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We must filter out the noise. We’re two games into the season. His game time will come, be it thru substitutions or starting due to form, selection or dare I say injury.

FWIW the original article was made up by ESPN Brazil, which is as reliable as Nicolas Jackson 12 yards out from goal. They tacked on some speculation to a short interview and called it "news". For selfish reasons, I think he's in the perfect position. Like in 2005 where Mourinho could start Duff and Robben and bring on Joe Cole in the 60th minute, we lose no attacking momentum if one of Palmer/Rogers gets subbed off. Estevao can change a game off the bench. Sort that midfield situation solidly and we could even see Estevao starting at his favoured no. 10 role which actually allows Rogers and Palmer to take up their favoured inside right/left spots.

I think there's two seperate but worthwhile points you and @The Rising Sun are both making: Perhaps for the first time under BlueCo we have a positive value on our playing squad. Losses on the likes of Fofana, Gusto, Neto, Mudryk, Gittens and maybe Lavia are offset against likely gains on the value of Pedro, Palmer, probably even Rogers and Caicedo in this market. This is great news for Clearlake and their lenders, but not so relevant to the club. In an inflationary market we are unlikely to secure equivalent replacements for the same price and in a deflationary market we won't receive the expected sales. Asset value doesn't matter in football terms, spending does. We've spent an unimaginable amount of money with little to show for it. That's still a problem and while we are able to cover our mistakes due to favourable selling conditions, that isn't always going to last. We have to get much, much better at recruitment. There's some dangerous PR coming out of BlueCo suggesting that Winstanley should be praised for the window sales, and that it was the recruitment and the 'model' that guaranteed us the prices we received. That is foolish nonsense. The market was inflated by a number of macroeconomic conditions that are unlikely to be repeated and are certainly not sustainable. We will not be getting 50m for Garnacho or 65m for Jackson or 125m for Enzo Fernandez equivalents in future years. BlueCo need to have some humility and take an accurate perspective, and not squander a second-chance that we might never get again.

I think that's why he was (jokingly) called Messinho because his dribbling style is very similar to Messi. Not the fastest off the mark but his close control is so good he doesn't lose speed when on the dribble, meaning if/when you fall for his fake you are left in the dust. It's the kind of playstyle that IMO ages very well, not just Messi but it makes me think of Zola, Iniesta, Busquets who still gave people twisted blood into their 30s. Messi definitely developed an elite first-step speed later on, and still has it, hence why he was still able to sit Rice and Anderson on their arse in the WC semi-final at the age of 572. Definitely something for Estevao to keep working on. Also, the idea that "bulking up" makes you slower is just...wrong. I don't know how anyone who has lived through the era of Usain Bolt or Cristiano Ronaldo can still come to that conclusion.

It's 3 points end of the day. Yes we all badly want to beat Arsenal, but it would not be worth it if playing Moi got him injured and out for a long period. Leave him out until we are sure he is ready.

Arsenal will win the league again, Imo. City have a good enough squad and team to threaten them, and of course have Haaland. Depends on Maresca not being a fool though. Rest of us battle for third, we are short in midfield. Had we gotten Alonsos 2 main midfield targets, Wharton and Scott, then I think we challange. Arsenals defence is just too good though. I appricate a great defence, Joses mark 1 team defending I found enthralling on how they made it an art. Arsenal take great pride in their defence, I respect that.

I agree. We are missing some depth in key areas if we want to win the league. That being said top 4 is achievable, especially given that we have no European football this season. We should at least play some good football so I am looking forward to watching more entertaining games this season

I agree. Even if he was back in training I would prefer we make sure until he is fully read to return.

I would agree. He looked like a massive prospect early in his time for us and Maresca sucked the life out of him. He is currently looking like the shadow of that prospect but is still a kid and a more creative hand brake off approach like what we have seen so far under Alonso could be perfect for him. However he has a challenge in his hands getting a regular start and that is down ti him. If he doesn't get it then I can see his agent going looking in January.

Managers don't actually play. Do we have a recent example of a new team+new manager winning big silverware? I don't think it happens anymore the way it did in the past. Maybe an FA cup is attainable, if everything clicks, but not the PL... not with this squad. Afraid we are actually 1-2 injuries away from finishing 10th again.

Big difference in ability between Noni and Estevao. Personally, I think there might some truth to this. Stevie, arrived with an absolutely massive reputation. And he strikes me as the kind of kid that just loves being on a pitch playing football. He knows he has the talent. He also has the confidence. I don't think he will be the sort that would hang around too long waiting for opportunities. Especially as there would be no shortage of top clubs wanting to get hold of him.

Brighton fans wish they were our rivals.

Went too hard in pre-season, but can't really fault him for that. It shows that he has the right attitude.

Tottenham. The unachieveable illusion they all carry. The hatred. The violence. The history. Many of you on here are young bucks and, fortunatley, you have never lived through a period where Tottenham were a big, successful team. I hope you never do. It is unbearable. They would make ardent Arsenal and Liverpool supporters seem like reasonable, decent football fans that you would like to have as your next door neighbours. There is a reason that Chelsea old boys have so many songs about Tottenham that are still sung till this day.

Said after his first day of training with them that "he always dreamed of playing for a big club like Manchester city".

Maybe the red decides he wants to "play a game within the game" of sending off Arsenal players? Lol

People need to slow down. I notice thats its only our club where there is controversy with players on the bench. Noni being a bench player for us and its talk of him leaving. Barely gets any minutes for Arsenal and everything is fine.

Arsenal above anyone by miles and miles and miles. I enjoy beating Spurs. Man Utd I don't hate but for some reason, I have more satisfaction seeing them lose than any other club.

Hasn't trained today which will likely rule him out for Sunday. I would prefer to rest and let him heal for however long he needs at this point.

The small and medium clubs cause upsets without always being the best team on the day. It rarely happens in the big games and if ever with Chelsea. We wont win with a smash and grab, so we really need to be at our very best with what we have. Alonso needs to make sure his system is super effective. Don't see how we win but a draw would be nice.

But my point is that this is only part of the story because we own the players purchased. It's a book deficit at the moment but if we were to sell those players in this market we are probably in profit. Maybe not as much as they thought we would be but my point is those figures appear to be just the transactional monetary balance without including our current assets.

Game will be broadcast on BBC Chelsea Women vs Aston Villa: How to watch, kick-off time...