18 Jan 2020 11:06:32
Hey ed001
Seeing as Ed002 stated that LM AM CB are most likely the positions to be looked at who are your choices for the positions as I've always found your choices have been different from the usual media dribble

LM fabian Ruiz/ Saul niguez
AM hassouem aouar/ Kai havertz
CB Diego Carlos / kalidou Koulibaly

Any of that six in my eyes would see us dominate . Fantasy stuff I know but interested to see if you have a few names I've not heard of

Cheers.

{Ed001's Note - cb would be Konate of RB Leipzig for me. I am pretty sure he can cover right-back as well, but I might be wrong on that and getting him mixed up with one of the other Leipzig defenders.

We don't really play with a left-sided midfielder, so I am going to assume you mean that left-side of a midfield 3? We certainly don't need anyone further forward as Minamino has added cover there. In which case Saul would be great, I would have liked Ndombele but Spurs got him, but personally I am not sure we need one unless Keita is going and Grujic's work permit is unattainable. If we do there is always Pellegrini or Barella who could be interesting options there.

I really don't know what we need an attacking mid for the way we play. We have not used one much and we do have Keita, Lallana and Ox who could all play that role. Now we have added Minamino who can do so as well. Doesn't feel like a needed signing to me, unless Keita is given up on. If we do feel the need, the obvious ones are Havertz, Bruno Fernandes and James Maddison. I have to be honest though, I personally would rather just give Curtis Jones the chance to play the role.}

18 Jan 2020 11:31:59
CB I'd love Kabasele to replace Lovren as back up. Don't really see any better than Gomez. Kabasele also seems to struggle for fitness though. Ed002 hinted at Diego Carlos but I've never seen him play.

CM (left of the 3) I'd be really tempted to try a bid for Kante to be honest. Chelsea are not winning anything major in the next few years and he's too good to not be winning.

AM I agree with Tris on giving Jones a chance seeing as he's come through learning our system. Maddison is too lazy off the ball, Fernandes hasn't really kicked on this season, and Havertz looks better on the wing so not convinced he's right for our team. AM's just don't seem to fit.

{Ed001's Note - Kabasele? He is awful 9 times out of 10 mate. He just shows up every so often and gets loads of plaudits, then is hopeless for the rest of the season.}

18 Jan 2020 11:43:33
Thanks for the information, Ed.
How close is Keita to being ‘given up on’ so to speak?
I absolutely adore him as a player, but his injury record truly stinks. He is a £60m player trapped inside a sugar glass body.

{Ed001's Note - it is getting close mate. The one thing that is likely to see him given one more season is purely because it is going to be difficult to recoup anything much for him in the summer.}

18 Jan 2020 12:13:40
Yeah I meant on the left of a midfield 3 i personally think keita when fit can be a great player but unfortunately I think the club will give up on him soon .

Agree with jones getting a chance aswell I’d like to see him get a real good chance with us as he looks to have a bit about him

Cheers Ed.

18 Jan 2020 12:22:00
Aside from Virgil, aren't most modern centre backs awful 9 times out 10 😅.

{Ed001's Note - I guess, but that is why we should look for the ones that aren't. They are about.}

18 Jan 2020 12:23:19
How do you rate tonalli of brescia, haven't seen him play but everytime I go to read something football related there's nearly always something about him.

{Ed001's Note - I have only seen him play once, and I was watching that game for a player profile on someone on the other team, so wasn't really taking much notice. Sorry.}

18 Jan 2020 12:18:26
Ed01, Konate is a man-mountain of a player. What in the States we call, "A Freak of Nature" physically. And with all that, he is lightening quick for a CB and alongside the other "Freak" Upamecano, RBL drew the long straw on having that CB pairing.

I watched Konate play at RBL a lot (mostly watching Naby before he came to us) in the EL semi-final and he was brilliant even tho Upamecano gets most of the publicity, IMO. Very comfortable on the ball, can pass out of the back and take the ball forward from defence. Not saying we should get him BUT jsut saying that I would not mind him based on what I have seen from him.

{Ed001's Note - I like him too.}

18 Jan 2020 15:17:40
Ed1, taking a look at the whole team, what would you strengthen and what would be your ideal players for those spots (either youth or transfers)? I know you've wanted FB depth, but was curious as to your take on potential additions.

{Ed001's Note - other than full back cover we only really need a centre-back, as we can't trust the ones we have, other than Virgil, to stay fit. It is then a case of buying replacement for players that leave. No idea about full-back cover, just a couple of players who could rotate in and out but I don't know who I would choose. Thinking about it, I would probably just buy a left-back and give Williams the chance to play a few games on the right. Add Konate and then it is a case of seeing who leaves and try and replace them with a better player.}

18 Jan 2020 15:18:13
Great shout for Jones. Can't help but admire the kid's tenacity. Personally feel a defensive signing would be nice, someone who can fill several roles, as I assume Lovren will move on in the summer. A left centerback that can cover Robertson as well?

{Ed001's Note - defo need a centre back I think. Can't trust Matip or Lovren to stay fit through a full season.}

18 Jan 2020 16:17:47
Hello ed what’s your opinion on Ben white the Leeds defender?

{Ed001's Note - very good player, but overplays on the ball now. He needs a season back at Brighton to develop.}

18 Jan 2020 16:24:01
Hi eds,

What full backs have we been looking at to 'rotate in and out'?

Thanks.

18 Jan 2020 16:28:08
Hi Ed, given what you know about Keita (from what you've seen of his ability, his role at the club, anything you might have heard about his attitude etc etc), what would be your course of action if it was up to you? Do you think the club are right to be close to giving up on the project?
Thanks!

{Ed001's Note - yes, he has been injured too much. If you want to win trophies you have to be ruthless.}

18 Jan 2020 16:55:38
Thanks Ed!

{Ed001's Note - very welcome.}

18 Jan 2020 17:53:37
Naby Ox and Shaq are always injured. But the other two seem to have an impact when they play, rather than Naby who doesn’t effect the game bar the odd goal.

18 Jan 2020 18:08:01
Sadly we can't trust gomez to stay fit either.

18 Jan 2020 18:20:49
PB, Kabasele is dreadful.

18 Jan 2020 22:55:09
Thanks for the reply ed,

{Ed001's Note - my reply was actually incorrect. It should have said once this season. I have seen him in the past, but youngsters can change a lot so I would like to see him play again before passing comment.}