Interesting, seems most agree that we don't need any right now and best to get the best in the Summer. And those that do want someone now generally want a backup midfielder in case of injury, or a LB (but a first 11 LB like Rose is very unlikely to be buyable now). I can see the legitmate concern if anyone of our midfield trio get a long term injury. I wonder, does anyone know if Pereira can be recalled if we have an injury crisis? And has CBJ returned yet? And has Varela recovered from injury yet?
If we don't buy anyone in
- Thread starter OohAahMartial
- Start date
Fair point, but it definitely makes sense to wait until the summer to do some "real" transfers
As you say, we did play deeper. Vidic and Rio were certainly some of the best defenders to have played in this league but we cannot totally dismiss how compact we were set as a team back then. The only way we could afford to play that way back them without looking toothless up front was the fact that we had the best player in the world in Ronaldo. Take him out and we suddenly would need to push up a bit more to carry more threat which would have exposed our defenders. I am not saying they weren't great but we have to judge the context as a whole as no two teams are the same. It is similar to the argument that since we had 4 strikers in 1999, anything short of that is not as good.
The other problem is that teams and academies simply do not work anymore on developing players like Vidic. Coaches have simply judged that on balance, a player that helps you push up and control the game and therefore having to defend less is probably overall at least as useful as one whose style will invite pressure but will deal with it better. Obviously that is up for discussion but what we know is that there is no bullet proof system. The only thing that can ever give us any indication of whether we are defending well or not is the amount of chances we are conceding and the stats say that we are more than good enough at the moment despite playing on the front foot most of our games.
I aGREIZ with youFair point, but it definitely makes sense to wait until the summer to do some "real" transfers
If a top class left back was available or even a solid LB to see us until Shaw gets his shit together would be great.
Is it just me or do our left backs keep getting skinned alive? Whether it be Shaw/Blind/Rojo or Darmian they just can't seem to tackle sometimes.
Is it just me or do our left backs keep getting skinned alive? Whether it be Shaw/Blind/Rojo or Darmian they just can't seem to tackle sometimes.
I doubt we can sign anyone of considerable quality this transfer window, so I don't really care. No point buying for the sake of it.
We'll have another massive summer transfer window.
We'll have another massive summer transfer window.
There are people we could buy, but no unmissable opportunities. We're playing very well, and in a lot of positions we have depth to the extent that Mourinho's struggling to get everyone game time (as he keeps telling us.) Yes we're sixth, but that's the result of a poor start to the season, not anything recent. We're on a 9-game winning streak, 15 games unbeaten.
You can always always strengthen. Lots of Chelsea fans would probably also answer this question with a 'yes, we should add depth'. But it wouldn't be an actual mistake not to, in my opinion. People always complain about dead weight in the squad (less so now, but still it's a perennial moan). Dead weight is a consequence of buying when you don't really need to or when the perfect player isn't available.
You can always always strengthen. Lots of Chelsea fans would probably also answer this question with a 'yes, we should add depth'. But it wouldn't be an actual mistake not to, in my opinion. People always complain about dead weight in the squad (less so now, but still it's a perennial moan). Dead weight is a consequence of buying when you don't really need to or when the perfect player isn't available.
A midfielder would be great. If Jose has one in mind and can do it now he should. The 3 we have can play every game
I would agree with the backup for Carrick bit. Unless Mourinho is actually going to give Schweinsteiger some playing time. Otherwise, you're looking at Fellaini as the 4th midfielder, which to me is a bit terrifying.
Having thought about this, I think Mourinho is playing with fire if he thinks two of our most important players (Carrick and Ibra) will be able to carry us through the season. At 35 it is more than likely that they'll run out of legs especially with us still being in four competitions. I can understand Martial/ Rashford coming in for Ibra, but after Pogba-Herrera-Carrick, what's our second choice midfield? Fellaini-Mata-BFS?
I'd be tempted to recall Pereira, or sign a decent passing midfielder.
*Shudders*
I'd be tempted to recall Pereira, or sign a decent passing midfielder.
*Shudders*
completely irrational thinking, @Irrational.
there's no point bringing back 20odd year old who hasn't played the mourinho way to replace a carrick in midfield should he get injured. We've got herrera / blind who could play that position who would be better suited for that.
Rashford is a decent replacement for Ibra should he miss a few games, plus Martial was a striker before was he not?
Imo, let's not make a rash signing just to cover in case of situations and rather trust the guys that could replace them and then replace Ibra / Carrick with someone over the summer as they are top top player we need to replace them with and not they probably aren't available this transfer window
there's no point bringing back 20odd year old who hasn't played the mourinho way to replace a carrick in midfield should he get injured. We've got herrera / blind who could play that position who would be better suited for that.
Rashford is a decent replacement for Ibra should he miss a few games, plus Martial was a striker before was he not?
Imo, let's not make a rash signing just to cover in case of situations and rather trust the guys that could replace them and then replace Ibra / Carrick with someone over the summer as they are top top player we need to replace them with and not they probably aren't available this transfer window
I think we'll regret it if we don't bring in another center mid. Our current backup consists of Fellaini basically. We have virtually no cover for Carrick at all. Everywhere else I think we can get by but we need another center mid desperately.
I'm not as worried about our striking situation as I am about midfield. I hope Blind/ TFM/ Fellaini can be adequate backups.