OhForAGreavsie

That's possible I'm sure but, if so, then M&M or Enzo had to be sacrificed. This would have been Enzo for me but I know virtually no one will agree with me about that. 🙂

Leaving Benoit out was a ludicrous decision which can't help but hurt us. He should have been selected ahead of Felix in my view. He should definitely have been in ahead of one of the new boys for sure.

He has quality and quickness. Let's give him a chance to see what he can do with them.

DDF has quality and quickness. Let's give him a chance to see what he can do with them.

What time is the squad deadline? GP has to have seen that Badi cannot be left out.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/R4P9vx7d4bxqXxCo8 Something interesting at last

Yes, including Felix was predictable. Just not what I would have done. 🙂

So, despite all of the problems, and the poor start to the group stage, here we are in the last sixteen. The first order of business is to decide which of the January signings makes the CL squad for the knockout round(s). We can add up to three of the new boys. Two of them will fill empty slots from the group stage squad, but including a third newcomer means dropping one player from the original squad. Who would you like to add to the squad and, if you are adding three, who are you leaving out to accommodate the third newbie? My selection - IN: Mudryck Enzo Badiashile OUT: Bettinelli (Lucas Bergstrom can be added to List B as third choice keeper.) Omitting Joao Felix is controversial I know, and may even be contrary to what he was promised when joining, but I reckon we are more likely to suffer from Badiashile's absence than from Felix's. There are more, and better, alternatives to Felix than there are to Badiashile.

A successor to Thiago?

Two equally effective players of the right quality is a big advantage I reckon. Let's get into the squad management through rotation habit. Let's enable the manager to rest players as he sees fit without having to risk jeopardising results to do it. For example, what a luxury it would be not to have to play Reece twice in Champions League weeks? This is not just good for individuals, but it's great for squad bonding. Everyone is involved, everyone is contributing.

Hoping DDF will make the bench again, at least. The lad has quality, it's just a question of how it stacks up at this higher level. If it does stack up then the bigger question will be whether he can overcome the major doubt expressed about him; his supposed selfishness.

Those Vikings got everywhere!

No need to imagine. Regular occurrence around here. 🙂

Guess again. 🙂

It seems that PSG's appeal on the Ziyech move has been turned down so that leaves GP with a decision to make.

Three keepers are required but one can be list B, as you suggested, according to regulation 45:12. Leaving Marcus out is an option but, last I heard, it is still possible that Hakim's move will go through. Perhaps it is even probable since it's up to the French authorities. It must be a fair guess that French administrators will want to help PSG. Particularly so if they feel the failure to complete the deal last night was Chelsea's fault.

And we tried to sign Barella too.

The correct decision.

Agents beware in future. Sign release clauses, not buyouts.

Wasn't watching at all. Saw them on YouTube. 🙂

OK, stop now. We have a winner. 🙂

I saw two reports on Sky yesterday. Both times it seemed crystal clear that the reporter, two different ones, had no clue what he was talking about.

Case in point: CFCW put in a bid for an Arsenal player last week and the player asked for permission to speak to us. Arsenal would have been crazy to allow her to move and to their main rival for the WSL title, and one of their main rivals for the Champions League, so it was no surprise when they smacked the bid down instantly. What is more they made it crystal clear that the deal would never happen.

I think you're right. If either side had given up hope of getting what they wanted, there would have been nothing to negotiate for this long. If I had to guess, I'd say we're at the stage where Benfica are basically happy with what's been offered but are holding out for any bunce Chelsea might throw in. Chelsea meanwhile know that they just need to throw in a little something for Rui Costa's ego at the last minute, when he has no choice but to accept he is seeing Chelsea's last offer. At that point every body shakes hands, has a drink, then gets some sleep.

🙂 I feel like I've been typing nothing but that for a week now.