Sideshow Luiz

There is also the chance that we will put in a token "matching" bid way too late.

In a nutshell: Everyone is so on edge that every piece of twitter this or that is brought up, analyzed, then debated. Cabin fever has taken hold. Lack of news is leading to in-fighting. Conte is still our manager.

The club and the manager have to work together. I think that the idea of the manager having the final word in the market is an English media thing. Clubs in England seemed to be the last to go to a director of football model. In fact, if I recall, they used to refer to it as a "Continental set-up". But, just about every club does it now, I think. Managers know that if results don't come, they get the sack. If it were up to them, the clubs would spend ridiculous amounts of money on players that are older, and have no re-sale value. Newcastle fans slated the club for not backing Keegan in his last stint, but his short list was ridiculous. The club needs to look after their long term interests, managers are usually all about "win now". Redknapp at Portsmouth is a prime example of how it goes wrong when a manager has too much power. But, they need to work together or you get the square peg in round hole scenario. This is where a club identity and style has to fit with the manager. It's well and good to have great promising talent, but if they don't get played, they risk being shipped off to somewhere like Wolfsburg for example before they really get a chance. As far as Seri goes. With some players, it doesn't matter who the manager is. A ball playing CM with vision and technique will fit in with just about any midfield.

That's how I read it as well. If this is really the case, then everything makes sense. 8M to get your 1st choice in was worth it, 8M to get someone in a month early is not.

So, am I reading this right? On July 1st, Sarri will be released if no club comes in and pays the 8M clause (which is not in effect anymore, but a negotiated fee)?

To be fair, if we had squeaked in to 4th spot, it may have saved Conte's job. MAY.

I'd read that. I didn't find it particularly exciting, personally. Especially that section on how slow PSG were to move the ball from build up to the final 3rd without Verratti.

Still think there's a chance that we'll still get Sarri and that these other names are a smokescreen. If ti were Blanc or Enrique, then what's the hold up? We've apparently contacted them before, at least Enrique.

I think he's been good. Not GREAT, but one of the top in the league, probably top 10 in the world. However, he's not bigger than the club, he's replaceable. If he doesn't want to be here, fine. Since he's leaving on a free next summer, we should just sell him and get something for him and move on. It's going to be this summer or next anyway.

With all of this faffing about, it's clear that there isn't someone that they (board) actually want. They just don't want Conte. Any half recognizable name attached to a warm body will do. I get the impression that the board just need a scapegoat for when they fuck up. We'll be right back here in 2 summers, max. P.S. I've also noticed that whenever anyone refers to the board, we use "them". Instead of "us" or "we". Pretty much sums up the way that the supporters feel about the running of the club these days.

If they are going to pinch pennies, the cheapest option is to keep Conte. But, they've gone too far down the road and fucked themselves. Imagine Conte's first press conference? I'd almost like to see him stay just to hear the amount of abuse he hurls at the board. So, it's going to cost the club anyway, just get the one you actually want. This is so ridiculous. Spend 40M on Drinkwater, then sit here and let your number 1 managerial target get away over a few million. FFS.

We wouldn't spend 60M on him, would rather spend 50M on Shelvey.

Sure. But, he's leaving anyway. Either we sell him, or he leaves on a free.

Get a technical director or sporting or whatever you want to call it. This club is so fucked right now. Less organized than a Sunday league side.

Exactly. Complete fucking mess. How hard are you expecting Conte to work next season, knowing it's his last, and you tried to replace him. That's not going to happen, so instead of paying 8M for the manager we want, we're willing to take any old warm body because they're free. FFS.

You'd think that September/October would be a good time to go. Surely, this is the busiest period for someone in charge of getting hirings done.

100% No "big" clubs really need a keeper. But, I don't even care what we get for him because he's gone on a free next summer anyway. Sell him to Getafe for 10M for all I care.

Sorry, I have to say 3 or 4 Haven't clarified our manager situation, and the options are very different (Sarri vs. Conte). WC starts soon, short window, no director of football. We've shown no semblance of having a plan, let alone implementing it. Hope I'm wrong.

I have to believe that there's been a plan in place with Sarri all along. We knew about his release clause. Napoli went and got a replacement, already. There's no way that Carlo takes that job with the caveat "there' may be a second guy here doing your job". Everyone knew that the clause expired yesterday. I'm expecting an agreement or resignation soon. Please Chelsea, don't sink to new depths of incompetence.

He did, up until today. That's a release clause. Now that the clause is no longer in effect, we'll see what it's going to cost for him to resign.

8M euros. We'll see what happens tomorrow after the clause expires.

I log on, hope to find updates. See nothing. Why do I do this to myself? I would like to have Sarri, but if it's not going to happen, they need to just stop looking around and realise that Conte will be the coach next season. Then either, get him what he wants, or be prepared for a season of moaning (assuming he doesn't walk out right before the season starts).

Just go, and take the bullshit with you. The only hope I have is that he actually goes this summer instead of running down his contract and going for free. If this was his plan, then he's done so to fuck the club.

If it's not worth doing at the last minute, it's not worth doing at all.

I'm more of a robot man, myself