Some say none at all – maybe just add a few young faces to reduce the average squad age and help breed some form of continuity.  After all, they say, look what we almost did last season?!  The unfortunate appointment of Scolari cost us unnecessarily lost points – so we could of won the league, and then a disgracefully UEFA influenced buffoon of a referee robbed us of a real chance of winning old “Big Ears”. 

I can see where those with the above opinion are coming from.  I might not agree 100% with all the scenarios but yes, they do have a point. 

Meanwhile others insist that we need to continue to re-strengthen – we need to be even better and more versatile than before…and of course, we have a new manager who will no doubt want at least 1-2 top class signings to help him mould the style of play with his vision of football (something which due to various circumstances, Scolari was actually denied).

 

Four in, Four out? 

Buck has been quoted as predicting about four in and four out, Kenyon has reiterated the clubs position on acquiring big signings if the right players are available at the right price (although from what we have seen with the transfers of Kaka and Ronaldo the “right price” is something which has probably shifted upwards again) and the media are claiming that Roman Abramovich is happy to open his wallet again after two seasons of relative frugality (they must have missed the bids on Daniel Alves and Robinho I suppose). 

Anyway…below are the current squads (including the reserves, those out on loan last season and a few of the Academy players) and some opinions on who could leave and who could fill the gaps (second numbers next to names are squad numbers):

FIRST TEAM 

Goalkeepers 

1 (1) Petr Cech – A must stay.

2 (40) Henrique Hilario – A real pro but one of those who could be shipped out for a younger model – looks like it could be Turnball.

3 (30) Rhys Taylor – from the youth ranks so if he’s presumably good enough then he stays. 

Defenders 

4 (2) Branislav Ivanovic – We’ve only seen the tip of the ice-berg with this man although a tough sacrifice may need to be made IF Mancienne is not to be loaned out. 

5 (3) Ashley Cole – Consistent quality.  Voted Players Player of the Season.  Don’t even think about it. 

6 (6) Ricardo Carvalho – looks like he could be on his way out.  Some say our best defender but injuries are a concern.  IF he really wants out then respect to him as he has given us mostly top quality service for years now. 

7 (17) Jose Bosingwa – Reports on the club looking to off-load him have been a surprise.  Seems unthinkable that we would sell him.  The only circumstances which I think the fans would swallow his departure would be if he was used as a make-weight in a deal for Ribery.  IF he does go then the club may decide not to soley rely on Ivanovic – Maicon from Inter seems to be on the radar. 

8 (19) Paulo Ferreira – Never moans, generally reliable and despite hardly playing has publicly stated his wish to stay.  Used to mark Ronaldo really well despite his lack of pace and can play on the right or the left.  Still could be one of those sold to bring in some funds though. 

9 (26) John Terry – You don’t sell the heart of the club! 

10 (33) Alex – Has really come on excellently.  Ancelotti describes him as a “meat mountain”.  He stays. 

Defensive Midfielders 

11 (42) Michael Mancienne – A talent for the future (we hope).  Been with the club since 8 years of age and can play here or in the centre of defence.  Will be interesting to see what Ancelotti decides – keep him or loan him out to get experience.

12 (12) Mikel – Has finally got his temper under control and could be our Ruud Gullit in the future.  He stays obviously. 

13 (35) Juliano Belletti – Has become a cult hero and has the type of versatility that Ancelotti might appreciate. Age may not be on his side though so could be sold. 

Midfield 

14 (5) Michael Essien – The best midfielder of his type in the world – so don’t be silly!  Will be missing for the ANC. 

15 (8) Frank Lampard – Just had his best ever season so don’t even think about it! 

16 (13) Michael Ballack – Has signed a one-year extension – and worth another season I reckon.

17 (20) Deco – Has slated Roman in the press and wants out.  Will probably be replaced with this new creative midfielder that we are supposed to need. 

18 (27) Mineiro – A bit of a mystery this one.  Was bought to cover for Essien but has hardly appeared.  Cheap wages apparently but…I really don’t know enough about him.  Will probably be sold to bring the age down. 

Wide Midfielders/Wingers 

19 (10) Joe Cole – Has made it clear he wants to play in his natural position behind the striker(s).  Pre-season could shape his first season under Ancelotti – if he performs (a big ask after only just coming back from injury) it might save the club a lot of money on buying someone to do a job that we know he is capable of doing.

 

20 (15) Florent Malouda – After nearly two seasons of disappointing form has now become the player we thought we had bought.  Has just signed a contract extension.  Should we sign Yuri (I prefer Barcelona) Zhirkov then he will be pushed to maintain form. 

21 (18) Ricardo Quaresma – No idea why we didn’t buy him.  A real mystery as many thought he would be the one to take up the hefty mantle left by Arjen Robben.  Something fishy going on there. 

22 (21) Salomon Kalou – Beats players for fun and then f´s it up. A perennial source of frustration but still good enough to give pause for thought before selling.  This could be his season (again!).  If sold mustn’t be transferred to Arsenal – just imagine the irritation if he did actually finally flower there?!  Another one missing for the ANC.

23 (43) Miroslav Stoch – Stochie boy!  He stays surely?  

Strikers 

24 (9) Franco Di Santo – In the few minutes he has played he has looked confident and unfazed.  Got a bit of skill as well.  I wonder how he feels with Sturridge coming in?  A possible loan out – which is disappointing in my view. 

25 (11) Didier Drogba – When on his game he’s the best striker in the world.  The club want to offer him a new contract according to the media.  Could only see him sold if he started playing up again and a big signing like Ibrahimovic came the other way.  Will be missing for the ANC and banned for initial CL matches. 

26 (39) Nicolas Anelka – What a season he had!  Golden boot in the PL. He stays obviously. 

27 (50) Jacob Mellis – Been on the bench a few times.  Has looked very good in the reserves.  Must stay.

Part 2 here:

http://www.thefootballnetwork.net/main/s379/st146355.htm

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The Squad – Who in and who out during the transfer window?

Posted by: 50 Years Over 100 Years (IP Logged)

Date: 29/06/2009 10:02

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
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Re: The Squad – Who in and who out during the transfer window?

Posted by: Chris Bladon (IP Logged)

Date: 30/06/2009 09:00

Mineiro has already left and Quaresma was sent back to Italy because he was unable to improve his fitness and with Anelka, Malouda and Kalou operating well either side of Drogba was no longer needed last season. A failed Scolari panic buy on deadline day.

Deco has dug his own grave and good riddance to him, his decision to play for Portugal when he was too injured to play for us sums him up. Does not have the mental let alone physical toughness to play for Chelsea.

It's a shame Carvalho also is leaving in a blaze of public criticism (though he's been there before with Jose). A truly outstanding defender but with the form of Alex he is dispensible.

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Re: The Squad – Who in and who out during the transfer window?

Posted by: MattCFC (IP Logged)

Date: 01/07/2009 12:26

Right, we need a better back up keeper if Cech is to maintain good form (dropped a bit last season). Bring Mancienne through and forget about signing ANOTHER right back. Carvalho could be replaced but Alex is on form and Mancienne can play centre half too. Maloda needs competition so Zhirkov would be good. DEFINATELY need a right winger because Joe Cole's fitness won't be up to scratch and we need width like when Robben and Duff terrorised every defence they played against! Only need a striker if Drogba were to leave. Lets say bye bye to Deco and Ballack (who hasn't done enough in my eyes to warrant a place in our team) and bring through the great youth players that we're developing!!! We should have started making major changes when Jose left but hey ho lets sort it now.

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