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03 Aug 2026 17:59:58
A few outgoings at centre half. In some ways sad to see Trevor go but in my opinion he was not top draw. Badiashile on the way to Napoli probably and Disasi will also go.
Colwill and Lacroix will probably be our starters with Fofana and Acheampong in reserve, probably an upgrade on last year but wouldn't want a long term injury to Colwill again.
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03 Aug 2026 21:01:49
Seymns, Badiashile is only a loan. I don't know why we let these Italian clubs get away with it. Still, he is off our books for a season. As for Disasi, apparently West Ham really want him, but he wants a PL club - some hope, but who knows.
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03 Aug 2026 21:54:13
I'm hoping that if Badiashile is going out on loan to Napoli or any other club that (a) it's a significant loan fee, (b) prefer obligation, (c) if not obligation, then achievable playing targets.
Apparently there is sort of back up deal for Disasi with the Happy Hammers, but now Palace are sniffing around, and I'm not sure how that works for Palace.
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03 Aug 2026 22:37:16
Yeah, not sure Palace will want to lose their profit off of Lacroix (in terms of SCR) by buying Disasi. Wouldn't matter on our end, as we'd probably not make much of a profit, if at all.
Could potentially do a Garnacho-type deal with Palace, but I think we've come up with some sort of creative deal with West Ham, where if they don't get promoted he signs him back.
03 Aug 2026 16:04:48
I'm personally sad to see Chalaboa leave. The total amount is reported as £32.8m.
Obviously pure profit helps the bottom line. Good luck to him for his future at Como.
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03 Aug 2026 18:09:06
Tom
If we are honest, it's been in the pipeline for a few seasons. That being said, im sad to see him go as well.
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03 Aug 2026 18:51:03
Bill, I can't remember him ever letting us down as a player and he could have easily turned his back on us when we mucked him about.
I expect he is more of a squad player. As I said, I wish him nothing but the best of luck in his future career.
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03 Aug 2026 20:24:34
I agree about what you have all said about Trev. It seemed inevitable that he would go. I think he will enjoy a new lifestyle and I wish him success in the new chapter of his career. Normally, I don't give a monkeys about players who leave.
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03 Aug 2026 22:08:19
Agree with all posts, and have thought Trev to be a tremendous professional, ever giving 100% effort to the CFC defensive cause. And he weighed in with some goals too. All best to the lad in the future.
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03 Aug 2026 22:14:15
Good professional - sadly, just not good enough for the top end of this league. That goal conceded against Sunderland, where he stepped in quicksand, is my lasting memory of him.
Hope it goes well for him in Italy - not a bad place to be moving to at least.
0
03 Aug 2026 22:31:28
Really sad to see Big Trev go, a proper bloke, one of us, real proper Chelsea. Looks like Lacroix is replacing him, and he seems the right sort to replace him. So important to keep it right and tight at the back.
03 Aug 2026 14:50:03
Who starts in midfield alongside Caicedo?
Lavia, if he is fit, would be a brilliant pairing, but he is never fit.
Essugo is more of a Caicedo replacement.
Henderson is a perfect fit, but can he play week in, week out?
Enzo is more likely to play further forward if he stays.
Valentin Barco looks a fantastic little livewire of a player, but maybe needs time to adapt.
Reece James might just be the answer, with Barco and Henderson as back up, and Essugo deputising for Caicedo when needed. I'm sure the boss man has it covered.
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03 Aug 2026 18:12:21
I think we will go for Scott at Bournemouth to partner Caicado. Agree 100 per cent on Lavia, if only he could stay fit.
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03 Aug 2026 18:51:53
I have said this before. I'm not a massive fan of Scott.
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03 Aug 2026 20:18:21
I know we haven't locked like it, but I'm still hoping we got 3 at the back, and then Reece joins Caicedo in the centre. I want Enzo to stay, but I'm a 2 man midfield. I don't think he's mobile enough, and he leaves Caicedo with too much to do.
Likewise, I don't think James has it in him to play wingback without getting injured, so playing him next to Caicedo, I think, works perfectly.
0
03 Aug 2026 21:28:39
Reece is a top class right back and can play in other positions, but unfortunately in those he is bang average. Even if Enzo stays, we don't have any great depth in midfield. If Lavia ever lasts for 90 minutes for 10 games, I might revisit my opinion. If Enzo goes, we will have to splash the cash on a proven performer.
02 Aug 2026 18:14:06
Officially welcome Barco to our happy family. Let your performances do the talking.
1
02 Aug 2026 21:32:47
Second that, Tom, and it looks like our new LB is next in the door.
0
02 Aug 2026 21:39:44
Bill, fingers crossed, mate.
I would like a few more leaving, but then I would moan they are not the players I want to leave. Typical fickle fan, Bill.
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03 Aug 2026 06:55:20
Tom
As I have said previously, we all have our own opinions, it doesn't mean they are alright or wrong, just our opinions.
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03 Aug 2026 09:38:13
I think all fans have a bit of fickleness in them Tom and you have a steadier head than most!
There is still a long way to go in this transfer window and pre-season friendlies are not reliable ways to judge much if anything at this stage - though the way the youngster Satpaev played and took his goal in first one did impress in the one I watched.
Perhaps my major concern at this stage is that several of those who have left were up there with more consistent performers in a disappointing last season: Cucurella, TC (seemingly signing for Como if hasn't as I write this) and Santos.
They were among our best tacklers as well as weighing in with some goals. I just don't know how good one on one Lacroix is as a defender and Palestra v young and may take time to adapt to additional physicality and pace of the EPL. Essugo not as good as Santos yet in what I've seen of him and Lavia fitness problems and inability to date to play a whole game let alone two in a row hardly needs mentioning again. If Enzo F leaving as well, which seems more likely than not, we lose another good (if ot alwasy fair?!) tackler as well as creator and scorer of goals. Had hoped we might have tried for Bruno G from Newcastle if EF was leaving but BG seemingly off to an already v strong Arsenal squad.
At the moment, seems to me that Caicedo will have to work more miracles than ever in midfield unless still to gain another high quality partner with defensive midfield abilities. MR and CP not that. Henderson surely a bit long in the tooth - and surely a bit slower than in his prime? - though may help.
Then there is the matter of CFC GK first choice which we have all been worried about for ages. Alonso supposed to be making a decision here after pre-season but has hardly had an opportunity to my knowledge of judging Sanchez or Pendere beyond what he could look at on screen in terms of past play.
Finally, will Wellbeck be a sufficient back up or co-striker with Pedro or do we need another option as well? Isthe still very young Satpaev that option? Will Jackson be sold, Delap loaned?
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03 Aug 2026 12:18:46
JBS, you raise some interesting questions, and I can only, like most fans, guess at the answers.
I can't see us buying Costa, and think Alonso will start with Sanchez at the start of the season. I think Delap will be sold to Everton or Forest. I'm not sure what is going to happen with Jackson.
I have this feeling Alonso will keep him in the squad. I assume Chalaboa, Disasi, Badiashile, plus maybe Tosin and Gusto, will be sold/loaned.
I am a very fickle fan with biased opinions, and if I'm honest, probably an agenda. The chances of the club making me completely happy are virtually zero.
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03 Aug 2026 15:43:33
I think we can also include Guiu, either loaned or sold, and Mudryk loaned.
01 Aug 2026 12:46:19
So, pre season and will try not to overreact. That was generally a bang average performance.
I am not a fan of Tosin but he was shocking as was Josh. Also Palmer anonymous.
Things can (hopefully) only get better.
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01 Aug 2026 14:03:24
I didn't see any of it. Tom was just following some online written commentary. Did seem Pedro was a threat, and that we squandered quite a few very good chances to get a second goal, but depressingly, managed to lose to a ten-man Spurs team who were also missing quite a few players.
Palmer being anonymous was too frequent a factor last season, when he was clearly battling with injury but didn't get the recommended surgery.
His only really top performances came in his debut season under Poch, and in the CWC under Maresca.
Do you think Alonso set us up right? Of course he does, and will need to judge who to keep or sell.
How were Estevao and Gittens (if Gittens was playing)?
Did anyone stand out in a positive way for you?
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01 Aug 2026 14:04:23
I watched the first 70 odd minutes and switched off when the subs came on and went outside. I thought Palestra looked very raw and a little sluggish. Will take a little bit of time to get up to speed with English football. Gittens looked better than last season but not a huge accomplishment in itself. Wesley is atrocious and I really hope we're putting him in the window.
I actually thought Cole was one of our better players and played some beautiful balls.
It is pre season and I can't imagine his personality lends itself to getting too amped up for it.
The youngster (32) looked really assured when he came on at the start of the second half and seemed an upgrade on Lavia, who thankfully made it through 45 minutes unscathed. There's a big difference between Caicedo and Enzo in the middle compared to Lavia and Essugo and I am not worried about the result at all.
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01 Aug 2026 14:31:51
JBS, Gittens did well enough, and, in my opinion, Palestra looked ok. Pedro always looked dangerous, as did Estevao.
I know it's early in pre season, but, in my opinion, it was generally a poor team performance.
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01 Aug 2026 14:45:29
I have been involved in football for years, as a manager and former player, and have always regarded pre-season friendlies as a way of:
1 Improving match fitness.
2 Looking at trialists.
3 Implementing tactics.
4 Avoiding injuries.
1 was achieved.
2 was achieved, with 1 or 2 impressing.
3, a few signs.
4 achieved.
0
01 Aug 2026 15:13:20
Thanks all for further info and comments.
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01 Aug 2026 15:33:24
I didn't see the game. Always disappointing to lose to Spurs. Thanks for the reports. I'm not worried - yet.
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01 Aug 2026 16:06:53
We have a new manager with different tactics and new players, plus more to join the squad. Also, there will be outgoings, with maybe one or two more coming in.
On another day, we could, and maybe should, have won by 4.
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01 Aug 2026 22:54:35
Long time viewer but new poster. Tom, you have highlighted Josh as being shocking? A young kid starting out on his football journey. Please try to be patient with these young players. We lost Rio, Salah, KDB, Olise, and so many others. Your sort of digs don't help.
What if the young lad read your comment? His confidence might be low. I like Bill's comments far more than yours, and also Jimbo's and JBS. Tom, you appear to be in control of the page and spoil it for others who then do not post.
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02 Aug 2026 01:17:40
Tom has given more to this site than almost anyone, keeping things active while many other club pages have slowly died. He has certainly given far more than someone who I've never seen post before.
He has spoken huge praise for Josh for a couple of years now, and if he called the performance 'shocking', you can be certain it's an honest assessment from a lifelong blue.
If Josh reads this page and gets discouraged by a post from someone he doesn't know, I'd be extremely worried about his mental fortitude. This season is a big season for a youth product that is yet to grasp the chances he has had.
In future, Dingo, try adding someone to this page before berating those that have been doing so for years.
2
02 Aug 2026 06:26:04
Melbourne, we have a long-term viewer who would have read comments from certain posters that are personal about players, managers, SDs and owners, but has chosen to post about a poster saying, in his opinion, a player's performance was "shocking."
I believe I have always been an advocate of giving players, managers, SDs and owners time to prove their worth.
I have often been criticised for not making, in my view, rash judgements about any individual.
As always, I will give my view on players and managers on a game-by-game basis, followed by an end of season summary.
Melbourne, thanks for your comments.
I also look forward to our new (first-time) poster making future contributions.
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02 Aug 2026 10:50:47
I have noticed there are a few new names and I sincerely hope everyone sticks around. I also hope those that have left come back and participate. The more posters on here, the more interesting the site can be.
Tom, I like your posts. Even though, at times, we don't agree, that is the joy of the site. We can have differing views, but the end game is we all support our wonderful club.
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02 Aug 2026 11:23:39
Bill, I only agree with myself. 😀
0
{Ed001's Note - and then only sometimes.}
1
02 Aug 2026 11:53:32
The whole idea of the site is to exchange views, and there will always be differences of opinion. Just as long as people keep it respectful, then that's great.
A couple of days ago I posted that I think Mudryk is an awful player with zero football IQ. Other people think he's super talented, and I need to give my head a wobble!
🤷🏼♂️
0
02 Aug 2026 12:38:53
swcfc
I'm one who thinks that we need to give a rejuvenated Mudryk a chance, and who knows what Alonso can get out of him.
That being said, I would not want to see your head wobble.
0
02 Aug 2026 13:35:09
If I remember correctly, we had a poster suggest that a Chelsea player was a "drunk silverback gorilla."
I will always try my best to avoid personal abuse about fellow posters, players, managers, SD's and owners. We should remember. We should remember that we had the CFC president posting a response on this site about a week ago.
I have zero problem with constructive criticism, and I suspect, if a player was to read the posts on this site, they would see that a significant amount of posters try to be considered with their opinions.
1
02 Aug 2026 13:58:41
Ed001, you're right: sometimes I can't remember what my opinions are.
0
02 Aug 2026 14:03:26
Tom, this is a banter site; a little bit of humour is okay as long as it is reasonable.
Not sure what you're on about: CFC president? Should we be on our best behaviour?
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02 Aug 2026 14:41:56
Jimbo, judging reasonable isn't always easy. I personally always try my best to give my opinions as if I was talking to a family member, but maybe some families have gorillas or donkeys.
Jimbo, you obviously missed the CFC president replying to the thread about SB Bridge development and poor club communication. If I remember correctly, Bill asked a follow up question, and he didn't respond.
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02 Aug 2026 15:47:44
You are correct, Tom.
0
02 Aug 2026 15:59:39
You get used to him dingo
1
02 Aug 2026 16:54:31
One thing is for sure Didier Drogba wouldn't make such comments. 😇
31 Jul 2026 17:38:35
The FA charges now concluded: £10 million fine and, as an additional punishment, Mudryk has had his ban reduced to “time served”.
Seriously, I don’t know what we are going to do with Mudryk. He was awful. I can’t see a place for him in the squad.
0
31 Jul 2026 18:19:10
I think a loan would serve everyone involved very well.
The Happy Hammers require a wide player or maybe our sister club.
0
31 Jul 2026 18:21:02
Jimbo
It could be that he feels he has been given a second chance and we might see a very good player come back to us at some point.
1
31 Jul 2026 18:26:26
I think it might well be Strasbourg, Tom.
0
31 Jul 2026 18:32:42
Bill, very fair of you, but as I said, he was awful; he hasn't played or trained for a couple of years. Pumping iron isn't going to turn him into a decent player.
0
31 Jul 2026 19:59:27
A change of scenery might help.
0
31 Jul 2026 20:42:14
Mudryk, in my opinion, is a player with no football brain. He is proof that pace on its own isn't enough.
Maybe a loan, or he could be used as a kind of impact substitute.
0
31 Jul 2026 21:06:27
The annoying thing is that if the way they are testing now was the same when he got caught up in this mess, he would have passed the test.
1
31 Jul 2026 21:31:26
Yes, the testing levels are different now. Still doesn't alter the fact that he's an awful player. 😂
0
31 Jul 2026 21:31:57
Bill, a professional footballer shouldn't need "supplements". Any supplements should be extra time on the training ground. I doubt he got them from Holland and Barrett. He has let the club down and, frankly, I want to see the back of him.
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31 Jul 2026 21:45:16
I still haven't got a clue if Mudryk knowingly took a supplement, but the fact is, traces were found when a sample was requested.
I also have no idea if certain supplements are needed or allowed, not only in football but in any sport.
If they are needed, I assume it's only allowed under supervision.
0
31 Jul 2026 22:27:39
I hope MM is able to come back from this disastrous episode in his life and career, and perhaps a loan to Strasbourg the best first step for him. By all accounts he struggled to adapt to being away from his family, several of whom were fighting the Russian invasion of his country... so perhaps a sense of some guilt there too. In that first debut cameo, he looked a pretty promising footballer - he had a fair bit of skill, not just pace - versus Liverpool at Anfield. But after that he only managed 5 goals in c 30 EPL matches, I think, in his debut season, plus a couple of assists.
After the first season he obviously struggled to get EPL games, though he managed 3 goals in 4 Conference League games, for what that's worth. But I may have been mad, or too sympathetic towards the lad and/or the fact he may have felt the pressure of needing to succeed not just for himself but for his benighted, Putin-invaded compatriots, and I still hoped he could succeed. He did score 5 times more EPL goals than Delap and Gittens combined (total between them of 44 games).
1
31 Jul 2026 22:30:50
If he took the test now, the amount that was in his body would be traced, so, for me, he hasn’t let the club down; he’s been professional about it all. For me, he wasn’t rubbish; he was raw, and his speed is frightening.
With control and training, I think he will be good. Neto was the same: fast, ran in a straight line, and most of you liked him. I think Misha will be better.
1
31 Jul 2026 22:42:44
I tend to agree with you, Nib. The trace of the drug he took is now officially considered to be legal and ineffective in terms of enhancing performance.
Compare that with the tennis champ Sinner, who merely got a 3 month suspension for use of far more potent anabolic steroid use.
But it's now a big ask for the lad to have to start his career over again, having had just a debut season and three months or so of a second season with CFC. Good luck to him.
1
31 Jul 2026 22:51:38
I 100% agree with JBS and Nib1907. MM is a real talent, but needs guidance. I was at Anfield for his debut and he was unplayable. For anyone who doubts that lad's talent, give your head a wobble.
1
01 Aug 2026 08:38:23
Incredibly naturally gifted player. Speed for days, and the ability to strike the ball perfectly with both feet. Decision making was naive, but capable of brilliance at times.
Always felt he lacked conviction. Lacked the mental belief. Also, factor in that he came to Chelsea at the start of the Russia + Ukraine war, and found it difficult to settle.
Clearly shy by nature, most of his battles were mental.
Is there a player in there? 1000%. Could Alonso unlock something that previous (mainly awful managers) couldn't? Perhaps.
Would love him to succeed. Whether at Chelsea or on loan.
Always had a soft spot for him. Not sure what happens with him, but everyone loves a comeback story in sport and a second chance in life.
0
01 Aug 2026 08:53:40
As I posted earlier, I think a loan, maybe with a break clause, would be best for all concerned.
We tend to forget that players are just people who also have concerns. We have no idea what mental anxiety the lad must be going through as his country is being bombed continuously. It's the same for all the players who have families in these conflict countries.
1
01 Aug 2026 09:20:49
The other thing to take into consideration is that this happened on international duty, and who knows what Putin's mobile does.
0
01 Aug 2026 14:49:30
Xabi Alonso on Mudryk:
"I remember watching him at Shakhtar, the impact he had, how good he was in one-v-one situations. He could create a lot of situations on his own. He is a special player. To be honest, we were not expecting to have this great news at this moment, but we were happy."
30 Jul 2026 18:52:24
Watched first half the other day
Liam Delap is like watching a drunk silverback gorilla running around playing football with a rugby ball.
0
30 Jul 2026 20:17:34
In the second half he looked like Pele. First touch was magnificent, as he brought his teammates into the game, time and time again. 😇💙
30 Jul 2026 14:40:32
An absolute honour to sign for a club like @ChelseaFC. So ready for the challenge ahead. Thank you Jesus always. See you all at the Bridge soon. 💙
« What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? »
Romans 8:31
30 Jul 2026 01:21:15
Ed001 always love hearing your insights and had a question. It feels like these days the prem just doesn't have the goal scorers it used to especially from minefield. Who do you rate as the best goalsccorers in the league obviously you have you Haaaland but even a lot of the forwards for clubs feel more playmakers up front than goal scorers.
0
{Ed001's Note - interesting question, Palmer would be one, when on form anyway, as would Rogers. Semenyo is another, he always has a goal in him. Merino is another that can be counted on to pop up with a goal. Isak tends to be fairly lethal, if he can stay fit and Gakpo is another who can be relied upon to score regularly but I think he probably takes too many shots to be classed as one of the best goalscorers.
Bruno Fernandes stands out it must be said. The other that really stands out as a goalscorer is Chris Wood, though he is ageing and gets too many injuries. Other than that, there are not really many goalscorers. There are players who will pop up and add the odd goal, but not that you can rely on them to be clinical. Too many players like Igor Thiago, who wastes far too many chances. You are right, there are a lot less players that stand out for goals now than there used to be. Quality has dipped throughout football in so many aspects of the game, players are so robotic these days - overcoached.}
1
30 Jul 2026 08:23:51
Appreciate the reply! Funnily enough, I was just discussing Igor Thiago with a friend, and I insisted he won't be able to make anywhere near the return he got last season, which led us to predict the top 5 scorers this season, and, outside of Haaland, we couldn't come to much of a consensus. Who would you have in there?
0
{Ed001's Note - yeah I agree with you on Igor Thiago, he dithers too much on the ball when in a shooting position. He should have racked up a lot more goals last season but kept losing the ball before he did anything with it because he was just doing nothing.
It is a case of Haaland and 4 others, if Isak stays fit, he will be in there, but that is almost as huge an if as saying if Lavia stayed fit! Gyokeres you would expect to be in the top 5 as well. One of Joao Pedro, Palmer or Rogers should get in there, maybe even two, you would expect. For the 5th I will say Kroupi.}
0
30 Jul 2026 09:00:30
Pedro will definitely be in there, as might Rogers and perhaps Palmer.
{Ed001's Note - and then only sometimes.}