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09 Feb 2026 17:40:42
Reports from ESPN Argentina suggesting that Chelsea is leading the race for Julian Alvarez. I would think he would be a great addition but not sure what others think? Could be great in combo with EF if EF stays -- and to be challengers for EPL surely we need him to?
Point though is that at 26 he may be seen as far too old by BlueCo plus on roughly same wages as Reece,
Would probably mean Jackson sold and Guiu or/and Delap sold or loaned?
1.) 09 Feb 2026 21:39:07
Dont think we’d pay the fee or the wages for him tbh and he's 10 years too old for BlueCo-
i would love him at the club tho think he's top class.
2.) 10 Feb 2026 00:55:49
Tris’ memory may be better on this but didn’t Alvarez say himself that he was hesitant on a return to England last year when Liverpool was reportedly interested? I was of the impression he didn’t settle very well when with Citeh.
Top class player so would be an awesome addition if he has warmed to the idea. Maybe the capital would be a better fit.
{Ed001's Note - it is his gf, she hated the weather and wanted to leave.}
3.) 10 Feb 2026 07:34:19
I honestly can’t remember seeing him play.
I can’t see us doing much business in the forward area in the summer, with the lad coming from Strasbourg. Anyway signing at centre half will probably depend on how Sarr and the lad now at Strasbourg do for the remainder of the season. I can see at least two CH’s being sold.
If they can get Lavia fit then I can only see us signing a midfielder if one of our current squad leaves.
4.) 10 Feb 2026 09:57:11
Tom
We can always get Kavia fit. The problem is he plays one game and then disappears for 6 months.
I agree some if the CH's need replacing but we also need to see how Colwill comes back first.
Like you, I think Guiu will leave which in my opinion will be a shame.
5.) 10 Feb 2026 12:07:45
Bill, I haven’t said that Guiu will leave but my guess is he will go on loan, maybe to Strasbourg.
6.) 10 Feb 2026 13:14:01
Tom
He might decide that he wants a permanent move to another club rather than a loan.
7.) 10 Feb 2026 14:29:47
Maybe Bill.
8.) 10 Feb 2026 17:04:43
Looking out of my window at the moment I can see where Alvarez' s girlfroend is coming from in terms of the weather! But London a bit better in this respect than the N/W of England perhaps.
9.) 10 Feb 2026 21:57:50
I'm in the north west of england and i really don't understand the weather thing. I got more rainfall a year in Brisbane Australia. Plus when it rained in aus, it actually rained. Here I can walk to work in the 'rain' and ill be dry. Makes no sense to me lol.
10.) 11 Feb 2026 16:33:21
Perhaps just a wee bit warmer in Brisbane even in heavy rain than in the N/W of England in light drizzle at this time of year Standard?! . Lol.
11.) 11 Feb 2026 17:02:28
Too hot, atleast for me JBS :)
12.) 12 Feb 2026 22:21:16
Statistically there is more rainfall in Paris than London; so that rules out a move to PSG for Alveraz. If I was him I would buy the girlfriend an umbrella and a raincoat and tell her to get a job.
11 Feb 2025 17:12:45
Does anyone - perghaps one of the Eds? - know whether there is any truth in the rumour that CFC may be wanting/ willing to sell Santos in the summer to the highest bidder for 'pure profit?
I hope it isn't true - and that is just paper news stiirring things up - given AS's great performances for Strasbourg and of course for Brazil youth teams. He seems to have worldy potential. Also because one fears that Lavia may never be fit for very long.
{Ed001's Note - I don't know about wanting, but they will sell him if the right offer comes along. You could probably say the same about any of the players to be honest, from what I have heard.}
1.) 11 Feb 2025 17:41:48
JBS, there was a rumour pre January window that a club (no name given) was prepared to offer £160m for Palmer.
I personally don’t like the term commodities to describe a person but that’s how I think they are considered.
2.) 11 Feb 2025 18:30:50
And that's why Tom, we will not be successful. We needed a settled squad to grow together.
If we wanted to sell players, I would put the ones who are forever injured, first.
3.) 11 Feb 2025 19:42:42
Bill, you may well be correct but it’s not as if we didn’t buy and sell players under the RA ownership.
All clubs get injuries but it’s when the same players keep getting injured it becomes a concern. As I said a few weeks ago, it’s a tough decision to draw stumps on a players Chelsea career but making those decisions is why they get paid the big bucks.
4.) 11 Feb 2025 20:46:50
Tom yes players have been commodities for a long time now in terms of being traded by clubs. What worries me with new owners is that this trading has not only been surcharged in terms of volume but also that it does not seem to have prioritised creating a winning side any time soon. Instead it's become as much if not more about trading for for bottom line accounting sake. We sell Gallagher and buy Felix to then loan him out. Maresca belatedly says he wanted to keep him and perhaps he did but then why give him so little EPL game time? We buy Veiga then sideline Chilwell then loan out Veiga removing cover for Cucurella at LB then spend money on bringing in a 16 yr old striker from Kazakhstan. An investment in the future? Vision 2030 again? Who knows but how about 2025?
I can just see so little logic in far too much of our transfer business.
Was loaning out Santos in CFC interest or other owners' club Strasbourg?
Is Sanchez who Poch didn't particularly rate better than Petrovich who he did but then gets loaned to Strasbourg where he shines?
Bottom line is do the new owners care as much about success on the pitch as Roman A. Or more about success with the bottom line in accounting terms itself
Yes but do they not know that GETTING ECL football would likely do more for bottom. line playersvhan tradingng in kids?
5.) 11 Feb 2025 21:16:08
Really good points JBS.
6.) 11 Feb 2025 22:07:58
JBS, I have said many times that in my opinion the owners have gone too quickly in taking on what is a complete rebuild of not only the first team squad but also the supporting structure but I will maintain that the club was overdue that restructuring.
I am absolutely convinced that our current owners not only care about success but also crave it. I cannot for one moment believe that they don’t want to increase the value of there investment and the best way to do that is to be consistent winners and habitual champions league qualifiers.
I’m not sure I like the idea of buying/ investing in 16 year old kids but that is a different subject. In the last window I think the spuds signed three (one from us) academy players from other clubs. As is often the case clubs act like sheep and it would appear that a significant percentage of clubs are looking more and more at youth as the way forward. Maybe it’s a PSR thing but as I said in a recent post how many premiership clubs have paid a transfer fee for a player over the age of 25 in this last window? I’m struggling to think of any!
Time will tell if the owners approach pays dividends but generally in the world of football ownership these are early days and remember they made a complete horlicks of virtually everything at the beginning of there tenure.
7.) 12 Feb 2025 10:05:38
Tom
I agree that we have sold youngsters in the past. However, we had a large number of experienced players as a nucleus of our first team.
Likewise, other teams are bringing in youth as you say., However, they have a number of experience in their first team squad, that is the difference.
8.) 12 Feb 2025 10:55:38
Bill. I’m not saying that the current trend is correct or that having a mixture of youth and experience wouldn’t be a better way to go. I’m just pointing out what appears to be a pattern.
9.) 12 Feb 2025 11:59:18
Spot on Bill we have got rid of all our experienced players bar James - and some sidelined on loan.
Belayted thanks Ed001 for your comment and Tom I am sure the owners want the club to succeed as they have made a huge investment in it but one is questioning whether they've got the right ideas about achieving this in last few seasons where we crying out to have experience in key -spine of team of you like - positions alongside youth. Look, with right decisions in the summer - and if we have qualified for ECL so we can attract the best we need eg top striker and retain the best we have - we could move faster in right direction.
Right now and with ECL v far from guaranteed my feeling is our medium term fate in the balance. It could all go well with ECL qualification and good summer transfer dealings. But if we don't get ECL qualification perhaps we will have to sell the likes of Santos or - as you have suggested - even Palmer and it will feel like a struggle all obver again to get back to chgallenging for big trophies and to have really got 'our Chelsea back' that we were singing lustily in the Southampton away game.
{Ed001's Note - very welcome JBS. I do think I should point out that you might have different ideas about what success is than the owners though. They are looking at it as an investment to make money, I am not so sure they see success on the pitch as all that vital. Which I disagree with personally, but it does seem that it is about trading players to make a profitable enterprise, rather than about putting the best players possible on the pitch to win trophies.}
10.) 12 Feb 2025 12:15:59
Good point to emphasise Ed001 and thanks for it. Yes if owners care more about trading to gain profit rather than success on the pitch - though you would think that they should realise success on the pitch would help with profits and dealings - then we have to be very worried as fans.
{Ed001's Note - these are not football people though JBS, they are investors who are new to the sport and see it from an American sports perspective. US sports franchises are money-making machines regardless of results.}
11.) 12 Feb 2025 12:16:55
JBS, I haven’t suggested we will sell Palmer, I have said there was “rumoured interest. ”
I keep saying and this is only my view that the players are a commodity and I believe we have to get used to our favourite players being available for sale.
I also assume that the club will make more revenue if it wins trophies and that’s why I think our current owners would also like to win competitions.
12.) 12 Feb 2025 14:14:17
Tom I think we all hope you are right. But what do you think of ED001's additional point - one it is hard to disagree with from myn perspective - that our woners are not footballing people ie so may not have the passion that owners who are have for success on the pitch above all?
13.) 12 Feb 2025 15:31:10
JBS, as usual us fans are only guessing but they are a very rich group of people who seem to have a passion for sports investments and making money.
I have no idea if they are truly in love with “soccer” but my guess is they are truly in love with money. Again just me guessing but if they win trophies with Chelsea for example the potential increases in revenues are huge. The club also becomes globally more appealing if it wins trophies and that again brings in more revenue.
14.) 15 Feb 2025 07:01:24
I have been screaming on here that boely and Co are not working to make Chelsea great again on the pitch winning games. I said that the club had been hijacked and might never be the same again but tomb and likes were there deceiving themselves with plenty talks.
The policy of buying only young players is just the profits from the sale and not to get the club back on top boely and Co were the worst possible owners from the bidders but the enemies of the club who taken the political advantage of the war in Ukraine chose them to Bury the club overtime. Roman was targeted and I still think he might return to the club again.
15.) 04 Mar 2025 11:43:24
Tussle, I have always assumed that if there is football success then the value of the owners investment will improve.
I have also assumed that any investment has been made to achieve a profit and that includes the buying and selling of players.
Pre our present owners I have also referred to players (same at most clubs) as commodities.
03 Feb 2025 17:12:48
Seems as though we may still be paying half of Chilly's wages at Palace (ie 100, 000 of the 200, 000 pounds per week) .
1.) 03 Feb 2025 17:54:04
I suppose the alternative was to pay him full wages and get splinters. Personally I would have kept him in the squad as Cucarella cover.
2.) 03 Feb 2025 18:13:03
Tom
Maresca would not have played him even if we only had nine players to choose from, that's how stubborn the man is.
3.) 03 Feb 2025 19:21:25
I'd have kept him in the squad and played him Tom. His experience surely useful to youngsters.
4.) 03 Feb 2025 20:15:23
It's just bad business imo. Surely at that point you'd just keep him? This is another thing that annoys me with the 7 year contracts. What happens when this happens and the player still has 5 years remaining on x wage? The bomb squad didn't work, just had adverse affects imo.
Sad to see chilly go, injury prone but when fit the best left back in the epl imo.
5.) 03 Feb 2025 23:16:16
I would have kept Chilly as cover only for Cucarella. I think fans should remember how bad Cucarella was when he joined our club and for whatever reason it took him time to find his feet. In my opinion he is now one of the best left sided defenders in Europe and a long way in front of Chilly.
6.) 04 Feb 2025 08:41:08
I agree tom. I think he put in some of the worst chelsea performances ever, worse than bakayoko. He's fantastic now.
7.) 04 Feb 2025 09:15:47
He is a very good example (me included) of why its beat not to rush to judge.
8.) 04 Feb 2025 17:55:58
Absolutely tom. And I do think you told me that when I was criticising his performances. Very glad he was able to find some performances, and he's exceeding my expectations.
9.) 06 Feb 2025 08:38:59
Cucurella was always a good player but did put in some bad performances as did many of the squad. However, I am a great believer in the saying “ You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear”.
10.) 06 Feb 2025 09:07:40
But you can make a sows ear out of a silk purse!
11.) 11 Feb 2025 09:09:09
I disagree that cucurella is a long way in front of Chilwell. Chilwell is better in offensive position, final third.
03 Feb 2025 15:24:14
Is Felix likely to be sold or loaned to AC Milan? Is Disasi likely now to stay at the Bridge?
1.) 03 Feb 2025 15:45:23
Loan with no buy option for Felix.
2.) 03 Feb 2025 16:52:22
While i liked felix, every man and his dog knew it wasn't going to work. A favour for his agent, I suspect.
3.) 03 Feb 2025 16:53:06
So with Felix and Veiga going to Italy on straight loans, if they do well, come the end of the season it will be 'they want to stay in Italy and play for us but we can't afford to buy them, how about another loan'.
Before we know it we have more littke Lukaku's running across Italy.
We never learn with Italian clubs, we are their charity organisation.
4.) 03 Feb 2025 17:09:43
The reports I’m reading on Felix seem to be so different. One is saying straight loan with full wages paid plus €6.5m loan fee. I would be happy with that.
5.) 03 Feb 2025 18:13:59
And another loan next year Tom?
6.) 03 Feb 2025 19:28:47
Talksport reporting 5 million loan fee for Felix but Milan paying his wages. I enjoyed watching him and wonder if we really gave him a chance. Suppose if he does well at Milan we will just sell him or indeed loan him out again.
7.) 03 Feb 2025 20:17:54
Unfortunately I don't think there's a way back for felix. There wasn't a spot for him 6 months ago and there won't be one 6 months from now. Great player on his day and I hope he reaches atleast half what his potential was.
8.) 03 Feb 2025 23:18:20
I think it depends what happens to Palmer. If a ridiculous offer comes in for CP, Felix would be a reasonable replacement.
9.) 04 Feb 2025 15:24:30
Bill, they’re paying £5m as a loan fee for 6 months so if they want a loan for the whole season next year it’s £10m. Easy money and would count as a profit for the year in the accounts as his amortisation fee is around £7-8m I believe.
With Veiga Chelsea only paid £12m for him and are getting £4m as a loan fee. Any Italian club could afford to buy him at the end of the season easily, but I’m sure the club would love to keep farming him out on loan if that’s the fee they’ll get for just 6 months given the massive profit.
10.) 04 Feb 2025 18:18:36
fuser, good point and good economics.
03 Feb 2025 10:10:40
We are alsa said to be pusihing for 19 yr old Turkish striker Kenan Yildz of Juventus for c 75 million who is described as a forward (mainly left winger) and attacking midfielder and one of the most promising talent in then world.
Any legs in this one? Do any of the Eds have any info on CFC likely dealings today (we are all thinking of ED02 of course at this time, bless him) .
1.) 03 Feb 2025 10:25:45
JBS, I think if that amount of money was available in this window we would have signed Tel. We apparently offered BM a loan with an “obligation” to buy. That for me tells a story.
2.) 03 Feb 2025 10:36:49
Interesting Tom, if not very encouraging in terms of our fortunes right now and how we might be seen by talented players with options like Tel. If we want success in terms fe being genuine EPL challengers and really competitive in ECL any time soon we clearly need to qualify for ECL this season as we all thought we would come emnd of last one.
Hugely hope we can and will as you think we will Tom. But am sticking with my miserable 5th to 9th position at the moment and just praying its 5th and that will be enough! Mind you a hammering of the Hammers tonight plus trabsfer window uncertainties over tomorrow might just set us on right course again for last fourteen games after this one.
3.) 03 Feb 2025 12:21:48
JBS, as I said in a previous post, I’m not very optimistic about getting a result tonight.
I would rather the club get the right player than do what it has been doing and from the outside it’s like doing transfers because we can.
I think we may well sign a midfielder in the last mins of this window but for me that in some ways is crazy when we could just have brought back Santos.
Anyway only a few more hours of transfer rumours. Hooray!
4.) 03 Feb 2025 12:43:45
Couldn't agree more Tom. Almost every reported transfer seems to hinge on, or at least involve, a Chelsea player going the other way. We can read between the lines.
Despite what Maresca might say, Champions League qualification is an absolute necessity this season.
JBS's banter posts with other poster's replies to JBS's banter posts
20 Jul 2026 08:20:04
Just checking our top goap scorer stats for last season.
In all competitions it wasbof course Pedro first with 20 goals followed by Enzo with 15 then Neto and Cole with 11 andc10.
In the EPL it was Pedro with 15 followed by Enzo and Cole with 10 each. Given Enzo's defensive contribution his scoring record in v low scoring Chelsea side not bad. I think Delap bagged only 1 goal although to be fair he hsd that injury early on.
1.) 20 Jul 2026 09:42:28
Jbs, I made my position clear on Ef after he and his representative made the Madrid comments. I have always rated him as a player, but I don't want players at my club who do not want to be there. I can't see that anything has changed, and it would take yet another of his apologies to maybe change my mind.
2.) 20 Jul 2026 11:14:57
Tom I completely agree that it is not sensible to want to keep a player who does not want to play for us. The club has always had that policy. It makes complete sense.
But It is not as if EZ has put in a transfer request or gone on strike - as Courtois did - to show his desperation to leave. And let's face it by finishing 10th and with no Champions League football he will have been one among several who will have had thoughts about whether CFC vision/project and ambitions matched tgheir own. The days of one club loyalty long gone.
Many players including CFC will have harboured - if more diplomatically/secretly than EF - the desire to move to one or other of the Spanish giants. The question is what they do if thiose clubd cannot afford them and/or whether they go on hankering after a move once it seems not to be possible.
There have been plenty of players who have had thoughts about moving away from CFC or other clubs over the years though most have probably been too sensible to not say out loud that they fancy living in Madrid or love um, er love the weather in Manchester or Liverpool. Famous cases like Gerrard putting in a transfer request to move to CFC or Modric wanting to come to us when at Spurs come to mind. In Gerrard's case the fact was obviously that he stayed - and got a pay rise - and played wonderfully for Liverpool and LFC fans were relieved and gorgave him. While in Modric's case Levy refused to sell him to us and Modric then went on strike at Tottenham. Then the next season hew ent on strike at Spurs to engineer a move to Real Madrid. Well it was Spurs and they had appointed AVB as manager so who can blame him!
I am happy to understand and forgive EZ for having hopes/ambitions of a move to Real Madrid after our very, very disappointing last season and EF having had several pretty good seasons for us under his belt after presumably being lured to the Bidge by the VIsion/Project being explained to him. In fact last season he stood out for us much of the time in his efforts and leadership by example while many others disappointed. Maresca leaving and being replaced by LR would have disappointed many of the top players and the efforts of most dropped off accordingly. Gustoo became dreadful having once been pretty good for us. But EF's efforts not as noticeably so, less than many, hence him ending as second top scorer and with very high successful tackle/turnover rate as well.
Yes perhaps Enzo is not someone it is easy to like but when he has played for us he has surely as much or more than most other players displayed consistency of effort to win on the pitch and offered positive contributions to that end.
Anyway I expect Alonso will have gauged some of Enzo's views on staying/leaving in their first reported conversation and will probably test EF in this respect in further talk/s.
I am sure neither Alonso or the club would disagree with you - or me - and want to keep a player who does not want to be at CFC. But people can change their minds. Enzo may be successfully persuaded that RM cannot afford him and that CFC cannot afford to sell him for relative peanuts. But more importabtly, EF might also be persuaded that Alonso is a manager he can respect and trust -unlike LR - and that his appointment in itself and perhaps incomings like Roger signing suggests CFC are now set to be more urgently pursuing success on the pitch not just by 2030.
If so, EF may well recommit to CFC. If he does, I think he would again lead by example on the pitch - he clearly wants to be a winner more than most (whether by fair means or foul?!)- and together with Caicedo offer some toughness in the tackle in our midfield that MR or CP cannot. Otherwise we look a bit short on players who can supply tgis given Lavia fitness question and relatively untried Essugo plus Santos sold.
3.) 20 Jul 2026 12:26:47
JBS, I am the first to accept that everyone makes mistakes. My issue is he was vice captain, and his comments were during the season, a very tough season when everyone at the club should have been pulling in the same direction. I believe when things are tough is when you judge the manager, the players and the supporters.
Until he comes out and apologises publicly to the club and the supporters, I want nothing to do with the bloke. I repeat, I like him a lot as a player and in normal circumstances I wouldn't want him to leave.
4.) 20 Jul 2026 13:00:03
Just to add that EF did apologise personally to the manager, players and club in April about his Madrid comments (and was suspended for a couple of matches for them), but yes only to everyone else, ie us fans and the world in general, only via his agent on 9 April. That alone was not enough for me, but it was combined with his efforts on the pitch. Actions, for me, speak as loud, if not louder, than words, though both are of importance, and this allowed me to forgive him.
But I understand that it probably may not be enough for others, including you, Tom.
But I sometimes find public apologies to be stage managed and hypocritical, whether made by football players or politicians!
Anyway, we will see what happens with EF in terms of CFC's future fairly soon and you may well get what you want.
5.) 20 Jul 2026 14:11:50
JBS, I do not want him to leave, but if he stays, I do want him to apologise directly to the fans who sing his name at home and away matches.
I do not recall so far reading any apology directly from him to the fans, but that doesn't mean I haven't missed it along the way!!
07 Jul 2026 12:54:28
Given Fifa's intervention to 'suspend' the red card given to the USA striker when Wolrd Cup rules had said red cards could not be challenged or overturned - probably not a sensible rule but had been accepted as part of the WC tournament rules - it was perhaps as well that Belgium beat the USA.
I am not of course suggesting that just because Infantino and Fifa had been leasing offices on the 17th floor of Trump Tower -proceeds to the Trump family - and Infantino had bestowed that newly created Fifa Peace Prize on Trump, and that Fifa had accepted USA requests to keep a referee and members of some country's backroom staff out of the country, or that Trump had phoned Infantino to question the red card, that there was anything dodgy about fact that the striker's red card was immediately suspended.
It would be fake news to suggest anything other than that both the Trump and Infantino Presidencies are as moral and pure as the driven snow. You woud have to be a horrible person, a terrible reporter, a communist or suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome to question this. Mind you I have been feeling a bit under the weather.
1.) 07 Jul 2026 16:09:55
Jbs, love it mate.
2.) 07 Jul 2026 19:48:00
Whole
Tournament has an air of blatant corruption about it - as seen by this Argentina Egypt game - what a robbery. As well as most games generally being quite a boring watch.
I worry for England if we face Argentina - I expect more of the same crooked refereeing...
Then again, we know all about Messi being favoured by refs as Chelsea fans ... He may be the best ever, but he hasn't half had some help.
3.) 08 Jul 2026 10:18:26
Had the same feeling about the Egypt v Argentina game, as what seemed to be a clear foul by McAllister on an Egypt player, not called or VAR'd, plus there was also a possible foul on Salah at the same time.
4.) 08 Jul 2026 10:19:36
And both were just before Argentina scored their winner.
03 Jun 2026 21:43:23
So strong rumours than ever that Enzo F to Madrid and we want Rogers. To my mind, this weakens us as Rogers not as good. But perhaps just a nasty rumour?
1.) 04 Jun 2026 05:53:15
Enzo F is neither a true 6 or a true 10, so he would not really fit in an Alonso system, who likes to play either 3-4-2-1 or 4-2-3-1. He just isn't quick enough, or good enough in defence as a 6, and so often left Caicedo exposed. He is better as a 10, but again lacks that pace to beat a man, and whilst his goal and assist contributions were improving, I think we can do better. Importantly though, he wants to leave, and we don't want players who would rather be somewhere else.
Now, to Morgan Rogers, who is also wanted by Arsenal and Liverpool. He is one of the most complete attacking players in the Premier League. He can operate from the left wing, so would be more of a replacement for Garnacho or Gittens and not Enzo F. He can also play as a No.10, drift centrally alongside Cole Palmer, or even play further forward depending on the system Alonso decides to use.
His biggest strength is probably his ability to carry the ball through pressure. He's powerful, direct, quick, and incredibly difficult to stop once he starts driving forward. He combines the physicality of a midfielder with the creativity and goal threat of an attacker.
He is also great friends with Cole Palmer and an English home-grown.
This is about signing a Premier League-proven performer who wants to wear the badge, understands the league, and still has room to develop into one of the best attacking players in England.
He might well end up at one of our rivals, as the interest in him is huge, but if we could get him in to play in that position alongside Palmer, compete with Estevao (in a 3-4-2-1), or on the left of a 4-2-3-1 to replace Garnacho/Gittens, that would be some upgrade.
2.) 04 Jun 2026 07:56:31
I rate Rogers, so I would be happy. I do not see Enzo and Rogers being similar.
3.) 04 Jun 2026 08:59:57
Agree with what you say Rpd, I'm not convinced Fernandez fits into Alonso's system.
He needs to be in a three-man midfield, and in Alonso's system, I find myself saying he could do a job as one of the two sixes, or he could do a job as one of the tens, it all feels a bit square peg in round holes.
He is a quality player, so statistically, with goals and assists, he will still contribute. But, we need to sign players who fit Alonso's system, both in the pivot and on the left of the attack.
A fit and healthy Lavia would be amazing alongside Caicedo, sitting, getting in the ball and dictating play.
But we've been saying that for years, without a full 90mins completed by him. Wharton would, for me, be a good signing here.
Rogers would be a good signing, but I still think the valuation is crazy and expect him to end up at Arsenal. Yildiz, from Juventus, would be an excellent signing, although another hefty price tag. Another option would be to move Joao Pedro back into the left attacking space and spend the money on a top striker. Igor Thiago or - does anyone want back on the Osimhen train.
4.) 04 Jun 2026 15:05:33
Wharton is a player who has an eye for a forward pass, but in today's game he might just fall short for me.
I am a massive fan of Lavia, but he still looked miles away from the player I think he is at the end of this season.
We also have Santos, who would probably be given a good ten-match spell in the team; he only rarely seemed to find a rhythm in his play. If that makes sense?
5.) 04 Jun 2026 17:08:27
I think Rogers will go elsewhere but not concerned about that, he is massively overvalued. Frankly, I have given up on Lavia and Santos.
24 May 2026 18:28:28
That loss to Sunderland more or less sums up why we have had such a poor season. Our umteenth player sent off for stupid foul and a tap in for Sunderland's second by Gusto. or seemed almost deliberately stupid!
A draw would have got us Europa League and reckon that may have been ok compared to Conference League. But having failed badly to. make Champion League havin no European football may suit us and - it's rumoured this is what Alonso wanted.
Ok so since Blueco took over our points tallies have been 44, 63, 69 and 52. Surely, surely we can and must get well into the 70s next season. And Chamions league place a minimum aim.
1.) 24 May 2026 18:46:48
Jbs, as you point out in your post, we looked to be slowly improving, but this season we have, probably for a few reasons, taken a step backwards.
I doubt Alonso didn't want European football, but he now has time to work with his players, and that should be an advantage.
2.) 24 May 2026 18:52:28
Well, we have ended up where we deserve to be: mid-table mediocrity, as most of us predicted when LR was appointed. What I find galling is that qualifying for the Champions League this season should have been a doddle. Next season will be a crossroads for us. The owners have made a positive step by appointing Alonso, who imo was the best available candidate.
However, they must continue with change by allowing the manager significant influence in signings. I can't see Sanchez suiting Alonso's style of play, and I am not sure if Penders is ready for the no 1 spot.
There could be a lot of ins and outs in the summer, but tbh I really don't care who leaves: this squad has no mentality. Alonso has got his work cut out.
3.) 24 May 2026 19:05:59
Jimbo, I agree. Alonso has to work on players'
attitude and mentality. I think he will bring about massive improvement, and, like you, I am very positive about next season.
4.) 24 May 2026 19:13:37
Tom, I am more positive for next season than for a while, but the ins and outs will be interesting.
5.) 24 May 2026 19:22:14
Jimbo, yes, this window could end up being our most important for many a long year.
6.) 24 May 2026 20:51:40
Tom, Jimbo, I'm with you both in feeling good about next season. Alonso was a great pick up, and making him manager rather than head coach is a big plus. JBS, I think you might be right that no European football might help us next season. Onwards and upwards we go.
22 May 2026 17:50:43
So who wants Conference League or prefers to have no European football and to focus on EPL?
1.) 22 May 2026 18:43:41
J, let's win tomorrow and hope to better Brighton's result. We are in the Europa League and have a crack at winning it and qualifying for the Champions League via 2 routes.
2.) 22 May 2026 19:42:26
No Conference League for me; no money, no glory. I don't accept the argument that it gives squad players game time. The standard is so poor, we'd be better off playing League 1 sides. With a new manager, one game a week will be an advantage to develop a system of playing on the training ground.
3.) 22 May 2026 21:11:06
Whatever the competition, I want us to win.
I really have no problems with the Conference League. I'm sure there are lots of clubs who would love the opportunity to participate in any European competition.
4.) 22 May 2026 21:59:59
Tom, you are old school like me. We pay our money, support our team, and celebrate a pot. Lots on here downplayed our Conference League and CWC wins. You and I celebrated them. I would take a punt that you were at our Milk Cup Finals and celebrating.
I certainly was. I welcome the new supporters with open arms, but they don't know the fabric of what it is like to follow this great club of ours.
5.) 22 May 2026 22:54:32
Greenaway, I'm not a new supporter but I have no interest in the Conference League for the reasons I have already stated.
6.) 23 May 2026 07:48:54
The question was about whether it might be better for the club and squad only to have the league and domestic cups to focus on in terms of regaining Champions League qualification. UEFA league qualification does offer an alternative route to this if we win it. Conference League does not, and can entail much long-distance travel to tricky places to get to.
Obviously, once we are in a competition, we want to win it. But the question is about priorities, and, as Eden Hazard just said, surely our club must be about Champions League qualification, to be a regular in that European competition, plus top 4 or 5 in the league, and soon be able to mount a real challenge in both.
7.) 23 May 2026 09:09:38
J, as match going fans, we love the European adventure, new cities, vibes, cultures. Let's beat Sunderland tomorrow and better Brighton's result and we are in the Europa League.
8.) 23 May 2026 11:13:33
Greenawaty, I get that and have enjoyed those trips in the past, but just think that this is a key moment for CFC and last season unravelled partly cos of transfer business, partly cos of managerial problems and partly cos most of our squad were pretty knackered cos of no proper R&R and pre-season after last season. That's why I thought we could finish as low as 7th this season, though we had shown in the CWC final (albeit against an even more knackered PSG?) that we had the quality to be in the top 4 and perhaps as high as 3rd.
Like others, I am v sorry for some of our v best players who did not make their respective national World Cup squads, but some who really needed to, like Cole and Levi, can hopefully either get further treatment (op?) if needed, and/or get rest and then rebuild fitness properly.
But yes, the Europa League would be ok, as it does offer, if winning it, a route to the Champions League, and the teams in the competition will not include nearly as many unknowns — or hugely diminished erstwhile European greats like Ajax (don't want CFC to join that category!) — as the Conference League. So, I am personally not keen on Conference League participation again.
9.) 23 May 2026 11:28:14
I'm not keen and neither have I been in the ECL despite winning it all.
West Ham have won it, and Palace are in this season's final, so the tournament is no great shakes.
Man U showed that, despite being poor, more time on the training ground with the coach helps no end.
10.) 23 May 2026 14:19:38
The Europa Conference League is Europe's 3rd-tier competition, the equivalent of the old UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, a competition I so fondly remember us winning in 1998. Some clubs used to treat the League Cup with disdain, but thankfully that attitude has changed.
11.) 23 May 2026 17:55:35
RPD, The Cup Winners Cup surprisingly was for cup winners, and the standard of participants was higher. There are teams in the Conference League that would struggle in the National League.
12.) 23 May 2026 19:28:16
Like Noah FC or Shamrock Rovers.
19 Jul 2026 19:43:07
Lacroix may be ok next to LC, but only if they have midfielders in front of them who can tackle.
19 Jul 2026 19:41:03
Which is why I was worried about us selling Santos, who can also tackle. But my worries would be considerably less if Enzo stays.
Would also like Jackson, not Delap, to be back up or occasional partner for Pedro.
19 Jul 2026 19:38:07
Neither Cole nor Morgan Rogers can tackle or track back that well, compared to Enzo, who also last season scored as many as Rogers and more than Cole. So, yes, it is a false equivalent, but if no Enzo, can we depend on Caicedo alone protecting the back?
18 Jul 2026 21:28:00
117 million is surely far too much to pay for Rogers? He scored 10 goals and contributed 6 assists, but made little impression for England at the World Cup.
Rogers did score as many goals as Enzo and offered two more assists than Enzo, but Enzo's passing accuracy (overall and long passes) was much better. He created considerably more chances than Rogers and made double the number of tackles.
So I greatly hope that, if we do buy Rogers for this huge sum, it is not because we are selling Fernandez, particularly not to Arsenal or City.
Not quite sure what I make of this rumour, Tom, though I think you are a fan of Rogers. Is it true that he is a friend of Cole's, or is that someone else in the England set up?
06 Jul 2026 18:01:57
It would be dreadful to sell EF to Arsenal, and surely BlueCo should realise this.
29 Jul 2026 18:32:48
FIFA = the most corrupt organisation in the history of sport.
27 Jul 2026 21:57:12
Hulk?
27 Jul 2026 21:52:19
Yes, have an enjoyable break, RPD, and thanks for all your enjoyably interesting posts.
26 Jul 2026 22:58:42
Looks as though we might, Jimbo!
26 Jul 2026 10:11:14
Let's hope Emegha will be fit to start the season. But his injury record last season at Strasbourg is very worrying. He was out for almost all of it. 2 separate hamstring injuries, plus a muscle tear, plus something just listed as a 'dead leg' that alone kept him out for 60 days.
Lavia had a similarly dire injury record just before he came to us.
At the very least, we cannot rely on him to be fit sufficiently as sole backup striker. Plus, Delap scored only one goal last season.