12 Jul 2018 13:11:26
Ed001 I'd love to hear your opinion on who, as a realistic option (ie not Messi), would be best placed to replace Hazard?

It'd be really sad for our most naturally gifted attacking player to leave, just as we are about to hire a coach who demands attacking football, after so many years of pragmatic tactics.

{Ed001's Note - Sarri does not tend to have the fast dribbling type like Hazard, he plays a quick passing game. It would probably be better to have a Suso, Nabil Fekir sort of player than Hazard. Someone who can be the creative hub in midfield. Jorginho will go some way towards helping, but you need more.}

1.) 12 Jul 2018
12 Jul 2018 13:33:40
Hopefully we keep hold of Hazard but let's see who is willing to pay a near world record fee. What are your thoughts on Jorginho Ed1? It's a steal for us, man city must be gutted.

{Ed001's Note - I am not convinced he is suited to English football personally, he is a bit on the slow side. He is just a slight upgrade on Fabregas in terms of mobility. Might well need to be used in a Matic-type role, of sitting, but lacks a bit defensively. Mind a lot of that could be the way Sarri sets out the team, it does leave the defence exposed. If he can adapt then he will be great, but it is a big change.}

2.) 12 Jul 2018
12 Jul 2018 13:41:09
Thanks for your reply, interesting to hear that as I thought Hazard would be an upgrade to the role Insigne played at Napoli.

I like Fekir, has an air of quality about him. I'll be delighted when Jorginho is confirmed, great player who'll dictate games for us.

{Ed001's Note - I was thinking Hazard would not want to play the wider role.}

3.) 12 Jul 2018
12 Jul 2018 13:50:13
obviously Fekir seems to be Liverpool and id think suso is not good enough ( could be wrong) but are you aware of any players like fekir and suso who would fit the mould? I think mount will suit sarri well but he is a year too early to start. cheers for the info Ed.

{Ed001's Note - why not just give someone like Loftus-Cheek a chance?}

4.) 12 Jul 2018
12 Jul 2018 14:34:42
Loftus-Cheek in midfield with Kante and Jorginho has amazing potential. Those three with Bakayoko, Fabregas and Barkley already offer a decent midfield squad. Mount will hopefully be ready to replace Fabregas in the next couple of years.

5.) 12 Jul 2018
12 Jul 2018 14:56:51
fair point on loftus cheek, I just don't think it will happen. everton or palace for him I reckon. that's just a hunch, I think we messed him about too long.

6.) 12 Jul 2018
12 Jul 2018 15:42:45
I think he, and other youngsters, have to be realistic. He can be in our first team squad, play a lot but not all games, or he can be the focal point at a team like Palace.

I think succeeding at a club like Chelsea for someone like Loftus-Cheek means trusting in your ability to go from bit part player to focal point.

7.) 12 Jul 2018
12 Jul 2018 15:52:53
Hazard is going to have a great season under Sarri ( if he stays) can not wait to see him in an attacking side with the shackles off.

8.) 12 Jul 2018
12 Jul 2018 21:24:03
Is Mertens Calejan or Insigne not fast dribbling wingers ed? I’ve only seen little bits of the 3 but I thought they were similar in style but like I said I’ve not seen enough I’m just asking your expertise mate.

{Ed001's Note - I was meaning central, as Hazard had said he wanted to play more central. Mertens is a false 9 these days, the sort of role I expected Hazard to take up really. Callejon is not really a dribbler, he is a quick passer with good delivery and decent height to get on the end of balls in. Insigne though is a very fast dribbling winger, someone who would be a good signing for Chelsea.}