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13 Aug 2026 19:38:01
Looking forward to the Fernandez saga being over, one way or another, this time tomorrow.
Personally, I'm happy for him to stay and I'm also not that fussed if he moves to City. The one thing that would disappoint me in all of this is if Chelsea budge on their £120m valuation and accept a lower bid. After having that as a hard line all summer, the club accepting anything less would be unacceptable. It would set us up for failure in future negotiations.
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13 Aug 2026 19:51:26 If EF does leave, my wallet says Wharton, but a mate, whose opinion I rate very highly, says we should be looking to sign a lad called Camara. I was so drunk I can't remember the team he currently plays for.
13 Aug 2026 19:05:18
Ef is a conundrum to me. Played really well for Argentina in a slightly deeper role and kept the ball tuning over. I still think he lacks pace and in an Alonso team pace is all. Quick one touch football and the team is very structured, everyone knows their role. Is that for him?
As good a player as he is, and without the club coming out and saying how important he is, then perhaps the die is cast and he is deemed dispensable.
I don’t see either Wharton or Scott as great replacements. I think they are big fish in little ponds and perhaps flatter a bit.
I do not think EF will move on this window, City were also linked with Gusto and Neto and neither have Bournemouth fruit for them as they baulked at the prices quoted.
Maybe Maresca will be linked with Gladys the tea lady next.
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12 Aug 2026 09:15:50
Bill, Gladys left with her biscuits as part of the Maresca debacle. As I understand it, City are refusing to pay compensation for her.
As far as EF is concerned, and if the rags are accurate, I think put up the £120m no later than a certain date, or go away, is a reasonable position to take.
The same applies to Neto. Gusto, it might be slightly different.
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12 Aug 2026 15:14:38
I think we'll definitely lower our demands for Gusto given that it seems it's only City that are interested and we have an excess amount of players that are capable of playing RB/RWB. The same could be said about Neto in terms of players capable of playing his position, but there seems to be more interest in him if you believe the rags, with Arsenal, Spuds and Liverpool all credited with some form of interest.
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12 Aug 2026 15:59:00
Bill, I think all 3 might well go to Man City, Maresca loved Enzo Fenandez, Gusto and Neto. That could net Chelsea a cool £300 million at quoted prices.
ED01, do you think Man City might already know a long transfer ban is coming their way and hence may stockpile players in this window?
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{Ed001's Note - no, I think they expect to keep dragging it out indefinitely.}
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12 Aug 2026 17:26:26
Ed001, City have and will continue to drag this out. However, the Independent Panel must also take responsibility for the delay.I read an article from a leading Barrister's chambers. It was suggested that the delay might be caused by a number of reasons.
A Panel member might have fallen ill; a split decision: other cases that the Panel members are dealing with. Whatever, the reasons it still is an extremely long time to make a decision and draft reasons.
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{Ed001's Note - it is crazy now, it has dragged on for years longer than they themselves said it would take.}
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12 Aug 2026 18:03:33
It was rumoured that City are in possession of the inquiry's decision.
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12 Aug 2026 18:44:48
Tom, that might be right. In complicated civil cases, it is normal practice for both parties to be sent a draft of the judgment to allow for representations regarding perceived factual errors. It wouldn't affect the substance of the decision.
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12 Aug 2026 19:58:43
Fuser, why should we lower our demands? If City want them, then they can pay the price we are asking.
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12 Aug 2026 20:32:04
Because we have 3 RBs (James, Gusto & Palestra) + Achaempong and we're playing one game a week? We have another 2 players capable of playing RWB in Quenda and Neto. So, if we don't sell Gusto, either he or Palestra are likely to get very limited game time.
On top of that, there's just no way Gusto is worth £75m, so I believe we will eventually sell him for around the 50-60m mark imo.
I don't think we'll lower our demands for Neto as I mentioned above.
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13 Aug 2026 06:56:37
Fuser, I am not a fan of Gusto and, on last season's performances, I would definitely sell him, but I have to admit he might do well under an Alonso system. It looks to me like we are pricing him out of the market. I would value him at around £30m generally, £50m to PSG and £100m to City.
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13 Aug 2026 07:39:49
Fuser,
Reece is injury prone, so realistically, you could say we have Gusto and Palestra.
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13 Aug 2026 08:01:11
On last season's performances, James on one leg is better than Gusto.
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13 Aug 2026 09:21:49
If we can get a decent fee, we should let Gusto go.
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13 Aug 2026 10:27:22
On one leg, Tom? Maybe in the medical room.
Also in previous seasons, Gusto has played well.
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13 Aug 2026 10:37:25
Bill, you are correct. The previous season, Gusto was ok, but last season he was woeful.
Of course, that could be down to poor management, and I may well be guilty of giving up on him too soon.
As I say, his strengths could well be suited to the Alonso style of play, more so than James.
I may be wrong, but didn't James play over 30 games last season?
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13 Aug 2026 13:25:58
Tom
We should hold a party for him.
He went away with England and got injured.
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13 Aug 2026 13:59:44
Bill, last season he made 39 appearances for our club, and the season before, 32. Yes, maybe his injuries have to be managed, but it doesn't look like he is made of glass. Maybe it's time to stop the "never ending injury" debate.
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13 Aug 2026 15:49:09
James made 29 PL appearances with average playing time of 67 minutes. He has appeared in 156 PL games out of a possible 266. His injury record is improving, and with no European football, no excuses about managing game time. Hopefully, he stays fully fit. However, I'm not sure where he would play if Alonso goes to a back three.
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13 Aug 2026 16:37:40
I assume the other ten appearances last season were CL and cup games.
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13 Aug 2026 16:55:17
Tom, yes.
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13 Aug 2026 17:05:03
He played a part in more games than I thought, and I had no idea he played in 32 games the previous season.
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13 Aug 2026 17:21:05
Thing is, James is a right back - not really a position you want to be changing every week. If he's averaging 67 minutes every time he plays, it means our defence will change mid-game almost every game - sometimes at very inconvenient times... Hopefully, with fewer games, he can put together a long run of games.
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13 Aug 2026 17:37:07
Tom, in the 24/25 season, James played 19 PL games, averaging 56 minutes playing time.
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13 Aug 2026 17:43:59
Jimbo, well, that is progress in average mins. I assume the 32 game number includes Conf League, domestic cups and the WCC.
12 Aug 2026 07:17:29
On the Fernandez to Man City links. They're also seemingly close to signing the young Moroccan midfielder who stared at the WC, who will cost north of £75m. They've also signed Anderson for well over £100m.
A few journalists are highlighting the potential of lazy journalism from others who are saying that Maresca likes Fernandez and would like him at City - it's an easy headline to write.
Personally, I can't see City signing three near £100m midfielders this summer. I also think, if any EPL side drops £120m on Fernandez this summer, they'll be dealing with his links to Real in a year or two - as no doubt we will be, even if he stays and signs a new deal.
I believe he stays, signs new terms and says he never wanted to leave. 2028 he moves to Real Madrid.
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13 Aug 2026 17:18:15
J, I suppose that's why we have put a deadline of 5PM tomorrow. If he stays, fine as long as he gives 100%. If not, we definitely need a replacement. Our midfield options are thin.
11 Aug 2026 21:10:34
Don't want to sound like a stuck record but I'm very surprised and disappointed that it looks like we won't be strengthening the goalkeeper position.
I get the Penders argument but he's 19 years old and unproven in the Premier League and will be back up for Sanchez anyway.
My gut feeling is Sanchez will start the season, give it 3 or 4 games and we will be wondering why he wasn't replaced.
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11 Aug 2026 21:45:51
I agree, I think Sanchez will start as Alonso's No1. I hope he has a good season and proves a lot of supporters wrong.
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11 Aug 2026 21:56:07
Swcfc, nothing wrong with being a stuck record if you're right. I just find it hard to believe that Alonso is comfortable with Sanchez as first choice. Thinking about it, over the last 20 years or so, when was the last time a club won the title with a dodgy keeper? Answers on a postcard.
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11 Aug 2026 22:14:55
Let's hope it's 2027.
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12 Aug 2026 08:03:33
Swcfc
The league has not started and I'm wondering why Sanchez has not been replaced, never mind 3 or 4 games in.
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12 Aug 2026 08:19:27
I assume the reason we haven't signed a keeper is because the club believes Penders is the real deal and doesn't want to block his path to eventually becoming our No1.
Having said that, I still think Sanchez will start as Alonso's No1.
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12 Aug 2026 10:17:41
Had thought that an interim solution would be to bring in a not young but v experienced keeper, so that Penders could be an understudy to him before taking over. But the problem is that keepers may reach the height of their powers in their mid-30s. Reminds me just how fortunate, or how well Chelsea had chosen, to have had Peter Cech until he was 33, having loaned out Courtois aged 20 to Atletico, then bringing him back after he had gained the nickname The Wall there to take over from Petr.
If we could get an early to mid-30s keeper for a couple of v seasons and loan Penders to a top club, that might be one way forward.
Otherwise, we will have to hope Penders becomes the real deal as early as Cech and Courtois did. Cech was only 21 when we signed him, of course, but he was already a Czechoslovakian international and had broken the Czech Premier League record for clean sheets.
Expect, though, that Tom is right and that Sanchez will start the season unless there is a last minute Costa arrival!
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12 Aug 2026 10:59:14
JBS, I would Costa, but I gave up on that some time ago.
I only rate two Premiership keepers, and I can't say I have seen any experienced keeper (over 30) in Europe that I rate and who is available.
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12 Aug 2026 13:08:20
Personally, I would have got rid of Sanchez and brought in Ter Stegen on loan, and kept Penders to alternate. Ter Stegen has gone on loan to Ajax for the season.
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12 Aug 2026 13:24:56
Omg, no. Once upon a time, he looked ok, but now he is bang average, and, in my opinion, a lot worse than Sanchez.
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12 Aug 2026 19:19:08
Tom, you are entitled to your opinion, but there are very few keepers who are worse than Sanchez.
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12 Aug 2026 20:19:16
Jimbo, as are you. In my opinion, the form of TS dropped off a cliff. I would be astonished if he has played more than a dozen games in the last two seasons.
Some might want someone different to Sanchez, but if TS was ever considered as his replacement, it just reinforces my opinion of the vast majority of European GKs.
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12 Aug 2026 20:45:51
Tom, I was suggesting a stop gap for Penders. I don't know enough about European keepers, but I've seen enough of Sanchez to want to see the back of him - he is a liability.
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12 Aug 2026 20:54:01
I'm not sure he could stop a gap, but I'm sure he couldn't stop a ball.
Stop gaps have to be given contracts and paid wages. If Sanchez doesn't step up to the plate, then put Penders in and give him a long run.
I'm sure Sanchez would be a better No2 than some of the rubbish keeps I've seen in the Premiership and Europe. I can't ever remember a worse batch of keepers in Europe. You have the good and then the crap!!
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13 Aug 2026 07:52:31
Tom, I was suggesting a loan. You are right about keepers: all the best ones are nearing the end of their careers. I would just like to see a solid keeper, who suits Alonso's style and gives the defence confidence. That ain't Sanchez. Some of the looks Trev gave Sanchez last season say it all.
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13 Aug 2026 08:05:01
I will let Alonso decide what keeper suits his so-called style, and my guess is he will start with the keeper you hate.
A loan for a keeper who is crap still makes him a crap keeper.
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13 Aug 2026 09:25:50
Tom, I don't hate Sanchez; I don't know him. It's just that he is a crap keeper who will hold us back from reaching a higher level.
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13 Aug 2026 10:09:47
I hope you are wrong.
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13 Aug 2026 17:37:02
tbf with Sanchez hes not crap - he just seems to lack concentration. Just does some really stupid things randomly, and has done for his entire career - fine as a back up but shouldnt be number 1.
Penders, whilst I get the hype, is still very young to be a Premier League number 1. If he was to start, Id expect him to be similar to Trafford at the start of last season for City.
11 Aug 2026 10:51:44
This is just me thinking out loud (dangerous) but if the Gooners don't sign Barcola and given they did bid for him and he is apparently going out on loan, could we or should we let him go there?!
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11 Aug 2026 11:05:50
Obviously Mudryk.
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11 Aug 2026 12:12:49
Absolutely no, Tom.
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11 Aug 2026 18:21:45
If they wanna pay us the £60-80m we paid for Mudryk, then they can have him. 😂
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11 Aug 2026 18:44:34
Fuser, how about a Skelly Mudryk swap. 😇😂
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11 Aug 2026 19:53:11
How about leaving Skelly at Arsenal? No thanks.
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11 Aug 2026 22:08:09
I dunno, Jimbo. He's a good player and has experience despite only being young. With the prices being thrown about for midfielders nowadays, if we could get him at a decent price id take him all day long.
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11 Aug 2026 22:17:08
Depends if you believe the rags. It's now being reported that Utd and us have said no thanks.
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12 Aug 2026 07:26:07
We only just signed Barco; similar profile.
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12 Aug 2026 10:21:22
We are stacked with youngsters. Use them, and hope either that Fernandez stays, my first choice despite his problematic personality at times, as of course he knows the club has built a very good understanding with Caicedo, and can tackle as well as score and provide assists, or is replaced by someone close to his quality, experience and achievements.
Probably tricky. Neither Scott nor Wharton are at that level for me.
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12 Aug 2026 11:01:29
JBS, I do not rate Scott, and I'm far from convinced that Wharton is a player we want, but as I've said before, my mate says we are signing Wharton. Mind you, a bit like me now, we are talking out of our wallets.
10 Aug 2026 21:33:02
OK, so been out for my pre-season drinks with my ST mates. Every single one of them is understandably buzzing about the start of a new season under the Alonso leadership.
As usual, lots of so-called rumours and guesses about may or may not happen in the last few weeks of this transfer window.
The buzz is strong that we will still sell EF and the replacement is Wharton.
As I’m not a massive fan of Wharton, this does not make me that happy.
In recent times I have hated bringing this subject up because assumed that a FOS sponsor deal was more about maths or a plan but even though the majority of us liked the shirt without a sponsors logo, the owners and marketing team got absolutely slaughtered.
Bill, I guess that comes as no surprise. 😂😇
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10 Aug 2026 22:02:51
Tom, ED01 told us earlier that Enzo Fernandez is staying.
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{Ed001's Note - only an opinion mate.}
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10 Aug 2026 22:12:12
EbW, mate, it's just rumours, but the only thing I would say is, and I'm not particularly happy about it, but the guy is adamant we want Wharton. Having said that, I personally would marginally prefer Wharton over Scott.
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10 Aug 2026 22:17:28
Sorry, just for those who are interested, the guy who says we want Wharton also said Alonso was a done deal, and he has backed Howe to be the manager at Everton.
I like people who back their judgement.
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11 Aug 2026 07:21:07
Tom
Glad that your ST mates have the same view as me on the FOS situation.
To be honest im beginning to wonder if we have a commercial department any more.
I just think it's criminal the way we are throwing revenue away season after season.
And dont get me started on the SB so called project.
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11 Aug 2026 08:09:04
The Athletic reporting this morning, EF staying at Chelsea.
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11 Aug 2026 09:34:04
Tom, Enzo Fernandez is likely staying at Chelsea this coming season.
I think he is just the profile of player that Alonso likes and I can see him as the regista or trequartista.
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11 Aug 2026 10:02:06
K, my mate has been saying for weeks that Wharton is likely to join us and my guess is he thinks that will definitely happen if EF leaves. It's all good fun and as I always say, I love the rumours but rarely the facts.
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11 Aug 2026 10:09:30
Tom and Bill, it appears 3 clubs in the Premier League will go into the new season without FOS sponsorship, partly caused by the Premier League banning gambling firms from sponsorship. The Premier League also blocked a huge sponsorship deal Chelsea had lined up with Paramount Pictures, which seems rather ironic when it then charges Chelsea with breaking PSR rules, having denied the club circa £65 million per year!
As I understand it, Chelsea are deliberately turning down lower-value offers and holding out for a long-term, record-breaking front-of-shirt deal worth roughly £60 million to £65 million per year. The club's ownership and commercial hierarchy refuse to lock themselves into a lower multi-year benchmark that would leave them financially lagging behind rivals like Arsenal and Manchester City.
High Valuation Demands: The club's leadership is taking a hard line, targeting elite-tier rates (£60m-£65m annually) that match top European competitors.
Fear of a Locked-In Deficit: Accepting a lesser multi-year deal (such as £40m a year) would guarantee immediate income, but permanently lower their commercial valuation benchmark for years. Reliance on Short-Term Fixes: Rather than committing long-term at a discount, Chelsea has utilized temporary arrangements and shorter partnerships—such as with Infinite Athlete, Damac, and IFS—to bridge gaps. Calculated Financial Risk: Confidence in other revenue streams (like player trading, performance prizes, and rising retail/stadium income) allows management to comfortably play the long game.
They clearly have a strategic plan, and are incredibly wealthy business people who always look at the long game, which the majority of fans are unable to comprehend.
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11 Aug 2026 10:38:34
Al, thanks for your post, and you may well be correct in your assessment.
Just one small thing. I personally believe the "majority" of fans could easily "comprehend" the strategy you have put forward.
The problem is, they think they are so clever, they can't be bothered to communicate with the Chelsea fan base.
The FAB is not fit for purpose, as highlighted by the mins of its last meeting.
I am not a fan of the match day demos, but I do agree with the one point they constantly make about non-existent club communication.
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11 Aug 2026 14:02:23
Al,
Sometime back, I posted the issue with gambling firms having an up-and-coming ban.
Several of us were aware of it, so I am not sure the owners did not comprehend they would face a battle with other Premier League clubs, which meant that it is a buyers' market.
The way I look at it is that if our owners could not manage to obtain the price they wanted when we qualified for the Champions League, after also winning the CWC, when do they think they will be successful with their strategy?
I do take your point, though, on the Paramount deal that was stopped.
I also totally agree with Tom's point on the total lack of communication, and it makes you wonder if there is a plan by the owners, or are they completely at loggerheads with one another.
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11 Aug 2026 14:26:07
Tom, I agree. I think most fans were able to comprehend what the club were up to. Unfortunately, it has backfired. No Champions League, an almighty scrap for CL places this season, and we are not going to win the title. It's a bit like a Victorian novel. A woman rejects proposals of marriage, waiting for Mr Right, without reflecting on what she's got to offer.
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11 Aug 2026 14:50:51
My guess is there is more than one reason for no FOS sponsor, but I cannot understand why they do not at least outline the reasons to a loyal fanbase.
If it is true, and the owners believe the majority of fans couldn't comprehend its rationale, then, in my opinion, that is just condescending and arrogant.
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11 Aug 2026 16:05:53
Spot on, Tom.
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11 Aug 2026 17:37:16
Tom, or it could be just down to incompetence. Why would they believe that they could get a better deal than Man U, City, Arsenal, or Liverpool?
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11 Aug 2026 18:12:01
Jimbo, I have no idea if it's incompetence. The owners can dress it up anyway they want, but just tell the loyal fans why we didn't get a FOS for the whole season when we qualified for the CL as World Club Champions.
If they couldn't get top dollar, then just tell us why not. Or, what they are trying to achieve.
I have no doubt the owners are clever men, but don't treat fans who are the fabric of the club like idiots.
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11 Aug 2026 18:26:28
Tom, I doubt we will get any type of explanation.
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11 Aug 2026 20:47:52
The owners only care about profit, Tom, and they don't care about the fanbase. They will never answer concerns from fans about FOS sponsorship or any other matter. They will be here, like the Glazers at Utd, until such time that they make the profit they want. Look at Liverpool. Geoff is now in on that lot, and only to make money. Chelsea FC is likely worth double what they paid for it, and will only get more profitable.
Clearlake is a hedgefund, and they will continue for many years. If we win a trophy, then great, but will they care about trivial matters (in their eyes) like corresponding with fans, where the oppo fans sit, FOS? No, of course not. The days of Gus Mears or Ken Bates or Roman are gone. Nothing will change it, so you are correct, they are arrogant, mate. And very, very rich.
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11 Aug 2026 21:03:55
Al, the only time I recall Mears saying any was when we had to sell our best ever player to stay afloat.
Also, I do not recall RA saying a word, but his mouthpiece, Buck, occasionally went on CTV to tack questions.
I do not expect them to answer question after question, but they could just put out a statement.
Or, have a rolling Q&A on the website.
I have said this many times before, I am not a fan of funds owning football clubs. The problem is, I have no alternatives to them as owners, and any alternative could well be worse!!
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11 Aug 2026 22:45:58
Tom, these are investors, not football people. They don't care about fans' feelings or FOS or where fans sit or FAB or the price of tickets. You called it correctly. They are horrible owners, and you are correct to slate them, but will it make a difference? Keep banging the drum, Tom, Bill and Jimbo, about how much you hate the owners, but will it change anything? We are ruined.
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12 Aug 2026 06:08:42
Al, I do not hate our ownership. I do have issues, but I would probably have issues with most owners.
Let me also make it clear again: I am not asking for them to leave, as unlike a player or manager replacement, I do not know of any potential alternatives, and, anyway, any new owners might be worse.
I do want our current owners to treat their loyal fans with respect, and, on certain issues, to communicate with the people who support the club no matter what.
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12 Aug 2026 08:09:23
Tom
We know the owners can't leave for 6 years minimum. Roman probably thought he was doing the right thing, but it is hindering us now with the current ownership.
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12 Aug 2026 08:10:15
There is nothing we can do about owners: the Premier League is about money. The Bundesliga is fan-based. They have a 50+1 rule, whereby 51% of shares are owned by club members. Bayern Munich have returned profits for 27 consecutive seasons.
They do have private investors, Adidas, Audi and Allianz, all German companies, which make up 25% of the shares. They have paid off the debt for their new stadium 16 years early. A proper football club.
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12 Aug 2026 08:24:29
Bill, I am aware of the contractual obligations, but I still believe that our current owners would find a way out if a good offer appears.
I was told ages ago that a major corporate tried to reach agreement with our current owners for a 25% stake.
Jimbo, I don't know enough about the German football club ownership model, but as a country it rarely sells any of its assets to foreign investors.
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12 Aug 2026 11:12:13
I think you are right Tom, the owners are arrogant and don't care about the fanbase at all. They just want to make money and don't care about the odd £40 million a season for a FOS sponsor, it is chicken feed to them. Jimbo, you are right we will not win the league and the owners don't care.
They just want the profit in 5 or 10 or 15 years time which is what hedge funds are about. They would probably laugh at us fans asking for them to let us know what they are doing. Nothing will change.
{Ed001's Note - no, I think they expect to keep dragging it out indefinitely.}