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16 Jul 2026 21:16:12
With the early reports of players reacting positively to Alonso as a manager and his training sessions.
He has apparently promised a clean slate to the whole squad. So, I guess departures will be influenced by the manager and how the players have trained and play pre-season.
It’s impossible that all these decisions will make all fans happy and it could well be that current fans' favourites will become available for transfer and some players currently on the fringe will become club legends.
I certainly have my favourite players and players who I would rather we sell, but managers can make average players invaluable and of course the opposite can happen.
I go into yet another season full of hope. I am confident we will be challenging in all the domestic competitions. We have good players with more to come on board and a manager who is giving me confidence.
16 Jul 2026 22:56:52
Tom, I don't see any so-called fringe players becoming legends. Possibly an academy player, but none that we have signed.
16 Jul 2026 15:50:29
Read that Vallecano now want 40million+ for their left back - a player who's 28 and has spent most of his career in second division Spanish football - we should've ended interest the moment they changed price, no doubt they've seen our mug SDs turn up and thought they can make a nice raise.
Oh well, onto the next target hopefully.
16 Jul 2026 16:32:09
Why do you always use nasty words on this page, Kazblue? Yesterday, you were calling Tom things, and now you are calling Chelsea FC employees "Mugs". Why don't you make your points without always being rude to fellow human beings.
16 Jul 2026 17:11:08
I highly doubt they want 40m. We initially believed 15m was an acceptable amount, but they subsequently raised it to 25m, I think. We shall see if we can come to an agreement, but if not, then we move onto other targets.
16 Jul 2026 17:12:55
Dont think theres anything wrong with calling the SDs mugs - theyve been terrible for us so far and taken no responsibility for failures.
Sorry if that upsets you, and as for Tom - he gives plenty of comments and barbs back, wont hear me complain about it.
16 Jul 2026 17:30:23
I haven't got a clue who has taken responsibility for our failings. I'm sure a review has taken place, and I would like to think that all the decision-makers have acknowledged the mistakes and learned some lessons.
As I've said before, the SDs seem to be a common target for criticism at most clubs.
16 Jul 2026 17:36:09
My issue would be Tom - who is reviewing who? - It gives the vibe of students marking their own homework.
16 Jul 2026 17:36:11
Fuser, according to some pundits, the player is a manager's choice. So, my guess is some fans will refer back to the GX attempted signing and accuse the club of "penny punching." The club can't win.
I assume the club and the manager will have discussed a valuation for the player and will not exceed that valuation.
16 Jul 2026 17:45:21
As I always say, I am only guessing, but the club did confirm a review process takes place at the end of each season.
If your view is that review isn't worth it, I would suggest the proof will be in the managers' and players' performance next season. I can wait to see if any signings and the manager have been a good investment.
16 Jul 2026 18:32:35
Did the sporting directors get palmer, enzo, caicedo, pedro, estevao, cucu wrong.
The same as everything you win some you lose some you can't get everyone right or keep every fan happy.
They may believe that some like Santos are a success as well with that fact they made money on them.
Kazblue your post are becoming a drain, the season hasn't even kicked off and its getting me to the point I don't want to read posts in here.
16 Jul 2026 19:02:31
Finchy, please don't be put off posting. This site needs the input of fans who give reasons for their opinions.
16 Jul 2026 20:08:17
Finchey, the players you mentioned were good signings, but we paid top dollar for them - there is nothing wrong with that; it shows ambition. However, we have paid significant fees over the last few seasons for players who are not good enough.
As for the "review", who is reviewing who? I doubt anything will come of it, or we will hear anymore about it.
Tom, you are right, please continue to post; it is important that we have a lively and busy site. We have lost several regular posters recently.
16 Jul 2026 20:56:32
Finchy, that's 6 players - good players and good signings. 1 has left, 1's agent is discussing him leaving and sounding out a move (hope he stays).
And then, as Jimbo says, there's countless others that could be mentioned, but I guess we must toe the party line, bury our heads in the sand and shout All hail Vision 2030.
16 Jul 2026 13:19:51
I thought it was pure class by Enzo Fernadez last night after the game, when he went across and hugged Reece James and Trevor Chalobah in a very humble way. I would like him to stay as he is one of the genuine world class players we have, but accept he might want to leave in which case his value just went up again.
16 Jul 2026 13:59:21
It's not an exaggeration to say most of our summer business hinges on whether he stays or goes. The club should be demanding at least the same price as City paid for Anderson, especially to any interested EPL teams.
I think he stays and has a very good season under Alonso.
16 Jul 2026 14:38:18
J, he is such a good player, and also a real leader and warrior out on the pitch. He rarely misses a game and is adding goals to his game now. He stays, we challenge.
16 Jul 2026 15:34:38
I completely agree that it is crucial for CFC prospects this season that EF stays. Yes, his gesture after the game was a good one, but he could, and probably should, have been sent off for that arm in the back of Anderson's neck early on, which would have dropped Argentina down to ten men, and likely would have resulted in an England win.
So, EF had some reason to be humble, and perhaps apologetic to his England Chelsea team mates. Still, he is certainly the kind of warrior with a 'monster moment' mentality we absolutely need in our side, and it was good that he spoke to them after the game. Hope it was to say, 'Looking forward to playing on your side soon'!
16 Jul 2026 16:17:30
Jbs
Even if they were down to 8 men, they still would have beaten us.
16 Jul 2026 20:31:18
EF is a class player, but not a class person. If he is committed to Chelsea, I would be happy to see him stay. He is a reprobate, but at least he would be our reprobate.
15 Jul 2026 23:00:32
I put up a rumour a few weeks ago that we had an interest in Stone. About a week later I was told he is going to Arsenal.
On tonight's performance and his performances generally in this WC, he will get top sides interested in signing him.
16 Jul 2026 09:30:36
He would do well with our other sick notes, Tom.
16 Jul 2026 11:04:38
Thiago Silva was a wonderful addition, of been there and done that experience and deep reading of the game, and I can see the hope that Stones may offer something similar for us. Perhaps he could, though TS also offered pre-eminent leadership and marshalling of others and remained pretty fit, and there may be question marks over both those qualities in terms of Stones. But I would love us to have a few more in our squad and team with experience of top teams and top international experience, particularly as Cucurella - a star now for Spain as well as CFC - has gone, and Enzo - ditto for us and Argentina - may be following.
Enzo, in particular, is a fighter, but MC had shown this for Spain and CFC in some tough matches for us, including marking Yamal out of the game when we played Barcelona in the Champions League at the Bridge.
16 Jul 2026 19:09:19
According to the so-called pundits, we can now add Bayern Munich, Juventus, Leeds and Everton to the list of clubs interested in signing Stone.
16 Jul 2026 20:44:28
Stones is no Silva, and injury prone. A pass for me.
15 Jul 2026 22:21:08
Tommy T got that so wrong, no wonder the sporting directors sacked him, in fact, I think PSG sacked him as well. So clueless. To drop deep like that! The manager cost England tonight so well done blue. co for sacking him.
15 Jul 2026 22:34:30
Rpd, he got it wrong from the outset with his squad selection. What was the point of bringing Toney and Henderson: two spaces wasted. Gordon did okay, but the rest of the wide players were atrocious.
Morgan Rogers, £100 +, you have got to be kidding. Looks like Reece is giving us a preview of next season: 70 minutes, off, and probably unavailable for the next game.
15 Jul 2026 22:51:10
Rice apparently needs back surgery, and Saka is now rumoured to be out for ten weeks. (Note, Saliba is out until October).
I am not sure Saka was fit enough to take to a WC, but I am only guessing. I agree, the Henderson and Toney selections looked strange.
A manager takes the plaudits, and generally takes the blame.
16 Jul 2026 08:03:26
This is what I hate about internationals. Players who are not fit make their injuries worse, and who suffers? It's the club and their fans.
Reece should have had a long summer chilling, but no, he is run into the ground, and who knows how this will affect him this season.
Arsenal are going to suffer now with Saliba, Rice and Saka.
I know TT got tactics all wrong, but my goodness, our defenders could not defend a balloon coming into the area.
I lost count. Was it seven or eight at the back? Most times the ball came over, an Argentinian head to the ball, our best defender was the woodwork.
16 Jul 2026 08:17:51
Bill, I think players coming back from the World Cup will probably be given extra time off anyway.
I would rather James be given longer off now, particularly as we now seem to have some quality cover.
I know the pundits have raved about Bellingham and Kane, but my English player of the tournament was Anderson.
16 Jul 2026 09:33:59
Tom
That squad was never, ever going to win the tournament. If we played the Spanish in the final, goodness knows what the score would have been.
Tt and his boring tactics were never the right choice, and don't get me started on the squad selection.
16 Jul 2026 10:13:54
We would probably have been beaten by Spain in the final, but last night's game could easily have been won. TT did get tactics very wrong after we went a goal ahead. We had to have an outball to a pacey attacker or two, and should have kept Gordon on unless injured or completely knackered, in which case perhaps Rashford needed to come on to replace him. Also, absolutely crazy not to have been pressing the likes of Messi and Fernandez, rather than allowing them and the rest of the Argentinian team so much space and time to pick their passes and crosses and take long shots.
Yes, and why were we so feeble in the air in the box and at marking them?
EF may not be that likeable, especially when in an Argentinian shirt, but he would be a colossal loss to CFC if he leaves this summer. As already is Cucurella, and both will of course feature in the WC final. Selling one of them is bad enough, but both....?!
16 Jul 2026 10:27:18
JBS, I don't think the issue is selling EF, the question is: is he committed to Chelsea? If he is, I wouldn't sell him, but if he isn't, I'd rather he went.
16 Jul 2026 11:11:29
Fair points, Jimbo. Let's hope Alonso's conversation with him, reported in his press conference, was positive. Don't think we are likely to replace him with equal quality, and if not, we are in danger of confirming worst fears that the 'project' was about buying them young and selling the best ones when they have demonstrated that they are consistently good enough, over time, for 'bigger' teams to want to buy them off us.
Brighton have done pretty well, financially and in mid-table solidity, with this model, but surely we want more than this? Alonso's appointment has, for me as for others, been one reason for hoping so.
15 Jul 2026 22:07:01
Obviously gutted with tonight’s result, but the better team deserved the win.
For me, Tommy Tickle had a nightmare tactically. Spain go 1-0 up and keep the ball. We go 1-0 up and drop back with ten defenders.
The only very, very small positive is I have Spain in the sweepstake.
16 Jul 2026 10:18:17
Tom, you are right to make the comparison with how Spain played after going 1-0 up - though, to be fair, their midfield is considerably more comfortable with keeping the ball than ours probably is/was. We had to keep some pressure on Argentina, and some outball possibility and attacking threat. Tt made it far too easy for Argentina simply to have almost all the possession and play attack v defense, and it seemed only a matter of time before they would score, despite Pickford pulling off that one excellent save.
Crazy to take Gordon off, or not bring Rashford on to replace him if he had to go off. So disappointing.
Yes, I also have something on Spain to win, but would have happily kissed the money goodbye for an England win!
16 Jul 2026 11:52:49
JBS, like you, I'm disappointed that we are not winning the WC. At least I've seen us win it once.
I actually backed Portugal to win it, and I only picked out Spain in a sweepstake, no skill on my part.
15 Jul 2026 07:21:29
I am very old, so I remember how happy the nation was when Bobby Moore (England’s best ever defender) lifted the World Cup at Wembley. The whole seemed to be out enjoying the day and the victory.
I was at the game against Germany in Turin. The day was fabulous but the result and the journey home was truly awful.
I think we can win tonight. I think the Argentinian FB’s are not that good and I’m hopping that TT’s team take advantage of what I see as a massive weakness.
Anyway, Come on England.
15 Jul 2026 08:23:58
Whilst I agree with you, Tom, re Argentina, our whole defense is weak so they can take advantage of that.
Apart from Kane and Bellingham, who else has scored for us?
15 Jul 2026 09:11:08
Bill, I am not that fussed that two players are taking on the goal scoring burden. That often happens in World Cups, with one or maybe two players virtually carrying a team to victory.
If Anderson and Rice play to their potential, then I think that will protect us against any defensive weaknesses.
15 Jul 2026 10:05:26
I should add that, as a young lad in 1966 and underage to drink in pubs, it was the first time my dad bought me a pint (light & bitter) in the Prince of Wales down the Old Kent Road.
A very happy and memorable day.
15 Jul 2026 12:02:04
Let's hope the guys give you another memorable day, Tom.
15 Jul 2026 12:35:46
Do I think we can win, most definitely. There are some concerning matchups though.
Whilst I think Anderson has been good, Rice looks spent and his recent illness won't help with that. The winner of the midfield battle is, for me, on a knife edge.
I'm worried about who's going to pick up Messi. O'Rielly hasn't looked comfortable as a non-inverting, pure LB outside of Pep's system.
I do think that Argentina can be attacked from wide positions. Are Madueke or Gordon going to take advantage of that? Hopefully Saka is fit for more than the last 30mins.
But, as I said, I do think we can win. I think defensively they'll struggle to contain Kane and Bellingham. But I expect a nervy watch, we'll need at least two or three goals.
13 Jul 2026 23:07:17
Appears that Alonso really rates Enzo Fernandez and wants him to stay. I would be very pleased with that.
14 Jul 2026 00:24:46
What makes you say that? The only thing he said in the press conference was that they had spoken, and what was said will remain private. A follow-up question of 'Do you want Enzo to stay?' was met with a single-word answer of 'yes' haha.
14 Jul 2026 08:17:08
Melbourne, unless somebody pays the fee, he will be staying.
This window, our SD's seem to have found some backbone and are telling clubs to pay what we want or they move on, I have read Inter are pulling away from the Chabs deal as it is too expensive.
Previous seasons the begging bowl if the Italians meant that we would pay 200% of the salary and they would give us a packet of Rolo's as a loan fee.
As you probably can guess, I can't stand Italian clubs
14 Jul 2026 09:19:00
I don't think we can read too much into Alonso's response. If he answered No to that question, then the player's transfer fee would drop.
14 Jul 2026 10:14:00
I agree, Bill. I know some supporters want Enzo to stay, but we already know he wants to play somewhere else, so I'd prefer we sold him, but, like you say, he is worth what he's worth. I wouldn't take a discount. I think if he stays, he likely has a good year, and his price shouldn't drop due to the long contract.
I actually like that Como and Inter supposedly agreed not to get into a bidding war for Chabolah. The Italian league isn't known for ethics, typically. I'm sure he will have plenty of options if the Inter sale doesn't materialize.
14 Jul 2026 10:26:05
Melbourne, like you, I have read different reports about Enzo, but do any of us actually know for sure that he 100% wants to leave now that Alonso has arrived? Lots of the current squad had great admiration for the club when we won the Club World Cup and started last season, but it seemed to change when the club appointed LR. That has now changed.
14 Jul 2026 12:44:49
It's safe to assume he wants to leave. His agent has said he is actively searching for solutions to let him leave Chelsea. I hope Xabi is persuasive enough to get his mind back on staying long term, but he has history with pushing for moves away from clubs he kisses the badge of.
14 Jul 2026 14:43:33
Bill, our SDs have grown a backbone now that they've packed the club full of below average players no one particularly wants. We'll see by the end of the window where those players are, but I'm not holding my breath. Like I've said before, we're on the verge of absolute catastrophe as a club, and we desperately need this summer and the season to work out.
14 Jul 2026 16:20:13
I hope we don't get relegated yet again.
Let's see how good Alonso is. I think he will get our squad playing to its potential. Obviously, other teams are not going to stand still and wait for us to catch. It will be interesting, but I'm looking forward to the new season.
14 Jul 2026 16:40:01
I don't think we are on the verge of a catastrophe, but I accept that next season will be important for the club. I believe that, with 3 or 4 smart signings and the moving of the dross we have recently signed, things can improve.
I believe we have picked the right manager for the task. Let's just hope he has influence on signings that he believes can thrive in his system. Not quite the last chance saloon, but nearly.
14 Jul 2026 17:57:12
Catastrophe may be slightly strong, Jimbo - however I'm worried, the media noise isn't helping. Stories of us haggling over a few million for a 28 year old back-up wing-back. I'm confident no one on here has heard of him before.
Stories of players wanting to leave, losing Cucurella, who, regardless of anything, was one of our best players and one of our most experienced.
The lack of interest in players like Garancho, who I feel have no business being at Chelsea.
Countless names can be added to that - Tosin, Delap, Gittens, Badiashile, Neto, Lavia, Gusto, Sanchez.
Talk of Alonso being backed with experience and a change in model, i.e. a lowball bid for Xhaka and not much else. A constant stream of more kids again, most of whom no one's heard of, and just huge, glaring weaknesses in the squad as of yet not addressed.
14 Jul 2026 17:59:50
I also think, with less playing time, players won't get injured as much and won't be too tired.
I.
14 Jul 2026 18:38:11
Kazblue, I share your concerns. That's why the ins and outs will be significant in determining the direction of the club - early days yet.
Bill, the fact we are playing less football is because we didn't qualify for the Champions League and are not at the top table.
As for injuries, some of our players wouldn't be able to play two games of croquet in a week. Not sure why our players are tired, they were outrun by every team except Liverpool last season. Perhaps, they should go to bed earlier.
14 Jul 2026 21:56:15
On the verge of a Catastrophe? Oh my oh my. I have seen some comments on here over the years, "Moises being called a donkey" being the stand out, but Kaz, you are rivalling yourself there.
14 Jul 2026 22:35:16
How not edw - we have overspent, we came 10th, we have huge areas of concern in the squad - we have SDs that have so far shown no competence, on the football side of things and in large parts of the business side. We have a long list of players we'd like to move on, having only brought them in in the last few years.
We are awash with rumours of players wanting out - you think Enzo, Caicedo, Palmer, JP want to sit tight if we have another season coming 8th/9th/10th? A footballer's career can end in a moment - these players won't wait forever for us to sort ourselves out.
We have an exciting young manager and some exciting players - if it fails now, I struggle to see where we go from here.
14 Jul 2026 23:06:06
I am not sure we are "awash with players wanting out", but all players should want success. A transfer window is the time when rumours abound, and, as much as I enjoy those rumours, the vast majority just make me laugh. If a player wants to leave, then goodbye as far as I'm concerned.
I personally think we will challenge for CL football next season.
I think we have a lot more talented players than some believe, and, without last season's manager turmoil, those players would and should have finished in the top four.
I worry less about our SDs signing players than I do managers, and although Alonso wasn't my first choice, I think he will prove to be a solid appointment.
15 Jul 2026 08:28:13
I agree, Tom, and he will have the respect of the players. Something LR didn't, but I have to admit Maresca did.
We don't need many coming in, but those that do must improve the first 11.
15 Jul 2026 08:29:46
I don't think managers should sign players, but they should have an influence on the positions and types of players needed. I certainly don't trust our SDs signing players.
15 Jul 2026 08:30:13
Verge of catastrophe is maybe a bit strong, but I totally understand the sentiment. This season is definitely make or break. I said for a while that we could do a Spurs this season and be in relegation trouble. Now that we have Alonso, I'm more confident, but as people have said, if this doesn't work, what then.
15 Jul 2026 09:06:07
Some of the so-called big clubs have gone through long periods of mediocrity in recent seasons. I hope we don't drop into that category. I am personally convinced we have some very good players who can challenge for trophies over the next few seasons.
I do not see us on the verge of some "catastrophe." I want to see progress this season. I want to see patterns of play, but more than anything, I want to see the team working hard and not the passive nonsense of last season.
15 Jul 2026 11:09:30
Who are these good players and can they actually stay fit. And are they good right here, right now - don't want to hear about Estevao and Quenda as good players when they have done very little as of yet - forget potential, I'm interested in who's ready here and now....
Colwill
James (never fully fit, so he becomes a headache for us).
Caicedo
Enzo (can't stand him as a bloke, but he's a good player).
Palmer (needs to regain form and confidence).
Joao Pedro
6 good players and then a handful of decent/might be alright players, and then about 157 players we need to wait for to see if they end up any good.
Another bad season and our problems on and off field increase massively - and I do not trust these owners and clown SDs to get us through tough periods. They came in on the back of a UCL win and almost capsized the club faster than the Titanic.
15 Jul 2026 11:46:55
Your opinions on our players will no doubt be different to mine.
I remember posters slaughtering the signing of Hato for the majority of last season. Strangely, that criticism disappeared later in the season. Cucarella was given pelters for a season, and then became a fans' favourite. Of course the reverse is true. I was a fan of Gusto, but he was horrible last season, but that doesn't mean he will be a bad player for the remainder of his career.
Like most clubs, we have made mistakes in the signing of some players, in my opinion, but any criticism I have of our SDs would apply to a lot of Premiership clubs, judging by some of the criticism from posters on other team sites.
I will wait and see if Alonso can get a tune out of these players before I make a final decision about a lot of our players.
I do think the SDs have made mistakes in manager appointments, and hopefully the appointment will bring some improvements.
I'm not sure we have 157 players in the whole club, but I do want the club to continue investing in potential. Of course not all of that investment will work out, but with this current inflated transfer market, to me, it seems the logical way to go.
Just one more small note. At some stage last season, I got pelters from certain posters about my views on Hato. I have also given my opinion on the qualities of Lavia, and now I will repeat, with good coaching, Gittens will prove his worth.
15 Jul 2026 12:37:28
Usual condescending nonsense from you Tom
Hato has had a handful of decent games in a chelsea shirt has done
Nothing on note yet and if the rumours are true and he's playing LB /LWB you may be in for a shock as he's not
Gusto is poor and the 75m price tag for him gave me a proper chuckle
Cucurella was average when he signed
Settled in became solid- he is spains number 1 left back however and we have sokd him to sign a Spanish Left back no one has ever heard of
15 Jul 2026 12:58:11
I always chuckle when posters feel it necessary to make personal comments or judgements. That also includes laughing at myself.
When I make a player assessment and prove wrong, I'm always happy to admit it. Hato is class and will only get better. Lavia, if he stays fit, will be POS and Gittens, with good coaching, will prove he is a top player.
I agree, I have very little knowledge about our FB signings, but I will wait and see them playing in Chelsea blue for an extended period of time before I make a judgement. Others can have a negative view before they have seen them play, that's up to them. That reminds me of some posters' view when we signed Caicedo and his first few games for the club.
15 Jul 2026 14:39:12
Kazblue, why did you tell Tom he posts condescending nonsense? Just because other posters don't agree with you, why do you have to be so nasty?
15 Jul 2026 14:56:19
EbW, don't worry about it mate. As I said, amongst other things it makes me chuckle.
15 Jul 2026 16:40:21
Hato hasn't proved anything yet to be considered a class player. Lavia Pos. He'd be lucky to get a MOTM with his injury record. Gittens is absolutely dreadful: any coaching should have been done years ago. Alonso is not a miracle worker.
15 Jul 2026 17:04:43
Agreed, Jimbo... About time we rate players on performance, not supposed potential.
15 Jul 2026 17:05:22
I disagree. I think Hato has proved that, at this moment in time, he is good enough for the Premiership, and the frightening thing is, he could well improve.
Lavia just oozes class. Staying fit has been a problem, but his class as a player is something I don't doubt.
I have seen enough of Gittens, when he is given the chance, to know he has quality.
As I said when we signed him, I have one reservation, and that is he sometimes plays with his head down. Good coaching, I hope, can sort that out.
Alonso wasn't my first choice, but I'd see his team win the German League, and they were well drilled and worked hard. I'm happy he has joined our club, and I'm now convinced he will get our players to their full potential.
15 Jul 2026 17:11:13
Maybe it's about time some people realise that all fans have different opinions and those opinions deserve respect.
15 Jul 2026 17:41:17
Tom, you gave your opinion about certain players; I gave mine, and then you repeated your opinions. Respect is a two-way street.
15 Jul 2026 17:49:43
Jimbo, you are correct. Respect is a two way thing, and if you think that my last post on the subject of "respect" was aimed at you, then I apologise.
As far as repeating my opinion is concerned, I gave my reasons for believing the three players mentioned have quality. That was something I hadn't done in my original post.
15 Jul 2026 18:32:26
Tom, posters have different and strong views about players. Like most posters, I go into the new season with hope but also with an underlying fear of failure and a drift to mediocrity. For me, that could be assuaged by 3 or 4 good signings and a clear out of players who are not up to standard. Alonso was my top choice, so I have no complaints on that score.
I have World Cup fatigue at present and will be pleased to concentrate on domestic football. That said, I hope Reece has a winner's medal on his neck on Sunday. Tonight will be spicy. Very important that England keep their composure and avoid red cards. Oops, nearly forgot about Trev.
15 Jul 2026 18:39:55
Jimbo, it is good and totally understandable that fans/posters have different opinions about players, SDs, managers and owners.
Those differences can be delivered with respect for other people's opinions.
15 Jul 2026 20:00:35
I really don't see the condescending bit about TomB.
He gave his opinions on players, with some good arguments. I see that, if he sees someone say he is not good enough or they are rubbish, they should give a reason for it.
As for some of your picks, TomB,
Gittens, I don't see what you do, I'm afraid. Your comment on having his head down is valid. But if he hasn't had that coached in the 20 years, there isn't much hope now. He clearly relies heavily on speed. Coming up against low blocks, in 80% of the teams that play us, he struggles as there is no space for the pace. He always runs into blind alleys.
Hato, I do think, will be class.
Not there yet, but his composure on the ball is excellent. He makes some great passes, but is lacking in positional awareness. This will get better the more experienced he gets, and with more coaching.
Lavia, his press resistance is, do I dare say, world class. His eye for a pass is world class. But his body just isn't, and will need working on to keep him fit. Can we, can't we, I am unsure, but he has all the aspects to be world class.
I am upbeat about this season.
And I am probably one of the only people that think/want to keep Enzo. I think the guy is class, a warrior. Although, after tonight, I may really hate him.
15 Jul 2026 21:09:14
Finchy, thanks for your comments. My assessment on both Hato and Gittens comes from watching a lot of German and Dutch football, before my Dutch and German sons-in-law took my daughters back to their respective countries for work reasons. Both players had excellent seasons.
16 Jul 2026 10:30:23
I took a while to be convinced by Hato after his start for us - and having thought highly of him when an Ajax player - but I came round to your point of view, Tom, and also rate him as one of our brightest prospects.
But losing Cucurella is a blow, as he was one of our few players who had demonstrably become world class, with Enzo and Caicedo being two others. We know that Palmer and Pedro have the talent too. LC and Hato probably too. Estevao pretty likely, if his hamstring injury has healed properly and he can be consistent. So we need to keep those seven. I'd also keep Jackson unless we are bringing in another experienced striker, as Delap and Guiu are not good enough yet, and I am not sure about Emegha, who is also coming back off an injury.
If Alonso can get Gusto playing as he did before last season for us, he may also be worth keeping. Otherwise, we still seem far short of major rivals like City or Arsenal, or now perhaps United, in terms of proven quality squad depth.
So yes, this summer transfer window is v important, and I have that feeling that we must make this coming season one in which we get Champions League football or we are in danger of slipping further away from the current top teams.
12 Jul 2026 16:22:40
In between watching the World Cup I have also been watching the way Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen side set up in that undefeated season.
He really likes a 3-4-2-1 system which relies on two No. 10s behind the striker rather than natural wingers. He also switches to a 3-4-1-2, where two forwards play close together to create and finish chances.
When you consider the sale of Tyrique George, the loan of Jessy Derry, and with Garnacho preparing to leave, that only leaves Gittens and Neto as out and out wingers (I see Estevao more as a number 10), and I can see Neto, if he stays, joining Quenda, maybe Gusto, if he stays, Palestra and one more as wingbacks, that would leave Palmer, Estevao, Enzo Fernandez, if he stays and maybe Joao Pedro competing for those two attacking midfield roles behind a striker.
If Alonso switches to 2 strikers then Joao Pedro just moves further forward leaving a lone number 10 to pull the strings with the wing backs providing the width. This system also suits Valentin Barco and maybe Jackson as well.
I wonder if that is also the reason all the transfer gossip is around Chelsea FC recruiting centre backs, like Lacroix and a new central midfield partner for Moises Caicedo, plus the continuing rumours about Diogo Costa and a new left wing back?
A new striker with one of Delap, Jackson or Emegha as back up, plus of course our own 20 goal a season Joao Pedro who can play both as a number 10 and number 9.
Just my thoughts on how things might shape up.
12 Jul 2026 21:34:10
Rpd, I enjoyed your post. However, I don’t want to see Delap or Jackson next season: they’ve had their chances and they aren’t good enough to lead the line. Obviously, we don’t know who might come in, but I would prefer to see Estavou play out wide next season rather than as a 10.
As for Neto, I don’t really see where he fits in under Alonso: he’s not for me, as you probably know; very one-dimensional player.
12 Jul 2026 23:19:15
I don't think we have the squad for a 3 at the back system, tbh. I think it would require quite a lot of signings for it to work, and I think some of the previously agreed signings wouldn't fit. I think we'll see more flexibility between a 3 and 4 at the back system, depending on the game and injuries.
13 Jul 2026 09:48:46
I tend to agree with you, Jimbo, on both Delap and Jackson, but do wonder if Alonso might be tempted to have a look at them. Neto is more of an issue, because he doesn't really fit into an Alonso system.
Fuser, do we not have the players for a back 3?
James, Acheampong, and Fofana competing for RCB, Hato and Colwill competing for LCB, Lacroix, if the rumours are true, as CCB, with Tosin and Colwill also able to play there?
13 Jul 2026 09:54:45
What was Alonso's preferred shape at Real Madrid?
13 Jul 2026 11:02:34
TomB, I believe he played 4-2-3-1 at Madrid.
RPD, I'd say James probably isn't great at RCB. I think he's capable of doing it, but I'm not sure it suits him. Neto & Gittens don't have a place in a 3 at the back system either, imo. Quenda is probably better as a winger than a wingback, imo too, although he is capable there.
I do think we will play 3 at the back at times, but I just don't think we'll see it week in and week out. I think there's not quite enough depth/quality for it, and perhaps we'd have too many square pegs in round holes if we had injuries.
15 Jul 2026 09:28:37
Fuser, playing 4-2-3-1 at Madrid would suggest he is flexible enough to play to the players' strengths at his disposal.
12 Jul 2026 14:10:06
Well done England, Argentina, France and Spain on reaching the World Cup Semi-Finals, without doubt the best 4 teams in the tournament alongside a special mention for Cape Verde.
Jude Bellingham is simply on another level and has been our star man followed by the hugely underrated Elliot Anderson and the ever reliable Harry Kane.
The players who have really disappointed are Noni and in particular, Declan Rice. The rest have been average at best with Anthony Gordon probably the pick of the wingers.
12 Jul 2026 17:00:15
Rpd, tbf, I think Rice has been carrying an injury. Saka has been poor as well, in fact, all the wingers have shown reluctance to take on the full backs, and the end product has been generally poor. Bellingham, Kane and Anderson have carried the team. The others must improve if England are going to get any further.
13 Jul 2026 09:57:29
Madueke has played how he always plays. I cannot understand why he was picked for the squad.
16 Jul 2026 10:31:46
Rice was both injured and had been in bed with a fever for three days. Saka was also carrying an injury. Some poor squad selections and omissions.
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