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I remember one game at Stamford Bridge and he started and I thought he was unfairly withdrawn at half-time, when he was our best attacker. I am not sure if it was an unspecified injury, but I remember thinking he showed promise. We lost the game 1-0. Think it was against Southampton but after that don't recall seeing him again.

Colwill said something similar about Mudryk. They obviously see something in training which he has just not been able to execute on the actual pitch.

You referring to Williams? Sterling suits Arsenal's system a lot more than ours. I am actually annoyed we have done this deal. He is slept on buy a lot of people but as stated I rate him and believe the one team he suits in a glove is Arsenal's. Agreed about Newcastle. Surprised they put so much effort into Guehi and did not get another midfield or attacker. Really surprised.

Yep, worst fears coming to reality. I have made the prediction, that he will be a bigger upgrade than Martinelli. I get they wanted to get rid of the wage bill but have a feeling they will come off better with this deal.

Seen Arsenal are considering Sterling. I said ever since he was frozen out, I have a feeling he will end up there. Arsenal defo could do with another attacker in their frontline. Martinelli has been below par for a while. I think Sterling is actually a better player. Sterling suits them like a glove. He will have more success in that team. Similarly to Havertz. I would rather him go to United than Arsenal. Any other team than Arsenal. Reason being is because I think Sterling gives Arsenal stronger firepower for their title charge and he is proven in the PL. Arteta already knows the player well. Watch this space...

Won't dispute that but last season he did not disrespect the club. Anyway moving on, really pleased to see Maresca's comments on Madueke and to see he plans on keeping him around. Big fan of his and while I accept he has improving to do, he is a real maverick and is a different type of wildcard to have.

Being selfish does not mean he disrespected the club. Is Ronaldo therefore disrespecting Portugal when he takes every free kick, when it rarely if ever goes in? The penalty fiasco was selfish, but he wanted to prove a point and it backfired. Being selfish for pulling ranks is not disrespecting the club. Yes, I agree he has had selfish moments here but he never disrespected the club.

Maybe I am oblivious or not on the same page, but please tell me where he disrespected the club and his teammates last season? I am interested to hear.

Yes, I am. I get it his statement, was not ideal, but realistically, would the situation have changed in any case? No. He effectively has been told you have just over a week to find a new team or rot in reserves or go to Saudi. He won't go Saudi nor will he stay I am sure. Pretty sure, some agreement will happen over his wages, where he will take a paycut. If this is Maresca's decision then fair enough but just feels for me a lot of this is driven from the board and Maresca is speaking for them. Anyway, like I said I will support the team regardless of whatever goes on above, however I do not approve of the owners scattergun strategy. On a sidenote, saw a funny thing where someone said it is not worth getting a Chelsea player on the back of your t-shirt, because the chances are by the time it is printed, they will be gone. Besides Palmer, I guess you can say. Anyway, that being said, I have always liked Neto and think he is a fantastic player. Just think there is a way to be ruthless and having a respectable manner of doing things.

He has divided opinion ever since he has joined here, however the way he has been treated and discarded is awful. I support the team on pitch no matter what, but the owners are ruining the image of the club. I get it, his performance has not reflected his salary, but it is more to do with the fact the owners need to reduce the way fill rather than Maresca 'preferring other wingers'. I know we have never been liked by opposing fans, however even as a massive Chelsea fan, I feel embarrassed with what is going on at the club. The way we just buy players then get rid of them just doesn't sit right with me. Then next season, it will be one of the new signings being pushed out for another 'flavour of the month'. Just don't know whether there is an actual football strategy.

Duran does look really good. Extreme pace, power and good technique. Looks like a poor Haaland but defo think he has capabilities of being a top striker. If he was given a run of starts I would back him to score a good amount.

Villa were dominating before that penalty was given away. Watkins should have made it 2-0 then Bailey somehow missed and score remained at 1-0 and then the inevitable happened...

All that speculation around a month ago about several teams interested, however not one official bid for a player who is a good age, not high wages and not high fee. Wonder what it is...

He got injured during pre-season. Will be out for months. They will be looking to sign a replacement.

I am actually confident about getting something from this game. Bar James, we have a virtually fully available squad. City looked laboured against United last weekend and we have more players than United do. But the biggest thing, is we need to go at them. No Rodri is a big bonus, but no use if we let them dominate the ball. Hit them at every opportunity. The negative optimism from most people towards us may just give Maresca and players extra motivation to spring a 'surprise'.

I disagree. Why buy players like Angelo if you are going to sell him after one season. He is defo more talented than Moreira and is still a potential very good player. It is quite silly to say Madueke didn't turn out good when he got himself in the team last season and had a good spell and is young enough to improve. It is about whether the club give him a chance to do that. I am in a minority here but don't think Badiashile is as bad as people make out. He is not world clas but decent defender imo. Washington was a pointless buy from the beginning. Had very little first team experience and we overspent on a player who majority of fans did not understand from the off. Defo will not be able to sell for even half the fee we bought him for.

Also think the size of the pitch at Emirates would suit his game a lot more. I think for eg Martinelli would struggle here.

They don't. Last season they won their first 6 league games and their first dropped points was at the end of September. Even the season before, don't think they lost their first game until like 2 months in and Haaland seemed to be scoring virtually at least a goal a game. Their first loss then was against Liverpool in the middle of October. Usually they start strong and look the part. There was the season after the Euros in 2021 where they lost to their bogey team Spurs first game of the season, which is the rare 'slow start', which yeah I guess Spurs were helped because City were not at full strength that game due to players being given time off because of Euros, which hopefully helps us and yeah gives some validity to your points, but generally speaking past 2-3 seasons they have looked the part when they have started the season.. Even when they lost to Spurs, the opening game of the Euro 2020 finishing, they had like two back to back 5-0/6-0 wins. But yes, like mentioned some players will be returning late which hopefully helps, however they still will have Haaland and KDB playing. Eek.

I think he would be silly to get rid of him. We need to have the option of a wildcard down the right hand side. Someone who can come on and terrorize the oppostion with pace and directness. We don't have those options down the right and if we do move Palmer centrally, he is a very good option. Seems people easily sleep on him imo. He had a very good run in the team last season and is young and developing. Think he can make a big contribution this season.

Wouldn't read much into that. Many international managers often go for experience over youth. Portugal had Antonia Silva as 3rd/4th choice CB behind 41 year old Pepe. Maguire if fit would have started ahead of Guehi and gets in ahead of likes of Tomori. Weghorst is in front of the pecking order for Holland over Zirzkee who has been courted by big teams and recently signed by United, as well and Brobbey who has been linked with Arsenal. Cucu had a brilliant tournament, however Grimaldo who was sensational was behind him despite being the best LB/LWB in Europe last season. Duran has not starte dloads of games at club level, so not a surprise right now.

He wants to play in the UCL and stay in Europe ideally, however if PSG pull out as reported, and no other current teams in the UCL do not go for him, then I can see it. Napoli aren't fighting for him to stay as Conte wants Lukaku so they basically want to sell him and would love to sell him to the Saudis. So if he is being forced out and his choice is to stay at Napoli who aren't in Europe next season, he may well be tempted by the move. I think PSG will still go for him. This is a tactic to get him for cheaper, but if it falls through, my money would be on Saudis. Milinkovic-Savic is older than Osimhen, but bare in mind he left Lazio at 28 and when they qualified for the UCL which I am not sure if he has played in before to play football in Saudi.

The Saudis will jump in for Osimhen if true. He wants PSG but if PSG pull out, will be interesting to see if he leaves for Saudi if no other big team from Europe comes for him.

Ironic that he was banned for 'wumming' but he is now doing same thing 😄 Jokes aside, I thought Lucio was a good poster. Was it really necessary to ban him? I have had some agreements and disagreements with him, but all debate topics and seemed reasonable poster IMO.

Just seen who reacted to this post. Someone actually went out their way to make an account called 'Vesperstinks'. Wow. Bizarre but funny 😄

For Yoro it is a tough one though. He was only getting just under £350k per year which equivalates to less than £10k p/w. He obviously wants to go Real and yes he probably was pressurized by Lille into accepting it and could have waited for a season, however anything could happen in matter of a year and when you have someone willing to pay you that much, or you stall on your current wages at the current amount for a year, I understand why he made the move. One club showing more determination and willing to give you a massive, life changing amount now rather than wait. Life-changing for family too and long term security. Although unlikely, who is to say he doesn't suffer a Fofana type injury and it changes a club's decision making an offer on him. And although United, do not hold same prestige, they still are a big, big name who are offering him a slot into their first team immediately. That being said, I was surprised when he made the move to United, however then I saw the wages..