Vegetable

Yeah, perhaps Sane, Sancho, SMS and Wan-Bissaka also. Still, they were the hot stuff back then and FM wonderkids, so I'd still count this as ambitious expectations (even if time shown that it would all pretty much be let-downs). And then we went to analyzing every left back and forward alive, lol I may be naive, but I expected the takeover would either be a loud start and spectacular window or very carefully planned one, to avoid starting with another deadwood flop, but for now I feel it's neither. Even if Raphinia is geniuenly good, we shouldn't be the second or third choice club for players of his weight, and if those statements are true it's beyond me how few people are suspicious about it. And he'll only come here if he runs out of other options, come on, he is not that big.

I have obvious agenda against big-money-low-yield transfers. Chiesa was almost universally considered the next big thing before injury and all the to clubs were after him at the time. Raphinia did decent in mid-table club and outgrew it (fair enough, but still) and is "open to talks" with us, if his preferred move won't work out. Seriously you think it's weird comparison? I can understand such hassle for Coman or Gnabry, but making clowns of ourselves and paying big just isn't worth it for me here. He may (or may not) do better than Zyiech, but it's not an improvement to next level that we need. Btw. I'd much rather like to see someone with worse stats but will play for the badge, than some, who will consider this his 9-5 job. It's much harder for footballers to play their top if they don't have a heart for the club and we can see it in our squad as well. If top winger is not available just don't get one instead of paying 100s of millions for shifting temporary solutions season after season, I thought we learnt this the hard way already.

Shag? No of what I know of, he just pissed me off. Bad? Not. Star? also not, so that's what medicore is for me. Decent, but is it seriously the most we can do? Plus, one season stats guarantee nothing, as we almost burn ourselves with Palace's superstar Wan-Bissaka, to give an example. When Sarri came only the top names were mentioned in this thread and suddenly we went from expecting Chiesa and nothing less to praying that we can snag some reasonably decent bloke from Leeds, who doesn't even want to come here in the first place. Still, my main point is: Nothing wrong with him taking a week to see out his options before making the final decision on his next club, true. But you can share your concerns with your friends, not via press statement. Being open about Chels being plan C is just lack of respect, even if that's what the reality is. And this guy is not Mbappe. Only thing that kept us aflot, luckily, was that we had squad of reasonably cold-headed players with good attitude and suddenly we decide to cut the branch that keeps us alive and start a dumpster fire with Lukaku, racing for Dembele (!) and what not, where we should really be careful about what kind of character we are getting in, especially when our captain and potentially few other senior, core players are leaving. If we didn't employ high-profile names, because they would shake the dressing room and club culture, then what are we doing now? It's like club is trying to go 10 opposite ways at the same time. We can build a squad of Kante, Mendy and 9 Barkleys, but is that really a point?

Yeah, that's all true, but not where my point actually is; I'm aware big transfers are big process with lot of people and time involved (even if I can imagine Chelsea is known for shithouse madness style of business like in Sunderland documentary, lol) and players are dealing with several clubs to very last moment, but in this particular case facts are one thing and politics is another one - you cannot shit on your potential employer in media, Lukaku-style, it's a no way to start any sort of relationship, even if purely business one. Especially that we are talking player who is mediocore at best and he and Deco are making us look like we are begging a guy, who, for me, could as well go to Turkey or whatever, to come here. From freaking Leeds. Depreciating other side of deal is a negotiation tactic, but club of CFC level shouldn't let itself be played like this. And well, the "pull" is part of properly working business. Oil money aside, big clubs can attract big players. Our inability to do so was excused with it being "smart business", but it only goes so far. I can understand some upcoming star prefers living in Spain instead of London, but if players prefer Bayern over us, that's a worrying sign. Of course, I can understand that the club is in transition as a company and it hinders it's initial workings, but Boehly isn't a child in the dark; If we can't do good in this window then f**k it and roll with Kennedy and academy instead of getting another Drinkwater-Batsman-Bakayoko-core fella or replace Zyiech with 0,003% better version of him for only 60 mil pounds. Club of our calibre should either do spectacular business like RM or a smart one like we did on several occasions, but recently I feel like we do neither and it's worrying. If we are seriously aiming for Sterling, Ake (why sell with no buyback then?), Raphinia and Kondue, who, with all respect, are not topmost of dream transfers, not to say they sound rather mid-table, and cannot secure any of them, that's not a good sign either. Planning and life changes? True, but if Real calls, most of guys are there next morning. And us?

I hope the club had actually given up on Raphinia. It's a pure disgrace to the club to be basically called second choice worst case scenario in media by agent and player in some teeny-tiny games with Barca, no place for those guys here. And he's hardly an improvement anyway, I'm sick of buying players who are way below Chelsea level and then surprisingly turn out to be way below Chelsea level and and purely financial burden season later.

I still don't really understand a scale of hate on this guy. Wonder if it's justified or people are just riding on the "marketing buy" sentiment. He had never been a top player, not sure if he ever had a potential to become one. He's rather a type of talented team player, yet to develop, very intelligent and likeable guy with good work ethic, probably financially attractive, who impacted some very important moments for us, so why not give him some slack? If anyone expected him to be a second Mbappe, well then, there's you problem. Personally I'm more let down with Zyiech's expectations vs delivery at the moment.

So… Yet again, we are without a striker for, like, fourth season now? Maybe getting rid of Tammy wasn't such a good idea after all…

Just look at the Slonina to Polish National team saga - his management knows well how to really hardcore market him as a product, well, way to well for me, the club shouldn't let itself be used as a leverage for player's move to wherever if he's not interested in playing here. And Dembele? C'mon, remembering his mentality issues lasting for YEARS I doubt we need this sort of player here; Let him go to Spain or France, setting up a dumpster fire here is a last thing we need now. Tuchel would sent him to space at first sight of BS anyway, at least I hope so.

Don't want to be a hater, I respect all the good stuff he did, but couldn't be less bothered about him leaving. I feel like some people started to believe the marketing spiel of his management and convinced themselves he's top tier CB. Yeah, in one very particular formation under one very particular manager, given he's having a good day. Until recently, a massive part of this board wanted him to go for years, he had massive flops and rather fussy mentality often. And all this saga was only about the money, not the takeover bs or sport reasons. I respect that, but even more couldn't care less. We must aim higher instead of deluding ourselves and settling on what we've got because it kinda works sometimes. Thanks man and good luck, but personally I'm not going to cry and panic as some would.

Looks like they heard the positive feedback for our "retro" cup kit and decided to go full retro in a worst understanding of this word possible. I mean wtf is this, collar apart, it looks like bad kit template for FIFA 2014. I liked the fact we transitioned to Nike but since few seasons we are riddled with most effortless, uninspired and generic stuff possible, both kits and merch wise.

Yeah, finally some enjoyable news, well done

This. No matter where he plays and if he even does at all. Business-wise this is tempting to say at least, Saul failed, he may as well do well. (even if personally I'm not a fan of buying players with his mentality and work ethic)

Brace for constant stream of loses and draws, unless of course they play Chelsea, play for their lives and we loose points, obviously, lol

I guess PSG and Real could pull this kind of deal, because of why not. Would me a more reasonable direction for him imo. There was a time when he could silence the naysayers and prove himself in PL. Now the risk of flopping and ruining the legend is quite high, while in La Liga, let alone L1, he'll do no problem. Chelsea, except panic buys time, seems to prefer discount deals, this isn't really one of them.

Where does interest in him come from? I don't recall Chelsea being much after people of his mentality, that screams discipline and work ethic problems + he's constantly injured. Imo it's very non-Chelesa kind of signing idea. Guess the agents are doing good job here, lol

Well, Kepa is pinnacle of panic buys, but I wouldn't call it the worst transfer. Given the situation and economy at the time, yes, he was ridiculously expensive, club paid all sorts of premiums on him, but I don't recall anyone hyping him up as the best GK ever like in cases of Werner or Havertz. Actually, I wonder what kind of scouting or analytics backed Kepa up, as his stats were so-so. Pressure was extraordinary and he actually did quite well at the start and then just fell apart, but remember he wasn't the only one in team to do so at the time. His mistakes were spectacular, loud, people were pissed of with him, but I wouldn't ever call him a worst transfer. And actually his doing decent job now, so there's still chance he will do good, it's just the expectations about this transfer are way too high for his boots.

Well, he plays well and is rather useful given all the absences, so I can understand he gambles harder. Been here basically entire career, been bashed for years, can understand he may feel burnt out and stronger positioned since he has his 5 minutes now…

Looking at all this contract drama and well… Don't get me wrong, I have a great sympathy for all Chelsea players, but 2 or 3 years ago I doubt a lot of folks would bat an eye for Rudiger and/or Christensen leaving, hell, it would be welcome for them to leave to make space for top CMs. Now we are desperate to keep them. Does it mean they developed like crazy or does it show or transfer policy lacks ambition or basically sucks?

I'll laugh so hard if all that Haaland to RM or wherever will end up with Hazard-kind of flop there. Moves are getting more and more expensive, yet the times of surefire transfers are ending, as leagues and football as a whole is advancing. We'll see what comes out of it, the pressure is one of the biggest ever I guess.

Wasn't it reported that Real claimed it's fake and they are not interested? If he leaves on free, he's useful, but chances that he'll shine like he does under Tuchel are slim and top clubs know it. He has the time of his life now, but let's not forget he was never considered top defender and hardly anyone was trying to take him over from us, for a reason.

Yeah, I'm quite amazed by some of You guys thinking that club will throw 100 million asset out because of the interview, that in all translations we have sounds like some meaningless bs from someone who had a stroke. It had been said many times - a lot of footballers are not very intelectual types, this guy can as well be a total knobhead, we don't know what he was aiming for, but he is still an expensive and potentially useful asset we won't throw away because of some strangely understood pride. He didn't say he hates this club and deserves better or anything.

What the heck is happening in this guy's head, can't believe this, prime shithousery here.

Entering the decisive phase, just don't crumble now and it will be a passable game.

I feel like number of times we lost the ball after own error may be a sad sight for this match

Exactly this - VAR should be transparent and fast to react. If something is not okay, just signal it right out, not halt the game after every goal and contemplate the meaning of life for 3 minutes