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19 Apr 2026 22:05:39
A few rumours about Simeone tonight. Any truth in it ED01?
{Ed001's Note - not as far as I am aware. Last I heard he will not consider a move away right now as he thinks there is a chance for more titles there.}
1.) 20 Apr 2026 09:40:06
Thanks ED01, he would be a good option although Jose would be perfect. I think it might end up being Lampard though.
{Ed001's Note - I hear Gary O'Neil is available....}
2.) 20 Apr 2026 11:17:10
It wouldn't surprise me ED01 with this lot in charge
3.) 20 Apr 2026 13:25:19
That's it ED001, kick people while they are down.
{Ed001's Note - sorry Bill, that was a very low blow!}
13 Apr 2026 13:01:48
Chelsea dressing room sources indicate a growing disconnect between several players and the manager, with doubts emerging over his tactical direction and in-game decision-making.
While there remains a level of professionalism within the squad, belief in the project appears fractured, particularly among key figures who feel the team lacks a clear identity in crucial moments.
There is also a sense that constant changes in selection, combined with inconsistent performances, have made it difficult for players to fully buy into the manager's ideas.
Some members of the squad are understood to be frustrated with the lack of structure both in and out of possession, which has translated into poor results in decisive games.
Although the club hierarchy continues to back the manager publicly, the internal mood suggests that unless performances improve quickly, maintaining full dressing room support could become an even greater challenge in the coming weeks.
1.) 13 Apr 2026 15:02:28
Probably from the same people who said the players had asked for the Enzo ban to be lifted.
2.) 13 Apr 2026 15:40:43
We have opened ourselves up to a media frenzy. Stand by for "Chelsea in crisis".
This is all down to the SDs/owners bringing in an inexperienced coach.
What's needed is somebody in charge who knows what they are doing, not a private equity business.
3.) 13 Apr 2026 16:01:40
I agree with you, Bill. The media will be stoking the fires for sure, and hopefully the owners get the message that Liam needs to go, and so does the sporting director who appointed him. The model will only work if the core of quality players are kept, and added to with both experienced quality and a proper, decent head coach. Squad wise, you need 3 segments. First segment of 8 or 9 top players who play most games; we probably have 7. The second segment, another 8 or 9 players who are not quite at the top level but are pushing on the door; we probably have 6 players.
And then the final segment will be made up of squad fillers, young prospects from the academy, and players brought in from elsewhere, and we probably have about 14 in this area. That is what needs balancing. It is actually not far off, but someone now needs to grab the bull by the horns and shape our destiny before those core players in segment one move on.
4.) 13 Apr 2026 16:28:44
Just for clarity, I think these players fit into Segment 1.
Marc Cucurella
Reece James
Moises Caicedo
Enzo Fernandez
Joao Pedro
Cole Palmer
Levi Colwill
Segment 2.
Romeo Lavia
Pedro Neto
Trevor Chalobah
Robert Sanchez
Wesley Fofana
Malo Gusto
Segment 3.
Josh Achempong
Hato
Estevao
Essugo
Santos
Gittens
Garnacho
Santos
Delap
Guiu
Malang Sarr
Teddy Sharman Lowe
Jorgensen
Tyrique George
Jessy Derry.
5.) 14 Apr 2026 06:15:13
There's plenty of reports that the owners recognise the less than ideal situation Rosenior finds himself in, having to take over part way through a season, with no pre-season etc. But, if that is recognised, and they do/did genuinely rate him so highly, why put him in that position now? RA was well known for having his patience on a short fuse when it came to form and league position. Managers would often be gone part way through a season. But, at least he recognised that wasn't the time to bring the next permanent manager in, with it often being the experienced Hiddink asked to steady the ship till the end of the season.
Rosenior was on the back foot from the beginning, the fans didn't/don't want him, a fair few of the players probably had to google him when they found out he was going to be head coach, and likely weren't that impressed with what they saw.
But, worst of all, they took him from a decent role, where he was comfortable and doing a good job at his current level, and chucked him into this firestorm. A fast start was never going to be enough for him, he had to be perfect till the end of the season and, obviously, he hasn't been.
They have to stick with him till the end of the season now, but I can't see any sense in him staying on beyond that. The head coach position at Chelsea certainly isn't becoming an easier sale.
6.) 14 Apr 2026 08:58:37
Great post, J.
7.) 14 Apr 2026 09:19:39
J, I couldn't agree more. From the outside, there seemed no need for EM to leave mid-season.
The problem is we have no idea how bad the relationship had become. Also, we don't know if EM just asked to be released immediately.
I think LR will start next season as our manager.
8.) 14 Apr 2026 12:30:34
Tom, I think we'll pick up 8 points between now and the end of the season. That certainly won't be good enough for UCL qualification and might only be good for another trip aboard the Conference League bus! I also don't think it'll be good enough for LR to keep his job.
The FA Cup is about the only thing that could save him, which would be papering over the cracks and this vicious hiring/firing circle will keep on turning.
9.) 14 Apr 2026 14:00:14
J, this is definitely the wrong way for me to look at the manager issues, but I just can't see them sacking another manager so soon after appointing him. Yes, we have done it before, but another sacking doesn't look good without giving the guy a pre season.
10.) 14 Apr 2026 14:47:47
Nor does crashing down the table. Tom, the team have no confidence and the morale is low.
11.) 14 Apr 2026 15:45:17
I'm sure they won't want to sack him. I'm sure the SDs and everyone else who vouched for his appointment will be desperately pushing for him to be retained. But there's just nothing to cling onto with Rosenior, no light at the end of the tunnel, despite a lack of top level European football qualification.
I don't see the lack of a pre-season as justification for just how badly things have turned out since his appointment.
12.) 14 Apr 2026 16:39:37
They knew all this before they appointed LR, and still they went ahead. My gut feel is they will give him a pre season and about ten games before they review the situation again.
13.) 14 Apr 2026 16:41:30
Tom, it has been an absolute catastrophe since Liam was appointed, and we are in total freefall. The players' confidence is shot to pieces. How on earth can anyone justify he stays?
14.) 14 Apr 2026 18:38:13
Greenaway, I'm only guessing, but I would assume the people who appointed him will
recommend he stays. It could well be that would be the only decision they can make to save face.
15.) 14 Apr 2026 20:24:05
So, Tom,
What you are saying is the SDs do not have the club's best interests at heart, instead they just want to save face.
Great that we have these people in charge of recruitment.
16.) 14 Apr 2026 21:04:53
Bill, I am definitely not saying that the SDs and owners don't have the best interests of the club at heart.
There is zero reason to suggest they deliberately employ managers or players that don't work out. That idea would be frankly ridiculous.
17.) 14 Apr 2026 22:14:45
Tom,
You said earlier that you thought the SDs will keep KR to save face, therefore they do not have the best interests of the club at heart, only their own.
18.) 14 Apr 2026 22:34:16
Bill, my theory is the SDs and owners did employ LR because they want what they consider to be best for Chelsea.
As far as "saving face" is concerned, then, yes, I do think that the decision makers will give LR every opportunity to change things around, rather than admit another costly error.
19.) 15 Apr 2026 09:01:03
People with the club's best interest at heart would always admit to an error, and rectify it asap, which should be the end of the season.
20.) 15 Apr 2026 09:22:26
In my opinion, the club have been making managerial errors since Conte, and I didn't want him as our manager either.
My assumption is that every person who has been responsible for all the managerial hires has done so with the best intentions.
21.) 15 Apr 2026 09:44:57
Tom
I agree that all hiring is done with best intentions. However, the issue is keeping a coach who is responsible for players' loss of confidence and morale. I would suggest they are not acting with the club's best interests at heart.
22.) 15 Apr 2026 10:18:27
Bill, I haven't got a clue about players' loss of morale and confidence. Certainly, both are fragile commodities, but can come back with a few positive results.
Last season, with about ten games left of the season, we had posters using the same cliches as they are now.
We finished that season on a positive note, and that should show how quickly things can change.
Let's also not forget that, under all ownerships, mistakes are made, and things do not always get better.
23.) 15 Apr 2026 13:48:06
There surely is going to have to come a time where our owners/sporting directors say this approach isn't working.
Rosenior has to go. The only way the sporting directors could save face is by letting him go and apologising to the fans for making a huge error.
Like others have said, players have completely lost confidence in him, and what he comes out and says is just bizarre.
Every club that has won the league recently or the Champions League has had an experienced manager leading them. We need to follow the data of success.
24.) 15 Apr 2026 14:07:44
Whitey, you may well be right about an experienced manager being an important attribute with such a young squad.
I just can't see the SD's or owners pulling the plug anytime soon.
25.) 16 Apr 2026 08:28:57
Then the plug should be pulled on them, Tom.
26.) 16 Apr 2026 08:44:29
Bill, I may well be wrong, but I seem to remember reading they (SD's) have had their contracts extended.
27.) 16 Apr 2026 16:22:04
Tom
Coaches get 6 year contracts, but that does not stop them being sacked.
28.) 16 Apr 2026 16:53:23
Bill, anyone can get sacked. A bit like LR, I can't see any of the SDs getting sacked, having just been given a vote of confidence with a contract extension.
08 Apr 2026 17:20:08
Following the update from Tom and J that the club are in for Sensesi and are abandoning the current model of only buying young, tradeable prospects ready for 2030 and are now going for a more rounded squad. It appears this has now been endorsed by Nizaar Kinsella: Privately, the club have assured Cucurella and captain Reece James
that signings with proven Premier League experience will arrive at centreback, central midfield and in attacking areas.
Great news all round.
1.) 08 Apr 2026 19:28:30
It's about time, Greenaway.
2.) 08 Apr 2026 20:59:01
Bill, I have no problem at all with people making mistakes, we all do. It is how you react to them that counts. So, if Tom and J are correct, and the owners and sporting directors have ripped up their blueprint and are now going for experienced 29-year-olds like Sensesi and binning the so-called trading model, then that is great news.
3.) 09 Apr 2026 07:23:53
I wouldn't expect the mistakes of the first window, when signing the likes of Sterling or Koulibaly for expensive fees on huge contracts. The ownership got their fingers burnt there. In the case of Sterling, it's a mistake they're still paying for.
For CB, the previously mentioned Senesi is available on a free, along with Stones and (I believe) Konate, whilst Van Hecke has a contract up in 2027. They're the type of EPL experienced players we should be looking at, who won't have huge initial outlays. One younger, but non-EPL experienced, CB to keep an eye on is Antonio Silva at Benfica, only 22, but he has plenty of UCL experience and a contract up in 2027. If he doesn't sign a new contract, he'll be available at a reasonable price this summer.
We've had previous interest in him and he's always impressed me when I've seen him play.
The midfield and attacking areas are a bit harder to anticipate where interest might be. No doubt, we'll be in for Anderson and Wharton, but I see both going to Manchester. Foden is an interesting one, not getting the mins at City right now and has a contract up in 2027. Pretty far-fetched, but he could be on the move in the next year. It's going to be difficult to get EPL/UCL experience in the midfield and attacking areas without spending big or looking at squad fillers who offer leadership and experience.
02 Apr 2026 10:38:05.
Valentin Barco is tearing it up at Strasbourg playing mainly in central midfield but he can also play on the left hand side and he played at left
back last night and scored his first-ever goal for Argentina in a 5–0 win over Zambia. While Enzo Fernandez had a quieter game, Barco stole the spotlight with his energy and quality.
Chelsea are reportedly eyeing him as a potential replacement for Marc Cucurella.
Barco’s rapid rise is attracting interest from top clubs across Europe so we may need to act fast before others swoop in.
I think a few on here have already mentioned his quality? Taxi for Cucu.
1.) 02 Apr 2026 13:25:31
Can we fit the SD's into the same taxi, Greenaway?
2.) 02 Apr 2026 18:21:51
Sign him as a utility player for now, but have an eye on him as the long-term replacement for Cucurella.
3.) 02 Apr 2026 21:03:35
Thanks J, I have heard some really good reports about him. Might be a real star going forward. Bill, yes, maybe find out which sporting director made the silly mistake of getting rid of a trophy winning head coach and replacing him with a cardboard cut out of a manager in the rather silly view the grass would be greener.
4.) 03 Apr 2026 06:19:49
I have watched Barco a few times. He often stands out for Strasbourg and is a class above, although his positional sense is worrying at times. I think he would make a great squad addition. However, I'd stop short of expecting him to make a huge impact on first-team performances consistently.
He is definitely better suited to being in midfield or as a very attacking lb/lwb. I worry about signing players with the expectation they can play two/three positions well when we so badly need world-class experience and a group that knows exactly where they will play on the pitch each week.
5.) 07 Apr 2026 14:26:20
Deal apparently done.
28 Mar 2026 18:27:22
A few rumours on X that Man City are to be docked 60 points. Any truth in this?
1.) 28 Mar 2026 21:40:21
Greenaway, sounds like one of those American prison sentences. You are sentenced to 550 years without parole, so when am I getting out? lol.
2.) 16 Apr 2026 10:36:09
Sadly, this looks too good to be true, Greenaway.
Greenaway's banter posts with other poster's replies to Greenaway's banter posts
11 May 2026 14:26:27
A lot gets said about our gross spend from lazy journo's, click bait pundits and bed wetting trolls. But very little is ever mentioned about the extraordinary amount of money that is made from player sales. Apparently Arsenal will pay Chelsea an extra £30M for Kai Havertz if they win the Champions League.
They
will pay another £20M for Madueke if they win both the UCL and EPL and
another £8M for Kepa if they also do the double.
That's incredible business by Chelsea.
1.) 11 May 2026 15:13:18
Except we sit in 9th and replaced both with players who are worse... Perhaps the club needs to focus on getting better players on the pitch for Chelsea.
2.) 11 May 2026 15:22:21
Greenaway. I will always give praise when it's due, but they (owners & SD's) have also made some awful signings.
I said a few seasons back that a lad I met, who works for the blooms betting/investment company, reckons about 20% of any club's signings do not work out. The problem is that doesn't take into account sequencing. You could sign ten and they are all duds.
Of course, you also have the issue with how long it can take a player to settle at a club.
We have had fans right off the likes of Caicedo, Cucarella and Hato after just a few games or even a season.
I personally try to give a player at least two seasons before I make a judgement. Gusto, I have given up on but I hope I'm wrong and it's just a season's blip from a young player.
3.) 11 May 2026 15:26:38
I would rather Pedro than Havertz every day of the week. Neto, I think, is better than Noni.
4.) 11 May 2026 17:11:01
Neto is not better than Noni. Both equally as bad, and neither cut out for top players.
5.) 11 May 2026 17:39:16
Kazblue, I agree about Neto: one-dimensional player not suited to possession football, lacks vision and creativity.
6.) 11 May 2026 17:39:55
Sorry, Tom, I have to agree with Kazblue. Neto has been a big disappointment.
7.) 11 May 2026 17:48:28
It's all about opinions. I would stick with Neto over Noni every day of the week. He works harder, and, thankfully, hasn't got the apparent disciplinary problems of Noni.
How about this: Gittens will be better than both.
Havertz being better than Pedro is off the scale bonkers as far as I'm concerned. Pedro has impressed me more and more as the season progressed. Again, it's all about opinions!!
8.) 11 May 2026 17:53:33
I was no fan of Noni. Gittens better than both: hardly a high bar. Gittens is awful; a poor man's Sterling.
9.) 11 May 2026 18:09:15
Time will tell about Gittens.
10.) 11 May 2026 18:21:51
Gittens has not even looked Championship ready yet.... We need to get serious. This isnt football manager. Need serious work to raise standards at this club.
Time for the owners to make a decision on where and who we want to be...
It's depressing to see Arsenal flying high on the verge of a double, and we're left arguing over who's better between Neto, Gittens and Subject 49.
11.) 11 May 2026 18:24:59
Tom,
I don't believe anybody said Havertz was better than Pedro, just that Neto was not better than Noni.
Gittens, the jury is still out, but will give him next season depending on if Silva wants to play him.
12.) 11 May 2026 18:52:13
Bill, maybe I misunderstood the word "both." The only two players I could see Greenaway referencing were Havertz and Noni, and their replacements are both worse.
I certainly believe Delap could ever be described as a replacement for Havertz. Totally different players.
Anyway, I don't care about Noni, Havertz or any other player who chose to leave.
13.) 11 May 2026 19:35:22
Agreed, Tom, and that goes for coaches as well.
14.) 11 May 2026 20:08:09
Bill, I 100% agree. We can learn lessons from looking at history, but we still have to focus on the future.
Next season, I will start off as a pessimist, and just before the first game I will be thinking/hoping we will win everything. It's been the same every year for 64 years now!!
15.) 11 May 2026 20:51:59
Bill, you are being a bit hard on Silva: we won't get relegated: he will steady the ship and get us to around 10th to 14th next season.
16.) 11 May 2026 21:36:46
Jimbo
If that is the height of our ambition, then it's very sad indeed.
17.) 11 May 2026 22:31:21
Bill, I was joshing, but if Silva was appointed, it would indicate the club's lack of ambition and ruin my summer.
18.) 11 May 2026 22:32:17
Bill, I told you many a time the grass was not greener, mate.
19.) 11 May 2026 22:26:56
Kaz, you really rate Havertz above Pedro? Wow, you remind me of your twin Standard and donkey's. Will now scroll past your future posts as I do her.
20.) 11 May 2026 23:22:06
I rate Pedro, very highly.
I dont rate Delap or Guiu or Jackson or Datro Fofana or Deivid Washinton (or Emegha n all that although will let him off as hes not got here yet). How about you add up the cost of all of them, and compare it to a couple extra pennies we'll get from Havertz winning a UCL at one of our rivals.
21.) 12 May 2026 05:46:22
So Pedro is better than Havertz.
My guess is, if we choose to sell Jackson, Delap, and Guiu, the profit would cover any loss on Fofana and Washington.
I will reserve judgement on Emegha for a couple of seasons.
22.) 12 May 2026 06:32:40
Is there much of a loss on Fofana? I'm sure his book value must have dwindled by now. He's been here four seasons.
23.) 12 May 2026 07:19:21
Bill, there have probably also been loan fees, but let's not count them!!
24.) 12 May 2026 09:53:41
Look at the state of us... talking about book values and loan fees... it's depressing.
25.) 12 May 2026 10:37:04
What I find depressing is people looking to create a negative from a positive just to somehow support their view.
Mistakes have been made. Let's just jog on and support the club when it needs its fans most.
26.) 12 May 2026 11:04:24
Support the club.
Question the clowns running it. So far, nothing to suggest anything has changed, more press briefings, no actual decisions made. But we should jog on and pretend it's all great... No thanks.
27.) 12 May 2026 13:02:30
Nothing changes, including my support for my club.
Your first comment fell apart under your own scrutiny. You then make claims that are financially wrong, and then you revert back to your real issue.
We all try and find things to support our arguments, but let's try and be close to accurate with our statements.
28.) 12 May 2026 14:39:19
Not really Tom.
29.) 12 May 2026 17:49:18
Obviously not.
09 May 2026 21:44:40
The boys were together, after 6 straight that was needed, a good game with some good moments. Love The Arkles (those of you who know will know), Levi and Fofana has been missed (Maresca called it) and they look a pair, Hato is a gem, Moises is back to his best, now Liam has gone, Cucu is our best left winger (says a lot), a bit of togetherness and gives us half a chance in the Cup Final.
1.) 10 May 2026 08:49:49
I followed a group of CFC fans into The Arkles many, many years ago. It started off well. For some reason, as it got closer to KO time, I felt uncomfortable and left. It was probably all in my imagination, but I never went back.
Glad you enjoyed the game. Greenaway and Colwill made a huge difference to the team.
08 May 2026 20:38:03
Any of you lot going up to to Liverpool tomorrow? We need to get behind the boys and try and nick a win, can't see it but you never know. ED01, looks like Alonso is going to you lot, are you happy with that?
{Ed001's Note - we are in the same position as you to be honest, pretty much anyone is an improvement so it is difficult not to be happy!}
1.) 09 May 2026 06:57:28
If we beat Liverpool this afternoon, it ramps up the pressure on Slot. I don't think anything will be agreed between Liverpool and Alonso yet, as there is not enough smoke to be a genuine fire yet. But I also don't think Alonso will sign on the dotted line with us whilst there is still a chance of the Liverpool job being available this summer.
This afternoon feels like a game at the end of an NFL season. You want to win, but you also want the number 1 draft pick.
Overall, I fear our coach search could spiral into something that resembles the search Spurs had when they ended up appointing Nuno. How's that ended up for them? The spiral continued into the death spin they're in now.
2.) 09 May 2026 08:21:43
Could not agree more, J. I still think it's going to be Silva.
All the reviewing by the ownership/SD's, by the time they decide on a coach, Silva will be the only one left on the musical chairs.
3.) 09 May 2026 08:38:19
I know nothing about Silvia's abilities as a manager.
As far as I know, he might be a straight-talking, hard-working individual, tactically aware, and who demands a lot from his players, including high-intensity training.
4.) 09 May 2026 08:45:14
He'll have to be the second coming, Tom, because if we appoint him, the majority of fans will see it as more of the same - nothing changing and the ownership accepting we're a mid table club with a mid table coach.
It'll get a very negative response, and he won't just have to start off fantastically well to avoid a toxic atmosphere, he'll have to start that way to get out of what will remain a toxic atmosphere.
5.) 09 May 2026 09:06:45
J, I can't speak for the majority of fans. I can only say I know very little about the blokes abilities as a manager. He might well be over achieving as far as I know.
Maybe the Ed's have a view on his abilities but we could well be asking their opinions about a long list of potential managers we know very little about.
My guess is my long time first choice Hoeness would be little known by many Chelsea supporters but he strangely would be excepted and the atmosphere wouldn't be toxic?
If we get results fans will be ok no matter who the manager is and this was shown for last few games under Poch, a period under Maresca and even the start of LR's tenure.
Results dictate fans feelings.
It's the same at other clubs, even Ange was lauded by most spuds fans in his early days as their manager.
6.) 09 May 2026 09:15:56
Silva would be a disastrous appointment. Fulham play dreadful football; he has never achieved anything. He was sacked by Watford for being involved in a tapping-up affair with Everton. If he gets the gig, it will prove what we all fear, that we are destined for mid table mediocrity and not a serious football club.
7.) 09 May 2026 09:23:48
Tapping up, did he learn that from Klopp.
As I said, maybe the Ed's have a view on his management abilities?
{Ed001's Note - Silva? His teams tend to be disorganised and rely on flashes of good stuff, which is why they are very inconsistent.}
8.) 09 May 2026 09:32:56
Thanks, Ed, has he secretly been managing us for the last four seasons? ?
{Ed001's Note - hahaha. Could be,}
06 May 2026 08:44:46
On NYD we were sat comfortable in 4th place, we were in the semi-final of the league cup and still in the champions league, the players were fully on side with the gaffer and whilst things were nowhere near perfect we looked on course to move forward.
What followed next may well define this period in our history, the ludicrous decision to appoint Liam as the head coach of one of the worlds top football clubs was quite frankly, mind boggling. The players could see he had no idea, us fans could see he had no idea and deep down he probably knew he had no idea, it was all to early for him and I said at the time I truly felt sorry for him particuarly with the cringeworthy way he dealt with the Enzo Fernandez situation where he really did come across as a senior school teacher.
The players soon looked lost and I imagine at that point asked themselves "what is happening? ", they had bought into the vision, they had previously spoken about how they were all developing and growing together, they enjoyed working with Maresca and had won the club world cup. Now, they are being spoken to by Liam and no doubt were onto their agents to find a way out, mercenaries? yes, 100%, that is your modern day footballer.
Look at the body language of Cole Palmer, he looks totally disinterested as do most of them with the one exception being Enzo Fernandez who gives it everything on the pitch. Has anyone seen the photos of Reece James behind the dugout at 3 nil down to Forest? he was laughing and joking, and he is our captain, can you imagine JT behaving like that? oh, and on the subject of JT, why not give him the interim manager position instead of Callum? JT is actually fully qualified with his pro licence as well, again, it beggars belief and that 3-1 drubbing by Forest was possibly the moment this period in our history was defined. The SD's could and should of played this out better but I think the damage is now done and it will be 3 or 4 sets of revolving doors this summer and a total reset which is why the new manager appointment is crucial but a full clear out of the totally hopeless SD's (I would retain Dave Fallows) is arguably even more crucial if we are to avoid dropping even lower.
1.) 06 May 2026 09:37:21
Greenway - JT is not getting the job and im happy about that. All time great player. No comment on him off the field.
You have to let Maresca go - he was equally to blame for his sacking. You cant be caught speaking to a rival in any job. He also wasnt doing amazingly in the run up to being sacked.
Liam was a bad appointment, but its done now, and kinetic Cal is running the show for now - hope it all gets sorted in summer. Eghbali suddenly knows what hes doing and hires a single SD to work with the manager and rebuild the squad.
2.) 06 May 2026 11:23:32
You are right, Kaz, about letting Maresca go, but it still irks me that the totally incompetent Winstanley and Co. are still running the show, and until they are binned off, I won't stop moaning, as that situation could have been resolved. The only reason Maresca started talking to other clubs is because he was calling out the SD's for their incompetence, and they didn't like it, hence the breakdown in the relationship.
Egghead backing them over Maresca (before he started talking to other clubs) is my issue, and it still hasn't been sorted.
3.) 06 May 2026 13:07:09
Greenaway, I have no clue, and you have no clue if Maresca had his secret meetings with City before or after his player request was rejected by the SDs.
If he had issues with the so-called structure, he shouldn't have joined.
I didn't want him gone, but after secretly talking directly with a rival mid-season, I'm sorry, goodbye and good riddance.
4.) 06 May 2026 13:18:13
I agree with Tom on Maresca, and with Greenaway on our so-called SDs.
5.) 06 May 2026 13:37:53
The SDs are a different and difficult group to defend, given their appalling management choices. I would also love to know, is there an individual with overall authority among the five?
Also, I assume they all have different job descriptions with their own skill sets? I would love to know what they are.
I assume they have been appointed to do different jobs, but it does seem a strange set up.
It also seems to be a common complaint from nearly all the clubs' fanbases that their respective SDs are inept.
{Ed001's Note - according to the Guardian: Chelsea currently operates with a unique five-person sporting director team, led by Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, with specialized roles for Sam Jewell, Joe Shields, and Dave Fallows.
Current Sporting Directors and Roles
Chelsea has adopted an unusual structure with five sporting directors, each with clearly defined responsibilities:
Paul Winstanley – Co-Sporting Director, overseeing overall football operations and strategic decisions.
Laurence Stewart – Co-Sporting Director, sharing leadership with Winstanley on transfers, managerial appointments, and football operations.
Sam Jewell – Sporting Director, Global Recruiting, responsible for identifying talent worldwide and managing recruitment networks.
Joe Shields – Sporting Director, Scouting & Talent, focusing on scouting, player development, and talent identification.
Dave Fallows – Sporting Director, Football Development, concentrating on scouting, data analysis, loan management, player pathways, and staff development.
It might not be 100% but it seems fairly spot on.}
6.) 06 May 2026 14:01:50
Kaveh Solhekol has reported that Chelsea felt that Maresca was just a head coach, and if he wants to go, he can go. They weren't bothered about him possibly getting the City job. They believed they had a great structure in place & will just go and find another head coach who will continue their work of recruiting players, and letting the head coach manage them.
But, unfortunately, they picked the wrong person. They now hope to appoint the right head coach. Surely this is just rinse and repeat?
7.) 06 May 2026 14:05:40
Tom
The only ones that interest me are our SDs.
Further interest from me is that they are all gone in the summer.
8.) 06 May 2026 14:22:10
Ed001, thanks and as usual your info is very interesting. Much appreciated.
{Ed001's Note - very welcome mate.}
9.) 06 May 2026 14:39:05
Ed001, there is a sixth member of the senior management team; Glenn van der Kraan- Technical Director: not sure what he does- maybe he changes the lightbulbs.
{Ed001's Note - technical directors are usually more focused on the minutiae of training plans etc. Though hard to say for sure as every club seems to have different ideas of what a role entails.}
10.) 06 May 2026 14:52:49
'Club sources', 'Kaveh from Sky said'.... The club media nonsense continues.
From all 5, I'd like Dave Fallows to be kept and given a bit of control; seems to have done OK elsewhere. Shields I want gone ASAP; in charge of scouting and talent, and he's run out of ex City prospects to chase.
And Stewart and Winstanley too- both useless.
If I had the time or heart, I'd list all of our signings since the takeover, it makes for extremely depressing reading.
11.) 06 May 2026 15:40:04
Ed001, apparently van der Kraan is responsible for the academy and youth development. So I'll let him off the hook.
{Ed001's Note - that would make sense. Liverpool had one of those but decided to give him the job of set piece coach for this season and then sacked him when he failed at that job, despite having been an excellent technical coach at the club. I mean it is not like he couldn't have returned to his old job or anything. It felt like, and still feels like, Slot scapegoated him for his own failings. I hope you don't do something that stupid with van der Kraan!}
04 May 2026 20:58:00
The injury to Jesse Derry was sickening and my thoughts are with him and let's hope he makes a full recovery. Fair play to the Forest fans for clapping him off, really appreciated. Jesse was superb up to that moment and, for me, deserves that left wing spot in the Cup Final and going forward. Brilliant goal by Joao Pedro as well for his 20th of the season. The rest is not worth talking about, but me and my mates were totally unanimous that had Maresca stayed (no need to discuss why he left, did he walk out, was he forced out, or whatever, as that has been done to death), we would be comfortable in a top 4 spot right now and the majority of our squad would be staying next season.
Small margins but Maresca leaving has totally destroyed our season.
1.) 04 May 2026 21:46:40
Greenaway. I repeat, I didn’t want him to go, but it’s pretty obvious that the club had little alternative but to let him go.
From what I know, and just on this particular subject, I totally blame Maresca for this particular situation.
I also blame the owners for putting in place a structure with what looks like no accountability. They seriously need to look at themselves when it comes to the promised end of season internal review.
2.) 04 May 2026 22:00:21
Why did the club have little alternative to let him go, Tom? All he did was point out to the sporting directors that their project was wrong, and he wanted to steer the ship. Egghead backed the sporting directors, and that led to Maresca leaving and us ending up in this mess.
I admire your love for the owners and sporting directors, mate, but I will have to disagree with you.
If Maresca had stayed in charge, we would be top 4 now.
My opinion only, and this is a great banter site where all opinions are welcome, so respect, dude.
3.) 04 May 2026 22:09:52
Greenaway,
Maybe if Maresca had concentrated on the club that was paying his salary rather than talking to City and then playing everything out in the media instead of keeping it in house, he would have still been at the club.
And I do not have a love in with the SD's and owners, far from it.
4.) 04 May 2026 22:14:25
Greenaway, he was having secret meetings with City while under contract. If Maresca had behaved professionally we may well be I a Champions League spot. He didn't, he behaved in my opinion like a complete ar@e hole
Also and I am getting bored with repeating myself, I have NO love for the owners. I did not want them as our owners and I do not like funds as owners. I will applaud there success as business men and when I think they have got things right with there Chelsea ownership.
Unlike some I am not an all in hater of our SD's mainly because the responsibility for some of there failings is in my opinion again down to the owners. From the outside they have put together five bloke with no person having accountability.
5.) 05 May 2026 03:41:39
I should add that prior to finding out about his secret City meetings, I didn't want Maresca to leave.
6.) 05 May 2026 08:17:33
Tom, I'm sure the full story around Maresca leaving will come out in due course, but my whole point around his departure is aimed at Egghead and Blue.co. They could and should have backed Maresca instead of Lawrence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, and then Maresca may well have stayed. We may well have got those missing ingredients, an experienced centre back and midfielder, and may well now have happy players in a top 4 position.
The same thing happened with Poch as well.
Bill, you wanted Maresca out from the day he joined the club, and well before he actually left, often calling him "Leicester Maresca", so your wish came true.
7.) 05 May 2026 08:53:26
Greenaway,
I wanted him gone, but would have given him to the end of the season. That being said, he wanted out of our club more than I wanted him out, but hey ho.
8.) 05 May 2026 09:01:42
Greenaway, I have no idea when Maresca decided to have secret meetings with City. It could have been before or after any supposed disagreement with the SDs.
He fully understood (as did Poch) the part the SDs have in player recruitment, and while their input, I assume, is welcomed, it is the SDs who appear to have the final say.
To me, all that is almost irrelevant. He spoke (secretly) to a Premiership rival while under contract to CFC.
He had a control function at the club and no doubt had a "duty" under the terms and conditions of his contract to do his best for CFC at all times.
His behaviour was a disgrace, and in my opinion he deserved the sack for gross misconduct.
My guess is that agents for players and managers talk to other clubs about their respective clients being unhappy. As far as I understand, that is allowed (shame), but a person, player or manager should never talk to any opponent team directly.
9.) 05 May 2026 09:28:11
Tom, all of this is hypothetical, as neither of us know the facts. My understanding is Maresca was very happy in his role following the conclusion of last season; he had a very settled squad and had delivered Champions League football and 2 trophies. Whilst being nowhere near elite level, he was seen as a very good up and coming coach who was showing signs of very astute tactical nous and his reputation was growing.
Yes, he (and Poch before him) knew the terms of the role but felt it needed challenging, just as many of us on this site do, and he asked the sporting directors for a centre back who had experience and could play out from the back when Colwill got injured. He also asked for an experienced central midfielder due to Lavia's injuries, but got knocked back. As I understand it, that is where the tension with Winstanley and Stewart started, as he felt the club didn't match his ambition.
This is where Egghead and Blue.co should have stepped in, but they chose to follow their blueprint and back the sporting directors. The relationship then deteriorated as the season progressed, and the writing was on the wall. The sporting directors winning out, and Maresca looking after his own interests, and, quite frankly, who can blame him?
I repeat, I think Egghead and Blue.co needed to back Maresca and clear out the sporting directors, but they didn't, and fundamentally that is my gripe. I fully understand you don't agree with me, and that is what makes this such a good banter page, and every one of us has an opinion, and we are all very probably wide of the mark.
10.) 05 May 2026 09:43:30
Greenaway, you are correct, we do not know the order of events, but my point remains. Maresca spoke directly and secretly with a Premiership opponent.
He could have asked for the club's permission, or, as I understand the process, his agent could have discussed his client's unhappiness. He didn't do either. In my opinion, he was in breach of his contract and should have been sacked.
I did not reach this conclusion lightly, as I wanted him to remain as our manager, but when the secret meeting was mentioned, I think by Es, I have no further interest in the man.
Let's see if and when he is appointed as City manager, and if he comes in for any of our players.
11.) 05 May 2026 11:00:30
Only time will tell, Tom, but the bottom line was Egghead and Blue.co had a choice to make, not once but twice, and he chose the wrong path in my opinion, and I respect your opinion for believing he made the right call. Banter at its best.
12.) 05 May 2026 12:14:20
No, the "bottom line" is he chose to have a secret meeting with a Premiership opponent.
13.) 05 May 2026 14:41:55
Tom, you are entitled to your opinion, I'm entitled to mine. I called the bottom line, you called the bottom line. It is a debate and all opinions must surely be welcome.
14.) 05 May 2026 17:50:51
Without doubt.
02 May 2026 09:22:07
Melbourne, I guess it depends on who the new coach will be. Iraola plays a high press, high intensity style of football, so Gordon, Neto, and Jackson would fit well. Alonso plays a back 3 and wingbacks, so neither Neto, Garnacho, nor Gordon would be needed.
01 May 2026 10:53:33
Bill, you wanted Maresca out from the day he was appointed, mate, and even after he got us top 4 last season and won us 2 pots, but as you say, that is now in the past. As for our next manager/head coach, I would throw a few names in the pot, but none of them are likely. Klopp being my ultimate pick, but that just won't happen. Enrique would be perfect, but that won't happen. Conte would bring discipline and fitness, and would also be on my list, as would TT and Jose, but again, that won't happen.
Of the three names being banded about at the moment, Alonso is the standout. He has plenty of top-level experience as a player with Liverpool, Real, Bayern Munich and Spain, and as a coach. He won the World Cup and the Champions League twice as a player, and took Bayer Leverkusen to the final of the Europa League whilst winning the Bundesliga against all the odds. That said, I imagine he is highly sought after and may well still end up at Liverpool.
30 Apr 2026 21:31:26
Bill, you hated Maresca and wanted him out before he even joined, like your view on Lampard, Jose returning and now Alonso, but the truth is, Maresca had us in a Champions League spot. We are now 10 points off it after your mate Liam took over. Grass greener? All banter, mate, and I respect your opinion and our differing views.
BTW, I think we will all be moaning on here in a few years time as Maresca develops into an elite manager. All opinions, of course, and that is the great thing about this wonderful site, we can all share our different opinions.
30 Apr 2026 08:06:39
We played with great intensity in Liam's first few games because he freely admitted he didn't change anything and carried on the Maresca approach, which had us comfortably sitting in a Champions League spot!
29 Apr 2026 10:14:21
Bill, you didn't want Maresca calling him "Leicester Maresca" before he even arrived, and now you are against Alonso, two coaches who have achieved success in their short managerial careers, yet you championed Liam from the off, even saying we should keep him and give him a full pre-season? Could you share your logic with us all, please?
13 May 2026 21:21:58
Going to be hard, Jimbo, but fingers crossed. You got your ticket?
13 May 2026 21:20:57
I agree with 9 of those, Tom, but would start Lavia over Santos, move Cucu forward in place of Neto, and bring Hato in.
13 May 2026 09:32:21
The green green grass.
11 May 2026 22:26:56
Kaz, you really rate Havertz above Pedro? Wow, you remind me of your twin Standard and donkey's. Will now scroll past your future posts as I do her.
11 May 2026 22:32:17
Bill, I told you many a time the grass was not greener, mate.