VG

I agree - the silence is not a good thing. On the other hand, I'm telling myself that if it was obviously an ACL or something catastrophic they would have been more aggressive on Monday and Tuesday.

Really have to hope this injury is minor… he’s going to be needed these next few months. Almost wish we had kept Essugo as a backup.

That makes sense with the briefing they’re doing now. I was hoping it was them trying to drive down the negotiating price but… doesn’t seem likely. I would’ve probably put your 4 on 2 but I understand. The other straw I’m grasping at is that maybe the Caicedo injury is indeed minor. If not we are playing it very risky.

I assume Monaco or Roma is just trying to extract more money out of us and they know we need to purchase, but I am a little nervous if we don't get a replacement. If Caicedo is out we have some pretty big issues. While I really want Enzo sold... if it was between selling him with no replacement or keeping him, I'd have to say we might need to keep. Also very irritated City apparently left it so late, and how much groundwork we apparently did or didn't do for replacements.

Definitely not on a real money basis, but as Val says maybe not horrendous on FFP. Will any of the 8 sporting directors engage in a minute of self reflection or face consequences? Also no.

While not discounting the possibilities of shenanigans and future expectations with this lot, some of this reflects that the 30 mn pounds we paid was a relegation release clause. Apparently some sell on due to Ipswich too? I hoped he could be good for us but didn’t work out at all. Way more adept at wrestling than scoring and then fell into a tailspin with us. Best of luck for the future. One down, some ten to go??

just wonderful blueco how the set piece coach was the one person not sacked when maresca left.

Great he could be back but apparently already had a setback so I’m tempering hopes of him being up to speed in time for the holiday period.

I'm nervous about Jorrel Hato after realizing this is the rabble he comes from.

Also surprisingly encouraged - a few good moves in the congested Brentford area. Might be good against low blocks, which he probably didn't come up against much last year... With returning players I'd assume his next real chance is Lincoln though.

I don’t know, I think Maresca has done pretty well on this. I think he rested him for Fulham in anticipation of the national team, and he did only play 68 mins in each game. It’s not like Andorra is a massive workout either. I just want Reece healthy for a season and if it means a max of 100-120 mins a week for another couple months I’m okay with that. I’d imagine Gusto comes in this weekend and then Reece for Bayern. I do hope he plays him as a more attacking right back, rather than all the inverting.

oh dear, rapid surgery and announcement on the webpage. does seem like it won't be a short one.

A few reports seem to say he has a "minor knock" which I hope is just a bit of need for rest with Ecuador already having qualified. I was a little annoyed that he wasn't subbed off for Essugo in the West ham game.

That makes sense - and a shame that there's a broken promise to a young player. At some point if not already players will smartly choose to go elsewhere. But maybe some spots for the academy later in the competition. Apparently we did leave one extra slot open in the 25 - besides Facundo, there is no third goalkeeper which is Slonina? That would seem to be not just homegrown amounts then but something around the List A balance needing to be positive? But even there the math doesn't really seem to add up. Slightly irritated and embarassed I am writing this out, but: Amagou (wash?), KDH (28), Jackson (12 loan fee?), Madueke (48), Nkunku (36), Mudryk (62?), Sancho (73?) - 124 ish+ 125 (Mudryk+Sancho)... unclear how Mudryk and Sancho were valued/counted, and how to count add-ons and Jackson's fee. Hato (38), Essugo (18), Santos (18), Delap (30), Garnacho (40), Gittens (48), Pedro (60), Estevao (28). 280. Unclear how Santos gets valued as it's not a new signing but even without him it still looks like we are over, and that's if you count Mudryk and Sancho at face value. While I'd like to trust the owners checked the legal definitions of everything which is why they've left out Facundo/Slonina... they haven't really earned much trust. Chelsea squad for Champions League league phase confirmed

I think good opportunity plus his request for playing time - no idea if true and one for the lawyers, but have read that only A list squad sales counted for compliance so this wasn’t going towards it. If injuries FC hits again and it might with the CWC, maybe he gets some time.