07 Dec 2025 07:19:41
Sanchez played well again yesterday and is now one of the first names on the team sheet, he needs competition of course and Jorgensen is not the answer so I guess Penders might be back in the summer. Fofana is so important to us, if Tosin had played yesterday we would of lost that game. Reece James was utterly shocking in midfield and needs to stay in his rightful position at fullback, Cucu needs a rest as he looked tired, Trev is decent but we miss Colwill big time, Enzo is hopeless in the double pivot but very good as the 10 but where does that leave Palmer? talking of which, he is still thawing out but at least got 60 mins in, Garnacho is a talent but the shackles need taking off so he can express himself and the same goes for Neto and Estevao, Joao Pedro, Delap and Giui are not as effective as Jackson so I would bring him back to compete with Emegha next season, Gittens is a project who will be sold in the summer when the new winger arrives from Sporting Lisbon (what a talent he is as well), Gusto is another decent player to have in the squad but not a starter for me and I have a question for Maresca, what has Josh done wrong?
Just my take on things as they stand and we have Moises back on Tuesday.
Right, time to pack.
07 Dec 2025 07:55:15
Greenaway, I would have played more but i assuming that the EM comment about the Fofana and Chalaboa giving us clean sheets is accurate.
Who is in and who is doesn’t interest me to much at this stage of the season. We do potentially have at least four talented players who are currently on loan available to the manager for next season. This could be handy because I think we are likely to get a transfer ban after the RA misdemeanours.
07 Dec 2025 08:36:33
As you know Tom
I would be happy with a transfer ban just to bring stability to the club.
Greenaway, I totally agree with you about Josh and the way he is being treated, can see him leaving the club soon.
With regards to Jackson, I doubt we will ever see him in a Chelsea shirt again and I think (hope not) that he will be another Lukaku where we have to constantly agrre to loans with no permanent takers.
It's interesting that you agree that you are saying that the players we have brought to replace Jackson are not as good as him which suggests to me the recruitment needs improving.
It will be interesting to see how Emegha performs next year, I think he has a mean streak about him and knows where the goal is, can see Gittens being sent to Strasbourg, Guiu and Delap being sold.
Obviously all depends on whether Maresca is here still after this season or we have another coach in situ.
07 Dec 2025 08:49:08
EM staying or leaving will probably only have minimum effect on who sign or sell.
I can’t see how a transfer ban helps the club. Maybe the players available from there loans will be sufficient but I would prefer us to have the ability to sign certain players in certain positions.
07 Dec 2025 11:52:02
How many wo does have we had to do that Tom?
07 Dec 2025 12:44:18
Windows.
07 Dec 2025 13:42:16
Bill, I think it will be a two window ban. Other fans just think it will a fine. While others think it will be points deduction. Of course it could be a mixture of all three.
07 Dec 2025 15:30:26
As to a transfer ban; Paez, Penders and Anselimo are alll registered Chelsea players and, of course, are available to join the first team squad. Elmegha and Quenda are not Chelsea players: we have agreed transfer fees with their respective clubs to join in 2026; no fees have been paid and they are not registered with us.
So if there is a ban those transfers are unlikely to go through.
07 Dec 2025 15:40:27
Personally I think it will ne a points deduction Tom.
07 Dec 2025 16:05:03
Bill, I tend to agree with you. It depends on how the FA/PL regard the seriousness of the charges: a transfer ban might appear to be a soft option. I fear a points deduction of 9 to 12 points.
07 Dec 2025 16:22:50
Jimbo, thanks for the info. I assume if we pay the fee in this window for the two players you mentioned they could join us in the summer?
Bill, you may well be correct. As I said I’m only guessing. Fingers will be pointed at RA whatever happens, as far as I’m concerned, we broke the rules so we have to except the punishment.
07 Dec 2025 18:11:26
Tom, obviously that is a possibility. However, I don’t know if the club planned to bring in any players in the January window and the fees would be included in PSR for this accounting period. Also, both are forwards and I think most posters ( and Maresca) would have wanted to strengthen other areas if money was available. You are right people will point fingers at RA but I think we have to move on with our new owners.
I can’t vouch for the accuracy but I have read that despite the non disclosure of thirty party payments we would have not been in breach of the FFP rules. Very annoyed that this is hanging over our head especially as clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona have been getting away with murder over decades.
07 Dec 2025 18:31:15
I’m not sure if my memory is accurate on this issue but for some reason I thought that a football (FFP) accountancy period is a calendar year. If that is the case we could pay the fee but leave them out on loan.
I’m probably wrong!
07 Dec 2025 19:00:33
I guess more likely is that all clubs have the same financial year. That seems more likely.
07 Dec 2025 19:35:05
Tom, you may be right tbh not sure. However, would cause problems for Marcesca bringing in more forwards which we don’t need unless we sell some and it won’t be Sterling!
07 Dec 2025 19:52:50
Jimbo, I don’t think that any of our loan players or players due to join us at the end of the season will come into the squad in the next window.
I can only see Disasi leaving, probably on loan. I think Sterling will be drawing his pension while still being a Chelsea player, unless a team at the bottom of the division gets completely desperate.
07 Dec 2025 20:08:13
Tom, I think you’re right about Sterling; he doesn’t need a pension; he could stop earning now and be set for life. No better than Bogarde at least he was a decent actor.
07 Dec 2025 21:09:33
I think Jimbo is correct and we will get a huge points deduction this season due to Roman and Maria and I think this has already been communicated to the club. We act and behave like a Cup team and I think Maresca is on the briefing, go long and hard in the Champions League and domestic cups.
It explains so much and will also mean Maresca will 100% start next season as our head coach meaning we have the continuity that a lot of fans like myself and Bill on here so crave.