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12 Sep 2026 22:10:03
I was one of a few who said bring Jose back. I stick by it. Only other option is JT, the legend would shore up the defence and that front 3 would nick points. Jose is going nowhere so let's bring the greatest ever player to wear a Chelsea shirt back to work with Alonso.
ED01, do you think JT could help us out with some defensive organisation?
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{Ed001's Note - I have no idea. I haven't seen any teams coached by him.}
12 Sep 2026 07:20:41
Interesting report from Matt Law on Fernandez's position in the squad being untenable, owing to a complete collapse in his relationship with the other players. Complete contrast to Pedro Neto, who was respected for remaining professional throughout the summer, whilst being linked with moves away. That, and a strong start to the season, have resulted in his new contract.
£125m looking like a better move than initially thought, with more news/context coming out. I think in a year or two, when inevitable links to Madrid start up again, City will find themselves in a similar position.
Fingers crossed the club can make a successful January move for Scott, who's started the season very well.
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12 Sep 2026 08:17:54
Club did right thing J, paid £105 million and sold for £125 million, adding to the huge profits generated on almost all signings.
I like Scott, but would prefer Lamine Camara.
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12 Sep 2026 09:22:04
Yes, J, that Matt Law report saying the EF put in 2 transfer requests, plus that EF said his relationships were broken with all others in the club (even Barco, his Argentinian teammate?!), banished any lasting doubts in my mind that we had no choice but to sell him.
And, yes, K, we did very well to get 125 million for him, i.e. a player who desperately wanted to leave.
I also think Camara may have a higher ceiling than Scott, but I probably have not watched either enough to be absolutely sure. Scott does have the advantage of EPL experience, but Camara looks like an excellent turf-gobbling (like Kante) defensive tackler, with goals in him, though playing in a weaker French league.
11 Sep 2026 23:17:58
Andrey santos left Chelsea for Manchester United because of playing time, he now has to be on the United bench because he can't displace Kobbei mainoo and Tielemans in the team. If he hadn't ask for transfer and Chelsea in midfield crisis he might of got a game.
11 Sep 2026 14:21:44
Interesting Rest is Football podcast with Kieran Maguire - football finance expert - that included him giving his opinion to Gary and Alan on the 115 charges v Man City. He could only be sure that City would be found guilty of not co- operating. but that would just mean a fine.
The financial misdemeanour charges
Are potentially far more serious of course and according to Maguire could if proven amount to City being guilty of Corporate Fraud. He gave one. example which was that City had declated Mancini's salary at only 2 million - but Mancini had recieved a further 2 million for just 4 days coaching at a UAE academy with City links.
The problem is whether in absence of anyone at City willing to give evidence it may be difficult to reach level of supportive evidence required
to prove fraud. Though there are tens of thousands of documents already accumulated.
When asked how long it might take for verdict to eventually be given he said in fraud cases this usually can take '2 to 3 years'. If this process only started at end of 2024 it might mean the verdict cpuld come between Dec 2026 and 2027 perhaps?
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11 Sep 2026 15:01:52
No doubt that total fraud of manager Pochetino will demand Spursy are given every title Man City won during this period. 😅
10 Sep 2026 20:34:43
Very early days under the new gaffer but for me the starting 11 is starting to take shape with both Pedro Neto and Josh being the beneficiaries of this system. Both are 2 of the first names on the teamsheet along with Martinez, Moises (when fit), Palestra (when fit) and on the left and that front 3 of Palmer, the brilliant Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro.
That leaves 3 positions to fill and I would go with Barco in midfield over both Lavia and James.
I would also go with Hato at LCB over Levi and play Fofana over Lacroix at CCB.
All of this is on current form and sets a standard for those missing out to step up to.
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10 Sep 2026 21:29:37
G8, on current form I can't see how Josh gets dropped.
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11 Sep 2026 11:15:24
Largely agree with you, G8.
I have yet, though, to see Palestra in a competitive game, and he may need to be eased in a bit, first off the bench before starting. I am not sure.
I think Barco does provide a good option as starter with Lavia or James. If Caicedo is back, I would still think Xavi would start him with Lavia if both are fully fit, though Barco is making a strong claim for a starting role as well, and the case for him may be made stronger by the amount of turf he covers. But James made a big difference when on versus Leeds, and was not bad v Arsenal, except that glaring moment when he lost concentration before Overgaard's goal!
But RJ lent much-needed leadership and urgency to our counter-offensive v Leeds on Wednesday night. So I think Alonso might be right to start him v Hull, and, given Barco played the full 90 mins v Leeds, Barco could then come on for either Lavia or James at some stage. Caicedo may be given more time to get fully fit?
At the moment, I think our best three centre backs are Lacroix, Fofana and Josh, though the problem, I agree, is who plays LCB given the fact that all of these are predominantly right-footed.
So there is a case for Hato at LCB, though I am not sure that he and, eg, Chiavarra are a very good combo there defensively, and sides are targeting our left flank as the weaker one. Perhaps, when Palestra is fully fit, he will be used on that side by Xavi, and then Hato may be better aided/protected there?
Until then, and against Hull tomorrow, it may be safest that Fofana will play LCB again, as he did when taking over from LC on Wednesday night, with Lacroix in centre again and Josh on the right.
The front three pick themselves, though Danny W is proving to be v useful back up/assistant to JP up front.
I would have Neto as RWB and Chiavarra at LWB, assuming Palestra is not fit.
Then start with James and Lavia as D/CMs, with Barco to come on at some stage and Caicedo too perhaps, though Xavi may rightly want to ensure he doesn't aggravate injury yet again and wait until the Brentford game before using him.
09 Sep 2026 23:39:50
Still on. My way back from that match of two halves.
Alonso's 4 substitutions all. Perfect choices. First half revealed relative lack of strength in depth compared to. Some of pur top rivals. No. Mote Gusto in midfield. Gittens again well off quality required, LC not back to best by some margin and Estevso showing flashes of brilliance but Neto greatly better when on for him. Very glad indeed we didnt sell him!
Barco probably our best player first half and scores his first goal for us in second.
No brainer to say he should play in. Midfield ahead of Gusto. James. Made big difference when on alongside Barco too.
After the subs snd Leeds second pur attscking flair led by Palmer and Rogers especially but festuring Wellbeck on full display.
Atmosphere in the ground fumereal at half time became its bouncy noisy best during our spectaculour comeback. Madness!
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10 Sep 2026 08:49:32
Jbs, in the press conference after the game, Alonso, refreshingly for a manager, admitted a mistake in making too many changes, and that it wasn't fair on the players in the first half. Another lesson learned.
I totally agree about Barco. Just one more thing, I think Gittens was unlucky to be hooked.
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10 Sep 2026 09:35:52
A rollercoaster of a game. Positives: We won. Alonso was decisive, didn't wait to make subs until 60 minutes, and Barco gave a very tenacious performance and should start on Saturday.
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10 Sep 2026 10:22:19
Will have to agree to disagree about Gittens, Tom. Neither he nor Estevao - who looked more likely to make an impact cos has more confidence and can beat opponents far more often than Gittens - may have had their moments, but were simply not making enough impact and giving the ball away too often... as Gusto was. In an ideal world, and if the opposition were not looking as strong as Leeds did in the first half, you might want to keep them on to get more minutes.
Rogers and Neto for those two made an enormous difference. As did James for Gusto and Palmer for Reggie W - though RW impressed us in Lower West for his fight and energy, stood out far more than Gittens may be cos Gittens was largely on the other side of the pitch - though Estevao is still v young and I know you have seen a player in Gittens.
There may be, but apart from that in that away cup game - against Lincoln I think - and literally just a couple of other moments, he has been very disappointing for most of us. Which is not to say he couldn't be pretty decent again in time playing in England - and you thought he was a baller in the Bundesliga? - but right now he doesnt look to be v close to the quality CFC needs and wants to challenge for top trophies. Part of the problem is his lack of getting his head up when running at speed at a defender to pick out team mate?
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10 Sep 2026 10:40:41
JBS, I totally agree with your assessment. Watching the game on TV (not always the best), Gittens looked miles off in his decision-making and hunger. I'd also agree that he seems to be solely head down. You could see Estevao's frustration with him when he went for that near-post blast rather than passing him in. (Not that Estevao was necessarily in a hugely better position - and standing still and throwing your hands in the air, rather than attempting to make a different run, or being ready for a potential rebound, is not a good look at all.
More to be said on his attitude last night in relation to the rumours that have been coming out about his unhappiness at lack of game time thus far this season.) But Estevao perhaps could have passed the ball across the face of goal dangerously, and Gittens, to me, does seem very one-gear - he's either totally passive and weak, or intensely running with his head down. Reminds me a bit of Mudryk, actually (interesting that, given the same sporting directors fancied him), and a weaker Milan Baros.
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10 Sep 2026 12:31:47
Interesting comparison with Mudryk, EdW, and I reckon you may have a point. Though for some reason I had more hope with MM - perhaps putting too much hope cos of his debut came v Liverpool?! Oh, and he did score that last minute equalise v Newcastle in Carabao Cup game!
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10 Sep 2026 16:16:00
Jbs, I continue to have hope for Mudryk - perhaps because he looks like a lost puppy transformed into a gormless but very good-looking human by a witch's curse, doomed to chase a ball aimlessly at incredibly high speed whilst being pelted with abuse by angry men, and it all feels a little unfair. #freeMudryk.
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10 Sep 2026 18:15:08
Well, so I still hope for the best for MM, and I know what you mean by feeling some sympathy for him cos the puppy-type look is rightly associated in one's mind with the fact of his separation from his Ukrainian family, and his country as a whole under brutal attack by Putin's forces.
I did think, as suggested, that I saw something in him at times as a player that I have yet to spot with Gittens, but perhaps both of them demonstrate that football, like any sport, is played best by those whose physical ability is matched by their mental strength.
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11 Sep 2026 11:20:35
To my mind, Mudryk is miles above Gittens, both in ceiling and, as per the last few times I saw them both play. They both make terrible decisions, and I'm not sure either is a 'natural' player as such, but Mudryk's speed, strength and striking ability clinch it. If someone can just get him understanding when to sprint at full speed, when to dribble, and when to take a shot on, he'll be a monster.
But yes, I think the big issue with him is, as you've identified - general anxiety about his nation, his family and friends. No one would enjoy his situation.
{Ed001's Note - I have no idea. I haven't seen any teams coached by him.}
