17 Jan 2026 23:52:52
Hi everyone, please don't let this new owners deceive you into thinking that all is well at lt the club. They have technically reduced Chelsea to 3nd rate club. Chelsea now almost celebrated defeat to direct rivals , arsenal. In the past losing against arsenal was like a tarboo but now we srmee it as normal.
We obviously need a an experienced defender but they choose to pursue Jeremy jacquet to add what exactly. It's obvious that it's the reason Maresca's left and instead of reviewing the policy to allow a change to the standard we operates before they came which put Chelsea in a position where they can compete in all.
Chelsea have been in transition for some years now but all we see is strategies to make Chelsea accept to be a 2nd rate club so long as it puts profits into their pocket. The obvious example is the last season of wenger at arsenal.
18 Jan 2026 05:20:28
It’s fair to criticize the strategy, but how much profit do you think they’ve made since purchasing the club? Wouldn’t the more prudent strategy to make profit and sell for a huge amount be becoming a highly successful club rather than ‘accept to be a 2nd rate club’?
18 Jan 2026 07:50:23
Tusole, I posted my thoughts on the direction of the club a while back which you might like to read as it explains pretty much the only way the owners of the club can make a financial gain of any real significance on their investment. I will try to give you a brief summary here to politely challenge your statement above. There is no way in this world that the owners can make a large investment profit by trading players, it just won't happen as for every star purchase who might possibly turn a nice profit there will be 2 more at least who won't work out and will lose you money, factor in purchase and sale costs, agent fees and wages and any return to the owners will be little to nothing so the notion that the owners buy players to make a profit is pure pie in the sky, the owners are also prohibited from taking a dividend from the club for 10 years so unlike the Glazers at Man Utd they can't profit day to day via income, the only way they can possibly a sizeable financial gain is by resale of the entire investment which legally can't happen until 2032 as part of the sale process agreed with Roman in 2022 and that will mean the club needs to of grown as a global force both through expansion, further clubs being added, stadia development bringing increased revenue and fan exposure and fundamentally success on the pitch.
The approach at present to purchase young prospects will likely continue for another couple of seasons as wages and costs are managed before the push towards sustainable challenges for domestic and european titles begins to ramp up the nearer any sale date around 2032 and beyond where the owners need the club to be not only winning titles yearly but showing significant progress in all areas including stadia. If that all comes together they might just make a sizeable return on their investment. The downside for us fans is that we must watch on as the club slowly build up to the trophy winning monster the model is intended to be mainly picking up a trophy here and there and hovering around the top 4 or 5 until 2027 or 2028 when the kick really begins towards yearly title challenges and sustained sucess leading to a profitable sale by the owners in or likely beyond 2032. I totally understand the short term frustration and can only hope their vision pans out in the long term if not before but trying to put a slightly positive spin on it at least they have a plan unlike many other clubs who just muddle through year by year. I hope my brief summary helps explain a few things but more than happy to go into far greater detail on my thoughts on this model if you wish.
18 Jan 2026 08:51:34
Tusole, can I politely ask where are you from?
18 Jan 2026 08:56:15
RPD, good points and good post in my opinion.
18 Jan 2026 09:11:46
Thanks Tom.
18 Jan 2026 09:14:08
Excellent post RPD and once again glad that you are back.
Clearlake are a private equity company and the aim is to generate a profit for their investors which will probably only happen with a sale at some point however some PEC's are not turned around around into a profitable business and are sold at a loss just to get them of the portfolio.
You mentioned Stadia but from we we are at present, I'm not too hopeful on that issue.
You also did not mention the FOS issue and even if we signed one for say £60mil, it would take around two years to break even should be have had secured a £40mil deal previously.
18 Jan 2026 09:45:33
Sorry wrong thread. Melbourne, I completely agree with your post on this thread.
18 Jan 2026 09:46:52
Cfb, good to have you back mate.
18 Jan 2026 09:47:35
Thanks for your very clearly written and well argued post RPD.
18 Jan 2026 10:14:23
Bill, I don’t want to put words in the mouth of RPD but I think it was him who put forward a reason as to why we “might” not have a FOS sponsor.
I’ve said on another thread, I would like our present owners to give us the reason why we have no FOS sponsors but I also except they may well have been legally advised not to make any comment until after the result of any potential sanction.
18 Jan 2026 10:35:08
Fair comment Tom however not quite sure why a sponser could not put in a clause to protect their interests.
18 Jan 2026 10:45:29
I won't be posting often tomb. I am still popping in every now and then. I have removed myself from all social media as I find it all fake or miss leading much the same as the media outlets.
I brought myself back to ask where tusole is from as he reminds me of the hundreds possibly the thousands of Africans on social media that rant. But have never even been to england. Never mind to the bridge. Don't get me wrong he may live under the seats in the Mathew harding upper for all I know. But for most of us that go regular (even tho i can only go 5 to 6 times a year now I have moved) they are more balanced arguments. Even jimbo and nib please keep giving your opinion guys or gals for that matter.
Just remember whatever you put in here will never make a difference. And we are all wrong with our opinions because we are not within the club. So we just jump on the Internet for our information. If anyone has ever read the reddit posts or the replies on Facebook X or Instagram its full of toxic misleading fake news. If you get your head full of this, its no wonder we get negative opinions.
This is why it was so good having the eds in here to straighten out some of the rubbish. Just like ed001 did with the guehi wages post. Thanks eds keep up the good work.
18 Jan 2026 11:14:13
RPD, good to have you back contributing to the site.
18 Jan 2026 11:52:03
Cfb. The more posters the better is my view. We are in total agreement, we are all guessing because we are not in possession of the facts.
If us football fans are honest we all have biased opinions and occasionally agenda's.
18 Jan 2026 11:57:57
Bill, that’s a good point but I’m sure if it was that easy it would have happened. None of us have a factual clue but I find it totally impossible to believe it’s deliberate or that every effort hasn’t been made to sign a deal.
18 Jan 2026 12:33:59
Lets hope things improve soon on that front Tom.
18 Jan 2026 14:23:16
Bill, let’s hope so but it could get a lot worse. Although I personally believe we will get a transfer ban plus a heavy fine, I expect that some of the signs point to a points deduction.
18 Jan 2026 14:37:57
Chelsea forever blue…what an utter nonsense comment … maybe the worst i've ever read on here.
It doesn't matter where tusole is from he can be from mars for all i care…he supports the club and wants it to do well same as us… not sure why you had to mention african social media rants either
‘ But for most of us that go regular’ - you're very lucky to be able to, doesn't make a superior fan so stop that nonsense. Plenty of match going fans ain't happy too …made themselves loud and clear against fulham recently.
Sick of this idea rhat if you happen to live nearby or have access to tickets you're a better fan than someone else.
18 Jan 2026 15:03:44
Maybe the question was asked because usually the Tusole posts contain national tropes.
I haven’t noticed any fan being criticised for being more or less off a fan if they support the club from home, the pub or the bridge. I also don’t recall any fan saying they are more of a fan if they are “local. ” Nowadays and having to travel by car gives me the pleasure of about three and half hours travel time. Mainly down to the wonderful mayor of London.
18 Jan 2026 15:14:28
Kazblue, Chelsea forever blue is the type of fan you'd meet at a weatherspoons. No idea why he brought up African and saying you're not a fan if you haven't been to the bridge is utter nonsense.
I've been back in england for a year now from aus and would always stay up till 3am frequently to watch my side. Id argue that's more of a fan.
18 Jan 2026 15:59:33
I have several people up on this site for making what “I” consider to racist remarks, I have never read any post from Cfb that in anyway contains racist remark.
I repeat, my guess is and as always it’s only a guess, Cfb has asked that question because generally speaking all posts from Tusole make reference to the nationality of our owners or players. I didn’t see anyone rushing to make a comment when Delap being in the team rather than Jackson is because he is English or the owners are bad and American. Both points made by Tusole.
18 Jan 2026 17:35:30
Ha ha ha ha no remarks about being a better fan but from your reaction it says kazblue has never been to the bridge and standard we know you are from aus and have never been. You bored us with that before whilst also lieing. And claiming you didn't say something when you was proved wrong you disappeared for ages. By the way caicedo is not a donkey he is actually world class
Maybe you guys should ask tomb for his ticket some time. That way you can actually provide to the club you supposedly support.
I have a liverpool fan ST holder that goes to every game. But buys his shirt from a fake Chinese Internet shop because he doesn't want to pay the money. Naturally as football supporters we take the Michael and say he is actually robbing the club he supposedly supports.
18 Jan 2026 17:43:44
And standard where in my comments did I say not a real fan or not a fan.
My whole point is that tusole and now kazblue for that matter remind me of the people on all social media which when you look at their profiles are African people. Which may or may not be chelsea fans and just post or troll for that matter to get a reaction.
You can't even admit to what you have said yourself in the past so don't put words in my mouth.
And you staying up till 3 in the morning woohoo good on you. Some of us have travelled in all types of weather and time zones following our club, getting back at "3am" to then go to work so don't talk some much tosh.
18 Jan 2026 17:57:16
cfb/tomB burner account.
i just have no idea why you'd specifically mention african? unfortunately for you -your senses are wrong, im not african. im leeds born and bread and live in liverpool although that's probably the same thing as african to someone like you. I won't say what you remind me of but you can jog on mate.
this is a forum for everyone no matter the opinion, always has been.
18 Jan 2026 18:24:38
Kazblue, I trust the editors to edit but some peoples opinions should never posted and my guess is a lot get filtered out.
Can I suggest that you and Standard look up the historical posts of Tusole. You never know you might find that the question Cfb asked is reasonable.
I have a history on this site, at the bridge and in my personal life of calling out all forms of racism. It is something that I find sickening and I am sometimes ashamed of supporting a club with a sad history on this topic.
Bye the way I have zero idea what “burner account” means.
18 Jan 2026 18:42:49
Im not calling racism- just thought the mention of africans on social media was weird- as though africans don't have a right to support us- some of our best players in this era have been african i. e drogba, essien mikel geremi and the often forgotten but personal favourite of mine. salomon Kalou!
If Tusole said delap is playing over jackson cos he's english- that's an opinion and tbh given how delap has looked when he's played- id be thinking of reasons why he was preffered over jackson- again tho that's irrelevant to CFBs smug post in which he came across a right w*****
Im not a fan of asking where people are from as it opens up the door to all sorts. only thing i care about is we are all blue.
18 Jan 2026 19:13:58
Given the history of the Tusole posts, I think it was a reasonable question for Cfb to ask.
I trust the editors to determine if it was a reasonable question. Obviously the same is true of the historical posts from Tusole.
You are correct the nationality of a player, manager, owner or fan is irrelevant. So why bring it up at all? If you want to have a pop at a poster on this subject that’s up to you but can I humbly suggest some form of consistency.
18 Jan 2026 19:14:12
Chelsea-forever-blue out here with his dog whistle. Says you can't trust social media but by the same stroke, look at all these people with 'African' profile pictures ranting, talking rubbish. Only regular (British) match-going fans like him are capable of employing logic. If they mostly happen to be white, well – that's coincidence isn't it. All those match-going fans with their long and storied history of using reason to settle differences, of advancing human thought. It's not racist, it's just what he's seen. Anyone who disagrees with him is African – probably hysterical too, probably women, come to think of it.
The only poster we had on here who was actually from Africa was Obina (Nigeria, I think? ) . Left these pages a while ago – I wonder why. I hope he's well, and not trawling through this nonsense.
18 Jan 2026 19:49:53
EdW, you make a valid argument but surely the reverse is true.
My point remains the same, given that a person repeatedly brings up the nationality of players and owners and is not edited out it seems perfectly reasonable to me that a poster asks that poster his or her nationality. If the editors didn’t think it was a reasonable question I’m sure it would be edited out.
As far as fans location is concerned, as I’ve said I couldn’t give a flying f@rt.
18 Jan 2026 20:16:20
Haha that's given me a good laugh. Now im not from australia apparently. Like I said, chelsea forever blue is one of those Brits that you'd find in a weatherspoons. Make of that what you will.
18 Jan 2026 20:33:19
What argument did I make, Tom?
18 Jan 2026 20:42:12
If you said that to me I would treat being called a customer of weatherspoons as compliment. I would take being called an Aussie as an insult.
18 Jan 2026 20:48:23
Sorry, I meant to put a few emoji’s ??on my reply. I wouldn’t want to mention a continent. ???.
18 Jan 2026 21:05:41
For the avoidance of doubt, because what I thought was signposted irony clearly wasn't signposted well enough, I think it's blatantly obvious that highlighting 'rants' people make on social media as lacking in sense, and specifying that those particular social media accounts are all 'Africans' is racist. For anyone sensitive to the signs, it's very obviously racist. But it's done with plausible deniability. Hence why it's known as 'dog whistle'.
The poster states that there are fans unable to formulate proper thoughts and arguments about these issues. They're only capable of hot takes – rants. Implication: these people are not capable of reasoned thought.
All these people just happen – when you look at their social media profile pictures, he says – to share one feature. That feature is being from Africa.
So ask yourself: how can someone tell that from a picture? Are there flags in the background of every photo? Being totally honest, when you read that, did you immediately think the poster meant white South Africans? What one identifying feature would mean 'African' in this context? When he says 'African' he means Black. The implied logic: Black people are unable to employ reasoned thought. He specifically contrasts this with 'regular' matchgoing fans (implied meaning: white, British) .
18 Jan 2026 21:09:23
EdW, maybe argument was the wrong terminology, maybe points would have been a better term to use.
18 Jan 2026 22:04:41
EdW, I’m sorry mate but your most recent post to me is making a lot of assumptions and isn’t my takeaway from the Cfb post. Of course if that’s your interpretation is that comment is racist then you are correct to be annoyed.
I repeat my take is Cfb was asking a question about a person’s nationality who constantly brings up other people’s nationalities. I’m sure if the Eds believed it to racist it would have been edited,
18 Jan 2026 22:24:12
Standard, all the Wetherspoons in Norwich are very nice and probably many more in other locations.
18 Jan 2026 22:25:02
Well frankly tom in this case your opinion and takeaway is not relevant and i think should be kept to yourself in this case.
Let cfb defend himself if he wants- certainly doesn't need you to stick up for him with more gibberish….
19 Jan 2026 10:16:20
Tom doesn't talk gibberish kazblue1 but you do. You rocked up on this page a week or so ago at the same time as standard came back and all your posts are looking at starting trouble. Yes, Chelsea forever blue did appear to overstep the mark with his comment but don't start on Tom who is a valued poster on this site.
19 Jan 2026 12:03:01
Tom, that post wasn't directed at you mate – the 'you' in what I said was meant to be the impersonal 'one', but we don't really use that in common conversation any more. Sorry if it came off as being personal – it wasn't. I know you don't condone racism.
But I think it's important to bring these things to light, and it's not always easy to spot when it's done like that (for the eds as well as posters – how do you edit intention? ), so I took the time to explain how that kind of insidious comment works. Dog-whistle racism is racism, and Kaz has every right to be angry.
19 Jan 2026 14:27:14
Greenaway …. i ve been on this page almost 10 years pal long before you tom and standard begun posting.
Tom is a great poster and i know he has no ill intent in him…but sometimes its best to let someone defend themselves … as others and you yourself have said …cfbs post wasnt great and he deserved calling out on it.
19 Jan 2026 14:48:56
EdW, I never took your post as being directed at me. I have personally been a victim of racism and it’s a subject I spent far too much of my life either avoiding or ignoring. That is no longer the case.
I obviously didn’t make my point very clear and I except that is down to me. There were two different parts to the Cfb post. The part I have been referencing is the question of nationality. I personally do not see that as a racist question.
19 Jan 2026 14:50:48
Why not post under your original name then King Frank?
19 Jan 2026 15:58:07
Kazblue, My so called defence of a the Cfb post was centred around one question.
I assume that your argument about posters defending themselves applies to all posters?
19 Jan 2026 17:14:40
greenaway- my original name was Bluekaz98 - again i was here far before king frank too, - long before we even had log ins, have seen this site change over the years yet always a prat or 2 remain.
19 Jan 2026 21:15:29
Kazblue, the fact that you have now resorted to describing posters on here as "prats" consolidates my opinion that you just come on the site looking to cause trouble.
19 Jan 2026 22:23:10
Calling him King Frank is low, Greenaway. It's hilarious that guy is like the ultimate bogeyman in here now. But come on – Kaz's posts don't even read remotely the same as that nutball's.