07 Apr 2026 09:26:10
A lot of debate about Josh at the moment amongst my mates, we all agree he should be given more opportunities, but it appears Liam either doesn't rate him or is afraid to risk a young player in the same way that Maresca would.
I would bite the bullet and pair Josh Achempong and Levi Colwill next season at centre back, but a few of my mates would prefer to bring in an experienced centre back and send Josh out on loan where you run the risk that he gets tapped up and ends up leaving.
We have been here before with so many young talents who have ended up leaving.
It is open for debate, but I'm sticking with giving Josh the chance now. No loan, no playing second fiddle, put him in now and pair him with Levi for a lovely Right, Left Centre Back pairing for years to come.
07 Apr 2026 11:11:16
There have been plenty of games under both managers when Josh should have started.
I have no idea if our current manager rates him, but Maresca played lip service to playing him, in my opinion.
I personally think he offers far more than Gusto.
07 Apr 2026 12:23:55
I agree that Josh should be playing, but the problem is that LR and the club are in a pickle.
They need to get CL, otherwise the likes of Josh will definitely be sold anyway.
07 Apr 2026 15:16:15
I don't think you can rely on Acheampong as one of the main starting CB's this coming season, not with the ambitions we will have. I think the pairing of Colwill and Acheampong is a great one for the future, but with Colwill likely to be phased back into the team over the next year, much like Fofana and James have been, he won't be available to consistently play alongside Acheampong. I believe Acheampong needs that consistency, both in the experienced player playing alongside him and in the amount of minutes he plays.
For me, signing an older, experienced CB for the right hand CB role makes sense for the summer - as I've said, Senesi on a free makes perfect sense.
Hato can deputise for Colwill over the coming season, playing alongside someone like Senesi, with either Chalobah or Fofana offering depth. I'd definitely sell both Badiashille and Tosin.
With the above happening next season, Acheampong can go on loan for a season, somewhere like Bournemouth or Palace and get the mins he needs. He then comes back for the 27/28 season ready to compete with a player like Senesi for regular mins at Chelsea.
07 Apr 2026 15:27:47
Senesi will not be joining Chelsea this summer.
07 Apr 2026 15:38:42
Maybe not, but as an example of an older player, not another youngster to compete with Acheampong and/or Anselmino, he makes complete sense. We aren't going to pay big fees for over 25s, even if we do alter the guidelines of our project. You have to imagine a player like Senesi on a free would appeal.
07 Apr 2026 17:46:22
A good friend of mine told me this morning that Senesi has agreed to join Chelsea on a free transfer.
He also said that he is not sure that an official announcement will be made before the end of the season.
I am just the messenger!!
07 Apr 2026 18:09:13
I think Senesi would be a decent signing, but he is 29 next month and goes against all that the so-called project is about. I would love them to tear up their rule book and sign a mixture of players, but I just can't see it happening.
07 Apr 2026 19:37:32
We were 100% interested in January. I believe you'll see the rules bent this summer, but only for free transfers or minimal fees.
Tom, I think your friend might have seen the same report as me, which stems from one Argentinian (I believe) journalist. Not the same one who broke the Barco news, and it certainly hasn't been reported any further.
Barcelona were reported to be his favoured destination, but they seem set on Bastoni. As I previously said, I'll believe it when it's confirmed and completed, but I won't be surprised if it happens.
If it is true, getting business done early is very much a positive.
07 Apr 2026 20:54:25
J, I hope you are right, and they tear up their project of only signing young players who can be traded. If you and Tom are correct, and we start signing 29 year olds who will likely have little, if any, sell on value, that is a real indicator that the trading players model is finished, and we are back as a club looking at the here and now rather than 2030.
Great news all round, and thank you, Tom, for enlightening us all on the updated model.
07 Apr 2026 21:31:45
I am just the messenger.
08 Apr 2026 09:04:05
But you are a good messenger, Tom. Keep it up.
08 Apr 2026 09:10:39
Can only hope messenger is right, Tom, but you won't be shot if not! I think Senesi would be just the sort of signing we need.