Chelsea banter 2

25 Jan 2026 22:15:42
Great news to see we have recalled Aaron Anselmino from his Borussia Dortmund loan, he is a classy player and I would rather see him in the squad than another random at this stage of the season.

26 Jan 2026 00:48:30
Greenaway, I would have preferred a top class proven CB to have been signed. However, it makes more sense to bring in Alsenmino rather than to spend £50 million on a CB who has had a season playing in the French League. I am more than happy not to sign any players in this window.

26 Jan 2026 09:45:13
I agree with you Jimbo, nobody out there available who could improve us.

It will give LR a chance to review the squad until the summer.

26 Jan 2026 11:32:50
To have been able to bring in a Thiago Silva quality/experienced type player (on a free a bonus) to lead and educate our CBs would have been ideal. A cool minded quality old hand at the back -if especially when Reece being rested/rotated/subbed - who had wonderful sense of positioning plus ability to spot a long pass and was dangherous in attack from set pieces.

But what litte I've seen of Alsenmino - not least in the one pre-season game live playing close to where I was sitting at that one - I liked in terms of hysical strength and apparent calmness on the ball. So would think he will het a run out at LCB v eg Hull away in the FA cup. Yes there is some quality in BB which we saw at its best before his injury but he does also seem now to have a bad error in him most games and/or perhaps never quite regained initial confidence or have quite the physical command over an oppisng player - including at our attacking set piees - his physqique would suggrest he should have. So expect there is quite a lot of monitoring for LCB back ups/rotational with LC when fit that LR and others in club will be watching. Alsenmino and BB among them. Lad from Rennes too possibly. But would be nice to thing there is also a TS quality veteran out there too who could help out - if not TS himself next season in mentoring/coaching role.

26 Jan 2026 15:19:28
I see that Anselmino broke down in tears won hearing that CFC had cut short what he th0ught was going to a a seaon's long loan at Dortmund where he had been playing so well and was happy. I guess that he fears relatively little game time at CFC plus didn't think that CFC activating the clause was likely.

Anyway, it means LR is going to have both to make him feel welcome on return but also that there is something in it for AA and not just the club in him returning now - ie opportunity to impress.

Will he get more or less time than Guiu recalled from Sunderland? Again would Guess Guiu less unhappy to be recalled as had not been at Sunderland much plus has at least got some game time thoughnot much and little by way of a chance to build greater understanding in match circs with teammates. But he hasn't done badly when called upon to play and may arguably be at least as effective as Delap if not more so cos a better presser?

25 Jan 2026 22:16:35
Was talking to a mate who was at the game today. I listened to his analysis of our performance and his view on certain players. We must have been watching a different game or it just shows how different a game can appear on TV compared to watching a game at a ground.

26 Jan 2026 09:46:21
That's just it Tom, people see things differently which is a hood thing.

26 Jan 2026 11:33:55
Agree Tom and Bill which is partly why I often learn from the banter of others!

26 Jan 2026 14:01:29
What was your mate saying Tom?

26 Jan 2026 20:27:32
Saying Enzo deserved MOM rather than Pedro digging out Cucarella and Chalaboa.

I thought Enzo was good but not better than Pedro. I was also ok with the performances of Cucarella and Chalaboa.

25 Jan 2026 07:39:38
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, Manchester United's Next Manager: Why This Rebuild Needs Time

25 Jan 2026 19:43:10
Much much better start today. Not the slumber of other away trips where the ball trundles around the back with the CBs pivotal to the tempo and the intent of the team. Neither of them have that in their game. Indeed, Badasheille is struggling at this level to do anything of note. Get the ball to the selected playmakers and look to play forward.

One thing. if Juan Pedro whilst playing no 9 continues to attempt that back heel “round the corner” flick only to have the whole stadium read it and allow the opponent’s CB time to collect, control the ball and offer clear grass to run into think I’ll scream. Stop it. Or sit on the bench. Great goal from Estavao btw.

25 Jan 2026 22:01:51
Good post Londonscot.

24 Jan 2026 20:15:39
Watching the Liverpool game with a couple of their fans and they are not happy with Slot and some bloke called Edwards! half a billion dropped in the summer and lost to mighty Bournemouth. The premier league is a great watch for the neutral where anyone can beat anyone.

25 Jan 2026 12:28:38
I watched the game also Greenaway and it's very noticeable that VVD is now deteriorating with age as is SAlah and Allison.

It was also noticeable that Slot and his coaching team wanted Allison to put the ball out of play in order to bring on Endo but was ignored, not a good sign.

25 Jan 2026 17:06:39
Liverpool dropped half a billion last summer Bill and will drop another shed load replacing those 3.

25 Jan 2026 17:20:15
They will Greenaway and with a new coach as well.

I think they bought individual players but did not supplement the team.

25 Jan 2026 19:10:27
I think they bought some top players. Why the whole team isn’t performing is in my opinion down to other issues. When they move the ball quickly and press as a team they look good but for long periods of there matches they look far to passive.

26 Jan 2026 09:48:22
I think it's because they are playing as individuals Tom and not as a team.

23 Jan 2026 21:40:11
Anyone else flying to Rome then grabbing the train to Naples? A lot cheaper that way.

23 Jan 2026 10:29:39
At the pre match press conference can one of the reporters please ask for an injury update on Lavia, Colwill and Essugo.

23 Jan 2026 17:03:01
Yes please may they!

23 Jan 2026 17:13:01
i can tell you the answers Tom don't worry.

Colwill - ahead of schedule, recovering really well we might see him before end of season

Lavia- we don't know what's wrong with him and we have even less idea when he returns- he, ll play 45 mins in a. couple months time as a nice surprise, play really well and then mysterious vanish again

and finally
essugo- Whos that?!

23 Jan 2026 17:16:03
And perhaps there will be a question again on Palmer's fitness/fitness management.

23 Jan 2026 17:31:20
Why would they? As far as I last heard they are all long term injuries. It’s not current the reporters are only interested in availability for the next game.

23 Jan 2026 21:15:02
Well, at least one question was asked and answered.

24 Jan 2026 09:11:11
Tom,

I think Essugo has pi kes up yet another injury in training, Lavia or Levi I don't think will be back soon. Levi should be allowed to recover this season then come back fighting fit for next season, Lavia, I have given up on.

24 Jan 2026 09:37:36
Essugo out for around a month, Lavia back in training but not available tomorrow, Colwill long term but might be back for the final of the champions league ?.

23 Jan 2026 07:39:36
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 22 - Quick Round Up

22 Jan 2026 09:23:41
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 22 - Quick Round Up

21 Jan 2026 17:14:48
Dear Ed001, I hope you're well! I just wanted to ask your opinion on transformational centre-back signings. VVD was obviously the one for Liverpool, took them from being a decent but inconsistent team to title contenders. At the time it seemed mad that he wasn't being chased by all the biggest teams as he was incredible at Southampton. City had Kompany, and Dias has also been pretty immense for them. Arsenal have got Saliba and Gabriel (Saliba wasn't exactly a new signing, as they had him but he was out on loan for a few years, and I feel like I remember there was a moment when he might actually have left Arsenal when Arteta continually refused to recall him from loan/play him? ) . Silva was obviously a big one for Chelsea, just a couple of years older than one would like. But if it was possible to make that signing right now its impact would be immense in this team – his professionalism, character and experience, but also his ability to marshall a back line.

I guess the question is: which current CBs who might realistically be for sale, from the Prem or otherwise, do you think could have that kind of transformational impact on this current Chelsea team? We're obviously intent on signing a young and highly rated Ligue 1 player for big money, because that's what we do now, but I'd be looking at van de Ven at Spurs (realistically probably wouldn't sell to us, although Levi isn't there any longer so maybe) .

Can't think of too many other players who'd be available and might make that level of difference. Obviously tried for Dean Huijsen, who's a very, very good player, but he hadn't had a huge amount of top-flight experience, and picked Madrid (no idea how he's doing there, aside from picking up a few red cards in his first games) . Is there anyone I'm missing from further afield?

{Ed001's Note - van de Ven is awful. He has no positional sense or defensive knowledge, he is just quick, but not a good defender. Good on the ball but woeful at defending.

By the way VVD was wanted by everyone, but he rejected them. City did their usual and claimed he was too expensive and so they didn't want him, but he had already said no thanks at that point. He had already decided he wanted to play for Klopp.

There are not that many great centre-backs around to be honest. You have Colwill, if he gets back to his best, you just need a partner for him, which rules out the likes of Bastoni (though he probably wouldn't leave Italy) and Murillo. van Hecke is good, but not sure if he is quite as good as you are talking about. I like Thiaw but I can't see Newcastle selling him. Maybe Ballard could step up? Good age, just coming to his peak, big and powerful, a good foil for Colwill and would surely be within reach financially?}

21 Jan 2026 18:04:25
Ed001, interesting response. I hope Colwill can get get back to his best quickly. It was a shame his injury happened just when he was reaching his full potential: bad timing for him and us and probably England.

I too like Thiaw and Ballard but because of their ages and that they are Premier League proven means they won’t end up at Chelsea. Incidentally, I think the Sunderland keeper is pretty good as well.

{Ed001's Note - Roefs does look good, and their left-sided centre-back Alderete, though he is 29, have to wonder where he was befor!}

21 Jan 2026 19:28:42
Van de Ven? do me a favour, he is utter rubbish.
And VVD was wanted by us and many more but chose Liverpool.

21 Jan 2026 20:02:48
Sorry, I haven't watched a lot of Spurs this season – assumed he was decent due to highlights.

Thanks for the response Ed001, really interesting stuff.

21 Jan 2026 22:06:08
I think the lad from Forest looks good but not that impressed with many other CH’s in the premiership.

22 Jan 2026 09:51:21
I agree Tom, wechave the youngsters from Dortmond coming back at the end of the season, Sarr from Strasbourg, Colwill hopefully will have a pre-season.

I think the tome to look at CB's will be in the summer window as we need to move some on.

21 Jan 2026 09:13:15
I think 16 points will ensure top 8 in the champions league table and with a number of teams bunching up it is likely to go down to goal difference so a big win tonight is needed.

21 Jan 2026 09:55:15
Greenaway, I think we will end up in 14 pts and that sadly might mean us being just shot of top 8. If I remember correctly PSG didn’t finish top 8 last season.

21 Jan 2026 11:08:58
It will certainly go down to the wire Tom providing we win tonight which on paper we should but football has not yet been played on paper.

22 Jan 2026 13:46:35
If we do win 8n Naples which is a hard task it might come down to goal difference so not at all certain that 16 points will be enough after we could only manage that 1-0 win last night against competition minnows. But as ever will hope for the best!

22 Jan 2026 14:39:33
JBS, I think the fixtures almost certainly guarantee us a top eight spot if we win.

22 Jan 2026 16:47:19
They certainly give us a good chance Tom espevially cos PSG v Newcastle ie two clubs on 13 points above us on goal difference have to oplay each other. But on the other hand several clubs below us on table with relatively minor goal difference eg esp. Barcelona but also Man City have home games v Copenhagen and Galatasaray respectively and could perhaps win by plenty - Haaland coming to life again even if City have been in poor form.

But then perhaps Spurs could lose away to Eintracht Frankfurt?

I am worried that Naples have not guaranteed their own survival in the 24 that go through albeit those below with the play off game. They are at home, are 3rd in Seria A and have Conte as their manager. On the other hand they do have to lay JUventus away on Sunday which on paper is a tougher task that us going to a badly dipped in for Palace -- though we are also away and it couod well be energy sapping too whatever the result.

22 Jan 2026 17:09:59
JBS, Napoli do need to win, so will have to play against us and that should be in our favour. I fancy us to win there.

23 Jan 2026 17:05:49
Yes it should mean that they have to play and so create spaces for us in a way Pafos didn't by parking the bus. or two of them!

21 Jan 2026 07:39:40
{Ed's Note - MK Scouser has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool's Pre-Season Concerns Overblown Despite World Cup Disruption