Chelsea Banter

15 Jun 2026 15:32:29
Nice goodbye message from Cucarella.

It would appear he is leaving for family reasons and just shows that fans like me shouldn't jump to conclusions.

15 Jun 2026 17:35:59
That's fair enough, good luck to him. It's good that some of previous top players still care about the club, Drogba, Obi-Mikel, Hazard, Jimmy Floyd etc. Nice to see a photo of Eden at the Bridge wearing the new Chelsea shirt.

15 Jun 2026 18:44:50
Very classy from him, Tom, and he has my best wishes for himself and his family. Jimbo, I totally agree about those former players you mention, who, along with the likes of club legend JT, bleed blue.

15 Jun 2026 19:54:13
Greenaway, I have been critical of recent home kits, but I like the new shirt. It would look good with blue shorts with a white stripe on the side and white socks. Even better if we had a top FOS sponsorship deal at the start of the season.

15 Jun 2026 09:44:05
To be honest, it's nice to have that first big move done and dusted. We all knew Cucurella was leaving, good that it's sorted early and for a decent enough price too.

There have been a few reports that Alonso is keen to keep hold of Fernandez, and the club won't budge on his valuation, I think it's 60-70% likely he stays.

The news now shifts to replacing Cucurella, Hall and Grimaldo seem to be the favourites at the moment. Hall, I'd really like but don't see it materialising. I've said on here recently, for me, Grimaldo ticks a ton of boxes. But is there an answer within the squad?

You want your best players on the pitch, with that in mind, can anyone see James successfully bombing up and down the pitch from RWB? I can see why there would be concerns about his body holding out. It might make more sense for James to invert into the midfield pivot, in turn, pushing Fernandez into one of the 10's. That would leave Hato becoming the LCB from a LB position, and/or Barco deputising as a more progressive LB/LWB. Now, this all sounds very Maresca like, with FB's inverting into a pivot, but, if Fernandez stays, it's a way of getting him and James into Alonso's system and on the pitch as much as possible, without impacting other key players like Palmer, Estavao or Joao Pedro.

15 Jun 2026 10:06:04
Personally for me, I think we need to find out what formation he will play. I think he played a back 4 at Madrid.
But I do think he will be flexible and it will change in game.

15 Jun 2026 10:16:50
I think Enzo will be leaving along with Badiashile, Tosin, Disasi, Delap/Jackson, Guiu, Jorgensen and maybe Garnacho.
When I watched Bl under Alonso, it always seemed to be a back three, but I have no idea about his preferred shape at Rm.

It sounds to me that, like most good coaches, he can be flexible.

Throughout last season, we were generally passive with and without the ball, and a change to a more aggressive/progressive style of football is what I'm looking for.
I hate seeing my team outworked.

15 Jun 2026 10:37:21
He tended to start with a back four at Real, but ultimately, in possession it still ended up as a compact 3-2-5, with the pivot and two 10s making a box midfield.

I don't think it really matters if it starts as a four or three at the back, it just comes down to how the team manoeuvres into that in possession setup.



But the type of lb signing we make will give us a great indication as to whether he wants to start with a four and traditional fb's or a three and wb's. Definitely going to be an interesting bit of the market to see develop.

15 Jun 2026 13:06:51
Quenda shouldn't be forgotten in all of this either. He could easily play the same wb role as Frimpong did for Leverkusen, just from the left, rather than the right.

12 Jun 2026 08:40:27
Lionel Scaloni on Valentin Barco.

I have to say it clearly, this boy is going to be Argentina’s next big thing.

I look at Valentin and I see things that simply don't correspond to a kid his age. His work rate? Unbelievable.

Honestly, for someone so young, he plays every single minute like his life depends on it; there is no hesitation, no saving energy for later, just pure, absolute commitment.



But what truly blows my mind is his vision and his mentality. You don't teach that.

That kind of reading of the game, that composure under pressure, it doesn’t belong to a player with his experience.

He’s at Chelsea now, and I have no doubt he’s destined to be a cornerstone for this national team in the post-Messi era.

Has anyone seen much of him? Seems to be making a big impression for the national team.

12 Jun 2026 10:32:12
There's no agreement to sign him yet, apparently.

12 Jun 2026 11:35:15
He will run himself into the ground. However, it remains to be seen if he can remain disciplined in a system. In France, the pitch often feels twice the size when watching the game, as games are often ridiculously open.

He had a superb year at Strasbourg, but was at fault more than once for being wildly out of position, chasing balls like a bull terrier. Hopefully, he learns the system Xabi wants quickly and can be a big addition to the squad.

12 Jun 2026 13:36:58
As per CFC1221, there is no agreement yet to sign him.

12 Jun 2026 13:57:50
I guess it will depend on Alonso and whether he wants him or not. He may well have other players in mind.

12 Jun 2026 18:05:30
Agreed, Greenaway, but if we want him and he has a good WC, his fee will increase.

12 Jun 2026 22:27:42
Bill, is he not a Blue.co player already?

13 Jun 2026 16:33:29
I thought we had already signed him?

13 Jun 2026 16:36:02
Barco's arrival had been announced in a number of forums, eg football.london, some time ago, though the fee we paid is 'undisclosed'. To arrive: Geovany Quenda, Emmanuel Emegha, Dastan Satpaev, and Valentin Barco.

13 Jun 2026 17:49:47
Thanks, JBS, for clearing that up. He is a very good signing by all accounts.

11 Jun 2026 14:47:25
A big part of our summer transfer business hinges on Fernandez. If he stays, he could fill the left 10 spot, but if he goes it’s certainly a position we need to bring someone into. It also impacts the profile we’d be potentially looking for in the pivot.

If I were the club, with such a long time left on his contract, I’d have been clear that we’re willing to negotiate at £120m up until the start of the World Cup, any later negotiations will involve a price hike. By all accounts there’s been zero club to club contact from any of his suitors. Is it time to tell him he won’t be sold this summer, report back after the World Cup? We don’t want to be scratching around for a replacement at the end of the window.



In other news, Mhueka and Murray-Campbell, from the youth setup, have been told they can have loans next season. Alonso is apparently keen to see a pathway to the first team for youth players. On that note, some players will have a chance to impress during the summer. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Derry get a spot in the first team squad next season. Kavuma-McQueen and Walsh could impress during preseason too, but, without European football this year it’s tough to see space for them.

11 Jun 2026 18:21:51
Hmm, Real Madrid in for Bernardo Silva and Mourinho wants Fernandes from West Ham. Things don't look like they're panning out the way Enzo Fernandez might have wanted.

11 Jun 2026 20:11:18
Time will tell, J. Personally, I feel he is angling for a new contract and payrise. I expect him to stay.

12 Jun 2026 00:46:10
It is certainly looking like he won't have many options, but I fully expect a transfer request to be handed in and Madrid to bid low with Citeh. We can put as high a price tag as we want, but when he pulls an Isac and refuses to return to training, our options become much more limited.

12 Jun 2026 07:30:13
I don't think he does that. Might be wrong, but I think he's more likely to see the season out and see if a move materialises next summer.

12 Jun 2026 08:44:36
I actually think Enzo Fernandez is a decent person, and really don't see him acting like Isac Melbourne.

12 Jun 2026 11:31:24
Time will tell. While he may be a decent player, I think a decent person may be a stretch.

Also, while you may not believe he would pull an Isac, he already did as much at Benfica, leaving Portugal without permission (well prior to any sale), and it was widely reported that he said he would not return to play for them again.

There is a reason the Benfica fans hate him with a passion. He is the type of bloke to kiss the badge one week and refuse to ever play for the same club a week later.

I'm not surprised he would be welcomed into the squad next year by some supporters, as the club seem to have lost any semblance of self-respect since the new owners showed up.

12 Jun 2026 14:01:21
Enzo Fernandez is the first player to come over to us after away games, and also the last to leave. He shows tremendous respect to us away fans, and his name is sung more than any other player.

10 Jun 2026 22:23:58
Morgan Gibbs White, Arda Guler or Morgan Rogers? Who we going for?

11 Jun 2026 02:27:23
1. Morgan Gibbs-White
2. Morgan Rogers
3. Arda Guler

That would be my order of preference. Guler marked down because of lack of Prem experience, but I'd be reasonably happy with any of them as a signing.

11 Jun 2026 09:17:50
None, just they would all cost too much, indeed. I can see transfer fees really shooting up this summer.

11 Jun 2026 10:01:00
I agree with Bill, none of them. Alonso likes to play with two number 10's, so let's play Palmer, Enzo Fernandez and Estevao in those positions. Joao Pedro can also play in there as well. If Palmer or Fernandez were to leave, then that becomes a different conversation.


Also, as Bill rightly says, transfer fees are becoming utterly ridiculous, I mean, £115 million being quoted for Elliot Anderson?

11 Jun 2026 10:26:59
I would love Gibbs White in our squad.

I like Anderson as a player, but I'm not overwhelmed.

11 Jun 2026 14:30:41
I agree. Gibbs-White and Morgan Rogers are overhyped and will be overpriced, mainly because they are English. Those two along with Anderson being touted around for £80 to £110 million is ridiculous. None of them have proved themselves at the highest level.

11 Jun 2026 18:36:43
I think there is already a bid on the table for Anderson at around £110m. I think Forest will sell at £120m.

Surely the authorities have to announce the City judgement before the window opens?

11 Jun 2026 19:30:26
Tom, £120 million for Anderson? A player who has had a season and a bit in the PL. That makes our asking price for Enzo look reasonable. As for the City verdict, it doesn't matter really. City will appeal if it goes against them, and if it doesn't, the Premier League will lose credibility and probably appeal as well.

11 Jun 2026 19:55:39
Yep, £120m for Anderson. It's madness but it's what happens when a club has no need to sell and the other club is desperate to buy.

I think City will get a 60pts deduction, so it does matter to players, fans, and maybe other clubs. The clearer the picture, the better the decision making process for all concerned.



I am sure they will appeal, but I think there is more chance the penalty gets increased. I also think there could be a recruitment ban, plus a heavy fine. That's my real reason for thinking any punishment should happen before the window opens.

11 Jun 2026 22:01:39
Tom, even if City are found guilty there will be a separate trial regarding sanctions. If found guilty, City will no doubt appeal either to CAS or domestic courts, and then later, if necessary, they will appeal against any sanctions. This will go on well beyond next season. 🥱

12 Jun 2026 12:42:01
Of course, they will appeal, and it may well be that any sports appeal will be heard very quickly, given the impact these decisions have on a season.
City may well choose to go to domestic courts, but I can't remember any precedent for that following a regulatory ruling. I think they would be doomed to fail, and may well be thrown out very quickly.


From all we know, City have not cooperated with the process. My guess is this will influence the judgment, and any appeal.
I think they will get a points deduction (not enough), a transfer ban, and a heavy fine. Also, when the findings are made public, I would be surprised if HMRC didn't start an investigation.

12 Jun 2026 15:52:30
Tom, these proceedings are extremely complex. I doubt whether a sports tribunal would be able to determine the matter quickly. As far as domestic appeals, it would have to be a Judicial Review of the process rather than the findings. The inordinate delay in publishing a decision is often used to quash decisions. Trust me, this will go on and on.

12 Jun 2026 16:05:57
Jimbo, most recent sports appeals have been heard very quickly (if needed), and, as this will affect the whole league, I can see this being pushed through very promptly.

I just can't see how a domestic case would stand initial scrutiny by any UK court. I see it as a non starter, but I'm not a lawyer.

13 Jun 2026 08:24:12
Tom, which sports appeals are you referring to? TBH, I don't care about the City case. I am only concerned about the conclusion of the FA investigation regarding our charges.

13 Jun 2026 09:59:31
All of the appeals that have involved a points deduction as a penalty. Because they affect the outcome of a league, they are generally heard quickly.

I think most fans care about the City penalty on lots of fronts. If you're not, ho hum.

13 Jun 2026 11:12:02
Tom, that's very vague. The City case is unprecedented and extremely complex.

13 Jun 2026 12:32:20
No, it's not. It's very clear. Penalties that included points deductions and were appealed have been heard very quickly.

13 Jun 2026 17:18:19
Tom, for instance? As I stated, even if City were found guilty there would be a separate hearing for sanctions. However, it would be unlikely to get to that stage, as City would challenge the findings. The idea that it will be over before the transfer window is over is laughable.

There are other scenarios. City might be cleared. Alternatively, some of the charges might be proved and others dismissed. In that case, a settlement might be negotiated.

13 Jun 2026 21:38:38
Jimbo, I suggested that if they are to get a transfer ban then punishment should be "before" the window opens. Any appeal for that part of the sanction could well take more than the term of this transfer window, but if it did I would suggest City again run the risk of that particular sanction being extended.


My point about any points deduction remains. When clubs have appealed about the severity of a points deduction, those appeals have generally been heard quickly, for obvious reasons.