Monday afternoon poll and discussion thread: How comfortable are you with our position in the table ahead of deadline day?
by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 23, 2012 4:14 PM GMT
in Chelsea FC: Transfer Rumours & News
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We've reached an interesting point in the transfer window. After surprisingly gaining ground on all of our closest rivals in the table this weekend (despite having a disappointing result ourselves) we now have no more league games until there are only 4 hours remaining in the window. We do have an FA Cup match in there as well, but I doubt that factors too much into our decision making in the transfer market. With that in mind, we now have 8 1/2 days to decide whether or not to add to the squad as we attempt to win the Champions League and make our push toward ensuring Champions League play next season.
We currently have a 5 point cushion on Newcastle and Arsenal and a 6 point cushion on Liverpool for 4th. We're 5 points behind Tottenham in 3rd. We've just added Gary Cahill and seen the return of Michael Essien. With only 16 games to play it's actually a fairly comfortable position for the club to be in despite the fact that we have tended to be far more comfortable at the end of January in recent years. That doesn't mean some additions would be a poor idea, but there is certainly every reason to believe that the current squad is quite capable of finishing 4th without any further tinkering.
We know for sure we're still looking hard at another attacker who can add depth and versatility to our attack. AVB has stated he prefers a player who's eligible for the CL, so that is a somewhat limiting factor. January buys tend to be expensive, so how would you feel if this was in fact the squad we decide to finish the season with? Please vote in the poll and feel free to leave your comments below.
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"Satisfied"
is making that a hard vote, for me. “Okay”, and I would vote yes. It’s certainly a decision I can live with, as it comes as no surprise from the Chelsea camp since they’ve been stating from the beginning that they felt confident with the squad that we have. But if I had my druthers, I wouldn’t mind a left winger or another backup creative type.
I agree
I’d be okay but it would be nice if we could find some way to unlock these defenses. Plus, it’s looking like we need some cover for Mata at least. He’s starting to look tired and AVB doesn’t seem to have enough confidence in Malouda to sub Mata on occasion. Not saying I can blame him, but that left side is going to be gassed before too long if they’re not already.
by Robert Barritt on Jan 23, 2012 4:45 PM GMT up reply actions
Agreed
I would love to have a player like Hazard or Modric joining us in this transfer window but that is higly unlikely. We should just wait for the summer to buy those big name players. I think this summer is going to be crucial. Players like Malouda, Kalou, Bosingwa will definately leave. We absolutely need to buy a creative ‘conductor’ in our midfield. Someone who sets up our play from midfield. A player like Modric or Moutinho. I actually prefer the Portuguse because he is younger and cheaper.
world class players only.
I know we have almost all players as regular internationals.I cannot judge willian much right now but id prefer to wait and sign someone like hazard,hulk,cavani or a certain “big name” in the summer.I miss the days when we were also able to field out almost two equally strong squads in a match.Much like what city have right now and what we had,when a bench had the likes of sheva,ballack or more.
Its obviously not the best to have all big names in one squad,but i dont think willian can/would be much of a sensation.Mata is a world class player but he too cannot give his best all the time.We need people of that level.Thats what the club deserves to have.Cahill is not a good deal,but its a smart one as one cant have all 4 best defenders.city have savic n united have evans.i’d prefer cahill over such any day(considering he is not the long term replacement for terry,and that search still continues) giving us the most important international player spot on the roaster.
Wing is the problem why we havent been the strongest past few years.We won the double only when malouda was at his best..So,silent winter but a creative mid and a winger is what i would wish for in the summer.
What if Mata breaks a leg on February 1st?
Unlikely but not impossible, I don’t feel safe having just one creative player, if he were to get injured I feel qualifying for next seasons CL is not much better than 50/50, we need creative cover! I feel the current squad should be good enough to qualify for the CL but I also don’t feel we can afford to take any risks on that front, if we miss out then we forget about attracting the likes of hazard or any other top talent in the summer!I don’t think we will get too much further in this seasons CL so I think it would be foolish to rule out a target who may only be ineligible for two games. Buying a player now would also give them half a season to get up to speed in the premiership rather than trying to get accustomed from the start of next season.
Knock on wood!
We already have one Spaniard with a broken scoring leg… don’t need to even think about another. I get what you’re saying about being prepared, but I’m gonna just go ahead and say that is wise more so because we need backup and support for Mata anyhow- he’s only human, after all.
Thanks...
….and at this point we need to make sure we are in CL next season….this is not the year we are going to win it, I’m afraid.
I wouldn't necessarily agree here
The Premier League is based on the overall body of work for the season. In general a flawed team is not going to fluke to a win in a 38 game single table format. The Champions League is 3 more 180 minute ties and a 90 minute tie. We’ve shown against Man City that we’re clearly capable of playing with anyone when we are actually clicking, so that is the type of format we may be well suited to win. There’s not really a team out there that looks unbeatable this season. I don’t think it’s all that unrealistic to think we could actually win the CL this year.
by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 23, 2012 5:35 PM GMT up reply actions
Good point!
Liverpool won it in 2005 with a much worse team than we have now, although they did have an awful lot of luck along the way. Barca don’t seem to be quite as good this year as they were last year however after watching them a few times against Madrid they do seem to be able to turn it on when required! At this point though I’d happily take top 4 and the FA cup which we can definitely win!
by conorjmartin on Jan 23, 2012 5:50 PM GMT up reply actions
Luck is a pretty major factor in the CL
Bayern made the final 2 years ago but without a poor refereeing decision against Fiorentina wouldn’t have made the quarters. Barca won in 2009 despite the fact that they shouldn’t have advanced past the semis. Look at the run Schalke made last season or Lyon the year before. I don’t think a decent argument could be made that either of those sides were amongst the top 20 in Europe despite making runs to the semis.
by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 23, 2012 5:55 PM GMT up reply actions
True!
Unfortunately though Chelsea generally seem to end up on the wrong side of the luck divide!Who knows maybe the worse your team gets the better your luck gets and this will be our year!Also as good as Napoli looked against Man City they are sitting in mid table in Italy with just 7 wins from 19 games so we should beat them!
by conorjmartin on Jan 23, 2012 6:32 PM GMT up reply actions
Ironically, similar sentiments apply to Napoli
On any given day, they can play with and beat anybody.
In fact, they’ve done really well against top sides this season, in the league as well. It’s just against the smaller teams that they’ve dropped many points.
They sound a bit like Liverpool then!
Poor Napoli!
by conorjmartin on Jan 23, 2012 6:41 PM GMT up reply actions
Don't feel too sorry for them
I think what this implies is that they will surely turn it on when it comes to playing Chelsea in the CL.
You have ignited my belief for the CL
We really can reach the final we are 4th or 3rd favorite team after all and after that if we have luck (which we rarely have in CL) we might just somehow do it.
Even Barca and Real look pretty flawed this year
Both are probably better than us but they both have some pretty major question marks.
by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 23, 2012 6:02 PM GMT up reply actions
*Movie Voiceover Voice*
“When the world grew tired of Catalonia, and UEFA revenue was dropping. There was only one man that Michel Platini could turn to. The man responsible for the creation of the beast.”
Dramatic music. Sweeping helicopter camera footage
Telephone ringing
“Will he answer the call?”
Ring ring “…Hello?”
OVREBO
by Culain on Jan 23, 2012 7:42 PM GMT up reply actions 1 recs
I pretty much agree that teams
who have won the CL more than often had the luck on their side more than they were necessarily the better team. Indeed. However, Chelsea + CL + luck somehow doesn’t want to form a good equation for me. When was the last time we were somewhat, if only slightly, lucky in the knockout stages of the CL? Either we went out deservedly, or we were shot out by stupid penalty shootouts, or robbed by horrendous referee-decisions.
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Well, we the probability of getting unlucky so many times in a row gets smaller and smaller with each additional year
So EVENTUALLY you’d think we’d get a lucky break. Maybe it’s this year!
Barcelona are certainly beatable this year.
TBH I’d rather play them than Real Madrid. If i was playing Barcelona I’d play Romeu and Essien. Have Essien man mark Messi out of the game and Romeu help out the defence most of the game. He’d play exceptionally well against Barcelona.
Have Torres rediscover his form and score twice with Sturridge getting one in between all assist from Mata. Ramires running making their midfield cry.
Even I would rather prefer Barca to Madrid
But before I want Barca to eliminate Madrid the only team good enough to eliminate Madrid is Barca.
Torres...
he had a pretty decent record against Barca, actually. I think the same number of goals he had against Chelsea. Of course, that was spread over more matches, I think, but still… Ronaldo only just got his second goal against them, I believe. Maybe you can have your desired outcome after all :) (I don’t like to crush dreams, haha).
Ideally, I’d like one of those assists to be from Sturridge… would be a nice addition to his improved performance this year, too!
I think you've agreed with me...
….without meaning to. I would like to ensure depth and stability on the Chelsea side to ensure a top 4 finish, regardless of whether the new signings are cup tied or not. What I don’t want to do is hold off on signing someone who is good just because he is cup tied, since as you said there is a lot of luck that goes into CL. I agree that Chelsea could still luck into the title, or plays as well as they did against ManCity and go all the way…..but I think the chances of that are poor so I’d rather January activity not be governed by it.
by ososdeoro on Jan 23, 2012 9:37 PM GMT up reply actions 1 recs
Then we still have Kalou
Yes, the mention of his name alone doesn’t call up the optimist in me.
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
I'm still pretty high on Kalou
He’s pretty much never made a peep about being a bench player and he’s certainly been effective in that role. We honestly can’t do much better than a guy like him in that role. We’re just not going to be able to round out the bench with guys like Tevez to fill that role.
by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 23, 2012 6:06 PM GMT up reply actions
I meant if Mata were injured and
we relied on him when Mata picks up a long-term injury. Of course he is a decent guy and I truly want him to stay with us beyond this year’s summer. It’s only I feel so much better with him coming off the bench than starting – that’s where he earned so much of trust
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
I knew we were playing for 4th when I wanted the Manchester clubs to win yesterday
I have no faith that we could challenge for anything this season. We overrun no-one and labour against even weak opposition. Until we clean house, we are going to stummble along. What we need now is Champions league. Just so we can attract players at least never mind the money. This will be a big summer and I’d like to arrive there intact. We need another attacker for the short term.
by joady on Jan 23, 2012 5:34 PM GMT reply actions 1 recs
I think 3rd is a reasonable goal
But yeah, basically this exactly
by Graham MacAree on Jan 23, 2012 5:35 PM GMT up reply actions 1 recs
I disagree
We had less points this time last year and nearly caught united. I don;t think we could win the league but i think 2nd is more than possible. Only if we buy a player that can help us score (LEFT WINGER!)
We did indeed have fewer points this time last year
But so did United. The gap between us and United now (10 points) is bigger than the gap between us on the 4th January 2011 (9 Points).
Sure, there’s still time, but we’re still quite a way off from catching United.
After 23 matches we were on 41
and United were on 51. We nearly caught them last year and if we improve our squad slightly 2nd place should be our goal (as in it’s the best we could achieve). Why would we aim for 3rd or 4th when 2nd is possible? It doesn;t make sense.
Improve our squad slightly
we picked up better form last season after January, but that we finished 2nd last season was more down to our weak competitors. However this would apply this season, too … Manure have their faults
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
True we did nearly catch them!
But don’t forget we finished something like 9 points behind!
by conorjmartin on Jan 24, 2012 12:23 PM GMT up reply actions
hells no
we need to get someone! If we just keep pushing for Willian, Jovetic, Hazard, or some other guy to play left wing or CAM, we could improve the team so much, with just the 1 singning
by blue_is_the_colour on Jan 23, 2012 5:37 PM GMT reply actions
They thought that last year when they signed
a certain striker that hasn’t really produced. I think the caution is that the January signing cannot always improve the team so much. It’s just not an ideal time of year to get accustomed to a new club. It’s not to say it can’t happen, it’s just that the statistics don’t exactly favor a huge impact from a Jan signing.
If our board really believed
they could have turned the whole team around / push them forwards by just signing one single player (I put David Luiz out of the equation) that would be totally weird to me. It was clear last season it wasn’t only a striker that made us look like lost. I agree on the January signing impact factor, though
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
David Luiz was one of the major driving forces to our post-Janaury improvement!
by Graham MacAree on Jan 23, 2012 8:17 PM GMT up reply actions
Which, alas
is why I left DL out of that as well. He is probably more of an exception to the rule, and wasn’t quite as expensive.
Regarding the quip about Torres, I don’t think the board really believed that… it was more me using my creative license to drive the point home :) It goes to dispel the notion that just one player turns around the team. The team has to turn around the team… although certain key players can certainly help (a la Luiz).
If I recall correctly
Both Anelka and Ivanovic were January signings as well. We’ve done fairly well in the January window of late.
Immediate impacts in a struggling side, though?
I didn’t follow Chelsea at the time of either signing, so I’m legitimately asking. Maybe Chelsea are the team that can prove the stats wrong in January…
Neither made a damn bit of difference that year
Well I guess Anelka did miss that penalty…
by Graham MacAree on Jan 24, 2012 12:56 AM GMT up reply actions
The time we signed Anelka or Ivanovic
we overall were a better side than this season. That’s no wonder, how … we had an excellent article about that some weeks ago showing that. The key players are still here, but weaker compared to seasons ago
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
This time we were on the same points in 4th position
After playing an extra game. We now have a slightly better squad. The addition of an attacking player (preferably a left winger) would give us the missing piece in the puzzle. We are as far behind United as we were last year so I think second is a real posibility and as for the CL goes we need to improve to up our chances of winning it. Obviously top four is a priority at this point so i think the addition of one more player would cement it. Liverpool and Arsenal aren’t getting better so I think we are comfortable to finish 4th.
I do feel however that as a football club Chelsea FC shouldn’t be settling for fourth place and a new signing could see us rise a couple of places. All we need is for United to lose 3 more games than us and draw one more for the last remaining games. Tottenham will undoubtedly drop points. I think Man United’s weaknesses in midfield and defence is catching up with them whilst our inability to score goals is costing us. A left winger would allow us to unleash Mata in the middle regularly which would only improve his overall game.
It’s only a matter of time before Torres starts scoring again if we were to play like that more often. Even if it meant changing back to a 4-3-3 in the CL if our new player was cup-tied.
That's even slightly more optimistic than I am...
……I think we need to ensure 4th place with a signing or two. Not that third wouldn’t be awesome, and that those signing couldn’t take us there, but our current table-mates are serious competitors of whom the club should be wary.
What happened to Christian Eriksen?
He was supposed to be the next big thing but now seems forgotten
Willian
I think that Mata is the creative player that we need but if we could get Wilian to play wide left that could free up Mata or vice versa. Also hopefully we can get Willian for around £20m/£22m and not splash money like £35m for Hazard or the inexcusable sum that was paid for Torres
i think the league is a lot better this than last year
city, united, and spurs have all improved markedly from last year imo. arsenal has been hit or miss, but remember they’ve had a few injuries and will improve by default in the coming months. i think we were a little lucky last year in the sense that the quality league-wide was lacking. i don’t think we’re as lucky this year; therefore i think we should reinforce our attack to secure 4th, cup tied or not.
by marc.nicholls1 on Jan 23, 2012 11:42 PM GMT reply actions
also, from reading the thread above about luck in the CL
i think to say that often times the best team in Europe doesn’t win the CL is doing a bit of disservice. 2006 Barcelona, 2007 Milan, 2008 United, and yes even 2009 Barcelona were definitively the best teams. That’s not to say that they didn’t struggle at certain points, but I think more often than not the best team comes out on top. Bottom line, I don’t think we should be too concerned about trying to make a run in CL this year, because unless we can avoid Barca/Madrid, those teams would see us off without too much trouble. And I wouldn’t fancy our chances against teams like Milan and Bayern, to be honest.
i guess it's up for debate. i certainly wouldn't shoot down anyone else's opinon
out of curiosity, who do you think were better those respective years?
by marc.nicholls1 on Jan 24, 2012 2:52 AM GMT up reply actions
I thought Chelsea were the better team both seasons
Only we didn’t have a manager in 2008, and that really hurt us. And 2009 we played Barca off the park, had 4-5 penalties not called and lost on away goals in the dying minutes. Though to be fair, none of that would have mattered had Drogs been able to put one of his multiple shots past Valdes when he was the last man to beat.
Barca last year and Inter the year before I think were the best team in Europe for the season. And I think Barca and Chelsea and United and Chelsea were very, very close in terms of quality.
Hmm, hard to say
In 2005 Chelsea was better than Liverpool, 2006 Barcelona yes, 2007 Milan probably, 2008 I’d say Chelsea was better than United but I’m probably biased, 2009 Barcelona was very good but Chelsea was better. 2010 was Inter or Barca, and 2011 Barca definitely. Of course it’s only my opinion.
I think that nearly every year the CL winner could have gone out without luck!
2004 Porto-I think it was Scholes had a goal wrongly disallowed which would have knocked them out!2005 Liverpool- I don’t have the time to write out all their luck but they could have been knocked out in every round without a lot of it! 2006 Barca- semi-final Milan had a late goal disallowed for offside, was never offside but that would have been an away goal and would have sent Milan to the final!2007 Milan- can’t think of any specific decisions going their way but I do remember them 2nd best in the final! 2008 Utd – Terry slipping, Chelsea hit the woodwork 3 times! 2009 Barca- all those penalty shouts turned down! 2010 Inter- Bojan goal with virtually the last kick of the game would have sent Barca through, harshly disallowed! Even last year who knows what would have happened had van Persie not got that rediculous red card against Barca, he certainly wouldn’t have missed the sitter that Bendtner missed at the end which would have knocked Barca out! Every team no matter how good has needed that bit of luck down the years but I guess thats what makes the CL so good, the best team won’t always win!
by conorjmartin on Jan 24, 2012 12:49 PM GMT up reply actions
I think with this team we're going to cut it close, but then hopefully sign in the summer.
and that’s the ideal route to take. But if we cut it close and ultimately fail to make it into the top four it will be a disaster.
I would prefer it if we bought a bit of class now so then we have no regrets. Pay a little bit more now for security before rebuilding in the summer.
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