23 Aug 2026 22:28:43
Tom, Jimbo, Bill, fellow chatters you at the game tomorrow? We are all meeting in The Eight Bells if you want to meet up? Be so good to actually meet you, shake hands and have a drink.
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Chelsea Banter
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23 Aug 2026 22:30:01
In order to view all of today's banter, you may have to visit our Chelsea banter 2 to Chelsea banter 10 pages linked at the bottom of this page.
23 Aug 2026 22:30:01
In order to view all of today's banter, you may have to visit our Chelsea banter 2 to Chelsea banter 10 pages linked at the bottom of this page.
23 Aug 2026 18:34:29
Some funny results, but that is often the case first game of the season.
Best performances, Arsenal, Brentford and Brighton. Work in progress for a few teams, particularly with new players and managers.
Far too early to be critical of any team, player or manager.
Our season starter will not be easy. London derbies are always tough. Fingers crossed we get off to a good start.
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23 Aug 2026 19:20:33
Tom, First games of the season don't really reveal that much. However, it's always good to start with a win. I don't really buy into London derbies, there are so many London clubs that it's meaningless: certainly not Fulham. The nearest thing is Spurs for me.
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23 Aug 2026 19:33:17
I dunno, Tom - seems a decent start, we've lost to Fulham 3 times in 20 years... they've lost their manager and a number of key players, we should be looking to put down an early marker given the lacklustre performances of our 'rivals' for European spots (not including Arsenal as think they're miles ahead of the rest at the minute).
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23 Aug 2026 15:50:20
Anderson has apparently picked up a hamstring injury. So, Fernandez £150m. 😂
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23 Aug 2026 16:21:30
Msresca will just tell his medical department Anderson can still play. They will say no, so he walks yet again.
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23 Aug 2026 17:20:51
Was at the City game today (turn coat, I know), and they definitely need a midfielder so I can see them getting Fernandez. Guehi in CM was certainly a choice from Maresca.
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23 Aug 2026 17:34:18
What did you make of City's performance overall, Standard? Also, what did you make of Alex Scott's performance, given persistent links of him to Chelsea? I only saw the last 25 mins or so, and was much hoping Bournemouth could hold on.
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23 Aug 2026 18:40:31
JBS, I only watched the match on TV but to my old eyes he was the best player on the pitch by a long way and I'm not a fan.
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23 Aug 2026 20:44:59
Thanks, Tom. Good to know Scott played well if we are destined to get him at this stage... Though it seems unlikely that Bournemouth would part with him this season.
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23 Aug 2026 21:34:52
Me too, JBS. Scott was okay, didn't shine too much to me, but I guess City had a lot of the ball. He was well structured in midfield.
It was a typical Maresca performance, and I know it's early, but I can't see it working out. Guehi in CM is not going to work, Rico Lewis in the Reece James receiving wide role didn't work, and Semenyo and some more of City players were terrible.
It will be interesting to see how they fare this year.
Shame it's so impossible to get to Chelsea games. I've only been to one since I've been back, and that was the Conference League game against Copenhagen, if I remember correctly, last year.
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23 Aug 2026 14:55:36
Switching between Brighton Villa and Citeh Bournemouth. I'm sure there's a few who have forgotten just how boring Marescaball became. Might be a long season for Citeh. Meanwhile Aston Villa have imploded and might be tailor-made for both Garnacho and Jackson this season. Garnacho, unsurprisingly, starting on the bench.
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23 Aug 2026 15:48:32
Tom, I hadn't forgotten how boring the football was under Maresca. Let's hope for more entertaining football this season.
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23 Aug 2026 15:51:24
Jimbo, I'm not Melbourne.
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23 Aug 2026 15:56:27
One in the same, Tom. 😉
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23 Aug 2026 17:29:14
Sorry chaps. Can't even blame the drink: haven't opened my bottle of red yet.
To clarify, Melbourne, I agree with you, even if your alter ego doesn't. 😀
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23 Aug 2026 11:52:15
I think we have made some good signings in this window and although he wasn’t my choice I do have confidence in Alonso’s ability as a manager.
I think we will see Palmer back to his best and the idea of him, Roger’s and Pedro as a three is very exciting.
I think Palestra will make himself a fans’ favourite and Caicedo will just be Caicedo.
A fast start to the season would help confidence and I am sure we will be challenging for all the domestic trophies.
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22 Aug 2026 17:26:54
I think Badiashile will do well at Napoli. I personally would have made it a straight loan and not given them the option.
He started his career with plenty of promise and then lost his and some confidence after a string of injuries.
Anyway, good luck to the lad in Italy.
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22 Aug 2026 21:57:49
Agree with you, Tom.
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23 Aug 2026 09:32:16
He always had ability, Tom, but confidence looked shattered. I hope he does well and comes back.
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23 Aug 2026 12:22:52
Agreed, EbW and Tom. If he can regain confidence, he might regain the form he had early on for us preinjury.
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22 Aug 2026 15:08:23
Man United fans not happy with Andre Santos, early days of course but looking like a nice bit of business selling him for a £40 million profit.
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22 Aug 2026 16:48:38
United fans not happy with anyone in their team today, K, if you read their banter page. But they didn't single out Santos when I looked at it, they did criticise Tielemans above all, plus defenders' weakness v crosses, plus lack of bringing on Sesko and Carrick, tactics or lack of them.
Far too early for their fans or ours to judge how Santos will do at Old Trafford, surely.
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22 Aug 2026 17:27:56
K
Over the summer friendlies, Santos has been praised to the hilt and UTD fans described him as a steal.
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22 Aug 2026 20:29:36
Bill, it just shows how fickle fans can be, mate.
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22 Aug 2026 22:01:39
K where are the United fans sayimg they are now not happy with Santos? What platform because would be interesting to see what their comments?
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23 Aug 2026 09:33:49
Spurs lost as well, I see. That Brentford manager has done well.
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23 Aug 2026 12:26:07
Brentford were impressive both in speed and accuracy on the counter and in very well organised and skilful defending, EbW. They could have scored several more, including the penalty they missed that hit a post. Very well organised throughout.
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22 Aug 2026 09:18:15
I see Bournemouth beat our next gen 2-1. Hopefully on Monday, our this gen will have a better result against Fulham.
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22 Aug 2026 09:37:55
What is your prediction, Bill? Beat Fulham? Draw? Lose?
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22 Aug 2026 11:42:30
Looking for a win, G8. No reason why not.
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23 Aug 2026 18:16:15
Bill, presumably the head coach of the Next Generation, is Jean-Luc Picard. Sack him.
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21 Aug 2026 22:18:33.
Yes, it was against newly promoted Coventry, but such an easy win for Arsenal whose squad depth in quality is very impressive now. Not hard to understand why they are firm favourites to retain the EPL title even at competion's start.
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22 Aug 2026 04:37:48
Jbs, very true, they are deserved favourites to retain the title.
First game for Lamps team in the Premiership. My early observation was that they got caught in the headlights of the occasion, if that makes sense. They have pace up front, and I like the look of the young (24) Ch. Not sure about their midfield, but, as I say, it was the first game.
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22 Aug 2026 08:09:10
Arsenal will start as favourites as they have a very good squad put together over many years with the same manager in charge.
Ed01, who do you think will challenge them? and where do you think we will finish?
Same question to my fellow posters?
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{Ed001's Note - I think Arsenal's biggest challenge is Arteta. They have by far the best squad and should have walked the league the last few seasons, but have only managed one title and that was a struggle. If he gives them more freedom, then no one will get near them, everyone else is busy rebuilding. If he doesn't, then it will be tight and they could throw it away to whichever teams builds up a head of steam, similar to Liverpool a couple of seasons ago.
Chelsea could end up pretty much anywhere from 2nd to 10th, I would say. There are so many teams in transition that it makes it really hard to predict with any kind of certainty. I expect you to get UCL qualification though, myself.}
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22 Aug 2026 08:19:53
Thanks ED01, I totally agree with you. I will predict we finish 4th.
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{Ed001's Note - very welcome mate. Going to be a very intriguing season this one, with so many new managers.}
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22 Aug 2026 11:04:24
My heart says we will win the premiership and I have backed us at 10/1. My head says Arsenal will retain the title but I also fancy the spuds to finish in the top four.
I'm sorry Ed but I think Liverpool might have a disappointing season along with (I hope) City.
This could all change in the last week of the transfer window.
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23 Aug 2026 09:36:06
I think Arsenal will win the league, but hopefully fall short again in Europe.
I think we will finish in the top 4 with Liverpool and one other.
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23 Aug 2026 12:32:20
I would think 4th a good guess, but want to have a look at us in a few competitive games, plus after we finally know our post window squad before I decide on my season prediction. There seem to be so many sides rebuilding, and it may take many, including us, to integrate another batch of new players.
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23 Aug 2026 20:06:24
I am not going to predict how we will do other than we will do better than last season. I haven't seen any of our pre-season games. I still have some concerns about the squad; not just Sanchez.
Whether or not EF leaves, I think we are lightweight in midfield, relying too much on Moises.
On a separate note, I was very impressed with Sangere: £39 million; looks like a bargain.
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21 Aug 2026 14:25:37
I think it was "J" who suggested the time ov us signing Rogers was interesting as it allowed Villa to sign Jackaon on virtually the last day of the window and it not be considered a player swap.
I have a hunch that "J" could be correct and Jackson will sign for Villa on the last day of the transfer window for an already pre agreed transfer fee.
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21 Aug 2026 16:21:50
If he is going, Tom, I hope so on the fee we have wanted.
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21 Aug 2026 20:09:39
Bill, I don't want him sold, but fingers crossed, mate.
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22 Aug 2026 08:23:38
I don't either, Tom. He gives us something different.
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