Kai Havertz

[TheMagicFoolBus]

Whatever years books it's on doesn't really matter though. The money has been spent. It's also worth noting the club announced recent losses of just under £100m according to Forbes.

As I said, you have money from the transfer ban but it's not some astronomical amount the will allow you to pick up several £70-80m players in one window. Without making any sales the wage bill will also be phenomenal.

Well that's more or less what I'm saying - those purchases made up that loss of ~£100m and thus are unlikely to affect things going forward.

Our transfer budget per summer is generally something on the order of ~£80m prior to any sales, we have two summers' worth to spend, plus ~£175m from Hazard, Morata, Boga, & Pasalic. That's already around £335m without including anyone else we're able to offload. Obviously this is getting into FM territory but I think the funds will be there.

I would just take everything with a grain of salt when you look at a player's stats and take out of context that he plays under a coach that organizes his teams extremely well and gives him a free role in that framework. It's part of the reason why people have been so disappointed with players signed from Dortmund. His passing stats (kp/90, xA/90) indeed look good for a striker, but for what it's worth my personal impression is that while he can take part in combinations via layoffs and the likes he doesn't have particularly great playmaking qualities, if I was bothered I'd check how many of them came from squaring it to a team mate after Leipzig flooded the opposition area.

His troubles in the national team didn't end with the world cup, if anything they have gotten worse, with Löw exploring other options upfront, such as Freiburg's Waldschmidt, Schalke's Uth, Reus, Gnabry and Sane. During the Euros qualifier he's started just 3/8 matches, finished none of them, been subbed in towards in the end in two and fully benched in three. Even Löw is not such a big idiot that he keeps overlooking a top class no9, so he can experiment with midfielders upfront.

What you're quoting about Nagelsmann isn't really the role of a false 9 (in the sense of someone nominally playing upfront, then dropping deeper to pull away defenders and maybe do some playmaking Messi style), he's letting Werner attack from different(LW) or deeper angles, so he's harder to mark and can run at defenders with his pace. But at the same time Schick or Poulsen always remain to lead the line for him.

Which is really why I'm wondering how Chelsea plans to balance all this. Ziyech is basically a no 10, Werner is basically a second striker who demands someone like Giroud (as opposed to Tammy) to play, Havertz is basically a second striker as well, Pulisic has been best when cutting inside from the left too. I think you would need truly amazing fullbacks to make this work efficiently and even then there might be balance issues.

This is a very good post. I'll have to go back and watch a bit more closely to watch out for your points, thank you for sharing your expertise. Only thing I'd say is that Ziyech is more of an inverted right winger - though he can play at the 10, I think the intent is pretty clearly to put him out wider. Granted, that creates other issues potentially since the right channel is where Havertz likes to play a lot, but we'll have to see. I do think James will be a more important player next year given his attacking prowess on the overlap, especially compared to Azpilicueta.

 

[TheReligion]

Well that's more or less what I'm saying - those purchases made up that loss of ~£100m and thus are unlikely to affect things going forward.

Our transfer budget per summer is generally something on the order of ~£80m prior to any sales, we have two summers' worth to spend, plus ~£175m from Hazard, Morata, Boga, & Pasalic. That's already around £335m without including anyone else we're able to offload. Obviously this is getting into FM territory but I think the funds will be there.



This is a very good post. I'll have to go back and watch a bit more closely to watch out for your points, thank you for sharing your expertise. Only thing I'd say is that Ziyech is more of an inverted right winger - though he can play at the 10, I think the intent is pretty clearly to put him out wider. Granted, that creates other issues potentially since the right channel is where Havertz likes to play a lot, but we'll have to see. I do think James will be a more important player next year given his attacking prowess on the overlap, especially compared to Azpilicueta.

I think my point is you'll have money because you've had a transfer ban. That's obvious. That said you've already bought Werner and Zyiech so you've started eating into it. When you factor in that with the clubs £100m losses there's no way you'll be spending £300+ million in one window on players. Especially when your revenue isn't in the ball park of the likes of United, Real, Barca etc.

Lastly its not especially easy to sell on players. Even more so at the moment. We've been gradually getting rid of our deadwood as it's difficult and disruptive to do it all at once. I can't see Moses, Barkley, Bakayoko, Drinkwater, Zappacosta, Emerson, Batshuayi, Willian, Pedro all leaving in one summer. Can you? Even with Peps transformation funded by the billionaires it took his several windows to get settled.

 

[TheMagicFoolBus]

I think my point is you'll have money because you've had a transfer ban. That's obvious. That said you've already bought Werner and Zyiech so you've started eating into it. When you factor in that with the clubs £100m losses there's no way you'll be spending £300+ million in one window on players. Especially when your revenue isn't in the ball park of the likes of United, Real, Barca etc.

Lastly its not especially easy to sell on players. Even more so at the moment. We've been gradually getting rid of our deadwood as it's difficult and disruptive to do it all at once. I can't see Moses, Barkley, Bakayoko, Drinkwater, Zappacosta, Emerson, Batshuayi, Willian, Pedro all leaving in one summer. Can you? Even with Peps transformation funded by the billionaires it took his several windows to get settled.

Well, losses for Chelsea are not so impactful year over year as Roman just writes off any debt.

Yeah, I agree that selling players may prove somewhat challenging, but I do think more clubs will be looking to loan and as long as Chelsea can clear players off the wage bill for now I think deferred payments will be acceptable. With respect to the players you've listed, Pedro is already gone on a free to Roma, Zappacosta has had his loan extended at Roma, & Willian looks to be leaving as well given his demand for a 3 year deal. Drinkwater is a lost cause; perhaps we can flog him off to a newly promoted side as long as they pay a third of his wages or something. Among the rest, Emerson looks likely to go to Inter and probably Moses too.

We'll have to see what Marina can pull off - among those listed the only one that I could see sticking around the first team is Barkley. The rest will find loans somewhere or another at worst I'd reckon.

Agreed re: Pep, though the one wrinkle is they were (at least attempting) to comply with FFP at the time, and given COVID those standards will be relaxed. Combined with the stockpiled fees & likely willingness of clubs to sell players to try to balance the books, this seems an almost unprecedented opportunity to overhaul the squad. That said, who the hell knows whether this is a good idea in the first place or what the outcome will be.

 

[sp_107]

Quietly Chelsea are building g a great time, forget it 50M even he is worth for 70M asking price as he comes across like a generation talent.

 

[sp_107]

I wonder if Chelsea would use both him and Ziyech in a midfield 3 like City do with De Bruyne and Silva and we are with Pogba and Fernandes? Something like

------------------Kepa------------------
Azpili--Rudiger--Zouma--Alonso
------------------Kante------------------
-------Ziyech----------Havertz-------
Pulisic------Giroud------Werner

Obviously I assume Chelsea will do something with that back line and I'd imagine they'll try to move on from Giroud again

If they replace Giroud with a decent striker then that front six looks quality

 

[do.ob]

This is a very good post. I'll have to go back and watch a bit more closely to watch out for your points, thank you for sharing your expertise. Only thing I'd say is that Ziyech is more of an inverted right winger - though he can play at the 10, I think the intent is pretty clearly to put him out wider. Granted, that creates other issues potentially since the right channel is where Havertz likes to play a lot, but we'll have to see. I do think James will be a more important player next year given his attacking prowess on the overlap, especially compared to Azpilicueta.

Yes, calling Ziyech a no10 was lazy. I was thinking about where the players actually end up on the pitch during attacks and my impression was that he usually drifts inside and operates behind the forwards. I guess my point is that all these players ultimately want to attack through the center, which means it could easily be the fullbacks who end up getting space, when the opposition tries to pack and close the middle to shut down all those quality players.

 

[TheMagicFoolBus]

Yes, calling Ziyech a no10 was lazy. I was thinking about where the players actually end up on the pitch during attacks and my impression was that he usually drifts inside and operates behind the forwards. I guess my point is that all these players ultimately want to attack through the center, which means it could easily be the fullbacks who end up getting space, when the opposition tries to pack and close the middle to shut down all those quality players.

I think that's true - it will be interesting to say the least to see how everyone will / won't fit in. We'll have to see whether a balance can be struck - I do think that there is reason to be somewhat concerned over overlapping skillsets but at the same time, most of these players are young enough to add new elements to their game and adapt. I'm certainly optimistic but I think you're right to ask questions.

 

[WeePat]

Interesting conversation guys. Enjoyed reading that @TheMagicFoolBus @do.ob

 

[UweBein]

I can't believe it that he would go to Chelsea.
Will believe it, only when it's done.

I find the player interesting, but I am not sure what kind of impact he will have at Chelsea - especially in his first years.
He could be a player that needs one year to get used to the PL.

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

What have Chelsea's biggest issues been this season? They simply can't defend. Defence isn't good enough and neither is their keeper.

Solution? They buy Zieych, Werner and Havertz and go hell for leather. Hahahahaha.

They are definitely not going to be dull to watch are they? Like the front half of a Ferrari F50 and the other half a banged up old Fiat Punto.

Despite of Chelsea scoring more goals than us this season, for weird reason their attackers haven’t been as impressive as ours. I’m sure they would love to take Greenwood, Rashford, Martial & Bruno to their current team.

Tammy is their top scorer with 14 league goals and yet we have two players who scored more goals than him (Martial & Rashford, 15 each). Apart from last game, he didn’t score for 8 league consecutive games when he was available for both the bench & starter.

Their midfield top scorer is Willian with 9 league goals. And the guy is likely going to leave. That’s the same amount as Greenwood and Greenwood didn’t play as much as Willian in comparison. Pulisic is their 3rd top scorer with 8 league goals while our Bruno who just joined us in end of January has scored 7 league goals

Their total goals are only 4 goals ahead of us, there is good chance we will pass them end of the season. However, our main goal scorers are much more quality than them at the moment. Their defense is the massive difference for their goals since their defense scored 9 league goals while our defense only scored 3 league goals.

Lampard realised that he needed another striker (Werner) because relying on Tammy alone isn’t good enough while he also needed goals from his midfielder which is why they want Havertz. Ziyech is signed to be Willian’s replacement. I think he wants to fix the attacking issues first to make sure he got players that can deliver in consistent basis and not relying on defenders to score. End of the day, they won’t solve their defense problem in one summer window.

 

[TheMagicFoolBus]

Despite of Chelsea scoring more goals than us this season, for weird reason their attackers haven’t been as impressive as ours. I’m sure they would love to take Greenwood, Rashford, Martial & Bruno to their current team.

Tammy is their top scorer with 14 league goals and yet we have two players who scored more goals than him (Martial & Rashford, 15 each). Apart from last game, he didn’t score for 8 league consecutive games when he was available for both the bench & starter.

Their midfield top scorer is Willian with 9 league goals. And the guy is likely going to leave. That’s the same amount as Greenwood and Greenwood didn’t play as much as Willian in comparison. Pulisic is their 3rd top scorer with 8 league goals while our Bruno who just joined us in end of January has scored 7 league goals

Their total goals are only 4 goals ahead of us, there is good chance we will pass them end of the season. However, our main goal scorers are much more quality than them at the moment. Their defense is the massive difference for their goals since their defense scored 9 league goals while our defense only scored 3 league goals.

Lampard realised that he needed another striker (Werner) because relying on Tammy alone isn’t good enough while he also needed goals from his midfielder which is why they want Havertz. Ziyech is signed to be Willian’s replacement. I think he wants to fix the attacking issues first to make sure he got players that can deliver in consistent basis and not relying on defenders to score. End of the day, they won’t solve their defense problem in one summer window.

Good post. This is reflected in the xG tables, where Chelsea have scored 63 goals from 60.9 xG versus United who have scored 59 goals from 51.4 xG. A consistent theme in Chelsea's season has been a failure to convert chances necessary to put teams away, thus creating more pressure for a fragile defense. Even in the Palace game Willian missed two chances, Mount missed one, Giroud a free header, Tammy lashed wide from the 6 yard box, etc.

Without a doubt your front 3 (plus Bruno) is miles ahead in terms of being clinical in front of goal. I think both sides (at least since Bruno came in) are comparable in terms of getting into decent positions & building attacks well, but what separates us is that extra bit of quality in front of goal.

It's easy to point at Chelsea's defense and say it needs fixing, but honestly given the lack of available CB options I'd be content with getting in a left back & a new goalkeeper along with our attacking signings.

 

[mitchmouse]

I still think Greenwood should be our Number 9, and have Havertz behind (or wide of) him. Really can't let chelsea get this guy too

 

[Infra-red]

I still think Greenwood should be our Number 9, and have Havertz behind (or wide of) him. Really can't let chelsea get this guy too

Fernandes and Pogba?

 

[mitchmouse]

Fernandes and Pogba?

yes... I don't think martial and rashford are immediate choices. they can disappear in games, especially martial. But, could fit them all in if Pogba is DM or play three at back... =but more than anything I am thinking of the squad and being able to offer different things when games aren't going well like Fergie did with Cole/York and Teddy/Ole

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

I still think Greenwood should be our Number 9, and have Havertz behind (or wide of) him. Really can't let chelsea get this guy too

If we get this guy then Chelsea will get Sancho anyway, if I have to choose, Sancho. We don't need this guy when we already have Bruno, probably much better since Bruno has adapted in PL and offer both goals & playmaking creativity. We have much bigger fish to get with Sancho, let them busy with Havertz which gives us no competition to sign Sancho.

 

[beingshe7don]

I still think Greenwood should be our Number 9, and have Havertz behind (or wide of) him. Really can't let chelsea get this guy too

Greenwood is a little lightweight to play at No. 9 for now. I don't think he's developed the ability to hold up the ball all that well yet. He will need to develop as RVP did when he was at Arsenal. He played on the wings for about 2 seasons and then became a No. 9. But I do agree... letting Havertz go to Chelsea is gonna bite us in the rear. But then again, do we need Havertz or Sancho? is the debate for everyone on the CAF

 

[Adam-Utd]

I wonder if Chelsea would use both him and Ziyech in a midfield 3 like City do with De Bruyne and Silva and we are with Pogba and Fernandes? Something like

------------------Kepa------------------
Azpili--Rudiger--Zouma--Alonso
------------------Kante------------------
-------Ziyech----------Havertz-------
Pulisic------Giroud------Werner

Obviously I assume Chelsea will do something with that back line and I'd imagine they'll try to move on from Giroud again

From what I've seen he isn't a central midfielder at all.

He plays more of a 2nd striker similar to Bruno.

I still think Greenwood should be our Number 9, and have Havertz behind (or wide of) him. Really can't let chelsea get this guy too

Havertz is pointless out wide and we have Bruno who's already better.

we can't buy every player, i'd much rather have Sancho than Havertz too.

 

[Nickelodeon]

I would've loved to have Havertz in our team. But unfortunately, he plays in an area where we have the least requirement. Shunting him out wide or another position wouldn't be good for anyone.

 

[MikeKing]

Is this what Lampard wants? Would certainly be comparable to United's setup. Very exiting.

Ziyech-Havertz-Pulisic
Werner​

 

[Silas]

yes... I don't think martial and rashford are immediate choices. they can disappear in games, especially martial. But, could fit them all in if Pogba is DM or play three at back... =but more than anything I am thinking of the squad and being able to offer different things when games aren't going well like Fergie did with Cole/York and Teddy/Ole

Is this myth still going?

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

People understimate how Chelsea's new signings will first have to adapt to the premier league

 

[Open Goal]

People understimate how Chelsea's new signings will first have to adapt to the premier league

Thats a conplete myth in my opinion. Just because some people flop, doesnt mean the Premier League is hard to adapt to. Look at Coutinho as a basic example. Amazing here, awful in La Liga. We love to big up our league as an extremely hard league to get used to. Look at Bruno for example...... no problems whatsoever.

It makes for good headlines though.... to make our league appear hard to get used to. We are after all “the best” league in the world....

Sells papers and an excuse for why players flop.

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

Thats a conplete myth in my opinion. Just because some people flop, doesnt mean the Premier League is hard to adapt to. Look at Coutinho as a basic example. Amazing here, awful in La Liga. We love to big up our league as an extremely hard league to get used to. Look at Bruno for example...... no problems whatsoever.

It makes for good headlines though.... to make our league appear hard to get used to. We are after all “the best” league in the world....

Sells papers and an excuse for why players flop.

There are lots of examples of players failing or succeeding to adapt to a different league. It just shows players are different. In the end the premier league is definitely more intense than Bundesliga and Eredivisie so they do have to adapt. Whether they would do so immediately is less of a possibility compared to them gradually adapting

 

[Dancfc]

Thats a conplete myth in my opinion. Just because some people flop, doesnt mean the Premier League is hard to adapt to. Look at Coutinho as a basic example. Amazing here, awful in La Liga. We love to big up our league as an extremely hard league to get used to. Look at Bruno for example...... no problems whatsoever.

It makes for good headlines though.... to make our league appear hard to get used to. We are after all “the best” league in the world....

Sells papers and an excuse for why players flop.

Not to mention examples of Mata, Aguero, Silva and Pulisic going up a level in the PL.

This "PL's so uniquely hard" BS came about because Pulis and Allardyce gave Arsenal a bit of a hard time for a few years (and that was down to Wenger's stubborness not their brilliance). Dyche is apparently the poster boy of lesser sides "making it hard for big teams which means the PL is so tough" narrative but his record against the big six is absolutely rancid.

4th year in a row we're seeing a Champion with 90 plus points winning 30 or more games, the PL is the best and most competitive fanbase use to laugh at other league's when that happened even once.

 

[KennyBurner]

I still think Greenwood should be our Number 9, and have Havertz behind (or wide of) him. Really can't let chelsea get this guy too

He can go to Chelsea. We will be alright. He isn’t a Sancho that is clear and above his peers. We also have Bruno who is 24 and plays in the same position. We just can’t buy every player.

 

[Open Goal]

Not to mention examples of Mata, Aguero, Silva and Pulisic going up a level in the PL.

This "PL's so uniquely hard" BS came about because Pulis and Allardyce gave Arsenal a bit of a hard time for a few years (and that was down to Wenger's stubborness not their brilliance). Dyche is apparently the poster boy of lesser sides "making it hard for big teams which means the PL is so tough" narrative but his record against the big six is absolutely rancid.

4th year in a row we're seeing a Champion with 90 plus points winning 30 or more games, the PL is the best and most competitive fanbase use to laugh at other league's when that happened even once.

Great examples and theres a plethora of more examples. Did Pulisic not score a hat trick before going off injured or did I make that up? It is still his first season and he is absolutely running with it even though of the injury mid season

 

[Dancfc]

Great examples and theres a plethora of more examples. Did Pulisic not score a hat trick before going off injured or did I make that up? It is still his first season and he is absolutely running with it even though of the injury mid season

Yeah he got a hattrick at Burnley (perfect hattrick aswell), he's had his up's and downs but his form in the period around that game and since the restart has blown anything he did at Dortmund out of the water.

 

[mu4c_20le]

Thats a conplete myth in my opinion. Just because some people flop, doesnt mean the Premier League is hard to adapt to. Look at Coutinho as a basic example. Amazing here, awful in La Liga. We love to big up our league as an extremely hard league to get used to. Look at Bruno for example...... no problems whatsoever.

It makes for good headlines though.... to make our league appear hard to get used to. We are after all “the best” league in the world....

Sells papers and an excuse for why players flop.

What he said wasn't wrong though, it takes adapting to just like any other league, new country, new culture, food, weather, way of life, etc. I would argue that Coutinho is the kind of player that thrives when a team is built around him and give him total creative freedom. Imagine if Pogba was played out wide and then criticized for not producing goals or assists. And for every Coutinho I'd argue there's a Di Maria out there.

The Premier League is known for being faster and more physical, this isn't a myth, this comes from the professionals themselves.

 

[Aidan Azar]

He can go to Chelsea. We will be alright. He isn’t a Sancho that is clear and above his peers. We also have Bruno who is 24 and plays in the same position. We just can’t buy every player.

Bruno turns 26 in 2 months. I agree that Utd don't really need Havertz though, we'll take him.

 

[-Supreme-]

I wonder if Chelsea can afford him if they don't qualify for the CL next season?

Most importantly, are they not better off buying a couple of defenders?

 

[TheMagicFoolBus]

I wonder if Chelsea can afford him if they don't qualify for the CL next season?

Most importantly, are they not better off buying a couple of defenders?

We might be better off with the defenders, but who realistically is available that'd improve us? Overpaying for mediocre talent has been a hallmark of Chelsea for a while and it's a problem. Would much rather spend on genuine world class players or those with the potential to grow into that type.

Also, getting Barkley out of the team is a priority for me, please and thank you.

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

I wonder if Chelsea can afford him if they don't qualify for the CL next season?

Most importantly, are they not better off buying a couple of defenders?

Ssshh. Just be optimistic that they can afford Havertz. It gives us no competition to get Sancho.

They need Sancho more than Havertz if I'm being honest.

 

[macheda14]

Ssshh. Just be optimistic that they can afford Havertz. It gives us no competition to get Sancho.

They need Sancho more than Havertz if I'm being honest.

If we get CL and they don’t he’d more likely come here anyway

 

[TheMagicFoolBus]

Ssshh. Just be optimistic that they can afford Havertz. It gives us no competition to get Sancho.

They need Sancho more than Havertz if I'm being honest.

While I'd obviously love Sancho, I think Havertz is by far the bigger need seeing as we have Ziyech from next year to play RW and certified idiot Ross fecking Barkley still starting at the moment

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

We might be better off with the defenders, but who realistically is available that'd improve us? Overpaying for mediocre talent has been a hallmark of Chelsea for a while and it's a problem. Would much rather spend on genuine world class players or those with the potential to grow into that type.

Also, getting Barkley out of the team is a priority for me, please and thank you.

You don't need a world class centre back. There are not many world class out there. What you need is a leader, someone who can command the defense, act like a leader in defense to bring more composure. We spent big on Maguire for this and look at how much he improved our defense and he's not a world class. You got bunch of schoolboy errors centre back, remind me of our centre back prior Maguire signing, been very long in the club but never step up as a leader.

Jorginho is actually a class playmaker if he is used properly. Bring defensive mid alongside him to cover his weakness, you pretty much upgrade Barkley and your midfield. Defensive mid will improve both your midfield and defense, killing 2 birds with 1 stone.

 

[TheMagicFoolBus]

You don't need a world class centre back. There are not many world class out there. What you need is a leader, someone who can command the defense, act like a leader in defense to bring more composure. We spent big on Maguire for this and look at how much he improved our defense and he's not a world class.

Jorginho is actually a class playmaker if he is used properly. Bring defensive mid alongside him to cover his weakness, you pretty much upgrade Barkley and your midfield. Defensive mid will improve both your midfield and defense, killing 2 birds with 1 stone.

Sure, I'm not arguing that necessarily. My point is that given the choice between a world class talent in attacking midfield versus two mediocre defenders, I'd take the former every time. I also can't really come up with any CBs with the requisite leadership qualities that might be available - maaaaaaaaybe if you squint and imagine what he might grow into Declan Rice?

I don't necessarily disagree with your assessment of Jorginho - I do think he's looked at his best this season when used in a pivot in a 4-2-3-1. I just don't think he'll ever be able to cope with the physicality of the PL and he's just not mobile enough to cover the ground needed for a deep-lying midfielder. Today his weaknesses were exposed (along with our defense) I thought for the umpteenth time.

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

Sure, I'm not arguing that necessarily. My point is that given the choice between a world class talent in attacking midfield versus two mediocre defenders, I'd take the former every time. I also can't really come up with any CBs with the requisite leadership qualities that might be available - maaaaaaaaybe if you squint and imagine what he might grow into Declan Rice?

I don't necessarily disagree with your assessment of Jorginho - I do think he's looked at his best this season when used in a pivot in a 4-2-3-1. I just don't think he'll ever be able to cope with the physicality of the PL and he's just not mobile enough to cover the ground needed for a deep-lying midfielder. Today his weaknesses were exposed (along with our defense) I thought for the umpteenth time.

You know what. For our sake, I think it's better if you guys think that there is no leadership quality available in the market at the moment so I'll go along with what you said.

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

You know what. For our sake, I think it's better if you guys think that there is no leadership quality available in the market at the moment so I'll go along with what you said.

Asides from Koulibaly there isn't any though. Even for United I think any defender that comes in with the intention of replacing Lindelof should be good enough to turn our back line to a title winning one

 

[charlenefan]

Thing is someone like Dunk probably improves that Chelsea defence but even he would probably cost 50m

 

[TrustInJanuzaj]

I agree with the poster above, it’s being massively underestimated just how hard it can be to fit new signings into a team from the get go, especially as Chelsea don’t really have a go too system like Liverpool or even Utd do. I also think this is a similar situation to Arsenal last year when everyone was saying they would be challengers after getting Pepe etc. Their new signings have it all to prove.