Vesper

Nkunku to Bayern looking atm like it's collapsed. They refuse anything other than a no obligation loan. Fucking Bavarian gameplayers.

IF Enzo is sold (highly unlikely this window) these are the main 4 I am looking at to replace him Aleksandar Pavlovic Adam Wharton Marc Casadó Ayyoub Bouaddi (doesn't turn 18 until October 2, 2025)

We very likely will not be able to register any of the new signings for the CL, unless we sell Enzo to Real Madrid, or some other wild, out of left field sale

I do not like it either it looks cheap

he is not on List A the only list that counts towards balancing the books in the 'deal' we accepted from UEFA for breaching their rigourous FFP rules

here are the only players left we can sell who count towards balancing our UEFA books Tyrique George does NOT count towards balancing the ledger, nor do any others not listed strikethroughs are already sold, sent back (Sancho), or in one case, cannot be sold due to a ban (Muddy Thee Doper) bold red are the two left we want to sell Lucas Bergstrom Filip Jorgensen Robert Sanchez Tosin Adarabioyo Benoit Badiashile..... cannot sell, grrrr, as he is injured atm, and also the fucking board somehow still rates him, grrrrrrrrrr Trevoh Chalobah Marc Cucurella Malo Gusto Reece James Mathis Amougou Moises Caicedo Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall Enzo Fernandez Marc Guiu Nicolas Jackson Noni Madueke Mykhailo Mudryk massive ratfuck with the pronger getting dope-banned, grrrrrrrr Christopher Nkunku Cole Palmer Pedro Neto Jadon Sancho hopefully this shows why I am so worried atm

more German ratfuckery out and about............................ Christopher Nkunku move to RB Leipzig hits snag https://www.tntsports.co.uk/football/transfers/2025-2026/christopher-nkunku-Chelsea-rb-leipzig-napoli-manchester-united-rasmus-hojlund-liverpool-rodrygo-reports-rumours_sto23213369/story.shtml In Thursday's edition of Euro Transfer News, Chelsea and RB Leipzig are in disagreement over the terms of a potential return to the Bundesliga for Christopher Nkunku Nkunku exit under threat Chelsea's aim of offloading attacker Christopher Nkunku has been thrown into jeopardy, according to journalist Florian Plettenberg. The France international has been linked with a return to former side RB Leipzig, having made 62 appearances for The Blues in his two full seasons at the club. But Plettenberg reports that Leipzig are unwilling to take back the 27-year-old on a permanent deal, preferring a loan option. "Leipzig’s position on Christopher Nkunku has not changed. The interest is there, they admire him, and Leipzig remain in contact with Chelsea," wrote Plettenberg on X, formerly Twitter. "However, a permanent transfer is currently ruled out by RB - if anything, it would have to be a loan deal. "Chelsea’s stance remains clear: a permanent deal, or at the very least, an obligation to buy."

Glashütte’s retro chronograph is a masterclass in German watchmaking The Glashütte Original Seventies Chronograph: Where retro meets refined horology https://www.themanual.com/fashion/glashuttes-retro-chronograph-is-a-masterclass-in-german-watchmaking/ Glashütte is going back to one of the most iconic eras in fashion with the release of its Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date, a timepiece that combines the singularly 1970s-inspired design with contemporary technical brilliance. Housed in a sleek 40mm x 40mm stainless steel case and showcasing a distinctive tonneau shape, this model is the epitome of understated sophistication, its satin-brushed and polished surfaces catching the light with refined precision. The gradient blue dial will remind of twilight skies, featuring a sunray finish that shifts in color depending on the angle, while the applied indices and faceted hands ensure excellent legibility. The in-house Calibre 37-02 automatic movement can be viewed through the sapphire caseback and showcases Glashütte Original’s signature three-quarter plate, blued screws, and hand-engraved balance cock – a testament to Saxon watchmaking at the highest level. A Chronograph that balances form and function The aesthetics are undoubtedly astounding, but the Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date also delivers elite performance. The flyback chronograph complication allows for seamless timing, while the Panorama Date display at 4 o’clock — a signature of the brand — delivers both practicality and visual harmony. The stainless steel bracelet has been integrated and features alternating polished and brushed links, ensuring a luxurious and comfortable fit. What will draw collectors to this model is its versatility – wear it for black-tie events or everyday wear and never skip a beat. With water resistance up to 100 meters, it is a masterpiece that combines elegance and durability in equal measure. A modern classic awaits discerning collectors Retro charm and state-of-the-art technical mastery are just a few of the obvious perks that come with the Glashütte Original Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date – a shining example of German watchmaking excellence. For collectors who appreciate timeless design and mechanical brilliance, this timepiece is nothing short of horological artistry.

just make the FCWC badge smaller and then it doesn't dominate our club crest it is too damn big now

Chelsea Adjusts Club World Cup Badge Placement for Premier League Season https://www.footyheadlines.com/2025/08/Chelsea-adjusts-club-world-cup-badge-placement-for-premier-league-season.html Badge Repositioning: Chelsea has adjusted the placement of their FIFA Club World Cup badge on their Premier League kit, moving it higher on the chest compared to its position during pre-season. Sporting iD Instruction: The badge's relocation was directed by Sporting iD, the Premier League's badge manufacturer, to ensure the FIFA badge doesn't overshadow the club crest. Fan Dissatisfaction: The new badge position has been met with controversy among supporters, who find the higher placement awkward and prefer the design of previous Club World Cup badges. Chelsea took to the pitch for their opening Premier League match with a noticeable change to their kit that differed from what was seen during their pre-season tour. The gold FIFA Club World Cup champion badge has been repositioned on the chest. During pre-season matches, the gold CWC badge was positioned centrally, sitting directly between the Nike Swoosh and the Chelsea club crest. However, for the official start of the Premier League season, the badge has been moved higher up on the chest, now placed centrally above the two logos. Image via chuyenaodau The adjustment was not an arbitrary decision by the club. According to reports, the change was made following official instructions from Sporting iD, the manufacturer of the badges for the Premier League. The rationale for pushing the badge higher is to prevent the prominent FIFA badge from overshadowing the club's own crest, giving both elements more visual space. Despite the intention, the new placement has stirred controversy among supporters. Many feel the higher position looks awkward or unbalanced. This discussion is often linked to the general dissatisfaction with the current circular CWC badge compared to the more traditional, and fan-favorite, shield-shaped version used in previous years, which many believe was better designed and easier to integrate into a kit's layout. Following their win in the historic first Club World Cup with the new format, Chelsea will have the badge on their kit for the next four seasons. Check out classic Chelsea kits on Football Kit Archive

Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku to be left out of Chelsea squad vs. West Ham https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6566741/2025/08/21/Chelsea-transfers-nicolas-jackson-nkunku/ Enzo Maresca has confirmed Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku will not be in the Chelsea squad to face West Ham United on Friday despite being available for selection. Jackson was suspended for the club’s opening match against Crystal Palace while Nkunku did not make the bench for the 0-0 draw on Sunday despite being fit. Both players are up for sale and Maresca has already put summer signings Joao Pedro and Liam Delap ahead of the forwards in the pecking order. Maresca said: “He (Nico) is available but he is not going to be part of the squad because we have two strikers in that position and also something can happen before the window closes. Christo is with us like Nico but he (his future) is the same answer as Nico.” Jackson has attracted interest from Premier League clubs while RB Leipzig have stepped up talks over re-signing Nkunku. What You Should Read Next Do Chelsea have an attack that can win them the Premier League? Chelsea must find a way to become the sum of their spending in the final third if the world champions are to become English champions again When asked if there is a way back for the duo in his plans if neither get a transfer before the deadline on September 1, he added: “No idea to be honest. It is not the moment. There are still two weeks to go (till the deadline). It’s difficult to plan because anything can happen.” Maresca has also revealed that defender Aaron Anselmino, who was not involved against Crystal Palace, is being lined up for a loan. Maresca said: “He is a good player but he needs to play games, he needs to go (on Loan) and he is another player that is waiting for a solution.” Meanwhile, defender Tosin Adarabioyo is available to return from injury but Romeo Lavia (muscular) and Benoit Badiashile (leg) are still sidelined.

1. Carousel Jewels, £150 2. Rixo, £270 3. Carvela, £139 4. John Lewis, £22.50 5. Pilgrim, £37.99  

CELINE EYEWEAR Square-frame acetate sunglasses https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/product/celine-eyewear/accessories/square-frame/square-frame-acetate-sunglasses/1647597359431070 The three dots at the front and temples of these sunglasses are a CELINE Eyewear signature. Made in Italy from acetate, they have classic square frames and are finished with gold logo lettering along the wide arms. Keep yours protected in the accompanying case. LAURA LOMBARDI Radda recycled gold- and platinum-plated hoop earrings

Chelsea unveil aggressively basic 2025-26 third kit Don’t hurt yourself, Nike https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/kits/161245/Chelsea-unveil-aggressively-basic-2025-26-third-kit I’m on record for favoring simplicity when it comes to my Chelsea shirts. “It’s Blue, what else matters?” as the memorable ad campaign (the one with the blue paint) said over a decade ago now. But there’s keeping it simple in a classy way — as Nike themselves showed with that tremendous FA Cup 50th Anniversary shirt — and then there’s keeping it simple in a “who gives a [FUN]” way. If that adidas ad campaign in 2014 posited that Chelsea fans would buy a home shirt sight unseen just knowing that it was blue, Nike’s current third shirt figures that Chelsea fans would buy any old crap as long as it’s billed “a Chelsea shirt”. Behold: some black polyester, straight out of the seconds pile at the factory floor, rejected as training shirts, even. And where’s the World Champions badge going to go? A generous view of this design might say that it borrows from Nike’s own Brazil kits in the early 2000s — and they teased it with those Nike Total 90 balls from the same time, with the marketing also doling out nostalgia about the 2004-05 Chelsea season and Nike’s Total 90 era in general — but to me this is little more than throwaway garbage. Buy it here!

Laughable. Hard to take anyone seriously who claims that. It really is. Sorry, but I have to call it out.

BlueCo have now taken 15 players or staff from Brighton since 2022.

Julio Enciso buy is a meh for me. Maybe we get lucky but I never rated him that much.

Wish he would leave. I said it would be a disastrous buy, and it has been.

explanation Chelsea star deletes all Blues content from Instagram after pointed Enzo Maresca dig Chelsea star Wesley Fofana has deleted all Chelsea-related content from his Instagram after Enzo Maresca called for new signings and claimed the Frenchman couldn't do all that was required of him https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/Chelsea-fofana-instagram-enzo-maresca-35761892 Wesley Fofana has deleted every Chelsea-related post on his Instagram after Enzo Maresca made it clear that he couldn't step into a defensive role for the Blues - urging the club to sign new defenders instead. Fofana was signed back when Thomas Tuchel was in charge, joining for a mammoth £75million from Leicester. However he's struggled to repay that fee, largely owing to a horrific injury that kept him out for nearly an entire season. The Frenchman is one of a number of defenders on Chelsea's books and only played 14 times last term. An injury to Levi Colwill, which will rule him out for the majority of the campaign, has opened up a spot in the team's backline but Fofana is set to get snubbed with Maresca claiming he lacks the qualities to fill in. The 24-year-old was a huge hit when he was at the Foxes, but the Blues boss believes he cannot do what is necessary to help the team with their build-up play - something he stated publicly. In response Fofana has wiped his hands with the club, at least from a social media perspective. His Instagram now only includes images of him playing for France and Leicester with Chelsea not mentioned in his bio either. Maresca has suggested that Tosin Abarabioyo is the only player he can rely on to take on the burden from Colwill. "The only one that can do that job well is Tosin," said the Italian. He also claimed: “We said many times that we are able to create chances and to attack in the right way if we are able to build in the right way. Levi was a huge part of our build-up, and now he is out and we are going to try to find a different solution. We are trying to find a solution internally but the club know exactly what I think. "We have players that unfortunately, like Wes or Benoit, they have in this moment some problems. And this is the reason why I said that the club knows exactly what I think about central defenders.” Chelsea drew their opening Premier League game against Crystal Palace on Sunday, who held them to a goalless stalemate. Josh Acheampong and Trevoh Chalobah were the two men at the heart of the Blues' defence with Fofana an unused sub - as was new signing Jorrel Hato.

Sources: Chelsea have scouted Alejandro Garnacho for 8 years He's actually a long time target https://siphillipstalkschelsea.substack.com/p/sources-Chelsea-have-scouted-alejandro This transfer window has been a very odd one. The Alejandro Garnacho hype has been a little bit odd, and the fact he is allegedly turning down Bayern Munich and any other club and is only desperately waiting for Chelsea, is also a little odd. But anyway, this is a sourced article so I’m not getting into any of that for now. The point is, he’s actually been a Chelsea ‘target’ for many years and the club scouts have had him on the radar since he was in the youth setup at Atletico Madrid. Chelsea scouts have been racking up the data on him ever since and had passed all his info onto the new directors when they came in. Chelsea scouts continued to watch him. and his data is something that is admired by the sporting directors, who are all keen on signing him, not just Paul Winstanley. Although the latter has been one of those behind the latest big push to sign him. Chelsea scouts rate the player a lot and have been watching him for nearly 8 years. You will remember an exclusive report on this site a year or so back reporting our latest interest in Garnacho when he was just coming through at Manchester United. All the sporting directors are on board with the signing and we’ve even heard from our sources that his brother, who has been known to be a bit of a trouble maker, has moved back to Spain and does not influence Alejandro. So that is the info we’ve had this week, not my opinion, just FYI.

Chef Adam Byatt Shares His Little Black Book Adam Byatt is the man behind Clapham’s Michelin-starred restaurant Trinity. Fresh from launching Brasserie Constance at the new Fulham Pier development, he spoke to SLMan about the staples that have come to define day-to-day life… https://slman.com/culture/chef-adam-byatt-shares-his-little-black-book Let’s start at the top, Adam. What are your three favourite restaurants in London right now? Plates is up there. It’s an exceptional, ground-breaking restaurant doing something that no one else is doing. I also love Perilla. Ben Marks has a way with food and style of food like no one else. He has an incredible foundation, having worked with the likes of Phil Howard, so he understands cookery. His food is just unique – I’m excited to be going there on Friday. I also have to shout out Wildflowers in Newson's Yard, which is headed up by ex-Trinity chef Aaron Potter. It’s brilliant. Where do you go for a special-occasion dinner? It would be very hard not to go to The Ritz, but I’d love to go to Ikoyi. What’s your go-to spot for something casual with friends? Juliet’s Quality Food is perfect for brunch, with amazing coffee and the best champurrado ever. These guys feed you, make you feel cool and send you packing. Love it every time. Also, Peckham Bazaar – chef-owner John Gionleka has been at the stove forever and it shows. The hospitality is purist local and the cooking true to John’s heritage. It proves that first-class hospitality doesn’t have to come with finery and pomp. This place is dear to me and long may it continue. Peckham Bazaar; Celia Topping Is there a hidden gem we should all know about? There is a little café just off Northcote Road called Tierra Verde – no one knows about it. It’s fantastic, and I go for a soup and cheese on toast. Where do you go for coffee? I’m going to say Blank Street because my daughter goes mad for it. To be honest I don’t really drink much coffee – one at home does it for me. And for a stronger drink? The best cocktail spot is The Donovan Bar at Brown’s – they serve the best drinks in London. I don’t care what anyone says. The Connaught Bar? Where’s that? I don’t really go to many pubs, but if I do it has to be the Prince of Wales in Clapham. It’s a proper boozer. That said, I also like The Nightingale near Wandsworth Common. The Donovan Bar; Janos Grapow Do you have a favourite food market? Yeah, Maltby Street Market is fantastic. There are lots of shops and St John has a big presence. The hams, the cheeses – all epic. Also, Next door to Tierra Verde, there’s a little deli where I buy loads of stuff from. Otherwise, the deli counter at Moen’s Butchers is pretty hard to beat. How do you spend a day off? Fishing. Where do you go for a long walk? Wandsworth Park, which is very special to my me and my wife. We spent a lot of time there before we had kids and you can see my new restaurant, Brasserie Constance, from the top. We’re very lucky in south London to have spaces like that. I also like to go for runs that are long, onerous and hard – completely cleansing to a point where I wash away everything that’s clogging my mind. @Fursac.Paris Plates Talk to us about menswear brands… Fursac is up there – I’m a big fan of those guys. I recently picked up a few pieces from NN.07, who are doing some great things. I also love Maharishi, but I’m too old for that now. If I’m going fishing, I like Fera for outdoor gear, and if I’m running, I’m in SaySky or Salomon trainers. What’s your off-duty uniform? It sounds a bit crackers, but I love M&S, especially for trousers. They’re doing good gear right now. Don’t knock it! You’ll usually see me in a sweater and a nice pair of trousers, and I never go anywhere without my Golden Goose trainers. Are you a watch guy? I wear Garmin 90% of the time, though I bring out the Rolex my wife bought me for special occasions. I reckon my dream watch would be a baby blue Datejust Rolex in 24mm. Ikoyi Where do you get your hair cut? I have a wonderful lady called Charlotte Cave in Clapham who’s been my hairdresser for the last decade. She’s a great friend, a mentor and a bit of a style guru – she makes sure I’m on point when it matters. Do you have a signature fragrance? Most of the time I wear ‘Ink’ by Perfumer H. They also do one called Dandelion, which I like to wear during the day. Finally, Adam, tell us about your own new restaurant… That would be Brasserie Constance. Fulham approached me over two years ago to ask if I’d put a restaurant in the new development at Fulham Pier. There’s a ton of stuff going on there: hotel, members club, event spaces etc. It’s one of the most awesome projects that’s been built in London within the last decade. I just thought, I can’t not be representing there. Fundamentally, Constance is a neighbourhood restaurant – because that’s my jam. Come on down and check it out. Follow @AdamByatt on Instagram – and visit TrinityRestaurant.co.uk & BrasserieConstance.com Trinity Brasserie Constance

Why You Should Dress More Like An Italian https://slman.com/style/fashion/italian-tailoring Italian menswear style isn't about perfection – it's about ease. In an increasingly casual world, and in a year when the heatwaves are coming in waves, that feels like a winning philosophy. Anglo-Italian founder Jake Grantham and Natalino founder Nathan Lee are two of London’s leading exponents of its softer lines and lighter fabrics. We spoke to them about why the Italian approach to tailoring might be the most elegant way to meet the demands of contemporary life. Italian style feels like something we recognise when we see it, but can be hard to define. What does it mean to you? NATHAN: For me, it's about a sense of ease. It's not overly studied. It's not too perfect. It's not too precious. You know, it’s about wrinkles in linen jackets. There are wrinkles in the trousers too, and the shoes are a bit scuffed. But they are all good pieces, and they fit well, and the person wearing them looks really elegant but easy. JAKE: Italian men commit to their look. They wear it all day long, and they don't become pedantic about it. I think it’s really nice that dressing up is more prevalent there. Go to Milan and you’ll see guys in blue suits, guys in blue striped shirts and guys in ties. There is a subtle art to that kind of dressing. Any style icons who exemplify this approach? JAKE: Alan Whicker got me into all this. I'd watch old footage of him in Venice in his 80s, wearing Dougie Hayward suits that were Savile Row but softer. He looks as good today as he did back then. There's a timelessness to dressing this way. You don’t take big swings, because this kind of style is a pendulum that swings gently and slowly. I don't follow trends, and I always think this sits outside fashion. And I love that, that this is more about craft than it is about the superficial stuff. NATHAN: Gianni Agnelli is basically the godfather of it all. Steve McQueen's another absolute classic. He just never looked like he cared that much or was too studied. How did you learn to appreciate the Italian approach? JAKE: I got my education at the Armoury in Hong Kong, then I lived with Antonio Liverano, a legendary tailor in Florence, for three months. We were very close, and I learnt a lot from him. I interviewed him once for the Armoury magazine, and I asked him about the Tuscan jacket he made. All he’d say to me was, ‘I make a Tuscan jacket.’ He had nothing else to say about it. I think that’s quite beautiful, and very Italian. There’s an appreciation of a culture, and that you are just a part of that. There’s a belief in lineage that you also see in the food culture and the design culture there, an acknowledgement of what’s come before. NATHAN: I started in investment banking, and I was getting suits made in Naples because it was so hard to find this style of tailoring in London back in 2013. I'd put on these Neapolitan jackets and think, 'Wow, this is incredible.' You look refined but easy. Why is this style having a moment now? NATHAN: I feel like these days, if you look like you thought about what you’re wearing too hard, it's really quite unattractive. I feel like the idea now is to look like you just rolled out of bed and happen to be well put together. Work from home being more of a thing, suiting being less important – we get lawyers and bankers who don't wear suits anymore but still want to look presentable. So they're buying odd trousers, odd jackets, button-down shirts instead of navy suits. The trend is definitely going to continue – even more casual, even softer stuff. What makes Italian tailoring different from British? JAKE: I almost can't keep a straight face when I put on British tailoring. I just don't look like me in it. With all that military stuff and that strict way of dressing, it’s quite hard when you're on the tube next to people wearing T-shirts and shorts. But when you rip out all the gubbins, there’s an ease that I think is appropriate in 2025. NATHAN: English tailoring is about structured shoulders and very sharp lines – by nature, that does not look like it's being done effortlessly. Whereas the Italian softness, shoulders that just fall off, sleeves that are kind of rumpled – that’s effortlessness. Are there regional differences within Italian tailoring? NATHAN: The biggest contrast would be Milan versus Naples. Milan being the financial centre, it's quite similar to English tailoring – they've got a little bit more padding, it's smarter, more business-like. Naples is much more casual. Their suits are often without padding, really soft, with a spalla camicia shoulder that's got a slight wrinkling. Sleeves are more generous – a wider sleeve makes it look more informal. Tell us about some of your signature pieces… JAKE: Tailoring is our really strong suit – we do all our own fabric development, going to mills in Italy or England to produce our own finishes. We also launched jeans really early doors, which was very unusual at the time. These are tailoring-friendly jeans that hit the sweet spot between Levi's ruggedness and stretchy stuff. NATHAN: It's the tailoring. This season I've been wearing wool seersucker a lot. We use 100% wool rather than conventional cotton which can feel quite restrictive and uncomfortable after a day of walking around. Whereas the wool just breaks nicely, it's more breathable. We've also developed a slightly wider trouser which is really helpful in the summer – we got a lot of feedback from guys looking for something slightly roomier. How do you both respect Italian tradition while being British brands? NATHAN: We work with really local Italian factories. I’ve learnt to speak Italian because our factory in Naples has no one who can speak English. They don't have a website, they don't hunt for English-speaking customers, and we're their only non-Italian customer. JAKE: If I wasn't making Anglo the right way, I'd go find something else to do in my life, because I feel that strongly that you should do it the right way, with people who've given so much to this for generations. It's about supporting livelihoods and the environment in which you're developing products. Who are your customers? NATHAN: It’s guys in their early 20s to early 40s who are already into this look. At the younger end, you've also got guys who want education – they come in and ask questions. At the other end, we have older guys who have loads of bespoke already, but don't want to spend £2,000 on a jacket they just want to wear on a weekend. JAKE: Our customer is an aficionado. They're going to get their fragrances from a fragrance house, and their sunglasses from a sunglasses brand. That's why our shoe collaboration had to be Crockett & Jones or nothing, for example, because Crockett & Jones is where they get their shoes from. How do you want those customers to feel when they put on your clothes? NATHAN: I want them to look and feel good. Clothes always need to flatter the person wearing them. I don't ever want to look like I'm awkward or uncomfortable, or feel like I'm wearing a costume. I just want to chuck something on with a t-shirt or a pair of jeans, and if it looks good, then that's what I'm happy with. And how about one final tip from the Italians about staying cool in hot weather? NATHAN: I always carry a fan because I run quite hot. I have to buy it from Italy – the best fans come from Italy because all the fans here are tiny, small ones in little flimsy fabrics that don't produce enough air. In Italy, because it's hot, they've just got better fans. Check out AngloItalian.com & Natalino.co for more.