“It’s easy to say Chelsea got it wrong with Rice and Nketiah. Both, after all, are now full England internationals following Nketiah’s debut last week against Australia. But it’s also possible that fateful day when they were shown the door at Cobham actually proved a springboard in each case. It may have forged in them the indefatigable spirit that has spurred them on to their current success.

For Nketiah and Rice, a day that could have broken them may instead have been the making of them.” - James McNicholas

    • Francis-c92@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Imagine telling someone last Christmas that Havertz and Mudryk would indeed be lining up against each other in this game just on the other sides

      • InTheMiddleGiroud@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        When people in the future read the match report from our 2021 game against Chelsea, it will also take a bit of concentration

        Kai Havertz shot over for the hosts early on, before Smith Rowe capitalised on a Jorginho error on 16 minutes.

        The midfielder’s stray backpass was clawed off the goalline by Kepa Arrizabalaga, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang then pounced and cut back for Smith Rowe to finish

      • ohhokayyy@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        And Havertz would score a league goal for Arsenal before Mudryk scores one for Chelsea

      • americanadiandrew@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        Would still rather have Mudryk. He’s just the sort of player who excites me more and I’d love to see what Arteta and a stable club would do for him. Of course I wouldn’t give Trossard up though.

        • JoshyRanchy@alien.topBEnglish
          1·
          1 year ago

          Lets be honest. Mudryk was worth a 5m punt. He wasnt so young that he would be a gem. He was 22 or 23.

          Thats a midtable club taking a chance kinda move

          • wolljibbs@alien.topBEnglish
            1·
            1 year ago

            This is a way biased take. Mudryk was 21 at the time and he does have talent in droves. The question right now with him is about his mental.

          • americanadiandrew@alien.topBEnglish
            1·
            1 year ago

            I think he was probably worth about half what he went for in today’s inflated market.

            Still if you honestly think he’s only worth 5 million can I ask what you think Havertz was worth after his three years at Chelsea? 

            • JoshyRanchy@alien.topBEnglish
              1·
              1 year ago

              I still wouldnt pay more than 15 for Mudy.

              Havertz was a failure at chelsea. Im upset we went for him. Hope we get a player out of him.

              He would have been worth 25m imho. He did have CL experience, came from Bundli and has played in Prem. Young, not injury prone, tall and a bit athletic. German NT player too.

          • enzhh@alien.topBEnglish
            1·
            1 year ago

            You might want to see his recent games if you think he’s a 5m punt…