Re: The 2017 January Transfer Window Thread

[Shed]

Santa you punctual old codger

[Kick]

[Shed]

*starts petition for Fulham Road statue of AVB*

[Kick]

James Rodriguez has suggested he could leave Madrid in Jan:

“I’m happy here, but I want to play more. I want to stay at Madrid forever, but you have to think about everything and look at your options.”

“I have offers and I've got seven days to think about it.”

He's obviously been linked to us with Oscar departing.

If any deal were to materialise, it could work out fantastically for us, or he could end up being another Torres.

The idea of him playing in a Hazard-like role alongside Hazard and Costa is potentially mouth watering, and it would give us flexibility in our formations. Plus Pedro could be freed up to be a back up wingback in addition to back up winger.

However, he is unlikely to put in a defensive shift like Pedro and Willian, and will surely waste all of the Oscar money in a position which isn't in dire need of improvement. And if he doesn't fit in, he'll be a huge waste of money.

Could be good or bad, depending on certain factors, I would trust Conte to get the best out of him, though. We'll see.

In other news, Nigeria's national team manager has said that Mikel is in advanced talks with Olympique Marseille on a free.

[Katy Perry]

He's really really good, he's a fantastic player. I love him. It would be a risky transfer of course, but it could also become glorious. I wouldn't say that he's a Conte player or that he would fit that well in our current line-up tho, if it ever worked it would be off of his sheer brilliance.

[Kick]

If there was a manager to get him firing, I believe Conte could.

He has for Matic, Costa, and Hazard.

[fatman123]

He'd could so easily fit in as a second hazard, but just as much so be awful. It would be a high risk transfer for sure, but I think worth the risk.

Also if for whatever reason we were to move back to 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, he could take Oscars role in either system

[Kick]

I don't think he could play CM in a 4-3-3, but he could play AM in a 3-5-2 or 4-2-3-1.

[Katy Perry]

I mean, we should only sign someone that fits us. No point buying a superstar not collocatable in our line-up that would require an unbalanced and ineffective formation just for the sake of it. Shevchenko and Torres docet.

[Kick]

Exactly. That should be up to Conte.

He did recently say that Chelsea will be looking for a solution in Jan, so expect some signings.

[Kick]

Reports from AS Columbia say that James Rodriguez is in Columbia to organise a English working visa.

It may mean nothing, but it could also mean he's preparing for a potential move to Chelsea or Man Utd.

[rincon]

If you do get James you gotta get his country right

[Katy Perry]

The fact that this is happening right after we sold Oscar for a huge amount makes me suspect we're the most likely.

[Kick]

If you do get James you gotta get his country right

My bad. Easy mistake to make, though.

[Kick]

Mikel's agent has said Mikel is very likely to leave Chelsea in Jan:

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/2455146/chelsea-transfer-news-john-obi-mikel-chinese-super-league/

[Katy Perry]

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/573780/Chelsea-Transfer-News-Branislav-Ivanovic-Barcelona
I've seen this rumour some time before and I was skeptical, but now it's getting more serious with even italian newspapers reporting it.

[Kick]

Window officially open.

Conte says he only wants players who fit the system straight away, so we're being linked to his former players

[Shed]

Don't blow the Oscar money just cause we have it pls Marina, Emenalo & Co.

[Kick]

Only linked to Vidal and VVD at the moment, I doubt we'll see much movement this window.

[Kick]

Also, Mikel is in talks with Valencia over a move.

[Katy Perry]

Only linked to Vidal and VVD at the moment, I doubt we'll see much movement this window.

Eh, Vidal's rumour is bs. Deceiving instagram likes and nothing else. Plus this post from the Bundesliga thread

Spoiler:

VVD, no thanks. Not with the 60M pounds that are rumoured. We got a lot of money because Shangai Sipg overpaid, no reason to overpay ourselves. Not in a role that isn't even close to being worrisome atm.

One thing is certain tho, the direction of these rumours is 90% towards a CM or a CB, so if we ever make a move in January, it will most likely be one of those roles. Or at least those are the prime candidates for our signings in the summer.

Also, Mikel is in talks with Valencia over a move.

I can only imagine the frustration he must feel about Chalobah snatching the last 15 min sub role away from him.

No but seriously, like we said in the other thread, he's been a great servant. There were some instances, namely with Ancelotti and RDM, when he truly stepped up his level of play and was very important for us, but he has always failed to follow that upward trajectory or even just replicate it. And that's why he was relegated in his late sub role in the first place and we're selling him right now.

[Kick]

I don't believe any of the current rumours about incoming players.

Conte wants someone who won't have to adapt, so it really narrows down our options.

I only want a wing back, everything else can wait.

[Katy Perry]

I think this is subtle hint that he wants players that he has already worked with either at Juve or at the NT and has full knowledge on how they'd fit in our squad.

And I agree with that. For a january transfer, when it's the mid of the season and the team dynamics have already been sorted out, it would be wiser to bring a player of lesser ceiling but of known and reliable quality rather than a player with lots of potential that would require lot of time to integrate, or even incompatible.

To give an example, I'd rather buy Bernardeschi than James Rodriguez in Jan. He might not have the same skill ceiling of James who has dominated the world stage (although Berna is really freaking good), but he has worked with Conte at the NT and know each other well and would fit right away.

Yea, the wingback situation is worrisome.  I think it's the most important role for a 3man defence system based. Moses and Alonso had a huge impact this season.
Just imagine Ivanovic having to replace Moses and being asked to run the whole flank, constantly take on players, do quick one two passes, provide balls for our forwards . Or us ruining our defensive shape advancing Azpi.

I think Ola Aina has a good opportunity to showcase his abilities and earn Conte trust in our Fa Cup games in January but we still need someone else for wingbacks. Bernardeschi can comfortably play wingback by the way

[Kick]

I agree, Bernadeschi would be a solid option.

When it comes down to it, without European fixtures, our squad is, overall, fine. Costa, Pedro, Hazard, Willian, and Bats are enough depth up top. Fabregas has been playing much better recently so I don't think there is any short term problems at CM with Kante, Matic, Fabregas and Chlobah there. There may be an issue at CB if Conte doesn't trust Terry, Zouma or Ivanovic, we should buy another CB, but if he trusts at least one of them we shouldn't worry until the Summer.

The only issue is the wingbacks. Bernadeschi has played both WB spots, as far as I can tell, so it'd be a decent option. So would Darmian or De Sciglio if we could get them on the cheap.

The Sun are linking us to RicRod, so he could be an option there.

[FennecFox7]

And no mention of Ghoulam? He's been linked to you guys like crazy these past couple days

[Kick]

It's only just been picked up by the English Media today. I'd love him, but he plays for Napoli, so I won't get my hopes up.

We've also been linked to Antonio from West Ham by both the Express and ESPN.

[Sponsored content]