Topic: Salomon Kalou

[IamSpartacus]

We do, but if we are shipping out some of our squad players they need replacedd too do they not ?
I think, depening on what Brendan Rodgers plan in tyerms of ins and out,  a mix of both is what we need - squad and first team players.
He's on a free, he's quick, he scores a few so I say why not
I dont for one minute think he's a brilliant player but if he's part of a number of sumer signings then depending on who the others are I'm ok with it

Rather than 8/9 first team and 10/12 second team why not a first team of 20 quality players.

[Jizz Capuchin]

Rather than 8/9 first team and 10/12 second team why not a first team of 20 quality players.

Cos they only let you play 11 you fucking egit. Do you think a footy forum is the place for you if you honesty think we can sneak 20 payers on the pitch? Even City wouldn't try that.   

[shook]

The way to hedge against his signing becoming a bust is to try and get him on only a 3 yr contract, with average squad wages rather than a J.Cole type scenario - i.e a nightmare.  Better to give a slightly higher signing on fee than bump up the weekly wage, as at least he can be sold off without as much difficulty unlike Joe Albatross Cole.

[ziggyy]

Cos they only let you play 11 you fucking egit. Do you think a footy forum is the place for you if you honesty think we can sneak 20 payers on the pitch? Even City wouldn't try that.   

yernited plays with 12 whenever Webb is around though...

[Grobbelrevell]

I said:

if the terms are right is the crucial point

- and with Joe Cole (thanks to Cecil) they clearly weren't.

[-Q-]

Rather than 8/9 first team and 10/12 second team why not a first team of 20 quality players.

Because we are not City.  We live in the real world.

You need a first team of ~15 players and ~10 good quality support players.

At the moment we have:
1st team quality:
Reina
Johnson, Kelly, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique
Lucas, Gerrard,
Suarez, Carroll

Good quality back-up:
Henderson, Bellamy, Doni

Meh back-up:
Downing, Adam, Spearing, Cole, Carragher

Youngsters:
Shelvey, Sterling, Gulasci

I'd say Kalou fits into the "good quality back-up" category but he would get into our first team at present.  If we can upgrade on the "Meh" players and get good quality replacements for very little money, then I think it is a very clever strategy.  We need a couple of quality players, but our first team is very strong.  We struggle when we lose Lucas or Gerrard or Suarez etc for large parts of the season (2/3, 1/2 and 1/4 respectively last year). 

I think a lot of people are looking at rumours of us spending £7m for Gylfi, getting Diame and Kalou on a free and assuming these will be our only signings.  If we go into next seasons with Diame, Gylfi and Kalou instead of Spearing, Adam and Kuyt we have improved our squad, without a doubt in my mind.  However, I agree that this won't be enough, we do also need a couple of first team players - but that doesn't necessarily make this transfer a bad one.

[Grobbelrevell]

I think a lot of people are looking at rumours of us spending £7m for Gylfi, getting Diame and Kalou on a free and assuming these will be our only signings.  If we go into next seasons with Diame, Gylfi and Kalou instead of Spearing, Adam and Kuyt we have improved our squad, without a doubt in my mind.  However, I agree that this won't be enough, we do also need a couple of first team players - but that doesn't necessarily make this transfer a bad one.

I agree with that.

[Mr Rossi]

I dont think we'll be making anymore then 4 signings myself.

[Robbo1980]

We only need 4, especially with Sterling getting older he will get more games, Suso stronger now and ready for a nursed step up, Joe Cole will be given a chance, Pacheco??...CF, Wide man, Gyilfi & DM cover....

[smurfinaus]

Kalou is shite. I dont want us signing other EPL teams crappy rejects :/

[Mr Rossi]

Sterling and Suso aren't ready to be relied on yet, but I agree we dont need to be signing anymore then 4 top class players.

[Gnurglan]

Kalou?
At first, when I read about this, I thought of him as a reject and not good enough. Then I had a look. He'll be 27 later this year, and we know he can play down the wings, which actually makes him a very good fit with our needs. IF he could be as good as we need him to be. If we sign him, it should be as 1st pick. I had a look at his stats:

Chelsea:  94 (62) 36   16 (12) 8   12 (6) 8   25 (27) 8
So that's 147 (107) and 60 goals. In other words 60/254= 0,24 goals/game.

http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=39757

So his stats are actually quite impressive. 0,24 goals/game (would like to see the assists too) is good enough. If he could keep that level, we'd have the player we need. I'm not sure about his mentality, if he's a leader or not. We need players who are very strong mentally, players who can lead us back to top four. The good thing with Kalou is we know he's won stuff. God knows we need players who have won something and I believe he'd be a direct first pick for us.

I actually think we should try to sign him.

[Grobbelrevell]

I dont think we'll be making anymore then 4 signings myself.

I think i'd be reasonably happy with Diame, Kalou, Sigurdsson and then one top class addition in attack. That'd represent a decent summer IMO, assuming we retain our better players that is.

I think it'd be a mistake to think that we need some kind of major overhaul and flood the squad when we actually have a very good core of players as well as some very good young players who can offer us competition for the squad as well. We just need to upgrade in certain areas and as Q says, I think these kinds of signings would equate to that. A £7m total outlay on three upgrades could then hopefully put us in a position where we can look to add that one real bit of quality in attack.

[Grobbelrevell]

Snip

Thanks for the info mate. That paints a slightly different picture to what most are portraying.

[hugoboss]

Thanks for the info mate. That paints a slightly different picture to what most are portraying.

I'm also sure a large number of his goals would have been as a substitute, we could definitely do with players who can make an impact off the bench as well as when they start.

[KK Legend]

I think a lot of people are looking at rumours of us spending £7m for Gylfi, getting Diame and Kalou on a free and assuming these will be our only signings.  If we go into next seasons with Diame, Gylfi and Kalou instead of Spearing, Adam and Kuyt we have improved our squad, without a doubt in my mind.  However, I agree that this won't be enough, we do also need a couple of first team players - but that doesn't necessarily make this transfer a bad one.

There is probably a bit too much logic in your statement for people to comprehend, either that or it just boils down to the names you've mentioned or who we are supposedly looking at are not household names, galacticos if you like and we're not spending bucketloads to bring them in so the masses aren't happy.

Over the last three seasons we've finished a mean average of 7th in the league and won less than 50% of our PL games, we're a club that has slipped and 'certain' standards have dropped, I hate that fact, but that's how it is.

Every single one of us would like to see certain players at the club, I'd take Muniain, Martinez and Llorente from Bilbao in a heartbeat and that's just for starters but the reality of our situation is for the foreseeable future it would seem players of that ilk coming to Anfield will be few and far between and instead we will have to be prudent, measured, considered and build back to where we all hope we are going to end up. This process is bound to be slow because we don't have the means to compete on a level playing field with some of our peers... as yet!

[aoaaron]

Not sure where you got 60 league goals from. He's scored 36 league goals and 25 assists. Downing has 42 league assists to date and 29 goals and always plays out wide, Kalou plays up front half the time, 36 goals in 6 years in a top team is poor.

Kalou plays upfront?  Really? 


He'd be a good signing if the wages are reasonable because we're lacking in depth there and hes better than what we have.

This whole "blahblah we don't need pplz rejectz' rubbish is annoying. Big clubs discard good/decent players.

Everyone screaming for Sterling to play a first XI role are screaming for his career to get fucked up the ass. He needs time.

[Bob Loblaw]

Kalou is shite. I dont want us signing other EPL teams crappy rejects :/

I hope we sign him just to piss off the likes of yourself.

[incredibleL4ever]

People on here seem to be forgetting that we will be playing a different kind of football from next season.  Ability to (a) keep possession and play simple passes and (b) win the ball back quickly by pressing high up the pitch and (c) move when not in possession  to ensure that there are options available to the player with the ball...is what we are after.  This is not how Chelsea play, so judging Kalou by what Chelsea do is not relevant.

The big thing Kalou would bring is the ability so score.  We have too many midfielders who do not score - Downing, Henderson, Lucas, Adam.  In a more fluid system we will need all the attacking players contributing goals.

I dont really like him but if he comes I would give him the benefit of the doubt.

[Gnurglan]

Thanks for the info mate. That paints a slightly different picture to what most are portraying.

Have no idea what he'd cost, but we need to make clever deals. I believe Kalou could be that. If we compare those stats above, he can easily match our current options. Bellamy has 38 games and 9 goals from this last season. That's 0,24 goals/game. Maxi is on something similar for us. Downing is on something like 0.10 goals/game throughout his career (no need to count his last season in isolation).

If we compare Kalou and the players we signed last season (Downing, Henderson, Adam, Enrique, Coates, Bellamy) what really stands out is his collection of medals. Looking back, I think that's one of the main concerns from last summer's transfers - no proven winners. Players can have a winner's mentality, but we were looking to improve with players who had little or no previous history of winning titles. Kalou has that. Whether he's strong enough to lead us is hard to tell.

He's got the stats on his side, he's the right age, fits with our needs and he's got a track record of winning. Ticks many boxes. I think that's the kind of signings we should try to make. That's the way for us to improve.

[Coolie High]

Have no idea what he'd cost, but we need to make clever deals. I believe Kalou could be that. If we compare those stats above, he can easily match our current options. Bellamy has 38 games and 9 goals from this last season. That's 0,24 goals/game. Maxi is on something similar for us. Downing is on something like 0.10 goals/game throughout his career (no need to count his last season in isolation).

If we compare Kalou and the players we signed last season (Downing, Henderson, Adam, Enrique, Coates, Bellamy) what really stands out is his collection of medals. Looking back, I think that's one of the main concerns from last summer's transfers - no proven winners. Players can have a winner's mentality, but we were looking to improve with players who had little or no previous history of winning titles. Kalou has that. Whether he's strong enough to lead us is hard to tell.

He's got the stats on his side, he's the right age, fits with our needs and he's got a track record of winning. Ticks many boxes. I think that's the kind of signings we should try to make. That's the way for us to improve.

Because being a bit part player in a good team for the last 6 years means your a proven winner? In the grand scheme of things Kalou hasn't played a key part in Chelsea being successful as they have been in the last few years, he has just been there for the ride, the last bit part Chelsea player we signed was a proven winner as well.

And as for your last post, he doesn't really have the stats on his side, nor does he have the ability.

[The G in Gerrard]

I would have thought after last summer its a perfect reason NOT to just solely look at stats when looking at a player. Kalou isn't a major improvement on what we have so is there really any point? I would be disappointed if we get him.

[jamie_c]

People on here seem to be forgetting that we will be playing a different kind of football from next season.  Ability to (a) keep possession and play simple passes and (b) win the ball back quickly by pressing high up the pitch and (c) move when not in possession  to ensure that there are options available to the player with the ball...is what we are after.  This is not how Chelsea play, so judging Kalou by what Chelsea do is not relevant.

The big thing Kalou would bring is the ability so score.  We have too many midfielders who do not score - Downing, Henderson, Lucas, Adam.  In a more fluid system we will need all the attacking players contributing goals.

I dont really like him but if he comes I would give him the benefit of the doubt.

Downing, Adam and to a less extent Henderson all had good scoring records at previous clubs for their respective positions.  At Chelsea Kalou's record is not very impressive.  The guy is a million miles from being a proven goalscorer and is not better than what we have already

[Melbred]

Do you mean Downing's 9 goals in 63 games for Villa? How does this translate to good?

Kalou has a goal in every three games. And half those games, he would have been either subbed in or out as well. He's a much better option than anyone we have out wide. Henderson has 4 goals in 70 odd games.

Adam, I'll give you the goals he scored at Blackpool, but he won't have that much freedom here, and will be expected to track and work harder for the team. I actually think he will be one of the first names to leave if we get an offer for him. He just doesn't suit Rodgers system at all.

[Coolie High]

I would have thought after last summer its a perfect reason NOT to just solely look at stats when looking at a player. Kalou isn't a major improvement on what we have so is there really any point? I would be disappointed if we get him.

[lobsterboy]

Because being a bit part player in a good team for the last 6 years means your a proven winner? In the grand scheme of things Kalou hasn't played a key part in Chelsea being successful as they have been in the last few years, he has just been there for the ride, the last bit part Chelsea player we signed was a proven winner as well.

And as for your last post, he doesn't really have the stats on his side, nor does he have the ability.

kalou is a fair bit younger than the last one, still to peak and I don't think he smokes 40 tabs a day either.

[-Q-]

Because being a bit part player in a good team for the last 6 years means your a proven winner? In the grand scheme of things Kalou hasn't played a key part in Chelsea being successful as they have been in the last few years, he has just been there for the ride, the last bit part Chelsea player we signed was a proven winner as well.

And as for your last post, he doesn't really have the stats on his side, nor does he have the ability.

Bit part?  Just looking at the stats on his Wiki page, he averages 26 PL games and 41 total games for them per season.  However, it doesn't say how many of those were substitute appearances, but he clearly has played a lot of games for them.  Whilst he might not have been an integral part in their first team, I'd say that was more than a "bit part."

For the right contract I'd be happy to have him here.

[Gnurglan]

Because being a bit part player in a good team for the last 6 years means your a proven winner? In the grand scheme of things Kalou hasn't played a key part in Chelsea being successful as they have been in the last few years, he has just been there for the ride, the last bit part Chelsea player we signed was a proven winner as well.

And as for your last post, he doesn't really have the stats on his side, nor does he have the ability.

That Kalou has won stuff doesn't mean he can lead us to future success. True. He'd have to be a leader for that. But we know he's won stuff and I believe that's important.

I don't think we can say Kalou has just been there for the ride. His overall goalscoring record is good. Last season for Chelsea: 26 appearances and 5 goals. That's pretty much his average. A level he's been at for many years now. We may think that's pretty crap, but it's not. Play him for a season and we'd have reason to believe he'd get 10-15 goals+assists, which is the minimum level we need from a starter at LM/RM. And how many of our players reached that last season?

If we compare to Cole, JC's goals/game ratio is 0.12. That's half of Kalou's contribution. And Cole's poor stats was one of the main reasons I never wanted us to sign him. We would have needed a significant improvement from him, or it was a bad deal. As predicted, we didn't get that improvement. With Kalou, if we can get him to perform to his normal level, and he's not over the hill just yet, that's good enough.

Not saying Kalou is a world beater, but I believe he's better than what we have and therefore he'd be an improvement. It's a step in the right direction and with Kuyt gone we have an open spot at LM/RM. If we can get better, that's fine with me. But I would still have Kalou come in at the expense of Downing and/or Cole as I think it would improve the team/squad.

[Gnurglan]

I would have thought after last summer its a perfect reason NOT to just solely look at stats when looking at a player. Kalou isn't a major improvement on what we have so is there really any point? I would be disappointed if we get him.

Depends on what stats you look at. If we go with the "chances created", like we apparently did last summer, our interpretation wasn't worth much. Goals and assists are "harder" stats. Certainly if we look over a longer period of time.

I don't want to make it sound like Kalou is up there with Messi & Co. But I believe he is, whether we like it or not, likely to improve our squad and probably also the first team. I'd like us to bring in someone better than him too. It's just that we have the chance to get Kalou in, on the cheap I assume, which would open up for us selling Cole and Downing, which would bring in cash. Money we could then use to buy a very good player for LM/RM.

[-Q-]

Depends on what stats you look at. If we go with the "chances created", like we apparently did last summer, our interpretation wasn't worth much. Goals and assists are "harder" stats. Certainly if we look over a longer period of time.

I don't want to make it sound like Kalou is up there with Messi & Co. But I believe he is...

 

..., whether we like it or not, likely to improve our squad and probably also the first team. I'd like us to bring in someone better than him too. It's just that we have the chance to get Kalou in, on the cheap I assume, which would open up for us selling Cole and Downing, which would bring in cash. Money we could then use to buy a very good player for LM/RM.

Oh... okay.  Phew.  I agree.   

[Lenin]

How much would Kalou cost on the open market?
(No plucking figures from your arse)

[Bakez0151]

If Maxi joins Kuyt in leaving then surely Kalou would be a good option. As well as hopefully a top quality signing in that position as well.

Don't think the Kalou thing is going to happen like, he'll want first-team football or big wages.

[Cpt_Reina]

Kalou taking Maxi's place as our utility attacking midfielder isnt a bad trade off really. Like so many divorcée's we'd simply be trading Maxi in for a younger model.

I know Maxi is seen as some sort of horse faced God to a lot of RAWK but there's really not a lot of what he provides that Kalou couldn't also bring to the table.

[smurfinaus]

I hope we sign him just to piss off the likes of yourself.

Id be happy if he proves me wrong. I read the other comments like he has a decent scoring record & pace but does he fit into the pressing/pass/move that Rodgers will get use to play more?. He might have pace and can score but the games ive seem him play he has been one lazy git (and doesn't get stuck in either) - Downing like dare i say?.

[Bangin Them In]

Don't think he'd be terrible, but is that enough to sign someone - even on a free, sooner see a kid given a go rather than him taking up a place on the bench

[incredibleL4ever]

How much would Kalou cost on the open market?
(No plucking figures from your arse)

8 - 10m

[Severely]

How much would Kalou cost on the open market?
(No plucking figures from your arse)

Well he moved to Chelsea for around 9m, so if his contract hadn't run down, I expect they'd value him at at least 9m, probably a little bit higher considering he's right around his prime now.

I don't think he's worth anything near that, think he'd be a downgrade on either of Kuyt or Maxi.

[Walshy®]

Kalou is shite. I dont want us signing other EPL teams crappy rejects :/

Christ almight.

My first foray into the transfer forum for a long time, and this is what I am met with?

Seeya September

[Kochevnik]

Sterling and Suso aren't ready to be relied on yet, but I agree we dont need to be signing anymore then 4 top class players.

I think we need 6, long-term, but I'd be more than happy with 4 this window.  Hopefully we get a 3/4 hit rate and that leaves us only 3 players away from a complete (I'm talking about "having potential to win the league") side.

For a 4-3-3, I'd say we have the keeper and back 4 we need, plus backup for the right back.  We need one more quality CB and a backup LB, though perhaps in a year Robinson will be ready for that.  We have Lucas and Gerrard in the middle, and Suarez and Carroll up front.  We need one more solid attacking midfielder (Sigurdsson) and we'll have Henderson and Shelvey for backup, we need a DM.  Up front we need another wide forward and probably a backup as well, and ideally someone good enough to make Andy a backup up front, though I'd settle for a young player who could at least push him for the starting spot.

So, that's: a backup CB, a backup DM, an attacking CM, a wide forward, a central striker and a backup wide forward (plus a backup LB if Robinson doesn't look fit/up to it long-term).  Obviously we're not going to get all of that this year, but if we can get 4 players with good scouting, hopefully 3 of them will work out and that leaves us with a lot fewer holes going forward.  I would prioritise backup DM (a versatile player who could cover LB in a pinch would be excellent), attacking CM, centre forward and especially a wide forward.

For me, Kalou fits into the backup wide forward role, which isn't one of those I'd prioritise but I'd be happy to see him come in on reasonable wages; that's one more we can hopefully tick off the list.

[incredibleL4ever]

Bosmans generally don't work out well.  The salary is too high if the player does not make it.  It would be better to pay a big signing on fee and  the proper salary for that level of player.
Some of our recent Bosmans include Voronin, Cole & Zenden