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dan23's rumours posts with other poster's replies to dan23's rumours posts
05 Jul 2025 21:58:28
If, the club can sell Noni for double what they paid and then replace him with a Kudus or Nwaneri. some piece of business that.
1.) 06 Jul 2025 09:47:09
Dan, a lot of my happy hammers mates say be careful about signing Kudos. They hate the spuds more than us and want him to go there, if that makes sense. I don’t know much about the gooner lad but he might be ambitious for trophies and want to leave. ?.
2.) 07 Jul 2025 07:45:56
I agree about Kudus. Yes he takes players on and dribbles but tends to go up blind alleys or loses possession. Poor end product certainly no better than anyone we have.
19 Jan 2024 12:01:54
Hi Ed, hope you're well. Just wondered if Chelsea held any interest in Gonçalo Ramos?
Lots of "rumours" flying around that PSG might look to loan or sell this month.
Cheers.
{Ed002's Note - What, as an Nkunku replacement?}
1.) 19 Jan 2024 12:16:08
Hell no! Just in general.
13 Aug 2023 07:41:30
With Kepa going. Do we know if that makes Sanchez our No.1 and we'll look for a backup? or will it be a case of adding another keeper to be first choice?
{Ed002's Note - Another GK will be added.}
1.) 13 Aug 2023 12:42:04
Strange that we would let Kepa go on a loan, since the season has already started.
Do we have a list of replacement GK's?
Is Jan Oblak on the list?
{Ed002's Note - Yes, there is a long list the club has, and no Oblak is not rhere.}
2.) 14 Aug 2023 13:14:48
Anybody have any thoughts on WHO? which GK we can and should sign?
01 Sep 2022 18:59:38
Well we finally have a defensive midfielder in Zakaria. not seen him play since he was in Germany.
Anyone or the Eds know much about him?
{Ed002's Note - Denis Zakaria (DM/CM) Juventus have used him sparingly since he moved in January due to nigling injuries and all parties would be happy to move on after only joining in January for a low fee. Juventus now have their DM target in Paredes joing at some point this summer. Juventus are happy to sell and Spurs enquired about his availability but opted for Bissouma. An enquiry from Newcastle as a Hayden replacement was met with the standard response of "not interested" as sthey struggle to sell their project. Recommended to Chelsea by an ex-player who is doing scouting but their are perhaps three ahead of him on the list. In the final days of the transfer window his name was raised again during discussions over another player. A loan has now been agreed. He is very much a solid DM player.
1.) 01 Sep 2022 20:03:35
So the Alvarez deal completely off then, with Ajax losing slot of players and not being able to bring anyone in,
2.) 01 Sep 2022 20:02:08
Thanks Ed much appreciated and thanks for putting up with us all. Hope you get a break now!
{Ed002's Note - Thanks.}
3.) 01 Sep 2022 20:12:28
Thanks Ed. I hope he is successful at Chelsea.
4.) 01 Sep 2022 20:12:33
Thanks for that summary Ed.
5.) 01 Sep 2022 21:11:59
I imagine you have had an incredible stressful time recently, Ed.
Lucky for you, it's almost done.
Thanks for all the nice information you have given on this site and the others. I will go to sleep now!
{Ed002's Note - There is no stress but thanks.}
6.) 01 Sep 2022 21:37:39
Zakaria eh? Obinna will be happy.
7.) 01 Sep 2022 22:29:15
Hahahahahahahahahahaha ????? EdW; wow so good you remembered, I used to be crazy about Zakaria- he was one hell of a player at B. Monchengladbach. If he can give us what he gave to B. Monchengladbach, we will be more than fine. Cheers man much ?.
8.) 01 Sep 2022 22:38:54
Zakaria is Obinna's player haha. Solid DM tho.
9.) 01 Sep 2022 22:53:00
LOL; Come on Shak; I remember you liked Zakaria too (maybe not as much as I did) when he was at B. Monchengladbach. The lengthy injury that Zakaria suffered at B. Monchengladbach really did him a disservice.
01 Sep 2022 16:00:34
Reports now saying Depay deal is being talked about and he could follow Auba.
Still no sign of a midfielder, forget Depay and get us Frenkie.
1.) 01 Sep 2022 16:43:47
Depay over a midfielder would sum up the window,
2.) 01 Sep 2022 19:10:18
Still maybe both Matt.
3.) 01 Sep 2022 19:43:31
Looks like TT has got his way. PEA 10M plus Alonso; a player Barcelona got for free who they wanted off their books and who won’t be be fit for weeks- terrible business, we are so weak in the transfer market negotiations. Possibly Zaharia on loan, a player who has flopped at Juve, maybe he can play RWB as we have loaned out Dijon Sterling- crazy.
4.) 01 Sep 2022 19:52:03
Im annoyed with myself for not being ecstatic over spending £270m, feels like we’ve got in an injury prone dm after missing out on an apparent excellent one in Alvarez, auba is out for 3/ 4 weeks. Worries for the next month with the smoking of games and teams we have.
5.) 01 Sep 2022 20:00:40
In terms of summing up the window.
Maybe my brain’s turned to mush, but while we might not have everything we hoped for, the (potential) quality of what we have bought is excellent, both for now and for the future.
If at the beginning of any other window you’d said:
IN:
KK, Cucurella, Fofana, Sterling, [Zakaria? ], [Auba? ] (for now) ; Chukwuemeka, Slonina, Hutchinson, Sturge (for the future)
OUT:
Drinkwater, Werner, Palmeri, Barkley etc.
I think we’d have taken it, especially given where we were 6 months ago.
6.) 01 Sep 2022 20:15:42
It was always going to take more than a window to solve all the problems we have in our squad.
Or preferred targets for midfield and forward positions aren't available and we have not been able to sell or loan the players we have.
We have mended the defence but I think we need to take a good look at our forward and midfield in the next windows.
Hopefully we can turn things around with our current squad. c.
7.) 01 Sep 2022 20:44:45
Sometimes we don’t get what we desire.
I think the club have done better than I expected.
I should be shocked that some don’t think we have had a good window.
None of our signings are guaranteed to be a success but I will judge them in the weeks and months ahead.
8.) 01 Sep 2022 23:12:31
not a bad window but that forward position still hasn't been filled and it was an issue we knew about going into the window
on the players we have signed im happy with all, unsure on zakaria as its a vital position and although he's a solid player from what i've seen he also struggles with injury which is never a good sign.
dan23's banter posts with other poster's replies to dan23's banter posts
01 Sep 2025 22:07:33
Hats off to the SDs and everyone involved with outgoings. Some effort that to recoup record player sales.
Shame Sterling and Disasi still linger but other european windows reamin open.
Also, a shame for young George. He deserves to get regular minutes somewhere. I don't see a massive difference between him and Gittens. Makes you wonder if we could have saved £50 odd million there.
Pleased for Guiu. He'll get plenty of game time now and I've always been impressed with his work rate.
1.) 02 Sep 2025 05:56:32
I think Gittens will prove his worth him seasons to come but I generally agree with your post Dan.
Obviously there are deals I agree with and I few I disagree with but that’s the same for most transfer windows.
2.) 02 Sep 2025 12:30:52
I don't thing DD Fofana got a move either, and it seems as though Deivid washington is coming back to us from Brazil. So not sure about the future of either of those two?
3.) 02 Sep 2025 13:11:53
I thought the Santos loan was good for Washington but obviously not. I think a club will take a chance with him even it’s a short term loan.
29 Aug 2025 09:27:42
Simons to the spuds. Probably makes more sense. Play second fiddle to palmer and enzo or play week in week out. No brainer!
The only annoying thing for me is if we genuinely wanted and we've missed out because of chasing Fermin which looks like a lost cause.
1.) 29 Aug 2025 10:01:06
Just maybe and this is me being crazy. Roger’s for Jackson.
Who knows but it’s all fun!
2.) 29 Aug 2025 10:02:32
Dan
I'm not really sure wexknow what we 3ant.
We chased Simmons all through the window then yesterday, Fermin crops up.
Perhaps we never really wanted Simmons as we never put in an offer for him yet we bought the bad attitude.
3.) 29 Aug 2025 10:20:28
Bill, I’m sorry mate, what “bad attitude? ”.
4.) 29 Aug 2025 10:41:45
Spurs have bought Kudus already this summer too, who is undoubtedly a good player, but another terrible attitude. A chancy game - perhaps Thomas Frank has enough about him to reshape their mentalities (he's laid a marker down with Bissouma), or perhaps they figure these players will simply try harder at bigger clubs. But lots of the players these days seem to have this same attitude issue, or the ones that are on the move, anyway. Perhaps it's something to do with relative age being lower – the focus now is on players who would have been considered 'learning the trade' from the elder statesmen in the dressing room. 21 years old is hardly mental maturity. This is the trend that we, as a club, have had a big hand in setting into motion.
5.) 29 Aug 2025 12:32:41
Tom, I think Bill is referring to reports around Simons's attitude.
6.) 29 Aug 2025 13:26:19
Ok, being almost forced to watch German and Dutch football on TV is enough for me. I can't understand either language. Typical English.
7.) 29 Aug 2025 13:31:35
I think Bill is referring to Garnacho?
8.) 29 Aug 2025 14:21:34
Tom knows very well what Bill was referring to. Garnacho’s attitude issues are well documented by his brother on Instagram and have been frequently discussed on this site. When something is posted that doesn’t suit his narrative he claims ignorance usually by saying “ I don’t really know…” just like Mavis from Coronation Street.
9.) 29 Aug 2025 15:19:24
Jimbo, why do you keep trying to read my mind.
My question had zero to do with Garnacho and your total bo££ocks of a post is not unusual. I’m quite happy to say I have no knowledge on a subject. Just for the record I have no idea who “Mavis” is in Coronation street.
I did not understand “Bills” reference to “attitude” and Simmons. Kindly EdW made the point clear to me and I replied to that point. I have never seen that player show a bad attitude and I do watch a lot of German and Dutch football.
10.) 29 Aug 2025 15:51:56
Tom, really. Bill said “and yet we bought the bad attitude one”. Pretty clear what he meant. You frequently claim to have no knowledge of things apart from Dutch and German football.
11.) 29 Aug 2025 18:05:34
Jimbo, you continue to make things up. I said I watch a lot of German and Dutch football, not that I know much about it. My son in laws give me some players to keep an eye on and Simmons, Gittens and Hato were just three players they mentioned amongst others last season. The players they both said that Chelsea should definitely sign were Wirtz Sesko and (sorry about the spelling) Hincape.
You seriously need to put the crystal ball away. I asked Bill about his reference to “attitude, ” EdW said it was about Simmons and I said I hadn’t seen him display any attitude in the games I had watched.
Your obsession with Garnacho and his reported attitude issues is bordering on boring but since we were first linked with him and Ed saying he had a poor attitude I did look the player up. Certainly the Argentina manager and his current club manager seem to fallen out with him along with several past players. He was also apparently photographed in a Rashford shirt, I assume in some sort of misguided support of his out of favour teammate.
I would like to think that the club and the SD’s have done some diligence on the lad as we have made a significant investment in him.
12.) 29 Aug 2025 19:00:01
Tom, haven’t you been reading the posts on this site? Most of us don’t want Garnacho. The Rashford shirt thing was just one example. His brother continually posted on social media criticising his club, coach and fellow players. ”Bruv” also posted that the deal was done in advance of any official announcement. No doubt, we will be hearing a lot from “Bruv” if Garnacho doesn’t get his own way. I get the impression that Maresca doesn’t take crap from players. So either Garnacho knuckles down or it will end badly for us. Leaving aside the attitude issues, he is a flash in the pan player: a younger version of Sancho.
13.) 29 Aug 2025 21:09:51
Jimbo, I make my own mind up about a player and manager. I have no opinion about Garnacho as player.
I will respect other people’s opinions and that includes our manager and the SD’s. If they make a mistake I will be critical.
EM seems to be a stickler for discipline and maybe this is what Garnacho will respond to. Time will tell if he is just a “flash in the pan” or a player with talent.
As usual I will wait and see if he flourishes in his new environment.
14.) 29 Aug 2025 22:27:28
Good for you Tom. Wait and see. Is that an iceberg? No, wait and see.
15.) 30 Aug 2025 04:42:26
I remember thinking Morata was another Ossie and said so on this site.
So, I generally give myself time to formulate my OWN opinion about a players ability in Chelsea colours If I have seen them play a lot for there previous club then I will give an opinion about what I’ve seen. I’m not going to offer an opinion about a player based on other peoples views.
Strangely we are not talking about icebergs but whatever sinks your boat.
10 Aug 2025 09:16:22
With the season upon us. I had a convo down the pub as to what takes us from top 4 to serious challengers. What are we missing, what do we need before the window closes?
I can't say I'm a fan of Garnacho or Simons if I'm honest. For me it would be:
GK - Donnarumma could be available for less than £30m
CB - still lacking some experience
LW - competition for Gittens.
1.) 10 Aug 2025 10:49:49
Dan23 I think most would agree that the GK situation and question of replacement for LC are the ones we'd think the club would or should be looking at before close of window.
In terms of left wing/ sided attack it looks as though Simons will be on his way to us though perhaps more of left sided no 10 plus Garnacho highly likely to be signed as well as will probably be seen by club as relatively good value and at 21 able to be moved on if needs be. Perhaps he'll develop better here anyway than at United.
2.) 10 Aug 2025 13:45:12
I might take Donnarumma on a free and as a back up keeper. When he goes down low I can hear his bones creek.
28 Jun 2025 07:23:27
I thought we'd learnt our lesson and this market we'd try to invest in some experience.
Got all excited by the Maignan saga and it now looks like we're back to Sanchez as No.1.
I'm also gobsmacked we're willing to pay £50 odd million for a kid from Dortmund. Yet, Eze who has a £60m release clause isn't of interest. He is one of the best wingers in the league and has tons of experience.
I hope we get this market right. Including a massive clearout of the deadwood.
1.) 28 Jun 2025 08:09:37
Dan
So far it looks like we have not learnt anything as we are still going after, bringing in youngsters.
Apart from the Milan GK, we are not linked with experience and we even walked away from those negotiations.
2.) 28 Jun 2025 08:10:28
ED01, what is your opinion of Eze?
{Ed001's Note - plenty of skill but a bit on the lazy side for my liking. I would not be looking at making a bid for him if I was Chelsea. You need players with the right attitude, not more problems like Madueke and Sancho brought.}
3.) 28 Jun 2025 08:24:02
dan, all about opinions but I’m not a fan of Eze. I’m personally happy for another club to pay his release clause plus add ons,
I think Gittens is a good addition. He is a bit head down but is direct and has pace. Also not afraid to have a shot.
Two seasons ago Maignan would have been my No1 pick as our keeper but he wasn’t at his best last year for some reason. My number one choice goalkeeper now is Costa by some distance but sadly I think he will be going to City at some stage. It would appear that the club are showing increasing faith in our current keepers particularly Pinders.
{Ed001's Note - Maignan has injury problems. I personally think they need to look at how these new-style keepers stay warm during matches. They are being asked to do a lot more movement and kicking the ball more than the old school keepers ever did. Those sudden rushes out to close down or clear a ball, they must put strain on muscles that are not going to be as warm as an outfield player. I think they need to look at the warm ups they do and what they do when they are not being called into action, to ensure they are not cooling down. It is quite telling, imo, that the 3 main proponents of the new-style of goalkeeping, Ederson, Alisson and Maignan, all have regular soft-tissue injuries.}
4.) 28 Jun 2025 08:47:48
Surely we can't go into another season with Sanchez as our No.1. I know he improved slightly, towards the end of last season but.
I take your points about Eze and agree good attitude is essential in modern football.
{Ed001's Note - especially when you have a group of young professionals, they can be easily led astray. Someone like Cantona is a case in point, United's youngsters very much learnt off him. They had moments of wild indiscipline, they were all off banging random women at every opportunity like him, but they also copied his hard graft on the training pitch. He set the tone by staying behind every day to practice on his own, usually free kicks, with a group of youth players who were told to act as ball boys and be the keeper for him to practice against.}
5.) 28 Jun 2025 08:57:19
Thanks ED01 for your opinion on Eze and your comments on the modern day goalkeepers. It appears that we were never in for Maignan anyway and just his agent hawking him about for a pay day. Bill, I thought you were really pleased that we have beaten Bayern Munich to the signing of the highly rated Jamie Gittens?
{Ed001's Note - very welcome mate.}
6.) 28 Jun 2025 09:49:44
LOved your description of Cantona at United Ed001!. Clearly when CFC challenging regularly for titles eg under Mourinho first term there was not only an excellent team assembled - if especiallsy down its spine from GK to Striker - but it had the likes of Lamps who would also train above and beyond what was necessary because in his own view he absolutely had to get himself to level he wanted to be. But this - and attitude of eg a JT - set v good example to younger players and whole attitude of squad.
So I guess I wonder about who are the equivalent of such players in the CFC squad today and do you think we should be adding some big name experienced players this window not just youngsters - depending of course on getting experenced players with right attitude?
And if I can bother you with one more question, can you think of players we could reazonably aspire to get who would fit that description and improve us now?
Otherwise I'm fearing that we may need to wait for Vision 2030 and our youngseters to mature together to eg challenge again for EPL or Champions League.
{Ed001's Note - again Lampard is a great example of a young player responding to being influenced by good solid pros around him. As a youngster, he was a shithouse, getting into a fair few bad situations, the sex tapes and numerous other problems he was causing Chelsea. The older pros basically brought him onto the right path and he owes the longevity of his career to being around the right characters, when he was close to throwing it all away.
So 100% I think you need those good, experienced heads at Chelsea. For me, that is the most important thing you can do is replace Thiago Silva's influence. The issue is that they also need to be good enough to play as first choice in the team. Like a Muller, for example, but a couple of years ago preferably. Actually, the more I think about it, the better he seems for you. He has had an incredible career and has a great personality too, as well as being a hard worker in training. Even now at the CWC he is managing to cope with 90min in the heat! I can't think of a better player for Palmer to learn from. Palmer has struggled to impact big games, Muller is one of the best at making a difference when it matters.}
7.) 28 Jun 2025 11:07:50
Great reply Ed001 and many thanks for it. I hadn't known, or had forgotten if I ever did know, the bad situations FL had got himself into as a youngester but was aware he had been dubbed 'fatty' by some Hammers fans at one stage p;us seens as benefiting from nepotism before he came to Chelsea.
I've always admired Muller and your point of need to replace the experienced been there and done that head, as well as heart ans skill of a Silva is well taken. Likes of a Muller could e enormously helpful in dressing room as well as on the field.
{Ed001's Note - people do forget about Lampard's behaviour, because he settled down and grew into a key player and that is what is remembered.}
8.) 28 Jun 2025 15:03:58
RPD
I'm happy with the Gittens signing if it goes ahead however I feel you have missed my point when I say we also need experienced players signed.
9.) 28 Jun 2025 15:20:55
You are so right about Lampard ED01, he really needed reeling in. I would love to see Thiago Silva back at the club working with our young and ever developing and improving squad, his sons play for our academy sides so I live in hope.
{Ed001's Note - Thiago Silva was a special player, he could help so much just by being there to give advice.}
10.) 28 Jun 2025 18:56:44
I’ve said it before I would love Silva to come back in a coaching role- still a lot of issues with our defence not just Sanchez.
03 Feb 2025 08:17:13
I know January is a tough window but the young players we're linked with is worrying. We're crying out for experience in midfield yet it seems the mostly likely signing is an 18yr old.
I also thought we might address the striker situation but that seems unlikely. I don't want to moan, I just want us to be the best we can be but I feel top 4 might slip away without some reinforcements.
1.) 03 Feb 2025 09:08:10
Dan, one of the problems about signing a recognised top striker is, who is available?
2.) 03 Feb 2025 10:01:03
Wecshould have signed one last summer Tom.
3.) 03 Feb 2025 10:03:53
Apparently we are now close to signing a striker. Eli Junior Kroupie from a French second division side - likened to Karim Benzema - for c 30 million quid. Yet what we really need to ensure ECL this season is probably the likes of peak Karim Benzema himself.
AS it is our buying of players this wondow seems to be more piling up of promising, possibly very promising, youngsters who could become part of Vision 2030 - the magic year - or may be just being bought to be sold on as a profit. EJK quite likely to be loaned to Strasbourg you'd think. This might be ok if we bring Santos back now and/ or Petreovic?
The question in what remains of this wiondow is whether we will/ can bring in anyone to replace the relatiovely experienced outgoings who can make a difference in strengthening the squad now.
Nkunku probably not too happy not to go to Bayern - if he doesn't = Felix likely unsetted by all the rumours, Sanchez needing to be changed, Jackson low on confidence too. and not much expetrienced cover in defence or midfield.
A real test of EM management which has to start with a win against the Hammmers tonight but they played well and adventurously under Potter in that away draw v Villa so though we are big favourites with the bookies - as we should be on paper given the spend of last windows and on our current EPL table position - I think many of us will be worried we may not get the three points we desperately need. Seeing Arsenal so easily brush aside City after our 3-1 defeat was galling but I suppose City the real challengers for 4th or 5th positions with us, AFC surely nailed on ECL in a top 3 position.
4.) 03 Feb 2025 10:20:54
Bill, it’s not as if we didn’t try and sign a CF in the summer window. I would rather we went for quality and if that means waiting a while then so be it.
jBS, I can’t see the attitude of Nkunku or Felix changing that much. Both must have been angry at not getting the game they think they deserved.
I generally find it hard to believe that this window will bring about a transfer policy change. I can only see us signing players that are under 23 years of age.
I would have liked us to recall Santos but we do have some academy products in midfield who have looked ok when called upon and this could be an opportunity for them to impress.
5.) 03 Feb 2025 11:33:37
A major problem in signing a top anyone who isn't a kid - though signing kids could be fine for Vision 2030 - is being in the Conference League right now not the ECL. A product of new ownership struggling to get things right from the off and the enforced restarts after parting of ways with first Tuchel then Poch and restarts needed after those events and not trusting Potter after run of poor form after early wins and doing well in ECL group stages so replacing him before the end of the season.
Fact that GP hadn't had a pre-season with us not mitigating enough reason to save him in owner's eyes. Fact that Poch had longest injury list in EPL history not mitigating enough for him in getting us 6th after great come back in last 15 matches bar the dreadful AFC away result.
Being in the ECL has to be a priority. The safer route seemed to be to trust Poch for at least his second and last contracted season and take his advice about who should stay and go. But the decision was to gamble and go for yet another managerial change in the younger and presumably cheaper option who had worked under guru Pep i.e. (despite being top level inexperienced) EM (with Arteta at AFC as a precedent) and have hugely more outgoings and incomings costing club vast sums nett mainly of young talent on long contracts to lock them in (until Vision 2030 coud be realised?) and amortise their cost.
Jury still out on whether this will work. Particularly whether the SDs and owners have done enough to ensure ECL qualification this season because it will surely be important in keeping the top talent we do have at the club happy plus attracting 'worldy' talent we may still need - eg striker - we haven't yet got. The last fifteen matches of this season huge for us starting with the one at the Bridge tonight.
6.) 03 Feb 2025 12:24:35
JBS, I didn’t want Poch to get the sack and in some ways him staying would have been the easy/ safe option for the club but nothing would convince me he was the right manager to win trophies.
7.) 03 Feb 2025 12:48:55
Not the most exciting but Mateta a palace would be worth a punt. Knows the league, has been fairly prolific, might not cost a bomb and offers different attributes to Jackson.
8.) 03 Feb 2025 13:37:28
Dan, I agree he is a good player but I would be hoping for a Osimhen, Sesko, Isak type player.
9.) 03 Feb 2025 13:42:02
Mateta has usually impressed when i've seen him dan but of course always question of whether he is a vailable and with our SDs is he deemed too old at 27ish?
10.) 03 Feb 2025 14:12:51
I see Tel is on his way to Spurs.
11.) 03 Feb 2025 14:17:48
JBS, I just think they have gone all in on a style of play. I think that is a dangerous decision but if I am right they would be looking more for a Sesko type CF.
12.) 03 Feb 2025 14:34:42
I'd like a winning style of play where obviously you hope we can be attractive most of the time but where defence taken more seriously as also sanity of crossing into boxes with no aerial threat at the end of them . bar Cucurella!
13.) 03 Feb 2025 15:22:44
In my opinion IF Chelsea had a WC GK they would still be in the top 4. (If you add a WC CB and CF Chelsea would be challenging for the title) . Add the GK shenanigans to the failure of converting “good chances” to go 2 or 3 goals up in games and I think you have 90% of the reasons why Chelsea are currently out of the top 4.
In fairness, this Chelsea team are young and by instinct they play to attack. (Nothing wrong with that might I add) As a result, not only do they give away too many chances, they compound it by giving away too many painful to watch cheap goals. There also appears to be a continuance to the recruitment imbalance at the club, whereby focus on signing “potential” rather than battle hardened winners is accepted as the way forward. That needs addressed if not stopped. Easier said than done? Possibly.
But money talks in sport. and Chelsea under Clearlake have been talking way too much. In football it is a rule that is as old as the game itself. Always put your big money into the spine of the team, the rest can come and go without too much disruption. That has not happened at Chelsea of late.
14.) 03 Feb 2025 15:39:28
JBS, we play wide players who generally cut inside and that can become very predictable. If the the same shape is maintained then we don’t need a certain type of CF. That’s why I keep saying we have gone all in and it makes me worried.
15.) 03 Feb 2025 16:43:42
Good point Tom and London I completely agree - and posted to this effect not long ago - about the need to fous as likes of Jose did (and Klopp eventually got at LFC) on having very strong spine to the team.
31 May 2025 06:59:34
I'm not sure they have the facilities do they. Probably have to sell Bruno? Also, would he want the move in uniteds current situation.
29 May 2025 15:48:17
Spot on. The thing with someone like Sesko or Ekitike is they drop short to receive the ball all the time. No good for players like Palmer who like to find space.
Osihmen will likely go to Saudi. So that only leaves Delap or Gyokores. I'd be happy with either.
03 Feb 2025 15:45:23
Loan with no buy option for Felix.
22 Aug 2024 08:02:59
Agreed Tom. That's all I was getting at with the recruitment rant above. Perhaps I just didn't word it very well ?.
20 Aug 2024 11:57:00
My original post Tom clearly says world class centre mid. You've got on your high horse about a DM. I've just stated that Caicedo had his better games as a 6 box to box, not a traditional 4 (DM) .
Do you and cech come as a double act? Seems anything said on here, that isn't of the same opinion as you, is challenged by one of you in close succession.
Cech nobody is taking away his potential. But I'm talking here and now, the guy can't possibly be proven after one season and he is very young. Big Pete was relatively unknown and unproven, turned out to be the best we've had, took him a few seasons to be proven though. Again, I just said in my original post, instead of spending money on 1 world class keeper we've signed someone else. Actually, we've signed 4 keepers instead one.
I think you take people's opinions on our recruitment as personal attacks on players which it isn't.
27 Sep 2025 19:07:35
Transfer strategy is brilliant if you want to make money and balance books. But awful if you want to win trophies.
Not signing a goalkeeper and a replacement for Colwill is laughable. For all the good work done on outgoings, these 2 failures could cost our season and put us a year behind again.
Maresca said very early in the summer we needed some experience and again, the club failed to back him because they've created this new model which from a sporting aspect is a joke.
Fans don't give a toss about making £500m, we want to challenge, make finals, win trophies.
Tweak the model or we'll become a posh Brighton.
17 Aug 2025 13:47:27
Eze starts. Their front 3 are a problem for any defence. Worries me, not going to lie.
16 Aug 2025 07:29:56
It's the same as under Conte. The middle one being the most comfortable on the ball, setting up a lot of the passing sequences and knowing his role both defensively and offensively. Our other ones don't have that profile.
28 Jun 2025 08:47:48
Surely we can't go into another season with Sanchez as our No.1. I know he improved slightly, towards the end of last season but.
I take your points about Eze and agree good attitude is essential in modern football.
{Ed001's Note - especially when you have a group of young professionals, they can be easily led astray. Someone like Cantona is a case in point, United's youngsters very much learnt off him. They had moments of wild indiscipline, they were all off banging random women at every opportunity like him, but they also copied his hard graft on the training pitch. He set the tone by staying behind every day to practice on his own, usually free kicks, with a group of youth players who were told to act as ball boys and be the keeper for him to practice against.}
25 Feb 2025 07:31:01
Hope it all goes well mate and you're on the mend asap.