Pizy

That money can probably get you Barella. If Brighton still rejected £80m then fuck off and go for Barella.

If Liverpool have or will bid more than once it’s because Lavia is keen to go there. Probably already has his mind set. Doubt we have a chance at him any longer.

It’s honestly incredible that we don’t appear close on anyone.

Chilly is a great player. Hating on him is silly.

Solid showing overall. These youngster are legitimately impressive. Humphreys, Santos, Moreira, Casadei, Maatsen. All impressed me. One thing is for sure, though. An injection of quality in certain areas is needed. But with enough training time and match rhythm we have a serious side on our hands.

Sterling has been the only genuinely terrible performer so far in preseason. Very concerning. Andrey Santos looks very nice on the ball here, though.

So many changes for both sides has made the game very choppy and poor. Not sure either will learn much from this. This is just a good fitness session now.

No minutes for Colwill? Injured?

Newcastle pass the ball around comfortably 50 times every time they get it. We meanwhile can’t string 3 passes together. So damn frustrating.

Considering the players we’re linked with I’m not sure that’s the long term thinking. Think Poch is just trialing him everywhere to get a good look at him. He was brilliant as a fullback for Burnley.

I’ve been one of the few (maybe the only?) one here advocating for Cucu to stay one more season to see if he can turn his fortunes around. But damn does he make a lot of David Luiz like errors. Now that we’ve seen Maatsen firsthand maybe we should cut our losses and sell. If we can find a buyer, this is. He AND Kepa who is also prone to brain farts in defense is a recipe for disaster.

Enzo has been good on the ball as you’d expect but clearly isn’t up to pace defensively yet. A couple of times Newcastle players just ran past him quite easily. Embarrassing defending from Cucu aside, that’s the sort of move that should’ve been cut out in midfield before it even reached him. Caicedo or a proper DM would’ve dealt with that easily. Anyways, lots of positives there. But what I would really like to start seeing is more composed, deliberate build up in possession. We look great in the counter but not so much at building. Both Brighton and Newcastle in each first half have used the ball better than we have. Lots of passing moves and combinations. Hope we can put it down to a bunch of new players, new manager, and new system. But we need some serious training hours to get better in possession.

Yet another positional shocker from Cucu. Jesus.

Jackson looks like he’s going to terrorize lots of defenses with his runs. Proper, proper striker. Also, not to jinx it this early, but Humphrys looks damn smooth. Very Colwill-like calmness.

Chalobah. That’s why he’ll never be a Chelsea first XI player. Too many silly errors.

Midfield pairing looks very light defensively and again highlights our need for Caicedo.

Don’t care about the result. Just hoping for no injuries and to see some gradual improvement.

Hopefully someone posts a working stream again here. The Chelsea app restricts US viewers annoyingly.

No idea how this attack is lining up. Mudryk on the right? Jackson and Nkunku will play up top together I assume.

Hojlund will struggle for United in this league I think. At least in his first season. Glad if they get him rather than going all out for someone like Kane, Osimhen, or even Kolo Muani. United fans have hyped themselves up as if Hojlund is a Haaland level über talent when to me he looks pretty average.

Oh, wow. I kinda take back what I said then. I didn’t realize he was 30+. For some reason I thought he was still like 27-28. 🤣

Verratti is the first top class player who’s still in their prime to go there. That one has to be worrying for the sport. Old, past it former stars going there in their mid 30’s is nothing or players who flamed out at big clubs. But if they start splashing silly money and enticing genuine, currently world class players to go there then it could seriously harm the ability of big clubs in the market.

Verratti to Saudi, WTF?!

In Caicedo’s case we clearly rate him extremely highly. Feels a lot like the Enzo pursuit in that we’re totally determined to get him and only him. So if that’s the case why scared of a big fee when just months ago we “paid whatever it took” for Enzo?

Fine if we aren’t settling for someone we don’t rate as highly, but if Caicedo is our man and our #1 target by far why have we not put a massive offer on the table that Brighton could accept? Everyone and their mother knows £70m wasn’t going to do it.