With the imminent arrival of Lavia- 58m & Olise- 35m(+)
Both quality additions along side Caicedo all three should be able hit the ground running as they all have been playing premiership football.
The squad is beginning to look stronger in terms of depth & ability.
Our midfield does seem to have now struck the right balance.
Combine this with the defense we are now two key players away from the completed squad , a G/keeper & a striker.
A lot has been said regarding the clubs strategy, the new ownership did under estimate the delicate balances required to maintain stability.
But to their credit since the sporting directors have been guiding & overseeing the transfer policy the players brought in will bring balance to the first 11 and support the younger players in their first season in the EPL.
Possible 23/24 line up
Sanchez, Bettinelli, + G/keeper
James, Gusto, Silva, Colwill, Badisheile, Disasi, Chilwell, Maatsen.
Enzo, Santos, Ugo, Chuka, Caicedo, Lavia, Mudryk,Sterling, Jackson, Olise.
Nkunku, Broja, + striker
For sale> Lukaku > 35m, Ziyech> 15m+, CHoD> 8m(?) Chalobah> 35m, Gallagher> 40m = 130m +.
On loan> Kepa,& Cucu:
(or any of the players who are not sold in this window)
These sales will take the total since Boehly- Clearlake took over to 400m +
All of the dead wood will have been removed, amazing feet considering.
A new squad will have been built with 20 + players.
It looks like the 23/24 squad will have only 3 players from the Abramovich era, James, Silva & Chilwell.
It does come at a cost (aprx 600m), 1 billion amortized ( debt loaded over 5 & 8 years) costing 155m (aprx p/ season)
Next the tough task of integrating all of these new players whilst competing for a C/L place , 3,4, or 5th.
Then the elephant in the room complying with FFP for the 24/25 season on wards.
Well, 10 out 10 for effort & commitment by the new ownership, it is all we as supporters can ask for.
It is a huge risk, nothing is certain, but hey come on Cfc will be on it this season, in with a fighting chance of a 3rd, 4th or 5th place finish.
COY Blues, KTBFFH,
The Squad is starting 2 shape up.
posted on 16/8/23
Lavia is the funniest one.
Relegated player rejected by City.
Before the end of last season, anyone who had heard of him probably thought of him in the same way they think of mctominay, Skipp or Curtis Jones. Yet now he is quality and part of a world class side without kicking a ball for Chelsea
posted on 16/8/23
We were after Lavia last season mate. Think we bid £40m but was rejected by Southampton.
posted on 16/8/23
comment by ＴＬＬＬ (U4640)
posted 3 minutes ago
We were after Lavia last season mate. Think we bid £40m but was rejected by Southampton.
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I find this unlikely seeing as he only signed for them last season.
posted on 16/8/23
Really I swear we were after him last season.
posted on 16/8/23
Unless it was in January.
posted on 16/8/23
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11178329/amp/Southampton-rejected-50m-bid-Chelsea-Romeo-Lavia-just-TWO-MONTHS-signing-him.html
Probably BS but I remember us being heavily linked to him.
posted on 16/8/23
comment by ＴＬＬＬ (U4640)
posted 24 minutes ago
Really I swear we were after him last season.
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I remember that too, the links anyway. It was after we bought in that Southampton guy as part of our new recruitment team. Shields I wanna say his name is?
posted on 16/8/23
comment by ifarka, (U8182)
posted 3 hours, 17 minutes ago
Bit strongWahl
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How? Which side in the world has better fullbacks than Chilwell and James? Which side in the world has 2 better CBs than Thiago Silva and Colwill? Is there any team that has two young midfielders as good as Enzo and Caicedo apart from Real Madrid?
It's a really good squad full of some of the best young players in the world. Managed by a coach that's previously done very well with young players.
posted on 16/8/23
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 3 hours, 53 minutes ago
comment by Wahl Icht Roma (U22997)
posted 54 minutes ago
I feel like we honestly have the second best first XI in the league after City:
Sanchez
Disasi Silva Colwill
James Caicedo Lavia Enzo Chilwell
Jackson Nkunku
one world class CB, another almost at that level, two world class fullbacks, two world class midfielders with Enzo and Caicedo and a world class forward with Nkunku. The only improvement would be a better goalkeeper, but the team looks so strong on paper.
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That's a side that looks like 12th in the league, similar to last season. Lots of expensive misfits.
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That's the cue for every one to put a ton on Chelsea to win the PL, if ever I heard one!
posted on 16/8/23
Wahl, COY Blues