15 Feb 2026 15:02:57
I got involved in a bit of banter last night when someone asked what postion we needed to upgrade most for next season? just one player.
I went for a centre back, Alessandro Bastoni, I think that one signing moves us up levels. Opinions?
15 Feb 2026 16:42:01
Hi Greenaway, who would you be replacing in the squad with him? Tosin and/or Badiashille, I guess? Would certainly be an upgrade on those two. Meant to be an excellent player, but I've never been all that impressed the few full games I've watched him in, personally. His dive last night to get Kalulu sent off was also pretty outrageous. But I definitely think it's the right position to upgrade (and with an experienced slightly older head), although I really hope Colwill gets back to his level when he returns and Fofana stays fit.
Another shout might be a solid midfielder to come on and help hold on to control in games we need to see out – Goretzka, perhaps? (Although his tackling isn't actually great for the position he plays, he's an experienced winner, great mentality, excellent passing to calm things down – only thirty years old, though feels like he's been at the top level forever. ) I say this having never seen Essugo play, so I guess it would be taking his position in the squad (which is unfair – hopefully he'll come back from injury and be amazing) .
15 Feb 2026 17:15:05
would love bastoni- but from whatever I've read of him, seems he'd be reluctant to leave italy- not that i blame him looking out of my window at the minute!
15 Feb 2026 20:02:58
Kazblue, Bastoni is class but like you I understand he is reluctant to leave Italy. Even if he wasn't he would not come to us. He would understandably expect wages that reflect his status. Also, at the stage of his career he would want to go to a club which are realistically going to compete for the big trophies not one whose ambition is limited to perhaps doing so in circa 22030.
We have brought in so many CBs most of which are bang average. Colwill, an academy product looked the best prospect but now is recovering from a serious injury. Fofana for all his time here has hardly kicked a ball and appears to be unable to play two consecutive games. We clearly need at least one top class CB, if we are serious about challenging for top trophies.
15 Feb 2026 20:50:41
Lavia will get fit and become one of the best midfielders in Europe. I hope that's still for Chelsea. Sadly I think Enzo will leave.
I think both Tosin and Badiashile will leave in the summer. Colwill should be fit and the club can also bring back the lad from Strasbourg. I think we will sign one more CH but I'm not sure who it will be.
15 Feb 2026 21:59:19
To become one of the best midfielders in Europe you have play. Since Lavia had been signed he has made 21 PL appearances. In all competitions calculating the actual minutes he has played, it works out at around 14.3 90 minute games.
16 Feb 2026 07:05:56
Well he certainly can prove his worth on the treatment table that's for sure but he will get fit and then we will see what a talent this lad is.
Some may well have given up on him but I certainly haven't. In my opinion if we sold him, it would be a massive mistake.
16 Feb 2026 09:08:55
It's a gamble Tom, but at what point do youbday enough is enough and that goes for Fofana as well.
Essugo might also be entering that orbit as well I'm afraid.
16 Feb 2026 09:41:32
I'm with you on Lavia Tom. The medical depatment have rebuilt Reece James and Fofana is slowly coming back to fitness and the signs are good that the people behind the scenes are doing a decent job.
Remember Pulisic? he had a lot of injuries under the old medical dept but is now showing his true worth in Italy and is being linled with a £70million move to Arsenal in the summer.
16 Feb 2026 09:44:35
I agree bill- although fofana has managed a decent amount of games this season and don't think can be classified same as lavia who has barely played any football- Fofana just this season has played more minutes than lavia has for us since he signed
Fear we can't rely on either for a full season- no point having a great player if he plays once a blue moon.
16 Feb 2026 09:57:18
Lavia has made appearances in 29 games for us since joing in 2023 but missed nearly 100. Yes, when fit he has often looked to be a fabulous player so will hugely hope he will now have an extended period of fitness and ability to play for us for an extended period without another lengty layoff. His career with us probably depends on this you'd think.
Would agree that experienced - been there done that at top level - quality CB our priority position.
16 Feb 2026 11:52:15
That's why these people add paid the big bucks.
If we sold one or both they will probably never have another career injury.
16 Feb 2026 13:03:23
When Lavia played for Southampton against us it was, as far as I can remember, the most dominant midfield performance I have seen at the bridge from "any" midfielder. We would be mad in my opinion to give up on that sort of talent.
16 Feb 2026 14:00:38
Tom
I see your point but at what stage dies flogging a dead horse come into it.
While these players are injured, it is putting more and more pressure on the players who have to play more games than they should.
16 Feb 2026 14:55:48
The current CFC medical team will presumably be key to decision about Lavia. The patience the club has shown with attemnpts to get and keep him fit - over two and a half years - suggests how much they/we rate the player.
The current medical team's more cautious approach in not rushing players back and managing the game time of those who have had a consifderable record of fitness problems - like James, Fofana and Lavia - suggests that they will do all in their power to see if his career can be salvaged through getting him fit enough now to play more than a handful of games before next breakdown.
The amount and quality of James's appearances this season is a hopeful sign that they may succeed.
But each injury problem and individual's history of injuries will have differences and I recall someone suggesting that too much game time at too frenetic apace and intensity - a reason why Lavia was such a force at Southampton until he was injured there shortly before coming to us! - while he his body was still developing may be the reason for the frequent breakdowns now.
But others on here - eg Ed00! for one I'd guess - are much more knowledgeable about the sports science involved here and/or whether or not there may be something in this?
Anyway, I'd think this lies behind the carefiul management of Estevao's game time despite the fact that we fans may be crying out for him to start every game- in EPL and ECL at least - and play much if not all of the 90 mins.
So am hugely hoping that this cautious thinking in terms of young players - and Lavia has only just turned 22 - may benefit the players and us in the longer term.
16 Feb 2026 15:30:51
Bill, we have zero chance of selling an injured player anyway.
When Fofana and Lavia have played 30 plus games in a season would be the time to sell but then if they are performing well enough to play that amount of games, why would we sell them?
It will be difficult to make those decisions and I personally hope they never have too!