OhForAGreavsie

Antonio definitely did, plus some youth games as well. We have to assume that the story is true and that Maurizio took no interest in the club's development squads. That amazes me. Maurizio is clearly a highly intelligent man but this was deeply unintelligent behaviour. If only for the sake of good relationships within the club, you'd take interest. If only so that you can calibrate the opinions of development squad coaches when they recommend player a, b or c, you'd take interest. If only to avoid taking stick for not doing it, you'd take an interest. I just can't understand an intelligent man acting so much against type. For the first time I have heard something which makes me glad Maurizio left the club.

I don't agree with everything said here but this is clearly a well thought out and entirely defensible point of view. My own position agrees with the comment which started the current phase the discussion. That post basically claimed that Eden's move to Madrid will provide us all with more information to chew on. It won't be the best possible information however, because Real are rebuilding and that's an important part of the equation. Real have always had an interest in Eden but, while they were at their peak, they never quite wanted him enough to make a decisive move. Maybe that fact should come into the discussion too.

Good point. People can certainly argue that Neymar is better than Hazard, and that argument may even be right. I very much doubt however that many people would buy into the idea that Sterling's numbers suggest that he too is a better player than Eden. My feeling is that if you swapped their teams, you would also swap their numbers. I'm not saying anybody here doubts that the quality of the team he plays for makes a difference to the impact a player can have. It's just a question of how big that difference in quality has really been in this case, and exactly how big a difference, if any, it has made in the Eden vs Neymar debate.

Maybe, but it's fair to say that Bristol will be happy with this price. Their fans were generally really pleased with Thomas last season. They were more excited about the prospect of getting him permanently, than about getting Jay and most of us think Jay is a pretty good player.

More than that when all the loan fees we've collected over the years are added.

Grab your favourite glass, hit your favourite chair, cast this video to the big screen, and enjoy ten minutes thirty-nine seconds of football therapy.

The more interesting thing for me is what is causing the hold-up. I doubt it's about Frank's pay but it could be to do with the amount of control he wants over squad affairs. Maybe we are negotiating with the coaches Frank wants to recruit, and with their current clubs. Maybe Frank wants assurances that the contracts of key members of the existing squad have been tied down, or maybe it something else. We'll probably never know the actual reason but I'd be shocked, and bitterly disappointed, if it is anything which could be described as taking the p.

Does this do anything to change Atleti's interest in Alvaro for next season?

Well, every rating system gives it to Neymar but I think it's closer than this suggests. Playing in a genuinely effective team makes so big a difference that Eden has been at a huge disadvantage for the bulk of his career. When your side moves the ball quickly, with purpose and with the kind of quality which wrong foots defenders, then running lanes open and the impact of any movement is multiplied. When your passes are collected by Messi or Suarez then your statistics are going to get a boost. I think this compensates for the differences which lead to Neymar being consistently rated above Eden.

Sandro also made it clear that he was in no big rush to join Chelsea. Perhaps that had as much to do with the breakdown of negotiations as the difference in valuation.

We were confirmed to be interested in all three but got none. Mendy's distain for Chelsea was leaked by his former club's president, Danilo just said it himself and Walker didn't have to. Nor was it just those three. AOC was targeted to play wingback but also said no. I wrote at the time that I didn't rate Danilo and that I was surprised City signed him, but the other three would have helped us. Although this was once an outlaying opinion, more Blues fans now seem to accept that we are an unpopular club among professionals. They don't believe in the quality of our squad, they don't like our reputation for dull football, they worry about the instability of our coaching staff, and they are not impressed by our support. It's a long road back from here. I've written that list of reasons professionals reject Chelsea as if I know them all for a fact. Clearly I don't, but I am convinced that anyone who disagrees with me hasn't really been paying attention.

This would be a good development. The first fruit of the Lampard/Morris era? There are other players going out of contract in a few days who the duo need to be working on. George McEachran for example. I've said before that I think he's better than his big brother.

I'm with you on this, assistants are often considered a part of the package. There is a reason Jody's move is on my mind however. Frank without Jody is not a deal breaker, but with Jody is a much more attractive prospect. My worry, which I've mentioned previously, is that Derby will offer Jody their job. That's what I'd do if I was them. I they do then we'll see how Jody feels about taking the top job at this stage. Agreed but it's not a trick our players have managed too well in recent years. Pep rotates freely because he can, because he has faith that he'll still get the results. Are we going to be able to put our new manager in the same position? The jury's out I think.

Very encouraging to read.

One hundred percent agree with this. Nor me. In principle. In what I'm about to say I assume that Jody will be appointed along with Frank but it was noticeable that Derby's statement did not mention their assistant manager. I'm convinced that Reece, being both versatile and first team ready, will get plenty of minutes. Indeed, since Jody loves Reece as much as I do, I'm pretty much expecting our future captain to be first choice by the end of the season. Jay, on the other hand, may worry about his situation as a backup. This makes Jay's calculation about what's right for his next step more complicated than Reece's. He is wanted permanently at Bristol City, but I take comfort from the fact that he's been non-commital about that move so far. My guess is that Jay either knows a top level opportunity is available, or he is hoping that one will be. Frank and Jody have a chance to sell Chelsea as that opportunity, though I suspect they'll have to promise to let him go in January if it isn't working out. Imagine how much fun Frank and Jody are having making their plans for next season? What wouldn't any of us give to be in their place right now?

Where do you stand on this KF?

More like the kind of woman who comes home and gives her other half some pocket money because she's taken pity on their pathetic little paypacket compared to hers. This will be interesting to keep an eye on. Personally I'll be stunned if Marina loses any responsibilities. If she's going to stop handling transfers and contracts at the executive level, then who is going to take them up instead? If she is going to be doing a new job next season then that makes me wonder if Bruce Buck might be leaving, and Marina will be taking his Job?

Back when he was being linked with us I did eventually find an all touches video in which Parades looked like he could play. That was only after watching a few in which he looked ordinary however. Based on that, almost non-existent, level of scouting it wouldn't surprise me if Paris were ready to give up on him. I do wonder though if his attitude, or off field behaviour, might have played a part in them making such a quick decision. If indeed the rumours are true and they have made a decision. That's all I think she has ever had to prove because I simply don't believe she has been making football decisions. Her good performance on the only duties she actually has, as opposed to those she's often accused of having, might explain why she was promoted, not sacked as some fans would like. I'd love to know exactly who Petr will be advising in his new role. Chiefly Roman and Arkaidy at a guess. I certainly hope Petr won't be advancing too much advice immediately toward Neil bath. Now that Eden has left, I believe Neil is the most valuable employee the club has. Petr needs to tread carefully or else he risks causing friction with a man who has every right to say, 'I think I know what I'm doing'. There's more to say about this, but that's for another thread.

Agreed. No doubt Paris will negotiate in the hope of being offered more cash but as it stands that deal already looks good for them.

He showed his quality with his nice 180 turns in both directions and distributing the ball with both feet but it wasn't a spectacular display. Even in England's good spells nothing was developing off him. Wasn't helped by a poor performance by Solanke. Dom's link up wasn't good. I'm a bit fearful for Dom's career at this point. He needs something positive to happen for him soon.

Even in a game which a Palace fan has described as Wan-Bissaka's worst performance ever, he still did better defensively than Jay Dasilva. To be honest Jay was given a very tough night by his winger. The lad was skillful, quick and strong. He's at Lille and, on that showing, looks a good replacement for Pepe when he leaves. Not the same type of player, but very effective.

Lol.

I must not have done.

I wouldn't challenge any part of what you say here. Some of it is factual and some speculative. We'll have to wait to see how the speculations turn out. My post was just a commentary on last night's display. No more.

Well I'm not relaxed about that, but I've had my say.