13 Jul 2026 23:07:17
Appears that Alonso really rates Enzo Fernandez and wants him to stay. I would be very pleased with that.
14 Jul 2026 00:24:46
What makes you say that? The only thing he said in the press conference was that they had spoken, and what was said will remain private. A follow-up question of 'Do you want Enzo to stay?' was met with a single-word answer of 'yes' haha.
14 Jul 2026 08:17:08
Melbourne, unless somebody pays the fee, he will be staying.
This window, our SD's seem to have found some backbone and are telling clubs to pay what we want or they move on, I have read Inter are pulling away from the Chabs deal as it is too expensive.
Previous seasons the begging bowl if the Italians meant that we would pay 200% of the salary and they would give us a packet of Rolo's as a loan fee.
As you probably can guess, I can't stand Italian clubs
14 Jul 2026 09:19:00
I don't think we can read too much into Alonso's response. If he answered No to that question, then the player's transfer fee would drop.
14 Jul 2026 10:14:00
I agree, Bill. I know some supporters want Enzo to stay, but we already know he wants to play somewhere else, so I'd prefer we sold him, but, like you say, he is worth what he's worth. I wouldn't take a discount. I think if he stays, he likely has a good year, and his price shouldn't drop due to the long contract.
I actually like that Como and Inter supposedly agreed not to get into a bidding war for Chabolah. The Italian league isn't known for ethics, typically. I'm sure he will have plenty of options if the Inter sale doesn't materialize.
14 Jul 2026 10:26:05
Melbourne, like you, I have read different reports about Enzo, but do any of us actually know for sure that he 100% wants to leave now that Alonso has arrived? Lots of the current squad had great admiration for the club when we won the Club World Cup and started last season, but it seemed to change when the club appointed LR. That has now changed.
14 Jul 2026 12:44:49
It's safe to assume he wants to leave. His agent has said he is actively searching for solutions to let him leave Chelsea. I hope Xabi is persuasive enough to get his mind back on staying long term, but he has history with pushing for moves away from clubs he kisses the badge of.
14 Jul 2026 14:43:33
Bill, our SDs have grown a backbone now that they've packed the club full of below average players no one particularly wants. We'll see by the end of the window where those players are, but I'm not holding my breath. Like I've said before, we're on the verge of absolute catastrophe as a club, and we desperately need this summer and the season to work out.
14 Jul 2026 16:20:13
I hope we don't get relegated yet again.
Let's see how good Alonso is. I think he will get our squad playing to its potential. Obviously, other teams are not going to stand still and wait for us to catch. It will be interesting, but I'm looking forward to the new season.
14 Jul 2026 16:40:01
I don't think we are on the verge of a catastrophe, but I accept that next season will be important for the club. I believe that, with 3 or 4 smart signings and the moving of the dross we have recently signed, things can improve.
I believe we have picked the right manager for the task. Let's just hope he has influence on signings that he believes can thrive in his system. Not quite the last chance saloon, but nearly.
14 Jul 2026 17:57:12
Catastrophe may be slightly strong, Jimbo - however I'm worried, the media noise isn't helping. Stories of us haggling over a few million for a 28 year old back-up wing-back. I'm confident no one on here has heard of him before.
Stories of players wanting to leave, losing Cucurella, who, regardless of anything, was one of our best players and one of our most experienced.
The lack of interest in players like Garancho, who I feel have no business being at Chelsea.
Countless names can be added to that - Tosin, Delap, Gittens, Badiashile, Neto, Lavia, Gusto, Sanchez.
Talk of Alonso being backed with experience and a change in model, i.e. a lowball bid for Xhaka and not much else. A constant stream of more kids again, most of whom no one's heard of, and just huge, glaring weaknesses in the squad as of yet not addressed.
14 Jul 2026 17:59:50
I also think, with less playing time, players won't get injured as much and won't be too tired.
I.
14 Jul 2026 18:38:11
Kazblue, I share your concerns. That's why the ins and outs will be significant in determining the direction of the club - early days yet.
Bill, the fact we are playing less football is because we didn't qualify for the Champions League and are not at the top table.
As for injuries, some of our players wouldn't be able to play two games of croquet in a week. Not sure why our players are tired, they were outrun by every team except Liverpool last season. Perhaps, they should go to bed earlier.
14 Jul 2026 21:56:15
On the verge of a Catastrophe? Oh my oh my. I have seen some comments on here over the years, "Moises being called a donkey" being the stand out, but Kaz, you are rivalling yourself there.
14 Jul 2026 22:35:16
How not edw - we have overspent, we came 10th, we have huge areas of concern in the squad - we have SDs that have so far shown no competence, on the football side of things and in large parts of the business side. We have a long list of players we'd like to move on, having only brought them in in the last few years.
We are awash with rumours of players wanting out - you think Enzo, Caicedo, Palmer, JP want to sit tight if we have another season coming 8th/9th/10th? A footballer's career can end in a moment - these players won't wait forever for us to sort ourselves out.
We have an exciting young manager and some exciting players - if it fails now, I struggle to see where we go from here.
14 Jul 2026 23:06:06
I am not sure we are "awash with players wanting out", but all players should want success. A transfer window is the time when rumours abound, and, as much as I enjoy those rumours, the vast majority just make me laugh. If a player wants to leave, then goodbye as far as I'm concerned.
I personally think we will challenge for CL football next season.
I think we have a lot more talented players than some believe, and, without last season's manager turmoil, those players would and should have finished in the top four.
I worry less about our SDs signing players than I do managers, and although Alonso wasn't my first choice, I think he will prove to be a solid appointment.