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J.'s Posts and Other Poster's Replies To J.'s Posts
J.'s rumours posts with other poster's replies to J.'s rumours posts
17 Jul 2026 22:40:54
Lots of positive reports coming out about Reggie Walsh, bossed the bleep test and has physically developed. Such a technically gifted player, I can't see a world where Xabi Alonso doesn't like him. 100% one to watch for first team mins this season, if he doesn't go out on loan.
1.) 18 Jul 2026 12:50:06
Was he highly rated by Enzo Maresca J? Played a fair bit in the Conference League?
2.) 18 Jul 2026 17:33:41
Yeah, very highly rated, started under him in the Conference - I think he became our youngest starter that season.
03 Jul 2026 09:56:56
Real Madrid confirm the Athletic reports that they’re not planning to sign Fernandez.
I’m not sure I see another team paying the money this summer.
1.) 03 Jul 2026 16:49:38
I think you are correct, J.
2.) 03 Jul 2026 17:49:51
Given his agent's comments on liking Madrid, but also being happy in London, I fear Arsenal interest is the only one to worry about. I'd be very disappointed if we sold him to an EPL rival, especially a London one. It'd have to be for an inflated price, on top of what is already a high price.
3.) 06 Jul 2026 18:01:57
It would be dreadful to sell EF to Arsenal, and surely BlueCo should realise this.
4.) 07 Jul 2026 18:59:46
It would be awful. But Arsenal must be aware that it's a vast amount of money for a player who, in a year or two, will be re-engulfed in the Real Madrid circus again. It would certainly put me off.
27 Jun 2026 18:29:40
Granit Xhaka is the midfield signing. Club fully backing the new manager.
1.) 27 Jun 2026 20:42:37
Would be a very interesting signing. I mentioned the other day what had happened to the Premier League-ready and experienced idea; this certainly falls into that category, and he is a character / leader.
It does look like we are trying to add some physicality to the squad, with the players linked: Palestra, Lacroix, Xhaka.
A good thing, in my opinion, because we can look soft at times.
2.) 27 Jun 2026 21:04:17
Under most circumstances, Chelsea signing Xhaka would not have got me excited. But, the fact he was central to Alonso's Leverkusen side, alongside both how good he was for Sunderland last season and the fact it's the club swaying from their model to support the manager - it's another good bit of business this summer.
3.) 28 Jun 2026 01:15:07
Agreed. I think he will be one of our best signings come the end of the year. We haven't had an experienced leader since Tiago left, and it will be huge for the entire squad! Being able to show the lads in training what is expected from Xabi can't be understated either.
Really happy to see the model is shifting, and that Xabi seems to have a high level of say in what's going on.
4.) 28 Jun 2026 09:03:06
This is a completely different player than the one who left Arsenal. If we get it over the line, he'll be a standard setter and I get the impression that he'd be quick to let players know when the standards required aren't being met. Forget anything he does on the pitch. That's what's needed. I believe Alonso referred to him as a coach on the pitch.
5.) 28 Jun 2026 09:08:25
If Xhaka happens, it will be a very smart move by Alonso and the club. It tweaks the model nicely, and allows the very promising young players already signed up to both learn from an experienced player and have a clear pathway of their own.
I'm thinking of Andre Santos in particular. I far prefer this route as opposed to spending large on Adam Wharton and binning off Santos on some far away loan, only to lose him going forward.
6.) 29 Jun 2026 09:30:25
It was going to be hard to get him out of Sunderland, but even harder now we have pissed them off with an offer of £8mil.
7.) 29 Jun 2026 17:13:46
8m bid... They've said they won't entertain any more offers either... The clowns in charge strike again.
8.) 29 Jun 2026 19:07:19
Club puts in offer for player. The plates club says not enough. The buying club then gets pelters from its fans for low balling.
Club puts in offer for player. The players club says that will do nicely, thanks very much.
The fans then dish out pelters for paying over the odds.
It's a funny old world. I personally would rather the club put in a low offer to start with.
9.) 29 Jun 2026 20:21:23
Tom
There are low offers, then there are insulting offers. We have just done the latter.
It's always going to be a hard task to secure his services, based on the influence he has on the Sunderland squad.
10.) 29 Jun 2026 22:08:09
Tom, if you're serious about buying a player, it's good practice to not insult them and waste everyone's time. Once again, we seem rudderless at the SD level, but keep making excuses for them.
11.) 29 Jun 2026 22:23:00
I have no idea if we will put in another bid for the player, but I assume we have a maximum valuation. If Sunderland do not want to sell at whatever our max valuation is, then just walk away.
If that doesn't make some fans happy, then unlucky. For me that's the complete opposite to "rudderless."
12.) 29 Jun 2026 22:27:31
I should add, I admit to having an agenda. I think he is an ok player that could do a job for a couple of seasons, but I wouldn't pay much more than we have offered.
13.) 29 Jun 2026 22:43:17
It makes us rudderless when we splash cash on the likes of Mudryk, Gittens, Garnacho, Datro, Fofana, Lavia and 10s of others, but try and lowball and insult when it comes to a prem proven leader. That is exactly what we could do with.
14.) 30 Jun 2026 05:44:08
What was paid for any other player has absolutely zero to do with how the club values another player.
I personally believe that in this case the valuation is about right.
As I have said before, it's impossible for the club to make every fan happy. It's the same with how fans value a player in financial terms.
15.) 30 Jun 2026 08:17:22
Tom
I thought Alonso had more say in matters. Do we not want to make him happy, or will he walk out before pre-season?
16.) 30 Jun 2026 08:32:57
Bill, maybe the club and Alonso have an agreed financial budget for players coming in, and let's say, hypothetically, that budget is £200 million and they have already earmarked £45 million for a new RWB, £45 million for a new CB, and still plan to buy a LWB, GK and striker for x amount, which might only leave, say, £8 million for a CM.
I'm sure Alonso is pulling the strings, but will of course have some restrictions. I hope this helps explain things, mate.
17.) 30 Jun 2026 16:08:48
Bill, I'm sure the decision makers, including Alonso, have a valuation in mind for all our player targets.
18.) 30 Jun 2026 17:50:36
That's the issue, Tom... No one trusts the valuations or strategies of the SDs, as they have got us into a huge mess.
19.) 30 Jun 2026 22:19:52
I wouldn't have the confidence/arrogance to use a term such as "no one."
I can only give my opinion and that of my season ticket mates. We all recognise mistakes have been made, but we rarely agree about the quality of individual players.
I will leave sweeping generalisations to others.
20.) 01 Jul 2026 21:55:31
Your opinion aka club statements reworded with a few mentions of your 'season ticket mates'... Well done, Tom, you have match going friends. Proud of you.
21.) 01 Jul 2026 23:12:41
That's very kind but there's no need to be proud of me!!
24 Jun 2026 22:57:40
Lacroix deal is on! Very happy with that, generally happy with the business so far. Looking forward to seeing who they go for on the attacking right and who we get in if we need to replace Fernandez.
1.) 25 Jun 2026 06:04:19
*Attacking left.
2.) 25 Jun 2026 19:29:45
Can't say I've seen much of him. Ed001 what's your take on him? Should we be excited about the prospect of signing him?
{Ed001's Note - he looked very good for Palace, but hard to say how good as they played such a defensive low block that it did make it easier for a defender. However, he did stand out for them. Looked like he had the ability to step up a level that is for sure, so I would be cautiously optimistic if I was you.}
3.) 25 Jun 2026 20:20:58
Cheers Ed, that does sounds promising!
{Ed001's Note - he is one of the few centre-backs in the Prem that I would have said were worth looking at, if I had been asked by the club, so should be a good move.}
4.) 26 Jun 2026 01:58:03
Ed001, I keep seeing Juve need to raise money given they failed to qualify for the CL, is that true?
{Ed001's Note - yes. For some reason a lot of clubs set their budgets with the expectation of qualifying for Europe, so failure to do so causes them no end of problems.}
5.) 26 Jun 2026 12:19:04
Cheeky bid for Yildiz ed001? Or they going to make it up with selling others?
{Ed001's Note - they are not in a position to refuse good offers for anyone mate. Not unless they can flog a few fringe players.}
09 Jun 2026 20:57:27
Going along the lines of 'no smoke without fire' theories, I can see a world where we lower our price for Fernandez, whilst still getting a book profit, and he goes to Madrid. In return, all be it as a technically separate deal, we then sign Güler from Madrid for below what would usually be their asking price, but still a profit for them.
It's a pair of deals that would suit most involved, so long a Güler was happy to miss UCL for a season in return for a reunion with Xabi Alonso and a prominent role.
1.) 09 Jun 2026 23:10:31
I think we set a price, and if a club wants him, they have to pay that price. I think around £110-120 is reasonable, but then I would.
2.) 10 Jun 2026 04:14:45
Another deal I'd happily take, J. We want players who want to play for us and for Xabi! Let Enzo go to the circus that is Madrid, where he does seem like he would fit in well.
Would be a huge vote of trust from Arda also, as he would have a long list of CL clubs lining up.
The fear is obviously being slow with deals, as Turkey in particular has a pretty easy group, and it doesn't take much for prices to blow up on the back of a couple of WC performances.
3.) 10 Jun 2026 04:43:32
We did set a price, and if Scott is priced up at £80m, then I think Fernandez should quite rightly be priced at £120m. However, there are scenarios where it's mutually beneficial for those lines to be moved.
In my opinion, if it allows us to get Guler, or even Tchouameni or Huijsen, at a reasonable price, it would make sense for our demands for Fernandez to be lowered.
4.) 10 Jun 2026 09:09:50
Well argued, J.
5.) 11 Jun 2026 18:21:26
If Anderson is priced at £120mil plus, EF must be £150mil.
J.'s banter posts with other poster's replies to J.'s banter posts
28 Jul 2026 10:59:47
As squad additions, I think Henderson and Welbeck are excellent additions.
Henderson has won it all, he knows what it takes, the discipline that’s required and he will hold standards high. He will be a leadership figure for the whole squad. There’s interviews out there with players talking about his leadership off the pitch. He’ll be a really important cog in this machine.
Welbeck becomes the leader of our attacking group, it’s clear that he won’t be starting over Joao Pedro but still useful off the bench, probably more useful than Delap?
We’ve been crying out for experience in this squad, for the sporting directors to change up the project.
This is what that looks like. They’re not going to massively impact the first 11 week in, week out, but they are going to massively impact the squad.
1.) 28 Jul 2026 18:30:19
I agree. Very happy with them coming in - as long as Jordan stays away from any advertising boards.
08 Jul 2026 18:59:54
£50m for Andrey Santos. Would rather not have sold to another EPL rival, but reasonably happy with the deal.
1.) 08 Jul 2026 21:21:32
Decent price for him - hard to say whether he's gonna go on to be top level, as he didn't get much of a chance last year - assume this means we will be looking to sign a cm, as we absolutely can't rely on Lavia or Essugo.
2.) 08 Jul 2026 21:15:57
ED01, what are your thoughts on us selling Santos? I think it is a mistake as he has huge potential and is it because Alonso wants a different profile?
{Ed001's Note - I think it is because you have a surfeit of that type of player, though I would not have chosen to let him go. Personally, I like him and would gladly take him at Liverpool, I even suggested him as a player I would try and get last summer. However, you have to trim your squad, that has to be someone that other teams want to sign, which means Santos.}
04 Jul 2026 09:25:40
Ouff! Shots fired by Didier Drogba at Enzo Fernandez and his agent!
"So now Enzo's agent is talking about leaving Chelsea. Looking at options. Nothing concrete yet. "
"Funny. This is the same Enzo Fernandez who used to bully Mason Mount every time Chelsea played Manchester United. He acted like Mount was the snake. Now he's doing the exact same thing. "
"I don't blame the player alone. But if I was coach, if I was running the club? Enzo goes to the U21s until he finds a club willing to pay 120m. Or until he buys himself out. "
"Because this is the trend now. Players come to Chelsea, use it as a shop window, then start looking for the next big team. The moment things get tough, they want out. "
"Enzo is acting like he wasn't part of Chelsea's problems. He played almost every game. He would have a shambolic performance, then hide behind a goal or an assist. ".
1.) 04 Jul 2026 10:02:40
J, DD's comments always hit the nail on the head. Particularly last season; "I don't recognise my club."
2.) 04 Jul 2026 10:18:08
I said previously that I don't rate Enzo, and, like DD quite rightly states, he is part of the problem at Chelsea.
I hope we sell, but the only team who would pay £120million for him is... Chelsea!
3.) 04 Jul 2026 13:13:46
I made my views on Enzo and Cucarella when the so-called statements were made towards the end of last season. Nothing has changed.
Enzo and his agents seem to be very good at saying things have been misunderstood.
I love my club as much now as I did 60 plus years ago.
It has been a long journey, with far more lows than highs. I hated the KB and MH ownership. The RA was fantastic because of our success and CTV. While I obviously desire more success, and also want better club and fan communication, please bring back CTV or make the CFC more interactive.
4.) 04 Jul 2026 14:03:08
The Mount bit rings true for me, especially if Fernandez has now pushed for a move to Arsenal. Is there more than a bit of truth about hiding behind goals and assists too?
5.) 04 Jul 2026 14:50:11
Quote Arsenal £200mil, they will soon walk away.
Tom, I agree, bring back CTV.
6.) 04 Jul 2026 21:44:29
I don't think the Enzo to Madrid saga is over. I suspect RM issued the statement as a smokescreen to prevent them being accused of tapping-up, as if Madrid or Jose would do such a thing!
I suspect he and his agents will still be working to secure the move.
Do we really want to keep a player who clearly does not want to be at the club? Nothing will be clear until Enzo returns and Alonso has a chance to determine his commitment to the club.
7.) 05 Jul 2026 13:28:32
Totally agree with Jimbo here, let's wait and see, same as Xhaka and all the other rumours.
8.) 06 Jul 2026 11:22:04
Yes, Real Madrid must still be a possibility - they have form in making the kind of statement they did re EF, then buying the player later in the transfer window - and EF and his agent might try and make it easier for them to sign him if unwilling to stay at CFC.
But please, if we sell, may it not be to Arsenal or City.
01 Jul 2026 13:50:58
Athletic are reporting that, from Real Madrid's perspective, a move for Fernandez is unlikely, with club sources downplaying the move. This is news that appears to have been confirmed by Fab Romano, via the power of emoji.
Personally, I don't think his behaviour has taken him past the point of no return, as far as being welcomed back into the team, from the World Cup, for pre-season. He certainly hasn't pulled a Courtois - yet.
This makes the move for Xhaka make even more sense, zero chance we're signing a £100m midfielder without selling one first. Without selling Fernandez, Xhaka makes sense from a financial and character perspective.
1.) 01 Jul 2026 22:27:10
City may well be in for Enzo F if Madrid cannot afford him?
2.) 01 Jul 2026 23:06:32
I have a feeling it will go through. Their president promised a high profile signing, publicly made a bid for Alvarez (I don't think that was ever going to happen), but I don't really see any other big names being possible. Olise won't be leaving Bayern, and I don't really see any other big names out there that are possible.
3.) 02 Jul 2026 08:28:50
Fiser
If the other clubs are fighting to keep hold of their big names, we should as well.
4.) 02 Jul 2026 16:27:14
I tend to agree, Bill, and was sorry we couldn't keep hold of Cucurella. If we lose Enzo as well, that is two of our best-performing players from last season gone, so then the question is, can we replace them with equal quality, confidence, and experience.
5.) 02 Jul 2026 16:51:41
If a player has had his head turned by another club, and wants to leave, then that is fine by me. Thank you, and goodbye. Curcurella was very honest when asked about his move home to Spain, and it was very much for family reasons, and I wish him well. If, and it remains a big if, Enzo wants to leave, then the price needs to reflect his ability, and I read somewhere that the club will not entertain offers less than £120 million, and that was before Elliot Anderson signed for Man City at £117 million, and Tonali to Spurs for £100 million! The fees are crazy.
If Alonso lines us up as a 3-4-2-1, then Moises and Xhaka will occupy those 2 central spots, and Palmer and Estevao will fill the two 10's, and Jaoa Pedro may well work there as well, and that is before Alonso even looks at a replacement. That all said, I have a feeling Enzo might just stay.
6.) 02 Jul 2026 18:18:12
Good post Greenaway, and yes, players will have reasons beyond money or even going to a 'bigger' club like Real Madrid for moving from CFC. Family concerns are a good and understandable human reason!
28 Jun 2026 09:06:13
Been a few rumblings that Alonso loves the idea of Lavia alongside Caicedo in the double pivot. He's not the only one, but most of us gave up on the idea of that being a longterm solution quite some time ago.
1.) 28 Jun 2026 10:41:41
Given that Lavia has never played a full 90 minutes for us, it doesn't sound like much of a plan.
2.) 28 Jun 2026 17:33:29
We can all see that Lavia has the ability to be world class, but, as Jimbo says, can he be relied upon?
3.) 28 Jun 2026 18:24:52
Presumably, that's why the rumours about Alonso wanting Xhaka are floating around.
4.) 28 Jun 2026 22:16:31
Xhaka might be a bad option if the price is low. He has worked with Alonso and seems to have really turned his career around from his time at Arsenal.
5.) 29 Jun 2026 14:36:12
I see from the official club statement that Maresca will have to play compensation as well as City - good.
6.) 29 Jun 2026 16:17:17
Also, Jimbo, it was good to see them say they have a manager in Alonso who has integrity, ouch.
7.) 29 Jun 2026 17:13:15
We should rub it in by finishing above them next season. I doubt that there will be much bonhomie in the directors lounge before the games.
8.) 01 Jul 2026 12:45:14
City has arguably been the most financially corrupt and underhand of all in the EPL under its current owners, but will probably never face any punishment of real consequence - though one keeps hoping they will!
18 Jul 2026 17:33:41
Yeah, very highly rated, started under him in the Conference - I think he became our youngest starter that season.
07 Jul 2026 18:59:46
It would be awful. But Arsenal must be aware that it's a vast amount of money for a player who, in a year or two, will be re-engulfed in the Real Madrid circus again. It would certainly put me off.
03 Jul 2026 17:49:51
Given his agent's comments on liking Madrid, but also being happy in London, I fear Arsenal interest is the only one to worry about. I'd be very disappointed if we sold him to an EPL rival, especially a London one. It'd have to be for an inflated price, on top of what is already a high price.
01 Jul 2026 12:18:02
It was reported, at the time he was signed for Strasbourg, that Enciso had been told he was viewed by BlueCo as a longterm Chelsea player.
28 Jun 2026 09:03:06
This is a completely different player than the one who left Arsenal. If we get it over the line, he'll be a standard setter and I get the impression that he'd be quick to let players know when the standards required aren't being met. Forget anything he does on the pitch. That's what's needed. I believe Alonso referred to him as a coach on the pitch.
19 Jul 2026 12:08:55
Whilst selling Enzo would bring in our biggest fee of the summer, it wouldn't be the most profitable. Everything over around £80m would count as profit, so, if we get what we're asking for, that would mean only £40m profit. The sale of Chalobah to Como for £35m'ish would be nearly as profitable, and the sale of Andrey Santos to Man Utd was more profitable, as most of the fee we paid for him had already been dealt with via amortisation.
The purchase of Rogers, albeit for an eye-watering fee, doesn’t create a need to sell Fernandez, although he will obviously be sold if someone suitable to him stumps up the £120m. Candidates for that look thin on the ground.
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.
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.
09 Jul 2026 16:29:55
Forget Lavia. We couldn't sell him if we wanted to; his injury record makes him an unsellable asset. We're bringing in Barco, who I rate higher than Santos, certainly better from a progressive passing point of view. I suspect we will bring in another midfielder, whether Fernandez leaves or not.
Again, Santos wanted to leave - he made that clear for months. If a player wants to leave and a club meets their price, we should sell that player. That goes for Fernandez too, and anyone else in the squad.
09 Jul 2026 09:15:01
For what it's worth, this is my understanding of the CB outgoings...
West Ham are still trying to convince Disasi to sign with them. He's waiting on EPL interest, likes West Ham, but doesn't want to drop down to the Championship. I see him at Leeds or maybe Palace.
Chelsea are happy for Tosin to stay. He is the preferred option out of the backup CBs, owing to his leadership and ability to pass out from the back.
The club would be happy for Chalobah to stay, but he wants to start. The 'pure profit' makes a sale acceptable. He's waiting to see if Inter push through an agreeable deal, but they need to sell first. Como is his plan B.
Badiashille? We'll need to lower the asking price. I think, at best, it'll be a loan with an option.
If I'm a DoF somewhere, I'm not chucking any sum of my budget his way.
The club would love to sell Fofana, but his high wages and injury record make a deal near impossible. Now they're riding that they're happy for him to stay, but they don't have much choice beyond a loan and paying a significant percent of his wages.
As for Andrey Santos, £50m for a third, maybe fourth choice CM, is acceptable for me. I do think he's a good player, but he'd been sounding the club out that he wants to leave for regular starts since February. He thinks he'll get that at United, but I'm not sure. He wanted to go; the club didn't stand in his way when an acceptable offer was made.