Flinkers

Stay classy Ryan!

This performance is inexcusable. Three individual errors in less than half an hour. I’d sub both fullbacks off already

I think I'd go... Kepa James - Christensen - Zouma - Azpi Kante - Kovacic Havertz - Mount - Werner Giroud

Isn't James out too, or was that just precautionary? I think we'll go Kepa Azpi - Rüdiger - Christensen - Alonso Kante - Jorginho - Mount Havertz - Abraham - Werner

Havertz confirmed! https://link.chelseafc.com/mjdA5sASv9

That will probably end up being our starting forward line but I wouldnt be surprised to see depending on injuries: Werner Pulisic - Mount - Ziyech in the first few weeks folllowed by a first change of Havertz. I think we'll move more towards the Doppel-6 that's favoured here, purely because our personnel (considering the players we're targetting) suits that set-up better than most formations and theoretically gives us better protection through the middle of the park. That's why, long term, I'd like to see a CF like Haller here.

A lot is overstating things - don't have much time with two young kids! Having said that, I think we'd be pretty silly not to sign Havertz. He's comfortably one of the best players in the league already and has really stepped up his goals and assists since Bosz arrived in Leverkusen. Bosz tends to play a pretty aggressive, attacking style, so maybe that's why..? He's got great technique like most young Germans do, he gets himself into great positions on the field, seems to get open a lot (similar to Thomas Müller) and he's fast to boot. We'll miss Willian's pressing on the right but I think Havertz's/Ziyech's speed, directness and threat on the ball either through a cross or shot should compensate for that. He seems to really like playing as right Inside Forward so IMO he'd be in direct competition with Ziyech if he came. I don't see him slotting in further back. Regardless of COVID-19 etc, if we pass on him this season, we won't get a chance again.

I'd also take Sebastien Haller off their hands.

Everything I read here was that we had no recall option and the coach thought he had far better alternatives in the squad. I’m not sure if the loan was organised before Nagelsmann took over, but it’s certainly clear he didn’t rate him. We clearly underestimated how competitive Leipzig was going to be and the standard of the Bundesliga in general. A German team might be a decent bet for him again but he needs to drop down at least another tier to a team like Wolfsburg, Frankfurt or Hoffenheim. Mönchengladbach was an upper mid-table team when Christensen went there. A top 4 team won’t touch him. A team challenging for the top 4 won’t touch him. Personally speaking, I don’t think a team challenging for promotion from the Championship would take him either. But wherever he goes, he can’t be stuck for the whole season again.

Looks like they’re letting the planning permission lapse. https://chelseafc.app.link/VeHeRv54d5

In fairness, a loan to the Bundesliga is a good step. Loaning him to Leipzig was incredibly poor planning and a pretty serious misjudgement with respect to the quality of their squad.

I think the cup-tied rule has been changed. Dealt with under Article 45 here BUt Hazard has just been diagnosed with a broken ankle and is out for a while - getting Bale out of Madrid probably got much harder.

Happy to hear you‘re doing better Mark!

Belated Happy Birthday, Chara!!

The hardest part for me was the three days of no food after the procedure and waiting for the biopsy results - uncomfortable from the excision, nervous and tetchy from lack of food does not help one's mood at all!! Wishing you a speedy recovery, Mark!