26 Aug 2017 12:44:08
Wow guys, reading this banter page gave me a headache this morning!
Let's get to the point, we have in my opinion a very good starting XI. We all know we're a bit short in numbers, but hopefully that will be addressed come Thursday.
Our starting XI would and will give anyone in Europe a tough game, Conte is a master at getting the tactics right when it matters.
And all this talk of big signings, you do not need 50m plus signings for them to do a job, just look at Alonso for example. No one gave him a chance and now he's one of our best signings of the past few years (along with Azpilicueta, also a bargain) .
We've brought in Morata, Bakayoko and Rudiger for big money. Get Hazard back from injury and a few more squad signings before Thursday and we'll be fine.
Cmon CHELSEA!
26 Aug 2017 13:18:34
Some people on this site would be unhappy if they found a £10 in the street because is wasn't £20!
26 Aug 2017 13:58:11
Can't agree more lads, we always have to send our boys some positive vibes! I believe we will sign at least couple more players and maybe finally will see one of the young lads given a chance (as so many supporters cry that we never give them any)
26 Aug 2017 14:31:53
To be champions Bobby, we should strive to be more than fine. The most dominant language of football these days is 'spend good money well'.
MY BROTHER LIKE U KNOW, FOOTBALL IS FIRST PLAYED ON PAPER BEFORE IT'S PLAYED ON THE TUFT.
If u want the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CROWN, ask or compare yourself (without sentiment) with Real Madrid, Juventus, Bayern Munich, PSG, Barcelona. If u come out on top then i agree that u don't need to spend big.
If u also want the EPL trophy, ask or compare yourself with Man-united, Man-city etc if you come out again on top, then i agree again that u don't need to spend big.
BUT IF WE FALL SHORT THEN I DON'T AGREE COMPLETELY WITH YOUR POST- Bobby; WE HAVE TO GO OUT AND SPEND WELL AND BIG TO BE CHAMPIONS.
(Though every player now is expensive, we shouldn't leave anything to chance) .
26 Aug 2017 15:33:28
I think our champions league win and portos prove that to be slightly wrong we won it with probly the worst performing side from the quarterfinals onwards and Porto were no worldbeaters.
26 Aug 2017 15:50:24
IMO the competition now is fierce both domestically and in Europe. If we want to maintain our brand which also entails winning big trophies consistently; then we have to spend. AND b/ cos every good player is now expensive, we have to spend expensively (if we can get them cheap- no play) .
If we buy well this year, we don't necessarily need to buy again next year and subsequently. So by next year the blend (team) becomes stronger and stronger.
26 Aug 2017 16:17:54
obinna 123. So if we were to spend big, who and what positions would you spend on? Just curious :)
26 Aug 2017 17:12:29
Bobby23, Let's say that I 'completely' agree with you that our team is good enough for the season to challenge and win trophies but can u confidently state that we will win the EPL and Champions league with this team?
26 Aug 2017 17:29:19
Come on man do u wanna be Chelsea's Chief Accountant or u want the club to win trophies and grow?
26 Aug 2017 17:39:11
obinna 123, I can't say I'm confident that we'll win the league and Champions League with our current team. But then it's not always about having the most expensive team. You could buy all the top players, but at the end of the day our current team could still achieve more. Our team between 06-09ish was the strongest we ever had, but we never won anything major of note in that period.
You can never really be confident of winning the Champions League, no matter what team. But team spirit and fight will carry you a long way and without that, expensive signings will get you nowhere alone.
26 Aug 2017 17:45:26
obinna, we are winning trophies though. Champions two times in three seasons. I think this season we'll see a bit of a transition though with the younger singings we've made (Morata, Bakayoko, Rudiger) .
We'll compete in the league this season and once Morata, Bakayoko and co have been here a season that's when I feel we'll really challenge for the Champions League. A solid quarter/ semi final run would be a good step this season. Just my opinion though of course.
26 Aug 2017 18:42:47
My brother, there's a team called Real Madrid; they have won this UEFA champion's league twice consecutively and are seriously gunning for the third, there must be something that they are doing right or have done right.
We are just at that point where a very good and big player (young) will do us a load of good.
For instance imagine an Ousmane Dembele, Van Dijk, A. Belotti etc in our squad; How far do you think that would take us in the next 8-10 years?
All will be well. I pray the club gets it right.
Besides I know its not about spending big but it's about spending big on the right player.
26 Aug 2017 19:00:05
obinna, the thing is no one comes close to Real, they do and please as they like and no club can compete with them off the pitch.
26 Aug 2017 20:42:44
There are some things Real Madrid do that Chelsea needs to copy. They go out and buy the best players at a good age (not considering their expensive price tag initially cos with time and considering the output from these players, they turn out to be cheap eventually in the future), market their merchandise with these good players, grow their brand (which makes them attract more good players) .
One excellent player serves them for close to 8-10years (playing top level football and winning trophies) .
Real Madrid usually look stupid initially when they spend big but today we are celebrating them.
I bet u in 5-6 years time Neymar and Dembele would be cheap signings. So will may be A. Belotti.
I think such a signing will do us a lot of good.
26 Aug 2017 21:11:48
We could be smart and get one of the young German fullbacks, Henrichs or Toljan. Alas, we probably won't try.
27 Aug 2017 17:07:54
U are right Jackson, I really like Henrichs but i guess he might want playing time assurances which might be difficult, cos Moses is really playing well.