Player Watch Player Watch: Giovani Lo Celso

[TOLBINY]

SSN reporting that Xavia wants him in January

 

[Chello90]

He only had 18 months left on his contract so it's our last opportunity to get a decent fee (same as Hojbjerg).

Although that potentially puts us in a position of losing Sarr & Bissouma to AFCON and Lo Celso and/or Hojbjerg to transfers.

For that reason, I can't see both being sold in January.

 

[aliyid]

He only had 18 months left on his contract so it's our last opportunity to get a decent fee (same as Hojbjerg).

Although that potentially puts us in a position of losing Sarr & Bissouma to AFCON and Lo Celso and/or Hojbjerg to transfers.

For that reason, I can't see both being sold in January.

If we can get a decent price and replacement for the same /slightly higher value then I think it's worth doing a deal.

He's never going to be a regular starter for us and I'm sure he'll want to take the opportunity to go to Barca. my only concern is the financial position Barca are in means they're unlikely to offer anywhere near enough for Levy to consider accepting and we'll just lose him on a free end of next season

 

[Ghost Hardware]

If we can get a decent price and replacement for the same /slightly higher value then I think it's worth doing a deal.

He's never going to be a regular starter for us and I'm sure he'll want to take the opportunity to go to Barca. my only concern is the financial position Barca are in means they're unlikely to offer anywhere near enough for Levy to consider accepting and we'll just lose him on a free end of next season

Barca can't afford him, even if they sell Raphinha they can't afford him. They want a cheap loan without any sort of obligation. Their primary focus is on getting their money up so they can retain Felix and Cancelo which at the moment looks near impossible.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

He only had 18 months left on his contract so it's our last opportunity to get a decent fee (same as Hojbjerg).

Although that potentially puts us in a position of losing Sarr & Bissouma to AFCON and Lo Celso and/or Hojbjerg to transfers.

For that reason, I can't see both being sold in January.

He knows our system now, same for PEH and with Sarr & Biss off to Afcon and Maddison and Bentancur out I don't want us to sell either of them this Jan, we'd be absolutely screwed.

I think GLC has a part to play long-term under Ange anyway and once we are back in Europe he will get decent game time.

 

[Thenewcat]

If we can get a decent price and replacement for the same /slightly higher value then I think it's worth doing a deal.

He's never going to be a regular starter for us and I'm sure he'll want to take the opportunity to go to Barca. my only concern is the financial position Barca are in means they're unlikely to offer anywhere near enough for Levy to consider accepting and we'll just lose him on a free end of next season

The idea of selling either PEH or Gio without a replacement is bonkers, and if one is going I’d much much rather it was PEH. Selling both to get decent fees is classic robbing Peter to pay Paul, could easily cost us a CL place given AFCON and the injuries to Bents and Madders. I’m not ready for a world where Oliver Skipp is our only senior midfielder

 

[smithym]

The redemption of Gio is going to be a thing of beauty, always had the talent (just ask Messi), but has played on countless negative managers, now with Ange he can finally cook

He’s made toast so far. Decent toast don’t get me wrong, but still toast.

 

[JamieSpursCommunityUser]

The idea of selling either PEH or Gio without a replacement is bonkers, and if one is going I’d much much rather it was PEH. Selling both to get decent fees is classic robbing Peter to pay Paul, could easily cost us a CL place given AFCON and the injuries to Bents and Madders. I’m not ready for a world where Oliver Skipp is our only senior midfielder

I agree it depends on the replacement.

But if the opportunity is there in January to get Gallagher + maybe a winger then I can see us letting Gio go.

Chelsea need a big homegrown sale to buy a striker within FFP.

We'd have Maddison (10, R/LWF), Kulu (RWF/10), Gallagher (8/10), and Donley (10/9).

Better depth in multiple positions and a pathway for Donley.

We'd be better off short and long term.

I don't think Gio will renew in the summer. Down to 1 year. He'll be 28 with 3-4 years at his peak.

He'll want to be a nailed on starter somewhere, enjoy playing in his best position, and stay in the Argentina team.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

The idea of selling either PEH or Gio without a replacement is bonkers, and if one is going I’d much much rather it was PEH. Selling both to get decent fees is classic robbing Peter to pay Paul, could easily cost us a CL place given AFCON and the injuries to Bents and Madders. I’m not ready for a world where Oliver Skipp is our only senior midfielder

I just don't understand why we would wan't to sell Gio in general. He's been very good since he's started getting regular mins. I get the contract argument but if he is happy with a rotation role and continues to impress i'd still be more on the side of renewing then selling.

I think we really have to remember how fortunate we have been to be playing so little football thus far this season. Once we start having multiple games a week then rotation is going to be key. Fact is Ange's tactics require very high fitness levels and there is no possible way we will be able to succeed on all fronts playing the same 11 players every match. The whole squad will need to be utilised regularly especially if we are in any of the European cups alongside the domestic ones.

 

[HedgieSpur]

He knows our system now, same for PEH and with Sarr & Biss off to Afcon and Maddison and Bentancur out I don't want us to sell either of them this Jan, we'd be absolutely screwed.

I think GLC has a part to play long-term under Ange anyway and once we are back in Europe he will get decent game time.

I don't think he's remotely consistent, mobile, strong, skilful or quick to have a long term future under Ange. I do think he's gifted and at times produces some wondrous stuff, but just don't see him flourishing in the Ange system on a regular basis.

 

[TOLBINY]

The idea of selling either PEH or Gio without a replacement is bonkers, and if one is going I’d much much rather it was PEH. Selling both to get decent fees is classic robbing Peter to pay Paul, could easily cost us a CL place given AFCON and the injuries to Bents and Madders. I’m not ready for a world where Oliver Skipp is our only senior midfielder

Think we should sell them both in January if we can get a reasonable fee, we can wait til late in the window and then we loan or buy someone to cover. The Phillips and Gallagher rumours have resurfaced again today, so maybe one of them.

If we eneded up with one game with Skipp, Madders and Deki in midfield till Biss and Sarr return is not the end of the world.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

I don't think he's remotely consistent, mobile, strong, skilful or quick to have a long term future under Ange. I do think he's gifted and at times produces some wondrous stuff, but just don't see him flourishing in the Ange system on a regular basis.

As a squad player I meant not as a starter.

 

[talkshowhost86]

I don't think he's remotely consistent, mobile, strong, skilful or quick to have a long term future under Ange. I do think he's gifted and at times produces some wondrous stuff, but just don't see him flourishing in the Ange system on a regular basis.

Yep this is pretty much where I am with Gio.

Just not the right player for the system and not fit enough to be a reliable squad player.

A shame as he's obviously really talented. I think he'll flourish in the right team.

 

[Thenewcat]

Think we should sell them both in January if we can get a reasonable fee, we can wait til late in the window and then we loan or buy someone to cover. The Phillips and Gallagher rumours have resurfaced again today, so maybe one of them.

If we eneded up with one game with Skipp, Madders and Deki in midfield till Biss and Sarr return is not the end of the world.

One game? That depends on a) Maddison returning on schedule, not a certainty and b) having no other injuries. It also as things stand would leave us with only Gil as cover for the front 3 with Kulu in midfield. The idea that we sell first then hope to complete deals late in the window (Notoriously hard anyway and everyone would know we were desperate) is pure insanity imo

 

[eddiev14]

Aren’t Barcelona effectively broke?!

 

[mil1lion]

Aren’t Barcelona effectively broke?!

They're a broke club who still make signings though

 

[yido_number1]

I agree it depends on the replacement.

But if the opportunity is there in January to get Gallagher + maybe a winger then I can see us letting Gio go.

Chelsea need a big homegrown sale to buy a striker within FFP.

We'd have Maddison (10, R/LWF), Kulu (RWF/10), Gallagher (8/10), and Donley (10/9).

Better depth in multiple positions and a pathway for Donley.

We'd be better off short and long term.

I don't think Gio will renew in the summer. Down to 1 year. He'll be 28 with 3-4 years at his peak.

He'll want to be a nailed on starter somewhere, enjoy playing in his best position, and stay in the Argentina team.

I wouldn't want Gallagher having watched him this year. Better than PEH but not what we need.

 

[Pochemon94]

They're a broke club who still make signings though

exactly, they keep pulling those "levers" and are essentially forcing La Liga to hit them with a ban or point deduction because they know that La Liga without Barca or Real Madrid would essentially fold.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

They're a broke club who still make signings though

More Barca woe: Spending limit cut by €379m

Barcelona's financial woes continued on Thursday as LaLiga slashed their spending cap by almost €400 million ($429m) for the new season, from €649m to €270m.

www.espn.co.uk

And specifically about Roque who they might not be able to register in Jan.

FC Barcelona’s Vitor Roque Arrival ‘Impossible’ Amid Financial Fair Play Issues: Reports

Vitor Roque's expected January arrival at FC Barcelona is in jeopardy because of the club's Financial Fair Play issues according to the Catalan media.

www.forbes.com

They had to sell Dembele for €50 mil to balance books and got very favourable loan deals for Cancelo and Felix. The fact is it’s not just about spending for them it’s about registering players which has been a big issue. I’m fairly sure they will be looking to offload Raphinha as he has been underwhelming and on very high wages, plus they think they can get a good fee for him but even then they are still struggling. Plus there’s talk about Araujo to BM, They still need to raise funds for Cancelo and Felix who they want to keep. Buying Gio would be a very big ask.

 

[jezz]

Conor Gallagher is a cheap version of Sarr no thanks