OhForAGreavsie

This is not an isolated situation either. It happens all the time and over a lot of years. It is a contributor to our unpopularity with big players. Which quality player watching a performance like the one you described (I didn't see it) would want to play for that club? A lot of work needs to be done.

Reports suggest that Milan might have a legal obligation regarding Bakayoko but for the others, if there are no clubs willing to cost share on their contracts over the next season, pay them off and allow them to become free agents.

I didn't express my point well enough. I meant personal, i.e. one person, decision making., not personal interactions. I agree with what you say here.

Didn't see it but your point is spot on.

Two or three seasons ago we might have said he was shop-windowing some players. Nowadays that can't be the case because everyone knows everything about them. It seems to me more likely that TT is showing these players to the new management. This is only an attempt to put a plausible construction on the facts mind you because management should simply be prepared to take TT's word for things. Maybe they're going with trust but verify.

So glad I fell asleep long before the game started but it sounds like I would have soon after kickoff anyway.

TT could very well be thinking like this but he shouldn't be. He has video, all kinds of video, and that should be that.

I think the overall driver of our approach over the last twenty years was Roman's desire to be me! If I had had the wealth to buy Chelsea I would have been making every single transfer decision myself. Roman wasn't as me, me, me as I would have been but he did play Football manager for real. This is why I know that claims of Marina making football decisions are nonsense. No way on Earth would I have have spent my billions so someone else could have the fun. I'd have employed people to do the boring stuff while I got on with the bits that were fun. Like Roman, I'd have employed a Marina. Roman's method's led to fun and chaos. They filled up the trophy cabinet but restricted the growth of the club's status. I hated what was done to Roman and would still like to punch Chris Bryant and Nigel Huddleston in the face but change was necessary and can benefit CFC. I've liked the look of Todd Boehly since I watched a video someone linked here and another linked at the end of that one. I think there will be a more business like, less personal, approach now and that's a positive.

I'm probably one of the few here who didn't know that. Good info. Thank you.

I think one of the many tasks facing the new board is to train the market to understand that there is more discipline at Chelsea now about the way money is spent. That necessarily has to start with there actually being more discipline in our spending. If that means walking away from deals because the ask is too high then I'm all for it even if, as is the case with Gavridol, the player concerned is one I would love to see join Chelsea. Cost of the deal is not the cause my doubts this deal will happen however. Gavridol's stock is high currently and I expect that, for now at least, Chelsea isn't on his list of preferred destinations.

I'd be pleased if this happens, not least because he also looks capable of performing at LWB. Can't see it but would definitely be pleased with this one.

Well, despite the reservations of many here it looks like Kounde might happen. One massive consolation for the doubters is that for the first time in twenty years we can have high confidence that the players being targeted have been selected by the manager. Given that almost all of us have confidence in the manager that consolation means a lot. As a doubter myself it certainly means something to me.

In the eyes of Gavridol, and of his people, he's 'above' Chelsea level as he sees that level. I'd bet a lot of money that he already has his heart set on moving somewhere else. He certainly isn't going to commit to a 2023 move to Chelsea at this stage. If he doesn't feel he's done enough yet to catch the eye of one of his preferred destinations, he'll wait and aim to do that by Jan/June next year. The only way we get him is if, in twelve months time, none of his preferred teams make an offer. Of course, in that situation, we need to consider carefully if we should.

We won't be able to get such a deal in place.

I'd be deliriously happy with just numbers 1 & 3.

If Nkunku repeats last season's output in 22/23 our chances of getting him will be virtually non existent. We'd have to do something spectacular like win the Champions League to even put ourselves in the frame. The usual suspects will all be in for him and one of them will get him.

Not really. Par for the course is that the buy-back exceeds the original transfer fee. This means that, unlike a loan where West ham would be paying a fee to Chelsea, we'd actually be paying them to take Mando on loan.

Bitterly disappointing but, if Mando wants assurances which TT can't give him, we'll have to live with it.

Well done to the lad if he does and, if so, well done to you for the spot. I'm one of those people whose views surprised you. I'm not a believer whether at CB or DM.

I said all along that I thought Rom's return was driven by someone in the club who had unfinished business with the Belgian. As I know you you know, I believe that this person was Roman.

Every organisation has an individual or individuals who are authorised signatories for certain activities and spending. Every club has such a person. This function is being conflated with making football decisions, e.g. player A is better than player B. Marina did not do that. I've argued this often so I won't rehash my reasoning here but the notion Matt Law is trying to push, that Marina made football decisions, is total bollocks. As for contracts, of course she did that. This is a board level responsibility at every club. How could it be otherwise? No doubt Marina made these decisions in consultation with the football people and the owner. Remember that both TT and Emma Hayes spoke glowingly of the way Marina worked with them. When she won at Wembley, Emma kissed her badge, patted her heart and pumped her fist in the direction of Marina in the stands. Our first team managers know the truth.

Perhaps he's refusing to extend and that is the explanation for him leaving the squad? Sounds like there is more news to come soon about Harvey.

At a pinch I suppose Harvey could justify one more season with the development squad but it obviously makes no sense for Billy. Perhaps loans are on the cards for both of them. A loan, with mid season break if he doesn't play, makes sense for Billy. He doesn't want to get stuck in a permanent move to a club where he won't play. Billy won't, at this stage, want to accept a permanent move to the Championship but he won't earn a starter's role in the Premier League. Going for a second loan, giving himself another chance to impress, might make sense for him. Long term I think Championship/Scottish Premier League is Billy's target level. Not guaranteed but a target.

I rate Harvey over Billy but I don't have real first team confidence in him.

I wouldn't be bothered bout that. Don't rate Nunez and don't think Nunes is all that either.