It’s been a hectic few days here in the Transfer Tavern in the aftermath of Deadline Day, and the Chelsea punters are only just managing to catch their breath.
The club were one of the busiest in the Premier League on the final day of the window as they looked to get signings in to help cement their place in the top three.
With no European football this season, many expect the Stamford Bridge club to challenge for the title this season and the local Blues fans will hope new signings Marcos Alonso and the returning David Luiz can help see that happen.
It’s going to be an interesting season seeing Antonio Conte try and immediately reverse his team’s fortunes after last season, and he has made a good start whilst it’s also pleasing for him to see his new fans haven’t lost their sense of humour.
Our landlord has been cracking up at Twitter over the last few days as the Blues react to the latest stories, and only thinks it’s right to share NINE of the best with everyone else…
Alonso at left-back
Chelsea fans reacting to the fact that Ivanovic will be benched after the Alonso signing. pic.twitter.com/gousr1fx1Z
— Chelsea Transfers (@CFCTransfers) August 31, 2016
Many expect Alonso to come in at left-back which will see Cesar Azpilicueta switch over to his favoured right side.
Naturally, this means Branislav Ivanovic will be see playing time limited and that’s certainly left many of the Stamford Bridge crowd in good spirits.
Let’s just hope for all their sakes Alonso actually does a decent job now or the Serbian will be back.
Chelsea-PSG Conspiracy?
https://twitter.com/Murphy1Sam/status/770997653714898944
Arsenal fans, world champions in coming up with conspiracy theories. They don’t have much else to do these days. https://t.co/xUs9tddnMa
— Chels HQ (@Chels_HQ) August 31, 2016
Chelsea and Arsenal’s rivalry is well documented so any chance one has to get one over the other will be snapped up.
Here, an Arsenal fan seems to think that PSG and Chelsea are in some form of alliance sparking a rather cutting response.
This tweet certainly got the Gunners and Blues fans in the Tavern going too.
New Roberto Carlos?
SPANISH ROBERTO CARLOS
— A (@LoftusCheeked) August 31, 2016
It’s early days of course but as always some fans think any latest new signing is the best thing since sliced bread, or in this case, a legendary Brazilian left-back.
If Alonso does replicate the career of Roberto Carlos he’d certainly be one hell of a signing, but there’s a long way to go, not least because the former Real Madrid hero doesn’t have spells at Sunderland and Bolton on his CV.
Take a bow, son
YOU WILL NEVER SEE ANYTHING LIKE THIS EVER AGAIN!
SO WATCH IT, DRINK IT IN!— Uber Chelsea FC (@UberChelseaFC_) August 31, 2016
Meanwhile a certain David Luiz returned to the club on the same day as Alonso and fans for the most part certainly seemed happy.
Here in the Transfer Tavern we’re not sure whether this tweet is in fact from commentator Martin Tyler or an impostor, but either-way the reaction of the announcement has clearly gone down a treat with many of the Blues faithful.
Back to earth with a bump
@premierleague @DavidLuiz_4 Nice. But I love the multiple incidents of chasing down out of defence leaving massive gaps behind 😂👏
— Benny V 🎶 (@ItsBennyV) September 1, 2016
It wasn’t long until the Blues decided to tweet one of David Luiz’s most famous goals from his first spell – a howitzer at Fulham.
There were some more tactically astute observers though who noticed the Brazilian may have a decent strike on him, but he also goes walk-about quite a bit and for every time he does find the net, he does in fact make defensive errors far more often.
Who?
https://twitter.com/SucioBilly/status/768849749634080768
Before the signings of Alonso and Luiz though, the Blues did actually sign veteran goalkeeper Eduardo.
It was a deal that didn’t exactly capture the imagination with under a week of the window left, and some were left in no doubt as to what they really wanted the club to sign.
Perhaps this tweet kicked them into gear then. Then again maybe not…
Transfer strategy rethink needed
https://twitter.com/LoveCescMagic/status/770214258474975232
So whilst the club started their search for defenders some were hoping for a late blockbuster move by signing James Rodriguez from Real Madrid.
The Colombian hasn’t been a huge success in Spain and many felt a move may have benefited him, but as it turned out nothing came of it.
One can only wonder why the deal never went through, but if Chelsea really did approach negotiations like this, they only have themselves to blame.
Training ground insight
When David Luiz goes on the overlap and asks Kante for the ball…https://t.co/W0Xy30LKsd
— Uber Chelsea FC (@UberChelseaFC_) August 30, 2016
So now the squad is finalised until January at least the conversation now focusses on how the new players are going to work together.
New boy N’Golo Kante has settled straight in by the looks of it, but many are interested to see how he copes with David Luiz playing behind him in defence.
It could just look like this video above and if it does the Blues are going to be in trouble fast.
Kante has a plan
Kante threatening David Luiz to not run forward from defence pic.twitter.com/NfQeFrBVwC
— All Day Chelsea FC (@AllDayChelseaFC) September 1, 2016
But knowing N’Golo Kante he’ll have read this situation weeks ago and already has a plan for stopping the Brazilian centre half.
Whether it actually involves a giant panda suit remains to be seen, but here in the Transfer Tavern we’re all hoping it does.
Over to you N’Golo, we can’t wait to see it all unfold against Swansea on the 11th.
