27 Mar 2015 10:41:15
Hi Ed, I have seen us being linked with several different strikers over the last month and wanted to see if you could give us any update as to who the top targets for that position will be over the summer as Drogba will definitely not be playing next season and it looks as if Remy will also be leaving.
{Ed002's Note - Some of this will change by the summer and there are major dependencies on (a) players leaving, and (b) how much money the club can raised through sales. However, there is known to be (or have recently been) some level of interest in the following players fairly recently:
GK: Kalinic, Ruddy, Green
RB: Darmain (won't happen if Ivanovic signs an extension), Manea (he will go on loan when he jopins in the summer)
CB: Varane, Balanta (unlikely), Marquinhos won't happen as he has signed a new contract.
DM: Leander Dendoncker (effectively a Romeu replacement)
M: Pogba (will be difficult), Koke (will be difficult), Youri Tielemans (would go on loan), Sinkgraven (perhaps in 2017 as he has moved to Ajax from Heerenveen for his development), Khedira (very unlikely), Gerson (looking for partial ownership deal initially), Gomes (price remains an issue), Jose Mauri (probable but then a loan)
AM/W/F: Icardi (preferable but looking a little unlikely), Dybala (possible option if a deal for Icardi can't be done), Malcom (will be a battle to get him but certainly possible), Lee (won't happen), Kishna (unlikely), Bakkali (I suspect Chelsea has stepped back from their previous interest), Talisca (perhaps 2016), Bellarabi (most unlikely), Pedro (unlikely), Kenedy (unlikely), Douglas Costa (likely but there is interest from elsewhere), Anderson (there is interest from elsewhere and Lazio don't want to sell)
27 Mar 2015 12:15:00
Thanks Ed, your insight is very much appreciated. One more question, apart from Loftus-Cheek do you know if there are plans to bring any other youth players into the first team next season?
{Ed002's Note - It is too early to tell right now.}
28 Mar 2015 20:41:33
Ed002, this may be pushing my luck but I have a follow up question. I saw on the Liverpool page that you gave a similar summary of transfer targets, and at the end you put a list with players that you yourself think would be a good fit for Liverpool.
I was wondering, what players would be good choices for Chelsea in your opinion? I think your opinion is held in high regard on this page, so I'm very curious to know who your choices would be :)
{Ed002's Note - Kalinic looks to be a good young goalkeeper but is fearful of a career on the bench. I rather think that Varane will arrive as the club are putting a lot of effort in - I can see him staying for a number of years. Morgan Sanson has the opportunity to be very special but the club has shown no interest. Eating with friends last night I was told that Ivan Saponjic is a player who will have a very bright future and one a number of EPL clubs are looking at, but Santos' Gabriel Barbosa would be my pick.}
02 Apr 2015 10:03:37
Ed002! The man , the myth, the legend!