Have to admit....ManU might have assembled a thoroughbred this year. Freaking Matic looked better than ever. Can't say I'm surprised. Even over the past year, when he's been less than stellar and certainly not at 2015 levels, he literally could contain the game by himself. And then he'll crap the bed for 4 games. This type of change happens all the time in sports. A guy gets lazy and then steps into a new team and returns to previous form.
So, I've made predictions regarding transfers in previous years for Chelsea and am never close. So here's how I'd do this: Pay attention, Roman.
We NEED a winger, a fullback and a central mid. Those are the absolutes.
1. Draxler is wanting out. Get him. Loan Batshuayi immediately - he's not first team quality currently. Transfer fee expected to be 50M? Done and done. Who cares if we don't require his position. For that fee, he's well worth it, especially with Hazard needing time.
2. Ox-Chamberlain. 30-35M. Done and done if #3 doesn't happen and probably done and done even if it does. He can cover both wings and that's the largest need. He covers the English quota.
3. Sergi Roberto. 40M out-clause. Done and done. Why hasn't he been snatched up by.......EVERYONE/ANYONE? He fits needs all over the field. He can easily step in at fullback, either side. He can play central mid. He can play wing if needed. Apparently I rate him higher than everyone else. And I watch every Barca league game. He's the solution to the central mid issue and he's far and away the best option. I'm not even sure there is a viable candidate in the world for the same price. Beside, who has Chelsea been linked to besides freaking Drinkwater?
4. Sandro. 73M? Maybe. Can play wing. He can also play fullback easily in a back 3; and signing one player instead of two makes financial sense, even at 73M. Unless he gets injured.
5. Fullback. Got to have one. ManU wanting to part with oft-injured Shaw? Yes, if the price is right and no other good options are available. He won't be 1st choice and can be coddled. Rose for 50M? Yes. Big fan. Alot of money for him, but he fills the English quota and, well, he's good. Sergi Roberto - a wildcard because I think he wants to play midfield. But he provides the depth necessary at fullback and that's all that's needed. Cedric? I think I'd be fine with him if all else fails.
The rumored guys:
1. Van Dijk. Solid no. He's damn good, but so is Christensen and with another fullback signing along the back 3, that's wasted money. Azpi, Luiz, Cahill, Rudiger, Christensen and fullback to be named. No reason to sign him. We have first team quality rotation X2 already.
2. Belloti. Same deal as with Draxler. If you can get him......you grab him. The rumors won't go away. Minimal chance it happens. Oh, how I would love to see him in blue.
3. Drinkwater. Whatever word you want to put in front of no, as in "____ no", would suffice. Are we really considering Drinkwater when Roberto can be had for the same amount? Really? Really?
4. Cancelo. He can play fullback or wing. But he's not the quality we're looking for yet. And we need immediate impact.
Other notes:
1. Screw Diego Costa. Yes, I named my dog after him. But screw him. Let him rot in Brazil and keep his wages.
2. Conte. Great coach. Horrible personal skills apparently. He made 1/2 this mess. Shut up and coach. Roman's track record speaks for itself. I love you coaching Chelsea (currently) but get real about who you can attract and quit bitching when the board can't attract a player that isn't interested or available.
3. Roman and the Board. This is 3 years straight you've been behind in the market. Get your S together. You put the entire team in disarray 2 years straight. You've lucked out with Diego/Fabs and then with Luiz/Alonso. And yes, you lucked out that Athleti did you a solid and got flat-out, straight lucky with the Luiz/Alonso. No one expected the latter to play the way they did and that includes you. Admit it. But you've managed to get it together when it mattered. So, it's a wash.
4. Why do I have the grave suspicion that Matic is 2017's Kante? A stupid short-sighted transfer than gave a team the ammo to win the league. It'll be interesting to see if Matic plays to form all year.
If Chelsea only had to worry about the EPL, then the current roster is fine. But you can't play all the cups + the EPL with this squad. They'll be dead by January. And they sold all the players who could have filled in admirably on the first team while keeping quality on the field.
