Darren, what you think for the LW and LW/10 hybrid role? Looks like Gittens will probably replace Sancho and take the LW role, but who would be your preferred option for each position?
Thank you, Luke for taking the time to put this together. It’s very insightful and great to see this type of information put together in this format as one article. If we could pull this off and secure all the names mentioned it would be an outstanding window, even if there are one or two spots to fill. It would also give the club significant time to empty the decks of those that are to be moved on.
Of the centre half to mention, I really like Araujo which you also seem to favour. Like you and many others I’m not convinced on many of the LW options somewhere which to me seem to be better in theory than reality. Thanks once again.
Out of interest Luke, if the club were able to sign Ekitike would you be content in them selling Jackson? Do you think Ekitike is needed or do you think all three can co-exist?
I'd sell Jackson regardless of ekitike but on the basis we sign one more striker!
I like Nico but he needs consistency around him to improve and his minutes will not be consistent anymore although the team may become more consistent, he will do really well somewhere he can settle and less pressure.
Surprised you’d sell tbf, do you not think bringing in Delap & an effective goal scoring winger to take the burden off of him & Palmer would take the pressure off him? Must’ve been hard for him, come in as a 22 year old & immediately thrown into Chelsea’s starting 11 with no competition, had to deliver instantly with no other option in his position…
Completely agree, he has succeeded given the circumstances and context around the club and his position, I just feel like he will struggle to progress in to the player he could be remaining at the club. I feel like he needs to go elsewhere to flourish.
Fair play, if he stays it’ll be very interesting to see who Maresca prefers over him & Delap - whether he stays or not (I hope he does) we actually have some serious competition for the 9 now - also 2 excellent options off the bench.
Thanks for this Luke it really helps condense it into one place. I love your description of Delap it's just what we have needed up front. Maignan would be a great signing as he has experience. Kudus is a good player and there's an even better one at the right club.
To be honest Alex, I'm struggling with both positions to pick one player!
I love Branthwaite but that looks unlikely. I am a huge Zabarnyi fan but he looks to be heading to PSG, Mosquera from Valencia I like, he is also rumoured to be going to PSG.
I like Guehi but he isn't the profile we need, maybe one of the Benfica boys (Araujo preferably), or see if a market opportunity comes up..... I think we can wait for a CB until later stages of the window.
In terms of LW, Rodrygo, Williams or Simons are the dream. If we sign a more hybrid LW/10 which is possible then Eze would be my realistic choice and then Morgan Rogers after that.
I also really like the Kudus links and he is really versatile anywhere across the front line
Would you view Kudus as being more of a RW, even though he is able to play across the frontline? And do you think this has anything to do with the Madueke/Newcastle interest?
I think if we was to sign Kudus that would be the LW signing, whether that means he plays on the left all the time is another thing. I think his best position is on the right personally but he is good on the left or in the 10 and can also cover in the 9 if we had an injury crisis.
We can also factor in that Neto can play left or right, Gittens will come in to replace Sancho, Estevao can play 10 or right, same as Palmer. It's Maresca's perfect type of front line, Swiss army knife players who can rotate fluidly.
I think Noni is gone personally, whether thats Newcastle or not, Newcastle were desperate for him last summer.
Fair enough, so realistically Kudus would be instead of the Rogers/Simons signing then in theory, especially if we get Gittens? Unless we do something really crazy.
Yeah that would be my guess mate. To me we base a squad off of 6 wingers/10s which in this instance would be
Kudus
Gittens
Palmer
Estevao
Neto
Therefore one space to fill which would be somebody more 10 based but has the ability to play on the wing, but somebody who accepts they’re playing behind Cole.
If you get what I mean, this is all assumptions but roughly how we build a squad, that 6th player could easily be George or Paez but I think both will go on loan
I'm not a huge fan of Guehi but I actually think he has attributes that we need (apart from height) in terms of Premier league and international experience, leadership and calmness. And if people who like the "he knows the club" factor then they can have that as well.
In terms of the left wing, I'd just like someone who's pacey and direct who has an end product, particularly a goal in them. 10+ goals from a winger is worth their weight in gold as all title winning teams have found.
Just caught up with this nice profiles.
Can you do similar for some of our academy players looking to move on
Good write up Luke.
Gittens not for me, don't rate him and I think the Prem will swallow him up.
I thinks there's far better & prem ready out there.
Maignon is exactly what we need.
I'd pay what Everton want for Braithwaite as well.
Tough to swallow I know, but sometimes you've got to just pay up.
Darren, what you think for the LW and LW/10 hybrid role? Looks like Gittens will probably replace Sancho and take the LW role, but who would be your preferred option for each position?
As boring as it is, I keeps saying it Luke.
Push Jackson wide left.
He's way better than any of the names we are after and ticks every box.
As for the 10 role.
Palmer & Estavo once he's bedded in.
Would love to get Morgsn Rodgers, but I can't see Villa selling their prized asset.
I think Jackson will get more stick on the left and underperform further. I just don’t think he’s cut out to handle the pressure of a big club
I think your under selling him mate.
The problem for him has been, being the main man.
With the fire power we're now getting. I reckon he'd be excellent out there.
Quick
Prem ready
Works hard
Score goals.
And already at the club.
It’s been widely regarded that he doesn’t like the pressure and scrutiny from Chelsea fans.
I like him as a player but I don’t think we will ever get the best out of him.
I really really hope I’m wrong, I’d love nothing more than to see him succeed with us
Pressure & Scrutiny?
I think hes in the wrong profession then!🤣..
Plus hes been very petulant as well this year.
However I do see all of that & feel with an arm round his shoulder he would thrive.
I think most Chelsea fans would agree.
Like you I want him to do well, and I would be reluctant to sell him.
Thank you, Luke for taking the time to put this together. It’s very insightful and great to see this type of information put together in this format as one article. If we could pull this off and secure all the names mentioned it would be an outstanding window, even if there are one or two spots to fill. It would also give the club significant time to empty the decks of those that are to be moved on.
Of the centre half to mention, I really like Araujo which you also seem to favour. Like you and many others I’m not convinced on many of the LW options somewhere which to me seem to be better in theory than reality. Thanks once again.
Thanks mate!!
Out of interest Luke, if the club were able to sign Ekitike would you be content in them selling Jackson? Do you think Ekitike is needed or do you think all three can co-exist?
I'd sell Jackson regardless of ekitike but on the basis we sign one more striker!
I like Nico but he needs consistency around him to improve and his minutes will not be consistent anymore although the team may become more consistent, he will do really well somewhere he can settle and less pressure.
Surprised you’d sell tbf, do you not think bringing in Delap & an effective goal scoring winger to take the burden off of him & Palmer would take the pressure off him? Must’ve been hard for him, come in as a 22 year old & immediately thrown into Chelsea’s starting 11 with no competition, had to deliver instantly with no other option in his position…
Broja last year, Guiu this year…
Completely agree, he has succeeded given the circumstances and context around the club and his position, I just feel like he will struggle to progress in to the player he could be remaining at the club. I feel like he needs to go elsewhere to flourish.
Fair play, if he stays it’ll be very interesting to see who Maresca prefers over him & Delap - whether he stays or not (I hope he does) we actually have some serious competition for the 9 now - also 2 excellent options off the bench.
Delap will win that battle, it is lovel to finally have some attacking options for rotation, hopefully more to come.
Thanks for this Luke it really helps condense it into one place. I love your description of Delap it's just what we have needed up front. Maignan would be a great signing as he has experience. Kudus is a good player and there's an even better one at the right club.
Safe to say I am slightly passionate over Delap!
A decent goalie (at last!) plus a striker in addition to Delap—priorities for me. Other signings too I’m hoping.
Very optimistic, Luke! Loads of balls in the air so it will take a lot for these to get signed before the CWC.
I wondered who you favoured for the CB and LW vacancies?
To be honest Alex, I'm struggling with both positions to pick one player!
I love Branthwaite but that looks unlikely. I am a huge Zabarnyi fan but he looks to be heading to PSG, Mosquera from Valencia I like, he is also rumoured to be going to PSG.
I like Guehi but he isn't the profile we need, maybe one of the Benfica boys (Araujo preferably), or see if a market opportunity comes up..... I think we can wait for a CB until later stages of the window.
In terms of LW, Rodrygo, Williams or Simons are the dream. If we sign a more hybrid LW/10 which is possible then Eze would be my realistic choice and then Morgan Rogers after that.
I also really like the Kudus links and he is really versatile anywhere across the front line
Would you view Kudus as being more of a RW, even though he is able to play across the frontline? And do you think this has anything to do with the Madueke/Newcastle interest?
I think if we was to sign Kudus that would be the LW signing, whether that means he plays on the left all the time is another thing. I think his best position is on the right personally but he is good on the left or in the 10 and can also cover in the 9 if we had an injury crisis.
We can also factor in that Neto can play left or right, Gittens will come in to replace Sancho, Estevao can play 10 or right, same as Palmer. It's Maresca's perfect type of front line, Swiss army knife players who can rotate fluidly.
I think Noni is gone personally, whether thats Newcastle or not, Newcastle were desperate for him last summer.
Fair enough, so realistically Kudus would be instead of the Rogers/Simons signing then in theory, especially if we get Gittens? Unless we do something really crazy.
Yeah that would be my guess mate. To me we base a squad off of 6 wingers/10s which in this instance would be
Kudus
Gittens
Palmer
Estevao
Neto
Therefore one space to fill which would be somebody more 10 based but has the ability to play on the wing, but somebody who accepts they’re playing behind Cole.
If you get what I mean, this is all assumptions but roughly how we build a squad, that 6th player could easily be George or Paez but I think both will go on loan
I agree, no real standouts
I'm not a huge fan of Guehi but I actually think he has attributes that we need (apart from height) in terms of Premier league and international experience, leadership and calmness. And if people who like the "he knows the club" factor then they can have that as well.
In terms of the left wing, I'd just like someone who's pacey and direct who has an end product, particularly a goal in them. 10+ goals from a winger is worth their weight in gold as all title winning teams have found.