17 Jan 2026 04:07:22
Been a long while since I posted, however I have always checked in from time to time to get a sense of how you guys feel the club is going. Thought I’d give my two cents as many are upset at the current ownership.

Firstly, I think they have a fantastic strategy for the mid to long term. Hoovering up potential world class future talent is amazing. Players like Estevao, Quenda, Penders and Paez have the potential to hold us in good stead for the next 5 year block. Signing them early, knowing that the current results may not be the greatest and CL football is no guarantee is also smart business, as you’re not reliant on CL to attract players. Obviously, this comes with a painful present, which hopefully they adapt slightly and put a little more focus on the now. Quenda looks the business and will slot right in next year, as will Emegha. Attack sorted. Penders imo is probably another year away from being capable of a league tilt, however still would run Sanchez close currently.

I think my biggest issue with the ownership is with their decisions on managers. Maresca was unproven, although was well liked by our young group and managed to get some results via horrible, boring, slow football. Too early to judge LR, however, he fits the same mold of an unproven micromanager that seems to think he is a footballing genius. This crop of youngsters needs someone who has achieved and can unlock their potential, not someone who will pigeonhole them into rigid tactics.

Our defence is atrocious, has been for a while. Two world class wide backs can’t cover for the guys holding down the center. LC return will add some much needed leadership and stability, if he returns at the same level. The holes are so glaring that it doesn’t make sense to assume the owners are blind, more so that the player type (young, huge upside) they look for hasn’t been available. Hopefully that changes soon, or Sarr can return and be an upgrade (haven’t seen enough of him) .

The owners are businessmen. They will not make rash decisions that go against the strategy they believe will work best for us in the mid-long term. This is a good thing. We don’t want to fall so far off the perch that we mirror United and their lack of strategy. Hopefully LR can turn things around this year and I fully expect that next year we can run Arsenal and Citeh close.

1.) 17 Jan 2026
17 Jan 2026 08:52:14
Melbourne, I enjoyed your post enormously and I agree with the vast majority of it.

2.) 17 Jan 2026
17 Jan 2026 08:54:27
Welcome back Melbourne CFC and thankyou for your post which was so refreshing to read, well thought out articulate.

3.) 17 Jan 2026
17 Jan 2026 09:31:07
The strategy of getting the players like estevao, Quenda, paez etc is fantastic and even though a c couple of them might not make it, it is worthwhile to take the gamble on them. I don't know many chelsea fans who have a problem with that.

The problem lies with signings like Kellyman, casadei, Gabriel etc who are unknown and brought in for 20m hits. It just doesn't make sense to me. Yes there will be misses but right now there's a lot of misses.

We have spent 1.5billion (more than that) and started that game against arsenal with a front 3 of Neto, Guiu and Gittens and ended with Garnacho Delap. I just do not see how it is possible. Where has the money gone?

4.) 17 Jan 2026
17 Jan 2026 09:41:32
Interesting post Melbourne and completely agree both about our central defense and gamble with young inexperienced managers.

There is surely also a gamble in relying almost entirely on buying young players some of whom are exceptopnally talented like Estevao and Palmer and thinking they will be content to stay eith us - or likes of Cucurella would be - if we cannot challenge for the EPL or ECL until several years time?

So we do need to fix the problems on the squad and in terms of manager now. But will these owners/ SDs be prepared to tolerate any experienced manager who may have strong opinions and be prepared to voice them if they are at odds with said owners and SDs whether on transfers, team selection or who should be in the dressing room after matches?

5.) 17 Jan 2026
17 Jan 2026 10:10:37
The money spent hasn’t disappeared, it’s been invested in players.

The owners will surely give the manager time to install his own methods. So called experienced managers all had to start somewhere.

6.) 17 Jan 2026
17 Jan 2026 10:31:10
I don’t disagree, Standard, however, if your strategy is signing unproven potential, you will take 3 Gittens per 1 Estevao. Most of the players signed that flop are moved on young enough that fortunately someone else will cover a chunk of the initial outlay.

If in 3 years, we’re still stuck fighting for CL places, it’s fair to strongly criticize the project as a failure, I think. I’d say it’s too early currently.

I hold the same fears, JBS, that those that shine won’t want to stick around. Fortunately the owners are capable enough of signing players to extremely long contracts which means we hold the chips in negotiations should they grow bored.

The PL is so flush with cash, that it’s prudent to plan longer term. Multiple sides spend upwards of 200m a year. Signing proven talent doesn’t guarantee success ala Liverpool this year and 28 year olds hold their value for far shorter times in the current landscape.

7.) 17 Jan 2026
17 Jan 2026 10:57:24
THough would add that LR obviously will be given time now - and should be once appointed - to show whether he can rise to the formidable challenge of being a successful manager for us if particularly when appointed mid-season.

8.) 17 Jan 2026
17 Jan 2026 11:15:21
Then we are in agreement Melbourne. I agree it's a wait and see, my concern is losing the identity we have of always winning a trophy no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in. Last 20 years we've been winners, and with CWC win (which was absolutely massive) we still look good in that aspect.

I do wish there was a bit more balance but I agree. I also do have faith in Rosonier and think hell suprise a few.

9.) 17 Jan 2026
17 Jan 2026 12:10:52
Melbourne, I agree with a lot of what you say in your posts, However, I don’t necessarily agree that we hold the chips regarding players wanting to move on. True, we have long contracts which maintains a player’s value. Experience has shown that if a player wants to a move he will get it. Of course, we will get a transfer fee but would we be able to obtain a player of equal quality and experience;I doubt it. Also, I fear the money would be wasted on even more young players who are not PL ready.


As for Liverpool, things haven’t worked out but I believe most of their signings were good. I suspect that even with these issues, Liverpool will end up above us. Liverpool still have ambitions to win big trophies. I think their main problem is Slot and if he is replaced they won’t be appointing a novice coach with no experience to “learn on the job”.

10.) 17 Jan 2026
17 Jan 2026 12:17:34
Where has this idea come from that they're smart businessmen in football? …they may be successful in 1000 different areas …has mo bearing on how they run a football club

It has been disasterous on and off field since they rocked up…. I get wanting to be positive and defending the club but guys come on its like mass brainwash cos weMve been told how ‘shrewd’ and smart these owners are ….

11.) 17 Jan 2026
17 Jan 2026 13:08:38
Kazblue, I have to agree with you. Given the financial status of the owners, it would be fair to assume they are astute business men but that doesn’t mean they can build a successful football club: the assumption that they can by some people is surprising.

12.) 17 Jan 2026
17 Jan 2026 13:52:46
I’m not of the opinion that the owners are going to succeed in football, just that they have a strategy they are sticking to, which may turn out to be good. Time is needed.

I agree that Liverpool made good decisions, my point was only that it hasn’t resulted in immediate success. Slot won the league in a canter last year and 6 months ago would’ve had his pick of jobs on the world stage. Things change fast in football.

We got fkd by Roman being forced to sell. It was heartbreaking, however, the current owners have shown they are willing to spend to a level far beyond others, which in itself is a huge positive. Whether they have made the right decisions to produce success remains to be seen.

13.) 17 Jan 2026
17 Jan 2026 14:13:39
I also think they deserve credit by showing they want to win. We were lucky in that regard. They are putting money in for success and I don't think that can be argued against.

14.) 17 Jan 2026
17 Jan 2026 18:08:15
At least one of our owners has a history of building a successful sports franchise. So, I don’t see the assumption he can build a successful European sports franchise as “surprising. ”.

15.) 17 Jan 2026
17 Jan 2026 20:33:47
American sport couldn't be more different from english football- as seen by his gaffes on UCL/formation etc

I don't see the assumption that cos his american sports team did well it would translate and so far we are yet to really see positives from this strategy being followed. happy to wait and see but won't blindly support mistakes when they're so obvious.

16.) 17 Jan 2026
17 Jan 2026 21:04:48
It’s not “blindly” it’s just stating a fact and that is rare on this site.

An owner has experience in building a successful sports franchise, I can’t see how that hurts his attempt to build one in Europe. It doesn’t guarantee success but I personally think it can only help.

17.) 17 Jan 2026
17 Jan 2026 21:43:23
Kazblue, once again I agree with you. American sport is entirely different. It is franchised like KFC, they move teams to different cities hundreds of miles away. The culture of European football is entirely different and is not embraced by our owners.

A prime example: CFC Ldn”. What a load of bollx. I think most of us knew where our club are located as did every other football fan.

18.) 17 Jan 2026
17 Jan 2026 22:12:21
Of course it’s different. Nevertheless he has built a very successful sports franchise and inny opinion that can only help.

The sports are different but the tribal differences exist in American mainstream sports. I wouldn’t have a clue if our owners have “embraced” the culture of European football. I hope not, it sounds painful.

19.) 18 Jan 2026
17 Jan 2026 22:54:25
Tom my point being i could have experience in building bridges- ask me to build a dam and id have no idea!

20.) 18 Jan 2026
17 Jan 2026 23:50:40
Tom, exactly: “sports franchise “. What’s that got to do with football? I’m surprised we are not CST ( Chelsea Soccer Team) rather than CFC.

21.) 18 Jan 2026
18 Jan 2026 08:51:26
You might see it differently but I strangely see football as a sport.

I assume a tradesman or architect could be involved in building a bridge or a dam. I also assume a builder of an office block could build a block of flats. I wouldn’t expect a plumber to be able to build an aeroplane. I can’t see it being a heavy management lift from one sport to another. Look at this country we have similar sports management involved in Darts, Boxing and Snooker.

22.) 19 Jan 2026
19 Jan 2026 00:06:00
Tom I was emphasising “franchise “ and what it’s got to do with football. I have no interest in darts or snooker but there is no similarity in boxing.