Chelsea Banter 2

28 Apr 2026 19:26:05
Xabi Alonso would be an amazing appointment but could it happen ED01?

{Ed001's Note - he is still available right now, so it is possible.}

28 Apr 2026 19:49:19
ED001

Thought he was going to Liverpool, d9 you not think he would Slot in?

{Ed001's Note - I would take him but right now it seems Slot will stay, even though he is unsettled in England.}

28 Apr 2026 20:32:29
He would be a real statement signing but like Bill says I thought he was Liverpool bound ED01?

{Ed001's Note - no deal has been done.}

28 Apr 2026 19:10:36
The new coach appointment process will go on for a little while yet. At least it will keep this site busy after the season ends. I think most of us wouldn’t agree that the next appointment is crucial for the club and will give an indication of the direction we are going.
I must admit I am really unsure about who we should go for. We are not going to get Enrique or Negalsman so who are the next best options? Probably Iraola or Alonso.
Iraola has done wonders at Bournemouth: his teams play on the front foot and press aggressively. He knows the Premier League. Obviously, a risk though, he has never managed a big team or won anything.


Alonso, has achieved trophies winning the German League and Cup double. He was an elite player who should deserve respect from the players. Getting sacked by Madrid for not playing cry baby Vinicius Jnr is more of a positive than negative. Obviously, he has not coached in the PL but has experience from his playing days.
Three of the coaches being put in the frame I definitely don’t want.
Glasner, horrible, miserable git.
Silva: bang average: Fulham is his right level.
Howe: bang average; only talked about because he is English: extremely boring: always moaning makes LR appear interesting.

28 Apr 2026 18:53:11
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool v Crystal Palace - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

28 Apr 2026 12:32:58
Cucurella further linked with a Barcelona return today. Whilst he's one of the best LB's in the league, in the event that we have to settle the books with some high profile sales, I'm not loosing any sleep over his exit. Hato has markedly improved across the course of his first season in the EPL and the likely arrival of Barco offers depth there too.

We won't really know who's available for sale, and who isn't, until the new coach is announced. So many options rumoured, with lots of different potential systems. Some will suit a player like Cucurella, others won't, same can be said of Enzo Fernandez.

29 Apr 2026 08:23:42
J, if we get Alonso as our manager, I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't sign a CH.

28 Apr 2026 08:38:40
Allegedly, Newcastle are looking at Jackson in the summer.

What are people's thoughts on asking for a swap deal for Woltemade?

28 Apr 2026 09:18:32
Please don't ever apply to become a SD Bill with ideas like that. 😅😅

28 Apr 2026 09:31:25
I thought I would fit in well with our SD's, Greenaway.

28 Apr 2026 12:02:31
Anthony Gordon is today's rumour. Definitely an upgrade on our current left wing options, but personally, I'm not a massive fan. Liverpool and/or Bayern feel like more realistic destinations.

28 Apr 2026 12:17:41
How about Jackson reintegrated as a left wing option, plus striker cover or second striker at The Bridge? Or has the boat sailed anyway?

28 Apr 2026 12:23:44
Never wanted him to leave the club, and I would take him back. But, and it's a big but, I'm not sure I want a player in the club who seemingly didn't want to fight for his place.

28 Apr 2026 12:36:06
Unfortunately JBS, the ship appears to have sailed. This season's striker options have been Joao Pedro, Delap and Guiu. Changing that three to Joao Pedro, Jackson, and Emegha is a huge upgrade, without committing to any further transfers. Pick one of Guiu or Delap for loan, and sell the other. I personally think Guiu has more potential.

28 Apr 2026 13:12:06
I'm pretty sure the Jackson ship does not want to disembark at our port any more.

28 Apr 2026 16:37:03
Sadly, J and Bill, you are likely right.

28 Apr 2026 15:50:13
I hope it sinks.

28 Apr 2026 17:32:51
It did, just outside Munich in one of their boat lakes.

27 Apr 2026 21:37:27
Sadly I have had to put my ST on the ticket exchange for the Forest game, just in case one of you guys want to go!

28 Apr 2026 08:35:11
Hope your health is good, Tom.

28 Apr 2026 09:38:41
I'm ok ish thanks, Bill. Just struggling with arthritis more than anything else. JD's seem to help.

28 Apr 2026 13:12:56
Keep them coming, Tom.

27 Apr 2026 20:50:50
I have really enjoyed tonight’s Premiership game between two sides having a go at one another.

If only this was typical of the Premiership.

28 Apr 2026 06:51:59
Totally agree, Tom, end to end attacking, no 200 passes, just to get out of your own box.

27 Apr 2026 10:51:12
This place does my head in 🤣.
We lose and it's busy as hell.
We win and it's like a ghost town.

I need something to read while I'm bored at work 🤣🤣.

27 Apr 2026 11:18:42
Finchy, it's early yet mate.

27 Apr 2026 11:50:17
Finchy86, incredible isn't mate, the trolls and lurkers have hidden away.

27 Apr 2026 12:01:35
Finchy

It was a good win, team performance, clean sheet, and another final has been reached.

The question is, where was this performance in recent games.

Another issue for me is that the goals have dried up.

What im looking for is the same performance with more goals and clean sheets for the remainder of the season.

27 Apr 2026 14:15:00
The second half wasn't a very assured performance. We played well for 30-35 minutes, but while it's nice to enjoy another cup final, the issues can't be ignored. We have one winger, and our system relies on wide players being creative. Pedro looked very good, but as usual, he gets no service. Enzo went to kiss the badge and thought twice, and I think it's likely he leaves in the summer.

Cole once again ran into dead ends and produced nothing. It was nice to see Moises and Lavia look solid for a period, hopefully the partnership grows. Gusto offers very little at both ends of the pitch, and while he finds good positions in attack, his end product/passing is woeful 90% of the time.

We have a rebuild ahead of us, 4 years into a rebuild.

27 Apr 2026 14:45:56
We were average... Thankfully, Leeds missed big chances and were also pretty poor.

Lucky for us - anything can happen in a cup final, so we can hope and pray we somehow nick a win. Hopefully, if it happens, it doesn't paper over the cracks.

27 Apr 2026 14:51:35
You should be a fisherman Finchy. 😅😅

27 Apr 2026 15:50:58
I suppose Finchy will get more fish than we score goals, Greenaway.

27 Apr 2026 17:04:59
At least some people replied. I get so bored when nothing happens on here. 🤣
And, it's not a dig. We have been utter rubbish the last few weeks, so everyone has deserved a moan. I personally said, and wanted Liam gone. But come on, we are in another final even tho having another rubbish year.

Give some of the boys credit.

Sanchez has been awful since Liam took over, but if not for him yesterday we could have lost. Again, shot stopping is great. Ball at his feet beyond awful. But he deserves credit for yesterday.

27 Apr 2026 18:09:08
I will continue to support him to the end of the season, Finchey. Then it's thank you and good bye.

27 Apr 2026 18:16:46
Finchy, I don't get fussed if we lose games. I am only concerned about the direction and culture of the club. I am pleased we have made it to the final, but recently we have become bridesmaids. I still can't believe we lost to Leicester. Time to put this to bed.

I wonder what would have happened if LR was still the coach? Would the players have downed tools? We need a strong, experienced coach; some of our squad need a kick up the arse. A Cup Final win would be great, but it would only paper over the cracks.

27 Apr 2026 20:02:06
And, I agree with you, Jimbo. But, let's have some good times and smile once and again.
We aren't going to change anything. We all just want the team to fight and win.

28 Apr 2026 06:56:33
Agree, Finchy, but it's so damn frustrating watching the SD's bringing in coaches that are, let's face it, useless.

The same SD's will be fighting amongst themselves to see who wins out on the next coach.

Rinse and repeat.

We need to cut down the number of SD's we currently have to, let's say, ...zero, and get in a single SD who knows what they are doing.

28 Apr 2026 07:29:10
Bill, I wouldn't have a clue if we truly require five SD's. I assume they all have clearly defined roles. I would like to think, out of the five, there is a boss, but I don't recall that ever being made clear.



My problem is, who is a good SD? On virtually every club site I look at, the SD is almost unanimously slaughtered by their clubs' supporters.

28 Apr 2026 08:02:30
Tom

How many clubs have you seen that have 5 SDs.

28 Apr 2026 08:23:08
City signed Guehi for £40 million and Cherki for £37 million. We signed Gittens for £47 million and Garnacho for £40 million. Most of us wouldn't be able to identify a good SD, but we know who aren't.

28 Apr 2026 08:57:21
Jimbo, you are correct, it would appear that most clubs have fans who constantly moan about their SD.

Man City have made some poor signings over the seasons, as have most teams. A lot of Liverpool and Newcastle fans consider their recent window signings to be below average, and, of course, we have the Spuds who make poor signings every window.

28 Apr 2026 09:02:07
Sorry, sent before I had replied to Bill.

As far as I know, Bill, we are the only club to have five SDs. As I said, I hope they all have clearly defined areas of responsibility, but from the outside, it looks hard to justify.



One of the five was completely lambasted by a mate of mine, who worked with the individual for a short period of time at Southampton. I have no idea if that criticism was justified.

26 Apr 2026 19:49:21
It's what we do. Serial cup finalists.

26 Apr 2026 20:27:19
We are Greenaway, but in recent seasons we have been serial runners-up at Wembley ones. Time to change that bad run!

26 Apr 2026 21:35:37
Fingers crossed for another bit of silverware. I would like to think I will get to the game, but I think it's doubtful.

26 Apr 2026 19:41:11
Doesn't matter how s*** a season we may have, we always get to finals and out ourselves in with a chance. CWC and FA Cup would be a nice couple additions to the trophy cabinet. Tough test against City but I'm sure we'll be up for it (as long as that terrible winger isn't playing lol).