News & notes: A possible second bid for Lucas Moura, Clifford returns, De Bruyne speaks

By: Jack | January 4th, 2012

Sorry for the lack of posts over the past couple of days. Quite a bit going on in my world at that moment. Now, with the pleasantries out of the way, let’s take a look at what’s been going on since our much-needed win at Wolves. Turns out, this has been a relatively newsworthy day for the Chels.

lucas
CO approved transfer target

Source(s): Chelsea set to make second bid for Lucas Moura
• Lucas Rodrigues Moura da Silva is one of world football’s elite young talents. The 19-year-old, who is already a Brazil international, is wanted by any number of clubs, including (apparently) Chelsea, Liverpool and Internazionale. According to Moura’s agent, Wagner Ribeiro, each of these clubs have already made bids for the player, all of which were rejected out of hand by his club, Sao Paolo. We allegedly offered a cool €30 million.

That’s a lot of cake – for any player, much less an unproven teenager from South America. I say that in jest, because, quite frankly, this kid can fucking play and would be a wonderful addition. Thankfully, Chelsea seem to be retaining an interest in Lucas, and are preparing a second bid for the player, in the region of €35m, this according to several sources in South America. Will it be enough? Unlikely. Lucas appears to be fine with staying in Brazil for the foreseeable future – and not just because he has a 20 percent stake in his own economic rights. Here’s some recent quotage from the young talent:

I expect a better 2012 for myself and the club. Our squad is strong, and with more signings we will get even better. I will stay at Sao Paulo. You will see a more motivated Lucas who has a desire to succeed. We lacked a title in 2011 and that is objective for the New Year.

Whatever the outcome, it’s nice to see that the club is ready to make plays on elite young talent.

Conor Clifford returns from Yeovill Town
• Nothing on the official club website about this – which is odd – but Yeovil Town confirmed today that the midfielder had returned to Chelsea. Clifford, 20, made eight starts and one reserve appearance for Glovers, scoring once. By all accounts, the young man was quite impressive during his time with the League One outfit.

Yeovil manager Terry Skiverton offered this quotage on the move:

We would like to thank Conor for his hard work during his loan spell and wish him well as his career develops back at Chelsea.

One can only assume the recall is with a view to a loan to a bigger club. A move to the Championship would suit Clifford, and would really tell the club just how far along he is in his development. I’d expect some concrete news from Chelsea on Clifford’s next step very soon.

De Bruyne: January move unlikely
• And finally, we have Kevin De Bruyne dropping some knowledge. On life, his likes/dislikes, perfect Sunday? Not quite. Though that would be make for fine reading, this is more on what his future in football holds.

De Bruyne told Het Nieuwsblad (via Sky Sports) that he wants to leave Genk at the end of the season. A shocking development this is not. He goes on to say that Genk know his feelings on moving, and that the club may be asking for a bit too much money for him. Alright then. De Bruyne does take this interview up a notch, though, when speaking on a potential move to Chelsea and whether Genk would allow him to skip town this January.

On a possible deal with Chelsea in the summer:

The plans were there. However, it’s up to the club. For me it isn’t that difficult. At such a club you will always earn enough.

As for moving this winter?

No, I don’t think so. Genk won’t let me go. However, you never know if there will come an offer that can’t be refused. However, for me it would be better to end the season at Genk and then make the step.

Cool. A deal in January would be neato, but not exactly good for any party involved. De Bruyne, as you know, is cup tied in the Champions League and is probably not quite ready to contribute to our first team (kind of like Romelu Lukaku). It’s best to let De Bruyne finish out the season in Belgium (hopefully on a tear) and then decide whether to make a push for his signature in the summer. Still, it’s good to know that the kid is at least interested in joining Chelsea and that a deal could/will probably be flushed out if we decide to pursue one.

Some Related Chelsea Posts:

Category: Chelsea Loans, Chelsea Team News, Quotes, Transfer Rumors

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Jason Wolf

Jack, I have been following your blog for about a year now and just now noticed you live in TN. I live in Nashville. Where do you live? Also, I am going to the Bridge in April. Know any reliable way to get tickets to the games? KTBFFH
Jack

What's up, Jason? Nice to see another southerner in the mix. I live near the VA-TN line in Kingsport.

As for tix, the first site that comes to mind other than going club direct is Club CFCnet - http://www.clubcfcnet.com/ - which should be able to help you out. Let me know if you need anything else; I'm looking forward to seeing you around these parts.
Jason Wolf

I used to live in Johnson City. I worked for Eastman Chemical. Small world. Thanks for the help!
Jack

Good old Eastman. It really is a small world
Sharinganfx

i'm just gonna keep calling for Hoillet until we sign him. assumptions: about 5-8 mill quid, with a relatively low wage bill.

in other news, hilarious someone would even make up Lamps to United.
Jack

Wouldn't be opposed to Hoillet for the right price. Still not sure he's ready to make that kind of a step up, but he could be a nice addition.
Mateo

i dont know why Cahil is so special, did anyone see Coloccini against Manu? he was a fucking rock.

i would buy Zuñiga, Coloccini and Elia and bring back gael).
TheSpecial1

Cahill is miles ahead of Coloccini. Coloccini sucks.
Jack

Not sure I agree. I certainly don't think Coloccini sucks. He struggled early on in England, but has since been pretty damn good. I don't think he's what we need, though.
Marko

Isn't anybody worried about the fact that we are trying to sell Kakuta? I
mean, we went through all the trouble to sign him and now we are just
letting him go? The guy has magic
Joshua Sutton

Kakuta wasn't able to land a starting spot at Fulham. He's obviously not developing as the club had hoped.
Dave

Gotze, Hazard and Lucas would be super additions in the summer i hope and maybe 2 or 3 players in the January window. Chelsea FC
Mac

we just need to sign someone young and good soon, we need fresh legs and creative talent. whoever it is make it happen soon because other big clubs are all trying to upgrade as well.

Sign: moura, hazard, cavani, mutinho, van der weil, pereira, cahill, neymar, goetze, higuain, or a combination of 2 or 3

I like the best: moura, goetze, and higuain
Maysam

do not waste money on players in January unless those that will become free agent in summer and their clubs wanna sell them such as Cahil. Be Patient , better players will be available in summer .... 35 for a kid in Brazil ... no way ... I do no tlike those players who just love to play in Brazil or Argentina .. they become like Robinho or Tevez at the end ... buy those who have played in Europe for a season at least
Jack

Waste? You're having a laugh. There aren't that many better players in the world than Moura considering his age and ceiling. He is nothing like Robinho. Nothing.
Sidthecoolkid

robinho came endorsed from the great pele himself!!!! not a joke!!!
TheSpecial1

lol Pele is a joke. Fantastic player, but he is an idiot when it comes to talking about players
Joshua Sutton

I know Kaka is not young, but he could be purchased more cheaply than these guys. He could help our lack of creativity in the short term, while we keep an eye towards younger talent in the Summer window. Thoughts?
Jack

Kaka? I don't think you, if I was AVB, could talk me into taking him if he was on a free. Huge wages + age = doesn't fit what we're trying to do long term.
Joshua Sutton

I agree about not being good for long-term. As stated, I only mention he could add creativity for the short-term, and get younger talent in the Summer window when it might not be as audaciously priced.
CharlieFineman

He might be cheap, but his wages are a no-no. Plus he's 29, so it would be like a last chance to get paid.
LC

Would Real Madrid be interested in a loan deal for Kaka? That way we don't get stuck with Kaka and he can address the gap in the meantime until we get a youngster in.
Sidthecoolkid

if moura plays like a playmaker, then by all means we should buy him... but 35 mil is a lot... heard man u are offering 25 mil for sneider and he is a proven midfielder on the european and world stage... seems to me that the brazilian clubs are too greedy...
Jack

No disrespect, but Sneijder doesn't fit into what the club is trying to do long term at all. A 27-year-old on immense wages that would last probably less than once contract cycle with the club versus a 19-year-old with a ceiling that I reckon is higher than Sneijder's was when he was at Ajax is pretty much a no-brainer for me.

Moura can play anywhere across the front, including cam, is blessed with absurd pace and is already physically built for the the Prem. If anything, our latest bid might be a little low when you compare him to the likes of Hazard and Gotze. Moura has just as much potential if not more.
Sidthecoolkid

see the thing is we already have a 50 mil player on our team with 5 goals to his name ... i know it is not the same but i would rather have the team invest money in the club youth policy like barca do than go on a spending spree... premierleague is a lot more physical than people give think. also, i believe that brazilian players are much better suited for la liga than the pl...
i would be the happiest if chelsea buy moura and i am proven wrong on all accounts!!!

KTBFFH!!!
Sidthecoolkid

also, neymar earns about 550000 euros a month, he probably will want a higher wage if he joins us... so the wage argument doesnt hold that much water...
ps : dont know how much moura earns, so he maybe worth it...
pps: how many brazilians have done well here in pl?? just asking !!!
Dave

Ramires!!!
kaka

We need him plus that spanish right back caesar and a good CB.
Mac

get moura, this guy is special.

we need talent like this.

good pace, great footwork. a player like this makes torres better and relieves all the pressure from mata to be the only playmaker.

spend abramovitch, spend, this guy is desperately needed