Sideshow Luiz

The way I understood the deal, was that we wanted a GK and a midfielder. But, we couldn't sell Courtois until we got a GK. It was going to be virtually impossible at that point in time to get a quality player for both positions with whatever budget it seems that we had. So, we get Kovacic on loan, now we can spend twice as much on a keeper (which we did). We got both positions sorted and now Courtois can leave. Everyone wins. So, if there is a deal in place for Kovacic, then it's all about FFP. Much like how Mbappe went to PSG on loan last season. We need him now, but we'll buy him next season. Why would Madrid agree? Because it greases the wheels for the Courtois deal. Now, if this is all true, and how it pans out, and people are saying that Marina needs to have some of the stuff taken back about her (which I agree, this would be a really good piece of pull it out of your ass business). Then, imagine (100% not true, but imagine) if it turned out that Courtois knew about all of this, and staged his protest to force Madrid in to action? Worlds would be shattered.

Because the selling club would know that you are short a midfielder, especially a 24 year old one that way supposed to replace Modric. Like how we were never going to get a keeper for less than extortionate money. This could also mean that Modric is going to go to Inter. But that post from Kovacic certainly sounds like Bye, and thanks for the memories.

One of the theories going around reddit yesterday, was that the option/no option to buy was not really reported on (or at least had a lot of confusion) because Madrid didn't want to let on that Kovacic might be leaving permanently. If that was known, it could have possibly made negotiations for another midfielder harder. We'll see.

Not sure where to post this, but this seems as good a thread as any. Statsbomb 2018/19 Chelsea season preview: https://statsbomb.com/2018/08/chelsea-2018-19-season-preview/

Nope. It will be Neymar to RM. Mbappe is going to be the face of PSG. Neymar isn't gong to love that idea. Works for everyone.

Silly season over. What do people have as predictions? I'm going for 0-0 or 1-1. We're not there yet and we're not playing our best XI (highly doubt it).

And let Pep film it.

Kepa's price went up because he signed a new contract with Bilbao and they increased his buy out clause. Bilbao don't do business. You pay the clause, or you piss off. It's not exactly the same with Fekir.

I think I've got a bunch of junk in my shed that I can add to "sweeten" the deal too. Zouma for Martial straight swap. Do it Marina.

How the fuck did his value go up by 7-27M in a month? I know it's deadline day and everything, but the day after is 5.5 months until deadline day again.

That's a possibility. Maybe he'll be underpaid in 4 years time. Matt Law was one of the only people saying that Kovacic had an option to purchase in the loan deal. Might not be on his A-game today.

Bats out on loan. Willian for Martial. Fekir in. In the next 18 hours. Go! In all honesty, I'd be shocked if there were any more incoming players.

Kante and Hazard are going to get huge raises. This would still make Kepa the 3rd highest paid player at the club. Which I can't see. Maybe he got himself a great deal (good for him). But, I'm going to remain sceptical.

This is where I don't think that the wages Law is reporting are correct. I can't see him being on higher wages than everyone on this list, except Hazard https://www.totalsportek.com/football/chelsea-player-salaries/

I think he is talking about the fee being amortized. I was looking and haven't seen much about what his wages are.

Hey. A deal where both sides win. How about that?

The reason I didn't believe any of the reports saying we had an option to buy, is because none of them ever reported a fee.

Possibly. That seems the least likely though, and I don't think we're going to get Martial or Fekir either.

Unless it means that Fekir or Martial are coming in.

the other thing that people don't take in to account are the wages. Only after seeing the transfer fee + wages + contract length are you able to compare the prices of 2 players. Alisson (who will be forever linked with Kepa) 66M + 77K/week on a 6 year deal = 15M/season TBo = 140K/week = 7.3M this season (I'm not sure if they make adjustments to the original transfer fee for contract extensions, but it would be a small adjustment if any) We'll see what Kepa's deal looks like.

Pedulla was the only one with Sarri updates. The only one who said it was still on when everyone else said it was dead. People were copying his links. Hot days 48 hours Blue smoke. His time frames were well off, but he was the only one pushing the actual outcome. He's got some sort of a connection with Ramadani who has been helping us with transfers.

We're done. Courtois situation dealt with. Midfield strengthened. Sarri in. Can't see us with any more ins. Outs still have a couple of weeks (Bakayoko). Maybe DD and Zouma out on loan (they should).

I'm 100% sure that he does in fact want him. I'm 150% sure that he won't get him.