03 Aug 2025 12:15:45
For what it's worth, despite previous complaints, I think we're seeing the fruition of good work from the team in charge of transfers, both in and out. They're doing a great job.

But, from a squad building perspective, I don't understand both Xavi Simons and Garnacho signing. Xavi Simons make sense, especially with Palmer starting off the right, and shifting inside whilst the RB pushes on, as we saw so effectively against PSG. That would leave Estevao deputising for Palmer and Neto or Gittens holding width on the left. Unlike some, I don't think he's a a bad player, but where does Garnacho fit into that? He's clearly not happy as a rotational option at United. I'd put him behind both Gittens and Neto on the left and don't see a route for him being anything but third choice on the right.

It's seems like the type of move that could spell disharmony behind closed doors to me. Additionally, whilst I don't think he's a bad player, is he much better than George?

1.) 03 Aug 2025
03 Aug 2025 13:49:27
Another question, J. Why does a player's attitude/ intelligence not seem to matter to our SDs?

We keep signing prima donnas and hotheads – look at how so many of our players since the takeover have reacted in adversity.

Not seen the new players yet, obviously, but Pedro (for all that he was incredible in the CWC) comes with a reputation for petulance and causing scenes, Gittens also for being too big for his boots. He's gone now, but Madueke certainly had issues in both those regards. Palmer is an incredible player, but his body language when the team aren't playing well is terrible. Pedro Neto throws strops after scoring! Jackson an immediate yellow card for dissent, Enzo another (how many bookings have they picked up between them just from chatting? ) . Nkunku barely bothered towards the end of last season. Sanchez barely seems to have a braincell in his big square head. The list goes on and on. I'd say Caicedo, Tosin and Cucu are the only players we've signed who seem to have brains/ use their brains. Tosin seems to be universally popular, and I remember reading something about Caicedo's infectious happiness/ enthusiasm when he was at Brighton. But it's a very limited number of players who identifiably have those 'team-first' qualities. (Santos looks, to me, to have something of that, as does KDH – noticeable that he never once briefed at unhappiness during his time at the club so far despite barely playing) .

It worries me, therefore, that we're continually linked to another player of that ilk in Garnacho – he seems to embody all the worst qualities described above with very little positive to offset it. Simons undoubtedly talented, but Ed001 has said he's brainless as well, and I definitely get 'big ego' vibes from him. So where is the dressing room harmony going to go when some of these players aren't playing, or if we fall (like last season) into a pattern of bad results? Oh for the days of Juan Mata (and, of course, the Kante twins) . A bit of humility to balance the mercurial talents – you need both in a team.

2.) 03 Aug 2025
03 Aug 2025 14:27:40
I have very little idea about players we have signed or we might sign and there reported “attitude” issues.

We got Sancho on loan, who supposedly had a reputation of being troublesome. As far as I know he didn’t cause us any problems.

I think Gittens will be a good signing but as far as I can see the only issue is him not lifting his head up. My son in law (German) has never mentioned anything about him having attitude problems.

I think Simmons will get fans out of there seats and I noted Ed’s previous comment about his personality. If we sign him I will be looking at any sign of that closely.

If we sign Garnacho, I assume we will sign or loan him for a price that reflects his ability and temperament.

My assumption always been that clubs not only look at players abilities but also there temperament. I think Ed01 recently confirmed that to be the case. I’m only guessing but I assume there are judgement calls that just say “it’s worth taking the risk” but as I say I’m only guessing.

3.) 03 Aug 2025
03 Aug 2025 16:21:55
J, I'm not sure if you are aware but Tyrique George requested a move away from the club towards the end of last season and hence doesn't come into the equation. Might be a loan or could be permanent. We lost Mudryk, Noni and Sancho and it seems almost certain that both Nkunku and Jackson will leave together with Marc Guehi and now George. That is 7 attacking players. Estevao, Pedro, Delap and Gittens have come in with Simmons expected shortly so there is certainly room for at least one more player if not two. Will it be Garnacho, Eze, Morgan-Rogers or someone else? I do agree with your opinion that the Sporting Directors are generally doing a very good job and the balance of the squad is looking very good. The team spirit looked pretty good to me as we were crowned the Club World Champions with everyone embracing each other and I think Maresca deserves a bit of credit for that. As ED01 pointed out yesterday we might be the team to push Liverpool but likely fall short due to not having that one experienced leader in the dressing room. My pick would be to bring back Thiago Silva as a player coach.

4.) 03 Aug 2025
03 Aug 2025 16:38:19
Tom, if your view that the SDs might consider it worth taking the risk for Garnacho that is worrying because he’s not very good: he is a one- trick pony, no end product and completely brainless. Someone asked is he much better than George; no he isn’t better at all. All that and an attitude problem.

5.) 03 Aug 2025
03 Aug 2025 16:48:41
RPD, I’m not sure why but I was always under the impression that Silva was coming back to Chelsea in some capacity at the end of his domestic season.

6.) 03 Aug 2025
03 Aug 2025 17:07:30
EdW, the way the game has gone over the last few years is to some extent a reason why some players have developed attitude issues. The players haven’t power now: so that even mediocre players can stir up trouble. Prime examples :Garnacho only wants PL club in Champions League: Wissa at Brentford throwing his toys out of the pram. I could accept a small amount of diva behaviour from world class players but now any old bang average player thinks they are Johann Cruyf. As for Palmer sometimes it’s hard to hide your body language when you are working with idiots- I know from my own experience. Typical example in WCC final when Jackson tried to score on instead of passing because he he knew his days were numbered as a starter.

7.) 03 Aug 2025
03 Aug 2025 17:20:47
Jimbo, why do you keep on referring to things I haven’t said?

My comment about the club/ SD’s taking a risk never mentioned Garnacho.

My broader point without mentioning any player by name, was an assumption that the club/ SD’s if they take a risk, then that risk is built into the price.

8.) 03 Aug 2025
03 Aug 2025 19:01:48
EDW I don't think we sign prima donnas and hot heads the list doesn't go goes on and on at all, the players to me who didn't have the best attitude was Madueke and Jackson all though to be far I am mainly influenced by that penalty debacle.

Of those you have mentioned I think Enzo and Neto have great attitudes.

9.) 03 Aug 2025
03 Aug 2025 20:53:48
Tom, really. Posters were discussing Garnacho.

10.) 03 Aug 2025
03 Aug 2025 21:11:51
Jimbo, I agree it would be frustrating for Palmer at times. I just think that in moments when the team is struggling you have to suck that up to try and present a united front, rather than obviously placing the blame away from yourself. Play harder, force a turn in fortune. It's not like he did much once Jackson got injured last season, and people forget that. I do also think that some of the prima dona stuff is due to the age of the players being signed, and the culture at the club having therefore become somewhat immature once the old stalwarts left.

RPD, it's pretty easy to see positive spirit when winning, but it's when results start going against you that the spirit you're referring to, the relationship between players, is actually tested. CWC was a fantastic positive, but ultimately a pre-season fluff tournament. We'll see how everything looks around our recent traditional collapse period of November/ December. If the spirit you refer to is actually there the players will continue playing for each other during the tough phases, and we can perhaps do something this year.

And Seymns, yes, great attitude Enzo, leading the singing of derogatory songs about French African players last summer. Top, top intelligence on display there. Almost as smart as the fans who blocked the Parisian lad from getting a metro train home a few years back. Make him vice captain – that'll show all our Black players what the club values. Flowers all round there. Neto puts a shift in, I'll give you that, and I like what he brings to the team, but if you're seriously claiming he's not a hothead we must be watching a totally different player. In all the matches I've seen he looks like he would try to start a fight in an empty bar.

11.) 04 Aug 2025
04 Aug 2025 02:36:33
Edw yeah you must be watching a different game to me as well. I have never seen anything like that from neto.
Doesn't do anything 99% of players do.
Cucu and enzo are wind-up merchants but that's not a bad thing.
Players like suarez that you hate playing against but would love if he played for you.

The only I can agree with is jackson. Very petulant. Would of said noni but he has gone.

12.) 04 Aug 2025
04 Aug 2025 03:43:59
Edw, you are correct in my opinion, a test of a teams spirit can be judged in tough times. I would like to think that spirit was shown over our last 6/ 8 premiership games.

I hate seeing players waiving there arms about in supposed frustration.

It’s impossible to defend the Enzo incident but I can’t blame the SD’s for it either.

13.) 04 Aug 2025
04 Aug 2025 03:51:01
Jimbo, I repeat my point about the SD’s taking a risk never mentioned Garnacho.

14.) 04 Aug 2025
04 Aug 2025 07:43:46
Fair point with regards Enzo singing derogatory songs of course that was appalling, but you can go into most footballers and find bad behaviour, Lampard and John Terry had their problems in the early days, I was really referring to the on pitch demeanour, . I also think certain players need an edge Keane Vierra etc

On the original thread I wouldn't want Garnacho mainly as I don't think he is a player we need.

15.) 04 Aug 2025
04 Aug 2025 07:44:19
The mystics are out again!

Apparently “Jackson tried to score instead of passing because he knew his days as a starter were numbered. ”

I guess you invariably right if you the ability to read people’s minds. ?.