Dusic

Assuming Bednarek is going regardless then IMO securing Colwill is absolutely massive if Ralph wants to use 3 CBs as a frequent formation. Otherwise, and without a similarly quality player being brought in, it means Stephens or Lyanco being a first choice - and we know neither is PL quality. Sounds like it will come to a head soon, and can see the attraction of partnering Andersen and his old teammate Guehi in what would be a very solid defensive setup for Palace, especially when you consider Tyrick Mitchell too. Their recruitment has been excellent since Viera took over.

Delap is totally unproven at mens level. The lad out in Germany was injured most of last season. Good replacement for Long perhaps but Broja was robust and able to score at PL level, which neither of the two you mentioned can say.

Over the last couple of seasons have we ever attacked well with a 3 CB formation? IMO all out best performances where we have balanced defence and attack have come in the 4-2-2-2. Pleased that we have different options but not convinced we have the right attackers to make a 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-3 actually work.

I kind of get this view. But also look at our squad list. Without spending bigger on a couple of attacking players of higher quality we will neber be settled because this team won't create or score enough. I like our business so far but its hard to argue with any certainty that it has actually improved our first XI. In fact, without Broja (and to a lesser extent Forster) its very arguable that right now, as it stands, our actual team is weaker than it was. Obviously a decent way to go and encouraging signs, but we newd to break £20m at some stage surely?!

I find some of the comments about Broja to be quite bizarre. For those saying at £25-£30m they would massively avoid, can I ask what you actually expect? If we sign Liam Delap permanently I am sure the fee would be nearly £20m. I think he has made 2 sub apps in the PL. We have also spent upwards of £12m each on Bazunu and Lavia who have never played in the PL. Yes, Broja didnt score since Feb. But as we all know, he was playing in a team that became woeful and got next to no service. What we saw first hand was a player who at times absolute killed good, experienced PL centre backs and who could create chances for himself from just beyond the halfway line. A player who is decent now and who in a couple of years could be one of the best strikers in the league. Now, its pretty clear we are out of the running for him, with bids from West Ham, Everton, AC Milan and Napoli according to Secret Scout. But IMO there is almost no chance we will sign someone better and with more potential than Broja, so I struggle to understand what some of you are really expecting us to do with £20m? If ever there was a player to go up to £30m on its Broja and we will be weaker up front without him unquestionably.

Why does everyone think that we would replace Diallo if he does go? We already signed Lavia. Part of Diallo's problem is that he didn't get enough games, so why do we need to add another player if he leaves? JWP has a great availability record and if fit will start 100% of league games, so then its either Lavia or Romeu alongside him. If needed we have Armstrong and Aribo who can play centrally should we have an injury crisis of some kind. Personally don't believe the Winks stuff for that reason, he isnt going to play ahead of JWP and what would the point of signing Lavia be if he ends up as 4th choice?

Agree to a point but I think its probably because of what they are asked to do on the ball now which hasn't always been the case previously. Salisu's weakness is on the ball. ABK supposedly the same. Therefore fairly logical to put them on the side where they would be required to use their stronger foot a higher proportion of the time, and probably makes them a little less susceptible to an opposition press. Obviously some players like VVD like playing on the opposite side as it opens up the big diagonal pass to the opposite side, but the majority seem to favour the side of their strongest foot.

Colwill is left footed and for Hudds primarily played left side of a back 3, which he could replicate for us potentially if we go that way (pre season friendly formations will be interesting). I think therefore in a 4 he would be competing with Salisu unless we went with two left footers. Certainly Salisu is just about passable on the ball with his favoured foot so not sure I would want him on the right to be honest. Palace apparently want to move to a back 3, so they are probably telling him he slots in there alongside Guehi and Andersen. But for now with Ake staying at City I doubt they will let him out.

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/levi-colwill-chelsea-fc-crystal-palace-b1012344.html?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1657793155 #Colwillhewonthe

The two issues are: 1. Players can't sign pro deals until they are 17 so until then its a wild west. 2. Due to Brexit (sigh) its hard to sign foreign youngsters so the market for the best British lads is even more fierce. Hopefully Kami Doyle agreed a pro deal when we signed his scholarship. We should find out when he turns 17 which I think is in August. Bit of a strange situstion whereby you want to push these players on but also in some ways not give them too much exposure until they are signed to pro terms. Would Dibling still be a Saints plauer if we hadnt played him in the B team game at SJP? Also wonder what impact only being in Div2 of the PL2 causes? These players are used to always playing against the other best kids of their age group and then all of a sudden get to the B team and are not playing Chelsea, City etc. Hopefully get promoted this season. Great to see the academy win trophies but ultimately 12 or 13 of the U18s squad of 15 won't ever play first team football for us, so frustrating to lose one of the two or three who more likely would have done.

Colwill would be so ideal, plays left sided in a 2 or 3 so also gives flexibility. If Salisu plays well this season he will get a move next summer and Colwill would be more experienced by then to take over. But surely we have to get shot of two from Lyanco, Stephens and Bednarek and at the moment there is nothing remotely concrete. Lyanco was such a pointless signing. Is never going to be a first choice and now potentially blocks us from getting Colwill. Perhaps as he was cheap we would be open to loaning him to a team back in Italy?

Interesting Edwards but not Doyle. Seeing as he didnt play in the U23s game the other day he must be either injured or off. We know Perraud is injured, but perhaps Redmond and Walcott left out due to likely moves? Obviously nothing imminent with outgoing CB moves.

I thonk there are a few selling points that Saints have re Broja. Not neccessarily better overall than others can offer, but still: - Guarenteed starts, not going to get that at West Ham or Newcastle - Knows he suits the style so less risk of it going badly - Young squad where he has friends - Close to his family - Choice of bold home & away kits

Chelsea look like they will sign Ake & Koulibaly and still want Kimpembe as well. Surely they will let Colwill go once those deals happen. Hopefully we can ship out Lyanco and/or Bednarek and bring him in, but nothing seems close on outgoings and as it stands we have 5 senior CBs plus Simeu so doubt we can sign another without at least one sale. Will be very interesting to see who else goes for him. Imagine Brighton will as Duffy past it and Cucurella often played left CB of a back three towards the end of the season.

Jeremain Lens - lucky escape Joachim Maehle - one that got away

Chelsea's record of getting talent through their academy and into their first team and/or other top level teams is pretty unrivalled in recent years: James, Mount, Chalobah, Hudson-Odoi, Abraham, Broja, Tomori, Guehi, Livramento, Gallagher, Lamptey without mentioning Ake and Christensen and soon to be the likes of Colwill, Maatsen etc. Easy to argue if you are a top talent like Dibling then Chelsea is a great place to go and kick on to a top career.

https://sport.sky.de/transfer/news/34132/12650239/transfer-news-sasa-kalajdzic-vom-vfb-stuttgart-ein-kandidat-bei-manchester-united Would prefer Broja if any chance of it myself, just such an ideal fit for our style. Would be very interesting to know who our absolute no1 choice is.

Was obvious he wouldn't go under the rdar much longer as has bden excellent on both sides. Spurs don't currently need a full back and he has 3 years left on his contract so (aside from Spurs) we could essentially name a price. That said, interesting timing for this stuff to suddenly emerge...agent driven most likely, so perhaps he wants to move now? Wouldn't imagine his salary at Saints is reflective of how good he is, mostly because he has improved so much and gained England caps since signing it. Likely we will sell him next summer but would be a massive signal from SR to get someone like him to sign an extension.

Some astonishing takes here regarding Adams. A team like Saints needs a few steady players like Adams. Yes he isnt going to get a move to a top 6 club but he is a decent player, nearly always available for selection, good attitude, strong, physical and can press well. He has also shown that he can score goals and he is improving all the time. No coincidence that both Ings and Broja played well with him as a partner. If we start selling someone like him for a meagre £20m to a direct rival then I would be amazed. We signed him for £15m and he is a miles better player now than he was then, so why sell him for a fee that barely reflects that improvement? In todays market he is easily a £25-£30m player, similar to Chris Wood. Some of you are clueless.

Chelsea have been very active in the youth market again this summer and just signed a top talent who was at Brighton. Wouldn't be surpised to see Dibling there. Easily the best recent record of bringing through top players from their academy, and wouldnt have to relocate hundreds of miles away.

Interesting that he said he told Hasenhuttl his preferred position is on the right behind the striker. Armstrong's best role too, but he is unreliable injury wise and good to have a left footed option there.

Personally rate him very highly but would be suprised if City want him as his weakness is on the ball and thats an attribute they value very highly. That said, if he doesn't sign a contract then now is probably when his value is highest. I think more likely is he stays this season, doesn't sign a contract and then moves for about £30m next summer.

No sign of Dibling or Doyle. Ballard played 2nd half. Saints were 2-0 down and then Ferry & A. Triallist scored for us.

Not in the list of scholars so seems clear he is leaving. No point dressing it up, its a big blow for the academy seeing as he is a massive talent and has already been on the bench for the first team aged 16. Any compensation will be minimal vs his potential.

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