some good players but ultimately they haven’t sorted out their weaknesses.

If I was their manager the priority signings would be a new goalkeeper and a CB. I know they have signed Thiago Silva but at 37, he’s an aging defender in the quickest league in Europe? I just don’t think that’s a great signing.

I just find it hilarious how the media portrayed they were changing their ways and finally giving their English youth prospects a chance. Once they had to chance to replace them Abraham and Mount have been replaced with to German players instead.

 

[Feed Me]

Liverpool and City are far ahead of us even if we get Havertz and a new GK. Both have managers who've been there for years established systems of play and squads stacked with quality. Plus looks like reasonable possibility City will get Messi in which case they should cruise the league this year.

We have to integrate our new signings with almost no pre season and it's not going to be easy, league starts in only two weeks. At least a couple of them have been training for ages, though that is no substitute for proper games. I won't be surprised if it takes us 5-10 games to really get going and integrate them in to whatever system we're going to play this year. Even that isn't sure, probably 4 3 3 now we have a LB and I'm guessing we won't use 3 at the back as much ?

Well if it takes you ten games to get going then it’ll be season over. I’m not sure your owner will accept a distant 3rd place finish with the level of investment this summer.

 

[Feed Me]

Depends totally on how far we are from 1st

If we're 20+ points again then it's standing still. If we're 3 points behind but finish 4th again, that's a huge improvement

True, but I think you need to really be in the mix and challenging given your level of investment on an already good starting point in terms of squad depth.

 

[Rajiztar]

True, but I think you need to really be in the mix and challenging given your level of investment on an already good starting point in terms of squad depth.

We didn't add players to squad but mostly replaced players whose contract was over or not good enough to be in squad.

Willian out ------ ziyech in
Pedro out ------ Werner in
Hazard out------ Trying kai havertz in
Emerson out------ chilwell in
One CB out------silva in
Kepa out -----one gk in

Football not played on paper though if so I will say we will win the league but players need to come together as a group and understand each others' weakness and strength.

We will have to play Liverpool in our second match and if we able to draw or win it then I will say we will fight for title but it's too soon in my opinion to even get a draw in that match. All things consider we will definitely better than 15-20 pts from last season but that's enough to challenge we have to wait and see.

 

[Dancfc]

Irregardless of fees, I think they’ve had a great window.

Thiago Silva we should of been after. Even if it doesn’t work out its only a year long.

Werner I can’t say I’ve seen much of, but he’s rapid and scores goals, totally different to their current options.

Ziyech is class. Would of loved him at United.

Chilwell is a good modern full back, gets forward really well. Not the best defender but I’d rather him than Shaw.

Havertz again I haven’t seen much of, but if he’s anywhere near as good as the hype they’ve got themselves a player.

I do wonder how they’ll line up though. I think I’d be a mistake to drop Giroud entirely.

I'm not sure Thiago Silva would be needed as much for you guys, you need more an athletic CB who can cover when Maguire has one of those moments he had against Berwjwign whereas we have athletic and pacey CB's who need an experienced head alongside them.

 

[Dancfc]

They have signed some good players but ultimately they haven’t sorted out their weaknesses.

If I was their manager the priority signings would be a new goalkeeper and a CB. I know they have signed Thiago Silva but at 37, he’s an aging defender in the quickest league in Europe? I just don’t think that’s a great signing.

I just find it hilarious how the media portrayed they were changing their ways and finally giving their English youth prospects a chance. Once they had to chance to replace them Abraham and Mount have been replaced with to German players instead.

By the same logic you're replacing Greenwood if/when you get Sancho.

 

[pan pan]

They have signed some good players but ultimately they haven’t sorted out their weaknesses.

If I was their manager the priority signings would be a new goalkeeper and a CB. I know they have signed Thiago Silva but at 37, he’s an aging defender in the quickest league in Europe? I just don’t think that’s a great signing.

He is not even 36 yet. You can make the same argument using the number 35. There is no need to add two years to it.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

Fortune has smiled on Chelsea this summer. Their transfer ban increasing their coffers this summer along with the temporary lifting of FFP, Roman’s wealth and a pronounced buyers market has caused the perfect storm for this level of power in the transfer market.

From their point of view they’re being extremely prudent.