bjd

There was a bit more to it than that. He was granted a licence for 3 nights (as expected) but not 5 and for some reason Brooks pulled out completey to the bewilderment of everyone, taking a 'all or nothing' stance. Whole thing over there was farcically organised anyway (and not for the first time at that venue), with the tickets going on sale without even a preliminary discussion over licenses.The situation with Twickenham will be very different and can't be compared. The council and residents certainly hold some cards but the power and the final decision ultimately rests with the RFU. Can't see it happening myself and I think there's a fair whack of PR going down. Let's see.

But will it really?Torres seems to be at his most dangerous when running with the ball into space and seems to be at his worst when it's up to him to seek out space in a tight games. He ain't going to get a lot of room in Serie A that's for sure. Wouldn't surprise me one bit if it's another disaster out there for him. One things for sure, the Milan fans won't give him the time, patience and support the Chelsea fans did (at least on the pitch anyway!)

That pretty much sums it up and is all that needs to be said. I'll wish him the best of luck in Milan (who need their heads checking) but it's good to have the dark cloud lifted. It stopped being a tragedy sometime ago and ended up being a farce.

Ive fixed that up for you Ozboy!

State of our group

Well said Just. Hope the guy hasnt been hounded out, thats not really how its ever gone down on here.

Phew, suspect that wipes him out of Everton, But it could be worse.

No, ideally you cant. But what im saying is id rather go into a season fighting for everything with a 36 year old and a young boy with hee haw expierence than go into a season fighting for everything with a 36 year old and Fernando Torres! I fear the worst case scenario is dawning - Costa is out for a 4-6 weeks and therefore the club decide to keep hold of Torres.

Yes i think thats the plan and we all thought that would be done and dusted by now, but i think he is being held back just in case.... Personally id keep him if we lose Torres. Hes clearly nowhere near ready but he would offer more than Torres currently does, which i know isnt saying much...

I think its too early to have this debate, come Tuesday we will know the score. Personally i think we are in for an interesting few days. I firmly refuse to belive the club are going to get caught with their pants down striker wise for a second Summer running. Last years over long and naive chase of Rooney pretty much ended up us costing the title. So much depends on the Torres situation really. Currently i think it speaks volumes Bamford hasnt gone anywhere yet. I just dont think the club are going to be so short sighted again. Or are they ...

Grim.

Tuttosport saying he is close to signing a new deal up until 2019 http://t.co/TVvTOliPJ7 Let's be honest , this was never a goer.

Why? Do you know something he doesn't then ?

Is that £25m or euro? I'd take it if it was £ , but if it's Euro doesn't that work out around £19m? Not enough.

It's a shame but that's a good price I think, and if the mgmt didn't feel his attitude was quite right then I don't blame them for cashing in. He still only has raw potential as far as I'm concerned, not too sure if this is something we will regret in 5 years time. Dubious if it will come back and bite us. Who knows? Feels like we have been through a lot with him over the past 3 years, yet you can count the amount of times he has played for us more or less on one hand. Best of luck to him but I'm certainly not as fussed as others will be. We can't miss someone who didn't play for us after all. Still think we've got another transfer in coming yet...midfield or defence.

Despite what the club are saying i just cant see us having Cech and Courtois next season. I dont see it. Personally my money is on Cech leaving before the window is out, it'll hurt (for everyone) but i think its the way forward. If i had to put money on someone else going from that list it would be Mikel. The new contract for Romeu was something none of us expected and doesnt bode well for Mikel. Unless of course Romeus contract was just an effort give him some resale value. Who knows what will happen but im pretty sure we will have a few more departures and arrivals before 31 Aug.

A truly awful kit. Worst for years! I want to work for adiddas as a designer please, seems a piss easy job.

Wouldve been a strange signing but its hardly something to get your knickers in a twist over. He wouldnt have been a first team player. I think due to his previous time at Chelsea we owe him a bit more respect than to say 'bullet dodged, phew' etc. I wouldve been happy to see him again, half decent player who clearly loved his year with us. Wish him nothing but the best of luck.

As a coach yes, but as a player it simply doesn't make any sense to me even the romantic aspect of it, particularly if he will be taking up a non-homegrown place. Staggering, really.

That much is very clear.

Apologies to plough in to your debate but I can't help it having read this. Just thought I'd say you won't read a bigger line of nonsense all day than that above, perhaps even if you spent all day long on an Arsenal forum too. For the record, I'm all for the Luis transfer, but come on...

I don't believe a word he is saying and neither should anyone else if history is to go by!

As always, Jose's words should be taken with a somewhat large pinch of salt.

Don't believe a word of what Mourinho says. Not a word.

Though he was decent before the injury, seemed a little immobile afterwards. No idea how he got on in Spain last year mind. Not sure how people are coming to the conclusion he isn't good enough bearing in mind its been pretty much 2 years since he last played for us, i assume they all saw every game he played for Valencia ?! That said, its certainly a surprise. I wonder if the club are protecting his value and hoping a successful loan will attract suitors. More likely Mikel is off and Romeu will be kept to play as a holding midfielder and/ or to provide depth at CM.