Chelsea 2020/21 - General discussion

::sonny::

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What sort of deal is Thiago Silva going to be given? On a one year deal he'd be a good signing. Anyhing longer than that wouldn't be that great, especially given the comments over Willian's deal.
In England a simply Andy Carroll or Michael Antonio would devastate him
 

sammsky1

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@duffer and other Chelsea fans:

How likely is it you’ll get Thiago Silva?

If you also sign Havertz and Chilwell, what is your likely first XI and best 3 subs?
 

TheMagicFoolBus

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@duffer and other Chelsea fans:

How likely is it you’ll get Thiago Silva?

If you also sign Havertz and Chilwell, what is your likely first XI and best 3 subs?
The latest Silva rumours have it as being between us and Fiorentina. PSG are reluctant to make him an offer, but if they do he'd likely accept it. If he decides to leave PSG we're likely in the driving seat. All things considered I'd put it at 50/50 - word is we'd want him to act as a bridge option until next summer when there may be more affordable top-end CBs on the market.

In terms of the starting XI, there are a few things we can point to - first is that Lampard has apparently told Werner that he envisions him in a false 9 role instead of wide left. Second, Lampard has clearly favoured a 4-3-3 with Kante as the deep lying 6 since the restart - we beat Man City with a midfield 3 of Mount - Kante - Barkley.

Thus, the best guess of a starting XI next year would be this:

Pulisic - Werner - Ziyech
---Mount---------Havertz----
---------------Kante--------------
Chilwell-Silva-Zouma-James
---------------New GK-------------
 

WeePat

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The latest Silva rumours have it as being between us and Fiorentina. PSG are reluctant to make him an offer, but if they do he'd likely accept it. If he decides to leave PSG we're likely in the driving seat. All things considered I'd put it at 50/50 - word is we'd want him to act as a bridge option until next summer when there may be more affordable top-end CBs on the market.

In terms of the starting XI, there are a few things we can point to - first is that Lampard has apparently told Werner that he envisions him in a false 9 role instead of wide left. Second, Lampard has clearly favoured a 4-3-3 with Kante as the deep lying 6 since the restart - we beat Man City with a midfield 3 of Mount - Kante - Barkley.

Thus, the best guess of a starting XI next year would be this:
There's no chance he's staying at PSG after his quotes tonight.

Unfortunately I doubt Lampard will go as far as benching Azpi for James. It worked okay last season because moving Azpi to LB to accommodate James was doable given our LB's were crap, but we're buying Chilwell, so he'll be forced to choose between Azpi and James each weekend, and I fear James will lose out on most weeks.

Agree with the rest of the line-up.
 

Maluco

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I’m not sure Chilwell or an aging Thiago Silva solves their issues from last season. I think Chilwell is quite an average LB and won’t necessarily make them any better defensively, while I would be surprised if Silva can play consistently. They were conceding quite freely away from home against the majority of teams.

Attacking signees are great obviously, but they already looked quite good going forward and players like RLC and Abraham were having an impact from the bench.

They have an awful lot of players now who want to feature regularly (key signings replacing only outgoing squad players). It will be interesting to see how Frank handles it all.
 

WeePat

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I’m not sure Chilwell or an aging Thiago Silva solves their issues from last season. I think Chilwell is quite an average LB and won’t necessarily make them any better defensively, while I would be surprised if Silva can play consistently. They were conceding quite freely away from home against the majority of teams.

Attacking signees are great obviously, but they already looked quite good going forward and players like RLC and Abraham were having an impact from the bench.

They have an awful lot of players now who want to feature regularly (key signings replacing only outgoing squad players). It will be interesting to see how Frank handles it all.
I would disagree that Chilwell and Thiago Silva do not improve us defensively, but I can accept the fact that people have doubts about them. For what it's worth, Chelsea have also hired a guy who I'm told is going to be the new defensive coach, so perhaps some of the structural defensive issues will be addressed.

Having Kante back fully fit will also help in that regard, but I think the biggest plus is going to be having a new keeper between the sticks, and I'm fairly certain we won't go into the season with Kepa still first choice.
 
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TheMagicFoolBus

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There's no chance he's staying at PSG after his quotes tonight.

Unfortunately I doubt Lampard will go as far as benching Azpi for James. It worked okay last season because moving Azpi to LB to accommodate James was doable given our LB's were crap, but we're buying Chilwell, so he'll be forced to choose between Azpi and James each weekend, and I fear James will lose out on most weeks.

Agree with the rest of the line-up.
Yeah you're probably right. I do think James would offer far more against deep-lying sides; hope Lampard makes that adjustment (especially given Ziyech likes to cut inside; that setup is begging for a RB who can play high and wide on the overlap).

Also agreed that Thiago seems that he's leaving. At this point I'd be surprised if he didn't come to Chelsea.
 

Dancfc

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The latest Silva rumours have it as being between us and Fiorentina. PSG are reluctant to make him an offer, but if they do he'd likely accept it. If he decides to leave PSG we're likely in the driving seat. All things considered I'd put it at 50/50 - word is we'd want him to act as a bridge option until next summer when there may be more affordable top-end CBs on the market.

In terms of the starting XI, there are a few things we can point to - first is that Lampard has apparently told Werner that he envisions him in a false 9 role instead of wide left. Second, Lampard has clearly favoured a 4-3-3 with Kante as the deep lying 6 since the restart - we beat Man City with a midfield 3 of Mount - Kante - Barkley.

Thus, the best guess of a starting XI next year would be this:

Pulisic - Werner - Ziyech
---Mount---------Havertz----
---------------Kante--------------
Chilwell-Silva-Zouma-James
---------------New GK-------------
I've got a feeling it maybe Havertz on the right and Ziyech in the middle.
 

Maluco

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I would disagree that Chilwell and Thiago Silva do not improve us defensively, but I cab accept the fact that people have doubts about them. For what it's worth, Chelsea have also hired a guy who I'm told is going to be the nee defensive coach, so perhaps some of teb structural defenaive issues will be addressed.

Having Kante back fully fit will also help in that regard, but I think the biggest plus is going to be having a new keeper between the sticks, and I'm fairly certain we won't go into the season with Kepa still first choice.
A new defensive coach could he just as vital as a GK! That would be very sensible from Lampard in my view. He is an intelligent guy and very well spoken. If he stays humble and recognizes weaknesses, he could have a very good season.
 

iKnowNothing

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Like them or not, Chelsea are an absolute machine when it comes you getting the signings in transfer market. How many transfers has it been already this window? 3 or 4?
 

Canuckred64

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The latest Silva rumours have it as being between us and Fiorentina. PSG are reluctant to make him an offer, but if they do he'd likely accept it. If he decides to leave PSG we're likely in the driving seat. All things considered I'd put it at 50/50 - word is we'd want him to act as a bridge option until next summer when there may be more affordable top-end CBs on the market.

In terms of the starting XI, there are a few things we can point to - first is that Lampard has apparently told Werner that he envisions him in a false 9 role instead of wide left. Second, Lampard has clearly favoured a 4-3-3 with Kante as the deep lying 6 since the restart - we beat Man City with a midfield 3 of Mount - Kante - Barkley.

Thus, the best guess of a starting XI next year would be this:

Pulisic - Werner - Ziyech
---Mount---------Havertz----
---------------Kante--------------
Chilwell-Silva-Zouma-James
---------------New GK-------------
Do you think James will start?
 

Rajiztar

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Like them or not, Chelsea are an absolute machine when it comes you getting the signings in transfer market. How many transfers has it been already this window? 3 or 4?
Chelsea always do this kind of bulk transfers depends on manager's demand. Chelsea also had fair share of failures in transfer market.

On paper these signings are fantabulous but again they need to perform on the pitch. Only plus point in these signings were Lampard and Cech talked directly with players then marina and team took the mantle to bring in those players. That's refreshing compared to previous models.

Let's see how we play against Liverpool in our home game and that will tell how much we are progressing with new signings. I am confident with Werner at top we can give enough problem to Liverpool as much as they give to us.
 

duffer

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A new defensive coach could he just as vital as a GK! That would be very sensible from Lampard in my view. He is an intelligent guy and very well spoken. If he stays humble and recognizes weaknesses, he could have a very good season.
Who is Man United's defensive coach? Or Liverpool's, or Man City's?

I'm not sure that's a role that really exists.
 

WeePat

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Yeah you're probably right. I do think James would offer far more against deep-lying sides; hope Lampard makes that adjustment (especially given Ziyech likes to cut inside; that setup is begging for a RB who can play high and wide on the overlap).

Also agreed that Thiago seems that he's leaving. At this point I'd be surprised if he didn't come to Chelsea.
Yeah I hope next season is the season we finally begin to phase Azpi out of the first team. He's been mostly a wonderful and reliable player for us, but James is ready to take on the mantle.
 

blue blue

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Who is Man United's defensive coach? Or Liverpool's, or Man City's?

I'm not sure that's a role that really exists.
It doesn't at Chelsea.

Steve Bould did that role at Arsenal with a degree of success.

I know its dewy eyed, sentimental, nostaligic clap trap but the dream team would be JT and Frank. I've mentioned this before but I just feel our whole approach would improve if our defensive coaching improved. I'm not convinced Zouma and Rudiger are bad central defenders and there's no way they should be conceding the quantity of goals they did last season. While Frank was a hard working midfielder it was his attacking play that made him the player he was. This is carrying over into his managerial role and it needs some sort of balance. Jody too was an attacking player and they both need a bit of perspective.

I'm not seriously suggesting JT would come in at this point in his career as he may have plans of being his own No1. It will be interesting to see if JT does another year at Villa. Some top players don't make the transition to manager as it takes a special type of person. Frank's managerial career is on a much steeper trajectory and JT's experience of seeing Dean Smith age a decade in one season may just turn him in a another direction. We'll see.
 

duffer

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It doesn't at Chelsea.

Steve Bould did that role at Arsenal with a degree of success.
Does any top club in the world have one? I'm not saying they don't, just that I don't know of any.

"with a degree of sucess"? Huh? Steve Bould started coaching the first team at Arsenal in 2012, I certainly don't look at Arsenal in the past 8 years and think of a good defence. They also demoted him to the U23s last year so don't have one now.
 

blue blue

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Yeah I hope next season is the season we finally begin to phase Azpi out of the first team. He's been mostly a wonderful and reliable player for us, but James is ready to take on the mantle.
James seems to have the skillset to be a top left sided player but he is thick set and he may not have the pace for tracking back. It was noticable towards the end of the season that he lost a bit of confidence. He chose to pass back on most occasions the ball came his way. I know its important to keep possession but he seemed to choose the back pass too often. He's a strong guy and I think his role will end up being in a more attacking role.

He probably could be a left back but he will have to work on his speed. I don't see him being as good as Dave at his peak any time soon.
 

duffer

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We both had a great defensive coach in Jose.
There are certainly some coaches who are more defensive than others.

What people seem to be suggesting for Chelsea is to get a specialist "defensive coach". I look at other clubs in history and I can't see that this is a role which ever existed for anyone other than Steve Bould at Arsenal (who got demoted to coach the U23s).
 

ForeverRed1

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Literally blowing us out of the water so far in this window. Every player they have signed/linked to are going to add so much quality to this squad.

but let’s wait until the transfer window closes to see how we match up. We might have something up our sleeve.

its not over just yet ;)
 

blue blue

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Until the club announce signings I'm taking nothing for granted. Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell are just rumours at the moment so Chelsea have signed 3 players this window and one of those goes into the youth program and is likely to go out on loan.
Chilwell is rumoured to have a damaged heel that could keep him out for 6 weeks and Thiago Silva is 35 years old and has only just finished last season. Neither will appear in Chelsea's opening fixtures even if they are signed to day.
 

SoCross

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Havertz feels like a Hazard signing. Potential to become a modern day EPL great.
 

RkkMan

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People should be worried about this lot next season. Top attacking signings aside Chilwell whilst not flashy is a massive upgrade on Alonso/Emerson and just 24 will only get better. People laughing at them signing a 36yr old Thiago Silva who`s still a top class CB should remember the last 35/36yr old Utd signed from PSG who scored 27 goals for us Thiago will likely have a similar effect to Zlatan as fitness wise he`s still at the top of his game. If Utd don`t get their act together I unfortunately see Chelsea finishing 8-10 points ahead of us.
 

Berbaclass

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People should be worried about this lot next season. Top attacking signings aside Chilwell whilst not flashy is a massive upgrade on Alonso/Emerson and just 24 will only get better. People laughing at them signing a 36yr old Thiago Silva who`s still a top class CB should remember the last 35/36yr old Utd signed from PSG who scored 27 goals for us Thiago will likely have a similar effect to Zlatan as fitness wise he`s still at the top of his game. If Utd don`t get their act together I unfortunately see Chelsea finishing 8-10 points ahead of us.
I doubt Thiago Silva will be scoring 27 goals mate.
 

RkkMan

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I doubt Thiago Silva will be scoring 27 goals mate.
He`s a CB of course he won`t what he will however add is experience which Chelsea`s defence seriously lacks plus solidity and quality as he`s still one of the best CBs in the world at his age like Zlatan was still one of the best STs in the world at 35
 

cyberman

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He`s a CB of course he won`t what he will however add is experience which Chelsea`s defence seriously lacks plus solidity and quality as he`s still one of the best CBs in the world at his age like Zlatan was still one of the best STs in the world at 35
Have there been many top CBs at 36 years old?
 

TheMagicFoolBus

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Does any top club in the world have one? I'm not saying they don't, just that I don't know of any.

"with a degree of sucess"? Huh? Steve Bould started coaching the first team at Arsenal in 2012, I certainly don't look at Arsenal in the past 8 years and think of a good defence. They also demoted him to the U23s last year so don't have one now.
Surely Liverpool do? They have a specialist throw in coach and he's really improved them in that aspect; they must have a defense-focused coach or at the very least a set play specialist.
 

WeePat

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Have there been many top CBs at 36 years old?
I mean, I know we had a different team back then, but Chelsea won the title in 2015 with a 35 year old Terry playing every single game.
 

Berbaclass

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He`s a CB of course he won`t what he will however add is experience which Chelsea`s defence seriously lacks plus solidity and quality as he`s still one of the best CBs in the world at his age like Zlatan was still one of the best STs in the world at 35
:wenger:
 

cyberman

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I mean, I know we had a different team back then, but Chelsea won the title in 2015 with a 35 year old Terry playing every single game.
And Silva will be 36 in Sep so even older than that!
I do think hell have legs in hin since he wasnt stretched in France but its a really hectic schedule coming up next season. If he was your only CB signing I would be worried, as someone who adds cover or can pick and choose when to play He would be a good addition.
 

CM

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Crazy investment from them. Close to £250m already if the Chilwell and Havertz deals go through, and you'd assume they'll be in for a keeper too.

This has to be the most financial backing a manager has received since Mourinho's first stint.
 

red4ever 79

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Crazy investment from them. Close to £250m already if the Chilwell and Havertz deals go through, and you'd assume they'll be in for a keeper too.

This has to be the most financial backing a manager has received since Mourinho's first stint.
All good signings as well. If they can get a CB and hold onto Kante they will have an excellent team next year
 

Raw

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This is how you build a team to challenge the top 2. Getting their targets sorted relatively quickly before the start of the season, filling in gaps in the squad. Now they've got great attacking depth and their defence has improved (not enough IMO, but only so much can be done in one window).

What the feck are we doing? Where is our ambition?
 

Kostov

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So, they added Werner, Ziyech, they are about to add Havertz, Thiago Silva and Chilwell. If we fail to bring 3 quality reinforcements than it's battle for top 4 again next year.
 

Adisa

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So, they added Werner, Ziyech, they are about to add Havertz, Thiago Silva and Chilwell. If we fail to bring 3 quality reinforcements than it's battle for top 4 again next year.
Was always going to be the case. We neither have the squad nor the manager imo.