We can't slate them for messing up and neglect when they get something spot on. All the haggling over Sarri was unnecessary and wasted valuable time a manager like him needs to imprint his philosophy before an upcoming season (a very important one in our recent history).
BUT....
Getting Jorginho, paying Napoli whatever it took to prize him off City, and utilizing any leverage in Sarri's capture to sway the deal in our direction, was 100% a good move. With Sarri as manager going forward, a player of his profile was the key transfer this window and he was the no.1 option. We've got bits and pieces scattered around the squad, in the loan army and the youth, that Sarri can work with, but he was the one player Sarri needs we just didn't have and the one player that'll gel everything together.
In terms of what a player means to a manager's ideology, this is right up there with Makelele & Mourinho, Pep & Busquets. This is a sublime signing and the board deserve credit for it
Plus, poaching him from under City just makes it even sweeter. I hope they're feeling what we did when they snatched Robinho right from within our grip. They're probably not, but I'll pretend they are cos it makes me feel good
Time To Give The Board Credit
posted on 15/7/18
Was listening to that Tottenham journo on Talksport this morning and just to remind everyone I take everything the media offers with a huge dose of salt but
Hoping this is true, he claims moving forward we will by starters, for big money if need be however we won't be splashing out on Squad players, they will come from the youth.
Makes sense to me, I think we should have been doing this for at least the last 2 years.
posted on 15/7/18
If Hazard doesn't sign a contract I'd be happy for him to see out his 2 years, He'll be 29/30 by then and Real Madrid may have moved on to Neymar/Mbappe.
If he tries to force through a move I'd try and get someone like Isco or Varane.
posted on 15/7/18
comment by JFDI (U1657)
posted 1 hour, 36 minutes ago
Was listening to that Tottenham journo on Talksport this morning and just to remind everyone I take everything the media offers with a huge dose of salt but
Hoping this is true, he claims moving forward we will by starters, for big money if need be however we won't be splashing out on Squad players, they will come from the youth.
Makes sense to me, I think we should have been doing this for at least the last 2 years.
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It would be about time JFDI, see what happens!
posted on 15/7/18
To give the board credit,is the title of this article,as for me,I prefer to wait and see what happens.
New manager coming in,with his new team and new ideas,
new players coming in,other players going out,maybe even our best player,
and all this will not be beneficial to us immediately,if at all !
so,uncertain even if exciting times over the next few months or so.
But,...... it's the Chelsea way .
posted on 15/7/18
Courtois will leave, Hazard will not.
Madrid won't pay Chelseas asking price of £200m.
Hazard doesn't have the image rights that the likes of Neymar, Mbappe will have therefore Madrid will not sanction such a big transfer fee being paid.
I could see them offering £50m & Perhaps Asensio/Benzema.
Chelsea should ask for Isco.
posted on 15/7/18
comment by Ronny Van Banterous - It's only me!! (U5996)
posted 3 hours, 21 minutes ago
Don't count your chickens just yet.. I'm waiting to see what he'll be like first as I'm pretty sure a few people thought bakayoko and others would be good...
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Very wise. It is way to early to hang out the bunting. It is going to take time for Sarri to get the team playing his way and we have no idea if it will work out. There are similarities here to when we signed AVB. And the Hazard situation is a tough one for the club. Timing far from ideal.
posted on 15/7/18
I agree with No Smoke without Sarri.
posted on 15/7/18
One key difference to AVB biggish. Back then we had players who didn't want to change style, now it's the opposite.
posted on 15/7/18
To give the board credit,is the title of this article,as for me,I prefer to wait and see what happens.
New manager coming in,with his new team and new ideas,
new players coming in,other players going out,maybe even our best player,
and all this will not be beneficial to us immediately,if at all !
so,uncertain even if exciting times over the next few months or so.
But,...... it's the Chelsea way .
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The decision to go for Sarri in the first place is definitely debatable. But what was categorically a good decision, and the reason to give the board credit, was signing Jorginho having made the decision to bring Sarri in.
The board's handling of Conte was terrible. To offer an analogy relevant to my line of work, he was a high class chef and the board gave him bargain bin indigents expecting gourmet cooking. Sarri is very much a specialized chef, but in signing Jorginho they've given him the secret indigent to his signature dish straight away. In one day (not even) they've backed him more than they backed Conte in two years
Just to clarify what I meant.
posted on 15/7/18
One key difference to AVB biggish. Back then we had players who didn't want to change style, now it's the opposite.
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There's many key differences.
- AVB was rigidly stuck to one interpretation of his footballing philosophy managing us (which the man himself has admitted in hindsight). Sarri has spent almost 15 years honing his philosophy with multiple formations, types of players, and managing at different levels.
- Prior to signing for us, AVB was on nothing but an upward trajectory and hadn't experienced any form of significant failure as a manager. Sarri was stuck in a cycle of limbo for years before finding his feet at Empoli, and eventually Napoli.
- From a very young age, teenage years, AVB's entire life was studying football from the prospective of an analyst. At the age AVB was managing us Sarri was just an average joe doing a 9 to 5. He has more life experience than AVB ever had.
- From our prospective. AVB came into a club during a period where we were settled into an identity, not just the players but the entire club, with Roman trying to manufacture a change that wasn't necessary. Sarri comes in with the club desperately needing one since the disbanding of the old guard.
- The expectation levels have dramatically changed since 2011. We sacked AVB as soon as he dropped out of the top 4, we sacked Conte after confirmation of finishing outside the top 4 and you get the impression he might of kept his job had he not made it untenable through his actions. Sarri will be afforded a level of patience (and lack of pressure) that AVB didn't have.
- And lastly the point of the article. AVB wanted Modric. That was his boy, his target, and the board put in a few bids but never really tested Levy's considerable resolve and we ended up with Meireles instead. Sarri's boy is Jorginho, and ADL is just as notoriously hard to negotiate with as Levy (look at all the drama over getting Sarri), but the club just paid the money and got it done. Instantly backed, AVB was sort of backed but never completely.