Chelsea banter 6

01 Sep 2026 23:56:03
Apparently we could have pulled the plug-in the Fernandez deal. I am pleased we didn’t for lots of reasons but mostly because as I understand it we reached verbal agreement with City and I’m old fashioned enough to believe in “my word is my bond.”

Camara would have made this a near perfect transfer window.

I also understand why we didn’t want to get another midfielder in until we had agreed a fee with City.

02 Sep 2026 01:20:09
Ge was always going to do a deal like that; it can't be done in a day; that's weeks of prep. We look great going forward, it's great, but the midfield is now left weak, and we also leak goals for fun, but we upgraded the keeper.

02 Sep 2026 03:22:07
Agreed, Nib. But, apart from honouring a deal made, as I agree with Tom all should, I am not sure how EF would have responded to having to stay.

Are there any decent midfielders around in the world currently out of contract we could still bring in, if only on a temporary basis?

01 Sep 2026 23:16:27
Wow! Unprofessional behaviour from Monaco!

01 Sep 2026 23:59:29
J, very disappointing.

02 Sep 2026 00:20:46
We were played by City and Monaco, but we've only got ourselves to blame for leaving things so late. I don't know any injury updates, but if we go to Arsenal with James or Gusto in midfield, we will be overrun and will have little chance to move the ball forward.

Let's hope Caicedo and Lavia can stay fit until the next window. Very disappointing end to a good window, as it was obvious that we needed a replacement for EF, who was always going to go.

02 Sep 2026 00:39:55
Jimbo, I don't think us getting a replacement for Fernandez before selling him was a good tactic, and if Monaco had kept to their word, most of us would be happy-ish.
I am not a massive fan of our owners, but I don't think they have got a lot wrong in this window.



I think we will start with the so-called "double pivot" against the Gooners, and it will be Lavia and James. I'm more interested in who our wing backs will be, because that, in my opinion, will decide the game.

02 Sep 2026 01:21:55
Are we able to still loan players?

02 Sep 2026 03:24:44
Agreed, Jimbo... But yes, sorting out right wingbacks is also v important. Neto on the right, you'd think, but who on the left? Will Palestra be fit?

02 Sep 2026 08:24:39
Tom, all in all the club has done a good job in the window. However, the EF transfer has been a bit of a shambles, starting with the deadline. We should have just negotiated in the normal way (privately). I am convinced that if we had done so, the deal would have gone through earlier and given us time to sign a replacement.


I don't know when Caicedo and Henderson will be fit to play. The sooner the better.
As for wingbacks to decide the game, I hope you are not relying on Neto or Gusto.
The only small consolation is that the Balagun deal fell through. So now Monaco won't have the money they were relying on to keep Camara and possibly two unhappy players.

02 Sep 2026 14:52:39
Jimbo, your dislike for Neto has been long standing, but I think he has looked ok as a wing back, but I would pick him against Arsenal. For that game, I would love Palestra to be fit.

01 Sep 2026 21:54:11
Carlsberg could only dream of having a window like Chelsea are having.

Happy with the players we have sold and the transfer fees achieved.

Broadly happy with the players we have signed.

Now it’s all down to Alonso to get the very best out of a very talented squad.

01 Sep 2026 23:38:25
Never liked Carlsberg anyway!!

02 Sep 2026 03:26:28
And Alonso must work miracles with midfield and wingbacks.

02 Sep 2026 06:26:04
As I say, wingbacks are important, but in my opinion, we have that area covered.

01 Sep 2026 21:42:12
If true, signing Camara would really help re midfield strengthening after Fernandez departure.

01 Sep 2026 21:00:40
Knowing us there will be some test in the tail of this transfer window.
A transfer sale that was all but done will fall apart or the paperwork will be delivered late. Or, will find a solution and a signing will be made in the last mins.

01 Sep 2026 21:39:43
Latest is that we may have signed Camara for 47 million. Would be v good news if true, Tom.

01 Sep 2026 21:42:01
Lamine Camara apparently agreed, Tom. But I don't quite understand how, as the French transfer window closed a couple of hours ago. Perhaps they have the two/three hour grace period that the UK window has?

{Ed001's Note - that only stops incomings, not outgoings.}

01 Sep 2026 21:46:28
Looks like it's true.

01 Sep 2026 21:56:03
Always a twist with the Blues. Probably fail his medical. ?

02 Sep 2026 03:28:28
There was that twist or sting in the tail, Tom. ?

01 Sep 2026 19:56:23
So what we all thinking then as the window is about to slam shut?

On paper, with everyone fit, that starting 11 is very very good.

Cleared out a lot of players that needed clearing out.

A core of 15 or 16 top players.

My only concerns are around injuries, particularly in midfield, I know we have 6 players competing for 2 places but is the quality strong enough?

Moises and Lavia, if they stay fit, is perfect but I would of liked a top quality back up.



Can young Barco be that player? Or even younger Reggie? Both a big ask.

Reece is not a midfielder for me.

Henderson may be the answer in the cup games.

I don't want to see Gusto in there.

Come on Chelsea, give us another midfielder and this window will rank as the ownership's best by far since they flew in 4 years ago.

01 Sep 2026 20:56:05
Poor. If we let Enzo go without replacing James and Gusto, in big games we get eaten in midfield, because they're not midfielders. Lesser teams for the rest, yes, but not against the top 7.

01 Sep 2026 21:05:13
I am incredibly happy with this window, particularly the exits.

Would I like at least one more midfielder? Yes. Do I think the club tried its very best to get one, maybe two, more midfielders? Absolutely, yes.

01 Sep 2026 21:13:49
Agree, outgoings. We've made some good money. The club knew Enzo was going, so I think if they don't find a replacement it's poor. Cacaido lasted minutes in the last match. If he's out, the midfield is struggling.

01 Sep 2026 21:40:04
Camara deal agreed. ?

01 Sep 2026 21:49:08
Yes, have just posted this, swcfc, and it is very good news, assuming we can get the paperwork done in time, which I guess we can. Seems it's a 6yr deal for c 47 million quid?

02 Sep 2026 03:29:56
But didn't go through of course, so we are v thin in midfield.

01 Sep 2026 19:15:57.
A joint British record fee for a player who doesn’t want to be at the club can’t be turned down, replacement coming in or not.

Caicedo, Lavia, James, Barco and Henderson are more than capable of holding down the fort and we happen to have a generational talent in the youth team right now. Although I don’t advocate for lads that age getting major mins.

01 Sep 2026 20:17:06
J, James is bang average in midfield, and Henderson was brought in to be on the bench and come on to steady a game. If Lavia and Caicedo don't stay fit, we are very weak in midfield. We probably needed to bring in 2 midfielders, if we are serious about challenging for trophies.

01 Sep 2026 20:32:11
J, I am with you, mate. The way Alonso sets his team up is with a solid double pivot. What we have is ok. Could we have accomplished one more? Yes.
The
problem is, if we get two or more injuries, then it looks like an unnecessary gamble, and the owners will undoubtedly get pelters.

01 Sep 2026 21:03:57
The problem is, Jimbo, we were looking at significantly overpaying for bang average midfielders, who don't necessarily replace Fernandez anyway. Zero point in bulking out the squad with mediocre players (again), right choice to sell Fernandez and stick, rather than twist.

I'd have been happy to pay big for a Wharton, Scott or the slightly more offensive Gibbs-White, but they're not available and can be re-visited in January or next summer.

This is just the start of the Alonso era, and we're heading in the right direction.

01 Sep 2026 21:18:09
J, I think I'm with you - no point in splurging for an average player. In terms of the generational talent, are you referring to Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli?

01 Sep 2026 21:34:56
I don't think Kone or Camara are bang average players. If they are bang average midfielders, what does that say about James and Gusto in the midfield. Really.

01 Sep 2026 21:43:24
Jimbo, I think J meant an average midfielder if Camara, Kone, Gibbs-White etc. weren't available. Anyway, no need to worry now - apparently we've signed Camara!

01 Sep 2026 21:52:46
EdW, if it's true about Camara, it has been a very good window.

01 Sep 2026 22:02:28
Yes, I think Nicole-Jazuli is an unbelievable talent.

Looks like we've met Monaco in the middle for Lamine Camara (EUR55). Very interesting video / tactical breakdown by Pythagoras in Boots, on YouTube, for those who are interested.

01 Sep 2026 22:41:10
Bang average and mediocre may have been a tad harsh, but yes, I would have included Camara in that. The point was, love him or loath him, Fernandez was a nailed on starter. Camara is a good player, but he isn't necessarily that, he's more of a squad addition for us - this is why the club were keen to brief that he was in no way encompassed within the decision to sell Fernandez.

Monaco, however, were demanding top money for him, and I agreed with the club that we shouldn't be paying that kind of fee.

Monaco have then seemingly had a bit of a financial incomings panic when Balogun's move to Everton was in doubt over his medical, and were willing to negotiate at a lower fee. In the end, I believe we've signed a good player for the squad at the top end of a reasonable fee.

02 Sep 2026 03:32:58
Sadly, no such signing, of course, J, though we all thought we'd got him. Fernandez leaves a huge gap.

01 Sep 2026 18:31:08
If we do not have a quality replacement for Enzo Fernandez pur transfer business this window will look seriously flawed. So can only hope we can still get one in. Worrying few hours ahead and may either get good news or resign ourselves to having perhaps weakest midfield in recent times... if particularly Caicedo fitness in doubt and/or Lavia breaks down again.

01 Sep 2026 19:25:56
Pogba's available on a free.

01 Sep 2026 19:29:04
I mean, that's a joke, obviously (Bissouma and Coutinho also available on frees. And Alaba as a cb, which might actually be quite a good deal for a short-term defensive signing, with his pedigree - certainly an upgrade on Tosin) - but I genuinely don't think we're going to get anyone at this late stage, unless the club really pulls it out of the bag.

Perhaps that's why there's no news. I'm hoping for Camavinga, but not holding my breath.

01 Sep 2026 19:31:30
Well, thanks for that definition of utterly desperate if we signed him! Plus added Hulk?

01 Sep 2026 19:44:44
Haha. It was like three or four summers in a row reading the rumours about Hulk.

01 Sep 2026 19:54:46
EdW, Hulk is still playing aged 40: 3 goals in 6 appearances so far - don't make him angry!

01 Sep 2026 21:15:46
What a legend! Thanks for the info, Jimbo.

01 Sep 2026 21:43:14
EdW, believe it or not, I would have loved to have seen Hulk at Chelsea. However it went, it would have been entertaining.

01 Sep 2026 17:17:08
Fernandez a great sale. Never warmed to him. Glad he has gone.

01 Sep 2026 17:59:04
I have to say I agree, Seymns. He looked decent when he first arrived in that terrible Potter season (and at the last World Cup), scored a few goals as well, but for a player whose skill was meant to be attacking midfield, he misplaced a huge number of what looked like fairly simple through-balls on counter attacks over the last few years, and he was slow, slow, slow. I also found his personality annoying, before even getting to the racism.

All that performative chest-beating and pointless aggro, without ever really being strong in the tackle (apart from on Cubarsi!).

Though we look a bit short in midfield now, considering Lavia and James's injury history - City have really screwed us by bidding this late in the window. Perhaps that was the point, which makes me feel they see us as a genuine threat this season.

01 Sep 2026 18:14:24
I think it was City's plan, EdW, and unless we can bring in at least one top quality midfielder to replace him, our midfield - given injury histories you mentioned, plus now the worrying Caicedo one - will struggle to have control in many games.

01 Sep 2026 18:57:15
JBS, there is blame on our side as well for letting it go to the wire. Even if Lavia and Moises stay fit, we are still thin in midfield. I don't want to see James playing there or Gusto (in any position).

01 Sep 2026 19:19:27
I may well be wrong, but I think the deadline day thing was always just noise. As much as I never wanted EF to play for us ever again after his and his agents' comments, and I would have been happy for the club to tell City to swivel, I have to accept that was never practical.

The club didn't want a player who was unhappy staying at the club. My guess is the transfer fee involved will probably be more than the reported £125m.
I can't remember being so happy to see a player leave our club since Lukaku. Good riddance.

01 Sep 2026 19:34:43
Can see where you're coming from, Tom, but as Jimbo says, we look very thin in midfield, and EF's defection could just stop us qualifying for Champions League. But, yes, he and City are now villains in my eyes.

01 Sep 2026 20:26:37
JBS, re-taking Fernandez wasn't the answer. In my opinion, keeping an unhappy player is just too risky. If he made a mistake, fingers would have been pointed at him and the club.

We are light on midfielders, but, in my opinion, we are better off being short of a player than keeping a player who doesn't want to play for the club, as a preference.

01 Sep 2026 07:39:14
{Ed's Note - OptimumShots has posted a new article entitled, Where Everton Stand Under Squad Cost Ratio