LDN Blue

Yeah they used to do it a few season ago too but I think they gave it up because they didn't get the big clubs to agree. This season they've done more and more often, which is a real shame.

But look at United. Their loanees (Welbeck, Cleverly & Diouf) are all first team players at their loan clubs. Clifford went into his loan and became a first starter, that shows he's actually as good as we all think. Kakuta must do the same a Fulham. Looking at their squad and the quality we believe he has, he must be a regular starter there. Even Mancienne has become important at Wolves.

That's a good point as well. I guess it comes down to a personal thing. After 3 failed bids, I find it hard to believe the Benfica president is in London to discuss the bid, I don't believe Roman is once to cave to the asking price. If he is here and a deal is being negotiated, then fair do's. But until that's properly confirmed, I find it hard to believe.

Yes, but even they've said "Reports in Portugal suggest" The reasons for my suspicions are when reports "suggested" City and Lukaku were to sign a pre-contract a few days ago. It was then revealed this was a rumour started by agents to get that very thing done when really, there'd been no contact at all.

Good point. But big clubs like ours are always suspected with meeting other clubs and being in contact with them. Only 1 media outlet is actually reporting Benfica officials are in London and all others are riding on that too.

Not at all. These rules are a great idea like I've said. But it will be apparent that the likes of Madrid will get away with it. I don't even think City can, or United. I do believe Platini does target these rules at English football more than any other though.

Yawn. There's nothing to suggest this, it's a rumour in the Portugese media. I bet it's their version of Goal that reported it

This morning

Ah ok. Well Platini did meet with the City owners in Dubai of the Christmas period, who knows what happened in those discussions hopefully you're right about the sponsorship rules and it means City will comply like we would have to.

The youth team was just demolished by Fulham 5-1

Yeah I get that haha It's funny, this season we need an attacking midfield player or a right winger. In a few season we'll be looking for those when we'd have already had an abundence of them

The details of the deal is irrelevant though, I believe. Since it's owned by the Manchester City's owner's brothers I'm sure he can easily "have a word" with Etihad to get more funds, and since it's from sponsorship it = revenue. Which they're allowed to use for transfers. It's true, but considering it's only really been 7 years since Roman brought the club, it's hardly surprising we're still making losses. By next year hopefully we'll see a significant decrease in this loss we're making. It's been well noted already how we've already reduced our wage bill from the staff cut backs and player renewals. We're taking all the right steps to eventually break even, it'll be a painful process though.

Yeah like eldo said, it's worth checking TheChels now and then because they do a good Loan Reports every fortnight I believe. From what I've read before, Matic has been featured heavily for Vitesse. Him and Rajkovic have been praised by the coach too and I think they're doing quite well there. Matic is a great talent we have at the club and I'm sure he's learning a lot on his loan spell. I just hope Chelsea are keeping an eye on him because I'd hate to think he's doing everything he can to impress there, but no-one's paying attention. I actually thought he'd breakthrough this season after his appearances in pre-season and even in the final game of last season. Who knows with this club though..

In theory, I love the rule if I'm honest. It stops clubs spending billions and billions on players, and rather invest it in the academy (well that's the incentive) and starts teaching them to live within their means (quite literally). It stops clubs reaching the point of bankruptcy like the likes of Leeds & Portsmouth have succumbed to in recent years. The consequences of not being able to play in Europe economically damaging and humiliating for big clubs. That being said we just know it won't be applied properly. The likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City & Manchester United will all become exempt because of some legal jargon which will find a loophole in the rule. For example; we know ManCity have already found a solution (via Etihad). And like Lampards Bitch said, if any club is going to be punished for breaching those rules.. It's us. It's pretty obvious Roman's taken a lot of interest over it. Bruce Buck, a man who hardly ever talks, came out in support of the rule, on behalf of the club. He'd only do that to show we're committed to it, and will implement changes to comply. We've already seen the wheels in motion, from the releasing of Ballack to likes of the sacking of Ray Wilkins. The latest scout department revamp is further evidence of this.

True, perhaps that suggestion was a bit extreme. It does looks the case, though, that Ancelotti did not want Pienaar but the club proceeded with making a bid for him. This may be a 1-off though because this is the first case we've heard. He has said before "we" are looking for a centre back and the Luiz bid demonstrates this. Then again, this could be the media storm which constantly talks of Ancelotti under the pressure of the sack playing in my mind.

http://news.yahoo.co...lseaboltonterry

We're not. The only players we've really gone for is Luiz & Pienaar. The rest is purely media hype, there's absolutely no proof we've gone for Lescott, Kjaer or Cahill. Carlo said "we're only after a centre back" and suddenly we've been linked with everyone because the media said so.

TalkSport know nothing of football transfers. They use the same "sources" that Goal & Caught Offside use. This is probably just as false as our approach for Sanchez.

Lol what do TalkSport know?

Liverpool have a very strong team in the Youth Cup this year, I've heard big things about them - No doubt they're favourites.

This will be the universal excuse if we drop points in this game. We must show we can win without Terry & Lampard. Though the thought of Drogba captaining us again.. /facepalm

I can't help this one..

Great news! Premier League loans are just the thing our squad needs. Though I'm sure Mancienne doesn't see that view as we would in regards to Kakuta.

This worries me. It's clear the club have gone behind Ancelotti's back to try and sign Pienaar. Worrying times, very worrying..

A blessing in disguise? Perhaps the new appointees in the scouting department will do a better, more efficient job.