The TT Football Club

[NickC]

Originally Posted by Feña14

I think Ciy could still get Sinclair, Martinez and De Rossi are possibilities too. Mancini doesn't seem too happy so they will be pushing hard for someone else I think.

Benayoun would do well at a mid table club, absolutely. I think his wages are the main problem, he seems to like the money more than playing time. Maybe if Chelsea matched the £15 Million offer by Spurs for Dembele and put in Benayoun it could be enough, as I said though, we don't seem interested anymore, that and Benayoun's wages.

I've not seen much of the Fiorentina defender either, I heard they want around £11 Million? Quite a big tag, this Montpellier defender is supposed to be one of the best youngsters in Europe and he's only £7 Million. I think he'd be good for Arsenal personally.

As someone said about Meireles, he was a bandaid over the problems we have. To go through 2 more transfer windows since then and to not even looked at strengthening that area, it's very worrying. I think the only way we will bring anyone else in is if Sturridge does leave, maybe then a huge push for Falcao will happen. Another striker with Moses coming in to replace the width we lose if he goes. I think that's it for us though, just getting rid of some dead wood for the next few days. The Super Cup on Friday means we will be pretty quiet.

I think there are a few Montpellier players that would fit in at Arsenal, Belhanda in particular would be perfect for them. Speaking of Fiorentina, they should also send Ljajic and Stefan Jovetic to Arsenal, along with a kickass winger like Juan "El Loco" Vargas.

[Breaker]

Originally Posted by Feña14

I think Ciy could still get Sinclair, Martinez and De Rossi are possibilities too. Mancini doesn't seem too happy so they will be pushing hard for someone else I think.

Benayoun would do well at a mid table club, absolutely. I think his wages are the main problem, he seems to like the money more than playing time. Maybe if Chelsea matched the £15 Million offer by Spurs for Dembele and put in Benayoun it could be enough, as I said though, we don't seem interested anymore, that and Benayoun's wages.

I've not seen much of the Fiorentina defender either, I heard they want around £11 Million? Quite a big tag, this Montpellier defender is supposed to be one of the best youngsters in Europe and he's only £7 Million. I think he'd be good for Arsenal personally.

As someone said about Meireles, he was a bandaid over the problems we have. To go through 2 more transfer windows since then and to not even looked at strengthening that area, it's very worrying. I think the only way we will bring anyone else in is if Sturridge does leave, maybe then a huge push for Falcao will happen. Another striker with Moses coming in to replace the width we lose if he goes. I think that's it for us though, just getting rid of some dead wood for the next few days. The Super Cup on Friday means we will be pretty quiet.

Still disappointed we're going for Sinclair really, he's a good player but not a patch on AJ and will probably get even less time on the pitch. Will provide for the lack of wingers though and better than Walcott (please don't let that happen).

I really just don't see Martinez or De Rossi coming, Mancini's already looking at other options and Rodwell might be the last signing in that area especially if De Jong stays.

Maybe Chelsea should have pushed for Rodwell or someone similar , he's made a few mistakes already but I like his control on the ball and strength, not bad at passing either. I can see how someone like him would improve your midfield, Meireles is a good player but does seem a bit too eager to try hollywood passes and shots sometimes since he doesn't have a permanent starting role - not sure there's many centre mids available now though so it does look like your squad is set for a while if a forward doesn't come in.

[NickC]

Originally Posted by Breaker

Still disappointed we're going for Sinclair really, he's a good player but not a patch on AJ and will probably get even less time on the pitch. Will provide for the lack of wingers though and better than Walcott (please don't let that happen).

I really just don't see Martinez or De Rossi coming, Mancini's already looking at other options and Rodwell might be the last signing in that area especially if De Jong stays.

Yeah I'm surprised that y'all are in for Sinclair, he's nowhere near the level of quality that a club as big as City would demand. He's good, but he didn't make the grade at Chelsea, so how on earth does he think he'd walk in City's XI?

And I can't see Martinez coming, he's off to Bayern apparently, and De Rossi would never ever leave Roma, even for big money. I remembered Madrid came through with a huge offer back when they were rebuilding in 2009 and he turned them down. I can't imagine why he'd want to leave Roma.

[Feña14]

Originally Posted by Breaker

Still disappointed we're going for Sinclair really, he's a good player but not a patch on AJ and will probably get even less time on the pitch. Will provide for the lack of wingers though and better than Walcott (please don't let that happen).

I really just don't see Martinez or De Rossi coming, Mancini's already looking at other options and Rodwell might be the last signing in that area especially if De Jong stays.

Maybe Chelsea should have pushed for Rodwell or someone similar , he's made a few mistakes already but I like his control on the ball and strength, not bad at passing either. I can see how someone like him would improve your midfield, Meireles is a good player but does seem a bit too eager to try hollywood passes and shots sometimes since he doesn't have a permanent starting role - not sure there's many centre mids available now though so it does look like your squad is set for a while if a forward doesn't come in.

My guess for Sinclair would be that he is wanted to fill the English quota a bit. You're right, he's not particularly that great. He's very fast, but doesn't have much skill. Most of his goals seem to come from penalties, of which he's missed more than his fair share.

Martinez and De Rossi do seem unlikely, I just think a big signing will probably happen. You were the best team last year, but Mancini knows you have to strengthen in a big way if you want to stay there, not to mention the Champions League. Chelsea and Utd have got alot stronger, which makes it even more important. It's a good sign to see Mancini upset at the lack of activity, it hints at him knowing what needs to be done to cement the position and kick on. Unfortunately it hasn't happened. Chelsea stayed quiet in the market after Mourinho left and the last few years we've fallen back. Man Utd are the masters at getting better each summer, it's a unique skill that all top teams need to do.

Schurrle is being linked again, probably in reaction to Liverpool being interested in Sturridge. I agree there are no real midfield options out there, the club have had more than their fair share of opportunities to get it sorted if they wanted to. Martinez, Dembele, Fellaini, Martin, Moutinho, Cabaye, Sahin on loan.. the list is endless. It's something they seem blind to.

[Feña14]

Cavani is supposedly close to agreeing a new contract with Napoli, with a lower £30 Million release clause to help a move away. Abramovich is saying Sturridge can go for £15 Million, and he will stump up the rest for Cavani. 2 days to get everything sorted seems a bit of a push, will be interesting to see what happens though!

http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/footbal...ent-at-chelsea

Martinez has gone to Bayern, Breaker. I'm still not really sure if he's a holding midfielder or a centre back. Schweinsteiger, Kroos and Gustavo mean they are strong in midfield, i'd guess they want him more as a centre back.

[NickC]

Originally Posted by Feña14

Martinez has gone to Bayern, Breaker. I'm still not really sure if he's a holding midfielder or a centre back. Schweinsteiger, Kroos and Gustavo mean they are strong in midfield, i'd guess they want him more as a centre back.

I think Javi is a defensive midfielder, not exactly a holding one, per say. He can fill in at the back if one of Bayern's wing backs decide to venture forward, or swap around positions with other defenders. He's a better passer than any defender I can remember, though. I would have loved him at Chelsea.

[Feña14]

Originally Posted by NickC

I think Javi is a defensive midfielder, not exactly a holding one, per say. He can fill in at the back if one of Bayern's wing backs decide to venture forward, or swap around positions with other defenders. He's a better passer than any defender I can remember, though. I would have loved him at Chelsea.

Yeah, he seems to share his time between centre back and defensive midfield. I suppose City already have that in Rodwell. I agree he would do a good job at Chelsea, we need someone who can break play up and play the simple pass, which is why Tiote has been linked over the past few years I suppose. I'd like that Capoue at Toulouse for that role, last year he averaged 6.3 possessions won back every game, Mikel for instance averaged 3. He's also a brilliant passer, just what is needed. It's no real surprise that he was voted the best in Ligue 1 last year at the role, ahead of M'Vila. Him and Mikel to do the defensive side of the holding, with Cabaye and Xhaka to do the creating and it would be the best Chelsea team i've ever seen. Just a shame the club don't see it that way, Xhaka is called the little Schweinsteiger, a player we have wanted for years, why not get the second coming when he's young? He went to Germany for £5 Million this summer, tough to swallow.

Abramovich has this Barcelona obsession, the cornerstone of what makes them work is Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets. Nobody can get close to the ball and they dominate from there. He buys all these great wingers and attackers, but neglects to improve the hub of the team in the middle.. it's baffling.

[NickC]

Originally Posted by Feña14

Yeah, he seems to share his time between centre back and defensive midfield. I suppose City already have that in Rodwell. I agree he would do a good job at Chelsea, we need someone who can break play up and play the simple pass, which is why Tiote has been linked over the past few years I suppose. I'd like that Capoue at Toulouse for that role, last year he averaged 6.3 possessions won back every game, Mikel for instance averaged 3. He's also a brilliant passer, just what is needed. It's no real surprise that he was voted the best in Ligue 1 last year at the role, ahead of M'Vila. Him and Mikel to do the defensive side of the holding, with Cabaye and Xhaka to do the creating and it would be the best Chelsea team i've ever seen. Just a shame the club don't see it that way, Xhaka is called the little Schweinsteiger, a player we have wanted for years, why not get the second coming when he's young? He went to Germany for £5 Million this summer, tough to swallow.

Abramovich has this Barcelona obsession, the cornerstone of what makes them work is Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets. Nobody can get close to the ball and they dominate from there. He buys all these great wingers and attackers, but neglects to improve the hub of the team in the middle.. it's baffling.

I hadn't heard much of Xhaka, until I rewatched Basel's matches this past term and I can see what the fuss is all about. The kid is good. Really f'in good. Borrusia will be welcome in the Champions League this term, good to see them back after almost getting sent down 2 seasons ago. Yeah I too don't understand Roman's unwillingness to improve the center of the team, there were tons of players last summer, as well as this past one where we could have signed on the cheap.

I also never knew Essien was still as young as he is; he could do a job until he gets injured again and we find a permanent replacement.

I wish Makalele could clone himself and then find a time machine to de-age himself by 12-13 years, that's EXACTLY the kind of player Chelsea need at the moment, albeit with a better range of passing.


Come to think of it, we should have released Mikel when the Champions League was over. Why is he still in the team?

[Feña14]

Originally Posted by NickC

I hadn't heard much of Xhaka, until I rewatched Basel's matches this past term and I can see what the fuss is all about. The kid is good. Really f'in good. Borrusia will be welcome in the Champions League this term, good to see them back after almost getting sent down 2 seasons ago. Yeah I too don't understand Roman's unwillingness to improve the center of the team, there were tons of players last summer, as well as this past one where we could have signed on the cheap.

I also never knew Essien was still as young as he is; he could do a job until he gets injured again and we find a permanent replacement.

I wish Makalele could clone himself and then find a time machine to de-age himself by 12-13 years, that's EXACTLY the kind of player Chelsea need at the moment, albeit with a better range of passing.


Come to think of it, we should have released Mikel when the Champions League was over. Why is he still in the team?

Xhaka is incredible, Shaqiri is a great player and got most of the attention from their run. I remember seeing a quote from an old Basel coach about the two.. "Xherdan Shaqiri is 'the best talent in Switzerland,' Thorsten Fink recently said. But the former Basel coach was quick to add ... "after Granit Xhaka."

It's pretty dishearting to see young players of such quality, in a problem area of ours, just pass us by without even looking. It raises alot of questions.

I think Mikel is still here because he has alot of experience, he's still very young, which is easy to forget. He's a decent player, he's just not really top level, which is what we need if we want to grow and be winning more Champions League's.

As for Essien, he's just lost it all together unfortunately. Not really surprising considering what he's been through with injuries. There was talk of Fenerbahce wanting him and Meireles if they got into the Champions League, that probably won't be happening since they lost to Spartak.

If it was down to me i'd of probably sold them both by now, bringing in Capoue, Cabaye and Xhaka. Those 3 along with Lampard and Mikel would of been great, lots of youth, quality, balance, nothing too expensive. We could of pretty much been set up for the next 10 years for under £30 Million. Considering Martinez went for £32 Million, it shows how it costs going for more established players can be. I think if Barcelona buy Romeu back at the end of the year the fee is around £12 Million, the outlay on solving the midfield would of been minimal, especially considering how it would raise us to the very top tier again.

[Breaker]

Originally Posted by Feña14

Cavani is supposedly close to agreeing a new contract with Napoli, with a lower £30 Million release clause to help a move away. Abramovich is saying Sturridge can go for £15 Million, and he will stump up the rest for Cavani. 2 days to get everything sorted seems a bit of a push, will be interesting to see what happens though!

http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/footbal...ent-at-chelsea

Martinez has gone to Bayern, Breaker. I'm still not really sure if he's a holding midfielder or a centre back. Schweinsteiger, Kroos and Gustavo mean they are strong in midfield, i'd guess they want him more as a centre back.

That's another great signing for them, they were already really impressive playing equally with Madrid in Champions League semis last year and probably should have won it before penalties, a signing like this makes them possibly the best club in terms of depth in Europe. They'll probably still find a way to lose the league to Dortmund but in Champions League they have to be near Madrid and Barca as favourites now.

[Feña14]

Originally Posted by Breaker

That's another great signing for them, they were already really impressive playing equally with Madrid in Champions League semis last year and probably should have won it before penalties, a signing like this makes them possibly the best club in terms of depth in Europe. They'll probably still find a way to lose the league to Dortmund but in Champions League they have to be near Madrid and Barca as favourites now.

Yeah, they were the better team, pretty impressive considering it was in the Bernabeu. Shame they got a good seeing to in the final in Munich really!

They have Shaqiri too, they've done some great business. I think £32 Million for Martinez is a bit expensive though. Is he really worth the same as Hazard? Probably not.

Interesting to see the 3 way fight for Remy. Tottenham, Chelsea and Man City it looks like. Could be the story on deadline day.

[Breaker]

Originally Posted by Feña14

Yeah, they were the better team, pretty impressive considering it was in the Bernabeu. Shame they got a good seeing to in the final in Munich really!

They have Shaqiri too, they've done some great business. I think £32 Million for Martinez is a bit expensive though. Is he really worth the same as Hazard? Probably not.

Interesting to see the 3 way fight for Remy. Tottenham, Chelsea and Man City it looks like. Could be the story on deadline day.

Yeah can't believe they even got to extra time in the final, different class that Chelsea! At least they were closer than Barca who might as well have been a League 2 side.

Martinez definitely overpriced, but with them losing both he and Llorente I'd guess they wanted to get every bit they could out of selling him so they can rebuild a bit. As for Remy I'm not so sure, unless Mancini already has someone to buy Dzeko can't see that being a great buy, 5 forwards all wanting a spot in the starting 11 every week can't end well, already was difficult enough with 3 last year when Tevez went on his golf tour. Both Chelsea and Tottenspuds are more desperate for forwards so has to be one of them.

[Feña14]

Originally Posted by Breaker

Yeah can't believe they even got to extra time in the final, different class that Chelsea! At least they were closer than Barca who might as well have been a League 2 side.

Martinez definitely overpriced, but with them losing both he and Llorente I'd guess they wanted to get every bit they could out of selling him so they can rebuild a bit. As for Remy I'm not so sure, unless Mancini already has someone to buy Dzeko can't see that being a great buy, 5 forwards all wanting a spot in the starting 11 every week can't end well, already was difficult enough with 3 last year when Tevez went on his golf tour. Both Chelsea and Tottenspuds are more desperate for forwards so has to be one of them.

Bayern Munich were lucky really, played for penalties if you ask me!

True, Llorente to Liverpool is the latest i've heard. Losing both of them is a shame, they were a fun team to watch the last few years. I agree about Remy not really making much sense for City. This Fiorentina defender is suppsedly the new Vidic, if he does turn out to be near that, alongside Kompany, it looks like a good buy for you.

I think Remy would be best at Spurs. He seems like that level, not Championship winning calibre, but a very good top 6 player. When you think we have been linked with Falcao, Cavani, Lewandowski, Hulk etc.. Remy would know he was way down the list and a bit of a panic buy.

[Ross K]

Okay, so with Dembele done and dusted, and Spurs going after Remy, probably Lloris, hopefully Moutinho, and quite possibly 1 or 2 more, although very late in the day, at least we´re finally trying to bring in the players I think we´re in severe need of. There´s also a few we need to get rid of too... Jermaine Jenas anybody?... Tom Huddlestone?... Bentley and Dos Santos?... some West Ham or Stoke players in the making there methinks.

[Feña14]

Originally Posted by Ross K

Okay, so with Dembele done and dusted, and Spurs going after Remy, probably Lloris, hopefully Moutinho, and quite possibly 1 or 2 more, although very late in the day, at least we´re finally trying to bring in the players I think we´re in severe need of. There´s also a few we need to get rid of too... Jermaine Jenas anybody?... Tom Huddlestone?... Bentley and Dos Santos?... some West Ham or Stoke players in the making there methinks.

Levy is in Marseille to talk about Remy, looks like he'll be off to Spurs then! I think Man City were only interested if Sinclair didn't happen, but it has in the last hour. Can you believe Swansea got them to pay £8 Million for him? they then went and payed £5 Million for Pablo Hernandez! He's a winger with alot more quality, yet another piece of great business by Swansea.

[Feña14]

How do Man Utd get these easy groups every time? Although we all know how that turned out last year

City obvously got the toughest one. Madrid, City, Ajax and Dortmund.. wow. Chelsea's is tough, going to Ukraine for Shakhtar, Juventus were unbeaten for the entire season last year. Tough that one of those 3 will be knocked out.

[TennisLovaLova]

Iniesta won the uefa best player trophy
What happened to france football's ballon d'or?!!!!

[Breaker]

Group of death twice in a row, bring it on ..

of course the scum get the easy group and Arsenal always seem to get a group just average enough for them to top, Porto/PSG will be one to watch and the Milan group is wide open with all the players they've had to sell

[Feña14]

Originally Posted by Breaker

Group of death twice in a row, bring it on ..

of course the scum get the easy group and Arsenal always seem to get a group just average enough for them to top, Porto/PSG will be one to watch and the Milan group is wide open with all the players they've had to sell

It's hard to feel sorry for City, the level of quality throughout that they have. Two years in a row though? Ouch. It could be a good thing, you have to start of playing your best from day 1, no chance of you taking it lightly. If you do get through the group they will be stronger for it.

[NickC]

Originally Posted by Breaker

Group of death twice in a row, bring it on ..

of course the scum get the easy group and Arsenal always seem to get a group just average enough for them to top, Porto/PSG will be one to watch and the Milan group is wide open with all the players they've had to sell

Yeah I'm actually excited for City, whoever makes it out of that group will make it to the final at the very least. They've got the quality to give anyone in their group a real test, and the fans must be overjoyed to be able to have the likes of Real Madrid, Dortmund and Ajax grace their pitch.