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30 Aug 2026 22:11:05
The buzz is we have reached agreement with club and Player and Camara will be joining for approximately £40m.
I hope he proves to be as good as my mate says he is.
1.) 31 Aug 2026 08:02:49
We need him to be Tom, so hope so too. But if he is Santos' replacement - unless that is Barco, but he may be an Essugo replacement if he's thought not good enough for CFC - we still need a Fernandez one too. And midfield is our obvious big weakness, especially if Caicedo is injured.
Though we could have done hugely with Cucurella on the pitch as left wing back yesterday too, and can only hope Palestra is OK to play soon, as he can play left or right wing back, I think. We were wide open down the flanks v Brighton.
2.) 31 Aug 2026 08:04:39
Especially open down our left flank.
3.) 31 Aug 2026 14:14:51
I just read he's going to Palace for a year and then we sign him next season.
4.) 31 Aug 2026 14:43:49
I think you're getting confused with the young Italian left back, Honest Ahanor, we have just signed, CFC1221.
5.) 31 Aug 2026 16:00:45
Ah yes, my bad!
29 Aug 2026 22:09:37
I posted at the start of this window that Liverpool asked to be kept informed about Neto, whatever that means. Liverpool asked for an update yesterday.
My guess is asking for an update is a million miles away from making an offer.
1.) 31 Aug 2026 08:05:50
Hope so, Tom cos Neto looked v good for us yesterday and we need him.
2.) 31 Aug 2026 12:46:07
Liverpool apparently asked about the availability of two of our wide players.
27 Aug 2026 19:16:45
So EF supposedly asked not to play tonight. Maybe this is an opportunity for those who wanted him to stay to reconsider their position. If this is some mechanism to force through a sale at a reduced price, I will tell City to swivel and let him rot in a bomb squad. Of course, that will not happen.
On an even worse note, we have apparently agreed a fee for Martinez.
I always say it’s impossible for the club to make me happy in a transfer window. This is certainly one of those cases. Obviously if he signs I will support him as he immediately becomes a top keeper. ?end.
1.) 27 Aug 2026 22:24:49
Alonso says it was the club's and his decision not to play EF tonight. I guess that makes some sort of difference, but not much as far as I am concerned.
2.) 28 Aug 2026 13:57:48
Yes, Alonso did say that, Tom, and also said he may be involved v Brighton on Sunday, though you would think that was unlikely.
3.) 28 Aug 2026 15:42:51
JBS, my guesswork theory is that EF told the manager and board he preferred to leave, and then the Chelsea decision-makers took him out of the squad.
26 Aug 2026 20:37:28.
Apparently Chelsea have not received a bid or spoken to City about Fernandez.
I personally still think it happens.
1.) 27 Aug 2026 01:41:51
Lot of reports, bid expected yesterday. Wouldn't surprise me if Citeh are leaking with no intention of bidding, just to waste our time.
Really hope they bid and he goes, though. He was pretty useless when paired with Caicedo in the past, and he isn't getting into the team as a starting 10.
2.) 27 Aug 2026 11:45:56
Agree, Melbourne.
3.) 27 Aug 2026 16:14:03
I also agree, Melbourne. Whilst EF looked great in the Champions' League, and despite scoring a lot of goals for us last season, he generally looked a bit off the pace to my eyes in the middle of the park in PL games.
4.) 27 Aug 2026 16:53:53
I made my position clear on EF last season when he said and his agent said he wanted to leave. We had about 10/12 games of the season left, and he is our vice captain.
My view was, and is, he should never play for the club again.
Unlike some, I rate him as a player, but players who want to leave can go, as far as I'm concerned. Thanks and goodbye.
5.) 28 Aug 2026 14:10:56
I think he was one of the three best players last season... Joao Pedro and Cucurella being the other two. EF is seen by many as JP's closest rival for our player of the season. Caicedo next, but below the level of his previous 2 seasons. Then a gap to Neto. Esteveo had patches of brilliance. Reece and Cole, some good games, but well below their best levels overall. Trevoh C is probably our best defender in terms of consistency.
So, I take the point about his pace, but unless we can replace EF with an additional proven top-quality midfielder - and perhaps a Kante-like one may suit Alonso's system best - I'd want him to stay for the sake of our ECL qualification campaign this season and so as not to strengthen City. And bet Alonso would want the same.
26 Aug 2026 14:54:09
If the rumour is true and we are looking to sign Martinez the I am very disappointed. I don't rate him as a keeper and from what I understand he is a bit of kn@b.
If Penders isn't better than him, we are in trouble.
1.) 26 Aug 2026 16:57:50
It probably won't surprise you to hear that I really hope this happens.
I appreciate that he may not be a nice person, but that's where the management come in.
Penders can still be No 2, but to Martinez, not Sanchez.
2.) 26 Aug 2026 17:19:40
tbh, maybe we need a few more not-so-nice characters. Look at our sides of the past and recent league winners (Gabriel for Arsenal, Bernardo Silva for City). We have often been accused of being naive and nice. Could be what we need.
3.) 26 Aug 2026 18:02:52
If it had been a couple years ago I'd have been alright with signing him, but he's been average last couple of years in my opinion.
4.) 26 Aug 2026 18:26:25
Agree, fuser, but average is still better than Sanchez.
5.) 26 Aug 2026 20:29:04
Martinez isn't about replacing Sanchez, it's about us not picking Penders. Martinez is bang average, so it doesn't say a lot about the confidence in Penders.
6.) 26 Aug 2026 22:03:51
Tom Penders is a kid - very rare to see a keeper that young as first choice, especially in a side that looks promising but is still unsettled... Id like to see him bedded in slowly - Martinez could be the man for that role.
7.) 27 Aug 2026 03:11:29
I am not a fan of Martinez as a keeper but then as I have been saying for ages with two exceptions the premiership keepers are all average in my opinion. Let me make it clear, I am not saying he isn't better than Sanchez.
From what I have read about him and been told I can't see how he is going to be a positive in the dressing room.
I would value one the Ed's opinions on his potential signing as a player abd an influence?
{Ed001's Note - he is a bit of a ?, very difficult to manage and you have no doubt seen the arse he makes of himself. I think it is very telling that he has been trying to leave Villa every summer for about 3 years now and this is the first genuine interest anyone has shown in a weak market for the position. And you are only seeing him as a stopgap in desperate circumstances! But at least he is not Sanchez, so it should be an improvement. He does have a tendency to make the odd clanger too, but not quite as often.}
8.) 27 Aug 2026 04:23:34
Thanks Ed, much appreciated.
{Ed001's Note - very welcome Tom.}
9.) 27 Aug 2026 09:08:07
What do you think of Penders as a keeper ED01? or is it too early to tell?
{Ed001's Note - I haven't seen him play to be honest.}
10.) 27 Aug 2026 11:22:10
And there lies the problem, none of us really know if Penders is good enough or ready.
The one thing that we all know is Sanchez isn't good enough.
11.) 27 Aug 2026 16:49:57
The other thing we know is Martinez isn't a lot better than Sanchez and is a ? end.
If we ain't gonna trust Penders, buy Costa.
12.) 27 Aug 2026 18:15:08
Disagree, Tom. Martinez is levels above Sanchez, who may be the worst keeper in the league, and the bigger issue is his best mate, who got the gig as keeper coach
If Sanchez goes, he needs to follow him out the door.
13.) 27 Aug 2026 18:47:13
I'm seriously thinking of giving in. The issue isn't that Martinez is better than Sanchez. The reality is he is bang average and a ? end.
What some are saying is that he is better than Penders. If that is the case, then Penders is bang average and not the answer.
If Penders is the second coming of goalkeepers that some believe, then maybe the coach also deserves a portion of credit.
I also repeat, in my opinion, Sanchez will start against Brighton.
TomB's banter posts with other poster's replies to TomB's banter posts
07 Sep 2026 05:41:41
For lots of reasons couldn’t sleep so I just finished watching yesterday’s game again.
I’m personally never confident about giving match summaries after watching games on TV.
Firstly, Arsenal performed better than us. We could have nicked a point.
My impression after the game was Palmer wasn’t as influential as he can be, but that seems to happen a lot against strong teams. I also still think we should have played with a narrow three man midfield, but may have caused us more problems out wide.
So many times we had players being pulled out of position with significant gaps appearing all across the back line.
Also, the gap between the defence and midfield was far too big. I guess what I’m saying is, so far under Alonso we are not compact.
Obviously, Martinez should do a lot better for their first goal, but all players make mistakes, but when goalkeepers do, it’s usually costly. This is also just my gut feeling, but I don’t think they score the second goal if Caicedo is playing.
I wouldn’t have hooked Neto, but Estavao did cause them some problems.
Our games against dirty Leeds and Hull will be interesting. I can’t see the point in risking Caicedo, but I hope Palestra and Barco both get mins.
1.) 07 Sep 2026 07:58:52
It was a poor performance yesterday. Our defensive frailties from the first 2 PL games came back to haunt us. Havertz was allowed to run a long way before getting his shot away for their first goal, and their second goal was schoolboy defending.
They continually managed to find huge gaps to exploit. We were lucky it was only 2-1 in the end. Though I'll never know how Gabriel got away without being punished for kicking Martinez in the head, and also Rice for the deliberate foul on Rogers.
2.) 07 Sep 2026 08:15:34
Tom, I have got over the disappointment of yesterday. In the end, Arsenal probably deserved to win. I won’t go on about our midfield as the issues are glaringly obvious. It’s unfortunate that Moises is injured, and we didn’t bring in a midfielder who can play in a double pivot: things might have been different - who knows.
We should win the next two games, and, like you, I would not risk Caicedo. That said, we should not underestimate Leeds, who, no doubt, would be happy to go to penalties. It would be very disappointing to be out so early in the League Cup.
3.) 07 Sep 2026 09:23:23
Maybe the people who only post when we lose would have something to do if we got beat by dirty Leeds.
I personally think that sooner rather than later, Alonso has some tough, Jose-like decisions to make. That's when it will become very interesting on lots of levels!!
4.) 07 Sep 2026 10:24:00
Agree that Martinez could have done better for Arsenal's first goal, even if the ball came between Lacroix's legs and to Martinez as he was balanced towards moving to the right. So not as bad an error as Sanchez v Fulham, I reckon, and Martinez made many other good blocks and does inspire more confidence.
Palmer is a bit of an enigma at the moment. He looked back to his best v Fulham, less so v Brighton, but did score that nice goal, yet was otherwise in and out of the game yesterday.
Both he and Rogers are exciting flair players who combine well together, but are not great at defensive duties, and so all the more reason we need a really solid defensive pivot behind them in midfield, but also someone, like Kante, and perhaps Kone and Camara, who we were linked with, leave aside the incomparable Lamps, able to drive forward with the ball from deep or deliver fantastically accurate long passes when needed.
Kevin De Bruyne is exemplary for City in this respect, and of course one we had let go. Enzo also offered something in terms of transition play, controlling the pace of the game, plus tackling ability, work rate/turf coverage, and goal threat, but he did lack great pace, and anyway that ship sailed and the problem was that a replacement was not purchased. But last time perhaps that needs to be mentioned, if not already done so one too many times!
5.) 07 Sep 2026 10:09:15
Yes Tom having watched that Mourinho documentary Alonso needs to find that ruthlessness whil also making his players willing to walk through fire for him.
At the moment our openess, and with numbers of goals scored and conceded, slightly reminds me of early Klopp's Liverpool - nort sure if Ed001 would agree though? - and that project took a while to get right, arguably key being signing of Virgil van Dijk (about 18 months after Klopp came to Anmfield? ), though cleary earlier signings of Salah and Wijnaldum hugely important too. Fabinho a later key creative midfield one.
In other words, Alonso team capable of winning EPL not complete as yet imho and the owners must give him the time - and would be wonderful if he could for once be a lon/longish term manager for our club - - to oversee the process. He is the reason that I still have considerable hope/cofidence that we will qualify for ECL football this season.
6.) 07 Sep 2026 10:47:52
Jbs, while at Chelsea, Jose never seemed a fan of players who only had "moments" of influence.
7.) 07 Sep 2026 13:53:13
You are right, Tom, and one wonders what he would have made of, or done with, CP's ups and downs.
8.) 07 Sep 2026 14:30:48
JBS, Roger's also looks like a "moments" player. I really hope I'm wrong, but so far I have not been impressed with his work rate.
It will be interesting to see if Alonso makes a big call on one or both players in weeks to come, or against the better sides, because our two DMs got totally outnumbered on numerous occasions yesterday.
9.) 07 Sep 2026 15:55:59
I agree, and almost added Rogers to the CP comments. Can we afford two flair/moment players in attack in our side, if not also pretty reasonable defensively, which neither seems to be.
OK, Hazard was one in the 2014-15 season, and Mourinho did acknowledge that he was something special in CFC's EPL winning team under him.
Mind you, JM had John Terry and Gary Cahill in central defense, plus Dave and Ivanovic outside them... then John Obi Mikel and Matic available to play defensive pivot roles ahead of them. Oh yes, and Cech or Courtois to choose from as GKs - has there ever been a better two options for any club in that position?!
04 Sep 2026 09:45:45
Hi guys, the only subject discussed at the last 3/4 FAB meetings has been ticketing.
I have sent a request for an item to be put on the Agenda for the next board meeting.
For those like me who like to moan about many CFC issues can I suggest you send a request to the FAB and ask for your question/concerns to raised at their next board meeting.
04 Sep 2026 07:57:40
My memory isn’t what it was but didn’t our owners buy the club from RA/government for £4.25bn in total. Of that, £1.75bn was held in escrow for the stadium, women's football, the academy and I think Kingsmeadow.
So, I assume we still have £1.75bn ish still in an escrow account?
1.) 04 Sep 2026 09:05:30
Hi Guys, not to worry about the above post. I have found what I was looking for, like any normal person would, by searching online.
03 Sep 2026 13:46:36
Back from Spain and was out last night with some mates, a section of whom are Gooners.
Their attitude to our game against them was broadly the same, “Why are we bothering turning up?”
I think it will be tough for us to get anything from the game but I would like to think we will cause them significant problems.
1.) 04 Sep 2026 11:29:02
Tom, I think most pundits would have us losing the game on Sunday, and it's hard to think that we could get a result. I do remember that game when we were three down there by half-time under Conte, who then changed the formation at half-time and, with wing-backs, won us the EPL that year.
So, my bottom line is that we go there and at least perform well. Even if we lose, Alonso can learn from the game and win us the EPL! Well, or at very least, get us ECL qualification.
2.) 04 Sep 2026 13:04:26
Understandably, Arsenal are favourites to win the title and beat us on Sunday. They are very effective and well organised. That said, they are nothing special. If we get a grip on midfield and organise our defensive unit, there is no reason why we shouldn't come away with something (says me nervously).
02 Sep 2026 21:37:01
At the start of this window I guessed/hoped we would raise over £400m in player sales. With the Maresca money and loan fees, I was hoping that we get over £450m in player/manager fees.
I wouldn't have a clue how to find out how we now stand in the net spend table over the last five seasons. Anyone got any ideas or answers?
1.) 03 Sep 2026 08:22:22
Tom, according to one site, our net spend in the last 5 years is just over £600 million. Man U, Arsenal and Spurs have a higher net spend, and Liverpool's is about £40 million less than ours.
2.) 03 Sep 2026 10:12:18
Thanks Jimbo, I would have thought after the last window we would be lower in the net spend table.
3.) 03 Sep 2026 12:47:24
Tom, figures vary from different sources, but it is comparative of where we are compared to other clubs.
13 Sep 2026 21:39:13
As long as we try to show respect and the post passes the Ed's scrutiny, who cares what name or names people choose to use.
11 Sep 2026 15:55:01
I hope Clearlake turn out to be good owners. It will be interesting to see what the share sale values the club at.
02 Sep 2026 18:05:44
Swcfc, I think we tried to get players lined up in case Fernandez was sold. Club transfers are not a static thing, and I personally believe it's hard to imagine a club with a top player letting us have a guaranteed option to buy that player but only if we sell our player.
If that makes sense?
My guess is we will make a stop-gap signing and then look at the market in January. I personally would like us to still sign Camara but I would be reluctant (for no real reason) to do Monaco a favour.
02 Sep 2026 15:19:20
Chelsea Football Club's stance was clear. The fee for Fernandez was a minimum of £120m. We had no control or absolute certainty that City were prepared to make that sort of offer.
I personally didn't care if EF ever played for us again, but the club and manager played him against Fulham, so they were happy to keep him.
31 Aug 2026 12:46:07
Liverpool apparently asked about the availability of two of our wide players.
13 Sep 2026 21:41:17
Or could we play James like the Gooners play Rice.
13 Sep 2026 15:28:12
K, I would certainly prefer 433.
I think Palestra will make a significant difference on the right side. I also think Caicedo with two others in midfield would make us far more solid.
13 Sep 2026 12:13:42
K, I am pleased you are calling for Alonso to be sacked.
JT will always be a playing legend, and on the few times I have met him, I have found him to be a nice bloke, but I have to assume there is a reason he hasn't had a first-team coaching job since Villa several seasons ago.
12 Sep 2026 23:15:05
Ed, snap mate.
Surely this is not a call to sack/replace Alonso?
Mind you, I do remember one poster wanting Maresca sacked after his first set of pre season matches.
I think we will see a different Chelsea when Caicedo is fit and I also believe Palestra will quickly become a fans favourite.
11 Sep 2026 07:13:07
Jimbo, of course it's not a pointless comparison. Other players in the so-called Neto peer group do not play for our club, so that comparison is pointless, as the comparison mentioned on this thread was clearly about players playing for CFC.
At the "moment", Neto is a far more complete player than Estavao. Of course that may change over time.