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Chelsea transfer targets
After a painfully average season, heavy investment is needed. I understand it is unlikely to upgrade every position, and some of these players may be very unrealistic, and nothing more than a dream, but we may aswell try.
(A Thread)
After a painfully average season, heavy investment is needed. I understand it is unlikely to upgrade every position, and some of these players may be very unrealistic, and nothing more than a dream, but we may aswell try.
(A Thread)
Goalkeeper
It’s no secret we need a new goalkeeper. Kepa has been atrocious, Caballero is nothing more than a backup. We need a new shot stopper, who can ideally ideally contribute in buildup.
It’s no secret we need a new goalkeeper. Kepa has been atrocious, Caballero is nothing more than a backup. We need a new shot stopper, who can ideally ideally contribute in buildup.
Marquee signing: Gianluigi Donnarumma
A true modern day goalkeeper, it’s hard to believe he’s still 21. 6’5”, excellent at collecting crosses, reasonably comfortable on the ball, and an excellent shot stopper. Can go right to the top.
A true modern day goalkeeper, it’s hard to believe he’s still 21. 6’5”, excellent at collecting crosses, reasonably comfortable on the ball, and an excellent shot stopper. Can go right to the top.
Realistic signing: André Onana
A solid, yet unspectacular option. It’s yet to be determined how reliable he can be over the course of a league season, but his UCL metrics speak for themselves. Ajax willing to sell, wouldn’t break the bank. Worth looking into.
A solid, yet unspectacular option. It’s yet to be determined how reliable he can be over the course of a league season, but his UCL metrics speak for themselves. Ajax willing to sell, wouldn’t break the bank. Worth looking into.
Gamble signing: Predrag Rajković
He’s had a superb season at Reims. Superb at collecting crosses and stopping shots. Question marks remain over his passing ability (although he doesn’t play in a team where it’d get the chance to show) and consistency over multiple seasons.
He’s had a superb season at Reims. Superb at collecting crosses and stopping shots. Question marks remain over his passing ability (although he doesn’t play in a team where it’d get the chance to show) and consistency over multiple seasons.
Honourable mentions:
Édouard Mendy
Yann Sommer
Thomas Strakosha
Juan Musso
Altay Bayindir
Ugurcan Çakır
Alfred Gomis
Édouard Mendy
Yann Sommer
Thomas Strakosha
Juan Musso
Altay Bayindir
Ugurcan Çakır
Alfred Gomis
Left Back
Both Alonso and Emerson are not good enough, ideally both need to be sold, but it may be difficult to get in 2 left backs in the same window, unless Maatsen is promoted (not likely nor should it be imo). Investment is needed.
Both Alonso and Emerson are not good enough, ideally both need to be sold, but it may be difficult to get in 2 left backs in the same window, unless Maatsen is promoted (not likely nor should it be imo). Investment is needed.
Marquee signing: Renan Lodi
A superb first season in Europe. Good at attacking, spent the last season learning from the best defensive coach in the world. We can try to take advantage of Atleti’s financial situation, perhaps using our LBs in a swap?
A superb first season in Europe. Good at attacking, spent the last season learning from the best defensive coach in the world. We can try to take advantage of Atleti’s financial situation, perhaps using our LBs in a swap?
Realistic signing: Sergio Reguilón
Voted the best left back in La Liga this season. Similar to Onana, a solid yet unspectacular choice, who would reportedly cost ~£20m. Good going both ways, would easily be an upgrade.
Voted the best left back in La Liga this season. Similar to Onana, a solid yet unspectacular choice, who would reportedly cost ~£20m. Good going both ways, would easily be an upgrade.
Gamble signing: Marc Cucurella
A promising player who combines the typical La Masia technically ability with the discipline of José Bordalás. Capable of playing as a LB or as a winger. He was recently bought by Getafe for €6m, and I’m sure they would be tempted by a good offer.
A promising player who combines the typical La Masia technically ability with the discipline of José Bordalás. Capable of playing as a LB or as a winger. He was recently bought by Getafe for €6m, and I’m sure they would be tempted by a good offer.
Honourable mentions:
Lucas Digne
Theo Hernandez
Dwight McNeil
Rayan Aït-Nouri
Alejandro Grimaldo
José Gayà
Pervis Estupiñán
Anthony Caci
Lucas Digne
Theo Hernandez
Dwight McNeil
Rayan Aït-Nouri
Alejandro Grimaldo
José Gayà
Pervis Estupiñán
Anthony Caci
Experienced centre back:
Some proper leadership is needed at the back, not to mention some actual ability to defend. Rüdiger should be first out the door, but none of the senior CBs are good enough.
Some proper leadership is needed at the back, not to mention some actual ability to defend. Rüdiger should be first out the door, but none of the senior CBs are good enough.
Marquee signing: Stefan de Vrij
The best centre back in Italy this season, and among the best for the last few seasons. Perhaps some kind of swap deal can be done involving Conte’s signings at Chelsea?
The best centre back in Italy this season, and among the best for the last few seasons. Perhaps some kind of swap deal can be done involving Conte’s signings at Chelsea?
Realistic signing: Lewis Dunk
Among the most underrated defenders in the Premier League for the last few seasons. Very capable on the ball, aerially dominant, and a good leader. English player premium may cause a stumbling block in valuation though.
Among the most underrated defenders in the Premier League for the last few seasons. Very capable on the ball, aerially dominant, and a good leader. English player premium may cause a stumbling block in valuation though.
Gamble signing: Diego Carlos
Been among the best CBs in Europe this season. Been linked to many of top clubs this summer already. He reportedly has a £68m release clause, but Sevilla are prepared to let him go for less.
Been among the best CBs in Europe this season. Been linked to many of top clubs this summer already. He reportedly has a £68m release clause, but Sevilla are prepared to let him go for less.
Honourable mentions:
Thiago Silva
James Tarkowski
Thiago Silva
James Tarkowski
Pre-prime centre back:
Some long term squad planning can be done here. We need 2 new cbs, whether both come this summer is unclear. A younger CB who is yet to peak, but is still class, would make a good partner for the more experienced CB.
Some long term squad planning can be done here. We need 2 new cbs, whether both come this summer is unclear. A younger CB who is yet to peak, but is still class, would make a good partner for the more experienced CB.
Marquee signing: José Giménez
A true warrior who puts everything on the line for his team. Would have to adjust to seeing more of the ball, but I believe he’s more than capable. Would be expensive but worth a try.
A true warrior who puts everything on the line for his team. Would have to adjust to seeing more of the ball, but I believe he’s more than capable. Would be expensive but worth a try.
Realistic signing: Alessio Romagnoli
A real leader at the back for Milan. A solid defender, a capable passer, and a worthy captain. With a contract until 2022, this is Milan’s last chance for big money, so long as he doesn’t renew.
A real leader at the back for Milan. A solid defender, a capable passer, and a worthy captain. With a contract until 2022, this is Milan’s last chance for big money, so long as he doesn’t renew.
Gamble signing: Duje Ćaleta-Car
Aerially dominant, decent with the ball, and good at defending. His game does admittedly need some refinement, but after that there’s no reason why he can’t play for a top side. A year partnered with an established name would do a world of good.
Aerially dominant, decent with the ball, and good at defending. His game does admittedly need some refinement, but after that there’s no reason why he can’t play for a top side. A year partnered with an established name would do a world of good.
Honourable mentions:
Ibrahima Konaté
Gabriel Magalhães
Pau Torres
Marash Kumbulla
Ferro
Nikola Milenković
Ruben Dias
Wesley Fofana
Jules Koundé
Ibrahima Konaté
Gabriel Magalhães
Pau Torres
Marash Kumbulla
Ferro
Nikola Milenković
Ruben Dias
Wesley Fofana
Jules Koundé
Defensive Midfield: With Jorginho seemingly out of Lampards plans, and with N'Golo Kanté not impressing in recent times, it may be time to bring in a new, young DM who has the mobility for Lampards system, but also has the technical ability to assist in buildup.
Marquee signing: Bruno Guimarães
It was very disappointing to miss out of him in January- what a player he is. Been phenomenal since arriving in Europe, impressing in all of his (albeit limited number of) games. Technically excellent, good defensively. Baller.
It was very disappointing to miss out of him in January- what a player he is. Been phenomenal since arriving in Europe, impressing in all of his (albeit limited number of) games. Technically excellent, good defensively. Baller.
Realistic signing: Boubakary Soumaré
Lampard suggested we were interested in a summer transfer in January. An excellent ball carrier with solid passing range, and a top athlete who is a more than capable defender. Lille would definitely sell for the right price.
Lampard suggested we were interested in a summer transfer in January. An excellent ball carrier with solid passing range, and a top athlete who is a more than capable defender. Lille would definitely sell for the right price.
Gamble signing: Florentino Luís
Potentially not ready for a big move yet, but he has all the tools to become one of the best DMs in the world someday. Superb at screening the back line, decent on the ball. Needs refining, but possesses excellent potential.
Potentially not ready for a big move yet, but he has all the tools to become one of the best DMs in the world someday. Superb at screening the back line, decent on the ball. Needs refining, but possesses excellent potential.
Honourable mentions:
Thomas Partey
Marc Roca
Ibrahim Sangaré
Teun Koopmeiners
Declan Rice
Denis Zakaria
Thomas Partey
Marc Roca
Ibrahim Sangaré
Teun Koopmeiners
Declan Rice
Denis Zakaria
This is just players, but much more has to happen if we are to return to the top. Our coaching (notably goalkeeper coaching) has to improve massively, our tactics have room to improve.
Thanks for reading, RTs and comments appreciated. Please do give your opinions :)
