Transfer Thread 2.0! New and improved

Jugs · Post #1001 » by **Jugs** » Sat Aug 20, 2011 11:45 am

has to be his final ever match for arsenal haha

Post #1002 » by **5DOM** » Sat Aug 20, 2011 11:58 am

Perhaps not

Canal+ claim Samir Nasri's talks with Man City have broken down and he is likely to stay at Arsenal, via @Jon_LeGossip

IronChef · Post #1003 » by **IronChef** » Sat Aug 20, 2011 12:01 pm

Here comes Squillaci!!

IronChef · Post #1004 » by **IronChef** » Sat Aug 20, 2011 12:02 pm

Sweet, no Squillaci, Ignasi Miquel instead. Much better

Post #1005 » by **5DOM** » Sat Aug 20, 2011 12:07 pm

To EPL discussions thread IronChef

Post #1006 » by **bryant08** » Sat Aug 20, 2011 12:09 pm

I'm letting my mind run wild again. Sneijder wasn't in training today "due to personal reasons" and he isn't in the squad to play Olympiacos.

Post #1007 » by **5DOM** » Sun Aug 21, 2011 6:27 pm

Chelsea and Valencia have officially reached an agreement for transfer of Mata. Only the medical's left

http://www.valenciacf.com/contenidos/Ac ... _locale=es

Post #1008 » by **Slava** » Sun Aug 21, 2011 9:53 pm

That's some much needed width but still looks like for all of Torres' hustle and activity, Anelka seems to be the best forward on Chelsea to have played.

I wonder if Drogba will stay and Lukaku will get any games outside FA and Carling cups.

Post #1009 » by **5DOM** » Sun Aug 21, 2011 10:03 pm

Drogba's most likely signing an extension very shortly, and Lukaku doesn't seem too bothered with lack of playing time for now. He didn't want to stay in Anderlecht because he thought he would benefit more by training with top players. Maybe the club will send him out on loan in January though.

News:

Arsenal's reportedely interested in M'Vila, and Aquilani looks to be Milan-bound.

Post #1010 » by **bryant08** » Sun Aug 21, 2011 10:20 pm

^Some report I saw said Arsenal were preparing a bid for M'Vila around 12M pounds. Gotta say I'm impressed with how quickly this Mata deal was closed on Chelsea's part. Obviously took some work as it seemed at different points in the last few weeks he was heading to Arsenal/Tottenham, but a great signing IMO. Harry thinks this means that they'll stop their pursuit of Modric:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... ve?cc=5901

Personally I don't see how Mata really changes Modric's situation, unless Chelsea don't feel the need to spend more $$ on another midfielder in general. Mata's obviously better suited to a role on the wing.

IronChef · Post #1011 » by **IronChef** » Sun Aug 21, 2011 10:23 pm

The one I saw said Arsenal had a 20 Mil Euro bid rejected for M'Vila, and their director said he will not be sold for any price. Don't know how true it is though, from Canal+ in France.

Post #1012 » by **Slava** » Sun Aug 21, 2011 10:24 pm

Chelsea desperately need a central midfielder of Modric's caliber, probably more so than United. Quiet or not looks like there's no transfer window without Abramovich shelling out atleast 50 mil for new players.

Post #1013 » by **5DOM** » Sun Aug 21, 2011 10:24 pm

Yeah, there have already been reports that the Mata signing won't change Modric pursuit. This whole situation is interesting because while Tottenham's repeatedly said they won't sell, they are not even gonna play him against United tomorrow.

Post #1014 » by **5DOM** » Sun Aug 21, 2011 10:33 pm

SlavaMedvedenko wrote:Chelsea desperately need a central midfielder of Modric's caliber, probably more so than United. Quiet or not looks like there's no transfer window without Abramovich shelling out atleast 50 mil for new players.

Chelsea haven't spent that kind of money since the Shevchenko summer (till this January). This is really a rebuilding/retooling period for the club.

Post #1015 » by **Slava** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 12:09 am

and I think the rebuilding will continue for sometime while you phase out the rest of the squad. The defense will need attention once Terry starts dropping off, you'll need depth on the wings pretty soon and another creative player once Lampard starts slowing down unless McEachran is given a chance. Some depth at left back will be needed soon as well unless you have someone from the academy ready to come through.

Post #1016 » by **Double Helix** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 1:22 am

For as much as I disliked Man U back when I first started watching soccer, I have to admit it's been a lot of fun following Chelsea's Mark Cuban-esque rise. Roman is a stubborn bastard; he won't go down without a serious fight and it's a lot of fun to watch.

I went back and watched a lot of Torres with Gerrard and I think that if Chelsea are able to bring in Modric and Mata I think it's really going to help Torres get going. For as much quality as he possesses one-on-one he's still more of a finisher that needs a little room and some creativity from others to better operate. Modric and Mata would certainly help that.

If they can pull this off I'm really pleased with how they're setting the team up for the future post-Drogba, Terry and Anelka. I have a good feeling about Roman Lukaku's and Daniel Sturridge's upside too. The average age there is early-to-mid twenties and they're inking them up long-term.

I feel bad for Tottenham fans though. This is some Vince Carter type crap that Modric's pulling now. They might as well just take the money and move on.

Post #1017 » by **5DOM** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 1:26 am

Even without Modric, most of the rebuilding pieces are already there

LW: Mata (23), Piazon (17), Kakuta (20)
CF: Lukaku (18)
RW: Sturridge (21), Kalou (26)
CM: McEachran (18), Ramires (24)
DM: Mikel (24), Romeu (19)
LB: Bertrand (22), Van Aanholdt (20)
CB: Luiz (24), Chalobah (16), Bruma (19), Kalas (18)
RB: Ivanovic (27), Wallace (17)
GK: Cech (29), Courtois (19), Delac (19)

Unbolded players are safe bets to play a role for us for next few years

Post #1018 » by **Double Helix** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 1:34 am

5DOM wrote:Even without Modric, most of the rebuilding pieces are already there

LW: Mata (23), Piazon (17), Kakuta (20)
CF: Lukaku (18)
RW: Sturridge (21), Kalou (26)
CM: McEachran (18), Ramires (24)
DM: Mikel (24), Romeu (19)
LB: Bertrand (22), Van Aanholdt (20)
CB: Luiz (24), Chalobah (16), Bruma (19), Kalas (18)
RB: Ivanovic (27), Wallace (17)
GK: Cech (29), Courtois (19), Delac (19)

Unbolded players are safe bets to play a role for us for next few years

5DOM, do you ever head down to Scallywags for games? I've been wondering if it's worth heading down for a good match.

Post #1019 » by **Slava** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 1:57 am

Double Helix wrote:I went back and watched a lot of Torres with Gerrard and I think that if Chelsea are able to bring in Modric and Mata I think it's really going to help Torres get going. For as much quality as he possesses one-on-one he's still more of a finisher that needs a little room and some creativity from others to better operate. Modric and Mata would certainly help that.

Torres needs someone that's willing to play the through ball and split defenses for him to run onto. A guy like Rooney/Gerrard/Sneijder would be someone he will thrive alongside, which makes me wonder why United are chasing Sneijder and Chelsea are looking for Modric when it should be the other way around.

Post #1020 » by **5DOM** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 2:00 am

Double Helix wrote:5DOM, do you ever head down to Scallywags for games? I've been wondering if it's worth heading down for a good match.

I've actually only been there for a couple of Liverpool games (not Chelsea games) because of friends, but I thought it was still pretty enjoyable. If you are a fan of one of the larger clubs, it's probably better though.

edit: looks like you are a Chelsea fan, so you'll probably like it