29 Aug 2023 19:12:02
Good evening

Question for Ed001

Just wondering with the squad we have (including injuries), who do you think (if anybody) we should go for to improve the first 11.

Many thanks in advance.

{Ed001's Note - you still need a number 1 keeper and a right-back imo. They are the priorities. You can't rely on James to stay fit and Sanchez is nowhere near good enough, I don't understand why you even signed him. Costa and Maignan look the best options for the keeping position, with maybe Oblak as a third option. Surely Cancelo has to be worth a look at right-back?}

1.) 30 Aug 2023
30 Aug 2023 06:44:34
We have Gusto at right back to cover for James?

{Ed001's Note - yes but James needs replacing not covering. You can't have a player who is out more than he is in and hope to compete at the top.}

2.) 30 Aug 2023
30 Aug 2023 07:35:38
I see your point on James, Ed001, and it's definitely something to monitor going forward. But Poch did just make him the team's captain. Hard to see him being full on replaced.

If they do get someone in to replace him surely the club would sell him. Clubs would be lining up to take Reece. His injury struggles are worrying and somewhat annoying, but when on the pitch he's a force like few other fullbacks in world football.

3.) 30 Aug 2023
30 Aug 2023 08:42:05
Ed001, there is another issue regarding James’s absence through injury. When he recovers his game time is managed, then he starts for a few games but his performance level is well down; after that he has a run of games back to normal and then…….

{Ed001's Note - I was going to say that, but it is not worth the hassle for me to say anything like that about a Chelsea player as it brings abuse if I don't say they are the greatest ever in every performance!}

4.) 30 Aug 2023
30 Aug 2023 10:11:52
Personally I think RJ is not the correct body composition for a full back.

He is heavy, therefore not a surprise he gets muscular injuries when his job is to do 'doggies' for 90 minutes.

I think lose weight (I'm not saying he's fat) or change position.

{Ed001's Note - I have often wondered that myself. It is not like he can't play in midfield, which he seems more suited to imo. His defensive awareness can be very lacking at times, so I would not see him as a short-term option at centre-back, though as he learns the game it may end up being his long-term position.}

5.) 30 Aug 2023
30 Aug 2023 11:01:22
Yes, CB or maybe right of a midfield three. He's send to do a lot of good work in that channel. A big adaption to make obviously.

There's clearly a great player there though.

{Ed001's Note - I am not sure it takes too much to go from full-back to right-sided mid in the modern game. It is a very similar role as the mid often covers the full-back anyway.}

6.) 30 Aug 2023
30 Aug 2023 12:14:51
Problem solved then! Ha.

Have a good day.

{Ed001's Note - let's hope something solves his injury problems, it is never nice to see someone struggle with injuries. Well maybe it is not so bad when it is someone like Neymar, but when it is a decent human being it is not nice.}

7.) 30 Aug 2023
30 Aug 2023 13:18:12
I agree with your assessment Ed. I made a post in the same way about we need to be better but of course some didn't think so. In that post I was particular about cancelo as he can cover both wingbacks and none of them can sustain fitness for a long period. Wingbacks are critical to how poch likes to play and a utility player like cancelo could help with support for both of them.

Then I also mentioned that we are round-triping about the goalkeeper when petrovic was being rumoured to be signed. Some even opined that he's so good enough that he would displace sanchez before December and that cec was unknown when he arrived and petrovic will be similar and all that.

I also said that we need to bring in some more experienced players to compliment our young talented players to bring in balance. All through young players made arsenal perennial underachievers during wenger last years. So I agree with you on what we need to be better. there are some free agents that can help as squad players.

8.) 30 Aug 2023
30 Aug 2023 15:45:16
Thank you Rd for taking time to respond both to my original post ans subsequent posts on this subject.

{Ed001's Note - very welcome Bill.}

9.) 30 Aug 2023
30 Aug 2023 18:44:03
Ed001, whilst I do have concerns about about RJ, and I don’t think Sanchez is good enough to be first choice GK. I really don’t see anyone coming in this summer in those positions now. If you were signing a forward/ wife forward for Chelsea who would you go for?

{Ed001's Note - Balogun from Arsenal. I think they are making a mistake letting him go.}