I think its kind of perverse that Chelsea can immediately go and sign the best player on a team that beat them in the champions league this year, only for him to most likely end up sitting on the bench for the rest of the season due to their overabundance of talent. It almost seems like a deliberate fuck you to Basel, that or just an indifferent splashing of cash by ownership who are obsessed with acquiring more and more shiny baubles for the never ending vanity project that is Chelsea FC. Either way it definitely sucks for Basel, and for Liverpool, who could really use another winger.
Chelsea seem to play a lot of football off the pitch. Throwing their financial weight around and attempting to dictate play outside of their club. sometimes blocking clubs deals for particular players, sometimes strengthening other clubs with loans/sales, with the plan it will suit their agenda. Don't get me wrong... that's world football, it's just that Chelsea are one of the big boys and do it so obviously.
That said, the Mata-salah situation appears to also be a sound piece of business. If Mata doesn't fit Mourinhos system then I'd say now is the time to move him on for max profit. 13.5m profit on soon to be 26yr old Mata, 10-11m spent on 21yr old Salah. Come out a few million on top with a promising pacey winger to keep the bench warm and maybe burn some defenders in the final stages of matches.
To be honest, as a spurs supporter, I am actually glad he went to Chelsea over Liverpool. Chelsea are cemented in the top 2 this season, imo and therefor aren't direct rivals for the final CL spot. Liverpool are however and the less they strengthen the better, as come the end of march squad depth and rotation will prove to be pivotal in the run in to the end of the season and Liverpool are looking a little thin.
Anyway there hasn't been a whole lot of action in the thread of late. The premiere League has been ripping so far. Anyone care to give an updated prediction of the top of the ladder in May?
Im going with:
City
Chelsea
Arse
Tottenham (wishful thinking)
I think United will finish below Liverpool but will get past Everton and finish in 6th.