Chelsea banter 8

29 Aug 2026 06:25:47
With Liverpool apparently agreeing a fee for Barcola (£123m) and Fernandez supposedly going to City for over £120m, it leaves me thinking who will be the first £150m premiership signing? Maybe Palmer or Bellingham?

29 Aug 2026 10:26:37
Interesting question, Tom. Not sure that Bellingham will want to leave Madrid any time soon, but Palmer may be tempted away from the Bridge, especially if we do not make ECL football next season and/or aren't back challenging for the two big trophies, ie that one and the EPL.

Another question, though, is just how speedily, steeply and sustainably the rate of player purchasing prices will rise... despite global economic woes.



My vague answer to your question is the first 150 million player might likely come from among rising stars, currently c 19 to 21, so likes of Estevao (still only 19) of that generation who have proven themselves by continuing to improve until sold aged c 22. May well not be Stevo, but someone of that kind who can potentially unlock the tightest defense, and with no too worrying injury record.

29 Aug 2026 13:33:53
JBS, you ask a good question about sustainability. I have this feeling that the next generation of fans will not be able to afford going to games and TV subscriptions. I hate to say it, but I think watching live games on devices will be how the next generation supports their respective teams.

Strangely, the so-called Palace Ultras have also expressed concerns about the next generation of stadium support.

29 Aug 2026 05:26:40
We really have shuffled the pack yet again in this window and after last season it comes as no surprise.

New manager.
Two new keepers.
Three new defenders.
Three Midfielders (including EF replacement).
Three attackers.

I suppose with so many changes our expectations shouldn’t be too high but I’m a fickle fan, so I’m expecting a very good season.

29 Aug 2026 09:33:15
Just optimism rather than being fickle, Tom. Being permanently optimistic about the club seems almost the opposite of being fickle to me. Hopefully, all the fans can be behind this new Alonso era and keep that level of positivity up even when the inevitable bumps hit.

29 Aug 2026 09:54:38
EdW, the problem is I am personally not permanently or naturally optimistic. In recent years, I have had to learn to be positive, and, to be honest, that attitude has changed my life for the better.


I do like to look at both sides of an argument, never rush to judge, and I hope I'm wrong when I have a downer about a situation or individual. Those traits come from being old.

29 Aug 2026 10:41:31
I am optimistic about this season for the first time in a while. There is no reason why we can't get a top four place. A lot of money has been spent by clubs so far. Spurs have spent a lot, but there isn't one of their signings that I would want at Chelsea, and I think De Zebri is a bit of a fraud.

29 Aug 2026 04:38:55
With a FOS sponsor brig named, I would have thought Bill would have posted. Hope you're ok mate?

29 Aug 2026 10:20:32
Hi Tom,

I have a grade 3 ankle sprain at the moment, so stuck in bed with my leg elevated and in a lot of pain.

I have been looking through posts from time to time.

Glad to hear about the FOS, but not as yet looked into the details involved.

29 Aug 2026 13:07:46
Hi Bill, I hope the pain subsides and you get better soon.

29 Aug 2026 15:07:08
Thank you, Tom.

29 Aug 2026 16:37:44
I suggest you both do a bit of digging into our lovely shiny new sponsor.... Crypto companies should absolutely not be allowed as team sponsors, and despite it being a good monetary amount... a very, very dodgy industry to be linked with.

29 Aug 2026 22:11:07
Unfortunately, I think crypto will take over as the standard currency. Particularly when it becomes more actively regulated.

On a personal note, I wouldn't mind saying goodbye to the dollar and currency exchange in general. If crypto achieves that, then that's fine with me.

Unfortunately, it's a bit like a Wild West show at the moment, with some very unscrupulous people involved. I have no idea about the background of our sponsor or its corporate background.

29 Aug 2026 19:59:14
Tom, we should never have got rid of pounds, half crowns, sixpences, shillings, 10 bob notes and sherbet dips.

29 Aug 2026 21:57:43
Jimbo, I couldn't agree more; the thrupenny bit (the coin) was the best ever.

Obviously, I have a massive downer on the FX rip offs and although at this stage Bitcoin leaves a lot to be desired, I can see how a global currency could be good for the world and particularly world trade.

29 Aug 2026 04:35:32
Given the circumstances, Guiu leaving is no surprise. While the sale has created another profit for the club (€10-€12m) plus a sell on clause, I am genuinely surprised that more Premiership clubs didn’t come in for him.

At the price he is hardly a huge risk and from what I have seen the lad can play, plus he is an incredibly hard worker, leading a press or just working across the line. He is a player I will keeping an eye on. Good luck Marc Guiu.

29 Aug 2026 09:01:37
Agreed, Tom, and also wish him well.

29 Aug 2026 07:39:18
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Newcastle United v Liverpool - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

29 Aug 2026 00:31:29
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Newcastle United v Liverpool - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

28 Aug 2026 17:59:56
Best window ever, a new goalkeeper and a FOS sponsor ?.

29 Aug 2026 06:20:12
We certainly needed a new keeper, and that is some deal @£7.5million. The BBC are reporting it as the deal of the century.
Chelsea have also recouped more than £160m from flops they were told wouldn't sell: Nicolas Jackson (£65m), Liam Delap (£50m), David Datro Fofana (£3m), Marc Guiu (fee TBC).

Pain doesn't end for the #BlueCo haters.

29 Aug 2026 09:38:44
Definitely a decent window, for which I credit Alonso's influence. Just to note, the BBC aren't 'reporting' the Martinez deal as deal of the century - the question was asked to a couple of former pros, using that idiom for clickbait purposes, if they thought it was.

29 Aug 2026 09:50:05
I'm personally not sure Martinez will immediately elevate us to title contenders like some have suggested he will. He's more than capable of dropping an absolute clanger on his day, and the negative aspects of his personality are probably as much of a worry as the potential positives of his 'winning mentality' (which is to say arrogance). On the other hand, it's possible he'll be focused coming into this team in a way he's perhaps not been in the last couple of years at Villa, and we've needed someone in goal with the confidence to really command their area and the defence, which he brings. Sanchez certainly does not have the trust of the other players.



I'll take Martinez not being the subject of endless conversation - a bit like when Lammens came in and replaced Onana at United. Just going about the basics in a reliable way is fine for me. He doesn't need to pull out 15 worldies a season for the next couple of years, so long as he's not throwing the ball straight to opposition attackers on the edge of the box, as Sanchez has been known to, or making all those other unaccountable stupid decisions Sanchez regularly made that spread uncertainty in the backline. Anything on a level above that is, for me, a positive, even if there are one or two howlers in there.

29 Aug 2026 10:50:48
EdW, I agree with your opinions on Martinez. It seems that the club have a lot of faith in Penders to become our long term No1. However, we could not go into the season with Sanchez between the sticks. What surprises me, it's that it took so long for the club to recognise that he is a liability.


On a separate note, I feel sorry for Donnarumma being credited with an own goal; not much any keeper could have done about that.

28 Aug 2026 15:47:07.
David Datro Fofana is often used by those who like to knock our club as a tool to beat the owners. He certainly failed as a player, but Chelsea have accepted a £3m agreement for the player to join Swiss club Servette on a permanent deal.

This represents a loss on the initial £10m paid but once loan fees from Goztepe, Burnley and Union Berlin are factored in, it likely at least covers the £10m outlay paid to Molde.

For Chelsea, you win some and lose some but yet again, the risk verses reward highlights just how financially savvy our owners are.

28 Aug 2026 18:45:14
Okay, 10m +3m in wages, more in insurance, and all that jazz.

13m in the S&P500 would have gotten us 27.5m now, a 110% return.

I'd just like a good team, honestly, and I think this year we have it, green. I'm very optimistic about this year, and very pleased with the club's direction. I think they've not missed a hit this year.

28 Aug 2026 21:03:59
It could be another chapter in that book. ?

28 Aug 2026 15:44:53
I’m pleased I bought all the kids shirts pre Fos sponsor.

28 Aug 2026 07:53:23
Good morning ED01, what do you know about Lamine Camara please who seems might be replacing Enzo Fernandez?

{Ed001's Note - seems to be more of a Kante-lite type player than an Enzo replacement. I have not seen a lot but he was impressive when I did see him.}

28 Aug 2026 10:07:57
A person whose opinion on players I respect enormously rates him very highly.