12 Aug 2026 08:00:42
Tom
I do not think EF will move on this window, City were also linked with Gusto and Neto and neither have Bournemouth fruit for them as they baulked at the prices quoted.
Maybe Maresca will be linked with Gladys the tea lady next.
12 Aug 2026 09:15:50
Bill, Gladys left with her biscuits as part of the Maresca debacle. As I understand it, City are refusing to pay compensation for her.
As far as EF is concerned, and if the rags are accurate, I think put up the £120m no later than a certain date, or go away, is a reasonable position to take.
The same applies to Neto. Gusto, it might be slightly different.
12 Aug 2026 15:14:38
I think we'll definitely lower our demands for Gusto given that it seems it's only City that are interested and we have an excess amount of players that are capable of playing RB/RWB. The same could be said about Neto in terms of players capable of playing his position, but there seems to be more interest in him if you believe the rags, with Arsenal, Spuds and Liverpool all credited with some form of interest.
12 Aug 2026 15:59:00
Bill, I think all 3 might well go to Man City, Maresca loved Enzo Fenandez, Gusto and Neto. That could net Chelsea a cool £300 million at quoted prices.
ED01, do you think Man City might already know a long transfer ban is coming their way and hence may stockpile players in this window?
{Ed001's Note - no, I think they expect to keep dragging it out indefinitely.}
12 Aug 2026 17:26:26
Ed001, City have and will continue to drag this out. However, the Independent Panel must also take responsibility for the delay.I read an article from a leading Barrister's chambers. It was suggested that the delay might be caused by a number of reasons.
A Panel member might have fallen ill; a split decision: other cases that the Panel members are dealing with. Whatever, the reasons it still is an extremely long time to make a decision and draft reasons.
{Ed001's Note - it is crazy now, it has dragged on for years longer than they themselves said it would take.}
12 Aug 2026 18:03:33
It was rumoured that City are in possession of the inquiry's decision.
12 Aug 2026 18:44:48
Tom, that might be right. In complicated civil cases, it is normal practice for both parties to be sent a draft of the judgment to allow for representations regarding perceived factual errors. It wouldn't affect the substance of the decision.
12 Aug 2026 19:58:43
Fuser, why should we lower our demands? If City want them, then they can pay the price we are asking.
12 Aug 2026 20:32:04
Because we have 3 RBs (James, Gusto & Palestra) + Achaempong and we're playing one game a week? We have another 2 players capable of playing RWB in Quenda and Neto. So, if we don't sell Gusto, either he or Palestra are likely to get very limited game time.
On top of that, there's just no way Gusto is worth £75m, so I believe we will eventually sell him for around the 50-60m mark imo.
I don't think we'll lower our demands for Neto as I mentioned above.
13 Aug 2026 06:56:37
Fuser, I am not a fan of Gusto and, on last season's performances, I would definitely sell him, but I have to admit he might do well under an Alonso system. It looks to me like we are pricing him out of the market. I would value him at around £30m generally, £50m to PSG and £100m to City.
13 Aug 2026 07:39:49
Fuser,
Reece is injury prone, so realistically, you could say we have Gusto and Palestra.
13 Aug 2026 08:01:11
On last season's performances, James on one leg is better than Gusto.
13 Aug 2026 09:21:49
If we can get a decent fee, we should let Gusto go.
13 Aug 2026 10:27:22
On one leg, Tom? Maybe in the medical room.
Also in previous seasons, Gusto has played well.
13 Aug 2026 10:37:25
Bill, you are correct. The previous season, Gusto was ok, but last season he was woeful.
Of course, that could be down to poor management, and I may well be guilty of giving up on him too soon.
As I say, his strengths could well be suited to the Alonso style of play, more so than James.
I may be wrong, but didn't James play over 30 games last season?
13 Aug 2026 13:25:58
Tom
We should hold a party for him.
He went away with England and got injured.
13 Aug 2026 13:59:44
Bill, last season he made 39 appearances for our club, and the season before, 32. Yes, maybe his injuries have to be managed, but it doesn't look like he is made of glass. Maybe it's time to stop the "never ending injury" debate.
13 Aug 2026 15:49:09
James made 29 PL appearances with average playing time of 67 minutes. He has appeared in 156 PL games out of a possible 266. His injury record is improving, and with no European football, no excuses about managing game time. Hopefully, he stays fully fit. However, I'm not sure where he would play if Alonso goes to a back three.
13 Aug 2026 16:37:40
I assume the other ten appearances last season were CL and cup games.
13 Aug 2026 16:55:17
Tom, yes.
13 Aug 2026 17:05:03
He played a part in more games than I thought, and I had no idea he played in 32 games the previous season.
13 Aug 2026 17:21:05
Thing is, James is a right back - not really a position you want to be changing every week. If he's averaging 67 minutes every time he plays, it means our defence will change mid-game almost every game - sometimes at very inconvenient times... Hopefully, with fewer games, he can put together a long run of games.
13 Aug 2026 17:37:07
Tom, in the 24/25 season, James played 19 PL games, averaging 56 minutes playing time.
13 Aug 2026 17:43:59
Jimbo, well, that is progress in average mins. I assume the 32 game number includes Conf League, domestic cups and the WCC.