Alex to Chelsea

[D.Boon]

Have heard very little about this in the press but him going to Chelsea will be interesting.

 

I think he has been arguably the best centre half in the Champions League for the last 2 seasons.

 

He has just had a good Copa America as a key part part of an unusualy strong Brazilian defence. Id be worried if i was Carvalho.

[Guest Sabre]

Carvalho is brilliant though. It will be interesting to see how they keep Alex and Ben Haim happy

[D.Boon]

Carvalho is brilliant though. It will be interesting to see how they keep Alex and Ben Haim happy

 

Agreed. Excellent trio of centre halves.

[Falconhoof]

Ben Haim will do as he's told and be happy about it. Alex is better than John Terry, just a question of how quickly he settles into the new culture. An awesome signing for them. Everything Chelsea screwed up last seaon they have put right in the close season, should be clear favourites for the league.

[Maldini]

Alex is nowhere near as good as Terry IMO. Terry is probably the best defender in the world. Alex is dominant physically, he's very strong and very quick, but he's not a very clever defender, like say Carvalho or Carra. I don't think he's better than Terry or Carvalho and in effect he's replacing Gallas who left last summer, I don't think he's as good as him either. Good back up though.

[Guest 70400]

Alex is nowhere near as good as Terry IMO. Terry is probably the best defender in the world. Alex is dominant physically, he's very strong and very quick, but he's not a very clever defender, like say Carvalho or Carra. I don't think he's better than Terry or Carvalho and in effect he's replacing Gallas who left last summer, I don't think he's as good as him either. Good back up though.

 

 

I agree, except the Terry best defender int he world bit.

 

Nesta probably is, because is so clever in addition to other qualities a defender should have.

[Maldini]

I'd have agreed a year or two ago, but I think he's lost a yard of pace, he's still fantastic though.

[Falconhoof]

Alex is nowhere near as good as Terry IMO. Terry is probably the best defender in the world. Alex is dominant physically, he's very strong and very quick, but he's not a very clever defender, like say Carvalho or Carra. I don't think he's better than Terry or Carvalho and in effect he's replacing Gallas who left last summer, I don't think he's as good as him either. Good back up though.

 

Why is Terry the best defender in the world ? He's very good, no doubt about that but his game is all about dominating the physical battles in this league, i'm not sure he has the extra something, intelligence maybe, to make him the best. Alex is quicker, stronger and a better passer of the ball, he's also less likely to spend 90 minutes complaining to the referee. Alex may not adapt to this league but he has all the attributes to, Chelsea will be harder to beat than ever as they have excellent cover all over the pitch.

[Ben 23]

Everything Chelsea screwed up last seaon they have put right in the close season, should be clear favourites for the league.

 

Have they even got a right back yet?

[Cobs]

Have they even got a right back yet?

 

Essien, Geremi and i even believe the mighty Glen Johnson is returning

 

 

wouldn't surprise me to see them get Alves though

[D.Boon]

I cant see any problem with him adapting. He is massive, strong and quick. He is also a much better reader of the game than some on here give him credit for

[Rich Gobey]

Essien, Geremi and i even believe the mighty Glen Johnson is returning

wouldn't surprise me to see them get Alves though

 

Geremi has gone hasn't he?

[sutty]

Not cconvinced by Chelsea

 

If Robben and SWP go as seems likely, they don't have a huge amount out wide. Malouda and Joe Cole. That's it.

[fred milne]

Not cconvinced by Chelsea

Despite having the likes of Cech, Terry, J Cole and Robben out injured for extended periods they still ran Utd pretty close last year.

 

I think they'll be the team to beat this season.

[Stevie H]

Essien, Geremi and i even believe the mighty Glen Johnson is returning

wouldn't surprise me to see them get Alves though

geremi's gone to barcodes. mourinho's now trying to use jonhson as bait to get chimbonda. essien's been earmarked for a central midfield job this season apparently. plus they've still got that dog paolo ferreira.

 

wouldn't surprise me to see them get alves either.

[Stevie H]

Despite having the likes of Cech, Terry, J Cole and Robben out injured for extended periods they still ran Utd pretty close last year.

 

I think they'll be the team to beat this season.

drogba was phenomenal last season to be fair, can't see him being that stand-out again surely? plus he'll be missing for a big chunk of this season. as will essien.

[fred milne]

drogba was phenomenal last season to be fair, can't see him being that stand-out again surely?

You have to think that the same will apply to Ronaldo too, though.

 

The African Nations Cup is an issue for them - not so much with Essien (they are well-covered in CM), more with Drogba.

[Bailo]

geremi's gone to barcodes. mourinho's now trying to use jonhson as bait to get chimbonda. essien's been earmarked for a central midfield job this season apparently. plus they've still got that dog paolo ferreira.

 

wouldn't surprise me to see them get alves either.

Be delighted if they pay £15m for Chimbonda.

[Stevie H]

You have to think that the same will apply to Ronaldo too, though.

 

The African Nations Cup is an issue for them - not so much with Essien (they are well-covered in CM), more with Drogba.

yeah, that's got to be true. more clubs must have seen how well doubling up on ronaldo worked.

 

mikel will go to the ACN as well, think that's why mourinho's not let makelele go this summer.

 

and he's already signed a temporary replacement for drogba in tal ben haim.

[_00_deathscar]

Not cconvinced by Chelsea

 

If Robben and SWP go as seems likely, they don't have a huge amount out wide. Malouda and Joe Cole. That's it.

 

"That's it"?

[Stevie H]

Not cconvinced by Chelsea

 

If Robben and SWP go as seems likely, they don't have a huge amount out wide. Malouda and Joe Cole. That's it.

reports are saying they're signing that young dutch lad royston drenthe to replace robben.

[fred milne]

and he's already signed a temporary replacement for drogba in tal ben haim.

The new Huth. I like it.

[sutty]

"That's it"?

Malouda hasn't played for them and Cole spent pretty much all of last season injured. They can't play every game. Who replaces them when they don't? I'm at a loss to come up with a name. So yes, that's it.

 

The other thing is that the Chelsea side that won the league was based on the 4-5-1/4-3-3 thing. They haven't shown much evidence of intent to switch back to that.