Hessleboink

Definitely looking like our most in-form attacker. Sounds like he's lazy in training. He's also done the "forgotten man" celebration twice now. Big ego. Needs to put the work in to start games.

Badialshile, good god...

Second this.

If Napoli is desperate to get rid, I guess they'll need to lower their asking price... maybe we can give him a signing on bonus and wages on par with everyone else?

Came on and won the game for Villa. Maatsen involved too.

Looked better in a back 3 than a back 4 - always liked him as a player though, although he seemed a bit mentally fragile? Seemed to get the sh*ts a lot too.

That's very true. I think that's an issue with most of our attackers though to be honest. I'm not sure Palmer, Nkunku, Madueke or Mudryk offer much defensively (another reason I don't want Enzo playing as a number 10). I guess it'll be down to Maresca to coach this into the players and find the right balance. We can probably afford to carry one of those attackers, so let's see who's putting up the best numbers. Madueke and Mudryk seem to have the best physical attributes to put in a defensive shift from wide areas, but they are the most inconsistent performers of the lot. We were able to carry Hazard's lack of defensive ability/effort because we had Willian/Pedro on the other side, and Hazard was completely unplayable in attack. A Willian type seems to be what we're missing though (he was a frustrating player, but with hindsight you can see why he got picked so regularly).

I like Felix. Ignoring how crazy our spending is (and other areas that we need to strengthen), I would much rather see Felix starting than Mudryk or Sterling. I think his biggest issue when he was here last was that he was trying to function as the creator and the finisher. If he has Nukunku and Palmer playing with him, maybe we'll get the creative spark minus the dodgy finishing?

4th. City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea

Given the crazy turnover of players and managers since Clearlake took over, it isn't surprising that fans are feeling a disconnect at the moment and are therefore less defensive of the club whilst it's taking a bashing from everyone. From the outside, we've spent a tonne of money without any improvement (it's much more complex than that, but the discussion will always be shallow), therefore we're open to ridicule. Right now, the plan doesn't seem to be working. But no one knows how it will shape up over the next 2/3 years. Really, it's on the pitch that we need to do the talking. We need to make the top 4, which should shut everyone up. Then we need some of these huge investments in players to work out. On paper, we look a decent team. All it will take is some decent performances, some big wins over rivals, and people will be back on board.

I agree. Given everyone can plainly see he's at best third choice to play as a number 10, there's no other way to look at it. The fact Enzo is also a clown and the poster boy for the new owners make it even more frustrating.

Enzo and Caicedo are an embarrassment for the money that's been spent on them. Lavia has to start, and he has to find a way to fit Palmer or Nkunku into the number 10 role.

Lazy Jadon Sancho rumours doing the rounds this morning. Maybe to pressure Athletico into dropped their price for Felix? It would be terrible if we ended up with Sancho on his massive wages... can't see how we'd be that dumb though.

Gotta feel sorry for the guy as he has looked great in pre-season. He destroyed Colwill though so works out well for us on Sunday.

Speaking of Tuchel, the current squad looks very well set up for his 3-4-3: Fofana, Disasi, Colwill, Gusto, Enzo, Lavia, Chilwell Palmer, Jackson, Nkunku As for Sunday -- I expect we'll stick to the 4-3-3 with Gusto inverting. I think we'll look promising in attack, but ultimately fail to control midfield and most likely lose. Then again, we played 2 chaotic matches with City last season and managed a point in each, so here's hoping. I think we'll see: Sanchez Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucu Lavia Enzo, Nkunku Palmer, Jackson, Sterling (Although I think there's a good chance Madueke will start, with Palmer and Neto coming on 2nd half)

I would rather see Sterling and Mudryk sold before Madueke.

I like Conor Gallagher, I wanted him to stay. You do realise I'm not one of the MD of Chelsea right? I'm just saying, rather than everyone throwing a tantrum because they don't like how the club's being run, let's give the kid a chance and get behind him and the team.

Ignoring the price, and the overall state of our approach in the transfer market, he sounds like a very likeable young guy who has come very very humble beginnings. So I hope he's able to come good just as much for himself as for Chelsea. It sounds like he works very hard on the pitch and is at least guaranteed to cause defences issues with his physicality, both of which should be enough for the match day fans to get behind and root for him.

He is a very frustrating player. Trouble is, Mudryk is even worse - and in this system, I'm not sure we have any other options out there. Maybe Jackson, but then we have Guiu playing CF who, whilst his movement and hold up play looks decent, doesn't look likely to get any goals.

He has said he doesn't want us playing such a high line, and that it was identified as a weakness from last season when he joined the team. The positive signs are we do look like we can create a lot of chances, so I guess his ability to fix these defensive issues will dictate how long he gets before lots and lots of pressure builds. I'm sure we could all accept a City defeat if they work hard for it and we are competitive. Let's hope over the next 10 days this is their focus.

Badiashile is absoltely terrible in a high line. Seems to always play someone onside, then never manages to get back to make a challenge.

I think we also need to consider that Nkunku and Palmer are probably going to perform best as part of the midfield. I expect against City to see Lavia, Caicedo, Nkunku in midfield. Sterling, Jackon, Palmer up top.

Athletico Madrid fans seem to think it's very short sighted for them to be selling Omorodion to fund these two deals, so I guess there's a glimmer of hope. The guy looks extremely raw though, I don't see it myself.

The cost of signing lots and lots of dross. Gallagher had some really strong performances in big games last year, think he'll do really well at A. Madrid.