18 Jul 2026 21:19:06
Sorry, should have added to my last post, that I'm struggling to believe any part of this Rogers speculation.
18 Jul 2026 22:00:10
Tom, I had a lot on my plate today, so haven't been keeping up with things. Not sure I believe the speculation, but if it is true, where does he fit in? It would be a big hole in our transfer budget unless EF is moving on.
18 Jul 2026 22:46:43
Jimbo, I have no idea what our transfer budget is. I generally only look at Net window spend, and obviously I can't calculate that until the window closes. I guess with the sale of George and the imminent sale of Chalaboa, it should give us about £55m pure profit, probably with a lot more sales to come.
I'm also not sure I believe it's all down to the persuasive powers of Alonso, but it's a nice story.
I thought he was the No1 target for the Gooners. I also think he is a good player, and I'm personally not that bothered about the fee.
I do seem to remember reading ages ago that he always wanted to play for Chelsea, but maybe I've got my players muddled up.
19 Jul 2026 12:03:57
Tom, I have nothing against MR. His profile is good: young, but PL experience, good fitness record. It's just the price tag. That said, the quotes being bandied around for other players are just as high. Given that we have a good record of selling players, I will let the hierarchy worry about finances; there are gaps in the squad, but plenty of time left in the window.
It is reported that Alonso and Egbali were instrumental in getting the deal over the line. It makes you wonder why we need 5 SDs.
19 Jul 2026 12:21:41
It doesn't make me wonder, because, as mentioned earlier, the SDs have different job titles and responsibilities. Nothing unusual with club managers talking to a player pre-signing (I assume with the agreement of the selling club), and I assume the owners would sign off on all transfer fees.
If, as rumoured, MR was Arsenal's No1 target, I would think Arteta also spoke to Rogers, but who knows!!
19 Jul 2026 13:50:06
Tom, in most clubs, "the" Sporting Director would be at the forefront of such deals. Maybe, the 5 SDs couldn't work out whose responsibility it was, or it was too big a deal for any of them to get involved in.
19 Jul 2026 14:20:52
Jimbo, as I have said, the different job titles and responsibilities for the SDs were posted some time ago. I doubt very much if they were all involved in the potential transfer of Rogers.
I'm sure that one, maybe two, played their part in this transfer. In my opinion, if we get him, whoever the SD is will have played a blinder, along with the manager and owners.
19 Jul 2026 17:07:07
Tom, you are assuming that one or more of the SDs were involved: that may not be the case.
19 Jul 2026 19:22:49
Jimbo, I always say I'm guessing. Of course, it could have been none, but I personally think it's more likely to be at least one of them.
Your guess is, it was too big a deal for any of them to be involved in.
I personally think that would be unlikely.
I can't see how this "potential" deal is a reason to be critical of the SDs.
19 Jul 2026 19:41:03
Tom, I am always critical of the over bloated SD structure at the club and you always defend it as you are entitled to do. A deal is never done until it is confirmed on the Chelsea website. However, reports from many sources are saying everything is agreed and MR is to have a medical tomorrow.
Also, many reports state that the deal was secured by Egbali and Alonso rather than any of the SDs with their many and varied responsibilities.
19 Jul 2026 20:12:17
Jimbo, total rubbish. I do not "always" defend the SDs, but I am not going to be critical of them if I can't find any reason to be critical.
I can see no reason to be critical of them if we sign MR. There is also nothing unusual in a manager and owner being involved in this transfer, or in any transfer at any club.
Again, I can't see how a manager or owner being involved in a transfer warrants SD criticism.
We are all only guessing, and it could well be that the player wanted to talk to the manager before giving his agreement.
19 Jul 2026 22:27:01
Tom, you've missed the point. I am critical of the structure of 5 SDs in the senior management structure. As I've said, this is over bloated and imo is not good for the direction of the club. The roles and responsibilities assigned to this bunch are usually assigned to people lower down in a club's structure.
It appears to me that none of them had any significant role in the deal. Which begs the question: what is the point of having 5 of them?
19 Jul 2026 23:23:30
Jimbo, it would be very difficult to miss your point as you consistently criticise the SD's. The structure and job titles has been posted by Ed, I believe on more than one occasion. The owners feel that structure supports the clubs needs. My issue about having five SD's was a question of responsibility, again Ed answered that question.
I have been very critical of the SD manager choices and certain players but when they are involved, as I'm sure they have been in a signing I personally like, I will praise them.
For me, it's criticism (try to be constructive) when it's deserved but praise when it's deserved.
20 Jul 2026 08:25:35
Tom, I know about the defined roles and responsibilities. As I said, critical of the structure, which imo lacks accountability. By the way, which SD were you critical of regarding manager appointments?
20 Jul 2026 09:36:38
If I remember correctly, the two at the top of the SD structure, along with the owners, have had ultimate responsibility for the manager signings. They are the two with "responsibility."
My point is, you are suggesting the SDs have had little to do with the MR potential signing because Alonso and an owner got involved, probably at the final stages.
There is, as I've repeatedly said, nothing unusual in this, and it doesn't mean that one or more SDs haven't been involved throughout this whole transfer process.
I am all for having a pop when people get things wrong, but it can't be hard to praise people when they are involved in something good.
20 Jul 2026 17:52:06
It is now being widely repeated that Winstanley and Stewart played active and important roles in the signing of Rogers.