Chelsea Banter

01 Apr 2020 09:16:23
The Tifo Football Podcast (youtube) has a very good episode on Chelsea that was released this week.

It covers lots from Abramovich to the stdium devlopment and transfers.

Well worth a listen if you have time.

(If you enjoy that one, 'Straight Outta Cobham' is also very good)

01 Apr 2020 11:09:32
The Tifo football one was a very good listen.

31 Mar 2020 17:21:31
Ed, do you see there being a possibility of no summer transfer window this year?

{Ed002's Note - That has not been suggested but it may move. UEFA are meeting to discuss a number of things tomorrow but it is not an appropriate time to be making such decisions. Premier League are meeting Friday.}

31 Mar 2020 18:00:16
Thank you.

Seen a comment by Matt Law, mentioned on here a few times as a seemingly decent journalist, in a discussion with Gary Neville. He pointed out that some clubs will need the window to open as soon as possible to help out with finances. The example he gave was Birmingham needing the money from any Bellingham sale.

I suppose, as is usually the case in most things, it's impossible to make a decision that everyone is happy with.

{Ed002's Note - Sure but Birmingham are responsible for two self inflicted wounds which have hit them this season. Clubs with FFP issues will get some relief.}

31 Mar 2020 14:09:41
Ed002 I hope you are staying safe, just some few questions. Who are Chelsea's striker and RW targets, are they hoping to bolster their DM position in the summer. A lot of talk of a new starting GK any legs to that? Grateful for your usual response even in this very trying times.

{Ed002's Note - I am not going to get back into providing long lists of players to the Chelsea page any more.}

31 Mar 2020 15:28:46
No worries, I deeply appreciated the ones you did in the past.

31 Mar 2020 15:33:10
I may be pushing my luck here, so no worries whatsoever if you prefer not to give any names. And I hope you don't mind me asking.

Just trying to sketch the situation. It's likely both Willian and Pedro will move on this summer, for various reasons. So that's 2 attackers leaving in that case.
Ziyech is coming in, and it appears the club would very much like to add Sancho as well. However, with the numbers being thrown around and mentions of Sancho being offered a wage of up to 400k (probably starting over 200k and rising depending on performances, which is still extremely high for a guy his age) by United he'd be silly not to choose them over us if possible. That type of money doesn't come around often and I wouldn't blame him for choosing United over us in that case.

So basically what would be interesting for a lot of people on here to know, and certainly for me, is which other "wingers" (attackers that aren't pure strikers in essence is what I'm getting at) the club has a strong interest in and would look to buy if Sancho does not join Chelsea.

Perhaps it's also a case of not buying for the sake of it and they'd look to have depth in the form of Loftus-Cheek/ Mount shifting up to the attacking spots, since we do have a lot of midfielders already.

I myself would absolutely love it if they'd look to bring in either Ferran Torres or Ihattaren, but I realize those are probably just pipe dreams.

Thanks in any case!

{Ed002's Note - As I have said (a short while ago, I am not going to start giving long lists of players. I have explained the situation with Sancho and it is not a matter of a choice for the player.

In respect of Mohamed Ihattaren (AM/RM/RW), as has been previously explained, at the end of 2018 five clubs were invited to watch MI including Chelsea, Barcelona, Olympique Lyon, Benfica and Manchester City. Chelsea have a chap who does look at players on their behalf in the Nederlands but without asking him I don't know if Chelsea have continued to watch the player in to this year.}

31 Mar 2020 16:31:26
Fair enough, Ed. Thank you for the reply :) in the end we'll see how everything pans out.

30 Mar 2020 01:05:31
Ed001
If as seems likely no games will be played before June at the earliest presumably it will be necessary for the players to have a another pre season?
That in itself would add another 3/ 4 weeks to the timeline presumably?
Thanks and hope you and your family are keeping clear of Covid19.
Thanks.

{Ed001's Note - that is looking optimistic even. They still don't know if you can catch it twice. That needs to be known before any semblance of normality can return. If you can't then those that have had it are safe. So fingers crossed that getting over it once brings immunity.

All good here thanks mate. How are things with you and yours?}

30 Mar 2020 13:01:12
I'm pretty sure there have been cases in China of people getting re-infected, so it does seem like, at the very least, some people don't get immunity.

Also Ed I was thinking, since the players are not able to properly train these days, and won't be for a few more weeks, don't you think the players would be of higher risk of getting muscle injuries when suddenly thrust back into play?

{Ed001's Note - I would expect them to have a 'pre'-season of sorts when the game does restart.}

30 Mar 2020 13:38:06
I personally believe the decision has pretty much been made.

The football governing bodies need to make it known that they've explored every single option for extending the season. They can't put themselves in a position where clubs, badly effected by such a decision, can pick them apart in public.

The big footballing questions now are what does cancelling the season look like? Who plays European football next season? Will there even be European football next season? Do Leeds and WBA get promoted with no relegation? etc.

I don't envy those making these decisions.

{Ed002's Note - No decision has been made at this time.}

30 Mar 2020 14:25:58
The governing bodies will have to be seen to try everything they can to restart the season but unless some sort of marvellous miracle happens I just can’t see it happening.

If it doesn’t, it will be very unfair on lots of teams but some will be happy.

{Ed002's Note - This is all being addressed. The "elite" European sides have met today, the Italians have had one meeting today and have another later today, the Premier League next meet Friday, etc., etc..}

31 Mar 2020 12:31:35
Ed001
Thanks for asking mate I am lucky to live in the country near the sea so able to keep away from contact quite easily.
So far so good!

{Ed001's Note - fingers crossed you and all your loved ones stay safe and well. Living in the country must be nice right now.}