Chelsea rumours 2

11 May 2024 04:19:22
As good as we have been the last two weeks and as good as it feels, let's not forget it's been a touch over two weeks since getting decimated 5-0 by arsenal. Still lots of work to do in the lead up to next season.

Any update on any potential signings ed?

{Ed002's Note - I am not aware of anything changing.}

11 May 2024 10:40:05
If I remember correctly we have lost once in the last 10/ 12 games. That defeat hurt but so did some of the draws but generally we are showing signs of improvement/ progress.

I think today’s game will be difficult and so I remain just hopeful.

I did see that we are top of one league and that’s the games missed through injury. We are top of that league by some distance. Along with the addition of just a few players, I’m hopeful our continued injury issues improve dramatically next season.

11 May 2024 11:07:57
Totally agree Tom, we cannot have that injury record again, even Pep and Klopp would have struggled.

11 May 2024 13:10:02
Not even just top by days missed we’ve had double the number of actual injuries too, so sounds like we’re picking up both long term injuries plus multiple short term injuries.

11 May 2024 22:42:30
it was a cruel defeat standard but let's give this group an manager credit when its deserved, theyv bounced back and are really looking like a team now.

13 May 2024 20:48:03
Sorry Ed if I'm wrong but please you have helped with a list as you have to other pages to our jealousy. I know you have occasionally mentioned a few but not long one as in the other pages.
We're patiently waiting for when you have the time to provide us with any clear that will stop us from asking often and random questions in the future. I remember you were kind enough to help. Please I think it will help improve your cordial interaction on our page. Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - It is impossible to do on the Chelsea page as it always leads to abuse.}

15 May 2024 16:29:14
Ed I respect your views and I plead that you don't misunderstand it like I'm insisting. I visit other pages regularly and it's difficult for me to see much difference in the way they respond to transfers and how Chelsea page do.
Please I still think ours is treated differently. Please appeal that you tolerate us as well. The site is boring without your inputs, especially I transfer windows. We crave your inputs especially now that most of us are yet to understand the direction of the club with boely and Co.
Please help us. thanks.

{Ed002's Note - I am happy to give input but I am not providing lists because it always leads to people abusing players.}

09 May 2024 19:58:20
With Thiago Silva leaving, and Chalobah possibly up for sale, we still have 4 first team CBs (Fofana, Disasi, Colwill, Badiashile), as well as Gilchrist and Humphreys coming back from loan.

Ed002, are any of our remaining centre backs looking to leave this summer, or have interest from elsewhere?

{Ed002's Note - There is interest in the CBs and Chelsea are looking to replace Silva.}

09 May 2024 21:42:44
I hope we bring back Guéhi, and also keep Chalobah. If any of the current CB's was to be sold its got to be Badiashile, Chalobah offers utility in other positions as does Disasi.

I think Guéhi and Colwill could be a great partnership moving forward. If we can get a solid experienced keeper behind them as well, the defence in my opinion would be good to go.

10 May 2024 08:04:15
Thanks Ed for the quick reply.

IMO, if we buy a new first team CB, and Thiago and Trevoh (or A N Other) leave, then we've still got 5 players for 2 positions, which is one too many. I can see though why we might be hedging our bets on Fofana getting fit again - he's a quality player, I hope we can ease him back in without any more setbacks.

11 May 2024 06:47:56
Personally I would sell fofana but his injuries will hinder his sale.
I also don't think guehi and colwill partnership is good enough to help us return to the top.
We must sign at least two cb of different experiences and quality different from what we already have.
Maybe I see it differently when we say replace silva. I think we talk about experience and defending brains.
Though controversial, I wouldn't mind bringing rudigar back like the silva signing in the first place. Defence must be solid to act as a platform for other areas to perform as well. Like a foundation imo.

11 May 2024 10:08:21
Guéhi would be an excellent signing but I just can’t see that happening unless we sell Colwill or BB.

11 May 2024 13:52:51
We need an experienced CB. We need to replace Thiago Silva not just on the pitch, but on the training ground. We need a grown-up – a player older than 25. Game management has been our biggest problem all season. We need a leader in a key position. Our young CBs are still developing. But who is this player? Who are the contenders here? Please NOT Harry Maguire.

11 May 2024 14:39:18
celery, I’m not convinced about age being a criteria as a leader. I think JT was only 21/ 22 and Lamps wasn’t much older. Looking back we had the likes of Wilkins who was about 19 when he became skipper and chopper was about the same age.

Some players are just leaders/ influencers regardless of age.

12 May 2024 15:15:46
I agree Tom. But our current CB lads are NOT that. Levi Colwill, for instance, is a decent player but he is not ready to be that CB leader. I think we need to look at the transfer market. I also wonder if Wes Fofana will ever make a comeback or his careeer might be sadly over?

12 May 2024 18:23:04
I think Chalaboa would relish the responsibility and playing next to James would help.

13 May 2024 09:27:32
I agree that Chalaboa looks the best bet in this respect but Colwill could well get there too. How about a pairing of TC as right CB and LC as left CB?

But back up obviously needed. Age may not be a quality required for leadership but surely it is considerable experience and learning the trade ideally alongside a consistent CB partner that leads to being a great defender.

After all JT may have been a born leader but I reckon he learnt a lot about both this plus CB skills from who he fdirst played with in first team namely the brilliant world cup winning Marcel Desaillythe then Chelsera captain? He did so for almost 100 games, then played alongside the also excellent William Gallas.

Later there was the wonderful Carvalho if then the tad more erratic but brilliant on their day Alex and David Luiz (who to my mind played esp. well in big games for CFC but could lose focus in lesser ones) .

Fofana is very talented and with more composure could be excellent. But I think it may have been Ed001 who emphasised WF positional errors - mainly rushing out of position and his co-defender/ s exposed? - and there is his apppalling injry problems.

Not sure what to make of BB or Disasi who have had both good games and poor ones. BB did look v good at start, then drradful after injury, then a couple of good games recently. Probably would need to play alongside seasoned defender like most CBs should ideally do to improve.

NO No No to Harry McGuire!

08 May 2024 13:28:17
If, and a big If, Conor doesn't sign a new contract (and I really hope he does) who would his replacement likely be? Is there a list?

{Ed002's Note - There is a list of options but the preferred choice would be Heorhiy/Georgiy Sudakov.}

08 May 2024 13:52:04
Thankyou ED02.

08 May 2024 20:58:16
Ed002
Why aren't our academy players more highly valued?
A foreign option seems to always be the preferred option.
Many thanks.

{Ed002's Note - I don’t understand the question.}

08 May 2024 23:11:32
I tend to agree K Drog we will probs throw 50-60 mil at an unproven player from the Ukranian league like Mudryk and it will backfire as they aren’t ready for the prem yet when it would be equally as beneficial to integrate a player from the academy.

09 May 2024 00:36:05
Who are these academy players who are going to help us to get back to a higher level? Come to think of it, apart from Terry, over the last 15 years which academy players have had a significant impact on our previous successes?

{Ed001's Note - to be fair Jimbo, how often have they been given a chance to establish themselves like Terry was? Usually they are farmed out on needless loans.}

09 May 2024 07:28:14
Perhaps Reece James Ed, Jimbo?
Of the present players, I think Levi (definitely) and Connor (if he signs a new deal) will be academy products that will have an impact in trophy winning seasons to come. JT also had a loan at Forrest I think before breaking into 1st team.
At the level our club is at, players get pretty much 1 chance, an example being Golding, who I thought was good when given a chance earlier this season, but got put through 1 on 1 and didn't convert, and hasn't been sighted since. We, as fans, think in the hundreds of pounds/ dollars per week in earnings, these guys are in the thousands, and sometimes tens of, so the expectation is higher, and tbf, rightly so!

{Ed001's Note - good shout Kiwi. He is probably the best example. If he hadn't got injured so much he would have been a regular for sure.}

09 May 2024 08:17:19
In recent times Mount was given a chance and proved himself at our club. I would like to think CHO and RLC would have proved themselves at our club if they hadn’t picked up there horrible injuries.

This might be a tad controversial but I would have kept Tammy but that wasn’t to be.

I can see some merit in the loan system but they don’t, for lots of reasons, all work out.

09 May 2024 10:00:35
Curious to see that they'd look to bring in another new midfielder to replace Conor if they sell him. Barring another freak injury season, Lavia should finally enter the fold as a rotation player. Ugochukwu was also bought and has looked pretty promising when playing (before also disappearing for the past 4 months with injury) . You'd hope that Chukwuemeka would also have a less injury-riddled season next year.
Then we've got Andrey Santos doing well at Strasbourg, who looks the type of all action CM that Conor is as well. And then we're not even mentioning academy midfielders like Golding, Russell-Denny and Kiano Dyer who have had really good seasons in the youth and development teams.

Buying yet another midfielder would just push all those other mids that we already have further down the pecking order. Seems strange. If you don't trust them enough to use them, why buy them in the first place?

09 May 2024 11:19:32
Jackson and Jimbo, I tend to agree that if we sold CG I can’t see why we need to replace him.

I think Chuka will be a top class AM and Ugo looks a good DM option. Lavia will prove himself at Chelsea and he can play anywhere in midfield in my opinion.

We also potentially have Caicedo and Santos available for next season.

09 May 2024 12:02:07
James and Mount were absolutely integral to our UCL success Jimbo. You could make the case that Christensen was too.

The question is whether they can contribute to the team more than a more expensive or established player. Frequently this season the answer has been they can (Gallagher, Chalobah) .

09 May 2024 13:03:24
bandy, I forgot Chalaboa. Again this is probably just me but I would be slightly more gutted if we sold Chalaboa.

09 May 2024 13:28:13
Ed002
Leftback -Cucurella £60m incoming.
Hall/ Maatsen outgoings over £60m . The fee for young inexperienced players indicates they are highly thought of outside the club.
Midfield over £300m spent with little thought given to Conor developing but other clubs willing to spend £40/ 50m on him.
CB Over £150m with Chalobah apparently available for sale.
And why but Badiashile when we have Colwill.

09 May 2024 16:02:46
Agreed KDrog. The mooted fee for Sudakov is 60m. And we sell Gallagher for what, 50? Baffling.

As a point of interest related to this topic, presumably a lot of this recruitment is, in the first instance, data-driven. Do those in charge of identifying players also look at players coming through our own academy using the same models/ criteria?

{Ed002's Note - It is not baffling - what is baffling is you not understanding that he has not signed a new contract and can leave for nothing next season.}

09 May 2024 19:14:46
I agree with ED002, CG is not signing a new contract at this point and if by the summer it's still not signed he has to leave otherwise the following season he leaves on a free.

I know he has played and captained most games this season but that is due to our horrendous injury record and it would have been interesting to see how many games he would have played if it weren't for that scenario.

09 May 2024 17:30:37
You're right Ed002, I hadn't factored that in. Has the club offered Gallagher a contract based on his performances/ role this season, or is the contract he's being asked to sign one that was offered before his emergence as a key part of the squad?

And do you think Sterling's wages, agreed towards the outset of the new ownership (and presumably far higher than the wage structure the club now, sensibly, wants to employ) have presented an issue for the club, in the sense that other players see his contribution and feel they should be earning the same?

{Ed002's Note - Fallagher has been offered a contract that will no doubt include bonuses. Sterling is being made available as it is time to move on. It is not about the wages, but that will impact his value.#

09 May 2024 20:02:42
Thanks Ed002, appreciate the input.

10 May 2024 01:47:55
Gallagher wants 150-200k allegedly. It would cost more to replace him and his ability and he has more than shown his worth. If we don't pay him someone else will and there is no shortage or suiters.

{Ed001's Note - that seems a fair request in the current market for the club captain. It would not be opening the floodgates to others as it could easily be made clear he gets a premium for being captain. It certainly makes financial sense to pay it rather than buying someone else of a similar level of ability.}

10 May 2024 06:19:05
Gallagher is not the captain just a stand in captain. Besides I don't find him worthy to captain imo.

10 May 2024 07:55:52
Tusole I think Gallagher became a worthy captain when he took the ball from the arguing kids and gave it to Palmer! He probably learnt a lot in that moment as well, and, because of that, and the ensuing out fall, the team has started playing as a team. To give credit when due, Poch made the tactical change with MC becoming an inverted midfielder, which also resulted in Noni and Mudryk also discovering their defensive responsibilities which has resulted in a team defending as a team, then attacking as a team.
We will win our last 3 games, but other games will determine our league position.
Standard, the (our) club don't pay those sort of weekly wages anymore, if he doesn't want to sign a contract he will be sold. I have no problem with a weekly wage with bonus's for achievement being involved, makes the team more eager .
My gut feeling is that Reece will move to Real in the summer, therefore removing the last huge earner, after Sterling, who will also go, then maybe achievement within our team will be rewarded.

10 May 2024 08:59:07
The Gallagher situation is straightforward as Ed002 keeps re- stating, the club have offered a new deal and he has not signed a contract. The cutoff point is appproaching, if there is no agreement he will have to be sold. Personally, I am more concerned about keeping Palmer, if we carry in the same vein as the last two seasons a big club will come in for him.

10 May 2024 09:29:27
Jimbo, we are a big club.

10 May 2024 11:28:26
Ed001
Thank you for spelling out the financial realities of retaining the bloke who has captained the side, worked his nuts off, scored important goals and clearly wants to stay at the club.
I think his importance to the side is vastly underrated by the club and he could easily become what Henderson was to Liverpool and that in my book is high praise.

{Ed001's Note - I agree. He has grown into a very important player in my opinion and he is clearly improving still.}

10 May 2024 16:42:33
Bill, I guess it depends on what the definition of”big club “is: if we are we need to start acting like one.

10 May 2024 17:16:24
Interesting comment but maybe for another day!

10 May 2024 19:00:14
Kiwi, pretty sure there’s at least 6 current players who are on over 150k/ week. James, Chilwell, Cucu, Caicedo, Enzo, Fofana, Nkunku. Palmer will probs join that group too as I think we’re offering him a new contract. So I don’t see 150k as too much imo. I do think performance bonuses are better imo, assist/ goal bonuses and team bonuses etc though.

11 May 2024 01:24:07
Not only that ed002, one of the only players who is always, always fit and available. Someone mentioned 'he's not captain, just a stand in captain' . how ridiculous. He's been captain in the majority of the games this year because our two 'real' captains cannot stay fit.

I'd feel massively disrespected if I was Gallagher, and again, although we don't know exactly what he's after wage wise, if reports are true and it's 150-200k, he absolutely deserves that.

11 May 2024 10:05:25
Standard, I haven’t got a clue what CG has been offered but what we do know is if an agreement cannot be reached he will be sold. I’m also not sure what he “deserves” but I do hope a solution can be found.

He has been our captain in the absence of our club and vice club captains. I personally don’t regard him as a so called leader but the manager has asked him to put on the arm band.

08 May 2024 13:19:33
Good day Ed, are Chelsea in talks with sesko and his club for summer transfer?

{Ed002's Note - No.}

08 May 2024 12:45:37
Are Chelsea seeking a new goalkeeper in the summer?

Are we interested in Oblak?

{Ed002's Note - Chelsea have a number of hgoalkeeping targets but Atletico are not looking to sell Oblak.}

08 May 2024 23:12:33
Would Maignan also be a target?

{Ed002's Note - Which player would that be?}

09 May 2024 02:42:52
Whitey97, ED002 has stated that the club has interest in Mike Maignan however he isn’t the primary target for the position. Hope this helps clarify your question and takes some work off ed002’s plate.

09 May 2024 07:38:32
Onana was mentioned in previous comments over the last couple of years, thank god we missed out on that!

09 May 2024 08:21:33
Kiwi, Onana was high on lots of fans lists but sadly it hasn’t worked out for him. GK is supposed to be a priority for this season but I wouldn’t be surprised if we stick with what we have. Only because I’m struggling to see a viable alternative.

10 May 2024 06:21:57
I would stick with petrovic.

10 May 2024 08:35:01
I was never an Onana fan, and I only see Magnain as an upgrade from what we have. IMO Petrovic has done exceptionally well in front of an ever changing backline this year, but since a Badashile/ Siva or a Badashile/ Chalobah centre back pairing in recent games we have kept a clean sheet.

07 May 2024 14:52:11
Hi Ed.
May I ask if there is any interest in Kepa or if the club considers keeping him?
In general I would greatly appreciate if you'd be willing to share information on the club's goalkeeping situation.

{Ed002's Note - Robert Sanchez (G) Do not be surprised to see him move on.
Kepa Arrizabalaga (G) Back to Chelsea to be sold and then perhaps Middle East. A wildcard could be Inter Milan if the price is right.
Teddy Sharman-Lowe (G) Really well liked but in dire need of a new agent. Chelsea will likely let him leave as a Free Agent in the summer. Down a couple of divisions or so and game time. Forest Green Rovers have been approached.
Marcus Bettinelli (G) Signed a new contract but may look to move on for regular game time. I expect him to stay.}

07 May 2024 16:28:45
Thanks a lot for your reply! :)

07 May 2024 18:28:49
Thanks so much for the insight Ed002! Has there been interest expressed in Sanchez? Just seems odd considering that he’s been here for less than a year and has been injured for a decent proportion of it.

{Ed002's Note - Not that I am aware.}

08 May 2024 00:07:54
Baffling baffling transfer. Please tell me it's not true we signed him to help get caicedo over the line.

08 May 2024 06:58:58
Maybe, we signed him because had said goodbye to two keepers!

Could be worse, we could have signed Onana.

08 May 2024 12:30:40
That's true tomb lol.

07 May 2024 14:13:39
Hi Ed hearing reports we're in talks to sign Estaveo Willian (Messinho), is this true? Also would this be instead of the likes of Nico Williams, or is Estaveo seen as more for the future?

Also Kendry Paez looks like one hell of a player, him and Willian are 2 of the top young talents in the world by all accounts.

{Ed002's Note - Estevao Willian (RW/F) Another kiddie scouted by Manchester City and Arsenal. Chelsea have made a proposal to take him in 2025 when he turns 18. Real Madrid and Barcelona will likely do the same. Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund have sent scouts. PSG will offer the full buy out clause in a single payment but his agent wants Barcelona or Chelsea and the player prefers Barcelona but they have the emerging Lamine Yamal, so PSG and Barcelona may both step back.}

07 May 2024 17:39:24
A question ed002 if I may. With future transfers like estevao, or even in the case of Paez, is the transfer recorded in accounts when it’s agreed or when they move clubs ie summer of 2025? Many thanks :)

{Ed002's Note - The money is accounted for when it is paid.}

07 May 2024 21:22:44
Hi Ed. Firstly thanks for the information you're still giving also on the Chelsea page.

Now regarding Estevao, you mention that the player's agent wants Barcelona or Chelsea (rather than PSG for example) . Do you know what is driving that preference? Is it money related (perhaps Chelsea is willing to pay more agent fees? ), or is it because of Chelsea having a good/ clear progression plan for the player? I would hope it's because of the latter, but money talks so could easily be the former too.

{Ed002's Note - I suspect the agent may be looking to the future, but i don't know.}

08 May 2024 13:32:37
Thanks for the reply, Ed. Have an excellent day, and enjoy the CL semi tonight if you're watching :)

{Ed002's Note - And you.}

06 May 2024 23:30:04
Ed002, I noticed you said previously the club and player would perhaps be open to reuniting Olise with his brother. Do you see the move as realistic this summer or is he more likely to head elsewhere?

{Ed002's Note - He will move elsewhere.}

07 May 2024 09:24:03
Damn, that's a big shame. Probably United then, which will be a fantastic addition for them. On par with Saka and Sarah as the best attackers in the PL. He walks into damn near every starting XI in the world. Really wish we could've gotten him last summer.

07 May 2024 10:43:28
I'm sure if we had gotten him Palmer wouldn't be here today so I'll settle with what we have.

07 May 2024 14:32:44
City bound.

07 May 2024 14:57:02
I think Utd are favourites to sign him.

06 May 2024 21:11:48
So according to Romano Chelsea are looking and considering Osimhen, Sesko and some more no. 9s. Probably Toney is one of the targets.

07 May 2024 08:19:46
I think Toney will probably end up at Arsenal. I think we will get either Osimhen or Sesco and I live in hope it’s Osimhen.

07 May 2024 12:55:43
I don't see us getting Osimhen PSG can pay much more.

07 May 2024 13:55:52
I like the mobility of our current forwards and wouldn't want a more static striker like Osimhen quite apart from the cost and wages.
Also it wouldn't help the harmony of the group if a new player is signed on double the wages of the existing players.
If Nkunku injury is sorted I wouldn't make any big name striker signing.
And by the way our problem isn't scoring goals any longer.

07 May 2024 14:59:02
Drog, I like your optimism but from the outside it looks like the club want a so called CF.

07 May 2024 15:52:34
Totally agree with you KDrog.

07 May 2024 17:27:01
If the CF is quick and mobile and not more than £50m and is happy with the wage structure maybe. Particularly if we still have doubts about Nkunku fitness.
But this might stop Jackson's development which would be a shame.
It interests me that City haven't looked a better unit since Haaland rocked up and started scoring goals for fun, so maybe a lesson to be learned from that.

03 May 2024 14:53:57
Hi Ed

I was wondering if there is any interest in Lukaku, and in the club would consider keeping and using him next season? :)

{Ed002's Note - Romelu Lukaku (S) Wants to stay in Italy. Al-Hilal have spoken to Chelsea and would no doubt make a decent offer but the player won't be keen although Jeddah-based Al Ahli are far more attractive and are pushing for talks with Chelsea. Roma have spoken with his representative about turning the loan in to a permanent move but want an initial year on loan, but it will be complicated if there is serious interest from elsewhere - perhaps Fenerbahce or Napoli.}

04 May 2024 08:48:09
There should be be no more loans or fee negotiations for Lukaku.

Whoever wants him pays the money we have put into his agreement and that's it no more messing about with Lukaku dictating what he wants and doesn't want.

Don't know why he came to us for a short holiday, he has never wanted to be at our club.

04 May 2024 08:35:38
Thank you for the reply!

03 May 2024 09:50:38
Ed002
It's being reported we are interested in Tosin Adarabioyo.
Is this true or just another rumour?
Many thanks.

{Ed002's Note - He is a Free Agent in the summer but likely heading elsewhere. Well down the list of CB options for Chelsea.}

03 May 2024 16:18:01
I’ve heard Newcastle as the most likely option.