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Chelsea 2022-2023: America... fuck yeah?

ztejas

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ztejas

ztejas 43411

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Club History

6X ENGLISH CHAMPION

16/17 ,  14/15 ,  09/10 ,  05/06 ,  04/05 ,  54/55

2X CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WINNER

20/21,  11/12

8X FA CUP WINNER

17/18 ,  11/12 ,  09/10 ,  08/09 ,  06/07 ,  99/00 ,  96/97 ,  69/70

5X ENGLISH LEAGUE CUP WINNER

14/15 ,  06/07 ,  04/05 ,  97/98 ,  64/65

2X EUROPA LEAGUE WINNER

18/19 ,  12/13

2X CUP WINNERS CUP WINNER

97/98 ,  70/71

2X UEFA SUPERCUP WINNER

97/98, 20/21

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP WINNER

20/21

4X ENGLISH SUPERCUP WINNER

09/10 ,  05/06 ,  00/01 ,  55/56

Last Season:

  • 3rd in Premier League
  • Lost in FA Cup Final - Chelsea 0 - Liverpool 0 (5-6 pens)
  • Lost in EFL Cup Final - Chelsea 0 - Liverpool 0 (9-10 pens)
  • Lost in Champions League Quarterfinal - Chelsea 4 - Real Madrid 5 agg.
  • Won FIFA Club World Cup (attributed to the previous season)

2022-2023

Manager: Thomas Tuchel (3rd season)

Current roster per TransferMarkt as of 6/2/2022:

 

# player Date of birth / Age Nat. Market value
16
Edouard Mendy
 
Goalkeeper
Mar 1, 1992 (30) Senegal
Guinea-Bissau		 $35.20m 
1
Kepa Arrizabalaga
 
Goalkeeper
Oct 3, 1994 (27) Spain $11.00m 
13
Fulham FCzugang_beta_kader.png
Marcus Bettinelli
 
Goalkeeper
May 24, 1992 (30) England
Italy		 $2.75m 
2
Real Madridabgang_beta_kader.png
Antonio Rüdiger
 
Centre-Back
Mar 3, 1993 (29) Germany
Sierra Leone		 $38.50m 
4
Without Clubabgang_beta_kader.png
Andreas Christensen
 
Centre-Back
Apr 10, 1996 (26) Denmark $38.50m 
14
Chelsea FC U23zugang_beta_kader.png
Trevoh Chalobah
 
Centre-Back
Jul 5, 1999 (22) England
Sierra Leone		 $22.00m 
31
FC Portorueckkehr_beta_kader.png
Malang Sarr
 
Centre-Back
Jan 23, 1999 (23) France
Senegal		 $8.80m 
6
Thiago Silva
 
Centre-Back
Sep 22, 1984 (37) Brazil
France		 $2.75m 
-
Coventry Cityrueckkehr_beta_kader.png
Jake Clarke-Salter
 
Centre-Back
Sep 22, 1997 (24) England $2.20m  
21
Ben Chilwell
 
Left-Back
Dec 21, 1996 (25) England $41.80m 
3
Marcos Alonso
 
Left-Back
Dec 28, 1990 (31) Spain $16.50m 
-
Reading FCrueckkehr_beta_kader.png
Abdul-Rahman Baba
 
Left-Back
Jul 2, 1994 (27) Ghana $2.42m  
24
Reece James
 
Right-Back
Dec 8, 1999 (22) England $60.50m 
28
César Azpilicueta
 
 
Right-Back
Aug 28, 1989 (32) Spain $12.10m 
7
N'Golo Kanté
 
Defensive Midfield
Mar 29, 1991 (31) France
Mali		 $55.00m 
5
Jorginho
 
Defensive Midfield
Dec 20, 1991 (30) Italy
Brazil		 $49.50m 
8
Mateo Kovacic
 
Central Midfield
May 6, 1994 (28) Croatia $49.50m 
17
Atlético de Madridleihe_beta_kader.png
Saúl Ñíguez
 
Central Midfield
Nov 21, 1994 (27) Spain $30.80m 
12
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
 
Central Midfield
Jan 23, 1996 (26) England
Guyana		 $22.00m 
18
Ross Barkley
 
Central Midfield
Dec 5, 1993 (28) England $14.30m 
-
Norwich Cityrueckkehr_beta_kader.png
Billy Gilmour
 
Central Midfield
Jun 11, 2001 (20) Scotland $13.20m 
-
Without Clubabgang_beta_kader.png
Danny Drinkwater
 
Central Midfield
Mar 5, 1990 (32) England $1.32m  
23
Clube de Regatas do Flamengorueckkehr_beta_kader.png
Kenedy
 
Left Midfield
Feb 8, 1996 (26) Brazil $7.70m 
19
Mason Mount
 
Attacking Midfield
Jan 10, 1999 (23) England $82.50m 
29
Kai Havertz
 
Attacking Midfield
Jun 11, 1999 (22) Germany $77.00m 
22
Hakim Ziyech
 
Attacking Midfield
Mar 19, 1993 (29) Morocco
Netherlands		 $35.20m 
-
Without Clubabgang_beta_kader.png
Charly Musonda Jr.
 
Attacking Midfield
Oct 15, 1996 (25) Belgium
Zambia		 $1.10m 
10
Christian Pulisic
 
Right Winger
Sep 18, 1998 (23) United States
Croatia		 $49.50m 
20
Callum Hudson-Odoi
 
Right Winger
Nov 7, 2000 (21) England
Ghana		 $33.00m 
9
Inter Milanzugang_beta_kader.png
Romelu Lukaku
 
Centre-Forward
May 13, 1993 (29) Belgium
DR Congo		 $93.50m 
11
Timo Werner
 
Centre-Forward
Mar 6, 1996 (26) Germany

$46.20m

 

Some changes are already highlighted but expect to see some more outgoing and incoming. 

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MoJames
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Made it in.  

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Scenes today from training.    

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Finally got him it appears.  

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MoJames

MoJames 8244

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Boehly in.

Already Out: - Rudiger (Real Madrid), Drinkwater (Who Cares), Saul (Loan ends June 30th with Atletico)

Likely Out: Christensen (Barca), Dave (Barca)

Need to Leave: Lukaku (Inter - Loan being rumored)

Be Surprised if they stay: Alonso

Returning from Loan that could Contribute: Gallagher (Crystal Palace), Gilmour (Norwich), Colwill (Huddersfield)

Top Transfer Targets: Kounde (Sevilla), Slonina (Chicago Fire), Bremer (Turin), Nkunku (RB Leipzig)

Funny Transfer Targets: Sterling (City), Neymar (PSG), Lewandowski (Bayern), Dembele (Barca)

Need a New Contract: Mount, James

 

Going to be an interesting offseason with a new owner and a late start. I think Kounde alone makes this a good transfer window, although I'd love to see Lukaku and Kepa wander away and clear up some of that salary. Core of the team is young (Mount, James, Chalobah, Kai, Pulisic, Werner, Chilly) with some elder statesmen that aren't long for the game (Silva, Kante, Jorg, Kova, Ziyech). Would be nice to find a wingback to come in opposite James (would love to see CHO be that guy). Will be interesting to see how/if Gallagher and Gilmour slide into the team.

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MoJames

MoJames 8244

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[Nizaar Kinsella] Chelsea open to Lukaku loan for €25m fee with striker willing to take pay cut and considering Gabriel Jesus.

Manchester United and Chelsea are keen on Wesley Fofana. It will take at least 80M € to convince Leicester to sell.

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MoJames

MoJames 8244

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Bunch of stuff summarized from the Athletic discussion Full Article - Pay

Quote

Kepa (2025): Going back to form as a substitute this year under Tuchel. Coming in when one of the highest earners not ideal. Chelsea will listen to offers and Sarri (Lazio) interest is there. Possible loan.

Azpi (2023): Despite 1 year contract extension (auto-renewal), there is a gentleman agreement he can move this summer. Might stay to not cause issues due to backline leaving.

Alonso (2023): Now is a good time to say bye. Provided good value to his deal. Could use Emerson as backup. Barcelona interest.

Emerson (2024): Tuchel's first choice to compete with Alonso when Chilly got injured. Wanted him back in January. Has said he'd be happy to return.

Chalobah (2026): Feel good story of our season. Rewarded with a long term contract in Nov. Will keep an eye out for what summer means for him -- especially Kounde.

Sarr (2025): Plan was to send on loan. Did not happen. Had some shaky performances. Loan possibilities.

Colwill (2025): Good for Huddersfield, helped get them to Championship final. Comfort on the ball and reader of danger. Ideal for Tuchel so they will explore this line in pre-season. Him and his close ones will be watching our window attentively and what it means for him.

Jorginho (2023): Hinted at wanting to stay but also go back to Italy in his 4 years. Tuchel rates him. If he leaves, it's Napoli or Juve. Both admire.

Kovacic (2024): No talks yet. Was fittest, most dynamic midfielder for Chelsea. Happy at the club. Will engage in contract talks when time comes. If he gets to Rudiger's or AC's 1 year length of contract, lots of admirers.

Kante (2023): Key player for Tuchel but frustration over availability. Less obvious market for him than Jorginho. 31. More injuries? Extension is not an easy decision.

Barkley (2023): Had lots of value when bought for 15M for Conte. England international in the prime of career with lots of resale value. Now just a fringe player. Wages are an issue. 29 years old. Shows no signs of wanting out. Shocking if he stays past this summer though.

Gilmour (2024): 1 year extension, 3 weeks ago. Happy both parties. Wants to fight for a place. Loan not enticing as he was at Norwich fighting relegation.

Gallagher (2025): Most likely to end up in the team. Tuchel liked him in preseason. CP want him permanently but Chelsea have the power due to this contract length.

Pulisic (2024): No renewal prospect under Tuchel. Seen as impact sub. Summer would be best to sell. Liverpool's Klopp an admirer but they got Nunez. Where does he go?

CHO (2024): Market value decreased after his signing of his 5 year contract at Chelsea. Tuchel's system doesn't suit natural wingers. Who will step forward to pay the fee?

Ziyech (2025): Close friend of Lukaku (LOL), Not productive under Tuchel. Not clean fit either. Only paid 33M, transfer could work this summer. But who will pay?

Werner (2025): Last season was a step back as minutes declined. Plenty of admirers in Germany but Bayern want Mane (only club that can pay his wages there). Not unsalvageable situation like Lukaku however.

Lukaku (2026): (LOL. Do I need to even write anything here?) Disasterclass. Pushing to (fuck off into oblivion into the shit league that is Serie A) at Inter. Terms unfavorable for Chelsea though likely to go through. No use keeping him on bench at his wages.

Broja (2025): Long term deal last summer before his loan. Hassenhutl wants permanent deal. Could offer low cost, high upside option to help move on from Lukaku.

 

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MoJames

MoJames 8244

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Bunch of stuff from London is Blue Podcast with Kinsella 

Quote

Inter's current offer for Lukaku loan is around 7 million euros. Chelsea are asking for 12m euros. Lukaku is willing to take a pay cut. Boehly just wants what Tuchel wants on the subject. Chelsea will try to get a defender from Inter. "Lautaro would be a dream but he's untouchable for Inter."(Lautaro bit is Kinsella's words, no info about the club wanting him).

Jesus wants a guaranteed start in his next club. Arsenal are more interested and made an official bid.

Chelsea will move for attackers later on the window, defenders are the priority. No transfer interest for Pulisic and Ziyech right now. Dembele deal looks difficult. Nkunku is wanted by everyone and also by Chelsea. The club wants someone who is suited to Tuchel's high pressing style.

Kounde's surgery is succesful, expected to return for pre season. Chelsea are main contenders. Barcelona want Kounde desperately but are in a very bad financial situation and have to sell players to get him. Chelsea had a contract agreement already (before Barca interest). Kinsella expects this could be the first transfer along with Slonina. Things moving slowly, a lot depend on player sells and loans.

Kimpembe and Gvardiol are among targets. PSG and Kimpembe are in contract talks, Chelsea can move in if they cannot reach a deal. Gvardiol's fee would be at least 55m pounds, Chelsea have been watching him for a long time and there is a rumour we made an offer back in January.

There is a possibility of moving Reece to center back and looking for a wing back. -This sounded like Kinsella's own opinion, not a plan of the club.

Chelsea are open to let both Alonso and Azpi to leave, Tuchel wants Azpi to stay. The club respects Azpi's decision. Barcelona doesn't want to pay a transfer fee for neither of them.

Kepa could leave, Baxter can take the number 2 GK spot.

Boehly camp want to be smart about contracts in the future to avoid situations like Rüdiger and Christensen (about a question on Mount and James' contracts).

Some talk about Gilmour, Gallagher, Kante, Jorginho and Declan Rice but nothing new, the same things reported before.

Bellingham is liked by Chelsea a lot, "you never know".

I may have missed some points. My general understandment: getting two first team center backs is the priority, Kounde is close, Chelsea want to use Lukaku deal for a defender from Inter, Gvardiol and Kimpembe are among targets. Other positions mostly depend on outgoing players and how things go in the summer.

 

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MoJames

MoJames 8244

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New from Matt Law: Bid for Sterling is imminent. Dembele will decide his future this week. Interest in Richarlison and Raphinha. Kounde no longer top target. Negotiations with Juventus over de Ligt. Talks are taking place with candidates for the sporting director role, among them Michael Edwards

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/06/27/petr-cech-joins-chelsea-exodus-todd-boehly-clearlake-takeover

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MoJames

MoJames 8244

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So lots of moving parts

CB it appears Kounde is on the back burner, De Ligt the flavor of the week with discussions about bringing Ake back.

Winger Sterling is the current leader with some smoke around Dembele and maybe Neymar. Raphinha rumored to be in addition to one of those three

GK appears done

Nothing else with a ton of smoke.

Here is a picture of Conor on vacation.

 

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Doug E. Fresh

Doug E. Fresh 452

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On 6/28/2022 at 10:44 PM, MoJames said:

[El Pais] Paris Saint-Germain have informed Neymar that they would be willing to let him leave on a loan this summer & pay the required salary during said loan

 

So Raphinha, Sterling and Neymar

No Raphinha, shut it down earlier in the week and now looks headed to broke ass Barca 

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RichUT

RichUT 1832

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We’re not exactly cooking with fire during this transfer window. I get that a lot of that is tied to the change in ownership, but we better turn it around quickly if we have any intentions to stay in the mix for UCL placement.

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ztejas

ztejas 43411

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16 minutes ago, RichUT said:

We’re not exactly cooking with fire during this transfer window. I get that a lot of that is tied to the change in ownership, but we better turn it around quickly if we have any intentions to stay in the mix for UCL placement.

What are you talking about? We're killing it in the rumor mill. Our rumors/90 is the best in Europe. 

What, you actually want players? Lol. Shows what you know about soccer. 

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MoJames

MoJames 8244

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The only third of the field we have to make a splash is on the back line.

Silva was a luxury last year I don't see happening again this year.

Chalobah is a lovely surprise.

Sarr looks to be depth at best.

No one knows what Ampadu will bring to the squad, Miazga is never playing a first team game.

When Dave/Alonso both move on it leaves us Chilly, James as starting wingbacks with depth of Emerson, unless you see Rahman sticking around.

Youth squad has both Colwill (being a potential piece of the squad) and Maatsen (who I haven't seen mentioned once)

 

That's ugly. I would feel so much better if we had already moved Kounde over, but he has turned into this decades Koulibaly (who is being mentioned again lol).

Hell if we get De Ligt and Kounde I'm good. I think Conor and Billy give us a shot in the arm in the MF. Broja can be added up front and we run with the same squad minus Kai having COVID all year and the distraction of Lukaku. I know this won't happen, but I don't see if being dire straights outside of that back line.

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MoJames

MoJames 8244

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So apparently Boehly is in Barcelona to work towards sending Dave and Alonso to Barca along with 60m for De Jong and Barca backing off of Raphinha.

Hope so but not getting my hopes up.

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MoJames

MoJames 8244

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Sterling in.

 

Also from the Evening

Quote

  • Chelsea are ready to focus on new attacking targets with Leeds forward Raphinha closing in on a move to Barcelona.

  • Barcelona matched the offer

  • Chelsea will now look at alternative targets in attack.

  • The Blues have been offered Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo by his agent Jorge Mendes but Thomas Tuchel is said to be lukewarm on the prospect of signing an older superstar attacker. It is a similar reaction to having been offered Paris Saint-Germain’s attacker Neymar but that stance could yet change later in the window.

  • Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski has long been a target for Chelsea but he currently favours a move to Barcelona.

  • Additionally, Chelsea look likely to sell their homegrown striker Armando Broja, with West Ham making him their leading striker target and Everton having already declared their interest in a £30m deal.

 

I really hope we don't go in on Neymar or Cristiano. If I had one coming it would obviously be Cristiano, but it feels like we would be doing a retirement tour or something. 

I'm beginning to twitch a bit on the defense.

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morehornsepower

morehornsepower 887

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3 hours ago, MoJames said:

Sterling in.

 

Also from the Evening

 

I really hope we don't go in on Neymar or Cristiano. If I had one coming it would obviously be Cristiano, but it feels like we would be doing a retirement tour or something. 

I'm beginning to twitch a bit on the defense.

Agreed.  I don't want to bring in an aging star, as I would rather focus on young talent on the upswing...but, I sure can't complain about Thiago, fwiw. :)

I'm beginning to twitch a bit just in general...would like to see us close on at least some of these fantastic names we keep hearing...

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MoJames

MoJames 8244

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Great breakdown on Colwill one of our best youth prospects.

s0q1bdj7ifb91.png?width=680&format=png&auto=webp&s=de2488f7f62dd999e7f0d4a0f628d3d09486a2ec

Quote

So as many of you know, the future of Levi Colwill hangs in the balance. I've watched our youth team play for a number of years and Levi Colwill is the best CB of them all, more so than Guehi, Tomori and Chalobah. I'm sure many people will agree with that sentiment. I know it would be a mistake to let him go without providing him with a chance, so here are just a few thoughts to open a discussion!

How much regular football does he want?

Well as Adam Newson (Football London) has rightly said, there is no evidence that Colwill and other young players are 'demanding' first-team minutes to stay with the club - they simply want the opportunity to prove themselves like everyone else.

Colwill's camp know that he can secure assurances elsewhere, he is just 19-years-old and this is an important development stage for him where he needs to play to improve. There's a reason that after one year of senior football, at his tender age, there are so many top division clubs interested in him.

Can we offer him enough playing time?

With the loss of Christensen and Rudiger, we definitely need new recruitments. Azpilicueta is also set to leave, and Sarr may lose his place as he has proved unreliable.

Last season, we never had a reliable backup option for Rudiger on the left side of defence and he was the mainstay in that backline. With that in mind, Colwill becomes an interesting rotation option in that position, and can take over minutes from both Christensen and Sarr who made a combined 55 appearances (in terms of minutes, 45.6 full 90's).

The introduction of five substitutions also enhances his prospects of playing time, although the counter-argument would be that he would be substituted on late to keep the likes of Silva fresh for the next game. Colwill will want to start some games, not all of course.

The Koulibaly Effect

What does the imminent arrival of Koulibaly mean for Levi Colwill? In essence, very little. It's widely believed that Koulibaly will become our new right-sided CB, replacing Azpilicueta. That is based on the fact that he plays on the right for Senegal, and the linked arrivals of Ake and Kimpembe who are each left-footed.

His leadership and relationship with Mendy will already strengthen the defence, and his experience will allow a prospect like Colwill to play with more guidance instead of having a completely young backline when you also factor in Chalobah.

Ake and Kimpembe

This is where things become complicated. Both of these options are left-footed CBs who would occupy the same position as Colwill, a lot rests heavily on whether we sign both of them or just the one.

If both are signed, I think Colwill leaves permanently. He knows his worth and he would be valued at many other clubs in the Premier League; there is no point in him going on loan for a season and returning as Ake and Kimpembe will still be there in his position.

However, I think it *could* still work if we employed a five-man rotation in the CB roles (see below).

2022: Kimpembe (Ake) - Silva (Ake) - Koulibaly (Chalobah)
2023: Kimpembe (Colwill) - Ake - Koulibaly (Chalobah)

Ake could claim that central libero role that Silva plays, he has great on the ball abilities but I suppose there are doubts that would be cleared up over the course of the season. I also think the likelihood of having three left-footed CBs (with two starting) is unlikely, it is not seen often in football.

The other possibility would be a back four, where Ake becomes a utility player at LCB, LB and DM. Personally, the versatility at LB doesn't clear up the issue of two left-footers as I'm sure he would be a more conservative and inverted fullback, essentially forming a three-man defence while Reece James has the license to go forward on the right.

Could Ake be off the cards?

There is also a chance that the Ake deal could be on hold, this is purely speculation though. We were reported to be close to Man City's valuation and in for a double deal swoop with Sterling, yet that talk diminished over the course of the day and Kimpembe links began to grow. MaccaSport and RJPJournalism have implied that the Ake deal is on hold for a French man, assumed to be Kimpembe who is more of a priority than Ake. I would wait on this, Ake still seems to be close and likely to happen. Always worth keeping an eye on though, I guess tomorrow will tell more.

If we did sign Kimpembe and Ake, the latter virtually becomes an immediate bench option. The reports have his versatility as a quality desired by Tuchel, with him able to play at LCB, LB and DM. I'm not disputing the ability of Ake at all as I do think he is a solid Premier League player, but Colwill is capable of covering LCB and LB, Ampadu can cover LCB (in a three) and DM and Gilmour can always play a specialist deep-lying role in certain matchups. I feel like the Ake money could be wiser spent if that was the case.

Conclusion

My personal view is that just one of Ake/Kimpembe is needed with Colwill waiting in the wings. If Tuchel is still interested in three CBs, I would encourage him to target a right-footed CB that can play both in the middle of a three-man defence and on the right; this is to accomodate for the eventual loss of Silva. The alternative option is to switch to a back four long-term which I have been hoping for as it suits so many more of our players. We'd have to invest in a defensive midfielder though, Rice next year is the ideal. I'm a huge Gilmour and Ampadu fan and would love to see those have minutes, but neither seem right to start in a DM role for us. Sangare is a good shout for a temporary solution.

TL;DR: there is always a solution, but I think he will be sold if we sign both Ake and Kimpembe. This is not the right decision, just one is necessary.

 

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ztejas

ztejas 43411

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6 hours ago, APMP said:

Defense is obviously priority #1 this off-season, but still think we need a spearhead for guys like Pulisic, Sterling, and Mount to run play off.

I think Havertz grew into that role as the season went on last year. Agreed we need another target man though. 

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