Vesper

FAN VIEW: 'Ultimately, Clearlake is the problem. To spend well over 1 billion to regress is shocking' 'You can learn a lot from experienced teammates' https://siphillipstalkschelsea.substack.com/p/fan-view-ultimately-clearlake-is An important ‘fan view’ to draw in on today, with a bunch of quotes from fans, as well as myself, and a former Chelsea player to have a look at further below. As I’ve said earlier this week, strangely enough, I still think we will get Champions League football this season and I am perhaps not as fearful as most have been after the Burnley game. However, we have a SUPER tough run of fixtures coming up and you cannot deny that it looks like a real uphill task now to get UCL football. Which is really quite absurd right? When you consider the amount of money that has been spent on building this squad and the amount we spent in the summer yet again? Community member Matt Kirk, posted the below after the Burnley game, and this comment deserves this elevation. “Bitterly disappointing result again. It’s worrying to see the drop-off in standards, especially after a break. The lack of discipline is pathetic too. This points to the lack of leaders and experience in the squad. Which we’ve all known for a while. “It’s all well and good signing all these talented young players. But they need someone to guide them in these moments. It helps to develop them as players and know the levels you need to be at. You can learn a lot from experienced teammates. I’m sure Terry did from Desailly. Thiago Silva was crucial too. “Ultimately, Clearlake is the problem. They can brief what they want, but to spend well over 1 billion to regress is shocking. We’ve had an exodus of highly valued staff from the men’s and women’s teams, who I’m sure will point to the same problem. The FOS situation is embarrassing. The turnover in staff too. “We qualified for the CL and won the CWC and still failed to capitalise. What changes if we even manage to get CL football again? Will we take advantage of that or continue to make the same mistakes?” I fully agree with absolutely everything he has said here, especially the comments I’ve highlighted in the title and subtitle of this article. Honestly, SAY IT LOUDER Matt! I really do not know how anyone could argue with this - of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Another top guy, community member Jay Shayshutt also commented. “I'm tired of the "experience" argument, yes we definitely need some more leaders, but there is actually plenty of experience in that side. Fofana is hardly an inexperienced player, same goes for Trev, Sanchez, Caicedo, Cucurella. Signing leaders is definitely more of a priority than just experience - unless it's consistent CL level experience.” Jay has made some decent points here, sure. But this was my response to him… “I think the word 'experienced' can mean many different things. What this squad needs is more leaders as you say, but elite level players who will come in and instantly improve us whilst also having big experience such as regular European and international appearances for club and country, as well as perhaps plenty of Premier League experience. We need more big game players with strong mentalities and influence on the rest of those on the pitch with them. That's what we truly lack and have done the whole time.” But he’s right, some of our players are now veering towards the more ‘experienced’ mark. But as I say, I think there are different versions of ‘experienced’ and we certainly still lack that in this squad and have lacked it for the last three years. It’s simply all about balance for me. The Chelsea players have even said it! Former Chelsea player Carlton Cole said earlier this week, after speaking with Axel Disasi: “When I spoke to Axel Disasi, he was talking about who he enjoyed it cause he was obviously at Chelsea. He’s at West Ham now on loan. Doing great by the way. “And I got talking to him. He basically said that Thiago Silva, when he was there, was the voice of reason, like the big brother, the uncle. And then when he left that, all kind of went cause there was no experience to lean on. So they’re all leaning on each other, and they’re not experienced enough to lean on each other. “So they have to look at each other as we’re all in this together.” Disasi was one of the ‘older players’ in that team, but he certainly wasn’t what I’d call an elite big game player who had been there and done it, and seen it all. That’s what we lack. But for Disasi to notice that when you lose a senior leader like Silva, it can have a real effect. Also, we would need at least three of these types of players if you ask me. I think this is also pretty accurate from another community member, Michael M: “Man United squad was always decent, they’re now performing at their level imo. Two real difference makers in Mbuemo and Fernandes, Casemiro and Maguire both very solid older heads who have the personality and authority to organise others. Their depth isn’t great but without midweek football they’re right in the mix for CL, no doubt. “We have experience but for a lot of players, it’s been accumulated in the worst period in our recent history, or at teams where winning is not a necessity. Their squad doesn’t have as much of that “negative” experience any more.” There’s various ways of looking at these things, but for me, this is our biggest issues right now.

Fake news post by a non-native, low quality English speaker.

https://store.chelseafc.com/en/c-11694

another often-stated target......... veteran (27yo and up) CBs here is a list of the top remotely available (so no Marquinhos) ones, ordered by by valuation (some of these are much harder than others to pull) Cristian Romero do not ever want him here Edmond Tapsoba Bremer so often injured though Nikola Milenković EPL-proven Dávid Hancko Min-jae Kim Isak Hien Joachim Andersen Marcos Senesi best option IMHO Leonardo Balerdi Federico Gatti Benjamin Pavard Roger Ibañez Merih Demiral José María Giménez Omar Alderete EPL-proven Amir Rrahmani Antonio Rüdiger EPL-proven Milan Škriniar Aymeric Laporte EPL-proven Diego Carlos EPL-proven Mario Hermoso Alessio Romagnoli Fabian Schär EPL-proven Willi Orbán

yes, I agree, it is a bad, bad look

Good news for Chelsea player Kendry Paez who seems to have avoided any serious injury https://Chelsea.news/2026/02/good-news-for-Chelsea-player-who-seems-to-have-avoided-any-serious-injury/ It looks like it’s good news for on loan Chelsea player Kendry Paez who seems to have avoided any serious injury. Paez has been playing for his loan club River Plate after a failed loan move with Strasbourg earlier this season. He had just been starting to get some minutes when he had to come off with a shoulder injury in his last game. At the time, it looked like it could have been a pretty bad one because he was all strapped up in an arm sling after the game and his face was grimacing in some pain. Thankfully though, it does not look like it will be anything serious and if reports are true, it could even be as little as two weeks before he is back playing again, which would be great all things considered. Paez injury updates Kendry Paez in action for River Plate. (Photo by Rodrigo Valle/Getty Images) Bolavip reports that Paez has a ‘minor shoulder injury’. This should keep him on the sidelines for at least two to three weeks, which is also agreed upon by another source below… Studio Futbol also report the youngster should be out of action for two to four weeks. So really, it’s good news all around. The outlet state: ‘The two-to-four-week timeframe will be key in determining whether he will only miss local matches or also more demanding games on the schedule. Everything will depend on how his shoulder responds in the first days of rehabilitation.’

Chelsea loanee says he wants a first team spot after seven goals at loan club Chelsea loanee Omari Kellyman responds to Cardiff City fans telling him to stay https://www.thechelseachronicle.com/news/Chelsea-loanee-omari-kellyman-responds-to-cardiff-city-fans-telling-him-to-stay/ Omari Kellyman has delivered a bittersweet message to the Cardiff City faithful, admitting that while he is enjoying his time, his ultimate goal remains a permanent breakthrough at Chelsea. Chelsea have a heap of promising young talents in their youth ranks right now, but the story of Omari Kellyman is a different one. Kellyman joined Chelsea for around £19 million from Aston Villa back in June of 2024, with Ian Maatsen making his way to Villa Park. However, he’s still yet to make his first team debut for the Blues. He does have five appearances under his belt for the Under-21s, scoring two goals in those appearances. And Kellyman’s loan spell at Cardiff City has been a successful one, scoring seven goals, including five goals and one assist in his last six Championship appearances. Omari Kellyman issues an update on his Chelsea future Chelsea are stacked for attackers at this moment in time, but that hasn’t stopped Kellyman from wanting to play a part at Stamford Bridge. Speaking to The Athletic, he reacted after seeing Cardiff fans on social media have been trying to convince him to sign on again next season. “I have seen those,” he says with a smile. “Even coming out of the stadium, I can hear them saying it. It is great. After having a whole season being in the shadows, it is good to feel wanted again. But I signed for Chelsea, and I want to play for Chelsea — that is the end goal. “I chose to go to Cardiff on loan because they are a massive club. Seeing how the manager (Brian Barry-Murphy) gets them playing suits me. I am more of a No 10 that plays off the right so I can cut in on my left foot. That was one of the positions he saw me playing in, although, like any manager, was stressing beforehand that I would have to expect to play in other positions as well.” Omari Kellyman shares Reece James’ influence at Chelsea As we know, Reece James’ influence goes way beyond his work on the pitch. And that’s the case with Omari Kellyman, who struggled with a long-term hamstring injury. “I had great support from all of the lads,” Kellyman reveals. “Most of the players would check up on me every day. With Reece, Romeo (Lavia) and Wes (Fofana)… I also spent a lot of time doing rehab with them. “Reece checked up on me so much. The injuries he has had are very similar to mine. He is the one I understood the most because a lot of the challenges were similar to what I was going through. The difference is that everyone already knew how good he was, but he still faced the same talk from people about not being able to stay fit. “Reece came out the other side and is flying now. He proved you can come back from it. I never doubted I would start playing again, but the doubt in your mind is: ‘Will I be the same?”

Sources: Door back open now for Nicolas Jackson Things could be changing here... https://siphillipstalkschelsea.substack.com/p/sources-door-back-open-now-for-nicolas I know I wrote last week that it would shock me if Nicolas Jackson returned to Chelsea in the summer and STAYED here, and I’ll still be surprised if that happens. But things have changed a little on this one. I had been hearing from sources that Jackson staying at Chelsea is unlikely. However, a top SPTC Source has told me this week that the door is actually now back open, should the striker wish to use it - but it will depend on other situations as well. Jackson left Chelsea to join Bayern Munich on loan at the start of this season, but they are not going to be trying to sign him permanently. Jackson’s agents are taking interest from many other clubs and they are as a result, keeping their options open. Jackson is keen on some of the interest coming in from other clubs. But by keeping all options open, that means the option of staying at Chelsea as well. Sources have informed us that Jackson still speaks to many of his Chelsea team mates and keeps connected with them all, and the main reason he refused to come back to Chelsea when the club asked him to after the injury to Liam Delap, was mostly down to falling out with Enzo Maresca. It remains to be seen whether Jackson and the club can repair the relationship after what happened, but the belief now is that the door does remain open for him to do so. It would also need something to happen with Liam Delap, and as we reported, that all depends on how he finishes the season. If Delap leaves (either on loan or permanent) early in the summer transfer window, then Jackson could stay at Chelsea. Chelsea have Emmanuel Emegha coming in, and it could present the scenario of having Emegha, Jackson, and Joao Pedro as our 9 options going into next season, with Pedro still being seen more as a 10 than a 9. Emegha could also still spend next season on loan, either still at Strasbourg, or another club. No decisions have been made on him yet, or Delap. Chelsea are looking at other strikers as well and will still look at opportunities. But as of right now, they feel that the centre forward market is very dry, hence why Jackson is being seen as an option again. So the point of this story is that yes, there is now a chance that Jackson could stay at Chelsea, and it’s not a case of his Blues story being completely over. As I’ve said though, I would personally still be surprised if he stays at Chelsea, but that is just my opinion. I think too much has happened for him to stay now and also, In don’t think it would be the right call, at all.

Jarrod Bowen drops his verdict on Chelsea loanee Axel Disasi at West Ham so far https://www.thechelseachronicle.com/news/jarrod-bowen-drops-his-verdict-on-Chelsea-loanee-axel-disasi-at-west-ham-so-far/ West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen has offered a telling insight into Axel Disasi’s immediate impact at the London Stadium, which will make for uncomfortable reading for Chelsea fans. Axel Disasi spent five months in Chelsea‘s bomb squad this season, as well as playing some games for the Under-21 side to maintain his fitness. Liam Rosenior then decided to give Disasi a chance in first-team training, but it was never about keeping him at Chelsea. Now, Disasi finds himself playing football at West Ham United after sealing a loan until the end of the season. However, there is no option or obligation to buy the Frenchman, so he will return. And to be fair to the defender, he’s been superb at the London Stadium. Jarrod Bowen says Axel Disasi has been a big presence for West Ham Jarrod Bowen told Sky Sports after West Ham’s draw with Bournemouth, “You can’t expect to score two or three goals every week and pick up results. We knew we needed to improve and change. And I think Axel has come in and been a really big presence.” This comes after Nuno Espirito Santo praised Disasi on his debut, and the Hammers have kept three clean sheets in four games since he signed. Disasi is also far superior to Chelsea’s centre-backs when it comes to accurate long balls, which isn’t necessarily a trait you need under Liam Rosenior. Disasi doesn’t really suit Chelsea’s new style Based on his recent form at West Ham, Axel Disasi has shown a level of physical dominance that suggests he could certainly compete for a spot in Chelsea’s rotation. Disasi’s greatest advantage over Benoit Badiashile is his front-footed defending. While Badiashile has struggled for consistency and is often criticised for a perceived lack of aggression in key moments, Disasi has immediately brought stability and power to the Hammers’ backline. However, Rosenior’s tactical shift requires line-breaking centre-backs who are good in possession. While Disasi is a reliable defender, he doesn’t quite match the criteria compared to others.

Sources: New FOS sponsor took just days to finalise, so what's going on? A bit of info on this https://siphillipstalkschelsea.substack.com/p/sources-new-fos-sponsor-took-just So, I’ve spoken to a source on Chelsea’s new FOS sponsors that was announced over the weekend. We got to see the first look of the Ai company on our shirts in the Burnley game, but this at the moment is just going to be until the end of the season. The partnership will continue, but there is going to be more uncertainty as to who will be Chelsea’s permanent FOS sponsors going forward. Having spoken to SPTC Sources over the weekend, one of the reasons we are faced with another temporary FOS sponsor is down to uncertainty around getting in the Champions League spots come the end of the season - this is what all the big sponsors and big money deals want - they want to sponsor a UCL club. There had also been a hold up due to some companies Chelsea spoke to, waiting to see what charges we are going to get after the investigation. So there’s been a few reasons really. Our sources say that negotiations with IFS.ai took just two days to complete, so it was all just pushed through in the end. My top source tells me again that talks with Red Bull/Oracle was very advanced and so close to happening earlier in the season. This source pointed out that Red Bull had even changed some clothing lines to the colours of Chelsea in preparation for the deal to be announced. So perhaps down the line, this one still happens. But it makes me believe now after speaking to sources, that it’s likely to depend on Champions League football at the end of the season.

Just keeping a list active, as you never know what will happen. I am not at all calling for Rosenior's head.

the first 4 (ZZ, Klopp, King Carlo, and Pep) are massive pipe dreams and in one case probably ready to retire soon (Carlo) my top 5 remotely realistic down the road are in no order: Luis Enrique (the hardest pull) Simone Inzaghi Xavi Hernández Hansi Flick (2nd hardest pull) Cesc Fàbregas with Cesc being the most likely after those 5 Julian Nagelsmann would be next for me then maybe Xabi Alonso or Lionel Scaloni

List of every (that I can think of, and if you see somebody I forgot, just let me know and I will add them in) acceptable (no more Mou nor Conte) manager for us, whether they are currently available or not, even the ones who are pipedreams Jürgen Klopp Zinedine Zidane Pep Guardiola Carlo Ancelotti Luis Enrique Simone Inzaghi Xavi Hernández Cesc Fàbregas Hansi Flick Thomas Tuchel (lol, what can I say, I do rate him) Julian Nagelsmann Diego Simeone Xabi Alonso Lionel Scaloni Didier Deschamps Massimiliano Allegri Abel Ferreira Laurent Blanc Joachim Löw Unai Emery

pretty ironic that of the top 34 GKers globally (valuation-wise) 6 of them are current or ex Chels Djordje Petrovic Robert Sánchez Thibaut Courtois Marcin Bulka Mike Penders Filip Jørgensen if we had bought Maignan (or one of my other targets tbh), over 20 per cent of the top 34 would be current or ex Chels GKers and Kepa was in the top 25 or so until less than 2 years ago