Chelsea Banter 2

16 Oct 2026 15:17:30
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool v Manchester City - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

15 Oct 2026 07:39:17
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 6 - Quick Round Up

14 Oct 2026 21:28:59
That Man City keeper is totally useless, so many wanted him but honestly, Bobby Sanchez was so much better and he is now toast. Well done to the sporting directors for not signing him when offered. Just shows most fans, me included, don't have a scooby do.

14 Oct 2026 22:36:07
Sham City do have a good keeper. He is playing for QPR.

15 Oct 2026 09:07:52
Tom

I watched him playing for Sheffield Wednesday and he was outstanding in a very poor team with a lot of surrounding noise around him.

Shame our SD's don't go/watch championship games.

15 Oct 2026 11:05:27
I think you will find we have an army of scouts watching games all over the world Bill including championship games. The belief is that Mike Penders is the future so we don't need to chase another young prospect in that position. Young Teddy is also very good, have you watched him at all?

15 Oct 2026 14:43:34
EbW

Both of our young GK's may or may not be what we need as a no.1 Charles plays consistently week in week out and has done for a while now.

15 Oct 2026 14:59:01
lucky old Man City then Bill having that level of quality.

15 Oct 2026 17:53:12
I guess it depends on what happens yo man cheaty.

14 Oct 2026 16:37:52
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 6 - Quick Round Up

14 Oct 2026 09:25:52
I do not believe any current version of FFP is fit for purpose. I also don't believe that salary caps are workable and may not even be legal. I'm also not a fan of dictating to owners what they can and can't spend of their own money.

I do believe in securing the future of all football clubs. To that end I remain convinced that all owners should have a secure bond held in an escrow account that covers all the salary costs for a period of no less than one year.

The latest report from the so called independent regulator will create headlines and certainly there is cause for concerns but as I have never met a regulator with any business sense, I am probably more horizontal than most other observers.

14 Oct 2026 10:47:53
Tom, The real reasons behind Financial Fair Play (FFP) were to protect the economic motivations of Europe's traditional football elite which included the so called red cartel in the UK.
While officially introduced to prevent clubs from going bankrupt and to curb hyper-inflation, critics, analysts, and football figures note that its practical and structural function was to act as a protective barrier for established, historic clubs against "new money" takeovers.
They accepted Jack Walker at Blackburn Rovers was a one-off but when Roman came along alarm bells sounded and when the saudi's came in at City and PSG the established elite went to work.

Look at clubs like Newcastle who are now restricted from spending the billions Roman invested early on. I think all genuine football people, myself included would like to see all clubs protected from financial ruin, look at what Ridsdale nearly did at Leeds, he nearly wiped that club out, but on the other hand what is wrong with another Jack Walker coming along and funding a club to achieve the impossible? a balance has to be found but I fear the established elite, and we are now in that group, will always get there way.
ED01, I know we have spoken about this in depth previously and you have strong opinions on what happened at Leeds.

{Ed001's Note - the Saudis have been nowhere near either Citeh nor PSG. You do realise that Arabs are different in the same way Europeans are right? Emiratis, Qataris and Saudis are not the same, they don't even particularly get on and are busy fighting proxy wars against each other all the time. So to talk about them like that is very offensive.

It is a difficult path, but they have clearly set about, first and foremost, ensuring no new money can break the monopoly. There should be a middle ground which protects clubs against reckless spending. Tom suggested an excellent method of a bond.}

14 Oct 2026 13:26:42
Ed, I am pleased you agree that a bond would potentially solve part of the FFP question.

I did send a proposal to the Premiership and the FA, neither acknowledged receipt. Just to clarify my bond suggestion was different for each football division.

I personally do not care for the term "elite" but I repeat, I have no problems with "any" owner spending whatever they can afford. As long as the club itself has a secured future.

{Ed001's Note - the only thing that should matter is ensuring the club's future is safeguarded, then they should be able to spend what they like. But while the rules are in place, and the teams sign a contract to abide by them, it is the way it is.}

14 Oct 2026 13:52:29
Thanks for clarifying the ownership ED01. I shall research the ownership in more detail next time before posting but my main point was the fact that the so called elite clubs want to stop new money coming in which makes a mockery of competitive football and is why the same few clubs keep winning the big competitions like the Premier League and the Champions League.

{Ed001's Note - I always enjoy when a new name appears and starts competing at the top level, personally. I don't understand why they want to stop it, it lowers interest if it is the same old teams every season.}

14 Oct 2026 15:39:07
Ed, I agree completely the long term security of the club should always come first. I also think it is outrageous when we have situations when employees of a club are not paid.

{Ed001's Note - that should certainly never happen!}

15 Oct 2026 09:12:51
I agree with everything being said, the only thing for me is that man cheaty could afford to spend billions and not flinch, you might as well give them the title before it starts then players from other clubs and fans can go off and have lively holidays and come back the end of may.

15 Oct 2026 09:52:31
A club can only have 25 players and having the supposed best players doesn't always make for the best team.
There are plenty of top players around and it might mean more home grown players getting a chance.

12 Oct 2026 07:39:15
{Ed's Note - MCR has posted a new article entitled, Effort Has to Be Liverpool's Bare Minimum

11 Oct 2026 22:48:11
I was really sad when Maresca had a bust up with Lawrence in November and the club backed the wrong man. Lawrence has now moved on but we lost Maresca who is an elite coach and could of carried us onto the next level.

You lot know my passion, an good english lad from the east end who puts it all on the line. I had some battles with Alonso and hated him as a player but hope he comes good.

12 Oct 2026 08:51:23
As far as I can tell Maresca chose to "back" another club. I doubt many Chelsea supporters will lose any sleep over it, so goodbye.
I'm sure he will enjoy managing Sham City whatever division they are in.

12 Oct 2026 09:42:38
Absouetly agree Tom

The poor man's Pep did not want to be with us as soon as Man Cheaty tapped him up once they new Pep was leaving.

Leicester fans were glad to get rid and so are we.

13 Oct 2026 12:45:54
Bill, the Leicester fans would love him back mate, he got them promoted to the Premier League and since leaving they have dropped to 17th in league 1.

13 Oct 2026 12:51:55
I would laugh my socks off if Sham City are playing Leicester in the League next season.

13 Oct 2026 15:07:34
JT

when Maresca left, Leicester fans mostly said they were happy to see him go due to his boring tactics.

14 Oct 2026 08:10:44
Bill, those same fans would love to watch his football again rather than hurtling towards league 2 which is where they are at the moment.
Tom, would be very funny wouldn't it to see Leicester play Cheaty in league 2 next season.

11 Oct 2026 22:14:33
Further to my match observations yesterday. Bournemouth brought a lad on called Rodriguez. He looks like a player to keep an eye on. Not frightened to control the ball in tight situations and a nice first touch.

11 Oct 2026 07:39:22
{Ed's Note - OptimumShots has posted a new article entitled, Who Are the Two Mystery Groups Interested in Buying Everton?

08 Oct 2026 20:34:20
I think this Man City whole thing needs sorting with a proper and fair outcome. This is my take and just an opinion but would like to know what ED01 thinks as well as my fellow posters. When the Putin envasion of Ukraine happened Roman was forced out. We were sanctioned with devasting effects that the club are still feeling. I think the UK government and Andy Burnham are pampering City.

This is no longer only about a football club. It is about who is protected, and who is not. American owners. Russian owners. Arab owners. Are they treated the same? No.

When Roman was stripped of the club, the line from the FA was that the integrity of the game sits above the interest of any foreign national. That line has changed. This is now interest, and ties.

A supporter of City, dressed up as a fair statement, has arrived from Andy Burnham. That is not his job. Sport has a ministry. Let it work. A political office telling the game how a case should land is not neutral, and it is not small.

The message underneath is obvious. Do not push this club. Do not talk about a sale. We prefer these owners to stay. That is not fair. It is dangerous.

You do not want to lose the partner. Or you want to bend the competition. I do not know which. What I know is that money is now the subject.

A Russian owner was forced to sell and leave, with no FA charge and no Premier League sustainability breach in front of him. City sit on 115. They are being managed, appealed, and spoken for. Burnham backing the ownership is disappointing.

Roman put billions into Chelsea and turned it into a European powerhouse. He was shown the door. City broke the competition. A man convicted, still calling himself innocent because the paperwork was not perfect. That is this case.

The rules that protect every member club should be allowed to run when there is a defaulter. Or some clubs get a privilege. I do not think that is fair.

The delay, the appeals, the political comment — they are all on the table. In my book, City cheated. The outcome will say whether the game still has rules, or only friends.

ED01, am I bonkers or do I have a fair point?

{Ed001's Note - I think you do have a fair point. City cheated, why on earth is anyone coming out to defend their ownership? They were responsible, so they have to accept the consequences. To have politics interfere in this way is against FIFA regulations and they are quick to close down FAs when it happens in Africa, and condemn this kind of thing there, why is nothing being said here? Sport cannot be totally free of politics, it is impossible, but the leadership should not be pressured by politicians to make sporting decisions based on who is investing in the country.}

09 Oct 2026 08:31:41
Thankyou for your reply ED01, I'm hoping the UK Government are told to stay out of it by FIFA.

{Ed001's Note - the annoying thing is, they shouldn't need telling, they are one of the first to jump in to criticise others for meddling.}

09 Oct 2026 08:47:09
One word, money and don't think for one moment FIFA won't back City, they also have too many fingers in the Middle East pie.

And don't get me started on Newcastle and them not being owned by the Saudi government after what they admitted with LIV golf. Was their ownership question revisited, not a chance in he'll of thar happening.

Where is Chris Bryant the Labour bod who constantly hammered Roman, when you need him.

09 Oct 2026 08:48:53
Exactly right ED01, it appears to me that this is all about money and I suspect the UK Government is now under pressure from the Abu Dhabi owners who no doubt have bought up a lot of the area in manchester. If they get away with this it will ruin competitive football in the Premier League in my opinion and they must be stopped.

09 Oct 2026 15:30:19
I just put it down to a stupid comment from our PM. I have no doubt that Sham City's owners will be trying to get favours from so called friends.
If it ever came out that a uk football governing body bent the knee under pressure from the government in my opinion the problems for that government would be significant.
I personally cannot see how the regulator makes all fans happy with any punishment they dish out.
I would be happy with a 50/60 points deduction for multi seasons plus a substantial fine.

Any revolving points deduction would almost certainly mean that a European ban would be redundant.
Other fans may well want Sham City drummed out of the League, all titles taken away from them, substantial fine, European ban and the owners told to sell up. This would then be followed by multiple clubs claiming compensation.
If the punishment is to lenient then fans will say it's about money or unfair government pressure. So, I think any punishment will be tough but whatever it is, I doubt us fans will be happy.

09 Oct 2026 17:27:16
Tom

Im getting used to stupid comments from our unelected PM.

Firstly if they are deducted so many points each season then tgat will affect the television ratings as their games will be non events.

I personally would like them stripped of all titles but not give the runners up rhe glory. History books would show blank spaces where the winners should be and it would be a reminder for future generations than cheats won't prosper.

I would also like them go have a 10 year transfer ban on purchases. Also I would like to see no no ticket sales for their fans, no sales allowed from their shop merchandise and also they can only spend so much on player travel.

One thing is for sure whatever happens, it won't please football fans of other clubs.

Im still waiting for Chris Bryant, the labour minster for NI, to come out and slaughter the Cheaty owners the way he slaughtered RA and the CFC fans who could not attend games.

09 Oct 2026 21:31:29
Bill, we are in agreement that virtually no fans will be happy with any punishment.

I'm ok with an asterisk by their name on any cups they have won but do understand the teams who were denied glory wanting more.

Bill, if they had 50/60 points deducted for say five seasons they would be relegated and not come back to the premiership for 5/6 seasons. Any TV revenues wouldn't matter and neither would a European ban.

There was a rumour that most professional footballers have a so called "trust clause" inserted in their contracts. My guess is that if this is the case it is inserted to protect clubs. If true it would be interesting to see if players could say the club had breached its duty of trust and therefore leave on a free transfer.