***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

[KG]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Lukaku just doesn't do enough for me. His back-to-goal game is still poor and he can't turn defenders like Diego. Not to mention he brings nothing defensively when it comes to closing down or even defending set pieces. He's a goal scorer, pure and simple. I do wonder how he'd look with much better players around him but all the 1-2's and layoffs that Diego & Eden/Pedro play might go missing with him.

I'd rather keep Diego but if we get a huge offer from China (anything near/over 100 mil) then you HAVE to sell.

Going to be an interesting summer when it comes to offers. Real should go in for Eden being as though he's passed Bale IMO.If he doesn't sign that 300k deal he's gone IMO. If we lose him & Diego that's a huge blow but we'd be FLUSH with cash considering the new Nike deal kicks in too.

If we lose Eden I'd throw A LOT of cash at Juve for Dybala. He's going to be elite in a few years.

[Altimus]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

I agree with KG's thoughts on Lukaku. Great pure goal scorer but what else?

I still don't believe Hazard will leave. Maybe the summer after this he joins Los Blancos.

You really think Costa commands that kind of money KG? I know Oscar went for crazy money (over paid) but not sure Costa will command more than that. I think he'll end up going for €30-40m to a European club.

I would be all for Dybala. Superstar in the making but that would take a crazy bid for Juve to let him go. I also like Mbappé from Monaco a lot.




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[Brahvocado]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Lukaku's back-to-goal game has improved immensely since he left us though, as has his first touch and short passing. He is perfectly good at playing 1-2s for the national team, it's only Everton where they don't come off too often, and if you watch an Everton game (admittedly not recommended) you will see most of the failed 1-2s between him and Barkley are Barkley's fault.

Lukaku has more pace, and is a much better dribbler than Diego. He is also far more of an offensive threat in the air, something we've not really for some time, which would add a different dimension to our attack since right now crosses into the box aren't being properly utilized.

He obviously isn't the same kind of player Costa is, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. We'd probably change our approach and our system slightly to ensure we get the best out of him, something I doubt Conte would have much trouble doing.

In the end, I think it would be silly to pass up on a 23 year old of that much ability, especially one that legitimately loves our club. I've said before, having a core of players that love the shirt has been a huge part of our success in the Roman era, and bringing back Lukaku would be taking a step back in the right direction.

Lukaku at 23 is far more accomplished than even Drogba, there is no reason to think he can't come back to Chelsea and shine.

[Brahvocado]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Just want to add; part of the reason we got into the mess we did last year was because we lost too many people from the locker room who cared about the club, and we replaced too many players (Bertrand, Lukaku etc.) with players who were deemed better but have zero connection to Chelsea.

We replaced our club legend and best ever goalkeeper with a dude who can't even go half a season without running his mouth, and I can almost promise you he STILL doesn't give two halves of a **** about Chelsea.

You don't have to have the very best players in world football in every single position on the pitch in order to win stuff, this club of all clubs is a testament to that.

We won a freaking champions league against Bayern Munich, IN Munich, with *** **** Jose Bosingwa as a center back.

If we get Lukaku and Bertrand back, along with keeping Christensen and then possibly snagging one more goalscorer to compete with Pedro and Willian, I'll consider that a dream summer personally.

[KG]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

I agree with KG's thoughts on Lukaku. Great pure goal scorer but what else?

I still don't believe Hazard will leave. Maybe the summer after this he joins Los Blancos.

You really think Costa commands that kind of money KG? I know Oscar went for crazy money (over paid) but not sure Costa will command more than that. I think he'll end up going for €30-40m to a European club.

I would be all for Dybala. Superstar in the making but that would take a crazy bid for Juve to let him go. I also like Mbappé from Monaco a lot.




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There were rumors (could have been generated by Costa's agent tbh) of a 100+ million move to China this January which had to be tempting but considering our position in the league table and the reluctancy of any top clubs selling a major piece to us probably made the decision easy. Just think how much Oscar went for given his inconsistency and how much better and more marketable Costa is.

Lukaku's back-to-goal game has improved immensely since he left us though, as has his first touch and short passing. He is perfectly good at playing 1-2s for the national team, it's only Everton where they don't come off too often, and if you watch an Everton game (admittedly not recommended) you will see most of the failed 1-2s between him and Barkley are Barkley's fault.

Lukaku has more pace, and is a much better dribbler than Diego. He is also far more of an offensive threat in the air, something we've not really for some time, which would add a different dimension to our attack since right now crosses into the box aren't being properly utilized.

He obviously isn't the same kind of player Costa is, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. We'd probably change our approach and our system slightly to ensure we get the best out of him, something I doubt Conte would have much trouble doing.

In the end, I think it would be silly to pass up on a 23 year old of that much ability, especially one that legitimately loves our club. I've said before, having a core of players that love the shirt has been a huge part of our success in the Roman era, and bringing back Lukaku would be taking a step back in the right direction.

Lukaku at 23 is far more accomplished than even Drogba, there is no reason to think he can't come back to Chelsea and shine.

His back-to-goal game improved because it was pretty terrible when he came to England. He's def improved but he's still poor compared to other top strikers. His 1st touch is still inconsistent and I don't think he's a better dribbler than Diego. He's still way too dependent on his left and even though Diego has a tendency to over-dribble the technical side of his game is always overlooked in favor of the extras.

I do like the fact that he's only 23, loves Chelsea, is rarely injured, and has chemistry with Eden but going from Diego to him IMO is a downgrade. The aerial factor would be an improvement but we send in a lot of low crosses, especially Alonso & Willian. Maybe it's per Conte's instructions though.

Just want to add; part of the reason we got into the mess we did last year was because we lost too many people from the locker room who cared about the club, and we replaced too many players (Bertrand, Lukaku etc.) with players who were deemed better but have zero connection to Chelsea.

We replaced our club legend and best ever goalkeeper with a dude who can't even go half a season without running his mouth, and I can almost promise you he STILL doesn't give two halves of a **** about Chelsea.

You don't have to have the very best players in world football in every single position on the pitch in order to win stuff, this club of all clubs is a testament to that.

We won a freaking champions league against Bayern Munich, IN Munich, with *** **** Jose Bosingwa as a center back.

If we get Lukaku and Bertrand back, along with keeping Christensen and then possibly snagging one more goalscorer to compete with Pedro and Willian, I'll consider that a dream summer personally.

We're going to have money to spend and you're 100% spot on with the area's of need but Bertrand and Big Rom might not view Chelsea as favorable as we think. I mean, we did run them out and with Bertrand he still wouldn't be automatically first choice. I've seen rumors linking us with Schalke's LB but who knows at this point. I still think we need a legit RWB. Dave can do the job there defensively but he's not offering much going forward apart from being a willing runner.

Back to the games though, quick turnaround for a trip to the shore. Grabbing all 3 is a must.

[Brahvocado]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Might be right about Bertrand, although I disagree about being first choice. Imo he's better than Alonso.

Lukaku though has spoken about Chelsea a bunch since leaving and has always given the impression he's still a Chelsea fan. He's used the phrase "unfinished business" several times when referring to Chelsea as well. I think he'd come back.

[The_Wise_One]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

My dream signing would be Nainggolan. Matic has been solid for awhile but he can certainly be upgraded. Another scoring threat from midfield would be fantastic.

[Brahvocado]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Seems like either Nainggolan or Bakayoko will likely happen this summer

[KG]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Might be right about Bertrand, although I disagree about being first choice. Imo he's better than Alonso.

Lukaku though has spoken about Chelsea a bunch since leaving and has always given the impression he's still a Chelsea fan. He's used the phrase "unfinished business" several times when referring to Chelsea as well. I think he'd come back.

You think Bertrand would immediately take Alonso's spot?

He's def better 1v1 but Alonso gives us good height defensively and sends in pretty good crosses. I'd be OK with Ake and Alonso handling the LWB duties.


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[Altimus]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

You think Bertrand would immediately take Alonso's spot?

He's def better 1v1 but Alonso gives us good height defensively and sends in pretty good crosses. I'd be OK with Ake and Alonso handling the LWB duties.


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Alonso is also better offensively; set piece shots and overall.

[Brahvocado]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Crossing is a huge part of Southampton's game, Bertrand is a great crosser. Think you guys are sleeping on his offensive ability, he's a genuine upgrade over Alonso.

[Altimus]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Crossing is a huge part of Southampton's game, Bertrand is a great crosser. Think you guys are sleeping on his offensive ability, he's a genuine upgrade over Alonso.

Bertrand is the better dribbler and crosser - Alonso the better finisher\FK taker.

I like Bertrand and I was also sad when he left. He's still 27 and perhaps a coach like Conte can get even more out of him.

We still have Baba although with him tearing his ACL, we won't see him in a Blues jersey for a long time. If ever again now.

[KG]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Crossing is a huge part of Southampton's game, Bertrand is a great crosser. Think you guys are sleeping on his offensive ability, he's a genuine upgrade over Alonso.

I think Alonso's crosses are some of the best in the league but we just don't have guys getting into the box and running to the posts


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[Altimus]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Speaking of our star forward.

https://streamable.com/sp2bh#

[Altimus]

Re: ***The Official Chelsea FC Thread***

Also what do you guys think of making a run at Paco Alcácer?