Chelsea Rumours

25 Sep 2025 15:16:26
Matt Law reporting that Enzo Maresca was very upset not to have been backed in his pusuit of a new centre back and striker following the injuries to Colwill and Delap. Is Matt ITK at Chelsea? He also reports the powers to be are not happy with Maresca going public on the above? Usual paper talk or is something bubbling under the surface?
Also, anyone read King Carlo's latest book? His relationship with Roman and how Roman micro managed him and his team? Quite a read.

25 Sep 2025 16:06:58
I posted something similar a couple of days ago RPD but also included Maresca also wanted a GK.

He was let down by the SD's who seem to be obsessed with churning wingers.

I would not be surprised if all parties parted company before the end of the season.

Hopefully with the financial constraints imposed by the corrupt organisation that is EUFA, we might see a stable playing squad for the next couple of seasons.

I kept on about a FOS where we have lost several millions and even if and it's a big if, we do get a FOS, the first couple of seasons will just be recouping money to cover the previous losses.

25 Sep 2025 19:19:57
Bill, we all hope that a FOS sponsorship deal happens soon. If it is who most people think it is and if it’s close to the amounts being mentioned then the delay will probably be mathematically worth the wait.

RPD, Matt Law is a good journalist as far as they go. He always had a good insight into everything Chelsea. It was rumoured he was very good mates with Gary Cahill and one or two other players. Strangely his info lately hasn’t been as accurate as in previous years but his views are always to be respected.
All managers want players and it’s understandable that he wanted a CH and CF but the club sometimes has to look at the bigger picture. We will be getting a striker from Strasbourg next season, so there is little point in blocking his path. A seasoned CH would have been a good shout but maybe they have faith in Fofana (still not sure) and Colwill. I would have personally kept Veiga for the season but maybe bridges were burnt.

25 Sep 2025 20:02:31
Tom

There are also more and more little digs by Maresca in his recent press conferences.

25 Sep 2025 21:04:35
Bill, honestly mate I must listen to different press conferences. I think he has made just a few mistakes in press conferences but he is generally very respectful of everyone including the club, the SD’s and the owners.

As I’ve said, I’m sure he would have liked another CH and CF when Colwill and Delap got injured. In my opinion football managers manage in the moment and have very little understanding of any bigger picture.

26 Sep 2025 09:12:19
Tom

Coaches don't need a bigger picture, their job is to coach the team and provide the SD's with what's needed to be successful.

They are no longer managers, just coaches, hence why clubs now have SD's to bring in/ let ho of players.

26 Sep 2025 09:46:38
Thanks Tom for the update on Matt Law. It would be disasterous if Maresca left and yet another change was made. We need a little bit of stability now and after all, Maresca did what his recent predecessors couldn't achieve and that was champions league football and trophies.

26 Sep 2025 11:28:09
RPD, there is an argument that with the player investments the owners have made that winning cups and CL qualification was a minimum achievement. I personally believe EM overachieved in his first season as our manager and his first season as a premiership manager.

Bill, that’s my point. Managers focus from game to game and a singular season. That to a certain extent is understandable because they can be sacked or called to be sacked by some fans after just a few bad results. Remember this season we had one poster saying he should be sacked after our opening day draw against Palace.

Owners and SD’s tend to take a slightly longer term view on player recruitment. Especially at our club like ours.

26 Sep 2025 19:45:30
Tom

Just wondering if there is a long term view as you say, why is there such a high churn of playing staff?

26 Sep 2025 19:56:01
Bill, you know my view on this subject. I see us as a trading club who buy young players, increase there value and then sell them on.

So, my view is that the so called “churn” will continue under our current ownership.

Any stability will just be for about 3-4 years for most players.

I may well end up being wrong. It’s just my opinion!

01 Sep 2025 19:19:24
Chilly to Strasbourg on a permanent deal. So pleased that he has got a club and a chance to rebuild his career.

Sterling appears to be staying. Still have no confirmation about Fofana.

Looks like Disasi will be going to Palace of the happy hammers.

01 Sep 2025 21:03:29
Fofana on loan to Charlton.

So, as things stand we have Disasi and Sterling left at the club and surplus to requirements. Still have a couple of countries windows open.

The cub and the SD’s have worked hard buying and selling players and I’m ok with there work.

01 Sep 2025 21:18:44
Tom

The George deal to Fulham is also off.

01 Sep 2025 22:05:43
Bill, yes it is. I did put it on another thread. I hope it hasn’t fallen through for medical reasons as it seemed like a done deal.

02 Sep 2025 06:43:41
It now looks as if the paperwork for the Fofana deal was submitted late by Charlton. I don’t know if there is any appeal or wriggle room in these circumstances?
If not, I guess there are still a couple of countries that still have there transfer windows open.

02 Sep 2025 12:10:18
Both Turkey and Saudi windows remain open and therefore possibilities for Disasi, Sterling and Fofana but I’m pretty sure we’re at our 6 player limit for international loans and so any deal would have to be permanent.

02 Sep 2025 13:14:49
I think Fofana was a loan and Washington coming back was a loan. Maybe we have a couple of loan slots available?

01 Sep 2025 11:29:39
Samuel's-Smith apparently now going on loan to Swansea. That leaves a gap for Chilly to join Strasbourg. That makes good sense to me.

Also, BM back for Jackson. I suppose that's no surprise and now the Guiu recall makes sense.

The happy hammers ask about a loan for Disasi as have Palace.

I think that would just leave Sterling and Fofana.

01 Sep 2025 11:39:29
What is don't get Tom are reports saying we are back in negioations with BM.

Does that mean one or both have changed the goal posts on the proposed deal? .

The SD's will have done well if they can move Chilly and Sterling on.

01 Sep 2025 12:08:58
I think most likely was that the deal with Bayern was put on hold until CFC had secured a striker cover for Delap . and I'd never believed it was decisively over while Jackson still in Munich.

01 Sep 2025 12:10:06
Bill, If Chilly does go to Strasbourg let’s be honest it’s just an in-house loan but never the less it’s good for Chelsea and the player.

I’m getting confused about the Jackson and BM on off saga. My guess would be that we demanded that the deal become an “obligation. ” If that deal then went through it makes the Guiu recall make sense.

I think we will find a home for Fofana but it’s interesting that he was never mentioned or seen as suitable cover for Delap.

Sterling has told people that he will if needs be just train at the club as normal and be happy to receive his contractual dues. He is obviously entitled to do that. I would hope that we can find a last minute subsidised loan for him. The problem is his reluctance to move outside London.

01 Sep 2025 13:25:48
Let him rot Yom, Sterling g knows his international days are well and truely over.

01 Sep 2025 14:04:17
Bill, I actually met him some time ago a charity function and he came across as a really nice guy. Of course that doesn’t mean I would want him to stay at the club.

Anyway, if rumours are to be believed, Fulham may come to our rescue on probably a heavily subsidised loan.

01 Sep 2025 15:25:36
Our latest Lukaku.

01 Sep 2025 15:44:21
Bill, Lukaku and Bogarde, there names still give me the shivers!

Most clubs have had one or two of those players but they are experienced business men, there was no need to rush.

01 Sep 2025 18:02:22
harsh on sterling- yes he hasn't worked out but nothing to suggest he's behaved badly.

think its a case of bad business from us buying him on his decline- not the players fault we make questionable signings at times. he gets far too much bad press imo.

01 Sep 2025 18:38:30
Kaz, I seem to remember a few posters giving Sterlings personality some stick when we signed him but I also seem to remember Ed002 putting the record straight.

I can only repeat he came across as a really nice bloke when I met him. Of course other people may well have had a different experience.

I certainly don’t blame him for negotiating a good deal when he signed for us.

02 Sep 2025 11:17:50
Tom, I was one of those against signing Sterling for various reasons. As another poster stated his international career is over so there is no motivation for him to play. He is entitled to sit out his contract. most people would probably do the same. It’s all water under the bridge. Lukaku also an expensive mistake but we managed to secure a coupe of loan deals and eventually got him off our books. I suppose there might be a chance of something in January.

31 Aug 2025 22:52:02
Kellyman reportedly going out on loan to Cardiff City.

I really hope this loan gives the lad the opportunity to get over his major injury issue.

01 Sep 2025 08:13:32
good move for him tom he needs to play.

01 Sep 2025 08:56:35
Agreed Tom

Let's hope he stays fit.

01 Sep 2025 10:47:55
Yes agreed and can only hope for the best for a young player who has had such a difficult injury hit time since joining us.

30 Aug 2025 16:40:57
Apparently the Jackson loan has been called off. I assume because of the Delap injury.

I didn't want us to loan/ sell Jackson so I suppose, if true, I should be happy.

I'm not sure Jackson will be and I'm not sure it's a good look. Who cares!

30 Aug 2025 17:40:59
Totally agree Tom, we have to look after CFC first.

31 Aug 2025 12:15:49
Problem though if Jackson who. let's face it is a passionate headstrong player not wanting to come back or accept professional role in needing to do this after club had apparently been happy to let him leave either temporarily or preferably permanently? There are past players like a Kante or Mata who am sure would have been v disappointed in NJ position but had temperament to always help team mates wherever playing and be professional and not let own ego rule their head or behaviour. So they seldom if ever got sent off and were pretty universally respected and rightly so in the game as were also excellent players. With NJ I'm not so sure and bringing him back may not be the wisest move for us or him. We'll see what happens soon enough I guess.

31 Aug 2025 12:22:42
I see Liverpool fans are commenting on their banter page, would have thought they would have their minds on issue and Guhei.

31 Aug 2025 16:15:58
Bill, I’m now home and I decided to have some football bets. If the gooners win today I will be collecting a nice few quid.
So far this season I think the scousers have been average but they are my pick to win the league and they could easily turn it on today.

Anyway, they shouldn’t be worrying about what we do!

31 Aug 2025 18:19:53
Done me money but whooosh what a strike. That goal deserves to win a game but I’m still not impressed with either of them.

31 Aug 2025 19:21:28
People have been saying this about Liverpool since Slot took over. They seem to have a real knack, under him, of looking nothing special for most of the game, but winning winning winning.

31 Aug 2025 20:20:53
EdW, without doubt it’s a good habit.

01 Sep 2025 10:54:00
Szoboszlai is quite a player and as well as that fantastic free jkick goal he played one immensely long crossfield pass - 80 metres? - that landed at the feet of attacking LFC player.

I thought much of the game was quite dull but due to two pretty good teams cancelling each other out and not wanting to lose. Took a fantastic piece of magic from the Hungarian to break the deadlock.

Yes beacuse of the nature of the game neither LFC or AFC overwhelmed with dominant free flowing play but I reckoned I was looking at number 1 LFC and 2 AFC come end of season. Hope I'm wrong though Ed001 may well hope I'm right?!

27 Aug 2025 10:15:58
Fermin Lopez, Xavi Simmons or keep Nkunku?
Garnacho or keep Tyrique George?
Hincapie or Josh?

Just some of the discussions the sporting directors and Maresca will be having.

Jackson, George and Nkunku are all training with the main group and it will be a seamless move back into the fold if they don't get their desired moves away.

Disasi is off to Bournemouth and loans will likely be found for Datro Fofana and Alfie Gilchrist which just leaves Sterling and Chilly.

27 Aug 2025 13:41:48
Greenaway

I would keep all of Josh, George, Nkunku and Jackson.

It's late in the window and any players we might get will have to have a settling in period.

Our players on rhe other hand know the club and systems Maresca plays.

28 Aug 2025 08:00:21
Would definately keep Josh,
Would keep Nkunku but he is off
Jackson would sell or keep but not a fan of a loan unless there is an obligation to buy
George wants to go and he will Garnacho not a fan of but he is clearly coming.

28 Aug 2025 10:07:56
I think Hincape will be another Arsenal signing? Josh almost certain to stay unless sudden turnaround by club and a late CB purchase. But would imagine Josh would be a loan deal and still thin k that cos of Fofana and BB injury problems club - well amanger certainly - would want Josh to stay.

Garnacho almost certain to be another CFC signing whether we want/ need him or not. No doubt he has talent but yes we worry about attitude and whether we are making a mistake re George. Simons not as certain to be CFC signing as it seemed a week ago but still could be and Lopez may be a better bet if we are signing but one of them but can't claim to have watched either enough to be sure about respective talents of either,


Nkunku and George almost certain to go and Jackson very likely whethet via loan to Bayern or still a late straight purchase by Newcastle if Isak to LFC goes through.

28 Aug 2025 10:18:29
We don’t need Lopez. Simons or Garnacho. I would keep Josh although I don’t think CB is his natural position. Also keep George. However, I would sell Jackson and Nkunku: we probably need the money to balance our transfers as we won’t be making any meaningful money from the others who should go.

28 Aug 2025 21:13:58
I can’t recall seeing Lopez. I guess I must of done.

I would appreciate your opinion Ed or anyone else?

{Ed001's Note - I have only seen a little of him, but he does look a very good player.}

28 Aug 2025 21:27:51
Thanks Ed.

{Ed001's Note - welcome Tom.}