Jase

Profit. Pat themselves on the back. Probably already thinking how to make more profit in the transfer market.

Financial results announced with record revenues

If they do get Hazard, you wonder what that will mean for Isco or Asensio, especially if Bale somehow still remains.

Can't remember who said it but is Perez actually interested in getting Hazard? Can't remember any genuine approach from Real for Hazard in previous years and don't think Perez has spoken anything about him in the public? Was spending more time trying to court Neymar IIRC.

You are right but let's not kid ourselves here, Real Madrid are like the be-all and end-all for players. They will always get attracted to their prestige, history, success and that (unexplainable) lure. Think Stats has already pretty much reiterated my point and I know what you're saying in the last sentence there but Courtois' family is in Spain while he's playing in London. Can't remember much about Drogba and correct me if I'm wrong but didn't Terry and Lampard only flirted with other clubs just so they can get new contract? Hardly the most honorable act and IIRC, the only time Lampard genuinely wanted to leave was after his mom passed away in 2008. Wanted to join Mourinho at Inter but was persuaded to stay by his dad.

So, Hazard's dad said he has rejected the contract extension from the club but Matt Law said we haven't made an offer. Go figure.

You're right to say the club lack ambition but let's not pretend that is the main reason Hazard, supposedly, wants out. He's been flirting with Real in interviews, long before our lack of ambition became apparent. Ronaldo was at one of the biggest clubs, if not the biggest, in the world 9-10 years ago and was pretty much winning trophies every season but that didn't stop him from leaving for Real, did it?

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2017/1229/930073-stoke-set-to-field-youth-players-against-chelsea/

John Chapman is reliable with any thing related to Belgian football and he's practically said the same things as Kristof anyway. He just didn't expand on it. These might help... https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/chelsea-fc-transfer-rumours-news/2017/12/29/16829156/eden-hazard-real-madrid-chelsea-round-eleventybillion?utm_campaign=weaintgotnohistory.sbnation&utm_content=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter http://www.lesoir.be/131525/article/2017-12-29/hazard-aurait-refuse-une-prolongation-de-contrat-chelsea-eden-se-verrait-bien-au

Yup...but if the latest quotes from his dad are right, then not sure how to feel that the only reason he'll stay is if Real don't bid for him. Makes this nothing more than a marriage of convenience. And it's these constant links and flirtation with Real that makes it kinda hard to get emotionally connected with Hazard, unlike with Terry, Lampard for instance. Will miss his quality and talent if he does leave but not sure if there's much else besides that.

Well, I don't have hope. Just praying.

The concern is there and it's a great one but really not sure we need to beat the drums about it. Let's see how we fare in the upcoming transfer windows.

Think that's still up in the air and Barcelona may want Coutinho to replace Iniesta in the midfield role.

Think we all can agree that the club have lacked ambition for some time. So, I'm not sure why people feel the need to use the Van Dijk move to beat the drum about it again and my point is what's the point of saying Liverpool, apparently, showing ambition if they bolster their squad with a defender but let go one of their key players? What's the point if the purchase money is offset by the sale money? It would be like us operating with a '1 IN, 1 OUT' policy. Would be more concerned if they started splashing out the cash to improve the squad without having to sell important players to fund the purchase.

Because he apparently doesn't make saves.

Getting Carrasco is our priority apparently in January.

At the risk of falling flat on my face, when was the last time Balague got anything right?

Do think Keita is a good signing but jury is still out on the other two. It's one thing to spend big money and it's another to pay over the odds for players. Did they really even need to spend that 40m on AOC when they have more pressing concerns elsewhere? Before we start using Liverpool as an example, let's see if the money is offset by the sale of Coutinho to Barcelona. If it is, then this argument falls flat. If isn't, then fair enough.