bluecueball

Matt Law is saying what the club wants him to say. It neither corroborates nor disproves the story. It simply shows that the club want to issue a denial without formally issuing one.

Tell you what - Marchisio, Bellotti and Ox would be one hell of an end to the window.

Hasn't fulfilled any potential he had - maybe as a squad player he'd be ok but he couldn't even break into the southampton side ahead of Romeu etc. I doubt we'd be interested.

I reckon we've briefed 15m into the papers to frame the negotiations low. He should cost double that in today's market.

I'm not sure we need a dedicated RWB right now if Moses is fit (Azpi, Willian, Rudiger can all deputise if we have a bigger squad) - but someone who can play there at a high level and do a good job going forward and back is useful. We desperately need more players of quality though and for £36m he's a no brainer.

Sergi Roberto would be a great signing from Barcelona. Them signing Paulinho could open the door as he's said to be livid about it. About £36m release clause (for spanish clubs but they might honour it for him) and can play RB, RWB and CM - AND is an improvement on quality in those positions. Get it done.

Right. We don't need any more centre backs but we do need a two wingbacks and a centre mid. Too late to recall Loftus cheek ?? Shame we couldn't see more of boga or Musonda to see if theyre genuine 4th wing options or loanees. Morata is amazing, closest thing to crespos movement weve had since. Needs to get fit. Batshuayi is nothing more than a sub option based on Burnley.

Morata obvs not fit enough to play 90 or he would start. Shearer et al questioning why he didn't start is moronic. Reminded me of Crespo with movement. Just 2 steps ahead of everyone else so at least that bodes well. However, Terrible result and shocking first half performance, akin to Mourinho bad season and Ancelotti bad moment. Sadly can see it happening again. Unless conte gets 4+ signings he will be gone by October. Cahill should be docked a week's wages.

Those roles are inside forwards IMO and he could have adapted. Sure he would be more of a link player because he likes getting on the ball - but I think he can run in behind too. For e.g. Ozil can play there and DB is better.

Drinkwater I can understand as a 4th choice CM. I would prefer we found a way to accomodate some of our ludicrously talented youngsters but I get that Conte wants proven professionals as he has short term aims not long term ones. But Barkley is abysmal and Siggurdsson wouldn't fit in our system as it is - and is far too expensive at £50m. My view is we sign world class talents or integrate top quality youngsters and give them games (I know this is completely at odds with our current strategy). Our squad could have been packed with Christensen, Chalobah, McEachran, Loftus-Cheek, Baker, Musonda, Boga, Abraham, Solanke et al. They could all (have been) be good enough.

This looks light everywhere except GK and defence: Courtois Caballero Azpilicueta - Luiz - Cahill Christensen - Rudiger Moses - Kante - Bakayoko - Alonso TBC - Fabregas - Baker - Kenedy Pedro - Hazard Willian - Musonda Morata Batshuayi

The Danilo stuff emerged after we reached a quagmire over the Sandro transfer. I read that supposedly Juve want him to replace Dani Alves so, to give us the upper hand in the Sandro negotiations, we agreed a fee with Real for Danilo and said we won't follow up on it if you give us Sandro.

It's our actions and potentially a lack of promises over game time that have led to him deciding he won't get a fair crack at the whip here. I'm disgusted that we haven't provided a clear pathway for one of England's most promising young central midfielders, particularly when Matic is first choice.

Morata is a very good signing. Rudiger and Bakayoko are sensible purchases but I hope Christensen can get some game time too. Disgusted that we sold Chalobah. Oxlade-Chamberlain makes complete sense, is this just speculation? - can play RWB or CM but I doubt his ability at one of the inside forward roles (e.g. Pedro) as he simply doesn't score enough goals.

I don't think anyone's played RLC in his correct position: the Ballack role. For the games that you want to control rather than the high-energy ones you want Essien to monster. Lampard - Ballack / Essien Makelele In a 3-4-2-1, where do you play him? Same with Baker. He's not dynamic enough for the Hazard/Pedro roles, but equally not gritty enough for the deeper Kante/Matic roles. He's a Rolls Royce where we need either armoured off-roaders or sports cars. Now Chalobah for me is perfect in the 2 alongside Kante. Hazard - Pedro Loftus-Cheek/Baker etc. Chalobah - Kante